The word "foodie" gets thrown around a lot these days, and while I never considered myself one, if it means someone who loves indulging in delicious food, then yes, I proudly wear that badge! Do I know all the science behind food, or can I dissect a recipe with just one taste? Absolutely not. But if you set a mouthwatering spread in front of me that promises a food coma within the hour, you can bet I’ll share the experience with the world.
As a born and raised New Englander, I’ve had the privilege of dining at some of the country’s best restaurants—from the culinary treasures of Boston, New York City, and Portland to the hidden gems of Providence, RI. With such a rich food heritage, my expectations are always sky-high, no matter where I am.
As a dedicated cruiser since 2000, I’ve seen the full spectrum of complimentary dining on ships, from exceptional to… let’s say, less memorable and back to extraordinary again. However, where I consistently experience culinary excellence is in specialty dining. Cruise lines know that specialty dining is booming, and with each passing year, more options become available. Sailing aboard one of the world's largest cruise ships means abundant gourmet experiences await.
Let’s dive into the specialty dining currently available onboard Symphony of the Seas:
Specialty Dining on Symphony:
Hooked Seafood
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Izumi
Johnny Rockets
Wonderland
150 Central Park
Chops Grille
Jamie's Italian
Coastal Kitchen (for Suite Guests only)
While I wasn’t able to visit every single venue, I zeroed in on the ones that piqued my curiosity the most: Jamie’s Italian, Wonderland, and Playmakers.
Jamie's Italian
Created by celebrity British chef Jamie Oliver, Jamie’s Italian can be found across several Royal Caribbean ships, and it's quickly becoming a fan favorite. I’d noticed the restaurant on previous sailings, but it wasn’t until my time aboard the stunning Symphony of the Seas that I finally got to indulge.
Nestled among the 12,000 live plants in Central Park on Deck 8, Jamie’s offers a cozy, tucked-away atmosphere right across from Park Café. While alfresco dining is limited, it’s available, and I was lucky enough to have the chef personally bring out some of their best dishes—because when the chef’s willing, why not?
(Famous Meat Plank | Crispy Squid )
We started with the Classic Meat Plank and Crispy Squid. The plank was a charcuterie lover's dream, featuring fennel salami, pistachio mortadella, San Daniele prosciutto, and schiacciata piccante, along with mini buffalo mozzarella, pecorino with chili jam, pickles, olives, and rainbow slaw. The buffalo mozzarella, my personal favorite, was elevated by the sweetness of an Italian fig, making me realize this cheese could be even more delightful than I thought. The crispy squid, lightly fried to perfection, paired beautifully with a garlicky mayo dipping sauce.
(Bruschetta | Tomato Bruschetta | Avocado and Crab Avocado)
Next, we moved on to two types of bruschetta: Tomato Bruschetta and Avocado & Crab Bruschetta. The tomato option, with its roasted cherry tomatoes, whipped ricotta, basil, and olive oil, delivered the ideal balance of sweet and savory with just the right amount of crunch. The avocado and fresh crab bruschetta, accompanied by apples, yogurt, and chili, offered a rich blend of flavors, from the sweetness of the crab to the tangy yogurt. , Surprisingly, the chili added depth without overwhelming heat.
(Prawn Linguine)
For pasta, the chef served up Prawn Linguine—a dish that seemed tailor-made for my seafood-loving palate. Garlicky prawns, fennel, tomatoes, chili, and peppery arugula drizzled with olive oil combined for one of the most flavorful pasta dishes I’ve had the pleasure of eating. The balance between garlic and sweet tomato sauce was flawless.
(Lamb Chops Scottadito)
The main course, Lamb Chops Scottadito, transformed my opinion of lamb. These artisan, free-range lamb chops, cooked to a tender medium-rare, melted in my mouth. Paired with agrodolce peppers and balsamic basil pesto, this dish could convert any non-lamb eater into a fan.
(Dessert Plank)
And finally, dessert—a Dessert Plank, because why have just one when you can sample four? This indulgent plank featured an Epic Chocolate Brownie topped with caramelized amaretto popcorn, a Raspberry Pavlova topped with honeycomb and raspberry syrup, the show-stopping Amalfi Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, and a twist on the classic Tiramisu. Each dessert brought something unique, but the cheesecake was a standout—an explosion of flavors that brought a tear to my eye!
(Epic Chocolate Brownie)
Jamie’s Italian is open daily for lunch ($25.99) and dinner ($54.99), though prices may vary by cruise. If this isn’t already on your must-try list, trust me, you’ll want to make a reservation. You can book it through your Cruise Planner, and thank me later!
(Raspberry Pavlova)
Jamie’s Italian is available on Symphony, Harmony, Navigator, Mariner, Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, and Spectrum of the Seas.
(Amalfi Lemon Meringue Cheesecake )
Please note that this is a special dining experience with an additional surcharge, and we highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Additionally, this restaurant is included in the ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE offered by Royal Caribbean International.
This article was first published in January 2021 and has since been updated to reflect current prices and offerings.