If you are trying to work out the best P&O Britannia speciality dining options before your cruise, the main question is not just what restaurants are onboard. It is which ones are actually worth paying extra for.
Britannia has several speciality dining venues, including The Beach House, Sindhu, The Glass House, The Epicurean and The Limelight Club. They all offer something different, but they are not all worth booking for the same reason.
The important thing to remember is that Britannia already has included dining in the main dining rooms, Horizon Buffet, Lido Grill and pizzeria. You do not need to pay extra for food every night. Speciality dining works best when it gives you something clearly different from what is already included.
I have cruised on Britannia and tried several of the paid dining options onboard. This guide focuses on how the P&O Britannia speciality dining options work in practice, what each restaurant offers, how much they cost where relevant, and which ones I would personally book again.
You can also download the full Britannia speciality dining menus and prices in the free PDF below, so you can see exactly what is available before you sail.
Britannia Speciality Dining Options: Full Video Guide
If you want to see the Britannia speciality dining options in practice, including the restaurants, menus and food photos, you can watch my full dining guide below.
The Beach House: Relaxed, Affordable and One of the Best Value Options
The Beach House is one of the most affordable speciality dining options on Britannia, and it is one of the restaurants I would personally book again.
It is located inside the Horizon Buffet area, which transforms in the evening into a separate sit-down restaurant. That means it does not feel as formal as some of the other paid venues, but that is part of the appeal.
The menu has a Latin American and Caribbean-inspired feel, with dishes such as barbecue ribs, steak sizzlers, fajitas and mac and cheese. It is the kind of food that feels different from the main dining room without becoming too formal.
I tried the fajitas, and while they were not the most photogenic dish, they were absolutely delicious.
That is what makes The Beach House work. It is relaxed, filling, good value and different enough from the included dining to justify paying extra.
If you only want to book one casual speciality restaurant on Britannia, this would be high on my list.
Sindhu: One of the Best Speciality Restaurants on Britannia
Sindhu is Britannia’s Indian speciality restaurant, and for me it is one of the strongest paid dining options onboard.
The menu focuses on Indian dishes, with regional flavours, starters, curries, breads and more carefully presented plates than you would usually find in the main dining room.
One of the signature-style options includes three smaller curries served on one plate, which is a good choice if you want to try a few different flavours. The naan bread and starters were also excellent.
Sindhu works because it offers something genuinely different. You are not just paying for a slightly more formal version of the included dining. You are paying for a completely different style of food.
If you enjoy Indian food, Sindhu is definitely worth considering.
It is also worth looking out for pre-booking offers. When I sailed, if you pre-booked Sindhu and paid a £10 deposit in advance, you received 20% off your total bill.
For me, Sindhu and The Beach House are the two speciality dining options on Britannia I would most confidently recommend.
The Glass House: Great Food, Better as a Relaxed Lunch
The Glass House is another extra-cost dining option on Britannia, and it works slightly differently from the more traditional speciality restaurants.
Instead of paying one set cover charge for a full meal, dishes are priced individually. The menu focuses on small plates, seafood, steaks and dishes designed to pair with wine.
Prices can vary, but when I sailed many dishes were around £5 to £15 per plate.
The Glass House is a good option if you like a more relaxed style of dining. You can order a few small plates, have a glass of wine if you want one, and make the meal as light or filling as you like.
Even if you are not a big wine drinker, the food here is good.
For me, though, The Glass House works better as a relaxed lunch than as my main evening dining choice. I like the atmosphere, and I think it is a nice alternative to the buffet or main dining room during the day.
It can still work well in the evening, especially if you want something informal, but I would not put it above Sindhu or The Beach House if I was choosing where to spend extra money.
The Epicurean: Fine Dining, But Not My Favourite
The Epicurean is Britannia’s fine dining restaurant.
This is the most formal speciality dining option onboard and is designed to feel like a longer, more premium meal. The experience usually takes around two hours and includes more carefully presented dishes such as steak, lobster and other gourmet-style plates.
On paper, this should feel like the most special restaurant on the ship.
In practice, I personally was not as impressed as I expected to be. The food was fine, and the setting is more formal, but I wanted it to feel more memorable for a restaurant positioned as the fine dining option.
That does not mean you should avoid it completely. Some passengers really enjoy The Epicurean, and it can still work well if you want a slower, more formal evening.
But if I was only choosing one or two speciality restaurants on Britannia, this would not be my first pick.
For me, Sindhu and The Beach House offered a clearer reason to pay extra.
The Limelight Club: Dinner and Entertainment Combined
The Limelight Club is another paid option on Britannia, but it is slightly different from the other speciality restaurants.
This is not just dinner. It combines a three-course meal with live entertainment from a guest performer.
The cost is usually around £25 to £30 per person, although prices and performers can vary by sailing.
Because of that, I would not judge The Limelight Club purely as a restaurant. You are booking it for the overall night out. The performer matters just as much as the food.
If the act appeals to you, it can be a really good evening. If you are only interested in the meal, there are other speciality restaurants that make more sense.
Before booking, I would always check who is performing during your cruise and decide whether the full experience is worth it for you.
How Speciality Dining Booking Works on Britannia
Speciality dining on Britannia should be booked in advance where possible, especially if there are specific restaurants or times you want.
Restaurants such as Sindhu, The Epicurean, The Beach House and The Limelight Club can be popular, particularly on sea days and formal nights. If you leave it too late, the most convenient times may already be gone.
