You won't go hungry on a Carnival cruise, from multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room to hearty poolside burgers from Guy's Burger Joint. Though plenty of dining options are included, some cruisers may want to splurge on a meal in one of the ship's specialty restaurants.
Whether you are craving an upscale and intimate dining experience at the onboard steakhouse or an interactive hibachi meal, Carnival offers a range of specialty dining options for an additional charge.
Carnival's newest ships have the most options and are ideal for guests celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to indulge on their cruise. However, there are fewer specialty restaurants than other lines like Royal Caribbean, even on the brand-new Excel Class ships. Still, you can expect a range of high-quality dining experiences.
Note that all pricing for restaurants with a preset cover includes the required service charge and is subject to change.
Specialty restaurants on Carnival cruise ships
The Chef's Table
All ships
Cost: Adults ($106.20 - $140.42)
The Chef's Table is a specialty option available on all ships in the fleet, from Carnival Elation to Carnival Celebration.
The small-group experience is available for just 12-16 passengers. After enjoying a champagne toast and horse d'oeuvres, you'll be taken on a private tour of the ship's galley.
Then, you'll be treated to a multi-course meal with appetizers, entrées, and desserts that aren't available on the standard Main Dining Room menus.
Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse
Carnival Celebration*, Carnival Jubilee*, Mardi Gras*, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Horizon
Cost: À la carte ($2.50+)
*Dinner on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, and Mardi Gras is included. It's an extra-charge restaurant on Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon only
Following the success of Guy's Burger Joint, Carnival partnered with Guy Fieri once again to create Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse.
You can't go wrong with any choice on the menu, from the brisket to the baby back ribs, dry-rubbed chicken, and mouth-watering sides.
Plus, the brewhouse means Carnival's exclusive Parched Pig® beers are brewed just steps from your table.
Seafood Shack
Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Valor, Carnival Vista, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Venezia, Mardi Gras
Cost: À la carte ($4.00+)
Carnival's Seafood Shack is a laid-back spot featuring flavorful seafood like steamed lobster, fried shrimp, New England clam chowder, fish & chips, and more.
Certain items, such as the lobster roll ($18) and fried calamari ($8), have set prices, while steamed lobster, snow crab, and peel-and-eat shrimp are all based on the current market price.
What better place to enjoy seafood than on the sea?
Bonsai Teppanyaki
Carnival Celebration, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Venezia, Mardi Gras
Cost: Lunch ($44.84) + Dinner ($49.56)
At Bonsai Teppanyaki, you're in for a meal and a show.
The talented chef will perform jaw-dropping tricks that showcase their culinary skills while preparing a delicious hibachi meal, complete with fried rice and your choice of protein.
The meal concludes with a dessert bento box, so you don't have to decide which sweet treat sounds the most appealing!
Read more: Carnival Food Guide
Steakhouse
Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras
Cost: Adults ($49) + Kids ($15)
The name of the steakhouse varies based on the ship; however, it's a staple on most of Carnival's fleet.
Regardless of whether you're dining at The Point on Carnival Conquest or Farenheight 555 on Mardi Gras, you can expect a top-notch steakhouse experience.
In addition to the obvious meats, which range from filet mignon to chicken and fish, guests can enjoy a selection of sides, such as broccoli and mashed potatoes.
Cucina del Capitano
Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration*, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee*, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras*
Cost: Adults ($24) + Kids ($11)
*The first visit is free onboard Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras. Additional visits are $8. All visits are included on Carnival Jubilee
Craving a warm and inviting dining experience during your Carnival cruise? Look no further than Cucina del Capitano, which translates to "Captain's kitchen."
The menu features a variety of beloved favorites, such as housemade burrata, chicken parmigiana, fresh meatballs, and more.
The rustic decor and cozy ambiance make you feel as though you're dining in a traditional Italian trattoria, even if you're sailing through The Bahamas or Caribbean.
Coffee Bar
Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Valor
Cost: À la carte ($2.50+)
The complimentary coffee onboard Carnival ships is pretty standard. Thankfully, you can start your day with a specialty latte or cappuccino from the Coffee Bar if you need a stronger brew.
Plus, small snacks—including donuts, cookies, and muffins—are available to purchase, allowing you to pair your coffee with a sweet treat.
Read more: 8 best cruises for foodies on a budget
Rudi's Seagrill
Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras
Cost: Adults ($49) + Kids ($15)
Rudi's Seagrill launched on Mardi Gras, Carnival's first Excel Class ship.
Created in development with Chef Rudi Sodamin, the upscale seafood restaurant offers an array of dishes that pay tribute to the beauty of the ocean., from the seafood bisque to the crab-stuffed lobster tail and roasted halibut.
It's not the first time Chef Sodamin has partnered with Carnival Corporation. Other restaurants can be found on Princess and Holland America Line, highlighting his expertise and creative vision.
