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11 venues, 32 dishes, 4 days: I tested every eatery at Norwegian Cruise Line's new Indulge Food Hall so you don't have to

How much weight have I gained this week in the name of research? I don't even want to know.

It's surely not a small amount.

For the past four days, I've been furiously trying to taste every one of the dozens of dishes at the just-opened food hall on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Prima — all in the name of finding the very best options it has available for you, our TPG readers.

Dubbed Indulge Food Hall, the multioutlet venue, which offers made-to-order dishes, is something of a big deal in the world of cruising. It's one of the first food halls added to a cruise vessel and the first for the Norwegian brand.

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It's likely to be a big draw for Norwegian fans once they start sailing on Norwegian Prima in the coming weeks. (The ship is scheduled to sail its first voyage with paying passengers on Saturday; I'm seeing it this week during a non-revenue preview sailing.)

The food hall has a mix of food outlets serving up everything from Mexican tostadas (out of a food truck converted from a real Airstream trailer) to tandoori chicken — 11 venues in all if you count the Starbucks in the middle of the complex. Notably, nearly none of them come with an extra charge.

My goal in recent days was to try every item on every menu and declare the very best.

I couldn't quite pull that off. I would have had to order more than a dozen dishes a day. But I've made a serious dent in the options — trying more than 30 dishes in all.

If you think that sounds impossible, know that I corralled several other cruise writers I know on board to join me during a series of lunches and dinners so I could order up a storm. We shared large numbers of dishes.

Related: My strange night out at Norwegian Prima's new 'zero waste' cocktail bar

As at some food halls on land, customers at Indulge Food Hall can order dishes both directly at its outlets and from their tables (either through a waiter or via tablets that are at every table). Food items then are delivered to passengers at their tables. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

Here is a look at all Norwegian Prima's Indulge Food Hall has to offer and — should I ever feel hungry again — which dishes I would definitely order in the future.

Serves: Noodle dishes.

Cost: Free.

Menu: A small selection of classic noodle dishes from around the world. At lunch, you'll find pad thai, Singapore street noodles, an Italian tagliatelle dish with Bolognese sauce, German spaetzle and an Asian noodle soup. Dinner brings three types of Italian pasta dishes, an Italian gnocchi dish with pesto and a Chinese Lanzhou noodle soup.

The TPG take: Nudls is one of the standout options at Indulge Food Hall, offering the greatest hits of noodle dishes from around the world, mostly done well. The pad thai is just like you get it at a good Thai restaurant at home, and the Singapore noodles have just the right amount of spice. Made to order, each dish arrives fast and hot, and the portions are small in a good way. If you can't decide, it's perfectly acceptable to order two dishes!

My one big quibble here is with the Bolognese sauce on the lunchtime tagliatelle, which had an odd spiciness to it — almost as if a few peppers from the pad thai got mixed in. Then again, I'm the grandchild of Italian immigrants and quite critical of Italian meat sauce that isn't just like grandma made. Note to Norwegian: I have that recipe if you need it.

Best dish: Pad thai.

Serves: Indian cuisine.

Menu: Classic Indian dishes such as fish tikka, chicken tikka, chicken korma and aloo ghobi at lunch, and roasted pork vindaloo, chicken tikka masala and saag paneer at dinner. There are also sides such as basmati rice, garlic naan, raita and chutney.

The TPG take: Tamara may be the sleeper hit of not just Indulge Food Hall but the whole culinary lineup on Norwegian Prima. Home to its own tandoor, it offers classic Indian dishes done well. It's the sort of thing for which other big-ship lines would charge extra — a lot extra.

I was thrilled with everything that I ordered here, including the saag paneer, chicken korma and chicken tikka, which were all close rivals in my mind for "best dish" honors. In the end, I went with the tikka, which arrived buttery soft and infused with wonderful tandoor flavor.

Best dish: Chicken tikka.

Seaside Rotisserie

Serves: Grilled dishes.

Menu: Grilled items including beef shish kebab, vegetable kebab, chicken legs and leg of lamb (which arrives sliced) at lunch, and Australian lamb chops, beef tenderloin and Hudson Valley duck at dinner.

The TPG take: Seaside Rotisserie is mostly kebabs and sliced meats at lunch and then gets stepped up in elaborateness a bit at dinner. In some cases, the concept for the dishes seems more ambitious than what actually arrives, as was the case with the Australian lamb chops that I ordered one night at dinner. They looked great in the picture on the tablet screen, but what arrived was possibly the smallest lamb chops I had ever seen. They did taste good, though.

Best dish: Beef shish kebab.

The Latin Quarter

Serves: Mexican cuisine.

Menu: Tostadas made with mushrooms, crab or tuna; guacamole with chips; totopos (what you probably know as "nachos" from your local bar); and coctel de mariscos. The menu stays the same at lunch and dinner.

