Never mind my calorie count; I have willingly researched the delicious eats aboard Costa Cruises for you. It includes where and what to eat and all your dining choices for sailing the high seas. Alas, my Costa Cruises food and restaurant guide.
But first…
Are you one of those travelers who research the food and restaurants for where you are going from the get-go? If you are anything like me, you peruse photos, menus, and vacation reviews on various sites before traveling, so you will know where to find the good stuff—and what you can skip.
When I was booked on my first Costa cruise from Istanbul, Turkey, to Greece, I hardly found anything mentioning the food on this iconic cruise line. I went on my cruise knowing naught because there wasn’t much online about the food on Costa Cruises vessels, especially because my Costa Venezia was moving to a much different vacation route.
Main Dining Room Delights
The Classic Experience
Meals in the main dining room are included in your cruise vacation. You will be assigned a seating time (first-early or second-late) and dining room (Canal Grande), denoted on the back of your cruise card.
You have assigned seating, which can be based on your preference—whether you crave a private table or enjoy mixing with other cruise guests for an even richer cruise experience.
A Feast for the Senses
Meals come in courses—starters, soups and salads, entrees, and desserts. Alcoholic beverages, including sodas, require an additional payment and are served by a dedicated server.
A few of my favorite dishes in the main dining room included Vegetable Tempura, Meatless Cannelloni, and any steak dish. Save room for soufflés and Caesar salads with homemade croutons and a heavy dusting of Parmesan.
Culinary Highlights
The main dining room is not just about the food but also the atmosphere. The elegant setting, attentive service, and beautifully presented dishes create a memorable dining experience. Whether you are a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer, the main dining room is sure to impress.
Lido Marketplace Restaurant
A Buffet Extravaganza
Found on Costa Cruises Venezia’s Deck 10, the Lido Marketplace offers a buffet restaurant included in your cruise fare. You’ll find breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, with food choices changing daily.
There are several areas to sit and enjoy your meal, from inside to outside, with different dining styles to fit your taste.
Morning Delights
My husband and I went to the Lido Marketplace daily for breakfast, except for having room service one morning. It’s always quick to grab your food and find a place to sit, often catching the first glimpse of the port of call you will be visiting that day.
Classic morning eats include an omelet station, pancakes, toast, potatoes, sausage, bacon, and fruit. There are also granolas, cereals, meats and cheeses, and a massive spread of pastries.
Lunch and Dinner Options
At lunch and dinner, expect to find a variety of vegetable dishes, entrees, vegetarian options, and many seafood specialties. Europeans eat a lot of things from the ocean, so while I am good with shrimp, lobster, and crab, I balked at most of the choices as they were too foreign for me but an authentic luxury meal for most.
Specialty Dining: An Upscale Option
The Steakhouse Experience
Cruise ships have level-up dining options (specialty dining) that involve a fee. Costa’s specialty dining is different from most cruises I’ve done, as it is an Italian line. I always favor visiting the steakhouse option, and La Fiorentina Steak House was superb on the Costa Venezia.
I had two classic dishes: Caesar salad and Lobster Bisque soup. I chose Surf & Turf, a petite filet with a jumbo prawn, for my main course. The prawn was the star of the plate—melt-in-your-mouth good.
Heineken Star Club & Bistro
The Heineken Star Club & Bistro was a favorite hangout on the Costa Toscana. Although there was an additional fee, the Chicken Nachos and Smothered Tots were worth it. The live music added to the fantastic atmosphere, making it a memorable part of our vacation.
A Michelin-Star Experience
Casanova Restaurant is the gastronomic gourmet restaurant with the highest-rated specialty dining on Costa Cruises. Created by Michelin-starred chefs Bruno Barbieri, Angel Leon, and Hélène Darroze, Casanova offers a memorable dining experience with three culinary paths.
The menu items range from cuttlefish rice to sea urchins and beef cheeks to crispy octopus and guinea fowl roulade.
I was hosted by Costa Cruises to familiarize myself with their ship and features. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
Specialty International Eats
Hot Pot and Dim Sum
Enjoy a hot pot meal onboard your Costa Cruises vacation. Dim Sum offers three types of noodle bowls and a variety of dumplings. Sushi is highly regarded at Sushino on Deck 5.
Teppanyaki Show
My husband and I had a fantastic teppanyaki dinner experience at the Teppanyaki Restaurant on Deck 5. The cooking show, friendly entertainment, and delicious meal made it worth 36 euros per person. Our meal included chicken teppanyaki with soup, edamame, fried rice, and grilled vegetables.
Gourmet Street Food
At The Salty Beach Street Food on Deck 10, look for gourmet burgers, vegetarian options, and focaccia sandwiches. The fries, costing around 2 euros, are well worth it. Dip them in mayochup, mayo, and ketchup for a delightful treat.
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Welcome Aboard Buffet and Bars
Late-Night Buffet
A late-night buffet was open the night we embarked on our cruise. Having a near-midnight dining option was nice after a long day of traveling.
Costa Cruises Bars
For those planning a Costa cruise, I highly recommend considering a drink package, available in multiple levels. This savvy choice not only saves you money but also enhances your experience.
The basic drink package includes a wide range of beverages, from soft drinks to hand-crafted cocktails. The Aperol Spritz Bar on Deck 15 is a must-visit for its picturesque setting. Plus, the package includes bottled water, a practical addition for excursions and in your stateroom.
Costa’s long list of basic cocktails included cruise favorites like Miami Vice, Between the Sheets (I haven’t had one since the 1990s), Negroni, Long Island Iced Teas, and White Russians. Many exotic and yummy coffee drinks were also available with the drink package.
Pro Tip: A banana daiquiri hits the spot if the weather is hot.
Nibbles and Coffee
Finger Foods at Bars
Many of the bars onboard Costa Venezia offer finger foods or nibbles. For between 1 and 2.5 euros, you can enjoy fried mozzarella, a Milanese chicken skewer, or red tuna tartare at Gondola. The mushroom and black truffle bruschetta were delicious.
Ultimate Coffee Drinks
Check out Bella Bar on Deck 5 for the ultimate coffee beverages. A cruiser favorite includes a creamy liqueur added to espresso, fresh whipped cream, and toffee bits. The pistachio espresso and Tiramisü coffee are also recommended.
Room Service and Pizza
I’m a huge fan of Costa Cruises’ room service options. Room service offers Eggs Benedict, crab cake Benedicts, and a basket of tasty croissants. There is a surcharge of $5 per person, and deliveries are prompt and friendly.
Pummid’s Pro Pizzeria offers pizza for 5 euros. With around 23 flavor combinations, my top pick was the Quattro Formaggi, with fontina, taleggio, mozzarella, and gorgonzola. Pizzas can be delivered to your stateroom and take about 7-12 minutes to arrive.
Pro Tip: Try the spicy oil or variety of toppings available for the pizzas. Yum!
Gelato and Crepes
I’m hardly ever tempted by the ice cream shops onboard cruise ships, but on the Costa Venezia, I was a sucker from day one. Gelateria Amarillo on Deck 10 offers freshly prepared crepes, creamy Italian ice cream, sipping chocolate drinks, cakes, candies, and macarons.
The Black Cherry ice cup and Nutella and banana crepe were favorites.
Costa Cruises will definitely exceed your food and drink expectations and be a big part of your cruise memories.
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