The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Icon Of The Seas

Treat your taste buds to top-notch cruise dining onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on August 18, 2023

Royal Caribbean cruises are known for having great cruise food — they’ve won awards for their onboard eats and earned rave reviews by 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. Guests can expect familiar fleetwide favorites onboard, like Izumi Hibachi & Sushi^SM, Chops Grille^SM, Sorrento’s Pizza and Hooked Seafood^SM. But they’ll also get a slew of newcomers, including decadent brunch dishes served all day at Pier 7, fresh-pressed paninis, crisp salads and sweet treats at Pearl Café and a food stall-style flavor fest at the AquaDome Market.

Whatever you or your vacation squad are in the mood for, you can always count on something delicious to savor onboard Icon of the Seas — especially considering that the cruise ship offers a whopping 20 ways to dine as you sail from one destination to another. Whether you’re an adventurous eater or simply craving classic comfort foods, get ready to indulge in a truly impressive restaurant scene. Keep reading to learn more about some of the mouthwatering dining options onboard the largest cruise ship in the world.

1. Empire Supper Club^SM

One of the new culinary concepts debuting onboard Icon of the Seas is Empire Supper Club. 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. Save room for a tantalizing array of confections — the perfect sweet ending to a flavor-filled evening.

2. Celebration Table

Celebrating a special occasion during your Icon of the Seas getaway? One of the cruise 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 AquaDome, it accommodates just 12 people to ensure an ultra-intimate, ultra-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 your own personal spin to any night out.

3. Izumi Hibachi & Sushi^SM

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 cruise ship. Dinner here is a five-star show, with master chefs showing off awe-inspiring chopping skills and making it look effortless. The menu at Izumi 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^SM window for convenient grab-and-go rolls, nigiri and sweet treats.

4. Chops Grille^SM

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.

5. Basecamp^SM

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 serves up a range of complimentary snacks you can eat onsite or take along with you to your next adventure. You’ll also find heartier fare — like crispy shrimp bao buns — available a la carte, as well as plenty of vacation libations included for guests who purchase cruise drink packages. 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 an order at the bar? Swing by the Basecamp bar cart, located on the starboard side of Thrill Island for fast and flavorful drinks.

6. Pearl Café

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, 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.

7. Sorrento's Pizza

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.

8. Surfside Eatery^SM

You’ll find some of the best cruise food at sea at the all-new Surfside Eatery, a true foodie oasis serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner for free in the heart of the ship’s bustling Surfside neighborhood. Parents and kids will love the space’s casual, laidback atmosphere and the broad assortment of global offerings sure to please even the pickiest eaters — from fluffy pancakes to fun pasta shapes tossed in savory sauces. It’s all served buffet-style, too, so you can try a little bit of whatever piques your interest or makes your tummy growl.

9. Main Dining Room

Enjoying a lavish, multi-course meal with your friends or family in the ship’s dining room is a cruising tradition — and the one onboard Icon of the Seas is one of the most luxurious cruise fine dining venues you’ll experience. Encompassing multiple levels with a jaw-dropping chandelier as the focal point, this sophisticated space is one of the best places to eat on a cruise aboard Icon of the Seas. You’ll enjoy a different three-course menu each night highlighting flavors from Jamaica to Jaipur and beyond, all complimentary and paired with personalized, five-star service.

Whether you’re a serious foodie or just appreciate the simple pleasure of a great meal, you won’t be disappointed by the cruise dining options onboard Icon of the Seas. With so many restaurants to choose from, your biggest challenge will likely be trying to taste your way across them all — not a bad problem to have, in my opinion! You can learn more about the dining scene onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, or get right to booking your flavor-filled getaway Icon of the Seas.