When we first boarded the Norwegian Encore, I knew the food was going to be good. What I didn’t expect was just how awesome it would be! And while we may not have been blessed with the best weather during our Alaskan Cruise, the food alone made the entire cruise worth it.
From casual complimentary meals to fancy specialty meals, we were absolutely spoiled with all the different food options on board. By the end of the cruise, my heart (and stomach) was so happy.
In this guide, I’m sharing all of my favorite places to eat on the Norwegian Encore. This includes tips, my honest reviews, and advice on how to plan your culinary adventure so you can make the most out of every meal aboard the Norwegian Encore!
Complimentary Meals
Observation Lounge
- Location: Deck 15
- Open 24/7
- Food hours: 3-5 pm
While most people beeline straight to the buffet for their first meal aboard, I had a different strategy… and it came with a much better view!
On Deck 15 near the bow of the ship is the Observation Lounge. It’s a panoramic indoor lounge wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows. In my opinion, it’s the best place to set sail from.
As a Seattle native, I enjoyed seeing the city from this unique vantage point. It’s one you don’t get to see unless you’re on a cruise ship.
Now for the real reason you’re here: the food!
The Observation Lounge serves coffee, fountain drinks, and has a full-service bar.
But the real gem is the lounge’s light fares: Fresh fruit, cold cuts, desserts, quiche, empanadas, and small sandwiches.
My personal favorites were the empanadas, the focaccia sandwich, and the fruit. The empanadas were filled with chicken curry, and I ended up eating seven of them during the trip. The focaccia sandwich was layered with sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, meat, and arugula. Oddly enough, I also really enjoyed the Black Forest ham too.
The Local
- Location: Deck 7
- Open 24/7
- Breakfast: 5-11:30 am
The Local is the Encore’s take on classic American bar food. It’s a popular spot for breakfast, and is the only restaurant on board that serves food 24/7. Think casual comfort food like wings, chili, spinach and artichoke dip, sliders, nachos, burgers, sandwiches, and salads – plus a full-service bar.
After making friends at the casino, The Local became our late-night hangout spot. I personally loved the Caesar salad, but the chicken wings were definitely a crowd favorite. Portions are on the smaller side, which makes it easy to sample a little of everything. But no matter what, I always finished my night off with an ice cream sundae!
Breakfast at The Local was a bit more hit-or-miss for us. I tried the breakfast sandwich, which was a bit bland, though the brioche bun was great. Trey ordered the corned beef hash, which we were excited about, but it ended up being a letdown. It’s the same diced corned beef served at Garden Café. That said, the breakfast potatoes were genuinely excellent, and they do serve real eggs, which is a nice touch. I’m beginning to think The Local is popular for breakfast simply because of all the late morning risers.
Exclusive menu items only found at The Local: beef chili, Cobb salad, chicken wings, pretzel bites, sausage sliders, Reuben sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, and hot dogs.
Garden Café – Buffet
- Location: Deck 16
- Breakfast: 7-10:30 am
- Lunch: 11:30-3 pm
- Dinner: 5-9:30 pm
Garden Café is the most popular place to eat on the Encore and one of the few places to eat while the ship is in port. As a buffet, it offers the widest variety of dishes, with options ranging from American, Asian, and Indian cuisine, plus crepes, soups, a full salad bar, and plenty of desserts.
In the morning, you’ll find classics like omelets, eggs, bacon, pancakes, breakfast potatoes, and hash browns. My personal favorite was the made-to-order omelet station.
At the soup bar, you can make your own French onion soup, which I highly recommend! I also loved the salad bar, which was perfect for adding a little balance after all the indulgent meals.
For main courses, the shrimp boil was phenomenal and attracted long lines. It’s easily one of the most popular menu items. I also really enjoyed the prime rib. And once I discovered the self-serve soft-serve ice cream machine… well, let’s just say I didn’t hold back.
American Diner
- Location: Deck 17
- Open for lunch on Sea Days
American Diner is the ship’s classic, old-school spot for American comfort food like burgers and milkshakes. It’s only open on sea days, so plan ahead because this place gets busy!
On our first attempt, we ran into a long line and decided to eat elsewhere. On our second try, we arrived right at opening and were seated almost immediately. Within minutes, though, a line had already started forming behind us.
