Virgin Voyages Food Review: What to Eat on Scarlet Lady (2026)

Our honest Virgin Voyages food review from 10 days on Scarlet Lady: what’s included, what to order, and how to reserve restaurants.

This trip was sponsored by Virgin Voyages, who also paid us to create video content. All thoughts expressed in this post are our own honest opinions. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through those links, we’ll receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Eating on Virgin Voyages felt less like your typical cruise dining and more like a restaurant crawl at sea.

This was our second time sailing with Virgin Voyages, and 10 days on Scarlet Lady through Italy and the French Riviera gave us plenty of time to dig in.

With over 20 eateries onboard, we made it to a good chunk of them, and we’re already planning which ones to try next time.

The energy onboard matched the food.

Great vibes, people of all ages from all around the world, and everyone happy to be on vacation.

That’s my kind of energy.

Here’s what we ate, what we’d order again, and what we’re saving for next time.

We sailed Scarlet Lady in late August 2026 on a Mediterranean itinerary through Italy and the French Riviera. Menus rotate, and some restaurants and menus differ by ship, so use this as a guide and check the Virgin Voyages app for what’s currently offered.

Quick Picks: What to Eat on Virgin Voyages

The Galley: fast, casual, and not your average cruise food. Our favorites were the miso udon, the Bento Baby combo, and the tropical cheesecake.
Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle: a Chinese dinner you can only find on Scarlet Lady. Get the sticky ribs, the vegetable dumplings, and the sweet and sour fish.
Pink Agave: upscale, shareable Mexican. Our favorites were the esquites, the relleno vegano, and the capirotada. (More details below so you’ll know exactly what you’re biting into before you order)
Gunbae: family-style Korean BBQ that’s very mindful of dietary restrictions. Get the tteokbokki and a Lost in Translation soju cocktail.
Extra Virgin: an Italian dinner that exceeded all of our expectations. We ate there twice. Probably should’ve been at least three times.
The Wake: seafood and steak with a view, and the dressiest night out onboard (if you so choose). Reserve early, because it’s one of the most popular.
The Test Kitchen: dinner in what feels like a real-life science lab, where the food that arrives isn’t what you’d expect.

Watch Our Virgin Voyages Food Review

Watch the video:

The video focuses on The Galley, Lucky Lotus, and Pink Agave. Keep reading for those plus everything else we ate onboard, including Gunbae, Extra Virgin, the Test Kitchen, and The Wake.

The Galley on Virgin Voyages: Not Your Average Cruise Food

Best for: first-day lunch, indecisive groups, vegan and vegetarian options

We checked into our Sea Terrace cabin around 4:00 pm, and ChewsToCruise rule number one after check-in is to head straight to The Galley. (After you review the safety video, of course)

The Galley is Virgin Voyages’ fast, casual, food-hall-style spot, and it’s not your average cruise food to put it simply.

There’s something for every craving at any time of day, including vegan and vegetarian options.

The miso udon at Noodle Around is their vegan option, and it’s a core memory for me, eating this as I looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows in The Galley, just about every day.

While Noodle Around is my hands-down favorite in The Galley, my husband is very indecisive.

He just gets a little bit of everything from everywhere.

Diner and Dash: the Italian cheeseburger with arugula, mozzarella, and pistachio. So good, and the fries are always amazing. But also, don’t sleep on the veggie burger! There’s always an incredible burger of the day to try.
Bento Baby: sushi combo boxes with a bunch of different options. It never disappoints.
Let’s Taco ‘Bout It: the fish tacos and the al pastor were both flavorful. There’s a fried avocado option available too, if you’re vegetarian.
Hot on the Press: customizable toast, from avocado toast to Nutella and banana to hummus with pickled veggies.
The Daily Mix: the salad bar where you can build it exactly how you like it. Makes you feel less guilty about the many desserts you’re going to be eating all trip.
The Sweet Side: the tropical cheesecake is my favorite from here, but there’s also the s’mores cup too when I’m more in a chocolate mood. You can get as many desserts as you want. There’s fresh fruit too if you want to keep it lighter. Half a plate of desserts, other half with fruits. Balance.

