La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs

La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs offers a menu with international flair and a comprehensive wine list, including wines made at the San Sebastian Winery located on the first floor. The restaurant and the winery present a masterpiece for the senses with this remodeled space, a new menu, and some of St. Augustine's favorite local musicians. 

La Cocina

The executive chef at La Cocina, Norberto Jaramillo, is known to St. Augustine foodies for creating a comfortable restaurant that serves international flavors with flair.

La Cocina offers casual lunches, fine dining in the evening, and a bar menu that includes shareables, salads, and sliders. The menu showcases local and sustainable ingredients, made possible by Chef Norberto's relationship with local farms, fisheries, and artisans.

For dinner, Chef Jaramillo, working with Chef de Cuisine Sebastian Sikora, presents three-course meals and desserts, offering a menu that includes nods to southern favorites and to flavors from Chef Norberto's heritage. Soup and salad options are listed as first-course items; oysters, octopus, and beef tenderloin are second-course options; and entrees include filet mignon, a half rack of lamb, and Chilean seabass.

Lunch items range from salads to light meals, handhelds, and select special entrees. There are salads, including one with shrimp salad and lump crab, crab cakes, and coq au vin.

At the rooftop bar, where you can hear live local musicians, the menu emphasizes foods for sharing, sumptuous appetizers, and light meals. Shareables include a cheese board, a charcuterie board, antipasto, and beef empanadas. You can order lobster bisque, baked brie, shrimp and salmon ceviche, and short rib sliders. The two rooftop desserts, coconut panna cotta and chocolate marquise, are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Check their website for the day's "Chef's Pairing Menu," which includes four courses, each paired with a wine from San Sebastian Winery. 

The Details

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday. Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., dinner from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and the bar menu is available from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

Local musicians perform on the rooftop deck Thursday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs has a full bar and offers wine by the glass and bottle, specialty drinks, bottled and draft beers, and soft drinks.

Reserve your table for lunch or dinner by calling (904) 461-8288. You can also contact them for catering and private parties. 

The restaurant and bar are on the top floor. There is an elevator. The bar is now fully covered with open sides and a great view.