If you’re trying to work out the best Arvia lunch options before your cruise, this is one of the meals where the choice looks good on paper but can easily go wrong in practice.
Lunch is the busiest part of the day on Arvia. People are coming back from port, heading out to the pool, or all arriving at the same time on sea days. If you default to the obvious option at the wrong time, you can end up queuing, struggling to find a table, and settling for something you didn’t really want.
The good news is that there are several solid lunch options onboard. The key is knowing where to go, when to go, and which venues are actually worth your time. This guide breaks down where to eat lunch on Arvia, what each option is really like, and how to avoid the busiest parts of the ship. You can also download the full Arvia lunch menus in the free PDF below, including main dining room, 6th Street Diner and specialty dining menus.
For a full overview of all Arvia restaurants, including breakfast and dinner, you can also read my main Arvia dining options guide.
Watch Arvia Dining Options & Menus (Full Video Guide)
If you want to see the Arvia lunch menus, along with breakfast, dinner and speciality dining options, you can watch my full guide below.
Where to Eat Lunch on Arvia?
Arvia offers a mix of sit-down, casual and quick lunch options, and they suit very different types of days.
The main dining rooms give you a quieter, sit-down three-course lunch. The Quays is the best all-round casual option and one of the most useful venues on the ship. The Horizon buffet is the most convenient but also the busiest. Taste 360 is your poolside fallback, and 6th Street Diner is a more distinctive included option if you plan ahead.
There are also speciality venues like The Glass House and Keel and Cow open at lunchtime, but these need to be approached differently if you want value.
The mistake most people make is defaulting to the buffet every day. On a ship like Arvia, there are better ways to do lunch.
Main Dining Rooms: The Quiet Alternative Most People Skip
The main dining rooms, Meridian and Zenith, offer a sit-down three-course lunch that most people overlook. The menu usually includes a choice of starters, pasta dishes, roasts, vegetarian options and desserts. It’s not designed to be a standout meal, and like most cruise ship lunches, the quality can vary slightly day to day. Some days will feel better put together than others.
That said, the value here is not just the food. It’s the experience. This is one of the few places on Arvia where you can sit down, be served, and avoid the crowds entirely. You’re not carrying a tray, you’re not searching for a table, and you’re not dealing with the noise of the buffet.
This works best on sea days, or if you want a break from the busier areas of the ship. It’s also a good option if you prefer a more traditional cruise dining experience at lunchtime.
If you’re the type of cruiser who enjoys a proper meal and doesn’t mind giving it a bit more time, this is one of the more underused Arvia dining options.
The Quays: The Best Lunch Option on Arvia
If there’s one place that consistently works for lunch on Arvia, it’s The Quays. This is easily one of the most useful restaurants on the ship, not because it’s the most impressive, but because it gets the balance right between quality, speed and layout. On a busy ship, that matters more than anything else.
At lunch, The Quays is split across three main counters. Hook, Line and Vinegar serves fish and chips and is one of the most popular choices. Asian Fusion offers noodles, curries and rice dishes, giving you something a bit different from standard cruise food. The Roast Carvery section includes roast meats and Yorkshire pudding wraps, which are one of the more distinctive options onboard.
This setup makes it much easier to use than the Horizon buffet. Instead of everyone queueing in one place, people spread out across the different counters. Even at busy times, it feels more manageable.
In terms of food, this is one of the few included Arvia restaurants where the lunch options often feel more appealing than the setting suggests. It’s not designed to be a formal dining experience, but it doesn’t feel like a compromise either.
The main issue with The Quays is seating. It’s popular, and at peak times you may find yourself walking around looking for a table. The easiest way to avoid this is to go slightly earlier or later than the main rush.
If you’re trying to decide where to eat lunch on Arvia, this is the most reliable all-round option onboard.
Horizon Buffet: Convenient but Timing Matters
The Horizon buffet is the most obvious lunch option on Arvia, and for that reason it’s also the busiest. It’s open from 12:00 to 05:00 pm and offers a mix of pasta, roasts, salads, sandwiches and desserts. On paper, it covers everything you need.
The issue is not the variety, it’s the experience. At peak times, the buffet can feel crowded and noisy, and finding a table can take longer than expected. Food temperature can also be inconsistent, which is something that comes up regularly on ships of this size.
If you use the buffet early or towards the end of the service, it works much better. You avoid the queues, the food tends to be fresher, and the whole experience feels more manageable.
If you turn up right in the middle of the rush, it’s one of the weaker Arvia lunch options. That’s why this is best seen as a convenience option rather than the best choice.
Taste 360: Poolside Food That Actually Works
Taste 360 in the SkyDome is your poolside food option, and expectations are usually quite low. You’ll find burgers, rotisserie chicken, hot dogs and pizza. It’s simple, quick food designed to be eaten on the go rather than a full sit-down meal.
The surprising part is that some of it is better than you might expect. The pizza, in particular, is decent, especially after a port day when you want something quick without committing to a full meal.
This is not one of the Arvia restaurants you plan your day around, but it plays an important role. On a ship this size, having a reliable grab-and-go option matters more than it sounds.
This works best when you’re around the pool, coming back from port, or just want something quick without dealing with queues elsewhere.
6th Street Diner: Included, Bookable and Popular
6th Street Diner is one of the more distinctive lunch options on Arvia because it offers something completely different from the rest of the ship.
The menu leans into American-style comfort food, with dishes like ribs, loaded fries and waffles. It’s a more informal, relaxed style of dining, and it feels like a break from the standard cruise restaurant format.
