Icon of the Seas Restaurants: Dining Venue Guide (2024)

The long-awaitedIcon of the Seasmade a big splash when it was announced, and for many, many reasons. It surpassed an array ofmilestonesin the cruising industry.

However, when it comes to foodie travelers and their reactions, they focused in on one key detail: The ship offers more than 20dining options, including several brand-new restaurants appearing on aRoyal Caribbeanship for the very first time.

Now,Royal Caribbean Internationalwas certainly never shabby in the dining department (especially not when compared to other cruise lines), so when the brand said it was going bigger and better than ever before, cruisers got excited.

If you’re among those travelers watering at the mouth for atasteof all thatIcon of the Seasoffers — or even if you’re not, and you just are planning anIcon of the Seascruise and want to know what you can expect to eat during your trip — we have you covered.

Here’s everything you need to know about the manyIcon of the Seasrestaurants.

Icon of the Seas Complimentary Restaurants

There’s no need to spend a lavish amount of money in order to secure an enjoyabledining experienceaboardIcon of the Seas. Thanks to the ship’s many complimentary restaurants,new venuesandmenu upgrades, you can dine in high style without spending an extra penny.

In total,Icon of the Seashas 15 complimentary restaurants, including somevenuesfor handyquick bites. That means, technically, you could go on a five-day cruise and eat three meals per day, and still not eat at the same restaurant twice — and, yes, all without spending any extra from your travel budget. Now, that’s a great deal that we can get behind.

AquaDome Market

Brand-new toRoyal Caribbean,AquaDome Marketis theRoyal Caribbean’s first food hall. As such, thenew spotcombines a range of counter-order eateries into one location, for easy casual dining, no matter what you’re in the mood for. If you and your traveling companions just can’t agree on where to eat, this is where you go.

The food hall features fivedifferent stallswithwalkup windows, serving five distinct types ofstreet food: crepes, Asian fare,macaroniandcheese, Mediterraneandishes, andsandwichesandsalads. Each counter offers limited options, though. TheCreme de la Crepecounter only offers threesavory crepesand three sweet crepes.

At the Asian counter, you build a bowl, essentially, topping rice or noodles with your choice of protein and veggies; the concept is the same at theFeta Mediterraneancounter, but withfresh pitas. Themacaroniandcheesecounter offers fivemacn’cheesebowls, and the sandwich and salad spot offers just foursandwichesand three sidesalads.

• Cost: Free
• Location: The AquaDome

Basecamp

Young familieswill love this option.Basecamphas a very family-friendly vibe to it, with the colorful chairs and tables and nautical theme. Themenuis pretty kid-friendly as well.

Think options like hot dogs and pretzels. There are a fewmenuitems that come with extra fees, like chicken nuggets andburgers, so keep that in mind before you head over. There is a bar in the restaurant, too.

• Cost: Free
• Location: Chill andThrill Island

Coastal Kitchen

TheCoastal Kitchenrestaurant is located withinRoyal Caribbean’sSuite Neighborhood, so while it is free, it’s only open to those with access to theSuite Neighborhood, aka cruisers staying in suites. Costal Kitchen serves a Mediterranean-inspiredmenunear thesuite sun deck.

• Cost: Free (with Exceptions)
• Location: TheSuite Neighborhood

The Crown Lounge

The Crown Lounge is primarily considered a bar, but it does also serve light bites. It’s only open to Royal Caribbean Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members as part of the cruise lines’s Crown and Anchor Society Loyalty program, but for those cruisers, the lounge’s snacks and drinks are free.

• Cost: Free (with Exceptions)
• Location:Royal Promenade

Cantina Fresca and El Loco Fresh

These quick-bite eateries offer standard Mexican-American eats, such as made-to-order tacos, quesadillas, and burritos.You’ll find both venues right next to each other, and they are a good option for guests taking a break from all the open deck thrills.

• Cost: Free
• Location: Chill andThrill Island, Deck 15

The Grove

LikeCoastal Kitchen, TheGroveis another restaurant that’s complimentary — but only open to suiteguests. TheGroveis more casual thanCoastal Kitchen, and offersal frescodining, but it still features a Mediterraneanmenu.

• Cost: Free (with Exceptions)
• Location: TheSuite Neighborhood

Main Dining Room

Themain dining roomis your place to go for the quintessential cruise shipdining experience. Think three-coursem*nus, every single night, and an upscale feel that comes free of charge. (In fact, you’ll find that some specific nights in themain dining roomare “formal” nights, whereinguestsmight dress up a little more than they otherwise would.)

Each night in themain dining roomis different, but you’ll always get your choice of an appetizer, main course anddessert. Often, themenuoptions are varied enough that there’s someone for everyone to love on themenu, withpremium American cuisinetaking center stage.

