Guide To Dining At The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Freedom Of The Seas

This guest-favorite Royal Caribbean® ship brims with adventure — and wow-worthy options for unique flavors.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on March 28, 2022

Food is an important part of any vacation, and cruising is no exception to that rule. Nothing beats starting a new day — or ending an epic one — with a delicious meal. Luckily, world-class cuisine is always within reach when you cruise with Royal Caribbean.

If your next cruise vacation happens to take place onboard the Amplified Freedom of the Seas®, you’re in for an unforgettable flavor-fest. This ship offers plenty to satisfy any craving, whether you’re in the mood for fresh-rolled sushi, traditional Italian dishes, a classic steakhouse dinner, poolside Mexican eats, or late-night slices of pizza loaded with all your favorite toppings.

It’s no surprise so many guests say Freedom of the Seas offers some of the best cruise restaurants, including complimentary and special dining everyone in the family will love. Here are just some of the top-rated cruise dining options you can experience onboard during your next getaway.

Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen

Indulge in an authentic taste of Italia every day at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, where the menu is all about hearty pastas coated in homestyle sauces, hand-tossed pizzas served straight out of the oven, and traditional, Old-World entrees that will transport you to the hills of Tuscany, the emerald vineyards of Emilia-Romagna and the windswept coasts of Sardinia and Sicily. The assorted meat and cheese platter is a fan-favorite start to any meal here — it comes heaped with porchetta, mozzarella, and mortadella. And if you love the taste of truffle, opt for the caprese salad — a generous globe of truffled burrata served over juicy heirloom tomatoes and tender arugula. One of our favorite entrees is the classic lasagna, oven-baked and layered with savory Bolognese sauce.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi

The flavors of the Far East come to life at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, a Royal Caribbean classic that totally lives up to its reputation as one of the best places to eat on a cruise. Not only is each item on the menu delicious, but every meal here is accompanied by a wow-worthy show as master chefs cook up teppanyaki meats, veggies, and rice tableside with a fair number of tricks thrown into the mix. Served with sweet Thai chili sauce, the soy-ginger marinated chicken karaage is a crispy, crave-worthy app to kick off your dinner. And if you love sushi, you’ll be pleased to find a wide range of traditional and creative rolls on the menu. Save room for something sweet — the green tea ice cream, crispy sesame balls, and chocolate lava cake are all worth indulging in.

El Loco Fresh®

One of the best ways to spend a sea day onboard Freedom of the Seas is on the cruise ship’s epic, Amplified pool deck. From white-knuckle rides on the The Perfect Storm℠ dueling waterslides and tide-taming on the FlowRider®* surf simulator, to sun-soaked relaxing in between refreshing dips in the pool, you’ll find endless ways to level up the thrill and chill factor on this incredible ship. And when your stomach starts rumbling, all you have to do is walk a few steps over to El Loco Fresh, a fan-favorite that turns every bite into a true flavor fiesta. Dig in to tasty tacos, cheesy quesadillas, shareable nachos, and bold burritos paired with a slew of delicious sauces. Grown-ups can also enjoy a selection of tequilas or their favorite beach-day brews. Dessert is just as exciting — guests love El Loco Fresh’s south-of-the-border sweets, including creamy Mexican flan, light, and moist tres leches cake, and decadent chocolate dulce de leche.

Chops Grille℠

When it comes to cruise fine dining, Chops Grille is a top option for anyone sailing onboard a Royal Caribbean ship. A fleetwide staple, this popular specialty restaurant is one of the most coveted reservations onboard the Amplified Freedom of the Seas and a go-to for special occasion dinners or date night done right. It delivers a true steakhouse experience complete with white tablecloth service and an extensive global wine list. The menu spotlights prime cuts of meat cooked to perfection and paired with shareable, family-style sides — think creamy spinach, heavenly mac, and cheese, steaming Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, and truffled French fries. Seafood lovers will also find plenty to love, including the restaurant’s tender Maine lobster, succulent Jonah crab claws, jumbo shrimp, and green-lipped mussels. For dessert, nothing tops Chops’ whipped key lime meringue pie and classic New York cheesecake. Here’s an insider tip: on sea days, Chops Grille is open for lunch as well as dinner.

Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade

It’s always game on at this lively Freedom of the Seas sports bar. Catch all your favorite games on flat-screen TVs or indulge in a little nostalgia with classic arcade games as you sip icy-cold draughts on tap. If you’re feeling hungry, you’ll find plenty of delicious food to enjoy here, from shareable apps to hearty entrees. Nosh on juicy burgers, loaded nachos, BBQ pulled pork sliders, and three kinds of wings with varying levels of spice — just to name a few menu favorites. Desserts at Playmakers are also larger than life — choose between the five-scoop Touchdown Sundae or the ooey, gooey Campfire Cookie baked with melted marshmallow and Nutella and served with a side of milk shooters.

Windjammer

A centerpiece of the Freedom of the Seas dining scene is Windjammer, a casual, always-buzzing hub for delicious flavors during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best part? It’s all complimentary. Start your day with flaky pastries served warm from the oven, omelets prepared any way you like them, and more. Drop by in the middle of the day for grilled meats, fresh-pressed sandwiches, international street food, and bistro staples from Thailand, India, France, and beyond. Evening meals here are just as exciting, with food stations serving up rotating specialties like Vietnamese braised Ho Chi Minh pork, southern-style buttermilk fried chicken, hearty pork vindaloo, tender Caribbean goat curry, and more.

Main Dining Room

No cruise vacation is complete without dinner in the cruise ship’s sprawling main dining room. This spectacular, multi-level space delivers an unforgettable experience every time, with servers that take note of your favorite dishes for future visits and a menu that’s constantly changing to offer new and delicious surprises. Standouts include savory duck terrine layered with apricot chutney on toasted sourdough bread, spiced eggplant, and Kalamata olive tartare prepped with red pepper hummus, Moroccan spiced ahi tuna served over mint couscous, and mojo-marinated pork loin served with a cumin-citrus reduction. If you still have room for dessert, the homestyle carrot cake, the tres leches soaked in sweet cream, and the fluffy Grand Marnier soufflé are all winning options.

Sorrento’s Pizza

Amazing pizza lives at Sorrento’s all day and night. It’s made using a special recipe Royal Caribbean has spent years perfecting, and it’s earned this casual eatery a reputation as one of guests’ favorite cruise restaurants onboard Freedom of the Seas. You’ll find a pie for every pizza lover here, including classic options like cheese, pepperoni, and Margherita and specialty pies that go bold on flavor and creativity (the pineapple, bacon, and BBQ-infused Caribbean Dream is a game-changer). Every bite is complimentary, and since Sorrento’s is open late you can always count on a slice to crush your post-party cravings once all the other restaurants onboard have closed.

Café Promenade

For quick and easy eats you can take with you, stop by Café Promenade. Located on the always-bustling Promenade, this casual cafe serves up snacks, pastries, and beverages 24 hours a day. Come by in the morning or afternoon for a steaming cup of coffee and a buttery croissandwich stuffed with deli meats. Refuel in between adventures with flavorful chicken roti wraps and New Orleans-style muffulettas. Pick up late-night bites like spicy marinated cheese and savory meatballs after an evening of dancing at Boleros. And satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent, bite-sized desserts that change daily. It’s all included in your cruise fare.

Travel foodies rave about the cruise restaurant options onboard the Amplified Freedom of the Seas. These are just some of the top cruise restaurants onboard — other must-try eateries include the exclusive Chef’s Table, which offers an elevated five-course culinary experience led by the ship’s chef de cuisine, and classic American shakes, burgers, hot dogs, and fries at Johnny Rockets®. Upgrade your adventure with specialty cruise dining and beverage packages to experience all the wow-worthy flavors onboard.