If you enjoy the high-end specialty restaurants you find on big cruise ships, Royal Caribbean dining offers some of the best options at sea. There is a lot of competition on these ships though, and only so much time to check out every place. To help you decide which spots you want to dine at while you are on your cruise, we’ve got a few of our top picks for the best Royal Caribbean restaurants to experience.
150 Central Park: Royal Caribbean Dining at its Best
First on our list, 150 Central Park is just about as inviting as a fine dining establishment can be, with warm lighting, plush furnishings, and vibrant art adorning the walls. Found on Oasis-class ships for dinner only, this cozy and classy restaurant is everything you could want from a Royal Caribbean dining experience. The creative, prix fixe menu takes locally sourced ingredients at the peak of their season and features them in classic dishes that are elevated to perfection. A good place to start is with a crispy berkshire pork belly or braised short rib with mascarpone polenta, followed by the duck duo of seared breast and crispy leg or maybe pan-seared halibut, and finish off with the best-selling fried cheesecake.
Izumi: Best Sushi of Royal Caribbean’s Restaurants
Sushi lovers will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven when they step foot into this Royal Caribbean restaurant. From the sleek black and red decor, to the inspired menu of sushi rolls, fresh sashimi, and nigiri, this is as authentic an experience as it gets. You’ll get a four course meal, with a starter, two mains, and a desert to finish it off. Favorites include the shrimp firecracker spring roll as a starter — stuffed with shrimp, crabmeat, and a balanced mix of sambal chili and cream cheese. For a main, the yaki udon features thick, stir-fried udon noodles topped with tender grilled chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu. Of course you can’t go wrong with one of the chef’s signature rolls, and some ships offer hibachi as well!
Wonderland: A Wonderous World of Whimsy Awaits
As Royal Caribbean restaurants go, Wonderland is easily one of the most imaginative and whimsical experiences available. The design of the dining room looks like it is perfect for a tea party with the Mad Hatter, and the prix fixe menu is an eclectic mix of classic entrees with inventive twists and modern creations you won’t get anywhere else. Dishes follow an elemental theme with each being categorized into one of the groups of Earth, Sea, Fire, Ice and Sun. For spicy and smokey, order one of the dishes from the Fire category, or for chilled and refreshing, turn to the Ice section. You can get this Royal Caribbean dining experience on Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.
The Mason Jar: Southern-Style Royal Caribbean Dining
At the Mason Jar, you’ll get homestyle Southern cooking for brunch, dinner, and late-night dining, in an atmosphere that feels like you could be visiting your Aunt’s house for a family get-together. Featured here are the smoky flavors and bold spices of country classics and the bayou’s best, not to mention some of the best BBQ of any Royal Caribbean restaurant. We’re talking meat that falls right off the bone, buttermilk-brined fried chicken, lobster and crawfish gumbo, and so much more. The menu here is prix fixe, and you can find this restaurant on Wonder of the Seas.
Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver: Authentic Italian Dining
Serving lunch and dinner at prix fixe pricing on Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, this Tuscan-inspired Royal Caribbean restaurant is brought to you by one of Britain’s most famous chefs. Jamie Oliver has put together a menu using seasonal ingredients to make authentic family-style dishes with a rustic flair. Here, they are known for their apps, like creamy burrata and ultimate garlic bread. Entrees range from giant bowls of homemade pasta to the fan-favorite chianti-braised short rib.
Chops Grille: The Best Steakhouse at Sea
A list of the best Royal Caribbean dining options wouldn’t be complete without this hallmark chophouse that can be found on most ships in the fleet. Set at prix fixe pricing, they have been serving up quality, hand cut steaks that blow other steakhouses out of the water for more than a decade. The ambiance here exudes modern sophistication with dark wood paneling and cream-colored upholstery, brought to life by the dusky glow of sleek lighting fixtures adorned throughout. From charred beef carpaccio sliced thin and served rare, to the 9-ounce tender filet served with Chops’ signature gruyere cheese tater tots and truffled French fries, this menu is top tier on any continent!
Want to experience Royal Caribbean cruises dining for yourself? Visit Cruises.com — we can help you book the smart way! We give you our exclusive bonus offer and all qualifying Royal Caribbean offers, plus all of the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program benefits. Book online at Cruises.com or call 800-288-6006 today.