Carnival Horizon - Restaurants & Dining

The iconic red and white checkered tablecloth in your neighborhood Italian trattoria means you’re in for a certain kind of dining experience. At a table such as this, who’s gathered around is just as important as what’s being served, and we see these as the two halves of the experience at Cucina del Capitano®. Atop our tablecloth you’ll enjoy courses of dishes — antipasti, entrées, pasta and desserts — inspired by our Italian captains’ and officers’ childhoods. It’s all served famiglia-style, because we know that sharing tales of your day’s adventures is best with large plates and great company. Speaking of which, the walls are not only adorned with old snapshots from the crew’s family albums, but you might even find the captain dining at his own table in the corner… all evidence that the rustic Italian country-home atmosphere you see is no façade.

Tip: Reservations aren’t required, but to get the best seating and times, we recommend making a reservation. You can make one online after booking your cruise.

A few things make a successful pasta dish: fresh ingredients, the right blend of spices and sauces… and of course, al dente preparation. The care and know-how of an experienced pasta pro takes it to the next level — and you’ll find them at The Captain’s Pasta Bar. Start with the pasta you’re in the mood for — linguine, farfalle, penne anyone? — then select your choice of sauce and meat, and they’ll cook it up in the same Italian culinary tradition we bring to the table nightly at Cucina del Capitano®. While you’re lunching, take in the dining room’s rustic Italian country home design… there’s nothing like atmosphere to bring out the flavor in a dish.

So maybe you’ve had sushi on a cruise before, but you’ve never had it like Bonsai Sushi™, our onboard seafood-and-soy-sauce spot. Dine amidst expertly-pruned bonsai trees while enjoying sit-down service and an affordable menu of delectable sushi and sashimi… plus rolls, soups, sides, sakes and desserts. So the next time you’re taking an onboard stroll, stop at Bonsai Sushi for a little something satisfying.

A modern dining spot inspired by a society that measures its history in millennia, JiJi Asian Kitchen® serves up enticing dishes in a thoughtfully-designed space that’s ripe for experiencing not only good food, but good fortune… and perhaps a surprise or two. You’ll enjoy your meal among Asian prayer rolls and Mongolian-inspired fabrics that infuse northern-country style into this unique culinary experience. JiJi offers a full-service menu featuring a mix of exotic and familiar dishes designed to challenge and delight your senses.

Tip: Reservations aren’t required, but to get the best seating and times, we recommend making a reservation. You can make one online after booking your cruise.

The teppanyaki chef’s attention to craft is front-and-center… in fact it’s right there at your table! One part meal, one part performance — and all parts unforgettable — the Bonsai Teppanyaki™ experience is sure to delight guests. Take a little time out of your vacation to gather around a large shared table for a meal that’s not even a little ordinary. The experience begins with a curated selection of traditional tastes, followed by a choice of tempting appetizers before your chef expertly prepares the main course, which features selections like filet mignon, grilled tofu or a seriously impressive array of fish, shrimp and lobster. (Trouble choosing one? Choose a combo!) In the teppanyaki tradition — and Carnival’s tradition of fun — expect an interactive, satisfying meal full of surprising spectacles, delicious delight… and, you know, flying food.

Tip: Definitely make lunch or dinner reservations because this intimate restaurant has limited seating.

Nobody knows Mexican dining like a blue iguana. Well, our blue iguana, at least. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the BlueIguana Cantina™ features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment. Throw our homemade tortillas and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will make you say “mmmm” (which is actually Iguanese for “more, please”).

So here's the problem: you're having an amazing fun time on your cruise and a craving strikes. You need pizza! Your options are: 1) let the craving go, 2) put the fun on hold to go get a slice, 3) pull out your phone and snap a selfie — and now one's on its way! If you're wondering when you became a wizard, may we remind you that you actually used the Carnival Hub app? Any time of day, or night, pick your toppings, tell us where on the ship you’re hanging out and, optionally, take a selfie to help the delivery folks find you. (Delivery’s just $5 per pie… and the pizzas are always free!) Wow, you look hungry — we'll get a fresh one on its way to you, ASAP(izza)!