There’s also a drip coffee station with an assortment of teas, and a variety of soft drinks that are all included.

The coffee station in The Galley came in clutch when I wanted to wake up early to maximize my sea days or just before a port day.

I also really loved all the fruit-infused waters, especially the one with the oranges. Staying hydrated was key during this Euro summer!

Does The Galley get repetitive?

After 10 days of eating our way through Scarlet Lady, I had a theory I wanted to test: would we get tired of The Galley?

Nope. They switch it up all the time, from breakfast to lunch, lunch to dinner, and dinner to late night.

Even some of the restaurants change completely. I was shocked to see Better Late Than Feta pop up in the same spot as Let’s Taco ‘Bout It. The space completely transforms into a Greek-style menu, and the falafel was so good.

If you see something you want, try it, because tomorrow it might be different. And you don’t want to miss out on any of it.

As much as I love the miso udon at Noodle Around, I also enjoy the vegan pad thai they switch to, as well.

This is also why we’re serious about our “double dinners.”

We like to book a late dinner reservation at one of the restaurants, so we can have an earlier dinner at The Galley. Double dinner, essentially.

Because when else are we getting a “double dinner” as good as this one, and it’s all included?

Lucky Lotus on Virgin Voyages: Exclusively on Scarlet Lady

Best for: date night, sharing appetizers, vegetarians

We had a late-night reservation at one of the signature restaurants, and the moment you walk into Lucky Lotus, you notice the mood lighting.

It gives date night.

Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle is an East Asian dinner that is exclusively found on Scarlet Lady.

It’s definitely veggie-forward, but the ribs deliver too.

The service was top-notch. Our first item hit the table within almost 2 minutes, and the crew member brought over green tea to start, which was a really nice touch.

Because everything is included, we ordered basically the whole appetizer menu (vegetarian options included):

Chili cucumber trio: kind of spicy, and a great way to start
Crispy walnut prawns: battered and crisped to perfection
Pan-roasted vegetable dumplings: my absolute favorite starter. They were so good I had to order them again.
Bao buns: my husband loved the soft, pillowy texture paired with the duck in hoisin sauce
Sticky ribs: the star of the show. They’re sticky, flavorful, a little spicy, crispy, and they basically fall right off the bone. My husband ordered two rounds and says he should’ve ordered three.
Buddhist Delight: the vegan option, with mushrooms, tofu, and asparagus. Pretty good.
Sweet and sour fish: every time my husband sees a whole fried fish, the Jamaican in him lights up. It’s a whole fish that blooms on the plate, head on just the way he likes it, and there was plenty of meat to enjoy.
Szechuan noodles: our crew member recommended these, and they were peanutty with great spice. Highly highly recommend! This is my top choice for vegetarians eating dinner at Lucky Lotus. I’m certainly coming back for this dish.

My husband was too stuffed to even look at the dessert menu, but I wasn’t.

There are four desserts, and I’ve tried all of them. My top picks are the carrot cake and the black tofu sesame.

The crew member warned me the black tofu sesame isn’t too sweet, but I wanted to try it anyway, and I ended up really enjoying it. It has a nice, light flavor, and I’d order it again.

If you’re on Virgin Voyages, this is the time to indulge.

Razzle Dazzle Brunch at Lucky Lotus

We also had brunch at Lucky Lotus right before a port day.

They lean more vegetarian, so I had a hard time deciding what to get with all the many options available to me. This menu spoiled me.

I went with the vegetable dumplings again (savory, and still amazing) and the acai bowl, which is sweet and tart with different fruits and a pretty large serving.

There are fruit platters, mimosas and bubblies (for an extra cost), and bottomless coffee if you’re like me.

But the dessert came and stole the show: a unicorn rainbow churro with a dipping sauce. I highly recommend it.

Pink Agave on Virgin Voyages: Upscale, Mexican-Inspired Dinner

Best for: shareable plates, gluten-free desserts, bar seating

The captain made a surprise itinerary change and announced we’d be cruising past Stromboli volcano around 9:15 pm.

