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The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Radiance Of The Seas

This Mid-Sized Radiance Class Ship Is Home To Some Of The Best Cruise Dining Options At Sea.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on September 26, 2023

Without great food, even the most exciting vacations can fall flat. After all, mealtime is the best time to reflect with loved ones on the day’s adventures — both those to come and those you’ve already experienced. There’s nothing like delicious flavors to help immerse you in a particular moment or destination. It’s why I always research the dining scene at any given place (or on any given cruise ship) before making travel plans.

When it comes to great dining, Radiance of the Seas checks all the boxes. Every option onboard is delicious — deciding where to eat really comes down to what kind of food or atmosphere you’re in the mood for. This is another area where this Radiance Class cruise ship truly shines: its wide range of dining choices. There truly is something to satisfy any craving onboard — a cozy café, a bustling deli, an upscale steakhouse and even an intimate Italian trattoria, to name just a few of the many restaurants that await on this ship. And there’s a healthy balance of complimentary and specialty dining spots to choose from, so you can always count on a fantastic meal no matter what your budget.

Here’s a rundown of all the dining options onboard Radiance of the Seas, plus a glimpse of some of the top menu items at each.

1. Park Café

When I’m craving something quick, casual and complimentary onboard Radiance of the Seas, Park Café is one of my go-to cruise restaurants — and hands down one of the best free places to eat onboard. The lunch spread here transports me to my favorite New York City delis, encompassing tasty paninis and sandwiches, steaming soups, crisp salads and decadent sweet treats. If you’re a fan of roast beef, you should definitely try the iconic Royal Kümmelweck. It’s pretty much a rite of passage among cruisers. Park Café is also a great option for a fuss-free breakfast that always hits the spot. You’ll find delicious freshly roasted coffee and a selection of teas to help jumpstart your day, plus heavenly pastries and classic breakfast dishes like egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, hearty oatmeal and more.

2. Café Latte-Tudes

Though it isn’t complimentary like Park Café, Café Latte-tudes also serves up a decadent and delicious breakfast spread. The sweets here are out of this world, especially the cinnamon rolls, donuts and fluffy muffins. The cozy, a la carte café also serves healthy options, like yogurt parfaits and fruit cups, if you’re craving something lighter. If you find yourself needing a pick-me-up later in the day, you can always drop by for an afternoon or even after-dinner cappuccino, macchiato or espresso. The specialty creations here are always expertly crafted to your specifications, so you can customize your drink of choice and enjoy it your way any time of day.

3. Dog House

One of my favorite pool-day snacks is a great hot dog. This casual, familiar finger-food always hits the spot on a warm, sunny day outdoors. It transports me to blissful summer barbecues and cookouts on the beach and in my family’s backyard. Dog House takes this classic food to the next level, offering several gourmet riffs inspired by different parts of the world. I love the old-school German thuringer, made from finely minced pork, as well as the New York-inspired Big Apple, a chicken sausage cooked with — you guessed it — apple. If you love a bit of heat in your dog, try the Smoke House, a pork brat seasoned with traditional spices. Dog House also offers homestyle coleslaw and potato salad to pair with your dog, and every bite is included in your cruise fare.

4. Giovanni's℠ Table

No matter where in the world Radiance of the Seas takes you, you can always count on a hearty, authentic Italian lunch or dinner onboard. The ship is home to Giovanni’s Table, a brand staple that specializes in rustic, Old-World classics from various regions of Italy. The fragrant house focaccia paired with marinated olives, artichokes and pesto will transport you to the rolling hills of Tuscany. The pillowy gnocchi served in a thyme-scented lamb sauce will take you straight to the alpine towns of Lombardy. And the seafood-tossed tagliarini will have you daydreaming of seaside villages along the Amalfi Coast. This specialty restaurant is without a doubt one of the best places to eat on a cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas, and a favorite choice for date nights or celebratory family meals.