The TPG take: Nacho lovers will find nirvana here, as The Latin Quarter is basically a quick-serve outlet for nachos and tostadas covered with various things. We loved the guacamole, which tastes homemade and comes with properly crisp and salty chips. We were even more impressed with the crab tostada, which was topped with a generous helping of real crab. That can't be inexpensive.

Presentationwise, the single tostadas that arrived with each order were a little underwhelming. But tastewise, I give them high marks.

Best dish: Crab tostada.

Serves: Tapas.

Menu: Cured meats and cheeses including Spanish ham, chorizo, manchego and idiazabal cheese, as well as bruschetta-like appetizers. The menu essentially stays the same at lunch and dinner. One new item appears on the dinner menu, a pate de pato (duck pate).

The TPG take: Small bites are the focus here, as is the style at a tapas eatery. If you're coming to Indulge Food Hall for a meal, you can order a couple of items from here as an appetizer, but don't expect them to fill you up. You also won't find wildly creative concoctions like you would at some tapas bars in, say, Barcelona.

The selection is pretty basic, as is the presentation; when we ordered from here at lunchtime, the selections came in open-faced cardboard containers. That said, it's hard to argue with the yumminess of a nice piece of Spanish ham or manchego.

Best dish: Chorizo.

Serves: Soups and salads.

Menu: Two soups (French onion and roasted tomato) and four salads (spinach Caesar, Cobb, mesclun and romaine/kale).

The TPG take: This is the healthful option at Indulge Food Hall, and it offers a basic range of salad and soup classics. As with the noodles from Nudls, the dishes come in relatively small portions, perfect as an appetizer. You also can add a protein to the salads to make for a more substantial meal. Options include chicken and seared tuna.

I ordered a Cobb salad with tuna, and it was properly seared such that it was raw in the middle. Alas, it also was coated with an Old Bay-type seasoning that was overpowering. Everyone's tastes are different, but our take on tuna is that the best way to season it is barely at all.

Best dish: Roasted tomato soup.

Q Texas Smokehouse

Serves: Texas-style barbecue and chile.

Menu: Classic Texas barbecue and other Texas-themed items including pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue turkey sandwiches and chili at lunch, and brisket and pork spare ribs at dinner. Dinner also brings deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes.

The TPG take: This is a version of the Q Texas Smokehouse found on some Norwegian ships, and it offers a similar menu of Texas barbecue classics.

Norwegian has this cuisine down from previous ships, and you won't go wrong with a pulled pork sandwich or a bowl of chili (our favorite among it all). Also, don't miss the cornbread.

Best dish: Lone Star chili.

Just Desserts

Serves: Desserts.

Menu : A handful of small desserts of the sort you typically find on mass-market cruise ships, including coconut pudding, five-spice cake and flourless chocolate cake.

The TPG take: This small grab-and-go dessert stand is filled during lunch and dinner with a mix of about half a dozen types of classic cruise ship desserts.

It's nothing fancy — and nothing to get excited about. But it's the free option for desserts at Indulge Food Hall, as opposed to the extra-charge Coco's dessert stand (see below). By that standard, the offerings aren't bad.

Best dish: Flourless chocolate cake.

Just Ice Cream

Serves: Ice cream.

Menu: An array of four ice creams (when we visited, we found chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and green tea).

The TPG take: The ice cream here also is part of the free dessert offerings at Indulge Food Hall. For something fancier, extra-charge handmade gelatos are available just steps away at Coco's (see below). Note that you can't order the Just Ice Cream offerings to your table, but if you go up to the counter, a server is on hand to scoop you a bowl.

I'm impressed that Norwegian offers hard ice cream here for free. That isn't always the case at ice cream stands on big-ship lines, some of which only offer soft serve ice cream for free and charge for hard ice cream.

Best dish: Chocolate ice cream.

Coco's

Serves: High-design desserts.

Cost: $3 to $8 per item.

Menu: A range of handmade ice cream desserts including chocolate gelatos, milkshakes and ice cream coupes, as well as chocolate desserts and crepes.

The TPG take: Other than Starbucks, this is the only extra-charge outlet at Indulge Food Hall and — if you're a dessert lover — it's totally worth the upcharge. It serves some of the most delicious dark chocolate gelato that I've ever had at sea as well as truly over-the-top ice cream desserts, handmade crepe desserts and other decadent offerings.

Best dish: Decadent brownie s'more.

Serves: Coffee and other beverages.

Cost: $3.25 to $6.25 for grande-size drinks.

Menu: Everything you can get at a Starbucks on land, from brewed coffee to Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappucinos.

The TPG take: If you've been to a Starbucks on land, you know what this is. There's nothing different about one at sea.

Best dish: Brewed coffee (I'm a simpleton, I know).

Bottom line

Indulge Food Hall is a wonderful addition to the lineup of eateries on Norwegian ships, and we hope to see it roll out to more of the line's vessels soon. It offers a wide range of dishes cooked to order, delivered fast and hot, and — the best part — at no extra cost.

