Top Restaurants Onboard Explorer Of The Seas

Everyone loves a great meal while on vacation, and Explorer of the Seas has plenty of dining options onboard to please even the most discerning foodies.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on August 7, 2023

Forget every stereotype you’ve ever heard about cruise food, because you’re in for a world of incredible flavor when you cruise onboard Explorer of the Seas. Like every ship in the fleet, it’s home to plenty of top-rated complimentary dining options and specialty restaurants that offer delicious cuisine from all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a feast of global flavors that rotate daily, a classic steakhouse dinner with world class service, Asian-inspired entrees and expertly crafted sushi rolls, or juicy burgers and hand-spun milkshakes that hit the spot, you’ll find something to please your palate on this beloved Voyager Class ship. To help make planning your meals on deck a little easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best dining options onboard Explorer of the Seas.

1. The Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room is one of the most popular dining options onboard Explorer of the Seas — and it’s totally free. This sweeping restaurant is the perfect place to dial up your family dinner while you feast on elevated entrees from all over the world. In addition to guest-favorite staples like New York strip steak, baked French onion soup, and hearty spaghetti Bolognese, you’ll also find courses from top culinary destinations like Morocco, Thailand, the Caribbean, and beyond. There’s even a kids’ menu that includes tasty options to please even the pickiest eaters, like chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers and more.

2. Izumi Sushi & Hot Rocks

If you love great sushi and teppanyaki, head to Izumi. This much-loved specialty restaurant serves izakaya-style appetizers like pork gyoza dumplings and crispy chicken karaage, plus signature rolls, flavorful poke bowls, and a selection of succulent seafood and tender meat cooked and served sizzling on ishiyaki grilling stones. From the delicious flavors to the dazzling display, you’ll quickly see why Izumi is considered one of the best places to eat onboard Explorer of the Seas.

3. Giovanni’s Table

Looking to level up a romantic dinner onboard? You’re definitely going to want to make a reservation at Giovanni’s Table. The menu at this trattoria-style specialty restaurant focuses on rustic Italian flavors, like golden house focaccia, creamy risotto with truffle mushroom tapenade, gnocchi in a savory lamb sauce, and a lasagna that’ll knock your socks off. The dessert list also lives up to the hype — you’ll find plenty of decadent treats to end your meal on a sweet note.

4. Chops Grille

For a classic American steakhouse dinner at sea, it doesn’t get better than Chops Grille. A Royal Caribbean staple for more than a decade, this upscale specialty restaurant is a favorite among foodies and a great option if you’re celebrating a special occasion. The chefs here are experts when it comes to preparing quality, hand-cut meat, and you’ll find an impressive selection of prime steaks and cuts to choose from, like the signature filet and the flavorful bone-in ribeye. But that’s not all — Chops Grille is also famous for its seafood dishes, like grilled branzino paired with sautéed spinach and Maine lobster served with drawn butter and fresh lemon. Its family-style sides, like truffled French fries and creamy mac and cheese, are also worth saving room for.

5. Chef’s Table

The ultimate culinary adventure awaits at Chef’s Table, one of the most coveted and exclusive reservations onboard Explorer of the Seas. This intimate, one-of-a-kind dining experience takes guests on a five-course tasting tour led by the ship’s chef de cuisine. Dishes range from fresh scallop carpaccio drizzled with tangy yuzu vinaigrette to tender grilled filet mignon served with fluffy truffle potato puree. Each dish comes paired with a wine selected by an expert sommelier on staff, and the service is always world class.

6. Windjammer

Every ship in the fleet has a Windjammer. This family-friendly dining option is complimentary. You’ll also enjoy a diverse array of global cuisine that rotates daily.

7. Café Promenade

One of the best places to grab a bite and something to drink in between thrills is Café Promenade. This casual eatery on the Royal Promenade offers just-brewed coffee and fruit juice, fragrant pastries, fresh-pressed sandwiches and wraps, and all kinds of snacks and small plates to share. Everything is included in your cruise fare, too. Open 24 hours a day, Café Promenade is also the top spot to grab a late-night bite after a whirl on the dancefloor.

Is your stomach rumbling yet? You’ll be pleased to know these are just some of the best places to eat onboard Explorer of the Seas. While there are plenty of complimentary options onboard, the best way to maximize mealtime during your next cruise vacation is with a Specialty Dining Package, which lets you save when you dine at the ship’s specialty restaurants. If you’re a foodie, you’re going want to sample everything this ship has to offer — from imaginative sushi rolls at Izumi to the savory osso bucco at Giovanni’s Table.