Carnival cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board
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On a Carnival cruise, food is always one of the highlights. From Guy Fieri burgers to fancy steaks at Fahrenheit 555, you’ll find endless options to satisfy your hunger in a highly enjoyable fashion. In fact, there’s often more to eat and explore than you could possibly have time for in a single sailing.
If you’re planning your next cruise and want to know which Carnival restaurants to expect on board, you’ve come to the right place. While certain dining venues remain a standard across all ships — like the much-loved Lido Deck buffet — the options keep expanding with every new ship launch. Plus, older ships are constantly being refurbished and updated with new restaurants. That’s why we put together this comprehensive list of Carnival cruise restaurants and where you can find them.
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Consider this your ultimate guide to Carnival cruise food, with details about every restaurant in the fleet, as well as answers to the most commonly asked questions about dining on a Carnival cruise ship.
Carnival restaurants available fleetwide
Coffee Bar or JavaBlue Cafe
A la carte pricing; snacks
Black coffee and tea are free at the buffet and in the main dining room, but you’ll want to come here for specialty coffee drinks like espresso or cold brew. You can also purchase milkshakes and baked goods when you need an extra pick-me-up (or grab free Danish pastries and croissants in the morning).
Dining room
Included; breakfast and dinner
The main dining room serves a sit-down breakfast and the nightly three-course dinner that’s included in your cruise fare. Even better, Carnival’s chief culinary officer, Emeril Lagasse, is now behind many of the dining room’s new menu items. On Carnival, the main dining room comes with less pretense than on many other cruise lines. In fact, it’s not uncommon for your servers to break out in song and dance by the end of the night.
Don’t miss other special dining experiences like the complimentary Seaday Brunch menu or the family-friendly Dr. Seuss-themed breakfast for an additional fee ($10 to $15 per adult; $8 to $10 per child), which includes meet-and-greets with characters.
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Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
Lido Marketplace
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
Carnival’s buffet on the Lido Deck has all the staple stations to keep you fed from morning until night. Try the deli counter, barbecue spot, pasta bar or Asian noodle station. Don’t miss the always-essential salad bar or pizza station. Finish up with soft serve ice cream, frozen yogurt or an enormous cake slice and other goodies from the dessert station.
Swirls
Included; snacks
No cruise experience is complete without on-demand soft serve. Open on the Lido Deck until midnight, the Swirls station serves up frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream in the classic flavors of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, or you can enjoy your own combo swirl. The best part is it’s self-serve, so no one can judge you for how often you come back for another cone.
The Chef’s Table
Fixed price; dinner
This exclusive multicourse dining experience hosted by the ship’s master executive chef takes place in untraditional spaces like the galley or library to give you a behind-the-scenes VIP feel. (Some newer ships even have a dedicated Chef’s Table dining room with a window into the galley.) You’ll be part of a group of only 14 to 16 guests, and the evening kicks off with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the galley. The dinner menu itself changes based on what’s in season or local to the port, but it always includes wine pairings and, of course, dessert.
24-hour room service
A la carte; all-day dining
When hunger calls at odd hours of the night or you’re craving a meal from the comfort of your balcony, you can access 24-hour room service on your Carnival cruise ship. Just pick up your cabin’s phone and place your order. While room service is generally only available for a cost, Carnival does offer free continental breakfast delivery to your room from 6 to 10 a.m.
Pizza delivery
Fixed price; all-day dining
You can order pizza on the Carnival Hub app to wherever you are on the ship, any time of day, for a delivery fee of $5 per pie. Pro tip: Take a picture of yourself showing where you’re located on board to help the pizza delivery staff find you.
Pizzeria del Capitano or Pizza Pirate
Included; lunch and dinner
The all-day pizza station is going to be your go-to option when you get back from a day at port and the lunch buffet is already closed or when you’re hungry after a late night of partying. Choose from five prepared pizza options, ranging from classics like margherita and pepperoni to other delicious Italian favorites like funghi and prosciutto. Order a slice or get a whole pie delivered through the Carnival Hub app.
Related: Which line has the best cruise pizza? I tasted slices from 7 brands
Popular Carnival dining options
BlueIguana Cantina
Included; breakfast and lunch
This casual poolside spot serves up Mexican favorites like tacos and burritos with fillings including chipotle chicken, roast pork and battered fish. Order your tacos or burrito to your liking, then head to the salsa bar to add all your favorite toppings. In the morning, you can order breakfast burritos or huevos rancheros as an alternative to the typical Lido buffet breakfast.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor and Vista
Related: 7 secret Carnival cruise breakfast spots that let you skip the buffet crowds
Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Sushi Express
A la carte pricing; lunch and dinner
Carnival’s sit-down sushi restaurant, Bonsai Sushi, serves sushi rolls and sashimi alongside soups, sakes and sweets. Select ships feature Bonsai Sushi Express, where you can order rolls to go.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Horizon, Jubilee, Luminosa, Legend, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Venezia and Vista
Cucina Del Capitano
Fixed price; dinner
Cucina Del Capitano honors the cruise line’s connection to Italy (many of Carnival’s captains and chief engineers have either Italian heritage or maritime training in Italy, known for its long tradition of excellence in shipbuilding). This rustic restaurant serves made-to-order pasta and other Italian comfort food favorites like risotto and chicken Parmesan.