Note that Indulge Food Hall doesn't take the place of the traditional buffet eateries on Norwegian ships. It's an add-on option as a quick-serve, included-in-the-fare outlet for Norwegian cruisers. In our opinion, it's a major upgrade. Some of its outlets, most notably the Tamara eatery serving Indian cuisine, could easily be extra-charge venues.

TPG's Gene Sloan is reporting live from Norwegian Prima as it sails from Reykjavik to Amsterdam on a non-revenue preview voyage for media and travel agents. You can find all of his dispatches on his author's page .

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Norwegian Cruise Line food: The ultimate cruise guide to restaurants and dining on board

Norwegian Cruise Line has always been a bit of a rebel when it comes to food.

Back in 2000, the company introduced the concept of Freestyle Cruising, and with it, the idea of Freestyle Dining. Guests no longer were assigned to traditional early or late dinner seatings in the main dining rooms on Norwegian Cruise Line's ships, but rather could decide when they wanted to eat and with whom.

The cruise line also began to roll out specialty restaurants — smaller, cuisine-specific dining venues such as the French-themed Le Bistro and Cagney's Steakhouse — that passengers could reserve for an additional cover charge.

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Today, passengers will find more than three dozen dining options, including 21 that require a cover charge or feature a la carte pricing, on board NCL's 17 ships. While the cruise fare covers a number of restaurants, specialty restaurants requiring an extra charge are popular, and new specialty restaurants are introduced with each class of ship.

The onboard restaurant lineup also varies by ship, with those in the Prima, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes having a larger selection than the line's older, smaller ships.

How do you make sense of it all? We've compiled a rundown of all the Norwegian Cruise Line food options, from coffee and gelato shops to a la carte restaurants where the tab can easily top $150 for two. Here's what's included, what you'll pay extra for and the ships that feature each dining venue.

American Diner

Included; lunch and dinner

This 1950s-inspired diner featured on all six ships in NCL's Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes offers quintessential midcentury comfort foods — from cheeseburgers and meatloaf to chicken pot pie and spaghetti and meatballs. Desserts include bread pudding and carrot walnut cake. The food is now all free (Norwegian made this change in early 2024), but if you want to wash it down with a milkshake, you'll need to pay up.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway and Joy

Atrium Cafe

A la carte; coffee and snacks

Atrium Cafe is a coffee and cocktail bar that serves hot and cold beverages along with a selection of cookies, pastries and other snacks. Alternately, some NCL ships feature Starbucks cafes.

Available on : Norwegian Escape, Jewel, Spirit, Star and Sun

Cadillac Diner

Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner

You'll have to head to Hawaii to enjoy the barbecue pulled pork sliders, pretzel bites, Reuben sandwiches and more served up retro-style in the Cadillac Diner. This venue, with its funky black-and-white checkered floor and vinyl booths wedged between two sections of a vintage red sedan, is found exclusively on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. It's open 24 hours a day, and everything is complimentary except for the milkshakes.

Available on : Pride of America

Cagney's Steakhouse

A la carte; dinner

One of NCL's most popular specialty restaurants, Cagney's features a classic steakhouse menu with plenty of options for seafood lovers as well. The stars are the cuts of aged certified Angus beef (rib-eye, filet mignon, porterhouse and New York strip) with a choice of sauces and side dishes such as truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed garlic mushrooms. Other options include cedar-plank steelhead trout and double-cut Australian lamb chops. Save room for the OMG Caramel-Butterscotch Cheesecake.

Available : Fleetwide (except Norwegian Sky)

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

Chinese restaurant

Included; dinner, plus lunch on select days

If you're craving shrimp dumplings or a bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, a number of older Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature a complimentary Chinese restaurant where you can get your fix. Names vary by ship — you'll find Bamboo on Dawn, Shanghai's on Epic, Orchid Garden on Gem, Jasmine Garden on Jade, Chin Chin on Jewel, Lotus Garden on Pearl, Silk on Spirit, Ginza on Star and East Meets West on Pride of America — but the menus are similar.

Available on : Norwegian Dawn, Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Pride of America, Spirit and Star

A la carte; snacks and treats

A cross between an ice cream parlor and a candy shop, Coco's features an array of treats — chocolates from around the world, milkshakes, crepes and more — to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss and Encore

Dolce Gelato

When it's midafternoon and the sun in the Caribbean or Mediterranean is blazing, you can head to this takeaway counter on Deck 8 for a cup or cone of irresistibly creamy gelato.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape and Getaway

Food Republic

A la carte; dinner and lunch on sea days

This globally inspired specialty restaurant with an Asian-Latin fusion theme remains popular almost a decade after its debut on Norwegian Escape. You'll want to order multiple dishes to share family-style from Food Republic 's menu sections: Sushi Bar (eight different rolls), Hand Helds (everything from pork belly bao buns to kanpachi wonton tacos), Sharing Is Caring (grilled shishito peppers, spicy Korean fried chicken, salt and pepper calamari and more), Noodles/Rice/Soups (shrimp pad thai to Vietnamese Pho Tai) and Sugar Pump (desserts featuring green tea, chocolate and ginger caramel).

