After more than 55 cruises across multiple cruise lines, I’ve found that Royal Caribbean offers some of the best specialty dining at sea. With so many options onboard their newest and biggest ships, many cruisers wonder, “Which Royal Caribbean specialty restaurant is the best?”
I’ve been cruising with Royal Caribbean for more than 20 years, although I only really started splurging on specialty restaurants within the last decade. Thankfully, our Diamond Plus BOGO dining perk helps soften the blow by essentially giving us 50% off specialty dining.
Not to mention, Royal Caribbean’s main dining room quality has slowly declined over the years, especially after the post-COVID menu changes. Because of this, we’ve found ourselves enjoying specialty restaurants more than ever before.
Of course, not all Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants are created equal. Some have become absolute must-do traditions every time we cruise, while others ended up being one-and-done disappointments that we wouldn’t pay for again.
The newer Oasis and Icon Class ships offer an overwhelming number of dining choices, while older ships like the Radiance and Vision Class vessels may only feature a handful of Royal Caribbean’s longtime staples. Regardless of which ship you sail, though, there’s almost always at least one specialty restaurant worth trying.
I also think specialty dining becomes more worthwhile on longer cruises. It can be a nice break from the main dining room where you’ll enjoy higher-quality food, better service, and a quieter ambiance in a smaller venue.
While I haven’t tried every single specialty restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, especially some of the newest concepts debuting on Icon Class ships, I’ve experienced many of the cruise line’s tried-and-true staples over the years.
Here’s my honest ranking of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants, ranked from worst to best.
| Ranking | Restaurant | Ranking Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | The Mason Jar | Overhyped brunch with inconsistent food and high prices. |
| 8 | Johnny Rockets | Once a great value, but now feels outdated with rising prices and a stagnant menu. |
| 7 | Chef’s Table | A fun one-time splurge, though the repetitive menu and communal seating make it one-and-done. |
| 6 | Giovanni’s Table | Classic Italian comfort food, but feels dated compared to newer concepts. |
| 5 | Jamie’s Italian | Great pasta and modern Italian cuisine, though service can disappoint. |
| 4 | Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade | Fun atmosphere, tasty bar food, and one of the best desserts at sea. |
| 3 | Izumi Sushi | Excellent variety and quality. Great value for sushi and non-sushi lovers alike. |
| 2 | Chops Grille | A reliable steakhouse favorite, even if quality has slipped slightly in recent years. |
| 1 | Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen | The best overall experience with fantastic food, ambiance, and consistently strong service. |
Worst: The Mason Jar
While The Mason Jar is one of Royal Caribbean’s newest and most hyped specialty restaurants, it may also be one of the cruise line’s most disappointing premium dining experiences for the price.
During a brunch aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, several dishes were underwhelming or lacking flavor, including the red velvet pancakes, stuffed French toast, and cherry pie. Even the Cajun fries tasted like plain fries with little seasoning.
The venue itself was also surprisingly small, and by the final hour of brunch, some menu items like the jalapeño cornbread had already sold out. Despite paying nearly $60 for two people after a loyalty discount, the meal didn’t live up to the cost compared to other Royal Caribbean specialty venues.
There were definitely a few highlights that saved the meal from being a complete disaster. The giant cinnamon roll was excellent, and we also enjoyed the Southern burger, Nashville hot chicken sandwich, breakfast biscuits, and fried Oreos.
Even still, the meal felt inconsistent from start to finish, especially compared to other Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants.
8. Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets has been part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet for as long as I can remember. Years ago, it was one of the best upcharge dining values onboard, but that certainly isn’t the case anymore.
Back then, you could pay around $5 and order as much as you wanted from the menu, making it an easy and affordable treat during the cruise. I still remember the Oreo hot fudge sundae being ridiculously decadent, and the burgers were a noticeable step above what you could get at the Windjammer buffet. For such a small extra charge, it was worth stopping by at least once every cruise.
However, Johnny Rockets now feels extremely dated and stagnant compared to Royal Caribbean’s newer dining concepts. The prices have increased substantially over the years, but the menu has barely evolved at all, making the restaurant feel like it has run its course.
