Food is an important part of any holiday. It can break a trip (hello, Bali belly), but epicurean delights can also be one of the main highlights (hello, Michelin-starred degustation) of river cruise food.
Whether you’re keen to whet your appetite on local culinary delights or are satisfied with the comforts of your favourite meal while abroad, it’s important you choose a river cruise line that aligns with your requirements.
We dissect all of the luxury river cruise companies and what their offerings are when it comes to all things culinary.
Food on AmaWaterways: A gastronomic delight
As the only river cruise line to be inducted into the La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a prestigious international gastronomic society dedicated to fine cuisine, AmaWaterways takes pride in the food offering for its guests.
The La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was founded in Paris in 1950 and is the oldest and largest food and wine society in the world. Membership to La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is by invitation only and is extended to those possessing world-class culinary acumen. All of AmaWaterways’ ships in Europe are members.
AmaWaterways says all chefs craft menus that feature locally-inspired cuisine as well as traditional, Western dishes. Try local favorites — like goulash while cruising through Hungary, bratwurst and sauerkraut after returning to the ship from Vienna, or Camembert cheese while on the Seine.
You can sip sparkling wine at breakfast, take in a few pastries or have something made-to-order from the menu. There are also light options for lunch or a full-service offering. Dinner is a multi-course affair with matching wines on offer.
AmaWaterways also offers dining at The Chef’s Table, where the kitchen becomes part of the entertainment. Offered for only a few guests at each sitting, you’ll partake in watching the chef prepare a special multi-course meal in front of you.
“The menu here is unique, making this a truly distinct gastronomic experience. Indulge in delectable dishes served with unlimited fine wines, hand-selected just for this dinner,” AmaWateerways says.
Uniworld: A life in Food
As part of The Travel Corporation family of brands, Uniworld prides itself on its culinary offerings handed down by owner, Beatrice Tollman and her culinary vision.
“Beatrice Tollman’s culinary vision lives on with her many Signature Dishes you can enjoy onboard. Her memoir, A Life in Food, chronicles her gastronomic prowess and joy of being able to share her life’s passion with thousands of guests,” Uniworld states.
Farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy buzzword here, guests can be prepared to be fully immersed by what is on offer on the river cruise ships at each meal.
The governing philosophy and commitment to serving guests the best local dishes created by Uniworld master chefs make it hard to go past this cruise line if you’re a keen foodie.
“When in Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, prepared to your liking, with meats and vegetables sourced from just miles away. After a day immersed in Indian culture, your taste buds may do some immersing of their own with Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka for lunch. Live brilliantly. Dine locally. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it,” Uniworld says.
If you’re watching your waistline, Uniworld also offers a Travelling Lite menu which features all the flavour of its traditional menu, but with less calories.
For those who have dietary requirements, they also offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.
Avalon Waterways: Farm-to-fork fare
Avalon Waterways offer innovative dishes incorporating local bounties created by some of the world’s best chefs.
“From inspired menus to artisanal dishes, we fuel your gastronomical journey with a beautiful balance of local flavour and worldly flair,” the line says.
The masters behind its menus include Executive Chef Krisztián Restás, Chefs Karl and Leo Wrenkh.
For over two decades, Restás has been on an epic epicurean journey across Europe and European waterways and continues to stir and saute his way to the top of his game. His menus include regional authenticity as he procures only the freshest and highest-quality local ingredients.
Meanwhile, Karl and Leo Wrenkh, founders of the Wrenkh Vienna Culinary School, created Avalon’s exclusive Avalon Fresh menu for guests to enjoy regional delicacies while remaining on their health-kick.
“Inspired by forest harvests, herb hikes, and using the freshest ingredients from local farms and suppliers, Karl and Leo have created guilt-free, gourmet recipes with a pinch of intrigue, a dash of innovation and a smidgen of surprise,” Avalon states.
The Avalon Fresh menu turns the table on traditional cruise dining and includes juices at breakfast, crafted salads at lunch to high-protein plates at dinner, Avalon Fresh options – including vegetarian and vegan specialties – are available at every meal onboard.
Tauck
Fine European cuisine is served in the main restaurant, The Compass Rose, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Elegant table settings, panoramic windows and local wine or beer make for exceptional dining every day.
Lighter meals are served in Arthur’s, a more casual venue at the ships’ stern, and snacks and drinks are available all day in the Panorama Bar. You’ll also experience authentic local cuisine on shore as many of Tauck’s cruises include dining in restaurants, wineries, private homes and castles. These will be special meals you’ll never forget.
Scenic
Luxury line Scenic offers some of the most diverse dining experiences on the river. You can choose between four restaurants in Europe and three in South East Asia, plus indulgent in-suite dining. Guests travelling in the premium suites get exclusive access to an intimate chef’s table degustation experience for just 10 diners. In France, you can learn the chef’s secrets during a class in the immersive Scenic Culinaire cooking school.
Viking
When you’re dining on a Viking river ship, you won’t have to miss a moment of the view. The main restaurants have floor to ceiling windows that can be opened in good weather or you can sit out on the deck at the Aquavit Terrace. Viking offers the most al fresco dining in Europe so you can make the most of the sunny skies in France, Portugal or Germany. Along with these serene Scandinavian-inspired spaces, the menus are destination-focused and make use of its unique onboard herb garden.
Q&A
How is river cruise dining different from ocean cruises?
Ocean ships are famous for the diversity of their dining options – some of the new megaships have more than 20 restaurants onboard! On a river ship, the selection is much smaller. You’ll usually find one main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; a casual café or bar option; and one or two specialty restaurants. In the main restaurant, breakfast is generally a buffet, with buffet and a la carte options for lunch, and a full a la carte menu for dinner. All dining is included in your fare, with no extra charge for specialty dining.
Because of their compact size, river ships have more flexibility with the menus and are able to pick up fresh local produce on the way. On all river lines, you can expect authentic cuisine tailored to the regions you’re sailing through. That could mean fluffy souffles in France, hearty schnitzels in Austria and fragrant curries in Cambodia.
Do I need to make reservations to dine on a river cruise?
You can always dine in the main restaurant without a reservation. Most ships also let you choose when you want to dine, rather than having set seating times for each cabin. However, you will need to make a reservation for the smaller specialty restaurants. Each guest has the opportunity to dine at these restaurants at least once, so speak to the crew or your butler early in the cruise to secure your spot.
Do river cruises cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, almost all dietary requirements – from vegan and vegetarian to celiac or other allergies – can be catered for. Be sure to let your travel agent know when you are booking or inform the cruise line directly before you sail so they can make arrangements. Because the ships are much smaller than ocean vessels and have only two or three restaurants, the kitchen team may need to adjust your menu ahead of time.
Are drinks included on a river cruise?
All river cruise lines will include drinks with meals at a minimum. That usually means local wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, and sometimes sparkling wine with breakfast. Luxury lines will extend this policy so you can enjoy your favourite drinks at no extra charge throughout the day.
