Viking River Cruises Menus and Meals
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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My wife requires a gluten-free meal. What options does Viking River Cruises offer to accommodate her?
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.
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
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.
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
Yes, Claudia! There is food available outside of the designated sit down meals. We always found something to eat when we wanted it!
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
When we went it was. I can’t guarantee on your sailing, though.
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
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. 🙂
I agree with a comment we like plain steaks, without the sauce and fish without all the butter and heavy sauce. and my birthday is on august 18th while on board.
Have a wonderful birthday!!!!! Enjoy!
I will be travelling alone and would prefer not to be forced to join another party at table. I have expereinced this sort of thing on a previous cruise (Not with Viking) where they seemed to want to ‘match-make’ me with someone else.
We like tables alone, too! ?
These comments are very helpful…have an allergy to scallops, so I imagine I can check to make sure they’re hidden in something I ordered. We’ve heard only rave reviews about Viking Cruises and are anxious to start ours.
Looks great. One question though, are the Terrace meals included, like the Resturant’s meals are?
Hunter,
All meals are included on Viking River Cruises, regardless of where you eat. So dig in and enjoy all the meals! 🙂
Nice web site! How long are the breakfast, lunch, and dinner? If we go on an excursion and come back late, we would not want to miss those wonderful meals. Thanks!
Thanks, Adriane! The meals are usually about 1-1.5 hours long in duration of time serving. Often, meals are set up around excursion times, too. If you miss the main dining room meal, there is always something light and great on the deck – sort of a lighter buffet.
This was a great post! We are going on France’s Finest in October of 2016. Just a quick question, my husband and I love both appetizer and salad with dinner. Do you have the option of 2 appetizers since I see that both are listed that way. We have ocean cruised many times before and this is never an issue. Thanks!
Jenice,
GREAT question!!! In our experience, Viking River Cruises are just as accommodating at ocean liners when it comes to food service. You can order whatever you’d like off of the menu and they’ll make it happen!
Enjoy!
Kim
Thank you so much for your posting of Viking. We are taking our first River Cruise and had many questions regarding the menus/food. You did a wonderful post!
Mary,
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great sailing!!
Great review and thanks for posting videos of the buffets and pics of the menu! Now I know what to expect!
Thanks, TC! We appreciate it 🙂
Do you have any “skinny” on the food served on the cruise up the Yangtze River in China?
Robin,
We haven’t yet been on a Yangtze River Cruise in China, yet. I’d highly suggest http://www.popularcruising.com for some info. Our friend Jason Leppert does fabulous videos of cruise ships, including cuisine, and he sails on many river cruises with Viking River. Another great resource is our friend Ralph Grizzle’s http://www.rivercruiseadvisor.com, who is sailing on a river cruise almost all year long, it seems, and he does fabulous video, too.
Thanks for the comprehensive coverage. As a vegetarian, I wish the food looked more tempting to me. Now I am not so excited about that upcoming cruise…
Deb, we hate to hear that! Please be sure to get in touch with Viking before leaving to make sure that you are able to have plenty of food onboard. The chefs do a great job and often shop locally, so if they know ahead of time, they can be on the lookout for vegetarian-friendly meals!
Hello
Looking to take Viking cruise. Very plain eater. Steak plain and chicken plain will be fine
Do you accommodate special plain requests?
Thanks
Mike
Hi Mike!
Yes, Viking is very accommodating. They have a menu every night with plain options, but I’d suggest talking to the chef when you get there to state your needs. They are willing to work with you and happy to take care of you!
~Kim
Thank you for posting this! I will be taking a Paris/Normandy on the river Seine cruise with my Mom and sis.This was very informative. We have never done this type of cruise and now I’m super excited!
Abby,
Great!! So Glad to hear, and have a fun time!
~Kim
I go on a Viking cruise for the first time in June with my sister and I was a little worried about the food. You have completely reassured me, and made me Hungry!
Wesley,
Thanks so much for writing! We’re so happy that you liked our Viking River Cruises Menu coverage, and hope you have a great time!
We just cruised with Viking on the Heimdal and you captured the food exactly as it was? Portions were just the right size and everything was delicious. Our Chef de Cuisine Victor and his staff were amazing!
Aw, thanks, Julia!
Isn’t Viking River Cruises amazing?? 🙂
Glad you enjoyed!
I was under the impression that there is an optional venue at night with buffett?
also,
was there any entertainment at nite?
thanks fb
Hi Frank,
We’re not aware of an additional buffet at night, unless it’s a lighter fare of food found on the Aquavit Terrace. I know there are late night snacks on the buffet in late evening. Yes, usually there is some entertainment at night, whether a lecture or a musical performer. Hope you enjoy if you sail with Viking soon!