Holland America Restaurants: 5 Restaurants That Every Cruiser Should Try

Holland America restaurants are renowned as some of the best dining experiences on the sea. From fast-casual burger joints that exemplify the best of American classics, to fine-dining establishments that elevate cultures from around the world, they really are without equal when it comes to their culinary choices. If you’ve never taken a cruise with Holland America and you need more convincing than that, then join us on a journey through Holland America dining, as we explore our picks for the best restaurant experiences that they have to offer.

Pinnacle Grill

No cruise dining list would be complete without an upscale steakhouse and for Holland America dining, that steakhouse is the famous Pinnacle Grill. This specialty restaurant can be found on every Holland America ship and comes with an additional charge. The menu here features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA prime steaks, carefully selected for their quality and prepped by the finest chefs, who meticulously construct each plate into a work of art. They also serve other steakhouse classics and innovative dishes created by James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. The interior design of this restaurant varies from ship to ship, but is consistently modern and profoundly elegant. Many Holland America restaurants take fine dining to new heights, and Pinnacle Grill leads the pack as one of the most elegant dining experiences at sea.

Tamarind – An Asian Fusion Delight

Next up on our Holland America dining journey, we head to Asia with Tamarind, a fusion restaurant that explores the flavors of Southeast Asia, China, and Japan. The menu at this innovative restaurant honors the elements of water, wood, fire, and earth with an innovative menu featuring exotic dishes like Wok-Seared Lobster & Shrimp, Mongolian Barbecue Lamb Chops, and Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin. The setting is calming and elegant with rustic furniture and decor, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning ocean views. This inspiring Holland America restaurant can be enjoyed for an additional charge on Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, with the menu also being served at Pinnacle Grill on Westerdam Asia itineraries and Zuiderdam Grand World Voyage itineraries.

Canaletto

Authentic Italian cuisine is the name of the game at Canaletto, the best family dining offered by Holland America restaurants. This snazzy establishment melds the refinement of fine dining with the comforting feeling of familial hospitality for an Italian experience that is sure to please friend groups and families alike. They raise the bar for Holland America dining with amazing dishes like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri, and garlic shrimp ravioli, and boast that their pastas are made fresh daily. Finish your meal with an indulgent dessert like tiramisù or cannoli alla Siciliana to complete the experience. This magnificent restaurant comes at an additional charge and can be found on every Holland America ship.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer

This intimate brasserie is named after Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, and brings to the table the best seafood that any of the Holland America restaurants have to offer. Here they reimagine classic French dishes through a contemporary lens, creating plates that bring together past and present for a culinary celebration. The menu is full of delectable delights like Dover sole meunière with shaved pink Himalayan sea salt, salt-crust baked branzino, oysters on the half shell, and coq au vin. Any seafood lover exploring Holland America dining will think they’ve died and gone to heaven when they step into Rudi’s. This restaurant is only available at Rotterdam, Koningsdam, and Nieuw Statendam, but their menu will be served at Pinnacle Grill on select evenings on every other ship.

Dive-In

We finish with Dive-In, another of the Holland America restaurants that can be found on every ship in the fleet, although this one is also included in the price of your ticket. This is a much more casual experience serving American grilled classics like hamburgers and hot dogs that are perfect for enjoying by the pool. But don’t let the casual menu fool you; these American favorites are made with only the highest-quality ingredients and are just as mouth-watering as their fine-dining companions. Dive-In proves that Holland America dining doesn’t always have to be elegant and refined to be elevated, and you would be hard pressed to find a better burger anywhere on land or sea!

To get yourself onboard one of the many Holland America cruises to embark on a culinary journey of your own, visit Cruises.com — we can help you book the smart way! We give you our exclusive bonus offers and all qualifying cruise line offers, plus all of the cruise loyalty program benefits. Book online at Cruises.com or call 800-288-6006 today