We knew we wouldn’t want to miss it, but we also did not want to miss our Pink Agave reservation at 8:30 pm, either. (We know we usually spend about 1-2 hours at dinner, enjoying the restaurants on-board).

So, we tried to move up our reservation. But Pink Agave is one of the more popular restaurants, and it was fully reserved that evening.

However, they did let us walk in and eat at the bar at 6 pm, and honestly? I might prefer it.

The bartenders were funny, kind, we got to chat with them, and the ambiance was beautiful.

Pink Agave is the upscale, Mexican-inspired restaurant, with small, medium, and large plates, and a lot of it is designed to be shared.

Our favorites were the esquites (that’s the street corn), the relleno vegano, and the capirotada.

Street corn: the best starter, and I kept it all to myself
Chicken enchiladas: flavorful option, topped with salsa verde
Guacamole with chips and pomegranate: my husband loved it, while I regretted being allergic to avocado
Relleno Vegano: a roasted potato and roasted corn stuffed poblano pepper. So good.
Pork with tortillas on the side: put your fork in it and it melts right off. Savory and flavorful.
Fish: my husband’s favorite of the two mains. Light and saucy.

You can order soft drinks, which are included, or treat yourself to a sol de fuego margarita for about $15 USD.

Alcoholic drinks come at an extra price on Virgin Voyages.

I made room for about three desserts and a bonus dessert. Gluten-free, by the way.

Capirotada (bread pudding): the number one must-try. Great texture, lots of flavor, and ice cream on top.
Tamal de chocolate: Chocolate dessert with fruit toppings. Good mix of fruity and chocolatey.
Milhojas: A sweeter dessert with a cracker-style crust and passion fruit
The secret dessert: ask about the secret menu and the crew will give you recommendations. Paul brought out a secret dessert covered in sprinkles, and I happen to love sprinkles. So it’s almost like they really know you here.

Come to Pink Agave with a big appetite.

Gunbae on Virgin Voyages: Family-Style Korean BBQ (Vegetarian-Friendly)

Best for: lively group dinners, family-style

Gunbae is family-style Korean BBQ, and the crew members are very attentive to dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.

I ordered everything vegetarian, and our crew member cooked all of my food first before moving on to the meat dishes on the grill.

Bugak (vegan, gluten-free): nori rice crisps
Oi muchim (vegan, gluten-free): cucumber and pepper threads. It normally comes with avocado, but I’m allergic, so they left it out for my portion.
Kimchi jeon (vegetarian): kimchi pancakes with a soy dipping sauce
Tteokbokki (vegan): spicy rice cakes with zucchini, shiitake, and sesame seeds. So good! I loved tteokbokki when I was in Seoul, which is also why I always get it at Trader Joe’s back home, and I love it just as much here at Gunbae.

My husband gets all the meats, and we get all the desserts. We come to Gunbae with a big appetite. (I guess that’s how we try to show up everywhere on the ship, actually).

The drinks are great too: soju-based cocktails exclusive to this eatery.

My favorite is the Lost in Translation, made with Jinro 24 soju, Papa’s Pilar Blonde rum, almond orgeat, coconut, lime, and angostura bitters for $13 USD.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about the fun that comes with having dinner at Gunbae.

This is a very social environment, and when we say you’re eating family-style, you’re sharing the table with other sailors.

The crew member not only cooks in front of you all, but also hosts a drinking game.

If you don’t drink, no pressure. Everyone can still play, and you’re bound to really enjoy yourself and make memories during this evening.

Somehow, someway, the camera, indeed, did not eat first this time. But, you can see some video footage of our dinner at Gunbae from our first Virgin Voyages vlog here!

Extra Virgin on Virgin Voyages: The Italian Dinner We Ate Twice

Best for: Italian food lovers, a treat-yourself night

Extra Virgin is the Italian dinner, all included, and it exceeded all of our expectations.

We ate there twice during this sailing, and it’s the perfect treat-yourself night.

