Norwegian Cruise Line has all the time been a little bit of a insurgent in the case of meals.
Again in 2000, the corporate launched the idea of Freestyle Cruising, and with it, the concept of Freestyle Eating. Friends not had been assigned to conventional early or late dinner seatings in the principle eating rooms on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships. As a substitute, they may determine after they wished to eat and with whom.
The cruise line additionally started to roll out specialty eating places — smaller, cuisine-specific eating venues such because the French-themed Le Bistro and Cagney’s Steakhouse — that passengers might reserve for an extra cowl cost.
Right now, passengers will discover greater than three dozen eating choices, together with 20 that require a canopy cost or function a la carte pricing, on board NCL’s 20 presently working ships. Whereas the cruise fare covers quite a few eating places, specialty eating places requiring an additional cost are widespread, and new specialty eating places are launched with every new class of ship.
The onboard restaurant lineup additionally varies by ship, with these within the Prima, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus courses having a bigger choice than what is obtainable on the road’s older, smaller ships.
How do you make sense of all of it? We have compiled a rundown of all of the Norwegian Cruise Line meals choices, from espresso and gelato outlets to a la carte eating places the place the tab can simply high $150 for 2. This is what’s included, what you may pay additional for and the ships that function every eating venue.
American Diner
Included; lunch and dinner
This Fifties-inspired diner featured on all six ships in NCL’s Breakaway and Breakaway Plus courses presents quintessential midcentury consolation meals — from cheeseburgers and meatloaf to rooster pot pie and spaghetti and meatballs. Desserts embody bread pudding and carrot walnut cake. The meals is now all free (Norwegian made this modification in early 2024), however if you wish to wash it down with a milkshake, you may have to pay up.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway and Pleasure
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Atrium Cafe
A la carte; espresso and snacks
Atrium Cafe is a espresso and cocktail bar that serves cold and hot drinks together with a collection of cookies, pastries and different snacks. Alternatively, some NCL ships function Starbucks cafes.
Out there on: Norwegian Escape, Jewel, Spirit, Star and Solar
Cadillac Diner
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
You may have to go to Hawaii to benefit from the barbecue pulled pork sliders, pretzel bites, Reuben sandwiches and extra served up retro-style within the Cadillac Diner. This venue, with its funky black-and-white checkered flooring and vinyl cubicles wedged between two sections of a classic crimson sedan, is discovered completely on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Satisfaction of America. It is open 24 hours a day and the whole lot is complimentary apart from the milkshakes.
Out there on: Satisfaction of America
Cagney’s Steakhouse
Cowl cost; dinner
One in every of NCL’s hottest specialty eating places, Cagney’s contains a traditional steakhouse menu with loads of choices for seafood lovers as effectively. The celebs are the cuts of aged licensed Angus beef (rib-eye, filet mignon, porterhouse and New York strip) with a alternative of sauces and aspect dishes, similar to truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed garlic mushrooms. Different choices embody cedar-plank steelhead trout and double-cut Australian lamb chops. Save room for the OMG caramel-butterscotch cheesecake.
Out there on: Fleetwide
Associated: The perfect cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving eating places
Asian restaurant
Cowl cost; dinner, plus lunch on choose days
When you’re craving shrimp dumplings or a bowl of stir-fried noodles with beef, quite a few older Norwegian Cruise Line ships function a Chinese language restaurant the place you will get your repair. Names fluctuate by ship, however the menus are related. You may discover Bamboo on Daybreak, Shanghai’s on Epic, Orchid Backyard on Gem, Jasmine Backyard on Jade, Chin Chin on Jewel, Lotus Backyard on Pearl, Silk on Spirit, Ginza on Star and East Meets West on Satisfaction of America.
Out there on: Norwegian Daybreak, Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Satisfaction of America, Spirit and Star
Coco’s
A la carte; snacks and treats
A cross between an ice cream parlor and a sweet store, Coco’s options an array of treats — candies from around the globe, milkshakes, crepes and extra — to fulfill your candy tooth.
Out there on: Norwegian Encore. A smaller model is also on Norwegian Aqua and Prima inside the Indulge Meals Corridor.
