A culinary voyage of ambitious proportions
The intimate Silver Spirit aspires to lofty culinary ambitions far beyond its physical dimensions. This floating boutique hotel boasts an impressive eight restaurants, each with its own distinctive culinary personality. The gastronomic journey spans continents from the delicacies of the Far East to the haute cuisine of France:
- Seishin (specialty restaurant)
- La Dame (specialty restaurant)
- Atlantide
- Indochine
- La Terrazza
- Silver Note
- Spaccanapoli
- The Grill and Hot Rocks
However, the dining experience represents uneven terrain, ranging from exceptional to underwhelming. There are flashes of gastronomic brilliance, yet these are tempered by examples of less impressive cuisine and, on occasion, inattentive service. That said, Seishin stands as the most sought-after reservation aboard Silver Spirit.
Dining ratings
| Restaurants & food | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dining options | (5.0) |
| Restaurant service | (4.0) |
| Food quality & presentation | (3.5) |
| Specialty restaurant(s) | (4.0) |
Seishin: Japanese excellence at sea
Seishin represents the gastronomic high-water mark on Silver Spirit. Indeed, it is an exceptional Japanese restaurant that elevates the onboard dining experience to remarkable heights.
The Waterpaper Roll of Spider Crab emerges as a masterclass in presentation and taste, adorned with green pea jus and lemongrass-infused extra virgin olive oil. Also noteworthy, though not so visually appealing, the Miso-glazed Black Cod delivers profound satisfaction – Alaskan black cod with fresh ginger, daikon spring onion, and shiitake salad creates a harmonious symphony of umami flavors.
The Wagyu Kushiyaki presents marinated wagyu beef skewers with Japanese mustard sauce, while Seishin’s Chef’s Omakase offers the ultimate indulgence. This six-course exploration of Japanese cuisine – whose literal translation means “I’ll leave it up to you” – includes the popular Maine lobster tail and wagyu surf and turf featuring wagyu beef steak, lobster tail, and soy-infused jus.
Reservations essential. Cover charge applies.
Dinner: 7:00pm with final seating at 9:30pm.
La Dame: French sophistication with cautionary notes
Step into La Dame and you’re transported to a sophisticated French dining room where classical technique meets contemporary presentation. This specialty restaurant showcases French culinary artistry at its finest, particularly with the Chilean Sea Bass accompanied by lemon butter sauce – perfectly executed with delicate, flaky white flesh resting atop white asparagus spears with an exceptionally balanced sauce.
The Foie Gras en Robe Granny Smith demonstrates technical prowess: Rougie goose liver with white port marinade and essence of Granny Smith apples, finished with lemon verbena leaves and extra virgin olive oil.
However, La Dame’s six-course degustation menu presents a cautionary tale. Rather than offering refined, tasting-sized portions, the restaurant delivers a relentless presentation of full-sized courses, albeit paired with outstanding wines. The degustation simply becomes too much, transforming what should be an elegant exploration into an overwhelming culinary marathon.
Reservations essential. Cover charge applies.
Dinner: 7:00pm with final seating at 9:30pm.
Atlantide: The ship’s culinary backbone
Atlantide serves as Silver Spirit’s culinary foundation, balancing daily specials with permanent menu fixtures. The menu reads promisingly with dishes like Beef Tartare, Grilled Fillet of Halibut, and Chicken Kiev, creating a repertoire designed to satisfy sophisticated passengers.
Yet execution proves inconsistent. Waterpaper Rolls stuffed with Crunchy Vegetables & Shredded Pulled Pork arrived so dry as to be inedible, while the pan-fried black cod achieved perfection in its simplicity. A recurring theme emerges in the meat offerings – a predictable “meat and three vegetables” approach that lacks culinary spark and underscores the general feeling of missed potential.
No reservations required.
Breakfast: 8:00am – 9:30am
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Indochine: Far East journey with mixed results
Indochine presents a meandering gastronomic journey through Southeast Asian cuisine, delivering notable highs alongside frustrating lows. The menu concept is simple yet ambitious – spanning the diverse taste sensations of the Far East.
Highlights include the Tuna Nikkei featuring wafer-thin saku tuna with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and radishes – a dish that captures Japanese-Peruvian fusion at its finest. The Hot & Sour Soup, a permanent menu fixture, consistently delivers in its complexity.
However, the Thai Green Chicken Curry disappoints significantly, arriving dry and bland despite promising fresh green basil, cilantro, coconut milk, and lime juice – a reminder that authentic Southeast Asian cuisine requires precise technique and timing.
No reservations required.
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
La Terrazza: Italian heritage meets beloved tradition
La Terrazza represents Silversea’s most iconic restaurant, a fixture since the cruise line’s inception and a proud testament to Italian culinary heritage. So beloved is this venue by regular passengers that the menu has changed little over the years – a decision that proves both blessing and limitation.
When La Terrazza succeeds, it demonstrates why Italian cuisine endures. The Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, Peperoncino achieves perfection through simplicity: homemade spaghetti pasta with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and crushed chili pepper. The Pansotti in Salsa di Noci offers another triumph – homemade Ligurian pansotti pasta with walnut sauce, butter, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
While the menu has flashes of gastronomic brilliance, it can be equally underwhelming, lacking the innovation that might elevate it beyond nostalgic comfort.
Reservations recommended for dinner.
Breakfast: 7:00am – 10:00am
Lunch: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm with final seating at 9:30pm
Silver Note: Contemporary excellence
Silver Note delivers contemporary cuisine amid the flair of a sophisticated jazz club. The seabass preparation impresses with red onion, coriander, ‘leche de tigre’ marinade, habanero chilies, lime, garlic, corn, and cucumber – a dish demonstrating technical skill and bold taste combinations.
The Moulard Duck with Slow-roasted Plums, Balsamic Maple Syrup, Blueberry Gastrique, & Potato Cream balances sweet and savoury elements with remarkable precision, showcasing the kitchen’s ability to execute complex contemporary dishes.
Reservations recommended.
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Spaccanapoli: Neapolitan authenticity
For those seeking authentic Neapolitan pizza, Spaccanapoli delivers with the pizza Bufalina – a classic featuring San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and fresh basil. This simple preparation allows quality ingredients to speak for themselves, embodying traditional Italian pizza-making at its purest.
No reservations required.
Lunch & Dinner: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
The Grill and Hot Rocks: An unexpected triumph
Perhaps the most surprising culinary success, The Grill and Hot Rocks transforms from casual poolside dining by day to an interactive grilling experience after sunset. The fantastic New Zealand lamb chops, marinated in garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, prove that sometimes the most straightforward approaches yield the most satisfying results.
This venue serves as an unexpected palate-pleaser, demonstrating that culinary excellence can emerge from the most casual settings.
Reservations recommended for dinner.
Lunch: 12:00pm – 3:30pm
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Summing up
Silver Spirit’s eight restaurants create a dining landscape as varied as the destinations the ship visits. While Seishin sets an extraordinarily high standard that few cruise ship restaurants can match, the overall experience reflects the challenges of maintaining consistency across multiple venues.
Discerning passengers will find exceptional moments – particularly at Seishin and select dishes at La Dame and Silver Note – alongside inevitable disappointments. The best approach? Navigate with insider knowledge, gravitating toward each restaurant’s strengths while embracing the adventure of dining on the high seas.
Important note: Specialty restaurant reservations should be made before embarking, as popular venues like Seishin and La Dame often become fully booked for the entire cruise. This advance booking requirement limits spontaneous dining choices and makes other luxury cruise lines increasingly attractive for their more flexible reservation policies.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