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape, Joy, Prima and Viva

Garden Cafe

Sometimes, the buffet is the answer. It's perfect when you get on board the first day and need to grab a quick bite before you explore the ship or when you arrive back after a daylong shore excursion and want to refuel right away without having to change clothes. Garden Cafe offers plenty of options, including carved meats or grilled fish with assorted side dishes, a salad bar, soups, pasta, burgers and fries, and desserts. Most items are precooked and kept warm under heat lamps, so it's not the freshest option, but it's usually packed at breakfast and lunch with guests who like the all-you-can-eat portions.

Available : Fleetwide (except Norwegian Prima and Viva)

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Cover charge; dinner

This is a slightly more elevated version of NCL's Teppanyaki restaurant. You'll be seated with other guests around a grill, and as you dine on edamame, miso soup and seaweed salad, the chef will prepare your entree (a choice of chicken, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu or one of four combinations) with great flair. These fresh-from-the-grill proteins are served with garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables, and the dessert that follows is either a green tea cake or fruit sashimi.

Available on : Norwegian Prima and Viva

This circular, light-filled space debuted on Norwegian Prima in 2022 as a new main dining room option. It features the same daily rotating menu as the second main dining room, the Commodore Room, but what sets this venue apart is its bright-and-airy ambience, courtesy of 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows.

Indulge Food Hall

This new casual dining concept, also introduced on Norwegian Prima, quickly became a popular alternative to the Surfside Cafe buffet (see below) for both lunch and dinner; at breakfast, it serves a similar but more limited menu as Surfside. The appeal of Indulge Food Hall is the variety — there are more than four dozen menu items from seven vendors: Tapas, The Garden, Nudls, The Latin Quarter, Q Texas Smokehouse, Seaside Rotisserie and Tamara — served in small-plate portions. You can enjoy chicken korma, pad thai, pulled pork, crispy fried okra, a mushroom tostada and bacon-wrapped medjool dates, all ordered from your table via a tablet.

Related: 11 venues, 32 dishes, 4 days: I tested every eatery at Norwegian Cruise Line's new Indulge Food Hall so you don't have to

La Cucina was Norwegian's sole Italian specialty restaurant until the launch of Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Encore in 2018, and the two restaurants are quite different. La Cucina is the more traditional, featuring classic Italian favorites — caprese salad, fried calamari, spaghetti carbonara, pizza, chicken cacciatore and osso buco alla Milanese — while Onda's menu focuses on more finessed modern Italian dishes.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Joy, Pearl, Sky, Star and Sun

Like Cagney's, NCL's French fine-dining restaurant is a longtime favorite that's featured fleetwide (it's called Jefferson's Bistro on Pride of America). Popular with couples for special occasion dinners, Le Bistro features everything from steak tartare and escargot to braised lamb shank and roasted duck breast. With its a la carte pricing, this is among the richest (and costliest) dining experiences on board, especially if accompanied by a bottle of Champagne or other French wine. Le Bistro restaurants on Norwegian Prima and Viva are especially atmospheric, with dramatic large-scale chandeliers and elegant ivory-and-blue decor.

Available : Fleetwide

Vibrant decor and sophisticated Mexican cuisine that goes beyond the usual Tex-Mex fare make Los Lobos an appealing option if you're sailing on one of the six ships that feature it. The guacamole, made fresh tableside, is a must. Other menu options include Mexican-style shrimp ceviche, grilled mahi-mahi tacos, nopales (cactus) salad, chicken mole enchiladas and cochinita pibil (slow-braised pork). Top it all off with a tres leches cake with coconut cream.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Dawn, Encore, Prima, Sun and Viva

Main dining room

Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature at least two main dining rooms, and sometimes even three. Names vary by ship — although the six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships all feature the Manhattan Room, plus Savor and Taste, and Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva have the Commodore Room and Hudson's. Menus change daily throughout the cruise and feature a selection of American and international dishes.

Moderno Churrascaria

Carnivores can devour their fill of a variety of meats the traditional Brazilian way as gauchos carve and serve cuts of beef, lamb, pork, sausage and chicken right at the table. Those who prefer to limit their meat intake can fill up instead at the salad bar, which features 43 items. White rice, black beans, sauteed mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, fried yucca and Brazilian cheese bread are also served as side dishes.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Star and Sun

Nama Sushi & Sashimi

Another new restaurant to debut on Norwegian Prima, Nama Sushi & Sashimi doesn't veer too far from its name, serving six different sushi rolls (from yellowtail to rock shrimp), three sashimi options and a variety of appetizers, most of which feature raw fish. Even the dessert — pineapple carpaccio — is uncooked.

Ocean Blue is an elegant seafood restaurant featured on NCL's six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships. (It's known as Bayamo by Ocean Blue on Norwegian Escape.) Guests can savor appetizers such as crabcakes, pan-seared scallops and an ahi tuna and avocado tower, followed by steamed or grilled lobster, seafood linguini or simply grilled fish (salmon, tuna, cod or sea bass) served with a choice of sauces. All Ocean Blue restaurants are located on Deck 8 and feature indoor and outdoor seating on The Waterfront.