On Carnival Jubilee, Cucina Del Capitano is free for the whole sailing. On Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, your first meal is included, with additional visits at a cost of $8 per person. The other ships with this venue currently charge a fixed price of $24 per adult.
On any of the ships, come to Cucina for a complimentary Captain’s Pasta Bar at lunchtime. Just choose your pasta, sauce, meat and other mix-ins — buon appetito!
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise, Sunshine and Vista
Guy’s Burger Joint
Included; lunch
Carnival’s poolside burger joint was dreamt up by Food Network star Guy Fieri to feel like the kind of roadside burger shack you’d see on one of his episodes of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Don’t underestimate these simple smashburgers — they pack a ton of flavor.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia and Vista
Related: Which line has the best cruise burger? Here are TPG’s top picks
Guy’s Pig & Anchor
Included for lunch; a la carte pricing for dinner
Satisfy your barbecue cravings at sea at Guy’s Pig & Anchor, which serves up a complimentary lunch of smoked meats like pork butt and andouille sausage, comfort food sides such as collard greens and macaroni and cheese, and a line of signature barbecue sauces. Select ships have a full-service Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse that’s also open for dinner with an a la carte menu, plus a brewery with an exclusive line of craft beers and live musical entertainment.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Dream, Horizon, Jubilee, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise and Vista
RedFrog Pub
A la carte pricing; snacks
This Key West, Florida-inspired pub is the spot for a round of trivia or foosball, brews and tunes. You can also enjoy Caribbean bites like conch fritters and coconut shrimp with your laid-back island vibes. On Carnival Vista, sailors get a full RedFrog Pub & Brewery, which became North America’s first brewery at sea when it opened.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Freedom, Legend, Magic, Miracle, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor and Vista
Seafood Shack
A la carte pricing; lunch and dinner
At this New England-style seafood shack, you can order everything from buckets of fried seafood to steamed shellfish by the pound. Don’t forget about everyone’s favorites, clam chowder and lobster rolls.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Splendor, Sunrise, Valor, Venezia and Vista
The Steakhouse
Fixed price; dinner
When you feel like celebrating, Carnival’s upscale steakhouse serves USDA Prime steak cuts alongside all of the classic steakhouse favorites, from starters like lobster bisque and shrimp cocktail to a selection of steak sauces and rich, comforting side dishes.
Available on: Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia and Vista
Related: Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse on Carnival Cruise Line (with menu)
Carnival dining options exclusive to a few ships
Big Chicken
Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner
The crispy chicken sandwich is a food fad that isn’t going away anytime soon, and Carnival’s chief fun officer Shaquille O’Neal is the face behind this new chicken spot on the latest Carnival ships. Here, you can find everything chicken — chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips and fried chicken baskets (even chicken biscuits at breakfast!) — plus essential sides like potato salad and jalapeno slaw.
Available on: Carnival Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras and Radiance
Bonsai Teppanyaki
Fixed price; lunch and dinner
This Japanese hibachi-style restaurant is part meal and part performance, as your chef prepares your lunch or dinner at the griddle-top table in front of you. The meal begins with a selection of starters and continues with a grilled meat or seafood entree of your choice (think: teriyaki salmon, lobster tail with yuzu cream or filet mignon with truffle salt) paired with fried rice, stir-fried vegetables and a sweet bento box for dessert.
Available on: Carnival Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama and Venezia
Chibang!
Included; lunch and dinner
A modern Chinese-Mexican fusion concept, Chibang! is a specialty restaurant without the specialty prices. That’s right, dining at Chibang! is free all sailing long for guests on Carnival Jubilee; on Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, your first meal at Chibang is included and additional visits are only $8 per person. At lunchtime, you can order your own noodle bowl or burrito bowl (which makes it a great spot if your group has separate cravings), or at dinner, mix and match between cuisines and choose shareable plates for the table or order classic Mexican and Chinese mains.
Available on: Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras
Emeril’s Bistro
A la carte pricing; breakfast, lunch and dinner
At any of the three Emeril’s Bistro restaurants at sea, you can get a taste of the world-famous New Orleans chef’s take on Creole cuisine. We’re talking Crescent City classics like fried oysters, barbecue shrimp, po’boys, muffuletta sandwiches and jambalaya. At breakfast, you’ll even find shrimp and grits or bananas Foster crepes. Emeril’s Bistro 1937 on Carnival Celebration also spotlights rotating international dishes daily in addition to these Nawlins favorites.
