Norwegian Bliss Dining Guide: What We Ate & What’s Worth It
Dining is one of the most talked-about parts of any cruise, so in this Norwegian Bliss dining guide, I’m sharing exactly what we ate, what stood out, and what I’d absolutely book again.
We sailed with a group of 9, which made restaurant choices interesting — and honestly, a great test of how flexible the food scene really is on the Norwegian Bliss.
If you’re looking for my full Norwegian Bliss review, including entertainment, theme nights, Super Bowl at sea, and cruising with a group, you can read that here.
Between specialty restaurants and complimentary dining, we tried a solid mix.
Here’s how it all stacked up.
Specialty Dining on Norwegian Bliss
We used our Free at Sea specialty dining credits at:
- Cagney’s Steakhouse
- La Cucina
- Palomar
And each one had its own personality.
Cagney’s Steakhouse (A Staple for Me)
Cagney’s is always a staple when I sail Norwegian. It’s classic steakhouse energy — dim lighting, solid service, traditional sides.
This trip, I ordered:
- Wedge salad
- Filet
- Creamed spinach
- Baked potato
- Raspberry crème brûlée
Everything was exactly what I wanted it to be. The filet was cooked properly, the creamed spinach was rich (as it should be), and the raspberry crème brûlée was the perfect sweet finish.
I paired a Malbec with my filet— and that combination never disappoints.
If you love traditional steakhouse dinners, this is still one of the safest specialty picks onboard.
Would I book it again? Absolutely.
La Cucina (Perfect for Sharing)
La Cucina worked beautifully for our group of 9 because the menu lends itself to sharing.
We ordered a lot — and that’s the way to do it here.
We shared:
- Multiple pizzas (surprisingly delicious)
- Calamari
- Mushroom risotto
- Sautéed pork scaloppini with dry Marsala sauce and mushrooms
There was so much food, and it all leaned comforting and approachable.
We finished with classic tiramisu and paired dinner with Norwegian 66 Prosecco, which felt like the right move for Italian night at sea.
It’s not hyper-authentic regional Italian cuisine, but it’s flavorful, social, and ideal for a group dinner.
Would I book it again? Yes — especially with friends.
Palomar (First Time & A Favorite)
This was our first time trying Palomar, and it was fantastic.
Dinner started with warm bread served alongside olive oil and fresh oregano — simple, elevated, and a good sign of what was coming.
We ordered:
- Grilled prawns
- Endive-fennel salad
- Heirloom beet salad with feta, mint, and roasted garlic
- TOMI New York Strip Steak with baby romaine, grilled asparagus, and lemon-herb maître d’ butter
- Vanilla cheesecake “in a jar” with raspberry compote and graham crackers
The seafood felt fresh and bright. The salads were light and well-balanced. And the cheesecake in a jar? Such a fun presentation and a perfect ending.
Palomar feels lighter and more coastal compared to a steakhouse or heavy Italian. If you lean toward seafood and Mediterranean flavors, this one is absolutely worth it.
Would I book it again? 100%.
Complimentary Dining on Norwegian Bliss
One thing I really appreciate about Norwegian’s freestyle dining is flexibility — especially when you’re coordinating dinner for 9 people.
The Manhattan Room (Twice for Dinner)
The Manhattan Room feels the most “classic cruise” of the complimentary options. Multi-course menus. Polished service. A slightly dressier atmosphere.
With a group of 9, it worked well because:
- No specialty credits required
- Easy to accommodate larger tables
- Rotating menus meant different options each night
The food isn’t specialty-level elevated, but it’s consistent and enjoyable. It’s a great fallback when specialty restaurants are booked or when you just want a relaxed sit-down dinner without an upcharge.
Would I prioritize it over specialty dining? No.
Would I happily eat there again? Yes.
The Local (Casual & Reliable)
The Local became one of our go-to spots.
It’s casual, pub-style, and open late — perfect for lunch, quick breakfasts, or late-night bites after shows.
Not fancy. But reliable.
Breakfast Spots
For breakfast, we rotated between:
- Taste
- The Local
- Garden Café
Taste offered a quieter, sit-down breakfast experience. Garden Café was efficient and had the most variety. With a group of 9, sometimes buffet simplicity just makes life easier.
Lunch Favorites
Lunch was mostly:
- Garden Café (easy and varied)
- American Diner
American Diner is a fun, retro-style option with burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Not something you need every day, but fun at least once during the sailing.
Restaurants We Didn’t Try
There are plenty of other Norwegian Bliss dining options we didn’t make it to this time, including:
- Q Texas Smokehouse
- Food Republic
- Teppanyaki
- Le Bistro
- Ocean Blue
You won’t hit everything in one sailing — especially with a shorter itinerary and a group schedule.
Is Specialty Dining Worth It on Norwegian Bliss?
If you have Free at Sea credits? Yes.
The complimentary dining is solid, but specialty restaurants feel quieter, more intentional, and more elevated — especially helpful when traveling with a larger group.
For me personally:
- Cagney’s = dependable favorite
- Palomar = best surprise
- La Cucina = best for sharing
The Final Pour
Overall, Norwegian Bliss dining offers variety, flexibility, and enough quality options to keep everyone happy — even with a group of 9.
Was every meal unforgettable? No.
Was there always something good to eat? Absolutely.
Next up, I’m sharing my full wine tasting experience onboard — I did three tastings, and they were surprisingly fun.
