P&O Arvia Dining Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Every Restaurant Onboard
Tom and Dom Travel in the Limelight Club on P&O Arvia
When P&O Cruises launched Arvia, they didn't just build a mega-ship; they built a floating paradise for food lovers. As the sister ship to Iona, Arvia brings her own unique culinary identity to the fleet, packed with innovative concepts, traditional favourites, and a staggering amount of variety. Because she carries over 5,000 passengers, knowing where and when to eat can completely transform your holiday.
We spent her maiden voyage eating our way across the ship to bring you the ultimate, honest breakdown of what is hot, what is included, and which speciality venues are truly worth your hard-earned holiday budget. Whether you are looking for zero-stress complimentary dining or an upscale date night, here is our definitive Tom and Dom Travel dining guide to P&O Arvia.
The Big Complimentary Favourites: What's Included?
One of the best things about a cruise on Arvia is the sheer volume of high-quality dining options that are completely covered by your cruise fare. You do not have to spend a single extra penny to eat incredibly well onboard.
Meridian and Zenith Restaurants
These are Arvia’s two traditional main dining rooms, both conveniently located at the aft of the ship. Unlike older vessels with fixed seating times, these venues operate entirely on an open-seating, Freedom Dining basis. You do not need to pre-book a fixed slot; you simply show up when you are hungry or join the virtual queue via the ship's app. During peak dining hours, you might experience a short wait, but the system moves efficiently.
The menus in both restaurants are identical and change daily, offering excellent multi-course meals, with special gala menus curated by Marco Pierre White on formal nights. So, how do you tell them apart? It is as simple as the tablecloths! One features crisp white linens for a slightly more formal feel, while the other opts for bare, contemporary wooden tables.
The Olive Grove
If you have sailed on Iona, you might notice some major layout changes on Arvia. Instead of stretching the main dining rooms further, P&O introduced brilliant standalone complimentary venues. The first of these is The Olive Grove, a Mediterranean-style restaurant that is open exclusively for dinner.
The menu here rotates every three days and features beautifully executed Mediterranean classics like fresh pasta, rich paella, and aromatic tagines. It offers a wonderful, intimate alternative to the main dining rooms without any extra cover charge.
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich from the 6th Street Diner
6th Street Diner
Positioned directly opposite The Olive Grove is the 6th Street Diner, an American-inspired venue that is fully included in your cruise fare. This place is an absolute blast, completely embracing a retro 1950s US diner aesthetic, complete with pastel neon lights and an authentic rock 'n' roll soundtrack.
Unlike The Olive Grove, the 6th Street Diner is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu that rotates every three days. If you are craving comfort food, this is your haven. Expect to tuck into classic dishes like sticky pork ribs, Philly cheesesteaks, southern fried chicken and waffles, and stacks of fluffy buttermilk pancakes.
Restaurant | Style | Key Highlights |
Meridian & Zenith | Traditional Main Dining | Rotating daily menus, Gala nights, multi-course service |
The Olive Grove | Mediterranean | Pasta, paella, tagines (open for dinner) |
6th Street Diner | 1950s American Diner | Ribs, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken & waffles, pancakes |
Horizon Buffet
A ship of Arvia's size needs a massive, functional buffet, and the Horizon Buffet absolutely delivers. It is the ultimate spot for a quick pre-excursion breakfast, an informal lunch when you want to get out of the midday sun, or a relaxed, self-service dinner.
Every single dish is clearly labeled with allergen information, making it incredibly safe and stress-free for anyone with dietary intolerances. Families will also love the dedicated children’s buffet area open in the early evenings, which is perfect for getting the kids fed before dropping them off at the kids' club.
Tom & Dom Insider Tip: On formal evenings, one section of the Horizon Buffet transforms into The Chef’s Table. The casual tables are swapped for fine glassware and silver cutlery, offering an upscale menu from Marco Pierre White paired with wines selected by Olly Smith. While it is completely free, it is highly popular and requires a pre-booked slot via the onboard app/web site.
The Quays
The Quays was one of our absolute favorite spots on Arvia for a quick, high-quality bite to eat. It is a modern, food-hall-style eatery with plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating, split into three distinct counters:
Hook, Line and Vinegar: Serving up the ultimate British classic of fresh fish and chips, complete with mushy peas, tartare sauce, and all the condiments you could want.
Fusion: The go-to spot for modern, Asian-inspired street food. The chicken katsu curry here is an absolute must-try.
The Roast: Serving up traditional British roast meats with all the trimmings and giant Yorkshire puddings. You can even grab the highly sought-after Yorkshire pudding wrap here!
The Quays is also open for breakfast, with all three stations shifting to morning favorites like pancakes, eggs, and traditional fry-up items. Just around the corner, you will find a handy cold section stocked with fresh fruits and yogurts.
Taste 360
Located right in the heart of the bustling SkyDome, Taste 360 is the final complimentary option, serving up fast-food staples like burgers, hot dogs, and hot pizza slices right by the pool.
While it is undeniably convenient if you are lounging on deck, it was actually our least favorite venue. Because of its prime poolside location, it gets incredibly busy. We often found it much quicker and easier to nip downstairs to the Horizon Buffet or over to The Quays to grab a snack rather than waiting in the deck queues.
