Beyond the buffet: 14 cruise ship restaurants that redefine dining at sea
These floating restaurants are taking dining to the next level.
Our pick of the best restaurants at sea takes waterfront dining to the next level.
For outstanding tapas
The restaurant: Cuardo 44
The ship: Windstar's Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride
Take a seat at the long, communal table that faces the open galley of Cuadro 44. This cosy tapas restaurant is where Windstar passengers mingle and chat about their day ashore, while watching chefs prepare Spanish snacks from scratch.
Created by Michelin-starred Anthony Sasso, the menu covers every region of Spain and beyond. Our waiter recommends the patatas bravas, charred octopus, Moroccan-style cauliflower and seafood paella rolled into ball-shaped croquetas. Next come the larger servings of pork belly with leeks, lamb chops with mint salsa verde, and cod poached in olive oil. To finish, we share crunchy, bite-size churros dipped in salted tamarind hot chocolate and hibiscus sauce. The 38-seat Cuadro 44 is onboard Windstar's Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride. windstar.com
For couples
The restaurant: Love by Britto
The ship: Princess Cruises' Sun Princes
Every element of this new venue has been curated into a joyful, creative dining experience for couples. The first-of-its-kind collaboration showcases the talents of Brazilian artist Romero Britto and Princess Cruises' head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin. Britto's bold designs jazz up the menu and plates, beside heart-folded napkins and cutlery with heart-shaped cut-outs.
Even some of the food is carved into hearts, so you can literally eat your heart out. The seven-course feast begins with aphrodisiacs such as oysters flecked with gold flakes and a pink champagne granita with rose petals. Exquisite presentations of lobster and beef tenderloin are followed by chocolate lava cake. Love by Britto is available on Sun Princess, sailing in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. princess.com
For Sunday brunch
The restaurants: Compass Rose and La Veranda
The ships: All Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships
Every Sunday morning, Regent Seven Seas Cruises upholds a tradition to serve breakfast with champagne, mimosas and caviar. Available in both the Compass Rose and La Veranda on all Regent ships, it's a sophisticated way to start your day.
A plate arrives with a mother-of-pearl spoon and fizzing flutes of Heidsieck. Two types of caviar are topped on blinis, accompanied by all the accoutrements: finely chopped eggs, red onions and creme fraiche. When it's a day at sea, an extravagant Sunday brunch takes over. Among the towers of croquembouche and ice-carved swan sculptures, dozens of chefs prepare everything from strawberry crepes to seafood, while waiters pour wine and fresh juices. Go back for seconds and refill your glasses; all food and drinks are complimentary. rssc.com
For best barbecue
The restaurant: The Grill
The ships: All Silversea ships.
The Grill, by day, is Silversea's poolside bistro serving burgers and hot dogs. At night, it transforms into the candlelit Hot Rocks. In a tradition that has organically developed on warm evenings, guests gather for drinks at the bar under the stars before sitting down for a barbeque. Each table has its own slab of lava rock, which has been heated in an oven to reach 400 degrees, where seasoned steaks, fish or prawns are placed to sizzle in front of you.