On Carnival ships, the captain tends to be kind of a big deal — almost a celebrity. On select ships, they’ve even got their own pizza spot. The best news? Pizzeria del Capitano is open morning, noon, and late into the evening… and you’re invited. And since our captains tend to be Italian, you know we’re talking primo ingredients. We start with hand-tossed dough, made from imported Italian flour, and add fresh mozzarella to form a solid base. Then there's a choice of toppings, to put the finishing touches on this piping hot, fresh-from-the-oven mealtime — or snacktime — classic. (Also, try our caesar salad — buono, capisce?) 

Looking for a little taste from the old neighborhood? Pile 'em high at the Carnival Deli. Enjoy old time favorites like a hot pastrami on rye, grilled Reuben, or roasted turkey breast on a country roll. Our sandwiches and wraps are always hand-carved and served fresh with cole slaw or relish. Come by, satisfy your craving for a great sandwich and make sure you don’t forget the kosher dill.

Maybe you take your coffee straight-up, or perhaps you prefer your pick-me-up with an upgrade. From the simply caffeinated to the simply sublime, nothing satisfies your coffee craving like JavaBlue™ Café, featuring fun twists on the hot and cold drinks you enjoy. While the coffee is the main event here, there’s more to JavaBlue — enjoy the baked treats we like to call “comfort snacks”… which you’ll call “delicious!”

Treat your taste buds to the experience of a lifetime, culminating in a sumptuous multicourse dinner hosted by the Master Executive Chef. Your VIP experience starts with a champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres for a select group of 12-16, followed by a tour to see the galley in operation. The evening concludes with a mind-blowing full-service dinner of amazing appetizers, entrées and desserts not found on our regular dining menus.

Tip: Reserve early because this once-in-a-lifetime experience has limited seating. Reservations can be made online after booking your cruise.

A good seafood dish is quite the catch. However you like yours served — whether it’s on a roll or a platter — Seafood Shack’s™ the place to cast your net. Imagine a New-England-style seaside spot where you can take it all in, enjoying a great meal complete with a side of ocean view. On a Carnival cruise is where you’ll find this shack by the sea, wherever in the world you happen to be!

“Hey, which side does the fork go on?” is a question you’ll never have to ask at a dining room dinner aboard a Carnival cruise… we set the table for you. We also bring to the table a full three courses in an experience that’s satisfying, not stuffy — after all, you’re just as likely to catch waiters table-dancing as you are to order dessert.

The menu is amazing — and included in your cruise fare! — with fan-favorite Carnival cornerstones now being joined by innovative selections from Emeril Lagasse and our chefs. New choices like Pappardelle with Braised Lamb, Coffee Glazed Roast Duck and Hawaiian Shrimp Poke are sure to please, to be honest… almost every palate. That’s why Carnival’s new vegan dining room menu is so important to making sure everyone finds food they love. Look for plant-based options like Baked Vegetable Au Gratin, Eggplant Cutlet a la Parmigiana — and even modified versions of Hawaiian Salmon Poke and Spaghetti Carbonara! Our chefs always work to accommodate dietary needs, but this menu puts delicious choices front-and-center.

Tip: When you book, choose Early Dining or Late Dining for reserved seating nightly, or go with Your Time Dining to chow whenever the clock strikes “hungry.”

Dining Room Breakfast

If looking forward to the whole day of fun that’s ahead isn’t enough to make an early riser out of you, we have something else that’s sure to do the trick. Join us for breakfast in the main dining room and sit down to the kind of menu that might make you want to start things off a little slow. Order up some eggs any way you like them… even benedict- or omelet-style with your choice of filling. Get pancakes, waffles or french toast hot off the griddle — each comes with a surprising and delicious flavor twist like vanilla, pecan or salted caramel. There’s breakfast standards like oatmeal, granola and a generous selection of fresh fruits and cereals. Add crispy bacon, awesome sausage — which is actually the only kind — or ham to any dish… or go for more of a curated flavor with a selection of breakfast entrees, including some lighter choices.

