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Our Guide to the Best Restaurants at Sea
Written by Emily Jacobs
Culinary curious but love a cruise? You don’t need to compromise with these restaurants, all found on five-star cruises.
Taking to the open seas doesn’t mean compromising on great food. On top of the spacious rooms, one-of-a-kind entertainment, faultless facilities and jaw-dropping locations, luxury cruises are also home to a collection of must-try culinary experiences.
Read on to discover the latest and greatest in cruising cuisine.
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Queens Grill – Cunard
When sailing on one of the finest cruise ships in the world, only the finest fare will do – and Queens Grill delivers in spades. Available exclusively to Queens Grill suite guests, the intimate and sophisticated French-inspired restaurant offers the ultimate in fine dining, with menus that draw inspiration from some of the world’s best kitchens. Drop by for breakfast and savour eggs royale or a full English, before returning for baked cod with parsley crumb, new potatoes and broccoli for lunch. Come dinner, enjoy salads, soups or main courses, as well as a selection of international cheeses and artisan breads from the trolley. Service is perfectly pitched, with the same table for your entire voyage and friendly staff who will look after your every whim.
Pinnacle Grill – Holland America Line
Steak tartare, lobster bisque, porterhouse steaks, and Alaskan king salmon – the menu at Holland America Line’s Pinnacle Grill is a masterclass in steakhouse extravagance, with something for every type of culinary connoisseur. After a day of yoga and Pilates, a treatment at Greenhouse Spa & Salon and an afternoon recital at Lincoln Center Stage on the Noordam, relax into an elegant booth to enjoy Pinnacle Grill’s 28-day wet-aged prime steaks, paired with award-winning wines. After your decadent experience, retire to Billboard Onboard for performances of the latest chart-topping hits.
Razzle Dazzle – Virgin Voyages
It’s Razzle Dazzle – but not as you know it, on Virgin Voyages’ adults-only Scarlet Lady. This modern, plant-forward restaurant serves an all-day menu with consciously sourced ingredients in a fresh, no frills and downright delicious way. With twists on comforting American classics such as fried chicken and milk and cookies, as well as creative takes on vegetarian and vegan dishes, it strikes the sweet spot between balance and indulgence, best served with a side of live entertainment. For the full experience, it’s hard to look past the boozy brunch.
Chops Grille – Royal Caribbean
Gold and claret wood furnishings, crimson hues and leather-backed chairs set the scene for decadent dining at the Chops Grille, found on the entire Royal Caribbean fleet. This sophisticated steakhouse is all about those steaks, seasoned and seared to lock in as much flavour as possible. Served with truffled French fries and signature gruyere potato croquettes, it’s as indulgent as the rest of the ship’s facilities. In between stops, catch a show or film, scale the rock climbing wall or bliss out at the Sea Spa – with so much to do, see and eat, you may not want to get off.
S.A.L.T. Kitchen – Silversea
Discover new tastes and textures before you step off the ship at S.A.L.T. Kitchen, found on Silversea’s Silver Dawn, Silver Nova, Silver Moon and Silver Ray. The destination-focused restaurant uncovers the culinary heritage of each port you visit with the Terrain menu, or combines your itinerary’s best flavours in one delicious dinner with the Voyage menu. Choose Silver Dawn to find your Nordic nirvana on a round-trip from Copenhagen, or follow the Atlantic Coast from Copenhagen to Lisbon, stopping over in Hamburg, Amsterdam and Bordeaux. As you change location, so will your S.A.L.T. Kitchen menu, with new flavours to try on every visit.
Jacques – Oceania Cruises
Food and wine is no afterthought on an Oceania Cruise – it’s one of the main drawcards for the culinary curious cruise-goer. Jacques, named for and inspired by renowned chef Jacques Pépin, is considered one of the fleet’s finest restaurants, adding a slice of Paris as you cruise from Miami to Barcelona on the Marina, or Hong Kong to Seoul on the Riviera. Step into the grand dining room to discover a Parisian bistro, dotted with heirloom antiques and art from Pépin’s personal collection, along with a menu full of French classics. Steal a glance at the show rotisserie, where chicken, duck, pork, beef and veal roasts turn, before enjoying the likes of French onion soup with a gruyere crust, sea bass with beurre blanc and mille feuille.
Prime C – Azamara
Discover a classic American steakhouse on the high seas with Prime C, found on all Azamara cruise ships. Perfectly positioned to soak up stunning views from every angle, the elegant restaurant celebrates beautiful cuts of beef, lamb, pork and duck, with filet mignon, chateaubriand and rib eye steaks all appearing on the comprehensive menu. As you cruise, dine on a delectable herb-coated rack of lamb, served on the bone, with creamed leek and spinach, blue cheese bread soufflé and creamy mashed potato, or keep it light with a Chilean sea bass with sautéed broccoli and mushrooms. With a considered wine list, you’ll find the perfect pair for a wonderful night out.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out 7 Reasons Why Premium & Luxury Cruises Offer Better Value.
Feature image: Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages.
Please note that restaurant availability may vary depending on the cruise ship and itinerary. It’s always recommended to check with the cruise line for the most up-to-date information.
