P&O Cruises Epicurean Tasting Menu
The Epicurean is one of P&O Cruises’ signature specialty restaurants, offering a refined fine dining experience with carefully crafted multi-course tasting menus. Unlike the ship’s complimentary restaurants, Epicurean focuses on premium ingredients, artistic presentation, and optional wine pairings selected to complement each course.
The tasting menu shown in these photos highlights the restaurant’s modern approach to British-inspired fine dining while incorporating international flavors and seasonal ingredients.
What Is the P&O Cruises Epicurean Restaurant?
Epicurean is P&O Cruises’ premium specialty dining venue found on several ships in the fleet. Guests pay an additional cover charge to dine here, enjoying an intimate atmosphere, attentive service, and menus designed around multiple courses.
Many dishes feature locally sourced ingredients when possible, while optional wine recommendations accompany each course for guests who wish to create a complete tasting experience.
The menu also identifies vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and gluten-free option dishes, making it easier for guests with dietary preferences to choose suitable courses.
The Six-Course Tasting Menu
The featured menu is structured as a six-course experience, gradually building from lighter flavors to richer main courses before finishing with multiple desserts and petit fours.
The meal begins with an amuse:
- Crispy Chicken Skin
- Avruga Caviar
- Watercress Mayonnaise
- Violas
- Vinaigrette
The starter follows with:
- Pickled Beets
- Goat’s Cheese Cream
- Apple
- Crisp Rye
For the fish course, guests receive:
- Fillet of Lightly Smoked Rainbow Trout
- Horseradish Cream
- Pickled Cucumber
- Puffed Rye
The main course features:
- Fillet of Lamb
- Potato Cream Mayonnaise
- White Onions
- Baby Carrots
- Hispi Cabbage
- Jus Gras
- Butter Emulsion
- Chive Oil
Each savory course also includes an optional wine recommendation printed directly on the menu.
Desserts and Petit Fours
Rather than ending with a single dessert, Epicurean continues with several sweet courses.
The pre-dessert is:
- Cream Cheese Ice Cream
- Beurre Noisette
- Sweet Crumb
Dessert includes:
- White Chocolate Espuma
- Raspberry Sorbet
- Meringue
- Caramelised White Chocolate
- Raspberries
Finally, guests finish with coffee and petit fours:
- Caramel and Forest Mushroom Fudge
This progression creates a complete tasting experience rather than a traditional three-course dinner.
Wine Pairings
Throughout the menu, P&O Cruises recommends specific wines to accompany individual courses. These pairings are optional and priced separately, allowing guests to enhance the meal without purchasing a full wine package.
The recommendations include a variety of white wines, sparkling wines, red wines, and a dessert wine matched to the final sweet course.
Dietary Information
The menu clearly marks dishes suitable for various dietary requirements:
- V – Vegetarian
- Vegan symbol – Vegan
- GF – Gluten Free
- GFO – Gluten Free Option Available
A standard food allergy notice also reminds guests to inform staff of allergies or intolerances before ordering.
Is Epicurean Worth It?
For guests who enjoy fine dining, tasting menus, and expertly presented dishes, Epicurean offers one of the most distinctive specialty dining experiences available on P&O Cruises.
Instead of focusing on large portions, the restaurant emphasizes carefully balanced flavors, multiple small courses, and elegant presentation. It provides a noticeably different experience from the ship’s included dining venues and is often recommended for special occasions or celebratory evenings.
FAQ
Is Epicurean included in the cruise fare?
No. Epicurean is a specialty restaurant that requires an additional dining charge.
How many courses are included in this tasting menu?
The menu shown includes six stages: an amuse, starter, fish course, main course, pre-dessert, dessert, followed by coffee and petit fours.
Are wine pairings included?
No. Wine pairings are optional and individually priced.
Does Epicurean accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. The menu identifies vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and gluten-free option dishes, and guests are advised to notify staff about allergies before ordering.
Does the Epicurean menu change?
Yes. P&O Cruises regularly updates Epicurean menus, so the dishes offered may vary by sailing, season, and ship.
Conclusion
This Epicurean tasting menu showcases why the restaurant is considered one of P&O Cruises’ premier specialty dining venues. From the opening amuse through multiple dessert courses and optional wine pairings, the experience focuses on quality ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and a leisurely multi-course meal.
If you’re planning a P&O Cruises voyage and are considering specialty dining, this menu provides an excellent preview of the type of refined culinary experience you can expect at Epicurean.
