Best speciality restaurants on cruise ships UK 2026
Cruise Advisor planning guide. Verify changing prices, policies and itineraries with the relevant provider before booking.
Once you know which restaurants appeal, use our speciality dining booking-timing guide.
This guide to the best speciality restaurants on cruise ships UK focuses on 2026 offerings, up-to-date prices in £, reservation tips and honest comparisons so you can choose the right dining experience for your next cruise holiday.
The best speciality restaurants on UK cruise ships in 2026 include P&O’s The Epicurean on Iona, Cunard’s The Verandah on Queen Mary 2, Marella’s Indigo and Italian options, and specialty steakhouses and Asian restaurants on ships like Celebrity Apex and Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Expect cover charges from around £15 to tasting menus of £65-£95.
Speciality restaurants add variety and theatre to shipboard dining. While main dining rooms and buffets remain complimentary on most UK cruises, speciality venues provide focused cuisine, intimate settings and menu creativity you won’t get in the standard outlets. They’re ideal for celebrations, date nights or trying regional dishes like authentic Japanese sushi, Argentinian steak or modern British tasting menus. On lines such as Cunard the dining approach remains formal and classic, while P&O offers more relaxed signature venues. In 2026, speciality dining remains one of the most popular paid add-ons across UK-sold cruise itineraries.
A great speciality restaurant makes the extra spend feel worthwhile: attentive staff, a balanced menu and dishes that are better than what you could get ashore at a similar price.
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