Balmoral - Restaurants & Dining

The Thistle Restaurant is designed with a light and airy feel, offering guests a more informal and relaxed dining experience, boasting a fresh layout, with stylish soft furnishings. The casual, self-serve dining experience with table-service drinks is perfect for those who prefer not to dine at a set time in the Ballindalloch, Spey and Avon restaurants, or those looking to indulge in a late night snack. You can expect to find an abundance of indulgent dishes, expertly prepared by our on board chefs, with various breakfast, lunch and dinner options, and a tasty selection of complimentary afternoon teas with sandwiches, scones and tempting cakes. There will also be the opportunity to try various dishes in our Treats of the Region section, which are local to the destinations you're visiting on your Fred. Olsen cruise.

Balmoral’s Ballindalloch restaurant offers a fantastic selection of expertly prepared delicious dishes to enjoy. Our delicious five-course á la carte menu changes each evening and is served to you by our attentive and friendly waiting teams.

Choose from mouthwatering steaks, perfectly cooked seafood and freshly made soups; all accompanied by bread baked on board each day. Take the chance to sample our featured Treats of the Region dishes, created in line with some of the destinations you are visiting on your Fred. Olsen cruise.

The Spey and Avon restaurants have been carefully designed to really make the most of the large windows providing natural light and ever-changing views as you enjoy the same delicious five-course á la carte menus that are on offer at the main Ballindalloch restaurant. Freshly cooked breads and soups are on offer, along with succulent steaks, pasta dishes and melt-in-the-mouth desserts. There'll also be treats of the region dishes available for you to try, which are influenced by the destinations you're visiting.

The Bookmark Café serves a selection of delicious speciality coffees and quality tea blends. Enjoy a quiet moment with a book or share the experience with good conversation, accompanied by our heavenly fresh chocolates and baked treats. From pralines to Champagne truffles, these mouth-wateringly good treats are too good to miss. If you'd like to make use of your Bookmark Café card - just £25 for 7 hot drinks and a bag of delicious truffles - then our friendly Baristas will be happy to fill your reusable cup with the drink of your choice, to enjoy on a stroll around deck or as you explore ashore. 

Each day complimentary afternoon tea is served in the Thistle Restaurant with sandwiches, scones and cakes, along with fresh tea and coffee. During selected sea days, guests can book our Traditional Premium Afternoon Tea* experience, with a selection of premium teas served in porcelain teapots, along with elegant finger sandwiches, pastries and warm scones with jam and clotted cream. These can be enjoyed alongside beautiful views from the Observatory Lounge, with musical accompaniment from our on board pianist and the careful attention of white-gloved waiters.

*Booking ahead is highly recommended for all our Speciality Dining options, and reservations can be made using the pre-book button in your 'My Cruises' account from 13 weeks before and up to 1 day prior to departure. Please note, there is a £15 per person supplement for Colours & Tastes. Speciality dining booked on board is chargeable at £20 per person*. Our Traditional Afternoon Tea Service is charged at £13 per person. 

All of our suites and cabins have tea and coffee making facilities included as standard, so you can enjoy a pick-me-up first thing or a relaxing drink at the end of the day. Continental breakfast can be ordered in advance for delivery at your preferred time, while snacks are available from 10am onwards.

For those times when you’d like a little something more, you can also order room service* up until 11pm every day. Choose from a delicious selection of dishes, including soups, salads, sandwiches such as a turkey club or grilled cheese, or hot bites of burgers, hot dogs, and pizzas, followed by sweet treats like chocolate fudge cake or New York cheesecake.