Anthem of the Seas Dining Guide: Restaurants & Food Options

If you’re trying to figure out how Anthem of the Seas dining works, you’re not alone. Dining is one of the biggest questions I get from Royal Caribbean clients — especially on a Quantum-class ship like Anthem, where the layout and restaurant concepts feel a little different from older ships. If you’re still deciding whether this ship is the right fit overall, I recommend starting with my full Anthem of the Seas review. Dining is important — but it’s just one piece of the experience.

Anthem offers a mix of complimentary restaurants, casual quick-service spots, and specialty dining venues that cost extra. The key is understanding what’s already included in your cruise fare and what might be worth upgrading for your travel style. Some travelers are happy with the included options, while others want to try as many specialty venues as possible. It really comes down to how you like to dine on vacation.

On shorter cruises, many guests never set foot in a specialty restaurant and feel completely satisfied. On longer sailings, that’s often when guests start wanting something different mid-week. That’s usually the deciding factor.

Anthem’s dining is also closely tied to its activity offerings. If you’re planning lots of time at the family activities onboard or late evenings enjoying the shows and nightlife, having flexible dining options can make scheduling feel easier. It’s worth thinking about how your dining choices will fit into your overall cruise routine.

Quick Overview of Anthem of the Seas Dining Options

Anthem of the Seas features a mix of complimentary and specialty restaurants. You are not limited to the buffet and one dining room — although many guests assume that at first. The ship’s dining setup is designed to give you flexibility, whether you want a formal dinner or a quick bite between activities.

There are numerous dining venues spread throughout the ship, ranging from the main dining rooms and casual grab-and-go spots to premium specialty restaurants. The exact count can vary slightly based on how venues are categorized (for example, separate concepts within the main dining system). From a planning standpoint, what matters more than the number is the variety. Anthem gives you formal, casual, international, quick-service, and experiential dining options, so you can mix things up as much or as little as you like.

Your cruise fare includes:

• Main Dining Room restaurants
• Windjammer Marketplace buffet
• Several casual dining spots like Sorrento’s Pizza and Café Promenade
• Select breakfast and lunch at Solarium Bistro
• Room service (a service fee may apply in certain cases)

You can easily enjoy a full week without paying extra for food. For the Main Dining Room, reservations are handled through traditional early/late seating or My Time Dining. Specialty restaurants almost always require reservations and can fill up quickly — especially on sea days and during formal nights. This is one of those details that sounds small until you are onboard and everything popular shows as full. Booking early through the Royal Caribbean app or before sailing is usually smart.

Complimentary Dining on Anthem of the Seas

Let’s start with what’s included, because many travelers underestimate how good the complimentary dining can be. The main dining rooms use Royal Caribbean’s “Dynamic Dining” concept, featuring themed dining rooms like The Grande, Chic, Silk, and American Icon Grill. While the décor differs, the rotating menus are shared across them. You’ll find traditional cruise staples alongside regional cuisine nights. For most families, this works beautifully because there’s built-in variety over the course of the week.

The Windjammer Marketplace buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offers a wide variety. Breakfast tends to be busiest, especially on port mornings. If you want something quick before heading out for excursions or before time at onboard attractions, this is convenient and reliable.

Solarium Bistro, located in the adults-only Solarium area, typically offers lighter options and tends to feel quieter. It’s a nice break from the bustle of the Windjammer if you prefer a calmer setting.

Café Two70 is great for lighter fare during the day, especially when you’re spending time at the aft of the ship. If you are watching shows in Two70 later, you’ll already know where it’s located, which can make timing dinner easier.

Café Promenade is your go-to for quick bites and coffee. It’s a lifesaver for late-night snacks after enjoying the adult-focused activities onboard.

Sorrento’s Pizza is popular and open late, making it a family favorite. It’s quick, easy, and surprisingly useful when schedules shift.

SeaPlex Dog House offers casual hot dogs and quick options located near SeaPlex. Especially convenient when kids are bouncing between activities or heading to the Anthem of the Seas kids clubs.

Room service is available, though fees can apply depending on what you order and the time. For families with small kids, this can simplify mornings significantly.

Specialty Restaurants on Anthem of the Seas (Extra Cost)

Specialty restaurants are where you’ll find more intimate atmospheres and slightly elevated menus. These venues are popular for celebrations, date nights, or just mixing up your routine. Here’s a quick overview of the main specialty options:

• Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse. Great for date night or milestone celebrations.
• Jamie’s Italian: Family-friendly Italian with crowd-pleasing classics. This works well when not everyone wants steak.
• Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine: More about the experience than the food alone. It’s creative and theatrical — perfect if you want something different.
• Izumi Sushi and Teppanyaki: Sushi for a quieter meal, teppanyaki for interactive dining. Teppanyaki seating is limited, so book early.
• Chef’s Table: A multi-course dining experience with wine pairings. This is geared toward adults and food enthusiasts.
• Coastal Kitchen (Suite Guests Only): An exclusive venue blending Mediterranean and California flavors for suite-level guests. Many travelers love the quieter atmosphere here.

Is Specialty Dining Worth It on Anthem of the Seas?

This depends entirely on what kind of vacation you want. I help clients with this comparison all the time. If you’re sailing 7 nights or longer, love restaurants at home, are celebrating something special, or just prefer smaller restaurant environments, a dining package can make sense. On the other hand, if you’re cruising 3 to 5 nights, traveling with younger kids, or prioritizing activities over long dinners, you may not need specialty dining at all.

Royal Caribbean Dining Packages on Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean typically offers dining packages that bundle multiple specialty meals at a reduced rate compared to booking individually. Pricing and availability vary by sailing. You can usually pre-purchase packages before sailing and manage reservations in the Royal Caribbean app. If you’re considering a package, check your itinerary for sea days and think about which nights you’d most want a specialty dinner. Some travelers find the Unlimited Dining Package most valuable on longer cruises, while others prefer a smaller package or just booking one or two specialty meals à la carte.

Anthem of the Seas Main Dining Room Menus

The rotating menu structure gives guests something new each evening. Each night features a themed dinner with classic cruise staples also available. This balance keeps the experience comfortable for families while introducing variety. Royal Caribbean is generally accommodating with dietary needs when notified in advance. I always recommend communicating special requirements before sailing. Formal nights are optional but popular. Specialty restaurants typically lean smart casual to formal. Pack accordingly, but there’s flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anthem of the Seas Dining

Final Planning Tips Before You Sail

Look at cruise length, celebration plans, and how much you value restaurant variety before purchasing a dining package. Think about show times, kids club hours, and port return times. Dining plans feel very different depending on how full your days are. For specialty dining on busy sailings, book ahead. For flexible travelers on less crowded cruises, waiting onboard can work — but there is more risk of limited times.