If you’re trying to work out the best Iona speciality dining options before your cruise, the biggest question is whether they are actually worth paying for. With several extra cost restaurants onboard, it’s not always clear which ones offer a genuinely different experience and which ones feel too similar to what is already included.
Iona already has strong included dining across the main dining rooms, The Quays and the Horizon buffet, so speciality dining is not something you need to rely on. The value comes from choosing the right restaurant for the right reason, rather than assuming paying extra automatically means better.
This guide focuses specifically on Iona speciality dining options, including what each restaurant offers, how booking works, and what you should realistically expect before you decide to book. It also includes a downloadable PDF with the full Iona speciality dining menus and prices, so you can see exactly what is available before you sail.
Iona Speciality Dining Options: Full Video Guide
If you want to see these Iona speciality dining options in practice, including the restaurants, menus and what the experience is actually like onboard, you can watch my full guide below.
Sindhu: The Most Distinct Speciality Restaurant on Iona
Sindhu is the speciality restaurant that feels most clearly worth booking on Iona. The menu focuses on Indian cuisine, including curries, tandoori dishes and breads, which makes it very different from what you will find in the main dining rooms. That difference matters. It gives you a reason to book it, rather than just trying something that overlaps with what you already have included.
It’s also one of the most popular restaurants onboard, which means it tends to fill up quickly, especially on sea days and Celebration Nights.
If you are planning to try Sindhu, it is worth booking as early as possible, either before your cruise or as soon as you get onboard.
The Epicurean: Fine Dining as an Occasion
The Epicurean is the fine dining restaurant on Iona. This is the most formal of the speciality dining options, with a quieter setting and a multi-course menu served over a longer period of time. It is designed to feel like an occasion rather than a quick meal.
When you arrive, you are seated and the experience is slower than the main dining rooms, with each course brought to you in sequence.
This is not somewhere you would typically go multiple times in a cruise. It works best as a one-off evening if you want something more formal or a change from the usual routine.
The Beach House: A More Relaxed Alternative
The Beach House is one of the more relaxed speciality dining options on Iona. It’s located within part of the Horizon buffet area, which is transformed into a sit-down restaurant in the evening. The menu is Caribbean and Tex-Mex inspired, with dishes like fajitas, grilled meats and sharing plates.
Because of the setting, it feels less formal than the other speciality restaurants. That works well if you want something different without committing to a more formal dining experience.
This is a good option for evenings when you want something more casual but still a step away from the standard included dining.
The Limelight Club: Dinner and Entertainment Combined
The Limelight Club works differently from the other speciality restaurants. This isn’t just a place to eat. It is an evening event where you have a three-course meal alongside a live performance.
Because of that, the focus is not purely on the food. You are booking it for the experience as a whole. That means it is worth checking who the performer is during your cruise before deciding whether to book.
If you are interested in the show, it can be a good night out. If your priority is the food, there are stronger options elsewhere onboard.
The Glass House: Different Style, Different Pricing
The Glass House offers a different style of speciality dining. Instead of a traditional three-course meal, the menu focuses on small plates, seafood and dishes designed to be paired with wine. This makes it more flexible, but it also means the pricing works differently.
Rather than paying a fixed cover charge, you order dishes individually, which can make it easy to spend more than expected if you are not paying attention. It’s open for both lunch and dinner and tends to feel more relaxed than some of the other speciality venues.
Keel and Cow: Good Food, Busier Setting
Keel and Cow is the steakhouse and grill-style restaurant on Iona. You will find burgers, steaks and classic grill dishes here. The food is good, but the setting in the atrium means it can feel busier than some of the other speciality venues.
Because of that, it often works better for lunch or an early evening meal rather than a later, more relaxed dinner. Unlike some of the other speciality restaurants, Keel and Cow does not usually require advance booking. Instead, you join a virtual queue when you are ready to eat, similar to the main dining rooms.
