Just returned from my debut voyage on Windstar, and I simply must rave about the Windstar Cruises food and restaurants! Did you know Windstar is the sole cruise line endorsed by the prestigious James Beard Foundation? This means you’re in for a top-tier culinary adventure, with exquisite dining options incorporated into your cruise fee. 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. Get ready for a tantalizing experience on your next Windstar Cruise!
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
Picture yourself indulging in the freshest, juiciest beef and seafood at Windstar Cruise’s delightful specialty dining room. As you sit down, a heavenly basket of warm, aromatic bread with just the right amount of saltiness tempts you to dig in.
Choose from a scrumptious array of signature starters: a classic Caesar salad, luscious butter-poached shrimp, comforting New England clam chowder or – our personal favorite – the Season 14 “Top Chef” Annie Pettry’s tomato & watermelon salad.
This masterpiece combines succulent watermelon chunks and seasonal tomatoes with rich ricotta, zesty red onion, and refreshing mint for a truly divine taste sensation.
Then, treat yourself to a mouthwatering 6 oz. filet mignon as your main course. Expertly seared to crispy perfection on the outside and tantalizingly tender on the inside, this flavor-packed steak will melt in your mouth.
FYI: Windstar offers a darling salt tasting (smoked applewood, Himalayan Mountain pink, and Hawaiian black) to enhance your steak dinner.
Pair it with the sinfully creamy béarnaise sauce for an unforgettable culinary experience. And don’t forget to order a side of indulgent roasted parmesan & prosciutto potatoes and velvety creamed spinach to round out your indulgent feast! I wanted more, but was too embarrassed to ask.
This complimentary steakhouse meal is served in the same space as Veranda by day.
Cuadro 44
Welcome to Cuadro 44, the vibrant Spanish tapas haven crafted by the talented and award-winning James Beard and Michelin-starred Chef Anthony Sasso! Be prepared to be swept into a world of festive flavors, with just the right touch of elegance and romance.
This Star Legend gem requires reservations, so don’t miss out!
My better half and I dove into a sensational selection of tapas, such as mouth-watering croquetas, delicate Iberico ham, sizzling grilled chorizo, and a luscious potato tortilla adorned with a parsley crème fraîche. We also savored a hearty slice of bread embellished with a divine quince paste.
While we blissfully enjoyed our feast, other intriguing dishes like marinated olives and anchovies, charred Portuguese octopus, and a refreshing Catalan salad were tempting us to come back for more!
Get ready to discover the mouthwatering world of Iberico ham – a 24-month aged, luxurious and flavorful delight straight from Southern Spain. Pair it up with a hearty potato dish and Arborio rice balls for a taste sensation! Sip on a refreshing glass of sangria, or better yet, order a pitcher to share!
Treat your taste buds to a tender, succulent Pork Belly with grilled leeks and pearl onions, or let them dance in delight with a Moroccan Cauliflower dish, featuring hazelnuts and mint. Though it’s quite a lot to take in visually, trust your senses and savor every single bite! It was exquisite.
Be sure to try the Piquillo Peppers with a goat cheese crema. Finally, end your culinary journey on a sweet note with classic Churros & Chocolate. The salted hot chocolate sauce will have you reminiscing about your travels to Miami or Barcelona.
Don’t be shy – go ahead and lick the bowl, we won’t judge!
AmphorA, the Main Dining Room on Windstar
Imagine setting sail with Windstar, a cruise experience unlike any other. Picture yourself in the elegant AmphorA dining room on the Windstar Legend, where every meal is a delicious culinary masterpiece. No need for dress codes or reservations; just come as you are and enjoy dining at your own convenience.
Indulge in sumptuous meals served on exquisite Rosenthal china, and sip your favorite drink from Riedel stemware. With a daily rotating menu offering a delightful array of options (think steak, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, and vegetarian entree), you can’t miss out on mouth-watering appetizers, such as the 10/10 chicken liver pate with crackers and pickled onions.
And if the twice baked goat cheese souffle is on the menu, order two!
Embark on a Windstar cruise and treat your taste buds to an unforgettable adventure! I kid you not, every meal was absolutely delicious! The food on Windstar Cruises is definitely worth writing home about.
More Wows rom AmphorA
Other noteworthy appetizers at AmphorA that will leave your taste buds tingling, were the ceviche, scrumptious Polpettine meatballs, and decadent crabcake adorned with fresh radish slices.
But wait, the pièce de résistance is the heavenly layered mushroom puff pastry – trust me, it’s a must-try! Speaking of mushrooms, you’ll find many mushroom-infused dishes on the ship, which must mean they are locally-sourced easily in St. Maarten. It was definitely a treat for this mushroom lover.
You’ll also love that AmphorA offers daily rotating soups and salads, but don’t worry, their delicious French Onion Soup and Caesar salad always make an appearance. In fact, their Caesar salad is so good that your partner may become obsessed with it – as mine did — no shame in indulging every night!
As for the main courses, you’ll have plenty to choose from with five to six tempting options every evening. Take it from a pro traveler, let your server be your guide, as they’ve already tasted and can recommend the perfect dish for you.
Two of our favorites were the grilled filet of branzino with potato confit and the irresistible herb-roasted chicken and truffle risotto. Bon appétit!
I chose steak dishes many nights because they were great cuts of meat with yummy sauces. The pork tenderloin and butter-poached lobster tail were other dinners I greatly approved of.