Onda by Scarpetta

Modern Italian cuisine is the centerpiece of Onda by Scarpetta, another of NCL's elevated specialty dining options and the sister restaurant to land-based Scarpetta. Introduced in 2019 on Norwegian Encore and more recently rolled out on the line's newest ships (plus at least one older vessel), Onda by Scarpetta indulges with antipasti starters such as burrata, short ribs and braised octopus, a half dozen pasta options (including pappardelle Bolognese and Scarpetta's famous spaghetti with tomato and basil) and finally gets around to secondis such as veal Milanese and grilled branzino. The main question will be: Do you have room for dessert?

Available on : Norwegian Encore, Prima, Spirit and Viva

O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill

Included; 24-hour dining

This lively and social pub-style eatery overlooks the buzzing three-deck Atrium on Breakaway Class ships and is also featured on seven older NCL ships. It's open 24 hours a day and serves comfort classics such as burgers, fish and chips, chicken wings, beef chili and loaded nachos.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl and Star

One of NCL's newest dining venues, Palomar celebrates the Mediterranean with a menu featuring lots of Greek influences. Seafood dishes outnumber meat options and include tuna crudo, grilled prawns, Mediterranean sea bass with chickpeas and saffron puree, and sea scallops with prosciutto, le puy lentils, clams and pistachio pesto. Desserts include Greek yogurt sorbet with orange custard pie.

Pincho Tapas Bar

This unique Spanish-style tapas bar is found on only one ship in the Breakaway Class and fits in with the ship's overall Miami/Latin-influenced theme. Head to Pinchos if you're looking to enjoy small-plate dishes such as blue crab salad and bacon-wrapped dates, as well as chorizo, calamari, shrimp, scallops and more served a la plancha. Wash it all down with a Spanish red, a glass of sangria or a signature Matador cocktail.

Available on : Norwegian Escape

Included; casual lunch

Three Norwegian ships feature a pool grill (all with different names) that's open for lunch and late afternoon snacks. The venue serves casual fare such as burgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Available on : Norwegian Dawn, Gem and Pride of America

Q Texas Smokehouse

This barbecue eatery debuted on Norwegian Bliss in 2018, and its menu features smoked meats (pit classics like brisket, pulled pork and beef short ribs), as well as calorific sides (loaded fries, crispy fried okra, onion rings and macaroni and cheese). You can also enjoy live country music and even sweat off the excess calories by dancing (before ordering pecan pie or peach cobbler for dessert). A more limited menu is available for free as part of Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva — but you'll need to dance elsewhere.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore and Joy

Savor (and Taste)

These two restaurants on all six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships are essentially smaller-scale main dining rooms. They are located across from each other on Deck 6 and feature lunch and dinner menus that change daily.

Shanghai's Noodle Bar

This casual dining venue serves a selection of freshly prepared and wok-fried Asian noodle and rice dishes, from pork pot stickers and steamed vegetable dumplings to Singapore-style rice noodles and udon noodles in broth.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Epic and Getaway

Included; casual pub fare

While most NCL ships, with the exception of Pride of America, have a pub-style complimentary eatery — either O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill or The Local Bar & Grill — one older outlier has Sports Bar. Like the other eateries, this venue is free and features comfort classics such as Reuben sandwiches, chicken wings and fish and chips.

Available on : Norwegian Sun

A la carte; coffee, breakfast and snacks

NCL wasn't the first cruise line to feature the well-known coffee chain (that would be Royal Caribbean), but it now has the most Starbucks cafes on board its ships. Guests can purchase frappuccinos, lattes, cold brews and many of the other coffee, tea and breakfast and pastry items that are available on land.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Joy, Prima, Sky and Viva

Surfside Cafe & Grill

With the debut of Norwegian Prima, NCL evolved its buffet-style restaurant (known as Garden Cafe on most ships) to Surfside Cafe & Grill. The Deck 17 space is notably smaller, though, due to the fact that Prima Class ships also feature Indulge Food Hall and The Local Bar & Grill as complimentary casual dining options. The reduced size does result in some overcrowding, especially at breakfast, with overflow guests directed to find seats in the adjacent Food Republic space.

All but three NCL ships feature Teppanyaki , a Benihana-style Japanese restaurant where the live-action preparation is integral to the experience. You'll be seated around a grill as your chef prepares your entree (either chicken, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu or one of four combinations) with dramatic flair. You'll start with miso soup and seaweed salad, and all entrees are served with garlic fried rice and grilled vegetables. Dessert is either a green tea cake or fruit sashimi. Hasuki replaces Teppanyaki on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Dawn, Encore, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Joy, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Sun

The Bake Shop

A sugar rush is practically guaranteed at The Bake Shop, a Deck 8 confectionery selling assorted bonbons (with fillings from passion fruit to praline), cupcakes (more than a dozen options, including red velvet, chocolate-pistachio and lemon merengue) and French macarons in a dozen flavors.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore and Getaway

The Great Outdoors

Included; lunch

This outdoor casual buffet on seven Norwegian Cruise Line ships has a come-as-you-are dress code and serves burgers, hot dogs, fries and other items for guests who want to enjoy some ocean scenery with their lunch.