Bonsai Sushi
Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras
Cost: À la carte ($1.50+)
Bonsai Sushi is an affordable sit-down restaurant featuring a variety of sashimi and sushi rolls. If raw fish isn't your thing, try the California or tempura roll while sipping traditional Japanese sake.
For just $10, you can order a bento box that comes with miso soup, a side salad, a California roll, and 6 pieces of sushi: 2 pieces of tuna, 2 salmon, and 2 shrimp. It's certainly not a bad deal for a specialty meal!
Read more: 11 foods you must eat on a Carnival cruise
Bonsai Sushi Express
Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise
Cost: À la carte ($2.50+)
Bonsai Sushi Express is a fast-casual version of Bonsai Sushi available on 6 ships in the fleet. Though a limited menu, you can enjoy everything from sashimi to sushi rolls and even a poke bowl!
The best part? You can take it to go, making it a great option for a delicious sea day lunch on the lido deck or relaxing dinner on your private balcony.
Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast
All ships
Cost: Adults ($15) + Kids ($10)
Celebrating your birthday onboard? Even if your birthday is months away, everyone's the birthday girl or boy at Thing 1 & Thing 2's Birthday Breakfast!
While enjoying fun breakfast items like Do You Like Green Eggs and Ham?, Grinch’s Pancakes, and Who-Ville Red Velvet French Toast, famous Dr. Seuss characters will make their rounds, so you can say, "Hello!"
JavaBlue Café
Carnival Celebration, Carnival Elation, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras
Cost: À la carte ($2.50+)
JavaBlue Café is similar to the Coffee Bar found on ships like Carnival Dream, Legend, and Spirit. From unique donuts to spiked coffee, you'll find a range of options for coffee enthusiasts and those with a sweet tooth.
And yes, Carnival's CHEERS! Package works here!
Emerli's Bistro at Sea
Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras
Cost: À la carte ($4.00+)
Emerli's Bistro is exclusive to Carnival's Excel Class and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Though you'll find a few standard offerings on Carnival Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras, each has a distinct flair.
Emeril's Bistro 1397 on Carnival Celebration, for instance, is known for its "worldly" cuisine, while Emeril’s Bistro 717 on Jubilee focuses on seafood.
Read more: Carnival menus 2024: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more
JiJi Asian Kitchen
Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Vista
Cost: Adults ($24) + Kids ($11)
JiJi Asian Kitchen dishes up regionally cherished specialties from across Asia, including Mongolia, China, Vietnam, and Singapore.
On the menu, you will find dishes like Nanjing-style duck, peppered beef, kung pao chicken, and Himalayan basmati fried rice.
Don't forget to try one of the signature cocktails or a Japanese beer!
Il Viaggio
Carnival Firenze, Carnival Venezia
Cost: Adults ($42) + Kids ($14)
Il Viaggio is exclusively found on Carnival's Costa by Carnival ships. The upscale Italian restaurant isn't as homely as Cucina del Capitano.
Instead, Il Viaggio offers a more refined and sophisticated dining experience, guiding guests through Italy one dish at a time.
Read more: Top 4 food hacks you need to know for Carnival Cruise Line
Mad Sizzle
Carnival Splendor
Cost: À la carte ($9.00+)
Mad Sizzle first debuted on Mardi Gras; however, the version found on Carnival Splendor isn't the same as the complimentary spot on Excel Class ships.
Instead, guests can enjoy a wide array of à la carte kebabs and satays with slow spit-roasted meats. You can even order surf & turf for $38!
ChiBang
Carnival Celebration*, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras*
Cost: $8 (*per additional visit on Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras)
ChiBang is both a complimentary and specialty restaurant. Though all visits on Carnival Jubilee are included, if you're sailing on Carnival Celebration or Mardi Gras and wish to dine at ChiBang twice, you'll have to pay $8 for every additional visit.
Because it's a Chinese-Mexican fusion restaurant, the one included meal may not be enough! During lunch, ChiBang serves delicious Chinese noodle bowls and Mexican burrito bowls. For dinner, however, you can mix and match from two menus.
Craving nachos as an appetizer? Go for it! What about beef and broccoli for your entrée? Totally acceptable.
Room Service
All ships
Cost: À la carte* ($3.00+)
*Continental breakfast is complimentary
If you're craving a late-night snack but don't want to leave your comfy cabin, order room service!
Available 24/7, the daytime menu features everything from a classic Caesar salad ($5) to spicy firecracker shrimp ($8), fries, a roasted turkey wrap ($6), grilled Reuben ($6), and yummy chocolate chip cookies ($3).
While you can get complimentary room service for breakfast, hot items—including crispy chicken sandwiches ($5) and smoked salmon bagels ($6)—cost extra.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
