Fine dining experiences await onboard your next river cruise.
Whether you're a foodie - or just love food - dining in our onboard restaurant will seem like such a treat, with regional and international specialities served up every night.
All regional dishes were once just recipes passed down from grandmother to granddaughter - made with local, seasonal ingredients and shared with loved ones. Your head chef might not be a German Oma, French Grand-mère or Italian Nonna, but you can almost taste the love in every bite.
First-class flexible dining
Scrambled, poached or fried - why choose just one when they're made to order? Breakfast in our main restaurant is a buffet with over 60 options to choose from, including some heart-smart options. This much choice may seem excessive, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day - and you'll need your energy while exploring.
We'll keep it light at lunch with a soothing bowl of soup and your choice of main course, including a chance to try some local dishes, of course. Crispy salads from the buffet or hard-to-resist dishes at the pasta station are also on offer. And don't miss out on dessert - there are enough options to satisfy any sweet tooth and then some.
And at the end of the day, sit down to a carefully crafted four-course à la carte dinner featuring the dishes you know and some soon-to-be favourites. You'll be begging our chefs for the recipe.
Our team of experienced chefs are up for a challenge so if you have any special dietary requirements - or you're vegan or vegetarian - you can still enjoy a first-class dining experience.
Local flavours
When we travel, we don't just want to explore, we want to get under the region's skin - delving deep into the culture. And nothing is more interwoven with culture than food. Adapting recipes inspired by the regions you visit to put a fresh spin on these authentic local dishes. Whether it's traditional Hungarian soup flavoured with smoky paprika, a French cassoulet bursting with flavour or decadent Dutch desserts, you are sure to feel even more connected to the land.
And don't worry, we wouldn't pair those delicious local flavours with just any glass of wine. Our expert sommeliers carefully select a range of wines from household names to the lesser-known varieties you'll be itching to try again. Some are even produced on the terraced vineyards just a few yards away from your table. Look out for 'Local Flavours' on your menu every evening.
Alternative dining in La Brasserie, Riverview Kitchen and our Mosaic and Rio Restaurants
We may be biased, but we believe the dining experiences aboard our first-class fleet are truly something special - and well worth a visit.
For a more relaxed atmosphere paired with stunning river views, step into La Brasserie aboard our French cruises on the MS Jane Austen and MS Lord Byron. This intimate venue, seating no more than 28 guests, offers a casual setting where, weather permitting, panoramic windows open fully onto the terrace. The result? An unforgettable al fresco dining experience in the heart of France.
Here, you'll enjoy a tasteful selection of charcuterie and local cheese platters, accompanied by freshly baked bread and expertly paired French wines. La Brasserie is located at the stern of the ship and features full-length windows for a beautiful river-view backdrop.
On our Danube and Rhine cruises - and aboard the MS Thomas Hardy on the Rhône - you’ll find Riverview Kitchen. Also located at the ship's stern, this venue is open for both lunch and dinner. It offers a more intimate atmosphere with an open kitchen, large panoramic windows, and al fresco seating, perfect for soaking in the passing scenery.
In the evenings, Riverview Kitchen transforms into a relaxed dining spot inspired by the charm of a traditional grill restaurant - ideal for those seeking a laid-back yet refined experience.
The food was amazing with so much choice each and every day, beautifully prepared and served by quality waiters. It was something to remember.
Comfortable lounges & bars
Relax in our lounge areas where the ship’s designers have created a genteel atmosphere of understated elegance with a wide selection of comfortable seating. Where could be better to lose yourself in conversation with like-minded new friends, sip a coffee, perhaps play chess or bridge, or just relax whilst admiring the incredible scenery?
The welcoming bar offers a full range of drinks sourced from all over the world, including the finest wines and spirits. When the sun sinks slowly below the riverside hills, this is the perfect place to relax and reflect on another day’s experiences. A modest selection of books can be found on each ship, and the lounge and bar areas are the perfect setting to relax and get lost in a story.
Don’t forget the bartenders and their wonderful enthusiasm and skill. Why not order an extravagant cocktail, or take a look at the classic wine list offering a fantastic selection of traditional and local wines? You won’t be disappointed by the prices either – take a look at the example list.
Please note that the example bar menu provided here is not applicable to every cruise and the selection of drinks available and prices advised will vary from ship to ship.
Drinks packages
It's pretty hard to make a Riviera Travel holiday even better - but we think we've managed it with our free drinks package. Take a European river cruise, for example: the already charming landscapes and cityscapes become almost criminally delightful when you add a well-timed, well-chosen beverage such as a glass of regional wine or a cool, crisp beer — the temptation becomes too great to resist. So don’t. Book a river cruise and enjoy drinks on us. Yes, any European river cruise.
Which? Recommended Provider: the best-value river cruises
Our first-class ships and cabins provide a top-notch experience for our guests - they've rated us 5/5 for our cabins, onboard dining, customer service and spacious ships.
Find out more about why we were rated the Best-value River Cruise line by Which? in our latest blog post.
