The Queen Elizabeth restaurants are mostly good, but some are better than others. Among the best of them is The Steakhouse at The Verandah. There are six Queen Elizabeth restaurants:

• The Britannia Restaurant.
• The Britannia Club Restaurant.
• The Princess Grill Restaurant.
• The Queen’s Grill Restaurant.
• The Steakhouse at The Verandah (specialty venue).
• The Lido Restaurant.

The Britannia Restaurant

The Britannia Restaurant is the biggest Queen Elizabeth restaurant. It is a huge multi-level restaurant with a sweeping staircase and art-deco design. Guest staying in the most popular Britannia Balcony rooms dine there.

The three-course menu is mostly traditional and it changes daily. When I sailed on Queen Elizabeth the menu had appetisers like Crab & Shrimp Skagen as well as Risotto of Wild Mushroom. There was also an underwhelming Cobb Salad with Avocado, Bacon, Turkey, Stilton, Tomato and Ranch Dressing. On the other hand the Terrine of Pork Knuckle with Red Cabbage, Oyster Mushrooms & Horseradish Cream was excellent.

Main courses included Pan-fried Sea Trout, Grapefruit Glazed Scallops and Paillard of Beef with Stilton Tart Tatin. There are also signature dishes like classic Roast Rack of Lamb which was very tasty, as well as Alpine Pepper-crusted Goose Breast. This is served with Lemon Myrtle Risotto & Confit Peach. It was pleasant, but slightly overcooked.

The Britannia Restaurant has a small dessert selection. I especially enjoyed the Orange Pound Cake with Orange Glaze – it was a real treat. There is also a delightful selection of English cheeses available.

Insiders tip: Service in the Britannia Restaurant is fast paced. So if you’d like more time to linger over your meal be sure to tell your waiter when you place your order. 

There is an extensive wine list in this Queen Elizabeth restaurant with a fine selection of old and new-world varieties.

It’s worth noting that the service in the Britannia Restaurant can be patchy. 

Breakfast: 7:30am – 9:00am.

Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:30pm.

Dinner (first sitting): 5:45pm.

Dinner (second sitting): 8:00pm.

The Britannia Club Restaurant

The Britannia Club Restaurant is a step up from the main Britannia Restaurant. Indeed, it is a more exclusive venue reserved for guests staying in Britannia Club Balcony rooms.

The service is more personalised and the setting is more intimate. However, it’s worth noting that the menu is almost the same as that offered in the main restaurant.

Breakfast: 7:30am – 9:00am.

Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:300pm.

Dinner: 6:00pm – 8:30pm.

Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill Restaurants

The Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill Restaurants are two of the best dining venues on Queen Elizabeth.

The Princess Grill is where guests staying in Princess Grill suites dine, while those staying in Queens Grill suites eat in the most exclusive Queen’s Grill Restaurant.

Both restaurants have outstanding menus and the service is polished. My detailed review of the Queen’s Grill Restaurant is available here.

Breakfast: 7:30am – 9:00am.

Lunch: 12:30pm – 2:00pm.

Dinner: 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

The Steakhouse at The Verandah – one of the best  Queen Elizabeth Restaurants

The Steakhouse at The Verandah is a specialty Queen Elizabeth restaurant. It is an elegant venue that has romantic booths with views of the ocean. It’s worth noting that name of the restaurant gives a nod the 1930s Verandah Grill which was reserved for Cunard’s first-class passengers.

Today the menu includes appetisers like Salt Beef Briskit Hash and H. Foreman & Son’s London Cure Gin & Tonic Salmon. There is also a Tea-Smoked Duck Breast with Mandarin Dressing. Sadly it lacked the tasty punch it promised. 

Main course has signature dishes like the Grand Platter Fruit de Mar (for two), but there are also classics like Organic Salt Marsh Lamb Cutlets and Whole Grilled Dover Sole. There is a hamburger on the menu as well.

I think The Steakhouse at The Veranda is a great dining alternative, but considering its heritage it could be argued the menu lacks panache. 

It’s also worth noting that there is a charge of US$25 for lunch and US$39 for dinner per person. Also, reservations are required.

Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:30pm.

Dinner: 6:00pm – 8:30pm.

The Lido Restaurant

The Lido Restaurant is a sprawling buffet venue which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In fact it is one of the most popular Queen Elizabeth restaurants, espacially at lunch time. It serves traditional English-style roasted meats, as well as cuisine from the East, the Americas and Europe.

The quality of the food offering is somewhat hit-and-miss. Though to be fair, this is typical for buffets on big cruise ships. However there are some tasty treats, especially in the dessert station. 

It’s worth mentioning that the size of the Lido Restaurant can make it confusing to navigate. Indeed, some of the food stations are duplicated on either side of the restaurant. It can take a few days to get used to the layout. 

Insiders tip: At busy times ask your dining companion to hold a table while you visit the buffet. 

In the evenings part of the Lido Restaurant becomes an alternative dining venue with waiter-service and a theme which rotates between pan-Asian (Bamboo), Indian (Coriander), Mexican (Aztec) and pizza (La Piazza). Dining at Bamboo, Coriander, Aztec or La Piazza cost US$19.50 per person.

Continental breakfast: 5:00am – 6:00am.

Breakfast: 6:30am – 11:00am.

Lunch: 11:30pm – 3:00pm.

Snacks: 3:00pm – 5:30pm.

Dinner (buffet): 5:30pm – 9:00pm.

Dinner (Bamboo, Coriander, Aztec or La Piazza): 6:00pm – 8:30pm.

Late snacks: 9:30pm – 1:30am.

Golden Lion Pub

The Golden Lion Pub is an English-style pub on Queen Elizabeth. It serves craft beers, wine and classic British counter meals.

The food menu includes Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Oven-roasted Cumberland Sausage, Chicken Tikka Masala and Cottage Pie. Also, there are Burgers and Baked Mac & Cheese.

Pub lunch: 12:00pm – 2:30pm.

Dinner: As advised in the Daily Programme. 

Cafe Carinthia

Cafe Carinthia is an elegant spot for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon snack. It has wonderful ocean views and lots of comfy sofas for relaxing.

The cafe serves premium Illy coffee, wine and cocktails as well as a delightful selection of sandwiches and pastries.

Hours: 7:00am – midnight.

Champagne Afternoon Tea

The Champagne Afternoon Tea on Queen Elizabeth is a real treat. It includes Laurent-Perrier Champagne (brut or rosé) and a selection of loose-leaf Twinings Teas, as well as delectable nibbles.

Indeed, the tower of mouthwatering cakes, pastries and finger sandwiches looks almost too good to eat. That said, I especially enjoyed the Feta & Mushroom Tart as well as the Passion Fruit & Mango Choux.

The Champagne Afternoon Tea costs USD35.00.

Room Service

Complimentary Room Service is available 24-hours a day. There are Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers and hot dishes.

When I sailed on Queen Elizabeth some of the more tempting options included a Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Bagel and Thai Green Curry with Jasmine Rice, as well as Sirloin Steak with Herb Butter served with Grilled Tomato, Mushrooms, French Fries & Onion Rings.

The author sailed as a guest of Cunard.