I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them

Icon of the Seas introduced new restaurants that serve up different cuisines, with some complimentary and others costing extra.

The first Icon Class ship has more than 20 dining venues onboard, and I was eager to try out all the new options. After all, it’s an opportunity to see Royal Caribbean’s take on these restaurants.

After sailing on Icon of the Seas for more than 10 days, I was able to visit the restaurants that did not previously exist on any other Royal Caribbean ship until Icon. If you want to see all the restaurants on Icon of the Seas, check out our list.

In this post, I’ve ranked each of the new restaurants in order of my preference. Of course, food is subjective and I am certain not everyone will agree with my opinions. 

1. Empire Supper Club

As the most expensive specialty restaurant that Royal Caribbean has ever developed, you would probably have lofty expectations for the Empire Supper Club and I’m happy to say it matches up more than I could have expected.

Empire Supper Club is more than just another extra-cost restaurant, it’s an entire dining experience that includes an 8-course meal, matching cocktails, and evening entertainment in one. The experience takes about three hours, and it has a formal dress requirement where men need to wear a jacket (yes, it’s actually enforced).

Inside the restaurant, you’ll be serenaded by a jazz trio that perform musical standards synonymous with the first half of the 20th century in New York City. Gershwin, Sinatra, and the sort.

The music matches up with each course and cocktail you are served in an intimate dining experience. Unlike Chef’s Table, you are not seated with others, but tables are very close. The entire restaurant can only accommodate 38 guests per night and there’s just one seating.

While not inexpensive by any means, Empire Supper Club delivered a dining experience unlike anything we’ve had on a cruise ship and the food and cocktails were really darn good too.

Pros:

• Fine cuisine. The Chilean Sea Bass might have been the best food I ate on Icon
• Cocktails are varied and included in the cost
• Entertainment adds so much to the dinner experience

Cons:

• Three hour meal
• Kids allowed, but no discounted pricing
• Formal attire required
• Most expensive restaurant you’ll find on Icon of the Seas

2. Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean’s first food hall concept is located in the Aquadome neighborhood and it’s instantly my new favorite complimentary restaurant.

The AquaDome Market has five stalls that offer different quick-serve cuisines, and it’s a new concept to the cruise line. Royal Caribbean has had buffets and grab-and-go locations, but never a food hall.

The choices are:

• Creme de la Crepe (French crepes)
• Mac’s (Macaroni and cheese)
• Feta Mediterranean (Greek cuisine)
• GNGR (Asian cuisine)
• Toast and Garden (Sandwiches and salads)

You simply walk up to any of the food stalls and order what you’d like. There’s no limit and all the menu options are included in your cruise fare.

By far Feta and Creme de la Crepe are the two best options available. The food is made fresh, and assembled exactly the way you’d like it.

Mac’s and Toast and Garden are quite good too, if you’re in the mood for that cuisine.  GNGR was a disappointment in the sense I felt the quality of food here was the same as the Windjammer buffet, whereas it felt like the rest of the stations had something different to offer.

Pros:

• No extra cost
• Added food variety that you cannot find elsewhere on the ship
• Customizable food choices

Cons:

• Not convenient to get to in most cases
• Can get very busy, leading to long lines

3. Pier 7

If you’re skipping the restaurants in the neighborhood dedicated to young families because you aren’t cruising with kids, you’re really missing out.

Pier 7 is a new specialty restaurant in the Surfside neighborhood that costs extra for adults, but is complimentary for kids under the age of 12.

Royal Caribbean calls the food at Pier 7, “California-inspired dishes,” but I appreciate anytime we can get something more than just the usual cruise ship fare. You’ll find surf-and-turf tacos, smoked salmon benedict and sharable platters. The Korean fried chicken and Buddha bowls were both favorites when I dined here.

The lunch and dinner menus differ, and there are brunch options too, if you’re a late riser.

Kids under the age of 12 eat free, and everyone else pays a $14.99 cover charge for two plates in any category.

Pros:

• Different cuisine choices that go well beyond burgers, hot dogs, and pizza
• Kids are free
• Brunch options

Cons:

• Guests without kids may not enjoy venturing into Surfside
• Outdoor seating is loud

4. Pearl Cafe

Royal Caribbean replaced Cafe Promenade with an upgraded concept in Pearl Cafe. Think of Pearl Cafe as Cafe Promenade 3.0, as it builds on every aspect of this favorite venue.

Located behind The Pearl on the Royal Promenade, you’ll find an assortment of grab-and-go options available 24 hours a day.  Plus, there are snacks you can pick up from ordering at the counter.  All the food here is included.

Pearl Cafe also includes complimentary coffee, tea, and other beverages.  There are extra-cost premium coffees available to order as well (and included in a drink package).

The grab-and-go food is a revelation, as it makes it so easy to have a snack to enjoy immediately or bring back to your cabin to eat later. Plus, the snacks served behind the counter are significant upgrades in food quality from the ho-hum choices at Cafe Promenade.

Just as compelling as the food is the seating, as Royal Caribbean added giant glass windows that allow guests to enjoy a beautiful view with their coffee and snack. Plus, there are outlets underneath every single seat so you never have an excuse to leave. 

Pros:

• Beautiful views
• Convenient grab-and-go snacks offered 24 hours per day
• Comfortable seating

Cons:

• Coffee lines get long in the morning
• Noise from Royal Promenade can impact enjoying this venue

5. Izumi in the Park

In addition to the tried-and-true favorites at Izumi, Royal Caribbean has added a third dining option.