Wearing an apron, you finish cooking your protein to your preferred state of doneness. Baked potatoes, vegetable skewers, sauces, salads, fruit and desserts complete the alfresco meal. If your culinary skills are lacking, the chefs will grill it for you, but it's fun and easy to do it yourself for a change on a luxury cruise. Hot Rocks can be found on all Silversea ships. silversea.com
For seafood fans
The restaurant: Raw on 5
The ships: Celebrity Cruises' Edge, Apex and Beyond
Albacore tuna, crab claws, octopus sashimi, salmon poke. If your mouth is already watering, you are going to love Raw on 5. The clean lines of the restaurant are as appealing as the menu, and the raw bar is always the heart of the action. And for those who can't go past a seafood platter, there are several to choose from. celebritycruises.com
For meatballs like mamma's
The restaurant: Canaletto
The ships: On 11 ships of the Holland America Line including Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam
There's a healthy dose of Italian style to the interiors - love those curved-back chairs - but it is the menu at Canaletto that has diners coming back for more. It is packed with Italian classics of all kinds, from beef carpaccio and veal and sage meatballs to lasagne and spaghetti alla vongole. Don't forget to leave room for dessert - the tiramisu is mouth-watering. hollandamerica.com
For kicking back with a brew
The restaurant: Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse
The ships: Carnival's Horizon, Celebration, Panorama and Mardi Gras
It is one of America's most irresistible dishes: a plate of Southern-style barbecue. Whether you favour brisket, baby back ribs, salmon or even dry-rubbed chicken, it's all available at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse. The best way to wash it down is with one of the in-house craft brews, perhaps a smoked porter, a farmhouse ale or a hoppy IPA. carnival.com
For keeping it classic
The restaurant: The Grill by Thomas Keller
The ships: Seabourn's Ovation, Encore, Quest, Sojourn and Odyssey
Don't wait until you are onboard to book your table at The Grill by Thomas Keller. Seats in the Michelin-starred chef's dining rooms on the Seabourn fleet are always in high demand from guests who enjoy classic dishes like roast chicken or lobster thermidor. (Did we mention that side options include macaroni and cheese?) The service has an old-school flair, with dishes like Caesar salad prepared at the table. seabourn.com
For Asian favourites
The restaurant: Pacific Rim Pan-Asian Cuisine
The ships: Regent Seven Seas' Splendor and Explorer
From Tibetan prayer wheels to intricately designed lamps, the interiors of Pacific Rim draw on influences from across Asia. The menu is similarly eclectic, making this a one-stop shop for all things Asian. From Korean barbecue lamb chops to a classic Vietnamese pho soup, siu mai dumplings to seafood laksa or a massaman curry, you can feast on flavour-packed dishes from every corner of the continent. rssc.com
For a trip back in time
The restaurant: Rialto
The ship: Uniworld's SS La Venezia
The name says it all. Aboard the SS La Venezia - the Uniworld vessel dedicated to northern Italy itineraries - every design element has been inspired by the glories of Venice, from brocade fabrics to the colourful glass made on the island of Murano. The Art Nouveau elegance of the Orient Express train has also influenced the design, particularly the booth seating and the etched glass panels. The menu changes every night but fresh local seafood is always a good choice, as is the home-made gelato. Wine pairings also feature local drops including prosecco, soave and valpolicella. uniworld.com
For a touch of theatre
The restaurant: Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine
The ships: Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas
The blank menu is the first sign that this is no ordinary dining experience. If you want to find out what lies in store, brush some water across the surface and the list of dishes magically appears. It is a taste of the whimsy that lies in store at this restaurant inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Expect clever platings like crab served in a crisp cone or a crop of baby vegetables sprouting from a plate of "dirt". royalcaribbean.com
For the clean-living crew
The restaurant: Aquamar Kitchen
Those fresh interiors with their easy-on-the-eye colour scheme tell you everything you need to know about Aquamar Kitchen. Nothing about this wellness-focused restaurant is hard to digest, certainly not its superfood-packed menu. Start the day right with a bowl of granola or a protein bowl washed down with a cold-pressed juice. Lunch is also guaranteed to give your body a boost with dishes such as slow-roasted organic salmon with quinoa tabouleh and lemon tahini. oceaniacruises.com
For sweet tooths
The restaurant: Remy
The ships: Disney Cruises' Dream and Fantasy
Designed to evoke the ambience of France's temples of fine-dining, Remy wheels out all the stops - Frette linen on the table, Riedel glassware, even a cheese trolley. In addition to degustation dinners, Remy also offers a number of special dining experiences including a champagne brunch. Our top pick, however, has to be the special five-course dessert menu. Be aware that Remy is an adults-only restaurant and guests are asked to dress to suit the sophisticated surroundings. disneycruise.disney.go.com
For cocktail lovers
The restaurant: Koko's
The ship: Scenic Eclipse
Diners aboard the Scenic Eclipse have plenty of choice when it comes to restaurants but if your taste leans towards a cool urban edge, the moodily stylish Koko's wins hands-down. Koko's Asian-inflected dining options are delicious - from bento boxes at lunch to sushi in the evening - but its list of sake-based cocktails will really win over cocktail fans. The sake champagne mojito is particularly recommended. scenic.com.au
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