Worth Reading: Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: A Giant Comparison

Sometimes, however, themenusare themed around a different cuisine; for example, there’s French night, Italian night, etc. Still, even with the themes, there’s enough variety for most picky eaters (you can just about always find a steak and a Caesar salad on themenu).

• Cost: Free
• Location:Deck4

Park Cafe

The casualPark Café is your only complimentary option in theCentral Park neighborhood, but it’s by no means a lackluster one. Sit down for casual bites likesandwichesandsalads.

• Cost: Free
• Location: Central Park

Pearl Cafe

This sleek and modern restaurant situated on theRoyal Promenadeis primarily complimentary, though you can upgrade and purchase a few items (like specialty coffees) that do come with a small fee.

This café isn’t necessarily the place you might go to sit and linger awhile. Instead, it offers light bites andsnacksthat are packaged for you to take on the go as you explore the ship. Thinksandwichesandready-made salads.

• Cost: Free
• Location:Royal Promenade

Sorrento’s

A long-timeRoyal Caribbeanfavorite,Sorrento’s offerspizzaat all hours of the day, making it popular with the kiddos, as well as those looking for something to soak up all those cruise ship libations at a late hour.

• Cost: Free
• Location:Royal Promenade

Sprinkles

What goes better with a day by the pool than an ice cream cone? Not much. That’s why this ice cream spot is situated right next to all ofIcon of the Seas’ cool water features.

• Cost: Free
• Location:Chill IslandandThrill Island

Surfside Bites

Befitting theSurfside neighborhoodon the ship,Surfside Bitesis bright and friendly, with an order window where you can request a limited number ofmenuitems that are what you’d get at any water park or theme park. Think fries, cheeseburgers, pizzas,popcorn chickenand chicken fingers.

• Cost: Free
• Location: Surfside

Surfside Eatery

For, well, ever,Royal Caribbeancruisers had one buffet option: Windjammer Marketplace. That can mean, for cruisers who absolutely love the cruise ship buffet experience, the restaurant could get a little crowded and, wherever you were on the ship, you’d have to haul yourself to one central spot for all your meals.

No more is this the case! WithIcon of the Seas,Royal Caribbeanhas introduced a second buffet.Surfside Eateryprovides a secondary buffet outpost in the livelySurfside neighborhoodof the ship.

• Cost: Free
• Location: Deck 7 Aft Starboard, Surfside

Vitality Café

As the name suggests, Vitality Café is your place for healthful options. Expect granola and fruit, alongside a few upgradedmenuitems available for a small fee, like smoothies and fresh juices.

• Cost: Free
• Location: The AquaDome

Windjammer Buffet

If you’ve ever cruised withRoyal Caribbeanbefore, you know Windjammer Marketplace. This is the line’s classic cruise ship buffet. Don’t expect anything fancy, but do expect to pile your plate high with a range of scrumptious options, three times a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Cost: Free
• Location: Chill andThrill Island

Icon of the Seas Specialty Restaurants

While yes, there are quite a few complimentary restaurants that you can dine at, onIcon of the Seas,without dipping into your wallet, if you’re looking for something special — say a date night experience at sea, or a celebratory meal — or just want to splurge a bit, you have even more options.

Icon of the Seas’specialty restaurantsrange from the opulent and over-the-top (see the newEmpire Supper Club), to standard and expected (seeChops Grille). They range from high-end to casual, and cover a range of cuisines. Fromcaviarto cheeseburgers,wagyubeeftopretzel bites, you can find it. Here’s what you can expect.

Celebration Table

Celebration Tableisn’t really a restaurant per se. Instead, it’s a unique dining space in the AquaDome that offers a high-end environment,great foodand aprivate experience, for groups andspecial occasions. ExpectVIP treatmentin this12-seatspace. (This takes the place of the ship’s olderChef’s Table.)

• Cost: $999 per group of up to 12
• Location: The AquaDome

Chops Grille

Chops Grilleis thesignatureRoyal Caribbeansteakhouse and it fits that dining category perfectly. The interior is reminiscent of a big-city steakhouse with all the dark wood and leather seating you’d expect. Themenufocuses on decadentbeefoptions and sides, such as filets, ribeyes, New York strips, rack of lamb and Maine lobster, plus creamed spinach, jumbo asparagus and truffled French fries.

Do note that thismenuis not a la carte and, instead, you pay a per-person fee that comes with one appetizer (per person), one soup or salad, one entrée and shareable sides. Akidsmenuis also available.

• Cost: $55.99 per person (for dinner; the per-person fee is slightly lower for lunch)
• Location: Central Park

Desserted

This ice cream parlor, with a twist, specifically focuses on milkshakes. Mix and match toppings and ingredients to craft your perfecttreatat thisnew milkshake bar(and, yes, booze is on tap for the adults).