Dolce Gelato
A la carte; snacks and treats
When it is midafternoon and the solar within the Caribbean or Mediterranean is blazing, you may head to this takeaway counter on Deck 8 for a cup or cone of irresistibly creamy gelato.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape, Breakaway, Getaway and Satisfaction of America
Meals Republic
Cowl cost; lunch on sea days and dinner
This globally impressed specialty restaurant with an Asian-Latin fusion theme stays widespread nearly a decade after its debut on Norwegian Escape. You may wish to order a number of dishes to share family-style from Meals Republic’s menu sections: Sushi Bar (eight completely different rolls), Hand Helds (the whole lot from pork stomach bao buns to kanpachi wonton tacos), Sharing Is Caring (grilled shishito peppers, spicy Korean fried rooster, salt and pepper calamari, and extra), Noodles/Rice/Soups (shrimp pad Thai to Vietnamese pho tai) and Sugar Pump (desserts that includes inexperienced tea, chocolate and ginger caramel).
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Escape, Pleasure, Prima and Viva
Backyard Cafe
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
Generally, the buffet is the reply. It is good while you get on board the primary day and have to seize a fast chunk earlier than you discover the ship, or while you arrive again after a daylong shore tour and wish to refuel instantly with out having to alter garments. Backyard Cafe presents loads of choices, together with carved meats and grilled fish with assorted aspect dishes, a salad bar, soups, pasta, burgers and fries, and desserts. Most gadgets are precooked and stored heat beneath warmth lamps, so it is not the freshest possibility, however it’s often packed at breakfast and lunch with company who just like the all-you-can-eat parts.
Out there on: Fleetwide (besides Norwegian Aqua, Prima, Viva and Satisfaction of America)
Associated: Cruise ship buffet taboos: Issues it’s best to by no means do at mealtime
Hasuki
Cowl cost; dinner
This can be a barely extra elevated model of NCL’s teppanyaki restaurant. You may be seated with different company round a grill, and as you dine on edamame, miso soup and seaweed salad, the chef will put together your entree (a alternative of rooster, beef, seafood or teriyaki-glazed tofu, or one in every of 4 mixtures) with nice aptitude. These fresh-from-the-grill proteins are served with garlic fried rice and grilled greens, and the dessert that follows is both a inexperienced tea cake or fruit sashimi.
Out there on: Norwegian Prima, Viva and Aqua
Hudson’s
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
This round, light-filled area debuted on Norwegian Prima in 2022 as a brand new foremost eating room possibility. It options the identical day by day rotating menu because the second foremost eating room, the Commodore Room, however what units this venue aside is its shiny and ethereal atmosphere, courtesy of 270-degree floor-to-ceiling home windows.
Out there on: Norwegian Prima, Viva and Aqua
Indulge Meals Corridor
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
This new informal eating idea, additionally launched on Norwegian Prima, rapidly grew to become a preferred different to the Surfside Cafe buffet (see beneath) for each lunch and dinner; at breakfast, it serves the same however extra restricted menu as Surfside. The attraction of Indulge Meals Corridor is the variability. There are greater than 4 dozen menu gadgets from seven distributors — Tapas, The Backyard, Nudls, The Latin Quarter, Q Texas Smokehouse, Seaside Rotisserie and Tamara — all served in small-plate parts. You may get pleasure from rooster korma, pad thai, pulled pork, crispy fried okra, a mushroom tostada and bacon-wrapped medjool dates, all ordered out of your desk by way of a pill. Norwegian Aqua’s Indulge Meals Corridor additionally has a plant-based meals station known as Planterie.
Out there on: Norwegian Prima, Viva and Aqua
La Cucina
Cowl cost; dinner
La Cucina was Norwegian’s sole Italian specialty restaurant till the launch of Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Encore in 2018, and the 2 eating places are fairly completely different. La Cucina is the extra conventional, that includes traditional Italian favorites — caprese salad, fried calamari, spaghetti carbonara, pizza, rooster cacciatore and osso buco alla Milanese — whereas Onda’s menu focuses on extra finessed fashionable Italian dishes.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Daybreak, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pleasure, Pearl, Satisfaction of America, Star and Solar
Le Bistro
Cowl cost; dinner
Like Cagney’s, NCL’s French fine-dining restaurant is a longtime favourite that is featured fleetwide (it is known as Jefferson’s Bistro on Satisfaction of America). Standard with {couples} for big day dinners, Le Bistro options the whole lot from steak tartare and escargot to braised lamb shank and roasted duck breast. Le Bistro eating places on Norwegian Prima and Viva are particularly atmospheric, with dramatic large-scale chandeliers and stylish ivory-and-blue decor.
