If you are trying to work out the best Iona lunch options before your cruise, this is one of the meals where choice looks straightforward but can easily go wrong in practice.
Lunch is often the busiest part of the day on Iona. People are coming back from port, heading up to the pool, or all arriving at the same time on sea days. If you default to the most obvious option at the wrong time, you can end up queueing, struggling to find a table, and settling for something you did not really want.
The good news is that there are several strong lunch options onboard. The key is knowing where to go, when to go, and which venues are actually worth using. This guide breaks down where to eat lunch on Iona, what each option is really like, and how to avoid the busiest parts of the ship. You can also download the full Iona lunch menus in the free PDF below, including main dining room and specialty dining menus.
If you want to see how lunch fits into the rest of the day, you can also read my full Iona dining options guide, which covers breakfast, dinner and specialty restaurants in more detail.
Iona Dining Options: Full Video Guide
For a complete overview of Iona dining options, including all restaurants and how they work across the day, you can watch my full guide here.
Where to Eat Lunch on P&O Iona?
P&O Iona lunch options fall into a mix of sit-down, casual and quick choices, and they suit very different types of days.
The main dining rooms give you a quieter, sit-down three-course lunch that most people overlook. The Quays is the most reliable all-round option and one of the easiest places to use regularly. The Horizon buffet is the most convenient but also the busiest. Taste 360 is your poolside fallback, and there are a couple of paid options if you want something more relaxed.
There are also options like The Olive Grove and The Glass House, which offer a more traditional sit-down experience at lunchtime, but these need to be used slightly differently if you want to get value from them.
The biggest mistake most people make is defaulting to the buffet every day. On a ship like Iona, there are better ways to approach lunch.
Main Dining Rooms: The Quiet Option Most People Miss
If you prefer a quieter, sit-down lunch, the main dining rooms are one of the easiest places to go. Unlike some cruise lines, the main dining rooms on Iona are open for lunch on both port days and sea days. On a port day, Pearl is typically open, and on a sea day both Coral and Pearl are open, usually from around 12:00 to 14:00.
You can book in advance through My Holiday if you want a specific time, join the virtual queue, or simply turn up and wait to be seated. In practice, lunch here is usually very quiet, which makes it one of the easiest places onboard to get a table without waiting.
This is a three-course lunch with starters, main courses and desserts, so it feels more like a traditional cruise dining experience. The food can vary slightly day to day, which is normal, but the main advantage here is not the menu. It is the environment.
You are not carrying a tray, searching for a table or dealing with the noise of the buffet. If you want a break from the busier parts of the ship, this is one of the most dependable Iona lunch options.
The Quays: The Best All-Round Lunch Option on Iona
If there is one place that consistently works for lunch, it is The Quays. This is one of the most useful Iona lunch options because it balances food quality, speed and layout in a way that suits a busy ship. Instead of one large buffet line, it is split across multiple counters, which makes it much easier to use.
Hook Line and Vinegar serves fish and chips throughout the day, and this menu stays the same. Asian Fusion and the Boardwalk Diner rotate their menus, so you will typically find noodle dishes, rice dishes, curries, burgers and chicken depending on the day.
The Quays is open from around 12:00 through to 21:30, which makes it one of the most flexible lunch options onboard.
Because the space is divided, people spread out across the different counters rather than queueing in one place. It still gets busy, but it tends to feel more manageable than the buffet.
There is also outdoor seating just outside, which works particularly well on a sea day or in good weather. It is one of the better places onboard to sit and eat without feeling crowded.
If you are trying to decide where to eat lunch on Iona, this is the most reliable option to come back to throughout your cruise.
Horizon Buffet: Convenient but Timing Matters
The Horizon buffet is the most obvious lunch option on Iona, and for that reason it is also the busiest. It’s open from around 12:00 through to 17:00 on both port days and sea days, which gives you flexibility if you are eating at different times during the afternoon.
You will find a mix of hot dishes, salads, sandwiches and lighter options. The layout is mirrored on both sides, so you will often see the same stations repeated.
The issue is not the range of food, it is the experience. At peak times, especially on sea days or when everyone returns from port, the buffet can feel crowded and noisy. Finding a table can take longer than expected, and the food can feel more functional than enjoyable.
If you use it early or later in the afternoon, it works much better. If you turn up right in the middle of the rush, it is one of the weaker Iona lunch options. It is best seen as a convenience option rather than the best one.
Taste 360: Poolside Food That Works
Taste 360 in the SkyDome is the main poolside food option on Iona and is open from around 11:30 through to 21:00, so you are not restricted to traditional lunch times. You will find burgers, pizza, hot dogs, fries and a small salad bar, along with a dish of the day.
This is not somewhere you plan your day around, but it plays an important role. On a ship this size, having a reliable place to grab something quickly matters more than it sounds.
It works best when you are around the pool, coming back from port, or just want something quick without committing to a full sit-down meal. Queues can form, but they usually move quickly.
The Olive Grove: A Sit-Down Alternative
One option that many people overlook at lunchtime is The Olive Grove. It’s open from around 12:00 through to 21:30 and uses the same Mediterranean-style menu as the evening. This includes dishes inspired by places like Italy, Spain and Greece.
