I’ve got to rave about the exceptional culinary experience aboard Windstar Cruises. Windstar Cruises food and restaurants are a cut above the rest, endorsed by the prestigious James Beard Foundation. No need to splurge on upscale restaurants, dress to the nines, or adhere to strict mealtime schedules—it’s all about leisure and palatial flavors with Windstar.
I was hosted by Windstar cruises on a familiarization cruise to write this and other articles. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
Candles Restaurant
Imagine indulging in the freshest, juiciest beef and seafood at Windstar’s delightful specialty dining room, Candles. The meal starts with a basket of warm, aromatic bread, then comes the first course, like Caesar salad or butter-poached shrimp.
Season 14 Top Chef Annie Pettry’s tomato and watermelon salad was my favorite dish of the night. This masterpiece combines succulent watermelon chunks and tomatoes with rich ricotta, zesty red onion, and refreshing mint for a lovely marriage.
For the main course, treat yourself to a 6 oz. Filet mignon, expertly seared to crispy perfection on the outside and tantalizingly tender on the inside. It will melt in your mouth. Pair it with the rich and creamy béarnaise sauce.
Pro Tip: Try the salts to enhance your steak.
Cuadro 44
Welcome to Cuadro 44, the vibrant Spanish tapas haven crafted by the talented James Beard and Michelin-starred Chef Anthony Sasso. Step into a world of festive flavors with just the right touch of pizazz and romance. The Star Legend gem requires reservations, so make them early!
We dove into the tapas selection, including croquetas, delicate Spanish Iberico ham, grilled chorizo, and a luscious potato tortilla adorned with parsley crème fraîche. A hearty slice of bread spread with quince paste was the perfect accompaniment.
Other dishes brought to the table included marinated olives and anchovies, charred Portuguese octopus, and a refreshing Catalan salad. This celebration of flavors pairs wonderfully with sangria. End your evening on a sweet note with classic Churros & Chocolate.
AmphorA, the Main Dining Room on Windstar
Set sail on the Windstar Legend and experience dining in the elegant AmphorA dining room like never before.
Indulge in sumptuous meals served on exquisite Rosenthal china while sipping your favorite drink from Riedel stemware.
With a daily rotating menu (think steak, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, and vegetarian entrees), you’ll also have excellent appetizers like chicken liver pate with crackers, pickled onions, and twice-baked goat cheese souffle. Other noteworthy AmphorA apps include ceviche, Polpettine meatballs, a decadent crab cake, and the ultimate layered mushroom puff pastry.
You’ll have five to six main course options every evening. Our favorites were the grilled branzino filet with potato confit and herb-roasted chicken with truffle risotto.
Pasta and Dessert Done Perfectly
Windstar Cruises serves pasta dishes that will exceed your expectations. The pesto pistachio pasta topped my list.
When it came to dessert, Windstar did not disappoint! We indulged in heavenly crème brûlée and soufflés almost daily. The tiramisu was an airy delight—not overly sweet, just perfect.
Other dessert highlights were a luscious mango-topped milk chocolate mousse at AmphorA and a sophisticated dark chocolate ganache bar with sea-salt caramel ice cream at Candles.
Star Grill
The Star Grill by Steven Raichlen is a unique dining option. Although I didn’t get to eat there, the food looked fantastic. The quiche and rotisserie chicken would have tempted me, but the buffet always won out.
Coffee Bar: Yacht Club Café
Explore the almost hidden gem, Yacht Club, on deck 8. It puts all other coffee shops ashore to shame with its delicious assortment of coffee drinks, teas, smoothies, and more. Once you try one of the toothsome biscotti (that looks like glazed bacon?), you won’t want anything but more.
They also have cakes, puddings, and other assorted desserts, which can be enjoyed in the elegant library. The library has seats overlooking the ocean—our favorite at-sea address.
A Beachside BBQ
Windstar pulled out all the stops for a beachside BBQ extravaganza at Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Guests were treated to a feast, complete with lively steel-drum music.
The jaw-dropping spread featured grilled and BBQ meats, tofu skewers, mac and cheese, grilled veggies, seafood paella, fruit kabobs, and a cookie selection. Windstar’s dedication and effort in transporting everything from the cruise ship to the beach made our experience even more special.
Windstar Cruises Drinks
Are you looking to sip some delicious drinks without breaking the bank during your Windstar cruise? Look no further! Choose between two amazing options—the Topmast Discoveries Beer & Wine Package for $49 a day or the Captain’s Exclusive Beverage Package for just $59.
The Topmast package boasts 33 fascinating wine options and a mix of domestic and imported beers. But why not indulge a little more by upgrading to the Captain’s Exclusive? You’ll get all those wine and beer choices plus a variety of cocktails, liqueurs, cordials, and aperitifs—even the fancy ones!
Enjoy beverages from your stateroom mini-bar with this package at no extra cost. In either case, you’ll get 30% off bottled wines from various countries like Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand, Chile, and the USA.
Sample Breakfast and Lunch
Begin your day with a charming breakfast on the Veranda (deck 7), with a breathtaking view of the azure waters. I savored Eggs Benedict with a velvety hollandaise on most days, but the waffles, French toast, and made-to-order eggs and omelets were equally popular. Be sure to try the freshly squeezed orange juice.
At lunchtime, Veranda offers carved meats, international cuisine, salads, and even pasta dishes. Our favorites were the Chicken Tikka, build-your-own tacos, and Greek moussaka. Desserts are also offered and are off the hook yummy, like the creme brûlée and chocolate mousse.
Pro Tip: Use caution when sitting outside with high winds; things tend to blow away or spill over.
A Decadent Dining At-Sea Adventure
When it comes to indulging in a culinary adventure, Windstar Cruises’ food and restaurants offer an unparalleled experience. Your taste buds will be delighted and this part of your cruise will be exceed your expectations.
Check out these posts for fun things to do at cruise ports:
Key West, Florida Cruise Port