How Speciality Dining Booking Works on Iona
Understanding how booking works is one of the most important parts of using Iona speciality dining properly. Restaurants like Sindhu, The Epicurean and The Beach House can be booked in advance before your cruise or once you are onboard using the My Holiday system. These are the venues that tend to fill up quickly, especially on sea days and Celebration Nights.
If you have specific days in mind, it is worth booking early to secure the time you want. Other venues, like The Glass House and Keel and Cow, do not work on a fixed booking system. Instead, you join a virtual queue when you are ready to eat.
This is an important difference. Some restaurants require planning ahead, while others give you more flexibility on the day.
How Much Does Speciality Dining Cost on Iona
Speciality dining on Iona usually involves a cover charge, although this varies depending on the restaurant. Some venues use a fixed price, while others, like The Glass House, use individual pricing based on what you order. There can also be additional charges for certain dishes.
In general, you are paying for a different experience rather than simply better food. That distinction matters, because the included dining on Iona is already strong enough that you do not need to pay extra unless you want something different. The easiest way to understand pricing is to look at the menus themselves.
Download Iona Speciality Dining Menus and Prices PDF
You can download the full Iona speciality dining menus and prices below. This includes Sindhu, The Epicurean, The Beach House, Keel and Cow, The Glass House and more.
Having access to the menus in advance makes it much easier to decide what is worth booking and how to plan your evenings.
What’s Actually Worth It on Iona?
If you are trying to decide which Iona speciality dining options are worth your money, the answer depends on what you want from the experience.
Sindhu is the clearest recommendation because it offers something genuinely different from the rest of the ship. The Epicurean works well if you want a more formal evening. The Beach House is a good choice if you prefer something more relaxed.
The Glass House and Keel and Cow can both be enjoyable, but they depend more on what kind of meal you are looking for rather than being obvious upgrades. The Limelight Club is best approached as an entertainment experience rather than purely a dining choice.
The key is to choose one or two restaurants that genuinely add something to your cruise rather than trying to book everything.
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 fits together.
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 Horizon buffet, along with full menus and a downloadable PDF.
My Iona lunch guide explains where to eat during the day, including The Quays, Taste 360 and the main dining rooms, with practical tips on avoiding the busiest times.
My Iona dinner guide covers how the main dining rooms, buffet and casual evening options work, including how to use the virtual queue and avoid waiting.
For a full overview, you can read my full Iona dining options guide, which brings everything together across the whole cruise.
If you are still planning your trip, my Iona 10 things you need to know guide and what’s onboard Iona guide will help you understand how dining fits into the wider what’s onboard Iona guide.
FAQs: Iona Speciality Dining
Is speciality dining worth it on P&O Iona?
Speciality dining can be worth it if you choose the right restaurant. Sindhu is the clearest option because it offers something different from the main dining rooms, while others are more about the experience rather than a major upgrade in food.
What is the best speciality restaurant on Iona?
Sindhu is generally considered the best speciality restaurant on Iona because of its quality, flavour and how different it feels compared to the included dining.
Do you need to book speciality dining on Iona?
Most speciality restaurants need to be booked in advance, either before your cruise or once you are onboard using the My Holiday system. Popular restaurants can fill up quickly, especially on sea days.
How much does speciality dining cost on Iona?
Prices vary depending on the restaurant. Some use a fixed cover charge, while others, like The Glass House, charge per dish. Checking the menus in advance is the easiest way to understand the cost.
Can you book speciality dining before your cruise on Iona?
Yes, most speciality restaurants can be booked before your cruise through the P&O website, which is the best way to secure the time you want.
Are there enough free restaurants on Iona without paying extra?
Yes, Iona has strong included dining across the main dining rooms, The Quays and the Horizon buffet. You can easily cruise without paying extra for food if you choose.
What is the difference between speciality dining and included dining on Iona?
Included dining covers the main dining rooms, buffet and casual venues, while speciality dining is an extra cost option that offers a different style of food or a more premium experience.
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.
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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
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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.