It does need to be booked, and one thing to be aware of is that it often gets reserved early in the cruise. Some passengers book multiple evenings when they first get onboard, which can limit availability at the start of the week.
Availability does tend to open up later in the cruise, so it is worth checking the My Holiday system regularly or speaking to the Maitre D if you want to try it.
This works best if you want a proper sit-down lunch that feels different from the main dining rooms, but it is not something you can rely on last minute.
Speciality Lunch Options: The Glass House
There are also paid lunch options on Iona, including The Glass House. The Glass House is open from around 12:00 through to 21:30 and uses the same menu at lunch and dinner. The focus here is on small plates, seafood, steaks and dishes designed to be paired with wine.
It feels more like a leisurely, sit-down lunch rather than somewhere to grab something quickly. The food is good, but it is easy to spend more than you expect if you are not paying attention.
This is not an essential lunch venues, but they can work well if you want a change of pace from the included dining and are happy to pay extra.
Afternoon Snacks and Lighter Options
One of the advantages of Iona is that food does not stop once the main lunch window ends. Between around 15:00 and 17:00, the Horizon buffet serves afternoon snacks, so if you have missed lunch there is still something available.
If you are looking for something lighter, you will find cakes and pastries at Vistas, which works well if you just want something small with a coffee rather than a full meal.
There are also ice cream options at Sundaes in the SkyDome and Ripples on deck 8, both at an extra cost. Ripples also offers an ice cream afternoon tea, which is substantial enough to share.
On sea days, the Epicurean also offers afternoon tea as a separate paid experience.
These aren’t replacements for lunch, but they are useful options if your day does not fit around the standard lunch times.
What Time Is Lunch on P&O Iona?
Lunch times on Iona vary depending on the venue, and this is one of the reasons the system feels more flexible than it first appears.
The main dining rooms typically serve lunch from around 12:00 to 14:00, with Pearl open on port days and both Coral and Pearl open on sea days.
The Horizon buffet runs from around 12:00 through to 17:00, making it the most flexible option if you are eating later in the afternoon.
The Quays is open from 12:00 through to around 21:30, so it easily stretches beyond traditional lunch hours and works well if your day does not follow a set schedule.
Taste 360 in the SkyDome opens earlier, usually from around 11:30 through to 21:00, which makes it one of the easiest places to grab something at almost any time of day.
The Olive Grove is open from 12:00 through to around 21:30 and uses the same menu at lunch and dinner, but it does need to be booked in advance.
The Glass House also runs from around 12:00 to 21:30 with the same menu throughout the day, offering a more relaxed sit-down option if you are not in a rush.
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 avoid queues and find a table more easily.
Is Lunch Included on P&O Iona?
Most Iona lunch options are included in your cruise fare. This includes the main dining rooms, The Quays, Horizon buffet and Taste 360. Between these, you can easily eat every day without paying extra.
Speciality venues such as The Glass House and Keel and Cow come at an additional cost. In practical terms, you do not need to spend extra on lunch unless you want a different type of experience.
Download the Iona Lunch Menus (Free PDF)
You can download the full Iona lunch menus below, including main dining room menus and specialty dining options.
This is the easiest way to see exactly what is available before you sail and decide where you want to eat on different days of your cruise.
Useful Guides for Your Iona Cruise
If you are planning your dining across the whole cruise, it helps to understand how each part of the day works.
You can read my Iona breakfast options guide to see where to eat in the morning, including the main dining rooms, The Quays and the buffet, along with menus and a downloadable PDF.
My Iona dinner guide explains how the evening dining system works, how to avoid queues and which restaurants are worth using.
If you are considering paying extra, my Iona speciality dining guide breaks down each restaurant with practical advice on what is actually worth it.
You can also read my full Iona dining options guide for a complete overview of all restaurants onboard and how everything fits together.
If you are still getting familiar with the ship, my Iona 10 things you need to know guide and what’s onboard Iona guide help you understand how dining fits into the wider what’s onboard Iona guide.
FAQs: Iona Lunch Options
What is the best place for lunch on Iona?
The Quays is the most reliable all-round option, offering a mix of food counters, good variety and a layout that works better than the buffet.
What time does lunch start on Iona?
Lunch starts at different times depending on the venue, with Taste 360 opening from around 11:30 and the main venues from around 12:00.
Is lunch included on P&O Iona?
Yes, most lunch options are included, including the main dining rooms, The Quays, Horizon buffet and Taste 360.
Do you need to book lunch on Iona?
Most lunch venues do not require booking. The Olive Grove needs to be booked once onboard and you need to join a virtual queue for the Glass House
Is the buffet the best lunch option on Iona?
The buffet is the most convenient option, but not the best overall experience. The Quays and main dining rooms are usually better choices.
What restaurants are open for lunch on Iona?
Restaurants open for lunch include the main dining rooms, The Olive Grove, The Quays, Horizon buffet, Taste 360 and some speciality venues like The Glass House.
Lunch on Iona is one of those areas where small decisions make a big difference. Choose the right place 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 be.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise 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.