This guide covers all the Virgin Voyages restaurants and bars, from the six main dining venues like The Wake and Extra Virgin to casual spots like The Pizza Place and The Dock House, plus tips on booking and what’s included in your fare.
Whenever I talk about my Virgin Voyages cruises, the food is always the first thing I mention. Virgin have completely reimagined cruise dining. No buffets, no main dining room, just over 20 eateries with restaurant-quality menus included in your fare, and in my experience it really is that good.
After cruising with Virgin on both Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, I put together this guide to dining onboard to help you make the most of your cruise.
Essential things to know about Virgin Voyages restaurants
- Six main restaurants – Each Virgin Voyages ship has six sit-down restaurants serving everything from steak and seafood to pasta, Mexican dishes and veggie spectaculars. With cuisines from Korea to Mexico, the hardest part is fitting them all in. They really are that good.
- Restaurant-quality dining – Every venue is beautifully designed, with menus created by top chefs. Food is fresh, made to order, and the vast majority of dishes are included in your fare. A few items carry a small supplement, but you can eat very well without spending extra.
- Drinks included – Non-alcoholic drinks like soft drinks, tea and coffee are included in your fare, so there’s no need to budget extra unless you fancy cocktails or wine.
- Booking restaurants – You can book dining in the Virgin Voyages app from 45 days before your cruise (60 days if you’re in a Rockstar or Mega Rockstar suite). Some restaurants are very popular, so it’s worth reserving early if there’s one you don’t want to miss. That said, on my cruises, I found that even if reservations looked full in the app, popping by the restaurant often got me a table.
- Onboard availability – You can only pre-book each restaurant once per cruise, but once onboard you can usually book again if space is available. On one of my short sailings I ate in the same restaurant three times with no problems.
- Vegetarian and vegan options – Every restaurant has veggie and vegan dishes, with Razzle Dazzle putting plant-based dining right at the centre of the menu.
Virgin Voyages Restaurant Guide
Extra Virgin
Described as ‘elevated Italian’ (their words, not mine), Extra Virgin is a stylish trattoria with a regionally inspired menu. The pasta is fresh and handmade, and you’ll find plenty of classic Italian dishes alongside a few surprises.
It quickly became my favourite restaurant on Valiant Lady, and I made a beeline for it again on my second cruise. It was the first place I ate on my first night onboard, and it was every bit as good as I remembered. I’m still dreaming about the pasta here.


Gunbae
Gunbae is Virgin Voyages’ take on Korean BBQ and it’s one of the liveliest dining spots onboard. Each table has its own flameless grill so you can cook your meal just the way you like it, with plenty of fun and interaction built in.
I’ll admit this isn’t really my kind of food so I haven’t tried it myself, but friends of mine did and absolutely loved the whole experience. It’s very social, with drinking games and lots of laughter, so if you’re sailing with a group or fancy making new friends, this is a great place to spend an evening.
Pink Agave
Pink Agave is Virgin Voyages’ modern take on Mexican dining, with a sleek interior designed by Tom Dixon and an entrance that’s definitely made for Instagram. The menu is set up for sharing, with small, medium and large plates so you can mix and match as much as you like.
I gave this one a miss as spicy food isn’t really my thing, but friends of mine ate here and absolutely loved it. If you enjoy bold flavours and a bit of heat, this is a restaurant you’ll want to try.
Razzle Dazzle
Razzle Dazzle is Virgin Voyages’ bold, veggie-friendly restaurant, and it’s probably one of the most well-known dining spot on the ships. The menu puts vegetarian and vegan dishes front and centre, but there are also a few “naughty” meat and fish options so everyone can find something they like.
I ate here for breakfast and my top pick has to be the avocado on toast. It looked almost too good to eat, but I can promise you it tasted even better.


The Test Kitchen
If you’re a foodie, The Test Kitchen is a must-try. With its sleek, laboratory-style design, it feels a bit like a cooking school crossed with a fine dining restaurant. Instead of a traditional menu, you’ll be given a list of ingredients and the chefs will use them to create a six-course tasting menu.
It’s definitely one for adventurous eaters, as you won’t know exactly what you’re getting until it arrives at the table. If you like surprises and beautifully presented dishes, this is the place for you.
The Wake
The Wake is one of Virgin Voyages’ most popular restaurants, and it’s easy to see why. With its glamorous design, sweeping staircase and sea views from the back of the ship, it feels like a special occasion every time you walk in. The menu focuses on steak and seafood, with plenty of classic favourites done really well.
I ate here three times on my first Virgin cruises and couldn’t resist going back a few times on my second sailing. The steak was gorgeous, the seafood beautifully cooked, and the brunch was every bit as good as dinner. If you can only book one restaurant in advance, I’d make it this one.






Other places to eat on Virgin Voyages
While all the restaurants on Virgin Voyages have something to offer, occasionally you might fancy something a little more casual. Particularly on a longer cruise or if you have had a busy day exploring ashore.
Virgin Voyages has you covered here with some great snack and dining options that are good for breakfast through to dinner (and even a midnight snack)
The Gallery
The Gallery is Virgin Voyages’ take on a food court, but don’t think bland shopping-centre vibes. It’s stylish, modern and packed with variety. You’ll find stands serving everything from burgers and tacos to noodles, ramen and even a 24-hour American diner. It’s a great spot for embarkation day lunch or if you just want something quick and easy between activities.
I ate here a few times on my second cruise and really enjoyed the tacos, ramen and sushi. It’s casual, tasty and perfect when you don’t want a full sit-down meal.