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Dom from Tom and Dom Travel is dining in Sindhu on P&O Arvia
Unforgettable Dates & Sweet Treats: The Paid Speciality Venues
If you want to elevate your cruise, Arvia boasts an incredible collection of speciality restaurants that incur an additional charge or operate on an à la carte basis.
Sindhu
Without a doubt, our favorite meal of the entire cruise was at Sindhu. Set in elegant, atmospheric surroundings, this restaurant serves contemporary Indian fine dining that is cooked to absolute perfection. The balance of spices, the presentation, and the attentive service make it an elite dining experience at sea. If you love Indian cuisine, we cannot recommend booking a table here highly enough.
The Epicurean
Located right next to the Crow's Nest, The Epicurean offers a sophisticated, fine-dining experience centered around modern twists on classic British ingredients. This is not a venue to rush through; it is an evening event where you are expected to take your time and savor every beautifully presented course.
The Epicurean also hosts a premium, upgraded afternoon tea on select sea days. It features an incredible sensory menu packed with playful sweet and savoury surprises alongside an extensive speciality tea selection. Both dinner and afternoon tea book out fast, so reserve your slots before you even board the ship.
The Limelight Club
The Limelight Club is an adults-only venue that perfectly marries a delicious three-course dinner with top-tier entertainment. As you finish your meal, the resident band and a rotating lineup of guest performers take to the stage for an intimate show. It is wise to book this one well before boarding.
The Beach House
Housed in a designated, atmospheric section of the Horizon Buffet during the evenings, The Beach House serves up a fun, casual menu inspired by Caribbean and American street food. The highlights here are the steaks and seafood served on sizzling hot lava rocks, alongside giant racks of ribs, gourmet burgers, and hanging kebabs. It is a fantastic option for a laid-back, highly flavorful night out.
Tom from Tom and Dom Travel is enjoying a glass of wine in the Glass House on P&O Arvia
The Keel and Cow
This is Arvia’s unpretentious gastropub, and it proudly claims to serve the single "best burger at sea" (The Prime Minister burger). Alongside gourmet burgers, you can order beautifully aged steaks, craft beers, and hearty pub classics like traditional pie and mash. The Keel and Cow is open for lunch and dinner, and it even features its own dedicated à la carte breakfast menu.
The Glass House and Vista Cafe
Located in the main Grand Atrium, The Glass House is a wine lover's paradise. The wine flights and menu are expertly curated by Olly Smith, but it is also a fantastic spot for casual, small-plate dining. You can order delicious, light bites like smoked lamb skewers, popcorn chicken, Thai beef salad, and sticky oxtail bonbons.
Right in the heart of the atrium action, you will also find the Vista Café. It is the perfect place to grab a premium Costa Coffee and a decadent sweet treat while gazing out through the spectacular three-story glass windows at the ocean views.
Green & Co feat. Mizuhana
A stunning restaurant exclusive to Arvia, this venue is a paradise for plant-based foodies and seafood lovers alike. Green & Co offers an inventive, modern menu completely dedicated to vegan and vegetarian dining, seamlessly sharing the space with Mizuhana, an upscale sushi bar. Watching the chefs expertly prepare ultra-fresh sushi and sashimi right in front of you adds a wonderful sense of theatre to your evening.
Ripples
If you have a sweet tooth, Ripples is Arvia's dedicated onboard ice cream parlour. Here you can grab artisan gelato or treat yourself to their famous ice cream afternoon tea. The pricing is per scoop, but the value gets better the more scoops you order!
A selection of savouries and sweets in The Epicurean for Afternoon Tea on P&O Arvia
Final Verdict: Our Top Arvia Dining Tips
Arvia is an incredible ship for foodies, but because of her size, strategy is key.
To get the absolute most out of your holiday, we highly recommend mapping out your dining choices early. Make sure to use the virtual queueing system on the app to manage your main dining room seating, and most importantly, log into your P&O account before you even leave home to pre-book high-demand venues like Sindhu, The Epicurean, and The Limelight Club. Balancing the brilliant, casual food halls like The Quays by day with a spectacular speciality meal by night is the perfect recipe for an unforgettable cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book the main dining rooms on Arvia?
No. The Meridian and Zenith main dining rooms operate entirely on Freedom Dining. You simply turn up whenever you want to eat between the opening hours. If the restaurants are full during peak times, you can join a virtual queue via the app, and you will receive a notification when your table is ready.
Is afternoon tea free on P&O Arvia?
Yes! A traditional British afternoon tea featuring sandwiches, cakes, and scones is served daily as a complimentary option in the Horizon Buffet. If you want a more luxurious, upscale table-service version, you can pay a supplement to book the premium sensory afternoon tea at The Epicurean on select sea days.
Is the 6th Street Diner free to eat at?
Yes, the 6th Street Diner is completely complimentary and included in your standard P&O Cruises fare. It serves American-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner options on a walk-in basis, so you can enjoy soul food classics without paying an extra cover charge.
Which restaurants on Arvia are best for children?
The Horizon Buffet is fantastic for families, featuring a dedicated kids' section with early evening opening times. For sit-down meals, the 6th Street Diner is an absolute hit with children due to its fun American diner styling, while The Quays offers quick, kid-friendly favourites like fish and chips.
Author: Tom and Dom Travel
7 Jul 2026
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