If you are trying to work out the best P&O Britannia lunch options before your cruise, this is one of the meals where the choice looks simple but can feel very different depending on where you go.
Britannia does not have the same range of casual dining venues as newer P&O ships like Iona and Arvia. There is no The Quays, no Taste 360, and fewer modern grab-and-go style venues. But you still have several included lunch options, and they work best when you understand what each one is good for.
At lunchtime on Britannia, you can eat in the main dining room, go to the Horizon Buffet, grab something from the Lido Grill, or use the poolside pizzeria. There are also paid options such as The Glass House if you want something more relaxed.
I have cruised on Britannia and used the lunch options onboard, so this guide is based on how lunch actually works in practice. It covers where to eat, what is included, which options are best on sea days, and why I would not rely on the buffet every day.
You can also download the full Britannia lunch menus in the free PDF below, including main dining room lunch menus and other lunch options onboard.
If you want to see how lunch fits into the rest of the day, you can also read my full P&O Britannia dining options guide, which covers breakfast, dinner and speciality restaurants in more detail.
Britannia Dining Options: Full Video Guide
For a complete overview of P&O Britannia 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 Britannia
P&O Britannia lunch options fall into a few clear groups.
The main dining room is the best option if you want a proper sit-down lunch. The Horizon Buffet is the most obvious and flexible choice, but it is not necessarily the strongest. The Lido Grill and pizzeria are useful if you are spending time outside by the pool. The Glass House is a paid option if you want something more relaxed and a little different.
The biggest mistake is assuming the buffet is the only practical lunch option. It is convenient, but on my cruise it was not my favourite place to eat lunch. I found the main dining room much better for a proper meal, while the Lido Grill and pizzeria were more useful when I was outside on deck.
Britannia’s lunch setup is more traditional than Iona or Arvia. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean you need to use the options slightly differently.
Main Dining Room Lunch on Britannia: The Quiet Option Most People Miss
If you prefer a quieter sit-down lunch, the main dining room is one of the best P&O Britannia lunch options.
On my cruise, lunch was served in the Peninsular Restaurant. This can vary depending on the sailing, so it is always worth checking the Horizon daily programme once onboard.
The main dining room lunch is a proper sit-down meal with table service. The menu usually includes lighter options such as sandwiches and salads, as well as more filling dishes like pasta, curry and roast meats.
And of course, there is usually dessert as well.
This makes it feel much more like a traditional cruise lunch rather than just grabbing something quickly. It is also a nice change from the busier atmosphere of the Horizon Buffet.
For me, the main dining room was one of the strongest lunch options on Britannia. The meals I had there were good, and it felt calmer and more enjoyable than walking around the buffet trying to find something.
It is especially worth considering on a sea day when the buffet and pool deck are busy. If you want to slow things down and have a proper meal, this is where I would go.
Horizon Buffet Lunch: Convenient but Not the Strongest Option
The Horizon Buffet is the most obvious lunch option on Britannia.
It is usually open from around midday until around 2:30pm for lunch, although times can vary depending on the day and itinerary. It is located on Deck 16, close to the pool areas, so it is convenient if you are already outside or want something casual.
The buffet usually includes a selection of roast meats, pasta, seafood, vegetarian options, salads, sandwiches and fish and chips.
There is enough choice to put a meal together, and it is useful if you want something quick. But I would be honest and say it was not my favourite lunch option on Britannia.
I found some of the lunch food quite bland and not always as hot as I would have liked. I also think other cruise lines sometimes offer more variety at lunchtime.
That does not mean the buffet is bad. It is included, convenient and easy to use. But I would see it as a practical option rather than the best lunch experience onboard.
If you use it at a quieter time, it will feel much better. If you arrive when everyone else is trying to eat, it can feel busy, functional and less enjoyable.
Lido Grill: Best for Pool Days and Sea Days
If you are spending time outside, the Lido Grill is one of the most useful P&O Britannia lunch options.