Mind you, this was a cruise sailing through Italy, and my husband even said Extra Virgin had some of the best Italian food he ate on the whole trip.

And we didn’t have one bad meal in Italy. So that should give you more insight.

Here’s what we ordered across our two visits:

Limoncello spritz: I, of course, started with a limoncello spritz for about $11 USD.
Crispy artichoke (vegetarian): caper aioli and charred lemon, a great way to start.
Ribollita (vegetarian): cannellini beans, escarole, salsa verde, and country bread. My favorite starter of all time.
Braised mini meatballs: smoked mozzarella, tomato, and pancetta. My husband’s favorite starter, and he’s still talking about this in his sleep.
Pan-roasted kabocha squash (vegan): vegan mozzarella, lentils, and apples. Probably my favorite thing I ate the entire cruise, and I couldn’t wait to order it again when we went back.
Cacio e pepe (vegetarian): black pepper, pecorino romano, and extra virgin olive oil. A classic.
Pappardelle al ragù: pork and beef Bolognese with Parmigiano-Reggiano. My husband’s top pasta pick.
Sorbetti: how I ended the night, each time. Love the limoncello and raspberry rose flavors

We say “favorite” a lot when describing Extra Virgin, huh?

10s across the board.

The Wake on Virgin Voyages: Seafood and Steak With a View

Best for: special occasions, steak and seafood, dressing up

The Wake feels classy. It’s a two-story restaurant at the back of the ship, and the name comes from the view of the ship’s wake from the windows.

There’s no dress code on Virgin Voyages, and it’s very much a come-as-you-are ship, but if you want to put on something dressier for a night, this is the place to do it.

It’s seafood and steak with a view, so it’s the one I’d pick for a special-occasion dinner.

For my dinner, I went with the polenta dish with green asparagus and guindilla sauce, plus brown butter roasted wild mushrooms.

There are vegetarian options beyond sides, which I appreciated.

I finished with the Baked Alaska, made with pistachio ice cream, hazelnut sponge cake, and toasted meringue. I enjoyed the texture, and it was a nice finish to my meal, not too sweet.

My husband ordered the filet mignon, and our table looked like it cost at least $200. Except it was all included in the fare.

He loved how savory his meal was, and felt like this was amazing value.

The Wake also serves brunch, and a bottomless brunch option is available as an add-on.

We didn’t reserve fast enough to get a spot, so we’ll report back after our next sailing.

It’s one of the most popular restaurants onboard, so make your reservation as soon as your window opens.

Menus here get refreshed from time to time, so what you see may differ from what we ate.

The Test Kitchen on Virgin Voyages: Dinner in a Real-Life Science Lab

Best for: adventurous eaters, curious foodies, last-minute bookings

The Test Kitchen feels like a real-life science lab.

I’m a pharmacist, Chew is a physical therapist, we’re science people. So, this was quite fun for us.

It’s a tasting menu of small courses.

Once you’re seated and make your menu selections, the food that comes out is not what you’d expect.

They really put all of your senses to the test, and I was scraping my plate trying to get every last bite.

The corn dish, in particular, surprised me.

Some things worth knowing before you book:

Portions are small. That leaves room for a “double dinner” at The Galley.
The menu rotates. Ours changed a couple of times during the cruise, so ask your crew members which menu is on if you want to try a different one.
Vegetarian substitutions are available.
Drink pairings are optional, ranging from $30 to $45 USD. I went with a lemon cocktail for $11 USD.
It’s a good late-booking option. It often had reservation openings while we were onboard.

The Pizza Place

Best for: late-night cravings

If you know me, you know I could eat pizza every day of my life, so The Pizza Place saw me often.

It’s open late until either 1 or 2 am, and they offer a different pizza of the day to try.

I like to keep it simple with the vegetarian classic, mozzarella and tomato, but with extra sauce on top.

My husband usually goes for the “Pretty Fly for a White Pie” (mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, roasted garlic, oregano), and he adds pepperoni on top.

A personal pie + views of the ocean is all you need sometimes.

Lick Me Till Ice Cream

Best for: a post-port treat

My favorite is the butter pecan on a red velvet cone.

