Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is Royal Caribbean's specialty Italian restaurant, sailing on Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas. It serves handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, premium steaks, and seafood for a cover charge of $25 at lunch and $55 at dinner ($15 for kids, free under age 3). It's the newer, expanded version of the fleet's original Italian venue, Giovanni's Table.
What Is Giovanni's Italian Kitchen?
Royal Caribbean Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is a specialty restaurant inspired by traditional Italian cooking, but with a modern twist. Unlike the Main Dining Room, this venue is more focused on freshly made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, premium steaks, seafood, and classic desserts served in a more laid-back setting.
Inside, the restaurant mixes rustic décor with an open, friendly atmosphere, so it works well for families, couples, and groups doing celebrations. Depending on the ship, guests may get indoor dining plus outdoor seating with ocean views too.
Although it does come with an added charge, many cruisers still see it as one of the best value specialty dining options across the fleet.
Two Names, One FamilyGiovanni's Table vs. Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
Cruisers use the names interchangeably, but the two aren't identical — one grew out of the other.
Giovanni's Table
Family-style service with a cozy, classic feel: house-made pasta, risotto, slow-braised meats, traditional sweets. Sit-down-and-share energy, found on several older ships.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
A deliberately widened menu — hand-tossed pizzas, bigger entrées, premium steaks, a broader wine list — inside a brighter, more polished room on newer ships.
Which Royal Caribbean Ships Have Giovanni's Italian Kitchen?
Passengers on the following Royal Caribbean ships can enjoy Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.
- Odyssey of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
Cover ChargeWhat Giovanni's Costs
- Lunch, per person $25
- Dinner, per person $55
- Kids' menu (either meal) $15
- Ages 3 and under Free
Not included: it isn't part of standard cruise fare, and it isn't covered by most beverage packages either — alcohol and most drinks are billed separately.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen Menu
Lunch and dinner share one menu, with two exceptions reserved for evening: osso buco and filet mignon. Every meal opens with garlic knots.
Starters
- Giant meatball
- Meat & cheese board
- Italian sausage soup
- Salami & mozzarella stromboli
- Calamari with polenta
- House, Caesar, or truffle caprese salad
Mains
- Chicken parmigiana
- Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken
- Linguine with clams or shrimp
- Salmon with penne
- Spaghetti carbonara or pomodoro
- Grilled filet mignon [Dinner Only]
Wood-Fired Pizza
Order a whole pie as an entrée: Margherita, pepperoni, and meat lovers for the classic route, or mushroom, truffle-and-egg, and prosciutto for something further afield. Worth weighing against Sorrento's free pizza elsewhere on the ship before you order.
Dessert
- Ricotta cream-filled cannoli
- Pistachio panna cotta [Topped with raspberries]
- Chocolate ravioli [Fried pasta dough, Nutella, chocolate sauce]
Kids' Menu (Ages 3–12)
Scaled-down portions of the giant meatball, Margherita pizza, chicken parmigiana, and spaghetti Bolognese, followed by tiramisu, Nutella-and-banana stromboli, or fresh fruit.
Vegetarian options exist but are limited; vegan diners will have a harder time. Anyone with dietary restrictions should flag it with Royal Caribbean ahead of the cruise.
Is Giovanni's Italian Kitchen worth it?
A lot of cruisers, talk it up. Like, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is usually seen as one of Royal Caribbean’s best-value specialty restaurants. The portions aren’t just “nice,” they’re generous, and the ingredients feel like they’re a lot fresher than in most of the complimentary places. Service also tends to be a bit more attentive too; you know how it goes on sea days where everything is a little rushed. But here it feels more calm, more focused.
You’ll get things like fresh pasta, hand-stretched pizza, solid steaks, and those homemade desserts that taste homemade not just “good enough.” Overall, the whole vibe feels more like a land-based Italian restaurant than the usual cruise buffet. It’s closer to a proper sit-down meal if that makes sense.
And if you’re the type who likes Italian food, the added cost is often considered worth it. Especially if it’s a special moment, anniversary vibes, birthday dinner, or you just want a quieter sit than the busiest complimentary restaurants.
Final Thoughts
No matter if you’re cruising on Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, or another ship that has Royal Caribbean’s Giovanni's Italian Kitchen on board, the spot delivers one of the fleet’s most fun specialty dining moments.
Between fresh pasta, hand-crafted pizzas, premium entrées, classic Italian sweets, and an easygoing vibe, it’s not too hard to understand why so many guests come back, more than once, during the cruise. And sure, Giovanni's Table got things going for Royal Caribbean guests with Italian specialty dining a while back. But Giovanni's Italian Kitchen went further, with a bigger menu, refreshed design, and frankly, more variety overall.
So, if you’re trying to line up a standout meal outside the complimentary dining stops, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is worth putting on your cruise plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Giovanni's Italian Kitchen complimentary?
No, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is a specialty restaurant, so there’s usually an extra cover charge unless it’s part of a Specialty Dining Package or a promotion.
How much is Giovanni's Italian Kitchen?
The cost varies by ship and itinerary. In general lunch runs cheaper than dinner, and guests can sometimes get a better deal by using Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner before the cruise starts.
What is the dress code for Giovanni's Italian Kitchen?
Smart casual is the rule. Try to skip swimwear, tank tops that are meant for the pool, and beach clothes.
What is served at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen?
They serve handmade pasta, stone baked pizzas, plus steaks and seafood.