It is on Deck 16 near the pool areas and serves casual food such as burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and chips.
This is not fancy food, but that is not really the point. It works because it is quick, easy and exactly where you need it if you are spending time on deck.
I used the Lido Grill quite a lot on sea days during my Caribbean cruise because it was so convenient. When you are outside in warm weather and do not want to go inside for a full meal, it makes sense.
This is one of the areas where the setting matters. On a colder itinerary, you may not use it as much. But on a warm-weather cruise, especially in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, it becomes much more useful.
If you want a quick lunch without leaving the pool deck, this is one of the easiest options.
Poolside Pizzeria: Simple but Surprisingly Good
Britannia also has a poolside pizzeria, which is another included casual lunch option.
It may not look like much, but I actually found the pizza surprisingly tasty.
This is a good option if you want something quick, especially if you do not want a burger or hot dog from the Lido Grill. It also works well as a lighter lunch or a snack during the day.
Like the Lido Grill, this is more about convenience than a formal dining experience. It is useful when you are already out on deck and want something easy without going into the buffet.
For me, the pizzeria is one of those small options that is easy to underestimate. It is not a reason to book the ship, but it is useful to know it is there.
The Glass House: A Paid Lunch Option
If you want something more relaxed at lunchtime, The Glass House is worth considering.
The Glass House is an extra-cost venue, so it is not included in your cruise fare. It serves small plates and dishes that are often paired with wine, although you do not need to be a big wine drinker to enjoy the food.
This works well if you want a slower lunch in a more relaxed setting. It is not somewhere I would use every day, but it can be a nice change from the buffet or main dining room.
I personally like The Glass House more as a lunch option than as a main evening dining event. It feels casual, comfortable and less formal than some of the other paid restaurants.
The main thing to remember is that the dishes are priced individually, so it is easy to spend more than you planned if you keep adding plates.
If you are happy to pay extra and want something different, The Glass House can be a good lunchtime choice.
Room Service Lunch: A Paid Cabin Option
Room service is another lunch option on P&O Britannia, although it is not included in the same way as the main dining room, buffet, Lido Grill or pizzeria.
This can be useful if you want something simple in your cabin, especially on a sea day when you do not feel like going back out around the ship. It can also work well if you have been ashore in the morning and just want a quieter lunch without heading to the buffet.
The room service menu usually includes lighter options such as sandwiches, snacks, salads and hot dishes, although the exact menu and prices can vary. It is worth checking the room service menu in your cabin or on the P&O My Holiday app once onboard.
I did not use room service for lunch on Britannia, but I have used P&O room service before and had a good experience. For Britannia, I would see it as a convenient paid option rather than something you need to plan your meals around.
If you want to see what is available, I have included the P&O Britannia room service menu in the downloadable lunch menus PDF below, along with the main dining room lunch menus and other lunch options.
What Time Is Lunch on P&O Britannia?
Lunch times on Britannia vary depending on the venue and the day.
The main dining room lunch is usually offered around the middle of the day, but the exact restaurant and timing should be checked in the Horizon daily programme.
The Horizon Buffet usually serves lunch from around midday until around 2:30pm.
The Lido Grill and pizzeria are generally available around lunchtime and into the afternoon, making them useful if you are eating outside the main lunch window.
The Glass House may also be open at lunchtime, depending on the sailing and daily schedule.
As with most cruise dining, it is worth checking the daily programme each day rather than assuming the timing will be identical throughout the cruise.
The main point is that lunch works best if you avoid the busiest periods. If you go to the buffet or poolside food counters at the exact time everyone else is eating, it will feel much busier.
Is Lunch Included on P&O Britannia?
Yes, most lunch options on P&O Britannia are included in your cruise fare.
The main dining room, Horizon Buffet, Lido Grill and pizzeria are all included.
That means you can eat lunch every day without paying extra. You do not need to use speciality dining unless you want a different setting or a change from the included options.