Food-wise, there were a few pleasant surprises. Trey loved the fries, said they tasted just like McDonald’s. I ordered the Wrangler Burger, the patty itself was a bit bland, almost like a school lunch, but the toppings helped make up for it. Milkshakes, unfortunately, come at an extra $7 charge.
Oddly enough, I thought that American Diner’s best food was its un-American fare. I really enjoyed the smoked fish dip, and the Greek salad was surprisingly delicious thanks to its awesome dressing.
Many of the handhelds (burgers and sandwiches) are the same as what you’ll find at The Local. The items unique to American Diner include: milkshakes, lechon asado, chicken “pot pie” casserole, spaghetti and meatballs, smoked fish dip, Greek salad, pulled pork sliders, and white bean chicken chili.
Savor & Taste – Main Dining Room
- Location: Deck 6
- Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 am
- Lunch: 12-1:30 pm (on sea days only)
- Dinner: 5-9:30 pm
Taste and Savor are the ship’s two main dining rooms, and this is where complimentary, sit-down dining really shines on the Norwegian Encore. Meals here are served in proper courses, which already makes them feel a bit more special than just grabbing food at the buffet.
Both Taste and Savor share the exact same menu, which is also the same menu you’ll find in the Manhattan Room. The only real distinction is the interior design. Taste is lighter and brighter, while Savor leans darker and moodier. Both are smaller than the Manhattan Room, which makes them quieter and ideal for couples or small groups.
Honestly, if you’re not planning to splurge on specialty dining, I found the food at Taste & Savor to be just as good and sometimes even better. It quickly became my favorite place to eat that was complimentary. The restaurant vibe is nice and classy, and meals are served in three courses: appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
For breakfast, I ordered the eggs Benedict, and it was awesome! The hollandaise sauce had a nice tang to it, and the portion size was just right. Trey tried the salmon lox bagel, which came with a generous portion of salmon, but the flavor was rather plain. The breakfast potatoes were tasty, and the scrambled eggs were from the box, but I still ate them.
For lunch, we absolutely outdid ourselves. Trey ordered the beef moussaka, while I went for the Monte Cristo sandwich with a bistro salad and bay scallops gratin on the side. For dessert, we tried the tiramisu and milk chocolate cheesecake. The Monte Cristo was super rich, but the real favorite for me was the bay scallops gratin. The scallops were small but covered in butter and perfect for dipping with bread.
Our must-order here is the spaghetti carbonara – it was thick, creamy, salty, and hands-down our favorite dish on the entire cruise!
The Manhattan Room – Main Dining Room
- Location: Deck 7
- Dinner: 5:30-9:30 pm
The Manhattan Room is located at the aft of the ship and is the largest of the main dining rooms on the Norwegian Encore. Because of its size, it’s the best option if you’re in a large group.
One of the best things about the Manhattan Room is that you can order steak and lobster from Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty restaurant), but for half the price!
We ate at the Manhattan Room for dinner and started off with the gyoza and bruschetta. For our entrées, we ordered the lemon pepper shrimp and the brisket. The shrimp was delicious and perfectly paired with the pasta. The brisket was tough and overcooked, which was a bit disappointing given how good some of the other main dining room dishes were.
For dessert, we went with the cannoli and carrot cake. We’re big carrot cake fans, but this one didn’t taste like carrot cake at all, so we jokingly called it “sugar cake” because it was way too sweet.
One thing we noticed about the Manhattan Room is that service was slower and less attentive, likely due to its sheer size. When servers were available, they were kind and helpful – just not as present since they had many tables to tend to.
Specialty Dining
The specialty dining options are where the Norwegian Encore really steps things up. These restaurants come at an extra charge, but they offer unique menu options and a dining experience that feels more intentional and relaxed.
And while some people stress that you absolutely must make reservations for specialty dining, we didn’t find that to be the case at all. The trick is to just walk in right when the restaurant opens, and you’ll likely be seated immediately.
