Independence of the Seas, Exterior Aerial — Aerial view of the new features on Independence of the Seas

The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Independence Of The Seas

Crave-worthy cuisine is always a given when you cruise onboard this tropic-hopping wonder.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on February 20, 2024

You don’t have to be a self-described foodie to recognize that amazing dining takes every vacation to the next level. No matter where in the world your wanderlust leads you, knowing that you’re never far from crave-worthy flavors can elevate your escape while removing the stress of having to scroll through restaurant reviews or lock in reservations. This is one of the main reasons people choose to go on a cruise in the first place. After all — dining onboard most cruise ships is always a big deal, and guests can experience great meals and interesting cuisines with total convenience.

This is especially true onboard Independence of the Seas®️ — one of my favorite ships for short and week-long Caribbean getaways. The third and final ship in Royal Caribbean’s beloved Freedom Class, it’s home to some unforgettable cruise dining options. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more tasty array of flavors, from authentic Italian apps and homemade pastas to perfectly seared steaks, decadent milkshakes and Far East-inspired entrees. There are so many mouthwatering cruise restaurants to choose from, you might find yourself wishing you had more time to experience them all. Here’s a run-down of some of the best places to eat onboard Independence of the Seas.

1. Fish & Ships

Inspired by Britain’s iconic seaside pubs, this fast-casual specialty restaurant onboard Independence of the Seas serves up classic UK-style comfort food that’s just as good as what you’ll find across the pond. I’m talking crispy calamari paired with yummy dipping sauces, hearty battered sausage and a refreshing house lobster roll. That said, the real star of the menu is — you guessed it — the classic cod fish and chips. Each golden-fried filet is soft and flaky on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. On the off chance that you still have room for dessert after all that crunchy, hits-the-spot goodness, try the restaurant’s deep-fried candy bar. It’s as decadent as it sounds.

2. Johnny Rockets

When you’ve spent a few hours poolside soaking up the sunshine, there’s nothing like a juicy burger and fries paired with a refreshing, frothy milkshake to fill you up and cool you down. You’ll find all three at Johnny Rockets. Conveniently located just a deck above the sport pool and resort pool, this retro diner offers a casual, laid-back atmosphere where guests can enjoy classic sandwiches, crispy fries, certified angus beef burgers and decadent, hand-spun malts and milkshakes. I’m a purist and partial to the Original burger — a hearty quarter pound of angus beef grilled just right and served with a generous helping of perfectly salted fries. That said, the Crispy Chicken Club comes in at a close second. As far as shakes go, you can’t go wrong with classics like chocolate and vanilla are classics — but the creamy-chewy texture and blended flavors of the Oreo Cookies & Cream shake is totally out of this world.

3. Giovanni's Table

One of the best cruise dining options onboard Independence of the Seas is Giovanni’s Table. This intimate, trattoria-style eatery will transport you right to Tuscany’s rolling hills and vineyards even if you’re cruising on the other side of the Atlantic. The menu offers an extensive selection of classic Old-World dishes, including pillowy gnocchi tossed in lamb sauce, veal osso buco complemented by buttery polenta, creamy risotto served with truffle and porcini mushroom tapenade and tender veal meatballs presented in a rich tomato sauce flavored with herbs. You don’t need to get all dolled up for a meal here, either — the dress code at this guest-favorite specialty restaurant is smart casual, making it a great option for a laid-back date night, family dinner or even lunch.

4. Izumi

Another one of my go-to cruise restaurants onboard Independence of the Seas is Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, especially if I’m celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Dinner here is cooked tableside with plenty of pizzazz. Whether they’re making hearty fried rice or perfectly seared and marinated teriyaki steak, scallops and veggies, the talented chefs at Izumi know exactly how to dazzle diners with their lightning-quick chopping skills, wok-tossing prowess and even a few tabletop magic tricks. If you’re a sushi lover, you’ll find plenty to rave about from the restaurant’s selection of classic and signature rolls. One of the highlights features blanched lobster and creamy avocado drizzled with a lovely champagne sauce and rolled up in soy paper.

