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The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Serenade Of The Seas

Serenade of the Seas is home to some of the best cruise food out there — and these are the top must-try spots onboard.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on February 20, 2024

When you think about what factors make up a great vacation, everybody has a different answer. Some people prefer trips that allow for plenty of sightseeing, activities and cultural immersion. Others look for escapes where the only thing on the itinerary is to unwind and disconnect. But no matter what your idea of a great getaway is, everyone has to eat. It’s why delicious food often ranks high on every traveler’s list of vacation checklist. It certainly does on mine — great food is as important to me as what I do while I’m out of office.

Over the years, I’ve found cruising is a great option for anybody who requires tasty meals during a vacation. And one of my favorite foodie ships is Serenade of the Seas. I love this Radiance Class ship because it offers a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere than some of its larger sister ships. It also yields spectacular views through acres of floor-to-ceiling windows. But my favorite thing about Serenade of the Seas is its food scene. You’ll find yummy fare from all around the world onboard, including authentic Italian at Giovanni's℠ Table, flavors from the Far Eats at Izumi, a classic American steakhouse experience at Chops Grille^SM and more. Not to mention several complimentary dining options that showcase dishes from Jamaica to Jaipur. Here’s an expert’s guide to the best cruise dining options onboard this fan-favorite cruise ship.

1. Giovanni’s Table

I love a great Italian dinner — filling pastas, refreshing antipasto, savory meat dishes, you name it. And Giovanni’s Table ticks all my boxes for an authentic, Old-World meal. The menu at this guest-loved specialty restaurant highlights rustic Italian flavors and ingredients, with plenty of options for everyone. The house focaccia is great to start with — it comes with marinated artichokes, pesto and olives. As an entrée, I usually go for the creamy, traditional risotto made with truffle mushroom tapenade or the pillowy gnocchi tossed in lamp sauce. My husband has a heartier appetite and almost always orders the grilled lamb chops or the veal osso buco with its side of sauteed green beans and creamy cheese polenta. We both have sweet tooths, so we always save room for the house tiramisu. Whether you’re traveling with little ones or just your significant other, Giovanni’s Table is a wonderful option for a family dinner or date night.

2. Chops Grille

What’s a great vacation without at least one special-occasion dinner to celebrate new memories? Onboard Serenade of the Seas, Chops Grille is the spot to dial up dinner. It’s a classic American steakhouse where you’ll find prime meats seasoned and seared to perfection — as well as decadent seafood and poultry dishes. Even the side dishes are showstoppers here. Served family-style, they range from fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes to addictive truffle French fries and the restaurant’s signature gruyere cheese tater tots. Dessert is your choice between a heavenly key lime meringue pie or a classic New York cheesecake topped with raspberries and lemon confit.

3. Izumi

Both families and couples will find plenty to rave about at Izumi. This is another one of my favorite specialty restaurants onboard Serenade of the Seas. The menu features tasty izakaya-appetizers that transport me back to my fondest memories visiting Japan, as well as fresh nigiri, sashimi and creative sushi rolls. I always started with the golden-fried shrimp firecracker spring roll, stuffed with crabmeat, shrimp, cream cheese and sambal chili. Then I usually order the baked snow crab and salmon dynamite roll to share with my husband — the decadent champagne sauce that comes drizzled over it is out of this world. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the restaurant’s cool and refreshing mochi — though the crispy sesame balls and dreamy chocolate lava cake are just as good, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

4. Café Latte-Tudes

Breakfast is arguably one of the most important meals of the day — and in my book, it always involves a cup (or four) of ahh-worthy coffee. It’s why I make a beeline for Café Latte-tudes every morning during my cruises onboard Serenade of the Seas. This cozy, calming coffee spot serves up some of the tastiest java I’ve ever had, plus a head-spinning selection of flaky pastries and decadent sweet treats. Golden croissants that are crispy on the outside and butter on the inside? Check. Fluffy muffins in a variety of flavors? Double check. Melt-in-your-mouth Danishes sure to make you smile? You bet. You can also drop by Café Latte-tudes in the evening for an after-dinner cappuccino, macchiato or espresso.

5. Park Café

When you’re craving something quick and casual, Park Café has your back. This fuss-free deli serves up complimentary eats ranging from crisp salads made your way to fresh-pressed paninis, sandwiches, soups and more. The star of the menu, though, is the Royal Kümmelweck — an iconic roast beef sandwich that packs plenty of flavor in every bite. If you pop by in the morning, you can also enjoy food from a top-notch breakfast spread — not to mention plenty of desserts and sweet treats.

6. Windjammer

The most popular complimentary cruise dining option onboard Serenade of the Seas is without a doubt Windjammer. This family-friendly spot serves dishes from around the world buffet-style across rotating stations. That means you can look forward to something new every day during breakfast, lunch and dinner — as well as classic options that never change. Little ones will also find an abundance of easy-to-eat finger foods throughout the day, from chicken tenders to pizza and more. You don’t need a reservation for Windjammer. Just drop by whenever you like —there’s always plenty of room for families, couples and solo travelers.

7. Main Dining Room

You haven’t fully experienced a cruise onboard Serenade of the Seas until you’ve sat down to a lavish dinner at the main dining room. The most popular cruise fine dining restaurant onboard the ship, this sprawling, elevated venue hosts a multi-course feast every night of your sailing. You’ll get to choose from a diverse array of culinary options, including Moroccan-spiced ahi tuna, tangy duck a l’Orange and more. Like Windjammer, the menu includes guest-favorite mainstays and rotating dishes, allowing guests to stick to their favorites or try something new every evening. And like Windjammer, every bite is complimentary.

8. Chef’s Table

For those craving the best of the best, it doesn’t get better than Chef’s Table. This ultra-VIP experience is the most sought-after and exclusive reservation onboard the ship. Each seating accommodates just a small number of foodies, and is led by the ship’s own chef de cuisine. If you manage to score a seat at the table, you’ll be treated to five exceptional courses paired with wines hand-selected by the ship’s head sommelier.

When you sail onboard Serenade of the Seas, you can literally try a different restaurant every night of the week. Some restaurants even offer rotating menus, so the experience changes every day. Of course, you can also take advantage of the cruise ship’s 24-hour room service, which includes favorites from some of the most popular restaurants onboard plus exclusive items you can only enjoy delivered to your stateroom. Start planning the perfect Serenade of the Seas cruise, or see what else is to offer onboard one of my favorite ships.