Every time we got back on the ship after a day exploring the port, this was our first stop. It became a little ritual for us.

Opa Hour at The Dock

Best for: a Greek mezze snack

Check the Virgin Voyages app to see everything happening on the ship, including when Opa Hour takes place at The Dock.

That’s when you can find mezze platters, lamb sausage skewers, and Greek sweets like baklava.

Sun Club Cafe

Best for: a sunny-day bite

This one sits right outside Richard’s Rooftop, an exclusive area with sunbeds, jacuzzis, and a separate bar that Rockstar status members can access.

The cafe is open to everyone and had great options like mushroom bao buns and “firecracker” popcorn, which was spicy and sweet at the same time. But mostly spicy.

Pops and Bubs

Best for: a sweet snack, or a popsicle paired with bubbles

The popsicles are included, and I love the chocolate banana flavor.

There’s also a raspberry one that would pair nicely with some bubbles if you want to splurge.

Ship Eats Room Service

Best for: lazy hammock days

This is where you can get a little bit of anything delivered straight to your cabin, perfect for those days when you just want to stay on the red hammock.

There’s a $10 USD delivery fee, but it’s waived if your order includes paid items (specialty coffees, alcoholic beverages) totaling at least $10 USD.

Eating Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, or With Food Allergies

I eat mostly vegetarian (I also love some seafood), and I’m allergic to avocado, and I never felt like I was working around the menu.

Here’s what helped.

Read the menu labels. Menus mark vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, like the Gunbae starters above.
Tell your server. At Gunbae, our crew member cooked my vegetarian food first and left the avocado out of my cucumber dish. The same goes for Pink Agave, where the guacamole has avocado.
Know the limits. Virgin Voyages’ kitchens aren’t allergen-free environments. If you have celiac disease or a severe allergy, talk with the crew at every meal and consider contacting Virgin Voyages before you sail.

Where I found the most to eat:

The Galley: miso udon (vegan), vegan pad thai when it’s on, a veggie burger, and the salad bar
Lucky Lotus: veggie-forward dinner and brunch. Szechuan noodles are my pick, and Buddhist Delight is vegan.
Pink Agave: street corn and the relleno vegano. The desserts we tried were gluten-free.
Gunbae: bugak and oi muchim are vegan and gluten-free, and tteokbokki is vegan
Extra Virgin: ribollita and cacio e pepe (vegetarian), and the kabocha squash (vegan)
Test Kitchen and The Wake: vegetarian substitutions and a polenta main
The Pizza Place: a vegetarian margherita

What’s Included and What Costs Extra on Virgin Voyages

Every restaurant and eatery on Scarlet Lady is included in your fare, with no cover charges.

Here’s how it broke down on our sailing.

Included

All the sit-down restaurants: Lucky Lotus, Pink Agave, Gunbae, Extra Virgin, The Wake, and the Test Kitchen
The Galley and every station in it
Casual eateries like The Pizza Place, Lick Me Till Ice Cream, Pops and Bubs, and Sun Club Cafe
Soft drinks, water, drip coffee, and tea

Costs extra

Alcohol. A few prices from our sailing: the sol de fuego margarita at Pink Agave was $15 USD, the Lost in Translation at Gunbae was $13 USD, and the limoncello spritz at Extra Virgin was $11 USD.
Specialty coffees which you can order from the Ground Club where you can get a cold brew for about $6 USD
Drink pairings at the Test Kitchen, $30 to $45 USD
A small number of premium menu items that are priced right on the menus
The Ship Eats delivery fee of $10 USD, which is waived if your order includes paid items totaling at least $10 USD

For drinks, Virgin Voyages uses a Bar Tab instead of a drink package.

It’s drinks credit you can prepay before you sail, and it often comes with bonus credit. Amounts vary by promotion and fare, so check their site when you book.

How Dining Reservations Work on Virgin Voyages

The sit-down restaurants (Lucky Lotus, Pink Agave, Gunbae, Extra Virgin, The Wake, and the Test Kitchen) run on reservations, which you book in the Virgin Voyages app.