Available on: Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras
Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant
Il Viaggio
Fixed price; dinner
Italian for “the voyage,” this specialty restaurant on the Italian-themed Carnival Venezia ship takes guests on a trip with a menu of signature regional dishes from across Italy.
Available on: Carnival Venezia
JiJi Asian Kitchen
Fixed price; dinner
Explore both the exotic and the familiar at this modern Asian restaurant serving regional specialties while you’re surrounded by Mongolian-inspired fabrics and Asian prayer rolls. May you enjoy good food and great fortune when you’re here!
Available on: Carnival Horizon, Panorama, Sunshine and Vista
Lucky Bowl
Included; lunch
This lunch spot feels like a food cart from the Far East. It serves a rotating menu of bowls that span the gamut of Asian cuisines, from Korean bulgogi to Japanese ramen to Vietnamese pho.
Available on: Carnival Sunrise
Masala Tiger
Included; lunch
You can’t miss the aromas wafting from this Indian food station, where dishes like tandoori chicken and beef kebabs are cooked at over 1,000 degrees in a traditional clay oven.
Available on: Carnival Splendor
Rudi’s Seagrill
Fixed price; dinner
Developed by Rudi Sodamin, the master chef for sister cruise line Holland America, this eatery celebrates the delicacies of the sea with elegant dishes like succulent shellfish starters, crab-stuffed lobster tail imperial and cioppino (a fisherman’s stew).
Available on: Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras
Street Eats
Included; lunch
An homage to casual food trucks and stalls, Street Eats is like a miniature open-air food market with three different stations serving street food favorites. Find bao buns and pot stickers at Steam Dream, kebabs and satay at Mad Sizzle and epic loaded fries at Time Fries.
Available on: Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras
Carnival cruise food: Frequently asked questions
How do seating times work in the main dining room?
Before sailing, you must choose your preferred dining format for the main dining room — either set dining times with assigned seating or a flexible option called Your Time Dining with open seating. If you prefer a preset dining time and a guaranteed table with the same server every night, you can choose early dining at 5:30 p.m. or late dining at 7:45 p.m.
With Your Time Dining, you can go to the main dining room anytime between 5:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. to be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Just alert the dining room that you’re coming on the Carnival Hub app so your table will be ready sooner. You can request a specific waiter, but more likely, you’ll sit at a different table with a new waiter each evening. You might have to wait for a table at peak dinner times, but Carnival says the average wait time is usually less than 20 minutes, depending on your party size.
Either way, there’s no need to make a reservation for the main dining room.
Do you need reservations for specialty dining restaurants?
Reservations are highly recommended for specialty restaurants, as these locations can book up in advance. You can make reservations online up to 48 hours before your cruise by visiting the “Manage My Booking/Cruise Manager” section of Carnival.com, at which time you’ll also pay the cover charge for the restaurant.
Once you get on board, look for staff set up at booths to help you make specialty dining reservations. You can also call or visit the restaurant yourself to make a reservation, but seating times might be limited. Walk-ins are allowed but will get seated based on availability. If you don’t make a reservation, be prepared for a wait or the possibility of being turned away if the restaurant is booked.
Can you enjoy unlimited food on your Carnival cruise?
It depends on where you eat! There are no limits on most of the included food options, and you can pretty much find free food on your cruise from the crack of dawn to late into the night. You can always eat as much as you want at the buffet in Lido Marketplace and other included food stations across the ship during their operating hours. In the main dining room, however, guests are limited to two free entrees (which, let’s be honest, is still plenty!) before having to pay for additional entrees.
Is there a fee for room service?
Room service isn’t free on Carnival anymore, except during breakfast. Instead, menu items are available to order a la carte. Complimentary continental breakfast can be delivered to your room between the hours of 6 and 10 a.m. For more details, check out our complete cruise ship room service guide.
Are kids menus available?
Most dining venues offer kids menus with plenty of safe options for picky eaters (think: chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti and meatballs). If you’re dining at one of the specialty restaurants with a cover charge, there’s a reduced fee for kids under 11.
Does Carnival still offer a Lobster Night?
Lobster is available for dinner nightly in the main dining room for a surcharge, but on cruise sailings of six nights or longer, Carnival offers one night per sailing (typically one of the formal nights) where a lobster tail is included as a complimentary entree option on the three-course menu. But don’t expect to scarf down all the lobster you can eat. In line with Carnival’s two-entree limit in the main dining room, guests now have to pay for any additional lobster past the first two entrees.
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