If you’re thinking that’s all nice, but who has time for all this… you do! The very first item on the menu is a plate that kicks your day off with an express selection of all the classics.

You know how, in the world of Dr. Seuss®, things can get… perhaps a bit wonderfully backwards or upside down? Well, the mischievous Thing 1 and Thing 2 are having a birthday party at sea — on your cruise — but in typical Seuss style they’ll actually be celebrating YOU. That’s right! Whether your birthday is near, was last week, or even last year, we want to celebrate your uniqueness at Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast!

You’re going to find that special spirit all throughout the party, so get ready to celebrate as you enjoy unforgettable interactions with the stars of Dr. Seuss, fun music… and let’s not forget the delicious menu with great selections for kids and adults. It’s packed with dishes that are as fun to say as they are to eat, like One Berry, Two Berry, Strawberry And Peach Waffles; Who-Ville Red Velvet French Toast; and of course: Do You Like Green Eggs And Ham? This meal is proof: it is fun to have yums, but you have to know how! 

Featuring an amazing variety of casual dining spots, each just a few flip-flopped steps from the last, Lido Marketplace always has a special something ready to satisfy your latest craving spectacularly. Here we do it with dozens of what-to-eat options... great choices like BBQ, a deli counter, salad bar, an Asian station and a pasta bar... plus one spot where the chef serves up a different surprise daily! At Lido Marketplace, there’s tons of indoor and outdoor seating made for gathering around, so you can enjoy your personal faves in your favorite company for lunch or dinner, or even breakfast! Lido’s also where you can find soft serve, frozen yogurt and fresh pizza... which so far seems to be enough to satisfy everybody.

Got room for dessert? Sure you do! Swirls™ lets you enjoy the sweeter side of brain freeze with a treat that’ll have you smiling from ear to ear. Choose from chocolate, vanilla or strawberry… or make your own mix swirled as high as you can balance it. Open on Lido deck until midnight, our frozen yogurt and soft-serve ice cream is a sweet way to beat the heat, plus makes the perfect nightcap after a long evening of fun.

So you're in the mood for some good eats, but you’d rather stay in your comfy, cozy stateroom? Really, who could blame you? Simply pick up the phone and order something tasty from our extensive room service menus. And since you get hungry when you get hungry, room service is available any time of the day (or night), and it’s always delivered right to your door.

Tip: There’s a menu of yummy breakfast selections we’ll bring you, completely free!

Forget what “they” say — the most important meal of the day is brunch. Slumberers can sleep in and still enjoy breakfast favorites, while early-risers get a head-start on lunch. And Seaday Brunch brings everybody’s favorite mid-morning meal to your Carnival cruise, and does it right. You’ll enjoy huevos rancheros, special french toast, loaded mac-n-cheese… and yes, more ways to cook eggs than we even thought was possible. Chow down and fuel up — you’ve got lots of exploring to do, across the ship, for the rest of the day.

Our kids’ menus, available at most onboard dining venues, feature foods that are delicious enough — and fun enough — to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. We’ve got all the familiar options they love from home, like spaghetti and meatballs, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and — yes mom — fresh fruit and veggies. They should save room for dessert, though, because with sweet stuff like banana splits and chocolate brownies, your young’uns are going to be pretty excited. There’s even free late-night pizza and soft serve… but these are subject to bed-time, of course.

KIDS' MEALS FOR CAMPERS

With so many fun things to do aboard, your kid will surely work up an appetite. Our meals keep your kids fuelled up and happy with yummy options for them to enjoy as they chow down with a supervised group of their new friends. They’ll enjoy pizza, cheese quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, french fries, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, mac-n-cheese and more! They should save room for dessert, because with banana splits and chocolate brownies, your young ones are going to be pretty excited.

There’s nothing sweeter than a visit to Sweet Spot for our specially-made marble chocolate cheesecake, lemon cream pies, cherry crumble squares and more. There’s always something for everyone, including healthier options like fresh fruit medleys. Save room for dessert — or skip the meal altogether — and make sure you satisfy your sweet tooth with this mix of desserts that really hit the spot.