Eateries in The Gallery
- Bento Baby – Japanese style bento boxes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fruit and berry boxes are served in the morning while sushi boxes are available for lunch and dinner.
- Burger Bar – all-day burgers. The breakfast offering includes pancakes, French toast and being burger bar, a French toast burger. For lunch and dinner, the menu changes into fresh grilled hamburgers and cheeseburgers.
- Diner & Dash – American-style dinner open 24 hours a day. The all-day breakfast includes build your own omelettes, bacon, sausages, beans and toast.
- Hot off the Press – sandwiches and toasties. Filling and toppings include avocado, smoked salmon, and grilled vegetables.
- Let’s Taco Bout It – a taco stand serving breakfast burritos and tacos for lunch and dinner.
- Noodle Around – miso, noodles and ramen all for breakfast and lunch.
- The Daily Mix – healthy meals all day long. Breakfast includes bagels, yoghurt and oats. For lunch and dinner, the menu changes to soups and salads.
- The Sweet Side – serving up breakfast pastries and afternoon treats for sweet-toothed sailors
- Well Bread – serving pastries and flatbreads all day long
- Grounds Club Two – a coffee shop offering premium teas, coffee and of course lots of pastries and treats.





The Dock House
The Dock House has a chic, Mediterranean-inspired feel with both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s one of those places where you could easily forget you’re even on a ship. Small plates are the order of the day here, think mezze, flatbreads and light bites that pair perfectly with a glass of wine or a cocktail. It’s a lovely spot to linger with friends in the evening.
The Pizza Place
Tucked just off the Roundabout Atrium, The Pizza Place serves up freshly made pizzas from lunchtime until the early hours. You can choose from classics or build your own, and the casual beach-club vibe makes it a fun place to hang out. I love that you can take a pizza away to eat on deck or back in your cabin if you fancy something low key.
Tip from experience: if you head here straight after the Scarlet Night pool party, get in line quickly. Everyone seems to have the same late-night pizza idea and the queue can get pretty long.

The Social Club Diner
The Social Club is all about retro American diner food, think hotdogs, popcorn and milkshakes. It’s a laid-back spot with plenty of entertainment on the side, from foosball to air hockey and even the occasional karaoke night. Perfect if you want a bite to eat and a bit of fun at the same time.
Sun Club Cafe
If you’re after something lighter, the Sun Club Café is a great choice. It’s up on deck with gorgeous sea views and serves fresh bowls with tuna, salmon, chicken or veggies. Ideal for a healthier lunch or a post-gym refuel.
Lick me till…Ice Cream
The name raises eyebrows, but the ice cream here is seriously good. With six artisanal flavours, this little spot is very popular and best of all, it’s included in your cruise fare.
Bars on Virgin Voyages Ships
It’s not just the restaurants that shine on Virgin Voyages. The bars are just as good. Each has its own style, from poolside cocktails to glamorous champagne lounges, and you will never be short of places to grab a drink.
- Aquatic Club Bar – right by the pool, this is the place for frozen cocktails and refreshing classics while you (hopefully) soak up the sun
- Draught Haus – a cross between a British pub and a craft brewery, with eight seasonal beers on tap and plenty of bottled options too. Great if you fancy something a little different from cocktails.
- Gym & Tonic – a deck bar with a relaxed feel, serving cocktails and hand-pressed juices. It is a lovely spot to grab something fresh after a swim or workout
- Loose Cannon – a nautical-themed pub tucked away on deck seven. This is quiz and games central, and it gets busy fast, so get there early if you want a seat.
- On the Rocks – just off the Roundabout Atrium, this stylish cocktail lounge is perfect for a pre-dinner drink or a late-night nightcap. The mixologists here are amazing. Just tell them the flavours you like and they will create something special.
- Sip – a glamorous champagne bar where the bubbles flow all day long. Whether it is a celebration or just an excuse to indulge, this is one of the most elegant spots onboard
Virgin Voyages don’t offer drink packages, instead you can purchase a bar tab and use this in the bars on the ship.
The last word
Virgin Voyages set out to shake up the cruise industry, and in my opinion that is exactly what they have done. Their style won’t be for everyone, but when they get something right, they really do it well.
The bars and restaurants are one of the best examples of this. Ditching the old-school buffets and main dining rooms in favour of standalone restaurants was a bold move, and it has paid off. Each venue feels like somewhere you would happily eat on land, which makes dining onboard feel more like a night out in a city than a typical cruise.
For me, the food is one of the main reasons to book with Virgin. Every restaurant I tried was excellent, and honestly it was almost impossible to pick a favourite. If pushed, I’d probably say Extra Virgin for the pasta, but then The Wake’s brunch and steaks are equally hard to beat.
The fact that all of this is included in your cruise fare is the icing on the cake. You do not need to spend a penny more to enjoy restaurant-quality dining every night.
If you are a foodie, or even if you just like the idea of mixing things up and trying different styles of dining, Virgin Voyages will be a great fit.
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