This venue is included in your fare, but it’s not somewhere you can rely on walking straight into at busy times. You’ll usually need to book through My Holiday or join the virtual queue, and it fills up quickly, especially on sea days.
That alone tells you something. It’s one of the more popular Arvia dining options. There are also two rotating menus, which gives it more variety than some of the other included venues. You can see the menu in the PDF below.
In terms of when to use it, this works best when you want something different from the buffet or main dining rooms. It’s a good choice for a more relaxed lunch, but it’s not something to leave until the last minute.
Speciality Lunch: Glass House and Keel and Cow
There are also a couple of speciality venues open at lunchtime, including The Glass House and Keel and Cow.
Keel and Cow is essentially the ship’s steakhouse and burger restaurant, located in the atrium on Deck 8. The food is good, but the setting is not the quietest, which makes it better suited to lunch or an early dinner rather than a more relaxed evening meal.
The Glass House is also in the atrium and focuses on wine-led dining with small plates, seafood and steak. It’s a more polished setting, but it’s also one where the bill can add up quickly if you’re not paying attention.
Both of these venues use the same menu at lunch and dinner, so you’re not getting a different offering by going at lunchtime. The advantage is that lunch tends to be quieter, which can make the experience feel more relaxed.
These are not essential lunch options, but they can work well if you’re looking for something a bit different and don’t mind paying extra.
What Time Is Lunch on Arvia?
Lunch opening times on Arvia vary depending on the venue.
The Horizon buffet runs from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The Quays is open from 12:00pm to 9:30pm, although it can feel busy earlier in that window. The main dining rooms serve lunch from around 12:00pm to 2:30pm as a set, sit-down service.
Taste 360 in the SkyDome operates more like a continuous food option, open from 11:00am until 6:00pm. The 6th Street Diner opens for brunch and lunch from 10:00am to 2:00pm, but you’ll need to book or join the virtual queue.
The key thing to understand is that timing makes a big difference. Eating slightly earlier or later than the main rush is one of the easiest ways to improve your experience onboard.
Is Lunch Included on Arvia?
Most lunch options on Arvia are included in your cruise fare. This includes the main dining rooms, The Quays, Horizon buffet, Taste 360 and 6th Street Diner.
Speciality restaurants like The Glass House and Keel and Cow come at an extra cost, and it’s worth being clear on what you’re paying for before you go.
In practice, you can easily get through your entire cruise without paying extra for lunch.
Download the Arvia Lunch Menus (Free PDF)
You can download the full Arvia lunch menus below, including main dining room lunch menus, 6th Street Diner rotating menus and specialty dining options.
This is the easiest way to see exactly what’s available before you sail and decide where you want to eat on different days.
Useful Guides for Your Arvia Cruise
If you’re planning your dining across the whole cruise, it helps to understand how each part of the day works.
You can read my Arvia breakfast options and menus guide to see where to eat in the morning, including The Quays, main dining rooms and buffet, along with full menus and a downloadable PDF.
My Arvia dinner options guide explains how Freedom Dining works, how to avoid queues and which restaurants are worth using in the evening. It also includes a PDF of the P&O Main Dining Room Menus
If you’re considering paying extra, my Arvia speciality dining guide breaks down each restaurant, including Sindhu, The Beach House and others, with menus and practical advice on what’s worth the cost.
You can also read my full Arvia dining options guide for an overview of all restaurants onboard, including how everything fits together across your cruise.
FAQs: Arvia Lunch Options
What is the best place for lunch on Arvia?
The Quays is the best all-round lunch option on Arvia, offering a mix of different food counters, good quality and a more manageable layout than the buffet.
What time does lunch start on Arvia?
Lunch opening times on Arvia vary by venue. The Horizon buffet runs from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, The Quays from 12:00pm to 9:30pm, and the main dining rooms from around 12:00pm to 2:30pm. Taste 360 is open from 11:00am to 9:00pm, and 6th Street Diner from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Is lunch included on Arvia?
Yes, most lunch options are included, including the main dining rooms, The Quays, Horizon buffet, Taste 360 and 6th Street Diner.
Do you need to book lunch on Arvia?
Most lunch venues do not require booking. The exception is 6th Street Diner, which usually requires booking or joining a virtual queue.
Is the Hoirzon buffet the best lunch option on Arvia?
The buffet is the most convenient option, but not the best. The Quays and main dining rooms generally offer a better overall experience.
What restaurants are open for lunch on Arvia?
Restaurants open for lunch on Arvia include the main dining rooms, The Quays, Horizon buffet, Taste 360, 6th Street Diner and some specialty venues like The Glass House and Keel and Cow.
Lunch on Arvia is one of those areas where small decisions make a big difference. Choose the right venue at the right time, and it works well. Default to the busiest option without thinking about it, and it can feel far more frustrating than it needs to.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Staying Connected at Sea
If you don’t want to rely entirely on the ship’s Wi-Fi, another option is a cruise eSIM.
Saily has recently launched cruise eSIM plans that provide mobile data both at sea and in supported ports. Depending on your itinerary and how you use your phone, this could be a convenient alternative for messaging, maps and general internet browsing.
You can check the latest plans and coverage here: Saily Cruise Esim
Use code SOLOTRAVEL10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I haven’t personally tested Saily’s cruise eSIM yet, so please check the latest coverage, data allowances and device compatibility before purchasing.