Available on : Norwegian Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Sun

The Haven Restaurant

Included for guests booked in The Haven; breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you book a suite in The Haven, the exclusive ship-within-a-ship enclave found on every new NCL ship since it was introduced on Norwegian Epic in 2010, you'll enjoy access to The Haven Restaurant. Open only to Haven guests, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus here do not change, but there are generally enough options (a dozen appetizers and 10 entrees at dinner, for example) that you can dine here multiple times without repeating a dish or running out of interesting dishes to try.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy, Prima and Viva

The Local Bar & Grill

The Local Bar & Grill is a favored hangout for sports telecasts and trivia contests, as well as a go-to for guests when anytime-hunger strikes. Like its comfort food sibling O'Sheehans's Bar & Grill, its 24-hour menu features breakfast, all-day and late-night items that include omelets, cheeseburgers, chicken wings, fish and chips and loaded nachos.

Available on : Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Joy, Prima, Sky, Spirit and Viva

The Raw Bar

Located adjacent to Ocean Blue, this casual option with counter seating serves oysters, clams, shellfish and crudos (salmon tartare, black sea bass ceviche and more), as well as wines by the glass and a selection of desserts.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway

Topsiders Bar & Grill

Included; casual pool grill with varying hours

Five older NCL ships feature Topsiders Bar & Grill, a poolside venue serving burgers, hot dogs, french fries and other takeaway items.

Available on : Norwegian Gem, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Star

Wasabi (or Sushi)

This contemporary sushi bar — called either Wasabi or Sushi, depending on the ship — is the spot for cocktails, sake and Japanese specialties that include sesame seaweed salad, sushi and specialty rolls, nigiri, sashimi and yakitori. On Prima Class ships, you'll find Nama Sushi & Sashimi with a different menu.

Available on : Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Spirit, Star and Sun

FAQs about NCL dining

Is norwegian cruise line's food free.

You can dine for free during your cruise at any of the complimentary dining venues on board NCL ships. There are typically four to six included dining venues per ship, several of which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Is there a main dining room?

Yes, all NCL ships feature a main dining room — some have as many as three — and Freestyle Dining means you can choose when to dine (within the specified breakfast, lunch and dinner hours).

Do I need to make reservations?

You do not need to make reservations for the main dining rooms or casual venues like O'Sheehan's or the buffet. However, you can make reservations for the main dining rooms if you'd prefer to eat at a specific time and wish to avoid long wait times during the most popular dinner hours.

Sit-down specialty restaurants always require a reservation. The sooner you can make one, the better. You can book specialty dining online via the cruise line's website or app or by calling Norwegian reservations. You can also reserve when you get on board, but you risk that the more popular eateries will already be fully booked, especially during the peak summer and holiday periods. Walk-ins are permitted if space is available, but you'll likely need to show up early or late to snag a table.

Does Norwegian offer room service?

Yes, NCL offers 24-hour room service, but you will be charged a convenience fee of up to $9.95 per delivery, with the exception of morning coffee, continental breakfast and orders placed by guests staying in The Haven. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will also be added for noncomplimentary beverages and special occasion items delivered to your room.

How much does specialty dining cost?

It varies by restaurant. At venues with a la carte pricing, such as Cagney's, Ocean Blue, Onda by Scarpetta and Le Bistro, it's easy to rack up a bill of $80 per person, not including beverages. NCL's sushi restaurants are also a la carte, as is Food Republic. Two people with an average appetite can dine at both for around $50 to $60 per person, not including beverages. Other venues, such as Teppanyaki and Moderno Churrascaria, feature a set cover charge of $59 per person.

Does NCL offer specialty dining packages?

Yes and if you like a variety of cuisines and plan to dine at two or more extra-charge restaurants, purchasing a specialty dining package makes sense.

These range in price from $99 per person for a two-meal package to $469 per person for a 14-meal package. The price per meal gets lower the more meals you purchase — from $49.50 per dinner on a two-meal package to $33.50 per dinner for 14 meals. Even the four-meal package at $169 per person is a good deal at $42.25 per dinner, given the a la carte pricing greatly exceeds that (for three courses) at most specialty restaurants and eateries with cover charges are priced at $59 per person.

Also, a select number of specialty dining meals are typically included with NCL's Free at Sea booking promotion .

What about service charges?

A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will automatically be added to the cost of your specialty dining package when you purchase it or to your onboard dining charge if you pay a la carte or a flat cover charge.

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CRUISE SHIP DINING

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Enjoy a four-course meal and a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Dress up. Dress down. Sit with your friends or make new ones. Dine inside or Oceanside along The Waterfront. Only Norwegian offers the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. So follow your mood, not a timetable .