Out there on: Fleetwide
Los Lobos
Cowl cost; dinner
Vibrant decor and complex Mexican delicacies that goes past the standard Tex-Mex fare make Los Lobos an interesting possibility in case you’re crusing on one of many six ships that function it. The guacamole, made recent tableside, is a should. Different menu choices embody Mexican-style shrimp ceviche, grilled mahi-mahi tacos, nopales (cactus) salad, rooster mole enchiladas and cochinita pibil (slow-braised pork). Prime all of it off with a slice of tres leches cake with coconut cream.
Out there on: Norwegian Encore, Daybreak, Prima, Solar, Viva and Aqua
Predominant eating room
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
Norwegian Cruise Line ships function not less than two foremost eating rooms, and typically even three. Names fluctuate by ship — though the six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships all function the Manhattan Room, plus Savor and Style. Menus change day by day all through the cruise and have a collection of American and worldwide dishes.
Out there on: Fleetwide
Moderno Churrascaria
Cowl cost; dinner
Carnivores can devour their fill of quite a lot of meats the normal Brazilian approach as gauchos carve and serve cuts of beef, lamb, pork, sausage and rooster proper on the desk. Those that favor to restrict their meat consumption can refill as an alternative on the robustly stocked salad bar. White rice, black beans, sauteed mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, fried yucca and Brazilian cheese bread are additionally served as aspect dishes.
Out there on: Norwegian Daybreak, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Star, Solar and Gem
Nama Sushi & Sashimi
Cowl cost; dinner
One other new restaurant to debut on Norwegian Prima, Nama Sushi & Sashimi does not veer too removed from its title, serving six completely different sushi rolls (from yellowtail to rock shrimp), three sashimi choices and quite a lot of appetizers, most of which function uncooked fish. Even the dessert — pineapple carpaccio — is raw.
Out there on: Norwegian Prima, Viva and Aqua
Ocean Blue
Cowl cost; dinner
Ocean Blue is a sublime seafood restaurant featured on NCL’s six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships. (It is often called Bayamo by Ocean Blue on Norwegian Escape.) Friends can savor appetizers similar to crabcakes, pan-seared scallops and an ahi tuna and avocado tower, adopted by steamed or grilled lobster, seafood linguini, or just grilled fish (salmon, tuna, cod or sea bass) served with a alternative of sauces. All Ocean Blue eating places are positioned on Deck 8 and have indoor and out of doors seating on The Waterfront.
Out there on: Norwegian Encore, Escape, Getaway and Pleasure
Onda by Scarpetta
Cowl cost; dinner
Trendy Italian delicacies is the centerpiece of Onda by Scarpetta, one other of NCL’s elevated specialty eating choices and the sister restaurant to land-based Scarpetta. Launched in 2019 on Norwegian Encore and extra not too long ago rolled out on the road’s latest ships (plus not less than one older vessel), Onda by Scarpetta indulges with antipasti starters similar to burrata, quick ribs and braised octopus; a half dozen pasta choices (together with pappardelle Bolognese and Scarpetta’s well-known spaghetti with tomato and basil); and eventually will get round to entrees similar to veal Milanese and grilled branzino. The primary query will likely be: Do you’ve room for dessert?
Out there on: Norwegian Encore, Prima, Spirit, Viva and Aqua
O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill
Included; 24-hour eating
This vigorous and social pub-style eatery overlooks the buzzing three-deck Atrium on Breakaway Class ships and can also be featured on seven older NCL ships. It is open 24 hours a day and serves consolation classics similar to burgers, fish-and-chips, rooster wings, beef chili and loaded nachos.
Out there on: Norwegian Breakaway, Daybreak, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl and Star
Palomar
Cowl cost; dinner
One in every of NCL’s latest eating venues, Palomar celebrates the Mediterranean with a menu that includes a number of Greek influences. Seafood dishes outnumber meat choices and embody 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 embody Greek yogurt sorbet with orange custard pie.
Out there on: Norwegian Prima, Viva, Aqua, Bliss and Breakaway
Pincho Tapas Bar
Cowl cost; dinner
This distinctive Spanish-style tapas bar is discovered on just one ship within the Breakaway Class and matches in with the ship’s total Miami/Latin-influenced theme. Head to Pincho in case you’re seeking to get pleasure from small-plate dishes similar to blue crab salad or bacon-wrapped dates, in addition to chorizo, calamari, shrimp, scallops and extra served a la plancha. Wash all of it down with a Spanish crimson, a glass of sangria or a signature Matador cocktail.
