By Amanda Mesa | Published on December 16, 2023
Royal Caribbean cruises are known for having great cruise food — they’ve won awards for their onboard eats and earned rave reviews from longtime cruisers and new-to-cruise foodies alike. That said, their latest cruise ship — Icon of the Seas — is poised to steal the show when it comes to delicious dining at sea.
Icon of the Seas offers complimentary and specialty restaurants like
like Izumi Hibachi & Sushi℠, Chops Grille℠, Empire Supper Club℠ and Sorrento’s Pizza. But they’ll also get a slew of newcomers, including decadent brunch dishes served all day at Pier 7, fresh-pressed paninis, crisp salads, sweet treats at Pearl Café and a food stall-style flavor fest at the Icon of the Seas AquaDome Market.
Quick Takeaways: Icon of the Seas Dining
Empire Supper Club℠ is one of Icon of the Seas’ specialty restaurants. This stunning cruise fine dining restaurant will immerse you in the glitz, glamor and luxury of old New York City. Fittingly located in the ship’s lush Central Park®️neighborhood, Empire Supper Club℠ spotlights an eight-course dinner menu curated to highlight haute American cuisine and set to the sounds of a swanky three-piece band.
You should definitely start your meal with a glass of fine sparkling wine paired with decadent caviar, then work your way toward the melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef or one of the restaurant’s elevated seafood dishes. Be sure to save room for a tantalizing array of confections — the perfect sweet ending to a flavor-filled evening.
Celebrating a special occasion during your getaway? One of the specialty restaurants I’m most looking forward to onboard this wow-worthy ship is Celebration Table. This posh new venue is the definition of the phrase “VIP experience.” Located in the Icon of the Seas AquaDome Market, it accommodates just 12 people to ensure an ultra-intimate, exclusive meal with your closest friends or family members.
You’ll enjoy sweeping ocean views with your dinner, which is served family-style to encourage sharing. Choose from a selection of global prix-fixe menus as you enjoy signature cocktails crafted by the ship’s top mixologists. Another cool thing about planning a special evening at Celebration Table is that you can customize the experience with your choice of ambient touches and menu upgrades, adding a personal spin to any night out.
If you’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past, you’ve probably heard of or dined at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi℠. This family-friendly specialty restaurant is a fleetwide mainstay and one of my personal favorite places to eat onboard any Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Dinner here is a five-star show, with master chefs showing off awe-inspiring chopping skills and making it look effortless.
The Izumi Royal Caribbean menu spotlights Asian-inspired delicacies, including an extensive selection of maki and sushi rolls, tender teriyaki meats, mouthwatering fried rice and more. Onboard Icon of the Seas, this fan-favorite cruise restaurant is located in Central Park® with plenty of al fresco seating if you prefer to enjoy your meal outdoors. If you’re looking to grab a bite in between adventures onboard, you can stop by the first-ever Izumi in the Park℠ window for convenient grab-and-go rolls, nigiri and sweet treats.
Craving hearty comfort food with a side of Old-World charm? Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar delivers just that — and then some. Inspired by the rolling hills and rustic flavors of Tuscany, this inviting trattoria is a perfect spot for family-style dinners or romantic date nights.
When you pair your meal with a bold red or a twist on a classic cocktail, Giovanni’s℠ makes every dinner feel like a celebration. Just let the staff know if you’re marking a special occasion — they’ll make sure it’s unforgettable.
No cruise getaway is complete without at least one lavish steakhouse dinner, and Chops Grille℠ has been serving up the perfect experience for over a decade. Another classic Royal Caribbean cruise fine dining restaurant, this five-star icon is known for its prime cuts of meat — all seasoned and seared by pros who know exactly what it takes to achieve prime flavor and texture.
Also located in Central Park®, the Chops Grille℠ onboard Icon of the Seas has a unique new feature: an impressive butcher’s display showcasing the specialty restaurant’s highest-grade cuts, including succulent wagyu beef and hearty bone-in tomahawks. You can watch the magic happen through an open kitchen window before digging in and savoring each blissful bite.
Thrill Island is home to the ship’s most adrenaline-amping attractions — so of course, it offers a spot to chow down on tasty eats when your stomach starts rumbling. A first for Royal Caribbean, Basecamp℠ on Icon of the Seas serves up a variety of familiar faves you can eat onsite or take along with you to your next adventure. You’ll also find heartier fare, like hot dogs and smash burgers, available a la carte, as well as plenty of vacation libations included for guests who purchase cruise drink packages. So, it’s a good idea to look at the Royal Caribbean food included in different line offerings.
Whether you’re hitting the slides at Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, or getting ready to putt your way around the mini-golf course, Basecamp℠ makes it easy to refuel in between activities onboard. Feeling thirsty but don’t have time to stop and order at the bar? Swing by the bar cart, located on the starboard side of Thrill Island, for fast and flavorful drinks.
When I’m on a cruise that offers as much as Icon of the Seas does, I’m all about convenience when it comes to breakfast and lunch. Open 24 hours, Pearl Café checks all the boxes for fast, fuss-free and flavorful food — and it’s all complimentary.
You’ll find this gem on the Royal Promenade nestled between an expansive window and the largest kinetic sculpture in the world. The menu is loaded with quick and delicious snacks, including fresh-pressed paninis, crisp salads, flavorful appetizers and decadent sweet treats. Grab a spot in one of the café’s cozy nooks to enjoy your meal or take your bites to go. I’ll let you in on a secret, too — the coffee here is as good as the incredible ocean views.
It’s an unofficial rule that if your cruise ship happens to have a Sorrento’s Pizza, you simply can’t wrap up your vacation without enjoying a slice — preferably late at night. After a whirl on the dance floor, nothing hits the spot like one of the cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth slices at this Royal Caribbean mainstay. The restaurant’s team has spent years fine-tuning the recipe for their sauce and dough, and it shows.
Treat yourself to a classic pie, like pepperoni or margherita, or try one of the signature creations — I can’t get enough of their Caribbean Dream, featuring pineapple, bacon and barbecue sauce. Onboard Icon of the Seas, guests can pair their freshly baked pizza with a diverse selection of drafts on tap — a first for Sorrento’s. Oh, and the food here is all complimentary, in case you needed another reason to indulge.
Explore our Icon of the Seas cruise itineraries and book your flavor-filled getaway today.