Enjoy a Wide Variety of COMPLIMENTARY DINING

All of our ships offer beautifully crafted menus in up to three Main Dining Rooms, a Buffet and a variety of casual eateries. With our chef's original dishes made with the finest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or as fun as you want.

Main Dining Rooms

Choose from up to three main dining rooms serving a wide variety of delicious cuisine. Enjoy specially curated modern and classic dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

Beyond Buffets

Our quintessential buffet is a crowd favourite for a reason. Available during breakfast, lunch and dinner, feel free to enjoy our meat carving station, made-to-order omelettes, pasta and more. Best part, it's complimentary.

24 Hour Eatery

Classic pub fare offered in a relaxed atmosphere. With popular dishes like the Reuben Sandwich and Fish n' Chips, this eatery has all your favourite comfort foods!

Indulge in Norwegian Exclusive SPECIALITY DINING

When you want a unique culinary experience, our speciality restaurants offer a variety of tastes for every palate. Now through The Norwegian Edge we are bringing an even higher standard of excellence to our dining with upgraded menus and new exciting venues. Whether you're indulging in succulent meats at Moderno Churrascaria, savouring French cuisine in Le Bistro, or enjoying fresh Mexican flavours at Los Lobos, you'll be sure to discover menus as fresh as the ingredients and cuisine that looks almost too good to eat.

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Dig into some authentic Texas BBQ at Q Texas Smokehouse. All our smoked meats are infused with delicious flavours and come with all the traditional sides.

Our authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved tableside by our Pasadores.

A contemporary take on classic French cuisine. Surround yourself in chic décor and rich fare plates. Perfect for a romantic night out for the deux of you.

This delicious Asian-Latin fusion cuisine served tapas style is perfect for sharing. Food Republic is open for lunch on sea days and dinner nightly.

Dine on Italian classics prepared using the finest ingredients at La Cucina. Or explore a new wave of flavour with a fresh take on old-world fare at Onda by Scarpetta.

Gather around a shared table as a skillful chef perfectly prepares steak, chicken and seafood on a large steel grill at Teppanyaki. In the mood for sushi? Pull up a chair at any one of our sushi bars for some traditional Japanese fare, including Nama, our new contemporary sushi house offering upscale sushi and sashimi prepared by master chefs.

Bienvenido a Los Lobos, a premium Mexican restaurant celebrating traditional flavours with a modern twist. Chefs serve up new favourites like Carne Asada marinated in guajillo chiles and tequila or Tres Leches Cake with Coconut Cream.

Indulge in our newest seafood concept, Palomar, featuring flavourful Mediterranean inspired dishes and an exclusive eco-friendly wine list. Dive into an ocean of flavour with other incredible seafood options like Ocean Blue, Bayamo and The Raw Bar, serving some of the finest and freshest ingredients at sea with perfectly paired wine selections and cocktails.

Enjoy a taste of Spain's cuisine at this lively tapas bar. Sip on delicious sangria as you savour an array of small plates, like Manchego Cheese and Iberico Ham, or Cod Croquettes and Garlic Shrimp.

An American-style steakhouse where succulent choice cuts of Angus beef are incredibly flavourful and perfectly prepared. Make sure to order our famous Parmesan truffle fries.

Experience the all-new Sukhothai. Relish a stylish and warm atmosphere as the aroma of authentic Thai cuisine gently trails through the lush dining room.

Indulge your sweet tooth with decadent treats such as French macarons, chocolate bonbons and gourmet cupcakes at Coco's, Dolce Gelato, or The Bake Shop.

See What We Offer for FAMILY DINING

Freestyle Dining provides dining choices that satisfy even the pickiest eater in the family. Grab a burger hot off the grill or sit down for a four-course meal. Dress up. Dress down. You'll find more dining options than days of your cruise, and you're free to enjoy them all on your own timetable .

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Home » Norwegian Cruise Line Dining vs. Royal Caribbean Dining : Which is Better?

Norwegian Cruise Line Dining vs. Royal Caribbean Dining : Which is Better?

Last updated on January 22nd, 2024 at 01:19 pm

When it comes to cruising, one aspect that delights passengers is the incredible dining experiences available onboard. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Royal Caribbean International (RCI) are two well-known cruise lines that boast a wide array of dining options to satisfy every palate.

A note on food sensitivities and special diets. This article is a general overview of the differences, but if you have specific dietary requirements, reach out to the cruise line as they can often accommodate such requests. Gluten-Free dining options are available and you can also work around a Keto Diet when you’re on a cruise .

Table of Contents

Royal vs. Norwegian Dining Room Differences

Both NCL and RCI feature traditional main dining rooms offering an assortment of culinary delights. The main dining room on both ships serves the meals that are part of your cruise package, and so are at no additional cost to you.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Complimentary Dining

Norwegian Cruise Line presents a Freestyle Cruising dining concept, allowing guests to dine at their convenience without assigned seating or fixed dining times. This flexible approach provides passengers with more freedom and allows them to explore different dining venues.