5. Chops Grille℠

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, job promotion, birthday or other milestone event, there’s no better cruise fine dining option than Chops Grille. A brand mainstay for more than a decade, this beloved specialty cruise restaurant delivers a dialed-up steakhouse experience in an elevated, intimate setting. Menu highlights include various cuts of prime meat seasoned and seared to perfection by the restaurant’s master grillers. However, you don’t need to be a meat-lover to fully enjoy the offerings here. The team at Chops makes a mean grilled branzino and succulent Maine lobster, and the chilled seafood tower is legendary. It comes with jumbo shrimp, clams, Jonah crab claws, green-lipped mussels and other fresh-from-the sea delights. I make sure to order the truffled French fries and gruyere cheese tater tots every time I visit, and I’m a huge fan of the steakhouse’s tart key lime pie and creamy New York cheesecake.

6. Izumi

Sushi lovers rave about Izumi, which has earned a reputation as one of the best Asian-inspired cruise dining options out there. This specialty restaurant boasts an extensive list of fresh nigiri and sashimi offerings, plus classic and creative rolls that will make you feel as though you’ve just sat down at one of Tokyo’s elite sushi spots. In addition to sushi, the menu also gives guests they option to indulge in a four-course meal that includes a starter, two mains and a dessert. From the starters section, the shrimp firecracker spring roll has long been a hit among guests. It’s served crispy with cool cream cheese to balance out the heat of the dish’s sambal chili. As far as entrees go, the hearty, stir-fried yaki udon is perfect for anyone dining with an appetite. And the baked snow crab and salmon dynamite roll, drizzled with a unique and flavorful champagne sauce, is absolutely top-notch. Save room for Izumi’s sinfully indulgent chocolate lava cake or crispy sesame balls as the perfect sweet ending to your meal.

7. Windjammer

Most days during your cruise, you’ll likely enjoy at least one meal at Windjammer. It’s one of the ship’s most convenient cruise dining options, and it’s complimentary for cruise guests. This casual, buffet-style restaurant serves an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner spread. Each lets guests taste their way from one station to the next depending on what they’re in the mood for. You’ll find a few ever-present staples here — think pancakes, waffles and omelets in the morning and tender carved meats in the afternoon — plus a rotating selection of global dishes that run the gamut from Asian to Mediterranean to Indian cuisine and beyond. There’s no need to make a reservation here — Windjammer welcomes walk-ins, and there are always plenty of tables available no matter what time of day you decide to pop in.

8. Main Dining Room

Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a must during any Royal Caribbean cruise. Like Windjammer, meals here are included in your cruise fare, but they’re elevated into a multi-course feast served in an upscale setting. The menu also spotlights international fare, and you’ll find different offerings every night of your sailing (in addition to a few guest-favorite staples that are always available). Whether you’re in the mood for tangy duck a l’Orange or juicy prime rib, the Main Dining Room always offers something unique and flavorful. There’s a kid’s menu, too, so even little eaters can find something yummy to savor.

9. Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse

At this top-rated specialty restaurant, it’s all about sultry, savory flavors from southern Brazil. Think slow-roasted meats like succulent prime picanha and fraldinha, hand-carved right at your table and served to your specifications. Juicy chicken breast swaddled in smoky, crispy bacon. Tender grilled lamb chops cooked to perfection. And fall-of-the-bone beef ribs bursting with flavor. Dessert is equally rich and rewarding — you’ll have your choice between a thick and decadent chocolate layer cake and a refreshing piña colada panna cotta.

10. Chef’s Table

The most exclusive reservation onboard Radiance of the Seas is Chef’s Table. This one-of-a-kind dining experience hosts a small and intimate group of foodies for a five-course gastronomic adventure curated by the ship’s own Chef de Cuisine. Items from the menu include delicacies like scallop carpaccio served with yuzu vinaigrette, smoked tomato soup sprinkled with garlic focaccia croutons, Maine lobster salad served with pineapple, cilantro and vanilla dressing, and roasted branzino paired with tart lemon confit and grilled vegetables. Of course, each course comes expertly paired with wines selected by the ship’s sommelier.

There you have it — the dining scene onboard Radiance of the Seas, in a nutshell. Remember that you can also choose from a wide range of mouthwateringly delicious eats delivered right to your stateroom via room service. Of course, the ship is also home to a range of lively bars where you can order up artfully mixed cocktails, unique wines from around the world and all your favorite brews. Check out the full list of things to do, along with the ship’s shows, activities and other noteworthy experiences. If the culinary offerings alone are enough to leave you ready to book your next vacation onboard this spectacular cruise ship, you can get right to browsing popular itineraries.