The Galley and the casual eateries are walk-up, so no booking needed.

When booking opens depends on your fare.

Base fare: 15 days before sailing
Essential fare: 45 days before sailing
Premium fare: 60 days before sailing
RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters: 120 days before sailing

A few things that helped us:

Book the popular ones first. The Wake and Pink Agave fill up fast, and we missed brunch at The Wake because we waited.
If a restaurant is full, check the app again. Spots open up as plans change, so look on embarkation day and throughout the trip.
Ask about bar seating. That’s how we ate at Pink Agave when it was fully booked.
Walk-ins are possible, but there are cut-off times, so check with a crew member.
Booking late? The Test Kitchen often had openings while we were onboard.

Tips for Eating on Virgin Voyages

Book your restaurant reservations as soon as you can. The Wake is one of the more popular restaurants, and we still missed brunch there because we didn’t book fast enough. Spots fill up fast, especially on sea days.
Don’t count on walk-ins. They’re possible, but there are cut-off times, so check with a crew member.
Booking late? Check the Test Kitchen. It often had reservation openings while we were onboard.
Show up hungry. Once you’re onboard you’ll want to try everything, and being full already slows down the mission.
Ask to eat at the bar if a restaurant is fully booked. We had a great meal at Pink Agave that way.
Try it when you see it. The Galley rotates, and tomorrow’s burger of the day might not be the same.
Try a “double dinner.” Book a late dinner reservation and enjoy a first dinner at The Galley before it.
Ask about the secret menu. We tried a secret dessert at Pink Agave, so it’s worth asking at the other restaurants too.

Virgin Voyages Food FAQ

Is food free on Virgin Voyages?
All restaurants and eateries are included in your fare, with no cover charges. Alcohol, specialty coffees, and a few premium menu items cost extra.

Is there a buffet on Virgin Voyages?
No. There’s no buffet or main dining room. The Galley is the casual, food-hall-style option with stations like Noodle Around, Diner and Dash, and Bento Baby. The sit-down restaurants are booked by reservation.

Do you need reservations for restaurants on Virgin Voyages?
For the sit-down restaurants, yes. Book early, since The Wake and Pink Agave fill up. Walk-ins are possible with cut-off times, and bar seating can work when a restaurant is full. The Galley and casual eateries don’t need reservations.

How far in advance can you book dining on Virgin Voyages?
It depends on your fare: 15 days for Base, 45 for Essential, 60 for Premium, and 120 for RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters. Confirm your exact date in the app.

How many restaurants are on Virgin Voyages?
More than 20 eateries, including six sit-down restaurants and plenty of casual spots like The Galley and The Pizza Place.

Is there a dress code?
No. It’s very come-as-you-are, though The Wake is a fun place to dress up.

Are drinks included with meals?
Soft drinks, water, drip coffee, and tea are included. Alcohol and specialty coffees cost extra, and Virgin offers a Bar Tab for drinks.

Is room service free on Virgin Voyages?
Ship Eats menu items are included unless priced separately, but there’s a $10 USD delivery fee on our sailing. It’s waived if your order includes paid items totaling at least $10 USD.

Can you eat vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free on Virgin Voyages?
Yes. Menus mark these dishes and the crew asks about allergies. Kitchens aren’t allergen-free, so tell your server about any allergy you have.

What’s the best restaurant on Virgin Voyages?
It depends on your taste, but Extra Virgin was our favorite. We ate there twice and probably should’ve gone a third time.

Final Thoughts: Eating on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady

We made it back to Civitavecchia, the cruise port for Rome, and where our cruise started, which meant our time onboard was over.

We envied the sailors smart enough to book a back-to-back cruise!

We had an incredible 10 days on Scarlet Lady, with six port stops between Italy and the French Riviera and plenty of onboard entertainment to go with all that food.

This won’t be our last time cruising with Virgin Voyages.

Chews To Cruise Part 3 loading…

Want to see The Galley, Lucky Lotus, and Pink Agave in action? Watch our Scarlet Lady food review video on YouTube!