Pasta and Dessert Done Perfectly
Let me spill the beans about pasta on Windstar cruises. You know how cruise ship pasta can sometimes be a letdown? Well, not on Windstar, my friend! I had an absolutely mouthwatering pasta dish: the tantalizing pesto pistachio pasta (pictured below). It, and a scrumptious sliced beef over potatoes were my favorite of the entire cruise.
Now, about dessert (our favorite, right?) – Windstar did not disappoint! We indulged in heavenly crème brûlée and soufflé almost every day. The tiramisu was an airy delight – not overly sweet, just perfect.
But, my 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. Pure extravagance, both in looks and taste!
So go ahead and give your sweet tooth a treat on your next Windstar adventure!
Windstar Cruises Food for In-Room Dining
Imagine this: you’re on the fabulous Star Legend, and your stomach starts rumbling. No worries, room service has your back 24/7 with mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night options. Eddie and I dug into a hearty Chicken Quesadilla, filled to the brim with chicken, cheese, and sides like salsa, guac, and sour cream. And that’s just one option – there are Cobb salads, hand-cut turkey clubs, and even a delectable crab, spinach, and artichoke dip to satiate your cravings.
Our room service was delivered within 20 minutes.
Breakfast Option: Veranda
If you’re in the mood for a lovely breakfast or lunch with a view, head on over to the Veranda on deck seven. The Windstar culinary team doesn’t mess around when it comes to Eggs Benedict – perfectly poached eggs and heavenly hollandaise await you.
And if you’re craving something sweet, fear not! There are scrumptious options like waffles, French toast, and pancakes calling your name.
Choose from a bountiful selection of buffet options, featuring everything from sliced meats (including turkey sausage) and cheeses to smoked salmon and yogurt. Enjoy baked beans – an European morning favorite – as well as cooked-to-order eggs & omelets.
You won’t go thirsty either, with unlimited fresh squeezed orange juice or coffee right at your fingertips, thanks to the attentive waitstaff who are sure make you feel welcomed each morning onboard!
These ladies in my picture made sure that every need was met each morning, with friendly professional service.
Veranda has indoor and outdoor seating, with most of our cruisers always dining outside. Use caution when the winds are strong as things tend to blow away or spillover. As you can see, the indoor table setting is beautiful and still afford views of the incredible scenery.
Lunch Onboard Windstar Cruises
Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure at Veranda! Each day, you’ll be tempted by their mouthwatering selection of mains, salads, sides, and gourmet carved meats. But there’s more! An entire counter of sweet treats awaits you.
A standout hit? Don’t miss the Indian meal starring crowd-favorite Chicken Tikka! For those craving something from south of the border, the Mexican buffet with its build-your-own tacos, tortilla chips or bowls, and heaps of toppings will satisfy your hunger. It was my favorite lunch of the week.
Cozy up to the scrumptious Greek dish Moussaka for some ultimate comfort food. And of course, it wouldn’t be a cruise without indulging in some delectable desserts. Choose from sugar-laden or sugar-free options, and don’t feel guilty sampling a few smaller sweet treats during lunchtime.
Pictured here were my favorite after-lunch options. The iced chocolate brownie (or cake) was sensational, and the daily mousse, light and fluffy, and who can pass up a classic creme brûlée? Windstar, thanks for adding to my waistline on my vacation, and I genuinely mean that.
Star Grill
The Star Grill by Steven Raichlen is a unique dining option across from Windstar’s Legends outdoor bar. I didn’t get to eat there, but the food looked good coming out to guests. I was tempted by the daily quiche and rotisserie chicken options, but the buffet always won out.
Coffee Bar: Yacht Club Café
Explore the almost hidden gem that is the café located on deck 8; it’ll put all other coffeeshops ashore to shame thanks its delicious assortment of coffee drinks, teas, smoothies and much more.
Be warned though: once you try one of the toothsome biscotti (that looks like glazed bacon?) from Yacht Club Cafe, you won’t want anything else. Trust us when we say they are unparalleled crunchy goodness at its best, and not too sweet.
There are also cakes, puddings, and other assorted dessert choices in the Yacht Club Café, which can be enjoyed in the beautiful library with seats overlooking the ocean. It was my favorite place to be on the Star Legend.
I spent plenty of time reading, doing social media, working puzzles, playing games, and chatting with other passengers there.
A Beachside BBQ
Windstar pulled out all the stops for a fantastic beachside BBQ extravaganza on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Filled with lively steel-drum tunes and an incredible feast, it’s a true foodie’s paradise.
Picture mouth-watering grilled meats, tofu skewers, scrumptious mac & cheese, vibrant veggies, hearty seafood paella, colorful fruit kabobs, and irresistibly cookies – nobody left with an empty stomach.
The dedication and effort taken by Windstar to transport everything from the cruise ship to the beach is truly commendable, and it made our experience even more special.
I cannot imagine how much trouble it was to tender (ship by small boat to a pier from our cruise ship anchored in the ocean) every dish, utensil, tablecloth, and food item to shore to serve us. It was much appreciated and very fun, plus the food was quite tasty.
Windstar Cruises Drinks
Looking to sip on 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 a day.
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!
And guess what? You can even 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 an array of countries like Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand, Chile, and the USA.
Now get ready to dine like royalty aboard the Star Legend, because the meals will be absolutely unforgettable! Bon voyage!
Check out these posts for fun things to do at cruise ports: