The 930-passenger Viking Star of Viking Cruises features five distinct main dining venues that offer a variety of styles and atmospheres. This mid-sized ship is unique in that it does not have formal nights, creating an atmosphere of elegant casualness in the dining rooms each evening. Although the ship boasts two specialty restaurants, guests can enjoy them without incurring any additional surcharges. Furthermore, the ship caters to most dietary restrictions, so it is advisable for guests to inform their travel agents of any dietary allergies or special requests during planning.
The dining options onboard the Viking Star closely resemble those of her sister ship, the Viking Sea.
Throughout lunch and dinner, beer, wine, and soft drinks are complimentary for all guests, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Additionally, the Viking Star features a Pool Grill, which offers burgers, hot dogs, fries, and more from lunch until mid-afternoon, making it an ideal choice for comfort food or a quick snack. Other areas around the ship also offer dining options; for instance, early risers can enjoy breakfast in the Viking Living Room, while the Wintergarden serves tea and snacks each afternoon.
The Restaurant
The Restaurant is situated on deck 2, towards the aft of the Viking Star. Familiar to those who have sailed with Viking River Cruises, this dining venue offers a menu featuring three meals a day, with lunch and dinner menus changing every 14 days.
Most guests opt to dine in The Restaurant, where they can choose to make reservations either onboard or prior to sailing, depending on their cabin category. The dinner menu offers an impressive array of selections. The left side showcases a rotating choice of 5 or 6 starters, 5 main courses, and 2 or 3 desserts each evening. The right side lists the chef’s recommended regional tasting menu alongside classic dishes consistently offered, such as Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, grilled chicken, steak, poached salmon, cheesecake, and more.
World Cafe
The World Cafe serves as the Viking Star’s primary buffet dining option, located on deck 7. Open for three meals each day, guests can enjoy 24/7 availability of tea and coffee, including specialty brews such as cappuccinos and lattes. Notably, the open kitchen concept allows guests to watch chefs in action as they prepare meals.
With ample seating and minimal wait times even when the ship is at full capacity, dining here remains stress-free. The breakfast buffet presents global favorites, featuring Southern delicacies like grits alongside European selections such as mushrooms, cheeses, salads, and cold cuts.
Notably, guests can indulge in a delightful selection of sushi and a seafood buffet for dinner. The dessert corner offers an impressive assortment of 10 different ice creams and sorbets, all at no extra cost.
Guests have the option to dine indoors or take their meals outdoors on the Aquavit Terrace, located at the rear of the World Cafe.
Mamsen’s Cafe
Mamsen’s Cafe, positioned in the Explorer’s Lounge on deck 7, pays homage to the ship’s Norwegian heritage by serving an array of Scandinavian dishes, such as waffles and brown cheese. This cozy spot is open for early riser’s breakfast, lunch, and late-night snacks, making it a versatile option for guests throughout the day.
Chef’s Table Restaurant
The Chef’s Table is one of the Viking Star’s two specialty dining venues, exclusively open for dinner. It features a fixed wine pairing and tasting menu that changes every 9 days, and while there is no surcharge, reservations are recommended. Guests may request their reservations either in advance or once onboard, depending on their cabin category.
Manfredi’s Restaurant
Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant stands out as an exceptional dining choice on the Viking Star, offering an exquisite dinner experience. Named after Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the Chairman of Silversea Cruises and a close associate of Viking Cruises’ Chairman, Torstein Hagen, Manfredi’s provides an impressive menu without any additional surcharge.
Among the Italian classics featured are caprese salad, pasta e fagioli soup, osso buco, veal scaloppini, and various pasta options. Guests often rave about the “fish of the day,” along with a delightful selection of vegetarian dishes, making it a highly regarded dining destination on the high seas.
