How to Conquer the Flavors of the Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld San Diego

 

 

 

 

Guest Blogger: Michelle Hernandez, Pass Manager

 

Craving a culinary adventure? Dreaming of diving into a melting pot of international flavors without packing a suitcase? Imagine sinking your teeth into a savory slice of Italian pizza, indulging in the perfectly spiced magic of Filipino Chicken Adobo, or daring to try exotic French Escargot! Well, guess what? All of this mouthwatering goodness—and so much more—awaits you during the FINAL weekend of the Seven Seas Food Festival. It’s a foodie paradise you definitely don’t want to miss!

 

AND anyone can join in on the fun because this food festival is for EVERYONE! Whether you are tasting around the world with your little ones or are out and about for date night, Seven Seas Food Festival has something for you!

 

The best part? There’s no need for a passport or airport security; you only need your ticket to SeaWorld and a Seven Seas Food & Beverage Sampler to help you sip and savor your way through more than 150 flavors from around the world.

 

You don’t have to snag a Seven Seas Food & Beverage Sampler but trust me—it’s the ultimate hack for making the most of this foodie paradise. Think of it as your all-access pass to flavor heaven. In addition to ALL the amazing dishes we offer, there is show-stopping entertainment that allows you to fully immerse yourself with the region and the food. A dinner and a show, as some might call it.

 

There’s so much to do and SEA at the Seven Seas Food Festival so if you need some help mapping your way through? Here’s how I conquered the flavors and entertainment of the world!

 

 

 

First, grab your Seven Seas Food & Beverage Sampler and pick up a Seven Seas Passport, your ultimate guide on hut and stage locations, and dish ingredients and information. Once you have grabbed both, you are ready to start your foodie adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

Insider Tip: Want a food challenge? In addition to your favorites, try all 16 of Chef Zuric’s Favorite Flavors listed in the Seven Seas Passport! Each one is marked with a little Chef hat next to it!

Second, decide your time to dine! I love brunch and Seven Seas Food Festival locations open at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, making it the perfect time for brunch!!!

 

For those 21 and up, start your day off with a mimosa over at Location #14: Mimosa Bar, located near the front of the park. There is an assortment of juices you can choose from to make your perfect cocktail. If mimosas are not your thing, the Mimosa Bar has additional offerings like a Whiskey Sour, a delicious Cocojito, and a Hibicus Paloma!

 

Once you have grabbed your drink, pair it with some food! I recommend the South and Central America huts, over by Manta and Dolphin Point, to enjoy a savory brunch/early lunch item. In this area, you’ll find Peru (Location 21), Costa Rica (Location 22), and Brazil (Location 24).

 

At Peru, you can enjoy some Aji de Gallina (chicken with walnuts, pepper, a boiled egg, rice and olives) or some Lomo Saltado (beef, onion, bell pepper, potato, and rice). Both are perfect blends of light, savory dishes and pair well with your mimosa! You can also grab some Peruvian Ceviche made with shrimp and octopus to get your day started. OR you can grab all three! Why not? It’s the weekend!

 

Next stop by Costa Rica, which is right next door, and grab a nice Sopa Negra, a black beans soup, or Rondon (coconut curry and seafood) and a quick snack like Plantain Chips with cilantro sauce.

 

Hint: Rondon is one of Chef’s favorite dishes! Make sure to cross that off your list if you try it! 

 

 

 

 

  

All you’re missing now is entertainment! Head over to the Samba Stage to check out the ALL-NEW Brazilian Carnival Dancers, you can’t miss out. It’s the perfect way to hype up the rest of your day as you watch these dancers transport you to the streets of Brazil with their high-energy dance routines, vibrant costumes, and infectious rhythm. You’ll definitely feel like getting up and dancing! If you weren’t awake before, you will be after this performance!

 

Insider Tip: If you need a break from the food, venture over the ramp across from the Samba Stage to see our beloved bat rays, maybe even grab a feeding tray (for them, not for you!).

 

At this point, you’ve had some food, a drink (or two), seen bat rays, and danced a little samba, now it’s time for sweets!

 

Make your way past Manta and the flamingos to Location 29: Antarctica. There you will encounter countless sweet flavors from mango and strawberry to coconut! And with the nice weather we have been having, I would suggest cooling down with some Taiwanese Shaved Ice, made with mango and condensed milk, or the Strawberry Raspado (Mmmm!).