Izumi in the Park adds a walk-up window to get sushi and desserts without the fuss of reservations. A selection of sushi is made available, and you can purchase these items and take the food to eat in Central Park, in your cabin, or anywhere on the ship.

The concept is simple, and it’s perfect for when you’re in the mood for sushi but maybe the restaurant isn’t open, or you just want something small to snack on.

Don’t overlook the Bubble Cones, which are soft waffles curved to hold ice cream and it’s really darn good.

Pros:

• Convenient way to eat sushi
• Bubble cones are really good

Cons:

• Not included in any dining package
• Limited sushi choices compared to the sit down restaurant

6. The Grove

If you’re a suite guest, there’s a new dining venue exclusively available to you in the Suite Neighborhood.

The Grove is a buffet, but it’s notable different from the Windjammer. You’ll find “casual Mediterranean food” just steps away from the Suite Sundeck. This means there’s a convenient dining choice if you’re spending the day sunning yourself on one of the many loungers or in the whirlpool.

There’s many different foods to pick from, including hot dogs wrapped in pretzels, caprese salad, watermelon and plenty of antipasto.

Essentially, this is to give anyone who spends their day in the suite area something to enjoy while still in their bathing suit and it’s aways good to have more choices.

Pros:

• Convenient for someone in the suite sun deck
• Different and healthy food choices available

Cons:

• Only available to suite guests
• Probably not a restaurant you’ll go out of your way to eat at

7. Surfside Eatery

I think it’s a genius idea to have a buffet that caters to kids, and that’s exactly what Royal Caribbean has in Surfside.

Surfside Eatery ensures no kids (or their parents) go hungry with a buffet that offers more simple and kid-approved foods than you’ll ever find at the Windjammer.

It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it’s a smorgasbord of chicken nuggets, quesadillas, hot dogs, pizza, and more. 

There’s also food here for adults to enjoy that Royal Caribbean calls a twist on kids classics.

Pros:

• More kid-friendly food than anywhere else
• No added cost
• Indoor and outdoor seating

Cons:

• Kid food means don’t expect high quality food
• Outdoor seating is loud from Surfside

8. Desserted

If you’re in the mood for over-the-top desserts on Icon, head up to Desserted Milkshake Bar.

The menu consists of the most decadent desserts you can imagine, including milkshakes that have alcohol in them for the adults.

It’s a creative menu, with the glasses they come in adorned with candy and toppings too.

There’s also basic milkshakes you can order that cost less, as well as soda floats.

Pros:

• Decadent desserts you won’t find anywhere else
• Located near pools for convenient break from a hot day
• Option to add alcohol

Cons:

• Not included with any drink package or dining package
• Expensive

9. Surfside Bites

If a buffet requires too much time, Royal Caribbean has your back with Surfside Bites.

Surfside Bites is next-door to the Surfside Eatery and it’s a walk-up window where you can get on-demand snacks.

The menu includes burgers, popcorn chicken, cinnamon-sugar donut holes and more.

There’s no frills here, just grab it and be on your way. This is the kind of food to get when your kids get hungry running around Splashaway Bay, but they don’t want to leave the pool either.

Pros:

• Very fast and convenient
• Perfect for getting food to your kids before a full hangry meltdown occurs

Cons:

10. Basecamp

Basecamp is located in Thrill Island and it offers mostly extra-cost food in a convenient location for anyone who is enjoying Thrill Island or The Hideaway.

There are a few complimentary items on the menu, but they’re limited and I doubt anyone will be able to subsist on those choices for a meal. A hot dog, tater tots, and pretzel bites are the only choices that cost nothing extra.

The rest of the menu is priced a la carte, and it includes a burger, chicken sandwich, cheese curds and more. The waffle chicken nuggets and cheese curds are really good.

Essentially, Basecamp is about being convenient.  It’s closer than the Windjammer on the other side of the ship, and you can grab something here while in a bathing suit and then be able to go right back to the water slides or adults-only pool.

Pros:

• Convenient to Thrill Island and The Hideaway neighborhoods
• A few complimentary choices for a snack

Cons:

• Extra-cost items are expensive

What about Celebration Table?

Unfortunately, I did not get an opportunity to eat at Celebration Table, so I cannot include it in my rankings.

While I did not eat there, Beci Mahnken, President and CEO of MEI Travel, did get a chance to try it and I asked her for her quick synopsis.

“Recognizing the importance of intimate gatherings, Royal Caribbean has curated a unique dining experience onboard the Icon of the Seas, named the Celebration Table. With sophisticated decor and excellent service, it’s an ideal setting for special occasions. “

“Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or any celebration, Royal Caribbean has created a space for making cherished memories in a relaxed, private setting.”

Celebration Table is a new choice where you pay to rent out the venue for you and up to 12 of your friends and family.

You have the choice of four different menus, and it’s essentially a semi-private venue to book if you have a birthday, anniversary, or general party.

• The American menu lays out comforting classics like crispy fried onion rings, coconut shrimp, Cajun chicken breast, BBQ meatloaf and peach cobbler.
• The Asian menu offers an eclectic selection, such as chicken satay, vegetable rice, Korean-style grilled short ribs, chicken cashew, and sweet donuts.
• The Italian Menu delivers well-known rustic delicacies, including bruschetta, meatballs with polenta, cavatappi sugo rossa, rigatoni all’amatriciana and tiramisu.
• The Seafood Menu includes fresh and sumptuous faves like fried calamari, garlic mussels, shrimp alfredo, baked salmon and a Meyer lemon tarte.

The price starts at $999.99 for the rental.