Onda by Scarpetta
- Location: Deck 8
- Cover Charge: $40 per person + 20% gratuity
- Dinner: 5:30 pm-9:30 pm
Onda by Scarpetta was by far my favorite dining experience aboard the Norwegian Encore. It has an elevated feel, making it the perfect spot to dress up and enjoy a nice dinner. It’s funny because I had the lowest expectations for this specialty dining before going in, but it ended up being my favorite one!
Here’s how Onda by Scarpetta works: Each person can choose up to three appetizers, one main dish, and one dessert. In addition to this, they serve you three different breads, all of which are delicious. The breads come with three different dips (citrus, eggplant caponata, and mascarpone butter). It is literally SO MUCH food, it’s honestly depressing that they don’t allow you to take leftovers to your room.
For appetizers, we went all in and ordered six appetizers: yellowtail crudo, fritto misto, burrata, beef carpaccio, mezzelune (ravioli), and the macellaio pizza. The mezzelune (ravioli) had a wonderful citrus buttery taste – something I wouldn’t skip. We were already full after our appetizers!
For the main dish, Trey had the salmon, and I ordered the pappardelle Bolognese – both were delicious. I’m an absolute sucker for Bolognese, no matter how simple it is.
The must orders for me were the Mezzelune and the Macellaio pizza. I’ll be honest, everything we ate was phenomenal, but if we had to pass on one dish next time, it would be the Fritto Misto. Not because it wasn’t good (the fry was scrumptious), but because all the fried food just put things over the top.
By the time we reached dessert, we were so full we split just one: the butterscotch bundino, which was awesome and similar to crème brûlée. They also offer cheesecake, panna cotta, and tiramisu. Just a heads up: if you want an espresso or latte with dessert, it will cost you extra.
Food Republic
- Location: Deck 8
- Cover Charge: $50 per person + 20% gratuity
- Open for lunch on sea days only
- Dinner: 5:30-9:30 pm
Food Republic is the newest addition to Norwegian Encore’s specialty dining lineup. It has a casual atmosphere with a menu centered on Asian fusion dishes from a diverse range of countries. Although it was not the most authentic (is cruise food even supposed to be?), it was a nice way to satisfy our craving for Asian food.
Here’s how Food Republic works: You are allowed up to 4 items per person. They have 5 different food categories ranging from share plates, hand-helds, sushi bar, noodles, rice soups, and sugar pump (the dessert menu).
Food Republic was the first specialty dining we tried on the ship, and it definitely left an impression! We arrived at 8 pm and had no trouble getting seated. There were plenty of open tables, and walk-ins were accommodated.
Dishes come out as they’re prepared, so everything arrives at different times. You order through an iPad, but the staff is extremely attentive and helpful throughout the meal.
We ordered the full four items each, including Peruvian beef skewers, pork belly bao, pho tai, sushi, arugula steak salad, pork belly skewers, kanpachi wonton tacos, and Thai chicken lettuce wraps.
Our favorite dish was the pork belly skewer. It was incredibly tender and coated in a delicious butterscotch miso glaze. Out of everything we ate, we recommend ordering: sushi, pork belly bao and skewers, and the Peruvian beef skewers. Next time, we’ll skip the kanpachi wonton tacos since the flavors didn’t quite fit with the rest of the meal.
But don’t expect authenticity when eating at Food Republic. The pho tai tasted more like a beef-and-mushroom broth than traditional Vietnamese bone broth, but it wasn’t bad. Just didn’t taste Vietnamese, even though it grew on us by the end. The sushi wasn’t extraordinary, but it exceeded our expectations for cruise ship sushi.
Palomar
- Location: Deck 8
- Cover Charge: $60 per person + 20% gratuity
- Dinner: 5:30-9:30 pm
Palomar is Norwegian Encore’s specialty seafood restaurant. It has a cute but classy aquatic vibe and is known as one of the top restaurants on board. We tried to book a reservation a week before our trip, but it was already sold out. Luckily, once on board, we stopped by during business hours and were able to secure a reservation.
At Palomar, you’re allowed three appetizers, one main dish, and three desserts. The seafood is fresh and light, which makes it the perfect counterbalance to the heavier meals on board. Even then, we still left pleasantly full.
The menu features a variety of raw, cooked, and grilled fish and shellfish. For non–seafood lovers, there are also options like steak, lamb chops, and salads. Premium items such as black tiger shrimp or lobster are available for an additional $25.