 

Once you’ve grabbed your sweets, head over to the Waterfront for more delightful entertainment, Enjoy the views of Mission Bay as you let your stomach settle; there’s still more to taste!

 

 

 

 

At Waterfront, we have the Waterfront Stage, enjoy a soothing ukulele performance. Sit back, relax, and feel the island vibes! And while you’re there, grab a few dishes from Location 26: Polynesia.

 

Polynesia is by far my favorite location in the park; from the Huli Huli Chicken to the Fried Spam Musubi to the Haupia and Passion Fruit, it’s impossible to choose what dish I am in the mood for. I recommend any item on the Polynesia menu!

 

Hint: One of these dishes is on Chef’s Favorite Flavors list, can you guess which one?

 

You can pair any of these dishes with something from Location 27: Tiki Bar. For me a Mai Tai always hits the spot, so a Frozen Mai Tai is a MUST and pairs perfectly with any of the Polynesia dishes! 

 

 

 

 

OH, I almost forgot! There’s one more thing to enhance your Polynesian dish and sweet drink: MORE entertainment! Check out the Polynesian dancers over at Waterfront Stage to enjoy the rhythm of the traditional dances of Hula and Haka. 

 

 

 

 

INSIDER TIP: Visit this Polynesian area again later in the day to be memorized by fearless dancers as they unleash the power of fire and ignite the stage with daring moves and blazing energy that transform the evening.

 

Okay, now it’s time to head to the other side of the park to the Mediterranean (Location 2), Spain (Location 3), France (Location 4), and Italy (Location 7). But before we enjoy more food, let’s cleanse our palettes by heading into the Penguin exhibit and enjoy some thrills on Arctic Rescue!

 

 

 

 

 

Pass Members: If you haven’t used your FREE one-time Quick Queue from April, this is your last week to do so!

 

Once you’ve seen the penguins and caught some wind at Arctic Rescue, you’re ready to continue your foodie quest. And if you’re still feeling adrenaline from your ride, get adventurous and try the Escargot from France! Or if you want to stick to classics,  a Charcuterie dish, Macarons or Crème Brulee will hit the spot.

 

Hint: One of these is another of Chef’s favorites!

 

Be adventurous over in Spain, with a Pulp Gallego dish or keep it simple with some Lamb Chops or Morcilla (Blood Sausage). At the Mediterranean hut, grab another one of my favorite dishes, Roasted Garlic Hummus, which is such a perfect snacking dish. Or for those Greek enthusiasts,  a Greek Lamb Pita Pocket or a Tabbouleh Salad.

 

Hint: Now that you’ve gotten to know Chef Zuric’s taste flavors, can you guess the two of Chef’s Mediterranean favorites?

 

A few of my top picks can be found in Italy, the Braised Meatballs and the Gnocchi! Both dishes are very flavorful and are must-haves, they pair so well together. You also can’t go wrong with a Roman Margherita Pizza, that is a classic EVERYONE will love!

 

Hint: Chef and I share a favorite dish in Italy!

 

Once you have finished up with these regions, it’s time to head to Korea (Location 10) and the Philippines (Location 11), more of my favorites!  We are almost at the end, but wait… need to burn off some of those dishes? Dance and vibe along to one of our Seven Seas DJs over at the Seven Seas Show Stage adjacent to Korea and the Philippines. When you  need to refuel again, gnosh on some Korean Fried Chicken and pair with the Kimchi Fried Rice for the ideal duo. Or grab Chicken Pancit from the Philippines to pair with your Korean Fried Chicken. Honestly, either dish is an amazing side!

 

Hint: Here are more of Chef’s favorites!

 

You have made it through a day of tasting your way through the world, but you’re not done yet! You have to finish off the night with flavors and entertainment from right here in SoCal!

 

 

 

 

 

These flavors are a jaw dropper… because when you first hear what they are, it’s a little hard to digest (Get it?). Grab some Cherry Coke Short Rib Chips and Coca-Cola Sticky Wings and stick around to listen to some classic tunes from the SoCal Band. The perfect way to complete your day at the Seven Seas Food Festival.

 

Share with us on social media how you conquered your way through the Seven Seas Food Festival. What are your must-dos? What surprised you?

 

Instagram: @seaworldsandiego