World café
The buffet is called the World Café, and is open morning, noon and evening.
The morning pastries come out of the oven, and we are attracted by the tempting smell!
Every evening, part of the buffet is dedicated to seafood, as well as a sushi bar. The rest of the dishes include some of those on the menu of the main restaurant.
The dishes change every day. Salt-crusted salmon, lamb shank, leg of lamb follow one another and are not alike. A very wide variety of recipes. And the desserts are not left out! The ice creams with a wide variety of flavors also change daily. A favorite: meringue ice cream.
Chef’s Table
First specialty restaurant, included in the cruise price, Chef’s Table offers thematic menus (amuse-bouche, starter, granita, main course, dessert) with wine accompaniment (4 glasses).
There are many themes (19 according to the Chef). The same menu is served several evenings in a row, so that everyone can enjoy it by booking.
Among the themes: Lotus, Asian Panorama, La Route des Indes, California, etc.
However, after several cruises with Viking, the same menus often come back. In nearly 60 nights spent on board, I have not seen half of the 19 theoretical themes, while certain menus have systematically recurred, not only on each cruise, but also several times during the same cruise…
Enough to classify this restaurant, after a few cruises, as the least interesting, even though it was the one that seemed to have the most potential, and menus that were indeed of a good standard. But maybe not for passengers who come back too often!
Manfredi’s
The second specialty restaurant, also included in the cruise price, is called Manfredi’s. Italian-inspired, it offers meats, pastas, salads, seafood… à la carte.
It is better to make a reservation to be sure of having a table. It is possible to return several times, if you feel like it. The choices on the menu are wide enough to have a different experience each time you visit.
Mamsen’s
Right at the entrance to the Explorer Lounge, this small Norwegian-inspired restaurant mainly offers snacks. In addition to these typically Nordic sandwiches, the raspberry or blueberry tartlets are worth the detour. And for those who like it, the herrings in different sauces are very good.