On Norwegian, you can choose to dress up and enjoy a four-course meal or to dress down and get a hamburger off the grill. There are no “formal nights” like on other cruise lines and the only stipulation is you can’t wear your bathing suit in the main dining rooms.

For complimentary dining , the ship will have up to three main dining rooms, the Beyond Buffet, and a variety of casual eateries. It works like land-based restaurants – you show up to the venue whenever you’re hungry and the host will seat you. The main dining rooms will have the same menu, but you’ll get a different view and wait-staff each time.

The main dining rooms have chef-crafted menus with modern and classic dishes. The Beyond Buffet is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll find a meat carving station, made-to-order omelets, pasta, and more.

NCL has food available around the clock with 24-hour eateries with classic pub fare. Reuben sandwiches and Fish n’ Chips are a couple of the items offered.

Check out Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining here:

Royal Caribbean Complimentary Dining

Royal Caribbean offers a traditional dining experience with assigned seating and fixed dining times. This setup enables passengers to develop a rapport with their wait staff and fellow diners over the course of the cruise.

While NCL’s freestyle dining appeals to those seeking flexibility, Royal Caribbean’s traditional approach may suit those who prefer a more structured dining experience.

You will have your choice between two times for eating in the main dining room, and that will be your time for dinner on the entire cruise. Your table is also assigned to you. While you can choose to skip dinner and eat elsewhere, the assigned time and eating does offer you a schedule that you can count on.

If you don’t want to sit with anyone else or you want to adjust the time, sign up for “My Time Dining” which gives you more flexibility on the timing of your dinner and the guests you may be seated with.

Check out Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining room here: We tried Royal Caribbean’s new Main Dining Room Menus

Specialty Restaurants – Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean

When it comes to specialty restaurants, both cruise lines excel in offering a diverse range of options to cater to various tastes. Specialty dining will be an additional charge on both RCI and NCL.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Specialty Dining

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its exceptional specialty dining venues, such as Cagney’s Steakhouse, offering succulent cuts of meat, and Le Bistro, providing a sophisticated French dining experience. Guests pay extra for these restaurant options and reservations must be made in advance.

Other notable options on NCL ships include Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi grill), La Cucina (Italian cuisine), and Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse).

There is also Wasabi, a sushi and yakitori bar, American Diner with lobster rolls and crispy chicken, Le Bistro, an elegant French restaurant, and Dole Gelato, Italy’s answer to ice cream.

Norwegian offers a Specialty Dining Package (SDP) for cruisers. With this package, you can sample the specialty restaurants onboard for one set price.

You can also select the number of meals that you would like to eat at these restaurants during your cruise.

Specialty Dining Packages are honored in the following restaurants: American Diner, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Food Republic, Italian, Le Bistro, Los Lobos, Moderno Churrascaria, Pincho Tapas Bar, Q Texas Smokehouse, Raw Bar, Seafood, Sushi and Teppanyaki.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Specialty Restaurants

Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining options are equally impressive. Jamie’s Italian, created in partnership with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, serves up delicious Italian fare.

Chops Grille is a popular choice for steak lovers, while Izumi offers delectable Asian cuisine. Additionally, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships boast innovative concepts like Wonderland, a whimsical restaurant with imaginative dishes that tantalize the senses.

Coffee and Casual Dining

When it comes to casual dining and coffee options, both cruise lines have their own unique offerings. Norwegian Cruise Line features the Garden Café, a buffet-style restaurant offering a wide variety of international cuisines.

O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill provides a relaxed pub atmosphere with comfort food favorites.

Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Marketplace (included in your fare) offers a similar buffet-style dining experience with an extensive selection of dishes.

For casual dining, the Boardwalk Dog House is a standout choice, serving up gourmet hot dogs with a range of toppings. Moreover, Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Starbucks ensures that coffee enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite brew while at sea.

The Bottom Line: They’re Both Good!

Whether it’s your very first cruise or you’re an experienced cruiser, choosing between Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International for the ultimate dining experience is no easy task. Both cruise lines offer an impressive selection of dining options, catering to various tastes and preferences.

While the loyalty rewards accrued on cruises will often make you stick with one brand, it’s the dining opportunities that just might sway you over to the other side.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s freestyle dining approach allows for flexibility, while Royal Caribbean’s traditional dining concept fosters a sense of familiarity and camaraderie.

When it comes to specialty restaurants, NCL’s offerings are exceptional, with diverse culinary experiences available throughout its fleet. Royal Caribbean’s partnership with renowned chefs and their Oasis-class ships’ innovative concepts showcase their commitment to providing unique dining experiences.

Ultimately, determining which cruise line offers the better dining experience comes down to individual preferences. Whether you prioritize flexibility or a structured dining schedule, both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are sure to leave your taste buds delighted and your culinary cravings satisfied.

Bon voyage and bon appétit!

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About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)

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