Out there on: Norwegian Escape
Pool Grill
Included; informal lunch
Three Norwegian ships function a pool grill (all with completely different names) that is open for lunch and late-afternoon snacks. The venue serves informal fare similar to burgers, scorching canines and french fries.
Out there on: Norwegian Daybreak, Gem and Satisfaction of America
Q Texas Smokehouse
Cowl cost; dinner
This barbecue eatery debuted on Norwegian Bliss in 2018 and its menu options smoked meats (pit classics like brisket, pulled pork and beef quick ribs), in addition to calorific sides (loaded fries, crispy fried okra, onion rings, and macaroni and cheese). You may also get pleasure from reside nation music and even sweat off the surplus energy by dancing (earlier than ordering pecan pie or peach cobbler for dessert). A extra restricted menu is obtainable without spending a dime as a part of Indulge Meals Corridor on Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Aqua — however you may want to bounce elsewhere.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Encore and Pleasure
Savor (and Style)
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
These two eating places on all six Breakaway Class and Breakaway Plus Class ships are primarily smaller-scale foremost eating rooms. They’re positioned throughout from one another on Deck 6 and have lunch and dinner menus that change day by day.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Getaway and Pleasure
Sports activities Bar
Included; informal pub fare
Whereas most NCL ships, excluding Satisfaction of America, have a pub-style complimentary eatery — both O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill or The Native Bar & Grill — one older outlier has Sports activities Bar. Like the opposite eateries, this venue is free and options consolation classics similar to Reuben sandwiches, rooster wings, and fish-and-chips.
Out there on: Norwegian Solar
Starbucks
A la carte; espresso, breakfast and snacks
NCL wasn’t the primary cruise line to function the well-known espresso chain (that might be Royal Caribbean), however it now has essentially the most Starbucks cafes on board its ships. Friends can buy frappuccinos, lattes, chilly brews and lots of the different espresso, tea and breakfast and pastry gadgets which might be obtainable on land.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Pleasure, Prima, Sky, Viva and Aqua. All different Norwegian ships serve Starbucks espresso although they do not have stand-alone cafes.
Surfside Cafe & Grill
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
With the debut of Norwegian Prima, NCL advanced its buffet-style restaurant (often called Backyard Cafe on most ships) to Surfside Cafe & Grill. The Deck 17 area is notably smaller, although, because of the truth that Prima Class ships additionally function Indulge Meals Corridor and The Native Bar & Grill as complimentary informal eating choices. The lowered measurement does lead to some overcrowding, particularly at breakfast, with overflow company directed to seek out seats within the adjoining Meals Republic area.
Out there on: Norwegian Prima, Viva and Aqua
Sukhothai
Cowl cost; dinner
Norwegian Aqua launched NCL’s first Thai restaurant at sea when it debuted in 2025. Diners can start with appetizers that embody rooster satay and pepper prawns, earlier than shifting on to foremost programs similar to roasted duck curry and pad thai. Cap off the meal with fried bananas, mango sticky rice or one other candy deal with. This restaurant replaces what would have been Meals Republic, discovered on different ships.
Out there on: Norwegian Aqua
Teppanyaki
Cowl cost; dinner
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Daybreak, Encore, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pleasure, Pearl, Satisfaction of America, Spirit, Star and Solar
The Bake Store
A la carte; snacks and treats
A sugar rush is virtually assured at The Bake Store, a confectionery promoting assorted bonbons (with fillings from ardour fruit to praline), cupcakes (greater than a dozen choices, together with crimson velvet, chocolate-pistachio and lemon meringue) and French macarons in a dozen flavors.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Escape and Getaway
The Nice Open air
Included; lunch
This out of doors informal buffet on seven Norwegian Cruise Line ships has a come-as-you-are costume code and serves burgers, scorching canines, fries and different gadgets for company who wish to get pleasure from some ocean surroundings with their lunch.
Out there on: Norwegian Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Solar
The Haven Restaurant
Included for company booked in The Haven; breakfast, lunch and dinner
When you e book a set in The Haven, the unique ship-within-a-ship enclave discovered on each new NCL ship because it was launched on Norwegian Epic in 2010, you may get pleasure from entry to The Haven Restaurant. Open solely to Haven company, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus right here don’t change, however there are usually sufficient choices (a dozen appetizers and 10 entrees at dinner, for instance) you can dine right here a number of instances with out repeating a dish or operating out of attention-grabbing dishes to attempt.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Pleasure, Prima, Viva and Aqua
The Native Bar & Grill
Included; 24-hour eating
The Native Bar & Grill is a popular hangout for sports activities telecasts and trivia contests, in addition to a go-to for company anytime starvation strikes. Like its consolation meals sibling O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, its 24-hour menu options breakfast, plus all-day and late-night gadgets similar to omelets, cheeseburgers, rooster wings, fish-and-chips and loaded nachos.
