Top 5 Cruises with Great Cuisine
When you think of a cruise holiday, you may not immediately think of gourmet restaurants. But gone are the days of lining up for stodgy buffets; cruise lines know their customers have incredibly high culinary standards, and have improved their on-board offerings significantly. We’ve picked five of the best restaurants on the sea, to show you just good cruise cuisine can be.
Silk Road Restaurant and Sushi Bar
This restaurant can be found on Crystal Cruises’ Serenity and Symphony ships. Designed by Nobu Matsuhisa, the cuisine combines Japanese and Peruvian influences. The restaurant is included in the cruise fare, but guests are warned to book their table well in advance to avoid disappointment. Signature dishes include Wagyu beef, sashimi salad, lobster spring roll, and black cod with miso. The sake menu is also impressive, and you may even be lucky enough to see Matsuhisa himself, as he frequently hosts on-ship events.
Qsine
Aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Qsine, ditch the traditional, stuffy affair of going out to dinner. Instead, this experimental restaurant presents its menu and wine list on iPads, with food designed to encourage the shared experience of eating. Think sushi lollipops, Black Angus sirloin tacos, popcorn fish-and-chips, and orange chicken served in a martini glass. This restaurant has a cover charge of $40 per person.
Sabatini’s
Princess Cruises’ culinary whizzes have seamlessly fused traditional and modern Italian cuisine to come up with this menu. Antipasto includes buttermilk soft-shell crab; mains include duck with fava beans and pancetta. The a la carte menu offers an authentic Italian experience, but still affords a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Pinnacle Grill
Aboard the Holland America Line, French chef Rudi Sodamin created this restaurant. Regional ingredients are paired with top quality beef and fresh seafood. Favoured menu items include the chicken coconut soup, crab cakes, and lobster dishes. For one night each voyage, this restaurant is transformed into “An Evening at Le Cirque”, featuring special menu items inspired by the famous Le Cirque restaurant.
Remy
Chefs Arnaud Lallement and Scott Hunnel designed the menu and dishes at this Disney Cruise Line restaurant. Two tasting menus are available, or you can choose a la carte. There is also a champagne brunch option. Ridel glasses and Christofle silverware sets the tone for this elegant dining experience. Famous dishes include smoked bison, Kurobuta pork tenderloin, Dover sole amandine, and chocolate fondant. Enlist the help of a sommelier to choose the perfect wine for your evening. Remy is one of the most expensive restaurants at sea, at $75 per person cover charge (or $99 including wine pairings).
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or just looking to try something a little different, many cruise lines offer fantastic dining options. Many on-sea restaurants rival the quality of those on the mainland. With most included in the price of your fare; your cruise is a great time to expand your culinary horizons.
Written by Emma Jane