5. Chops Grille

I’d wager that every savvy cruiser has dined at — or at least heard of — Chops Grille. A longstanding Royal Caribbean staple, it’s known as one of the best cruise fine dining restaurants in the industry. It’s also the perfect place to visit if you’re celebrating a special occasion or craving steak — just make sure you go with an appetite. I suggest starting your meal wit the charred beef carpaccio. It’s sliced ultra thin and served rare with a sprinkle of fresh arugula, truffle mustard dressing and Parmesan cheese. Prime cuts of meat dominate the entree section, and are definitely this restaurant’s claim to fame. However, the seafood selection here is also excellent. Choose between perfectly grilled branzino, succulent lobster or one of the restaurant’s chilled seafood towers heaped with green-lipped mussels, Jonah crab claws, jumbo shrimp and other delicacies from the sea.

6. Main Dining Room

No matter what, you have to find time to enjoy dinner in the Main Dining Room at least once during your Independence of the Seas cruise vacation. This upscale, multi-level venue is probably the most popular complimentary cruise dining option for dinner onboard, as it offers the widest range of options after Windjammer in an elegant setting with white tablecloth service. Dinner here is a multi-course journey that can take you from Buenos Aires to Bangkok and beyond, depending on the night. That’s because — in addition to a few classic items that never change — the menu offers a rotating selection of global fare that introduces diners to unique cuisines and flavor pairings. Some of my favorite dishes include the Moroccan-spiced ahi tuna, the slow-roasted prime rib and the Caribbean jerk pork chops. Of course, the desserts at the Main Dining Room are just as wow-worthy as the apps and entrees. The creamy crème brulée, Royal cheesecake and tangy key lime pie are standouts.

7. Sorrento's Pizza

I’m a pizza fanatic, and I’m always on the hunt for the perfect slice. I’ve sampled pies from iconic pizza capitals including New York City, Chicago and Naples, and Sorrento’s Pizza still makes it into my top five year after year. There’s just something about the pies at this casual, complimentary onboard pizza shop that makes it impossible to stop at a single slice. Maybe it’s the dough, which achieves the perfect level of inner softness and outer crisp. Or maybe it’s the sauce, made using a recipe that’s taken years to perfect. I’ve tried just about every pizza here, including the traditional Margherita, the meat-loaded Carnivore and the sweet-and-smoky Caribbean Dream — and I’ve never been disappointed.

8. Café Promenade

Café Promenade is probably the number-one place to grab casual, complimentary bites onboard Independence of the Seas. Located on the Royal Promenade, it offers a wide selection of simple yet delicious fare including bistro sandwiches, crisp salads, yummy antipasti and shareable apps. Think crispy fried artichokes, marinated cheese and savory spiced meatballs. That’s in addition to decadent desserts like creamy Willy Wonka pies, sinfully rich Mudcakes and flaky Led Zeppoles. One of the best things about Café Promenade, though, is that it’s open 24/7. In other words, you can always count on something tasty — no matter how late or early it is.

9. Windjammer

You’ll find some of the best cruise food onboard at Windjammer, a buffet-style restaurant that’s open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food stations here encompass flavors from around the world — think Mediterranean mezes, Asian-inspired entrees, tender carved meats, crave-worthy classics from the Caribbean and so much more that’s worth savoring. And because the menu changes daily, cruise guests can always look forward to trying something new every day of their sailing. Like the Main Dining Room, Sorrento’s Pizza and Café Promenade, everything at Windjammer is included in your cruise fare. You don’t have to make reservations, either — no matter what time of day you choose to drop in, you’ll find somewhere comfy to sit.

10. Sugar Beach

I’ll end on a sweet note with a shoutout to Sugar Beach, one of my favorite spots onboard Independence of the Seas. I’ll admit I have a major sweet tooth, so this onboard candy shop is like a little slice of heaven to me. It’s fully stocked with more than 200 kinds of candy — all you have to do is take a grab bag and fill it up with as many treats as you like. And that’s not all — the shop also offers indulgent confections including fresh-baked cupcakes and rich, decadent fudge.

Is your mouth watering yet? Because mine is — and these are just some of the cruise restaurants that Independence of the Seas has to offer. You can view a full list of things to do on the ship. If you’ve read enough and are ready to start planning your next flavorful cruise getaway, check out some of the ship’s most popular itineraries. Bon voyage — and bon appétit!