Out there on: Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Pleasure, Prima, Sky, Spirit, Viva and Aqua
The Uncooked Bar
Cowl cost; dinner
Situated adjoining to Ocean Blue, this informal possibility with counter seating serves oysters, clams, shellfish and crudos (salmon tartare, black sea bass ceviche and extra), in addition to wines by the glass and a collection of desserts.
Out there on: Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway
Topsiders Bar & Grill
Included; informal pool grill with various hours
5 older NCL ships function Topsiders Bar & Grill, a poolside venue serving burgers, scorching canines, french fries and different takeaway gadgets.
Out there on: Norwegian Gem, Jewel, Pearl, Sky and Star
Wasabi (or Sushi)
Cowl cost; dinner
This modern sushi bar — known as both Wasabi or Sushi, relying on the ship — is the spot for cocktails, sake and Japanese specialties that embody sesame seaweed salad, sushi and specialty rolls, nigiri, sashimi and yakitori. On Prima Class ships, you may discover Nama Sushi & Sashimi with a special menu.
Out there on: Norwegian Breakaway, Daybreak, Epic, Gem, Getaway, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Sky, Spirit, Star and Solar
FAQ about NCL eating
Is Norwegian Cruise Line’s meals free?
You may dine without spending a dime throughout your cruise at any of the complimentary eating venues on board NCL ships. There are sometimes three to 4 included eating venues per ship, a number of of which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Is there a foremost eating room?
Sure, all NCL ships function a foremost eating room — some have as many as three — and Freestyle Eating means you may select when to dine (inside the specified breakfast, lunch and dinner hours).
Do I have to make reservations?
You don’t want to make reservations for the principle eating rooms or informal venues like O’Sheehan’s or the buffet. Nevertheless, you may make reservations for the principle eating rooms in case you’d favor to eat at a particular time and want to keep away from lengthy wait instances throughout the most well-liked dinner hours.
Sit-down specialty eating places all the time require a reservation. The earlier you may make one, the higher. You may e book specialty eating on-line by way of the cruise line’s web site or app or by calling Norwegian reservations. You may also reserve while you get on board, however you threat that the extra widespread eateries will already be absolutely booked, particularly in the course of the peak summer time and vacation durations. Stroll-ins are permitted if area is obtainable, however you may possible want to point out up early or towards the top of service to snag an impromptu desk.
Does Norwegian provide room service?
Sure, NCL presents 24-hour room service, however you’ll be charged a comfort charge of as much as $9.95 per supply, excluding morning espresso, continental breakfast and orders positioned by company staying in The Haven. A 20% gratuity and beverage service cost can even be added for noncomplimentary drinks and special-occasion gadgets delivered to your room.
How a lot does specialty eating value?
It varies by venue. At top-tier choices just like the steakhouse, Teppanyaki, Hasuki, Le Bistro and seafood eating places, you may pay a $60 per-person cowl cost. Eating places similar to Moderno Churrascaria, Meals Republic and Sushi value $50 per individual. In the meantime, Norwegian’s extra informal eateries that embody Italian, Q Texas Smokehouse, Pincho and Los Lobos are $40 per individual.
Does NCL provide specialty eating packages?
Norwegian’s Extra at Sea program permits cruisers to pick an inclusion of their alternative, similar to specialty eating, limitless open bar and shore excursions, upon reserving. Those that select specialty eating can get pleasure from a number of meals free of charge all through their crusing. Throughout every meal, diners can order as much as three appetizers and three desserts along with their foremost course.
The variety of eating places coated in Extra at Sea will depend on the size of crusing and cabin class. For instance, on a weeklong itinerary, passengers staying in a balcony cabin or above can dine at three eating places, whereas these in a studio, inside or ocean-view cabin get one.
Cruisers who wish to dine at specialty eating places past what’s included of their Extra at Sea bundle, or for individuals who didn’t choose specialty eating as their inclusion, can count on to pay cowl fees for many.
What about service fees?
Norwegian’s normal 20% gratuity and specialty service cost will likely be robotically added to the price of your specialty eating, whether or not the meals had been included in your Extra at Sea bundle or bought individually.
Extra info on Norwegian Cruise Line eating choices is obtainable on Norwegian’s web site.
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