We especially loved the thalassini salata, a flavorful medley of shellfish with a sweet, tangy dressing. It was easily the best value among the appetizers. The beet salad, while simple and on the smaller side, ended up balancing the meal nicely. The tuna crudo was good, though not memorable, but the grilled octopus was worth ordering again.
For our mains, we ordered the lavraki sea bass and the festoni sea scallops. The scallops came with four plump and perfectly grilled scallops, while the sea bass was flaky, fresh, and absolutely delicious. We would happily order both entrees again!
All the desserts we ordered were solid. Chocolate mousse was rich and decadent, and the cheesecake in a jar was incredibly creamy, yogurt-like in texture and taste. Trey’s favorite part was the graham cracker, as it was buttery and flaky!
Teppanyaki
- Location: Deck 6
- Dinner: 5:00-10:00 pm
We didn’t have the chance to eat at the Teppanyaki restaurant, but this is the most popular restaurant on board. So much so, they even expanded the restaurant space over the years. If you want to eat here, we recommend booking a reservation in advance.
What draws the crowds to Teppanyaki, you may ask? Not only do they serve Japanese classics such as udon, steak, seafood, and teriyaki, but what’s really included is peak entertainment! Similar to Benihana-style restaurants, you watch the chefs cook your food right in front of you.
Other specialty dining:
Here is a short synopsis of the other specialty dining on board. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to try them:
- Cagney’s Steakhouse
- $60 per person + 20% gratuity
- Cagney’s Steakhouse is an American-style steakhouse that specializes in premium Black Angus beef and top-quality seafood.
- Q Texas Smokehouse
- $40 per person + 20% gratuity
- Q Texas Smokehouse is the casual barbecue restaurant aboard Norwegian Encore. You can dig into hearty favorites like tender ribs, chicken, and brisket. All meats are smoked over oak and infused with rich flavors. Q Texas Smokehouse even has a stage for live music!
- Le Bistro
- $60 per person + 20% gratuity
- Le Bistro is Norwegian Encore’s French specialty restaurant, offering an elegant décor paired with indulgent French cuisine. Think traditional favorites like escargot and coq au vin, with each dish beautifully plated to perfection.
- Gelato
- Gelato is the Italian version of ice cream aboard Norwegian Encore. Located on deck 8, here you can treat yourself to a wide variety of flavors served a la carte to accompany you on your stroll throughout the ship.
- The Bake Shop
- The Bake Shop on Norwegian Encore offers indulgent treats such as French macarons, chocolate bonbons, and gourmet cupcakes. All treats are a la carte.
- Starbucks
- Norwegian Encore recently added a Starbucks aboard the ship! This coffee shop needs no introduction and will provide a bit of home comfort while traveling across seas. Starbucks is located on deck 6, below The Local and next to the main atrium.
NCL Encore Alaska Cruise Dining Itinerary
If you like to plan ahead and want the best chance to experience a few specialty restaurants and enjoy all the complimentary dining options for each meal, you can follow the schedule I’ve created below.
This schedule honestly took me a while to make, as I had to account for sea days versus non-sea days, since some dining venues are only open on select days.
| Day 1: Departs Seattle @ 4:00pm | •Snacks @ Observation Lounge •Dinner @ Food Republic |
| Day 2: At Sea | •Breakfast @ Taste •Lunch @ Savor •Dinner @ Buffet |
| Day 3: Juneau, Alaska | •Breakfast @ The Local •Lunch @ Garden Cafe •Dinner @ Onda by Scarpetta |
| Day 4: Skagway, Alaska | •Breakfast @Garden Cafe •Lunch @ Garden Cafe •Dinner @ Manhattan Room |
| Day 5: Glacier Bay (Cruising) | •Breakfast @ Savor •Lunch @ American Diner •Dinner @ Taste |
| Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska | •Breakfast @ Garden Cafe •Lunch @ Savor •Dinner @ Palomar |
| Day 7: Victoria, BC | •Breakfast @ Garden Cafe •Lunch @ The Local •Dinner @ Savor |
I hope you enjoyed our guide to all the restaurants on the Norwegian Encore! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