The food is still decent, but it no longer feels special or worth the added cost when there are so many better complimentary and specialty dining options onboard. At this point, I’d personally skip eating here altogether unless you’re specifically craving one of the milkshakes, which are still fun and probably the best reason to visit Johnny Rockets today.
7. Chef’s Table
Chef’s Table is one of those experiences I definitely think is worth trying at least once, especially if you can snag a discounted rate onboard like I’ve been able to a few times.
The multi-course dinner with wine pairings is very refined and special compared to a standard specialty restaurant. The intimate atmosphere can make for a very memorable night during your cruise, and I’ve had some really great experiences at Chef’s Table over the years.
After doing Chef’s Table multiple times, I don’t personally see the value anymore because the experience has become extremely repetitive. The menu has been virtually identical each time I’ve attended, and because it’s a fixed menu with paired wines, there’s very little flexibility if you don’t enjoy certain foods.
Since I’m not a seafood fan, I’ve had to request alternatives before, but the substitutions still felt somewhat limited.
Another thing to consider is that the dinner is very communal and not private at all, since you’ll be seated closely with other cruisers for several hours. If you happen to connect with the group, it can really enhance the experience. But, if the personalities don’t mesh, it can also make for a long evening.
6. Giovanni’s Table
Back when Royal Caribbean had fewer specialty dining options, Giovanni’s Table was really the only Italian restaurant across the fleet.
I’ve always appreciated its comforting atmosphere, homemade pastas, and reliable selection of classic Italian dishes. The restaurant has remained pretty consistent over the years, which is something I can appreciate when cruising.
Giovanni’s Table holds a special place in my heart because I’ve had some really memorable meals there over the years. I’ll never forget having a lovely family dinner here aboard Brilliance of the Seas after my husband proposed to me in Venice!
That said, Giovanni’s Table definitely feels more traditional and dated compared to Royal Caribbean’s newer specialty restaurants. The decor and menu are very rustic and classic, and reminds me of a classic Olive Garden restaurant. In addition, the menu itself hasn’t really evolved in years.
It’s not surprising that Royal Caribbean is slowly moving away from this concept in favor of the newer Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, which I personally prefer because it feels more modern and elevated overall.
Even still, if Giovanni’s Table is the only Italian specialty restaurant onboard, I’d absolutely dine there again because the food is very good and consistently enjoyable.
5. Jamie’s Italian
Jamie’s Italian has consistently been one of my favorite Italian specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean, especially if you’re a pasta lover. I really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, and the menu feels a little more modern and elevated.
Over the years, I’ve had some excellent meals here, especially the truffle tagliatelle, carbonara, garlic buns, and arancini, which continue to be some of the best Italian dishes I’ve had at sea. The portions are also generous and the food is always flavorful.
However, Jamie’s Italian isn’t perfect. Service can sometimes feel slow when the restaurant gets busy, and not every dish is a winner. Some items, like the crab and avocado appetizer or tiramisu, are underwhelming compared to the pasta dishes.
At full price, I’m not sure it’s always worth the splurge unless you really love Italian food. But, I think Jamie’s Italian does a better job feeling fresh and modern compared to some of Royal Caribbean’s older specialty dining venues, and I’d happily return again just for the truffle pasta.
4. Playmaker’s Sports Bar and Arcade
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade has quickly become one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular casual specialty dining venues. The menu is packed with elevated bar food favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, wings, and shareable appetizers that are tasty and easy crowd-pleasers.
But, the real star of the restaurant is the famous Campfire Cookie dessert, which I truly think is one of the best desserts on any cruise ship. The warm skillet cookie is topped with torched marshmallows; it’s sinfully delicious, gooey, and absolutely worth ordering even if you skip the rest of the meal. I also hear people constantly rave about the wings, and the overall atmosphere is really fun if you enjoy watching sports during your cruise.
Personally, Playmakers isn’t a restaurant I visit all the time. A lot of the menu overlaps with foods I feel I can already get elsewhere onboard for free or easily enjoy back home. I can grab a decent burger at the Windjammer without paying extra, and wings aren’t exactly something I seek out on vacation.
However, I have to admit that Playmakers does what it’s trying to do extremely well. The food is very good, the vibe is lively, and it’s become one of the best specialty restaurants across Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
3. Izumi Sushi and Hibachi
Izumi Sushi has really surprised me over the years. Even though I’m not personally a big sushi fan, I’ve ended up really enjoying every meal I’ve had there. My husband absolutely loves sushi, so we dine here fairly often when we cruise, and I’ve been impressed by how expansive the menu is other than raw fish.
The restaurant offers plenty of cooked dishes, including noodles, gyoza, rice bowls, and hibachi-style options that make it approachable, even for people like me who don’t typically seek out sushi restaurants. I especially love the beef noodles and teriyaki bowl.
Moreover, the quality, portion sizes, and service have consistently impressed me every single time we’ve dined there. The prix fixe menu, priced at $39.99, is also one of the best specialty dining deals on Royal Caribbean, especially considering how much food you get for the price.
There’s a reason Royal Caribbean continues expanding the Izumi concept across more ships in the fleet. Between the traditional sushi restaurant, hibachi experiences, and even the newer grab-and-go sushi window concepts in places like Central Park, Izumi has evolved into one of Royal Caribbean’s best dining options.
Whether you’re a serious sushi lover or someone who normally avoids sushi altogether, the menu has enough variety to appeal to almost everyone. I still want to try the full teppanyaki experience one of these cruises, but even without that, Izumi has easily become one of my favorite specialty dining options onboard.
2. Chops Grille
I’ve eaten at Chops Grille many, many times over the years, and it continues to rank as one of the cruise line’s best specialty restaurants. Compared to other specialty restaurants at sea, Chops Grille is dependable and worth the splurge for a special dinner onboard.
The steakhouse serves high-quality steaks with attentive service in an upscale atmosphere. The warm ambiance makes Chops Grille feel like a nice escape from the busy main dining room on any cruise ship.
Some dishes always stand out every time I visit, especially the wild mushroom soup, thick-cut black pepper bacon, and bone-in ribeye. The key lime pie might be one of the best desserts on any cruise ship!
The reason Chops Grille doesn’t take my #1 spot is because I do think the restaurant has slipped slightly in quality over the last few years. While the steaks are still very good overall, the meat quality doesn’t always feel as premium or consistent as it once did. Additionally, the service hasn’t felt quite as polished or memorable on recent cruises.
I’d also love to see Royal Caribbean refresh the menu with a some new sides or more creative concepts. Some of the current side dishes can feel repetitive and occasionally inconsistent depending on the ship. Even with those criticisms, Chops Grille remains one of the best specialty dining choices in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
1. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is easily my favorite specialty restaurant across Royal Caribbean’s fleet and the one I recommend most often to cruisers. I absolutely love the entire experience here, from the warm atmosphere to the excellent food.
The menu is much more modern and elevated compared to the older Giovanni’s Table concept, and nearly everything we’ve tried has been fantastic. The pastas, pizzas, appetizers, meats, and desserts are all impressive. Additionally, the quality has remained consistently strong every time we’ve dined there.
One of my most memorable cruise dining experiences in recent years was at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen aboard Utopia of the Seas, where every single dish felt like a hit. From the moment we sat down, the service completely elevated the experience.
Our waiter was very attentive and encouraged us to try a variety of dishes across the menu, which ended up being the perfect approach because there were so many favorites.
The buttery garlic knots were so addictive we immediately ordered a second serving, while appetizers like the giant meatball, Stromboli, calamari, and truffle caprese salad were all excellent. The filet mignon shouldn’t be missed, as it’s to-die-for!
Giovanni’s is especially known for its pizza, and the Truffle & Egg pizza was one of our favorites with its rich truffle flavor and perfectly crisp crust. The carbonara pasta completely stole the show, while even the filet and chicken parmesan impressed everyone at the table.
Between the incredible food, beautiful ambiance, and fantastic service, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen feels like the total package and easily earns my top spot among Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants.