The Glass House is extra cost, so that should be seen as an optional paid lunch rather than part of the included dining.
In practical terms, the included lunch options are enough, but they are not all equal. For me, the main dining room was the strongest included option, while the Lido Grill and pizzeria were the most useful casual options.
What Is the Best Lunch Option on Britannia?
The best lunch option on Britannia depends on what kind of day you are having.
If you want a proper sit-down meal, I would choose the main dining room. It is calmer, more comfortable and a much nicer break from the busiest parts of the ship.
If you are spending time by the pool, I would use the Lido Grill or pizzeria. They are quick, convenient and work especially well on warm-weather cruises.
If you just want something fast and flexible, the Horizon Buffet is useful, but it would not be my first choice if I wanted the best lunch experience.
If you are happy to pay extra, The Glass House is a good option for a more relaxed lunch with small plates.
Overall, I would not default to the buffet every day. Britannia has fewer casual lunch venues than Iona and Arvia, but the main dining room and poolside options make lunch work much better if you use them properly.
Download the Britannia Lunch Menus Free PDF
You can download the full P&O Britannia lunch menus below, including main dining room lunch menus and other lunch options available onboard.
This is the easiest way to see what is available before you sail and decide where you want to eat on different days of your cruise.
Useful Guides for Your Britannia 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 P&O Britannia breakfast options guide to see where to eat in the morning, including the main dining rooms, Horizon Buffet and free room service breakfast, along with menus and a downloadable PDF.
My P&O Britannia dinner guide explains how the evening dining system works, the difference between fixed dining and Freedom Dining, and why the main dining room was one of the strongest parts of my Britannia cruise.
If you are considering paying extra, my P&O Britannia speciality dining guide breaks down The Beach House, Sindhu, The Glass House, The Epicurean and The Limelight Club, with practical advice on what is actually worth booking.
You can also read my full P&O Britannia 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 what’s onboard P&O Britannia guide gives a full overview of the ship and where the main dining venues are located.
You can also read my P&O Britannia bars guide if you want to plan where to have a drink before dinner, after the theatre, or during a sea day.
FAQs: P&O Britannia Lunch Options
What is the best place for lunch on Britannia?
The main dining room is the best option if you want a calmer sit-down lunch. The Lido Grill and pizzeria are best for casual poolside food, while the Horizon Buffet is the most flexible but not always the strongest option.
What time does lunch start on Britannia?
Lunch times vary by venue, but the Horizon Buffet usually serves lunch from around midday until around 2:30pm. The main dining room and poolside food times should be checked in the Horizon daily programme.
Is lunch included on P&O Britannia?
Yes, most lunch options are included, including the main dining room, Horizon Buffet, Lido Grill and pizzeria.
Do you need to book lunch on Britannia?
You do not normally need to book included lunch options such as the main dining room, buffet, Lido Grill or pizzeria. Paid venues such as The Glass House may work differently depending on the sailing.
Is the buffet the best lunch option on Britannia?
The buffet is convenient, but I would not say it is the best lunch option. I found the main dining room better for a proper lunch, while the Lido Grill and pizzeria were more useful for casual food on deck.
What restaurants are open for lunch on Britannia?
Lunch options on Britannia include the main dining room, Horizon Buffet, Lido Grill, pizzeria and sometimes paid venues such as The Glass House.
Does Britannia have The Quays for lunch?
No, Britannia does not have The Quays. That is one of the main differences between Britannia and newer P&O ships like Iona and Arvia.
Can you get pizza for lunch on Britannia?
Yes, Britannia has a poolside pizzeria, and I found the pizza surprisingly tasty.
Can you get burgers for lunch on Britannia?
Yes, the Lido Grill serves burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and chips, which are especially useful on pool days and sea days.
Is The Glass House open for lunch on Britannia?
The Glass House can be a good paid lunch option on Britannia, but opening times can vary, so check the Horizon daily programme once onboard.
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.
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