Food is a big deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and there are a few dishes I think you ought to try at least once.
Dishes from sushi and fried rice to milkshakes and hot dogs are available on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
With the limitless opportunities for both free and extra-cost dining, choosing the best dishes onboard is a hard decision.
Even on a 7-day cruise, you might struggle to taste all the food onboard.
Read more: I spent a week eating on Icon of the Seas. These are the 11 best dishes I ate
What are the best foods and desserts across the fleet? Here are the top 8 dishes you must try.
Black Pepper Bacon Strip
Chops Grille, a quality, high-class specialty steakhouse, is featured on every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
It is known as one of the most popular and consistent specialty venues on Royal Caribbean's ships.
The strip of bacon is an appetizer at Chops Grille, and it's so much more than your typical piece of cured pork.
The thick strip comes in a sizable portion, a fatty strip of meat covered with black pepper, and a sweet and spicy glaze.
This bacon strip is a tasty, tender dish that you have to try as your appetizer.
You can find it at Chops Grille, on every Royal Caribbean ship.
Read more: Royal Caribbean menus from every restaurant
Kummelweck Sandwich
Many of our Royal Caribbean readers seek out the kummelweck sandwich as soon as they board their cruise.
The kummelweck, a Western New York tradition, is a warm sandwich with sliced roast beef on a kummelweck roll.
A kummelweck roll has a hard, circular shape and is sprinkled with caraway seeds. Toppings include au jus, horseradish, and mustard.
You can find the kummelweck at the complimentary cafes onboard—Park Café, Café Promenade, or Café Two70.
These cafes are found on Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
Rib "I" short rib
The Wonderland specialty restaurant is worth trying for its unique, Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired experience.
Guests will be greeted by the Mad Hatter and guided through a culinary experience unlike any other you've seen before.
Each dish is divided into natural elements: sun, fire, ice, earth, and sea.
One of the entrees, within the earth element, is a delicious, luscious Rib "I" short rib.
The short rib is slow-cooked for five hours and served with red and yellow relish, pumpkin sauce, and a beet puree. The generous portion is topped with a Bordelaise sauce made from white wine, onions, beef broth, and butter.
The Wonderland venue is located on Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
Escargot
Have you ever tried cooked snails?
Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room provides the opportunity for guests to try escargot as part of their complimentary meal.
The baked snails are soaked in garlic and butter and served with a bread roll for dipping.
This salty, savory dish may have the chewy texture of a snail and isn't for everyone. But if you're brave enough to try something new, this is a must-eat dish!
Escargot is served in the Main Dining Room on Welcome Aboard, French Night, The Royal Night, Mexican Night, and British Night. You can check your Cruise Compass or Royal Caribbean to find the days of these themed nights.
Funnel cake
If your Royal Caribbean cruise stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you'll have the chance to try free snacks and finger food, including some delicious funnel cake.
The funnel cake can be found at any of the three different Snack Shack locations on the island: near Thrill Waterpark, Oasis Lagoon, or South Beach.
Deep-fried spirals of dough are topped with light powdered sugar, making for a sweet, warm, and greasy treat.
It's the perfect snack or dessert to enjoy by the beach, the pool, or before hopping on an exciting water slide.
Crispy Goat Cheese Salad
Another favorite at Chops Grille is the crispy goat cheese salad.
The crispy goat cheese is served on top of the salad in a warm, fried ball.
Topped with cranberries, green apples, candied walnuts, and balsamic dressing, this is an equally delicious and healthy dish.
Chops Grille is located on all Royal Caribbean ships and can be purchased separately or as part of a dining package.
Read more: Chops Grille is the best Royal Caribbean extra-cost restaurant, according to a passenger survey
Campfire Cookie
Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is a specialty, sports bar venue that also serves some classic eats, a la carte.
The campfire cookie is the venue's most popular dessert, a chocolate chip cookie topped with marshmallows.
The first layer is a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie that's been baked in a skillet. It is topped with a generous layer of toasted marshmallows and served with Nutella and caramel sauce.
The dessert also comes with a side of vanilla ice cream and milk shooters.
Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is located on Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
Lobster Tail
Lobster night is one of the most popular nights to dine in the Main Dining Room for dinner.
The Maine lobster has become so popular with cruisers that Royal Caribbean started charging for extra servings.
It is a delicious broiled lobster tail served with melted butter—the waiter will crack and extricate the lobster from its shell for you.
The lobster served in the Main Dining Room on Royal Night is complimentary (one per person), but you can optionally order an extra cost lobster tail any night from the Main Dining Room. That lobster tail comes from the Chops menu.
Read more: 7 reasons to eat at specialty restaurants instead of the Main Dining Room on your cruise
You can also find lobster served at Hooked specialty restaurant and the Coco Beach Club restaurant at Royal Caribbean's private island.