Location: Chill and Thrill Islands

Empire Supper Club

One of the most highly anticipated new restaurants todebutonIcon of the Seas, theEmpire Supper Clubis gorgeous from head to toe.

The decadent 1920s-inspired eatery boasts a beautiful dining room with lots of jewel tones, a sparkling chandelier overhead and velvet seating, with a live music stage at one far end of the room for theswanky three-piece band. You’ll definitely pay for all this decadence, though. Theadults-onlySupper Club serves a luxurious prix fixeeight-course experienceonly.

• Cost: $200
• Location: Central Park

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

This restaurant has become a staple onRoyal Caribbeanships, as the brand’s requisite Italian eatery. Don’t expect anything super-fancy here, in terms of ambiance, but you can expect Italian classics. Think carbonara, gnocchi, pasta Bolognese, risotto, osso buco and more.

• Cost: $49.99 per person (for dinner; the per-person fee is slightly lower for lunch)
• Location:Royal Promenade

Hooked Seafood

With beautifulocean viewscourtesy of the long wall of windows to one side of this restaurant, Hooked Seafood is your place to both eat from the ocean and watch it.

Theseafood menusinclude a range of starters such as soft-shell crab, shrimp co*cktail, ceviche and chowder, while the entrees are your typical lobster roll, mussels, salmon and fried fish platters. Pretty much all your basic seafood favorites can be found here.

• Cost: $54.99 per person (for dinner; the per-person fee is slightly lower for lunch)
• Location: The AquaDome

Izumi Hibachi &Sushi

A long-standing institution onRoyal Caribbeanships,IzumiHibachi & Sushi, offers the classic hibachi experience. If you’re not up for hibachi, you can also, as the name suggests, dine onfresh sushi. If you’re going with the hibachi meal, you’ll pay a flat fee based on whether or not you want one meat or two meats in your meal.

• Cost: Starting at $30 per person
• Location: Central Park, Deck 8 Midship Portside

Izumi in the Park

A brand-newRoyal Caribbeanoffering among theIcon of the Seasrestaurants,Izumiin the Park is an order window where you can request sushi andTaiyaki ice creamin bubble cones to go. Themenuis simple, sweet and to the point. You can order various sushi options, which come in two rolls to an order, alongside your choice of an edamame or seaweed salad.

A few hot options are also available. The bubble cones come in temptingflavorslike rainbow mochi and matcha, with vanilla ice cream topped by matcha dust, a strawberry swirl, and rainbow mochi.

• Cost: Under $10
• Location: Central Park

Pier 7

WhilePier7 isn’t a complimentary restaurant, it does offer complimentary dining for children. Adults can find pretty reasonable prices, too. This is your place to go for all-day brunch, including classics, but also a few seaside-inspired bites, such assurfandturf tacosand mango lime shrimp tostadas.

• Cost: Under $20
• Location: Surfside

Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade

Playmakers has long beenRoyal Caribbean’s sports bar option, and the same is the case when it comes to theIcon of the Seasrestaurants. Expect all your staple sports bar fare here:burgers, wings, fries, nachos, etc.

• Cost: Under $30
• Location: Surfside

Starbucks

It might not look like your neighborhood Starbucks, but it certainlytasteslike it. Get all your favorite Starbucks classic caffeinatedbeveragesat this outpost from the famous brand.

You can even order the holiday and seasonal favorites that you’d expect at any Starbucks location. In addition to drinks, the outpost also offers Starbucks’ food and even merchandise.It really is like someone took your neighborhood Starbucks and plopped it right in the middle of a cruise ship.

• Cost: Under $10
• Location:Royal Promenade, Deck 5/6 Midship

How Many Restaurants Does Icon of the Seas Have?

In total,Icon of the Seasboasts a whopping 26 free andspecialty restaurants, not including any of the bars and lounges that might offer light bites in addition to theirbeer, wine and co*cktails (like theTrellis Bar). There truly is something for everyone on this ship, no matter if you’re a foodie or just want some delicious fuel for your cruising adventures.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear: For foodies who want a spectacular cruising experience,Icon of the Seasdelivers with its 20-plus restaurants and plethora ofnew venues. If you’re willing to spend just a bit more on your cruise, you can try them all, but even if you don’t pay to dine at a singlespecialty restaurant, you’ll still likely find that you have more than enough complimentary restaurants to fill an entire cruise’s worth of meals.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas Cabins and Suites Guide

Didn’t manage to score a spot on thislargest cruise shipin the world when it set sail fromMiamito thewestern CaribbeaninJanuary2024?If you consider yourself a fan of cruising, as well as a foodie traveler, there’s no excuse not to make tracks for this ship as soon as you possibly can.

While, yes,Icon of the Seasis so much more than just dining, with its entertainmentvenuesand spectacular suites and staterooms, the range and quality of this ship’s dining program cannot be overlooked.