You can book before your cruise through your P&O account, or once onboard using the P&O My Holiday system. You can also check with the restaurant teams onboard if you are looking for availability.
The Glass House can work more flexibly, depending on the sailing, but it is still worth checking opening times and availability once onboard.
If you know you definitely want to try Sindhu or The Beach House, I would not leave it until the last minute.
How Much Does Speciality Dining Cost on Britannia?
Speciality dining costs on Britannia vary depending on the restaurant, and prices can change over time, so it is always worth checking the latest prices on the P&O Cruises website before you book.
Some venues use a cover charge or set price, while others are priced per dish. The Glass House, for example, works on individual dish pricing, so your final bill depends on what you order.
It is also worth checking for offers before and during your cruise. P&O sometimes has pre-booking offers or onboard dining promotions, although these can vary by sailing and are not guaranteed.
If you are a member of the Peninsular Club, you may also receive a discount on speciality dining depending on your tier. It is worth checking your current Peninsular Club benefits before you sail, as this can affect the final cost.
The Beach House is generally one of the more affordable paid options, which is one of the reasons I think it offers good value.
The Limelight Club is priced differently because it combines dinner with live entertainment, so you are paying for the full evening experience rather than just the food.
The easiest way to understand the cost is to look at the P&O Cruises website before you book, then check the menus and any offers again once you are onboard.
Download Britannia Speciality Dining Menus and Prices PDF
You can download the full P&O Britannia speciality dining menus and prices below.
This includes menus for The Beach House, Sindhu, The Glass House, The Epicurean, The Limelight Club and other relevant paid dining options onboard.
Having the menus in advance makes it much easier to decide which restaurants are worth booking and how to plan your evenings.
What’s Actually Worth It on Britannia?
If you are trying to decide which P&O Britannia speciality dining options are worth your money, I would be selective.
My personal favourites are The Beach House and Sindhu.
The Beach House is relaxed, affordable and offers food that feels different from the main dining room. Sindhu is the strongest choice if you enjoy Indian food and want something with more flavour and variety.
The Glass House is also good, but I would personally use it more for a relaxed lunch or casual small-plates meal rather than as my main evening speciality dining choice.
The Limelight Club depends almost entirely on the performer. If the entertainment appeals to you, it can be a great night. If not, I would spend the money elsewhere.
The Epicurean is the one I was least convinced by. It was not bad, but I expected more from Britannia’s fine dining restaurant. If you love a formal dining experience, you may still enjoy it, but it would not be my first recommendation.
Overall, speciality dining on Britannia is best used to add variety to your cruise rather than replace the included restaurants. The main dining room was strong enough that I would not feel the need to pay extra every night.
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 fits together.
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 full menus and a downloadable PDF.
My P&O Britannia lunch guide explains where to eat during the day, including the main dining room, Horizon Buffet, Lido Grill, pizzeria, room service and The Glass House.
My P&O Britannia dinner guide covers how fixed dining and Freedom Dining work, what the main dining room menus are like, and why the evening dining experience was one of the strongest parts of my cruise.
For a full overview, you can read my P&O Britannia dining options guide, which brings everything together across the whole cruise.
If you are still planning your trip, my what’s onboard P&O Britannia guide will help you understand where the restaurants, bars, pools and entertainment venues are located.
You can also read my P&O Britannia bars guide 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 Speciality Dining
Is speciality dining worth it on P&O Britannia?
Speciality dining can be worth it on Britannia if you choose carefully. I think The Beach House and Sindhu are the strongest options because they offer something clearly different from the included dining.
What is the best speciality restaurant on Britannia?
For me, the best speciality restaurants on Britannia are Sindhu and The Beach House. Sindhu is best if you enjoy Indian food, while The Beach House is a relaxed and good-value option.
Do you need to book speciality dining on Britannia?
Yes, it is best to book speciality dining in advance where possible, especially for popular restaurants such as Sindhu, The Beach House, The Epicurean and The Limelight Club.
How much does speciality dining cost on Britannia?
Prices vary depending on the restaurant. Some venues use a cover charge, while others, such as The Glass House, charge per dish. The Limelight Club is usually priced as a combined dinner and entertainment experience.
Can you book speciality dining before your cruise on Britannia?
Yes, you can usually book speciality dining before your cruise through your P&O account, or once onboard using the My Holiday system.
Is Sindhu worth it on Britannia?
Yes, I think Sindhu is worth it if you enjoy Indian food. It offers something very different from the main dining rooms, and the food felt full of flavour.
Is The Beach House worth it on Britannia?
Yes, The Beach House is one of the speciality restaurants I would book again. It is relaxed, affordable and offers dishes such as fajitas, ribs and steak sizzlers.
Is The Epicurean worth it on Britannia?
The Epicurean may be worth it if you want a formal fine dining experience, but it was not my favourite speciality restaurant on Britannia. I thought it was fine, but I expected more.
Is The Glass House included on Britannia?
No, The Glass House is an extra-cost venue. Dishes are usually priced individually, so the amount you spend depends on what you order.
Is The Limelight Club just a restaurant?
No, The Limelight Club combines dinner with live entertainment. It is best judged as a full evening experience rather than just a meal.
- Are there enough free restaurants on Britannia without paying extra?
Yes, you can easily cruise on Britannia without paying extra for food. The main dining rooms, Horizon Buffet, Lido Grill, pizzeria and continental room service breakfast are included.
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.