The Best Restaurants on Cunard: A Gourmet’s Guide at Sea

• Dining for every guest: From Britannia to Queens Grill, Cunard offers elegant restaurants for all cabin grades.

• Speciality highlights: Try The Verandah, Aji Wa or Aranya for bold flavours and intimate dining.

• Casual favourites: Enjoy relaxed options like the Golden Lion pub, Artisans’ Foodhall and Lido buffet.

Cruising with Cunard is as much about the culinary journey as it is the destination. 

Whether you’re dressing up for a formal dinner or grabbing a relaxed bite between shore days, every ship in the Cunard fleet is home to exceptional restaurants serving world-class cuisine.

We’ve curated your ultimate guide to the best dining experiences across the Cunard fleet, from classic venues to exciting new speciality venues. Read on to discover our top picks!

Dining on Cunard: What to Expect

Cunard’s dining is divided into main restaurants (included in your fare) and speciality or alternative venues (usually at an extra cost).

Your accommodation grade determines which main restaurant you’ll dine in, with Britannia for most guests, Britannia Club for club balcony staterooms, and Princess or Queens Grill for suite guests.

Menus change daily, and you can expect everything from hearty classics to creative modern dishes, with full consideration for dietary needs: including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly menus.

Let’s take a closer look at the standout restaurants you’ll find onboard Cunard ships.

Main Dining Rooms: Elegant, Classic & Included

Britannia Restaurant

The Britannia Restaurant is the heart of onboard dining for most Cunard guests. With grand décor, sweeping staircases and an elegant atmosphere, it’s everything you imagine when you think “Cunard dining.”

The menu changes daily, featuring seasonal dishes from around the world alongside British favourites. Formal nights here are truly memorable- a hallmark of Cunard tradition.

Britannia Club Restaurant

If you’re staying in a Britannia Club Balcony stateroom, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to the Britannia Club Restaurant.

This dining venue offers the same refined service as Britannia, but in a smaller, more intimate setting. You can dine anytime between 6:30 pm and 9 pm, perfect for relaxed, flexible evenings.

Princess Grill Restaurant

Reserved for Princess Grill suite guests, this elegant restaurant offers an elevated fine-dining experience with attentive service, a la carte menus, and an impressive wine list.

The atmosphere is calm and luxurious, ideal for those who appreciate gourmet dining with a touch of glamour.

Queens Grill Restaurant

At the very top tier, the Queens Grill represents the pinnacle of Cunard dining. Guests can enjoy bespoke menus, exquisite presentation, and tableside service, all in a serene, beautifully appointed setting.

For those staying in Queens Grill suites, it’s a dining experience to rival any Michelin-starred restaurant ashore.

Speciality & Alternative Dining: Go Bold, Go Flavourful

If you fancy a change from the main restaurants, Cunard’s speciality venues offer a chance to explore global flavours in more intimate surroundings. These restaurants typically carry a small surcharge but are well worth it for the exceptional cuisine and service.

Highlights include:

Steakhouse at The Verandah

A must-visit for steak and seafood lovers, this refined restaurant serves prime cuts of beef and ocean-fresh shellfish, cooked to perfection. With elegant interiors and a sophisticated atmosphere, The Verandah is perfect for a special occasion.

Aji Wa

Cunard’s take on contemporary Japanese cuisine, Aji Wa blends delicate presentation with bold flavours. Expect beautifully prepared sushi, sashimi, and small plates paired with fine wines and sake.

Aranya

For a journey through India’s culinary heritage, Aranya brings authentic spice and artistry to the table. The curries, tandoori dishes and vegetarian plates are bursting with flavour; a vibrant addition to Cunard’s modern dining scene.

Tramonto

Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean, Tramonto serves sun-soaked dishes from Italy, Greece and beyond. With its relaxed yet elegant setting, it’s a lovely choice for a romantic dinner or a lighter, flavourful meal.

Al Fresco Dining

When the weather’s warm, there’s nothing better than dining outdoors. Cunard’s al fresco venues serve fresh salads, grilled meats and seafood under the open sky, perfect for lazy sea days and sunset suppers.

Top tip: Book your speciality dining early, either before sailing or once onboard, as these popular spots tend to fill up quickly!

Casual & Relaxed Dining: Easy, Everyday Options

Golden Lion Pub

Cunard’s take on a traditional British pub, the Golden Lion, is a guest favourite. Enjoy hearty comfort food, from fish and chips to pies and burgers, in a lively, social setting with live music and quizzes.

Artisans’ Foodhall

A new concept on ships like Queen Anne, Artisans’ Foodhall is a modern marketplace where chefs cook right in front of you. From pasta to street food-style dishes, it’s a fun and flexible way to dine at any time of day.

Lido/King’s Court Buffet

Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks, the buffet restaurants are perfect for casual, grab-and-go dining. Expect everything from international favourites to light salads and desserts- ideal when you fancy a more relaxed meal.

Café Carinthia & Lounges

For light bites, pastries or a classic afternoon tea, Café Carinthia is a lovely daytime stop. It’s also one of the best spots onboard to unwind with a cappuccino and sea view.

Room Service

If you prefer a quiet night in, Cunard’s room service menu (available 24 hours on most ships) means you can dine in your cabin or on your balcony with no extra fuss.

How to Get the Most Out of Cunard Dining

• Check your cabin grade: it determines your main restaurant access.

• Mix it up: try both formal and casual options throughout your cruise.

• Book speciality restaurants early: they often sell out.

• Mind the dress code: gala nights are a chance to go all out.

• Relax and explore: from pub grub to five-star fine dining, variety is part of the fun.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cunard Dining

1. Are the main dining rooms included in my fare?

Yes, your allocated main restaurant (Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, or Queens Grill) is included in your cruise fare.

2. Do I need to book speciality restaurants in advance?

Yes, reservations are recommended as these venues are very popular. You can often book before your cruise or through the My Voyage app once onboard.

3. How many speciality restaurants are on each ship?

It varies, but you can expect several per ship, including Steakhouse at The Verandah and various international options like Aji Wa and Aranya.

4. Is there casual dining onboard?

Absolutely! The Golden Lion pub, Artisans’ Foodhall, and Lido or King’s Court buffet all offer casual, flexible dining experiences.

5. What is the dress code in restaurants?

Daytime is casual, but evenings, especially Gala Nights, are more formal. Jackets are common, and you’ll want to dress up for the main dining rooms.

6. Can I dine in any restaurant I choose?

Your main dining room depends on your stateroom category, but speciality restaurants and casual venues are open to all guests.

7. Are dietary needs accommodated?

Yes, Cunard caters for most dietary requirements- just notify them before your voyage or speak with your waiter once onboard.

8. Are drinks included with meals?

Tea, coffee and water are included, but alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are extra unless you’ve purchased a drinks package.

9. Can I dine whenever I like?

Guests in the Grills and Britannia Club enjoy flexible dining hours. Other guests will have set times for dinner, though breakfast and lunch are usually open seating.

10. Is room service available?

Yes, room service is available around the clock and is often included in your fare.