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Viking River Cruises Menus and Meals

Salted Caramel Tarte

Salted Caramel Tarte

What is the food like on board a Viking River Cruise? It’s a valid concern, but after several sailings, I can say that the food is great! See for yourself, though, in the menus and food photos and videos below as enjoyed on the Viking Heimdal and the Viking Forseti in March 2014.

First, an overview of what to expect. There is only one restaurant on board the Viking River Ships, and only one seating for each meal in the dining room. There is also a more casual buffet on the Aquavit Terrace. The dining room is casual, with large tables seating 6-8 guests. The casual chic color palette is calming with muted tones and pops of color with the bright turquoise blue glassware. There is no assigned seating.

The main dining room

The main dining room

Viking River Cruises Place Setting

Breakfast is a large buffet served every morning in the main dining room. As you can see in the video, the choices are amazing!

If you don’t see something you’d like on the buffet, order off of the limited breakfast menu in the main dining room.

Viking River Cruises Breakfast menu

Viking River Cruises Breakfast menu

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Buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup

Alternatively, you can also eat breakfast on the Aquavit Terrace. The small amount of breakfast selections are ideal for a quick, light bite to enjoy in the enclosed glass seating area, or al fresco on the open air patio.

Pastries and goodies

Pastries and goodies

Yogurts and fruit

Yogurts and fruit

Meats and cheeses

Meats and cheeses

Fresh local breads.

Fresh local breads.

Coffee, cappuccino, tea and hot chocolate are also available in two snack stations outside of the lounge on the Viking Longships. A small assortment of bakery items are available in the morning, with sweets in the afternoon. Many are specialties of the area in which you are sailing that day.

Related: Compare AmaWaterways’ Buffets and Menus from our recent sailing.

Beverage and Snack station

Beverage and Snack station

For lunch, a large buffet with a pasta station and salads can be found in the main dining room, as seen in the video below. A menu offers appetizers and main meals, along with desserts. A lighter lunch is served in the lounge.

Viking Lunch Menu

Hot dog on Viking River Cruises

Hot dog on Viking River Cruises

Chocolate mousse with bananas

Chocolate mousse with bananas

Another Lunch menu

Another Lunch menu

Salmon Quesadilla

Salmon Quesadilla

Strawberry Tiramisu

Strawberry Tiramisu

Dinner brings with it a bit more flair, without all of the formality. Meal service presents more imaginative dinner options, but it is never too formal or too over the top with pomp and circumstance. There are no formal nights.

Along with the rotating choice of main meals, there are always classics such as Caesar salad, salmon, chicken breast, and steak that are consistently on the menu.

Viking Dinner Menu

Viking Dinner Menu

Second Page Viking Dinner Menu

Second Page Viking Dinner Menu

 

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Oxtail Rillettes

Lamb chops with honey

Lamb chops with honey

 

Monkfish Dinner Entree Viking River Cruises

Saltimbocca of monkfish

Viking River Cruises Dessert

Crème Brulee After Eight

Another Dinner Menu

Another Dinner Menu

viking dinner menu 2

Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington

Third Dinner Menu

Third Dinner Menu

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Filet Mignon Pork of Perigord

Cheese Plate

Cheese Plate

Appetizers, main meal and desserts are offered, along with a cheese course. Wine pairings are included, and plentiful, throughout meal service.

Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner – so no nickel and dining there!!

The food is fresh, and locally sourced whenever possible. We watched from our verandah balcony as the Viking Cruises staff members walked off the ship and picked up a local delivery of breads and wines. Their arms were laden with boxes that had bread loaves peaking out or were clinking as the glass wine bottles moved within.

Some optional excursions include accompanying the chef to the local farmer’s market to pick out foods, and the chefs utilize fresh herbs from the sunroof gardens on the Viking Longships.

One night, we especially enjoyed the bread basket at the table. We asked for another basket, but what was brought was not the same thing. They had run out of the original bread selection. There was nothing frozen in the back, no more on hand than they needed.

What if you are celebrating a special occasion? We celebrated a birthday while sailing, and with some advance notice, the chefs were kind enough to create a birthday cheesecake made with mango and tropical fruits. The cake was large enough to serve our entire table of six.

A special birthday cake on a Viking River Cruise.

A special birthday cake on a Viking River Cruise.

Torstein Hagen, the owner of Viking Cruises, states that the food will never be considered gourmet, but will always be great, fresh food. I agree!

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River cruise food - from meals to menus, a look at eating onboard Viking River Cruises. Click through for pics and menus of every single meal.

River cruise food - from meals to menus, a look at eating onboard Viking River Cruises. Click through for pics and menus of every single meal.

Carlton

Thursday 20th of April 2023

My wife requires a gluten-free meal. What options does Viking River Cruises offer to accommodate her?

Kim

Friday 21st of April 2023

Viking actually works really well with allergies or special diets. When we were onboard several menu items were designated as allergy friendly on the standard menu. However, I had some things that I needed to avoid and they were really great at working with me. I would definitely try to contact Viking beforehand saying that you will need a gluten-free menu, and then be sure to talk to someone onboard once you get there so that there are no surprises.

Diane Fournier

Wednesday 16th of November 2022

We are booked for a Mississippi River cruise December 30, 2023, New Orleans to New Orleans. Will the menus reflect the Cajun food of the area. Thanks Diane Fournier

Kim

Saturday 19th of November 2022

Hi Diane, We haven't sailed the Mississippi River cruise, but do believe that there will be some Cajun food options. Viking is always good at representing the tastes of the region, so we'd expect there to be some local foods on the menus.

Claudia A Pacchioli

Sunday 7th of November 2021

I am planning on taking the river cruise Frances Finest. At times I am not a early person. 6-8 Morning for breakfast too early...Is there anything for a lighter fare, continental breakfast if breakfast is missed. And...if I decide to be out for lunch at the designated time is there a lighter fare if that would occur.

Basically, is there food available if you do not make the designated time frame for Breakfast, Lunch and possibly dinner?

Thank You... C. Pacchioli

Kim Button

Tuesday 30th of November 2021

Yes, Claudia! There is food available outside of the designated sit down meals. We always found something to eat when we wanted it!

Renee

Monday 21st of October 2019

Is the Aquavit Terrace open for an early dinner? We prefer to eat early around 4:30 - 5:00. Can you get a full light dinner at that time? Thanks

Kim Button

Wednesday 30th of October 2019

When we went it was. I can't guarantee on your sailing, though.

Gary Robson

Wednesday 11th of October 2017

Hi there Ive got silver drink package added Love different beers Have t hey got variety german or international beers on board Can you get bottle beer also rather than tap beer Also say a scotch do they give you too shelf gear or local say johnny walker blue Thanks gary

Kim Button

Wednesday 25th of October 2017

Hi Gary!

I'm not positive on all of the specifics, especially since we haven't sailed within the past year. I wouldn't want to steer you wrong, but we weren't disappointed by the drink packages. :)