Freshly shucked local oysters topped with shiny black pearls of caviar. Perfectly seared foie gras. Seared scallops, slicked with aromatic porcini butter and set atop a pool of vibrant green pea puree. Mushroom risotto, each grain of creamy rice perfectly, barely, al dente in the center. Wines, paired by a sommelier, perfect with every dish. If this sounds like a lavish dinner at a gourmet restaurant, you’d be right…sort of.
Extravagant fare like this is served each night in the dining rooms aboard Riverside Luxury Cruises‘ three ships as they glide along Europe’s great waterways. It’s not a happy accident: Riverside owner Gregor Gerlach is a hotelier who believes that one of the most important elements of a true luxury hotel is an incredible restaurant. “When we launched Riverside, our goal was to offer the best culinary experience on the rivers of Europe, and we’ve achieved that,” he says. “Ingredients are key, as are creative and harmonious kitchen teams. Each head chef has a significant daily budget to source fresh local ingredients from each port.”
Working in galleys more than twice the size than those typically found on a river vessel, Riverside’s chefs have room to tap into their artistic side and get creative with those ingredients. Recent gems included a starter of paper-thin carpaccio served with savory mustard ice cream instead of the usual horseradish sauce and a perfectly cooked filet of venison highlighted by a dark chocolate jus. But they don’t forget the basics. Pastas, breads, pastries, sauces, and even the fruit jams are all made on board.
That extra work space also means that plates aren’t prepared ahead so they can be whisked into the dining room all at one time. Instead, every meal is prepared to order. For guests, that translates not just to dishes that can be easily tweaked to accommodate likes, dislikes, and allergies, but to dining rooms with no appointed dinner time. Arrive any time during the restaurant’s opening hours and your order will be prepared fresh, on the spot.
Among dozens of selections of wines, Riverside always features a number of local and regional choices that showcase lesser-known varietals; you’ll also find a terrific selection of beers, liquors, and hand-crafted cocktails infused with herbs and flowers grown on the sunny top deck of the ship.
Choices Abound
Beyond a remarkable variety of food, Riverside offers a surprising number of dining venues, as well. Waterside, the main dining room, serves traditional breakfast and lunch, but with a difference: instead of dominating the seating area, the buffet is located in an adjacent space. It’s a lovely solution to giving guests the choices they want, but without the cafeteria vibe. Then there’s Atelier, a multi-purpose coffee and gelato bar where late risers can grab a full breakfast — think eggs Benedict, avocado toast, or bubble waffles — or an early lunch of salad, a burger, or just a plate of local cheese drizzled with honey. And no matter what time you pop by, you’ll find warm homemade pretzels (they’re an addictive staple on all Riverside ships), pastries, and some kind of local treat that’s always worth trying. One night during your voyage, Atelier will also hold a casual family-style dinner focused on some of the traditional dishes and flavors of the specific region you’re visiting. But that burger and fries you crave is never far away since all Riverside ships offer room service 24 hours a day.
I’ve always wondered why rivergoing vessels don’t take better advantage of the top level of their ships. The views are gorgeous, the water calm, and the air fresh. Someone from Riverside must have had the same question, and they came up with a brilliant solution for each ship’s Vista Deck: an outdoor bar and lounge. Welcoming and elegant, the space is perfect for drinks and small plates from an a la carte alfresco menu; if the weather cooperates, the chefs will fire up the two charcoal-fueled Green Eggs and turn out steaks, giant prawns, lamb chops, tofu, and other goodies — warm cheesecake straight from the grill was a recent hit — with a flavor you just can’t get with gas.
One of the joys of vacation is splurging on something you might never do at home. Aboard a Riverside cruise one special extravagance is dinner in the Vintage Room, a seven-course meal paired with wines from the reserve list. It’s a next-level experience that gives chefs a chance to show off a bit and guests to enjoy a night of surprises. Each ship also carries a full complement of top-shelf liquors, rare whiskies, and aged cognacs alongside wines from some of the world’s top vineyards, including 1st Cru Burgundies, vintage Champagnes, First-growth wines from Bordeaux, and collectable Cabernets from Napa Valley and Tuscany.
Riverside’s commitment to culinary excellence doesn’t end at the gangplank and cruises on the Danube, Main, Mosel, Rhine, Rhône, and Saône rivers take delicious advantage of the specialties of each region. Take a food tour in Aix, one of the most celebrated cities in Provence, hunt for truffles outside the tiny French village of Viviers, or go on a pub crawl in Antwerp. There are creative excursions, too, such as a hike to a vineyard wine tasting in Austria’s stunning Wachau Valley, a pretzel-and-wine pairing experience in Speyer, Germany, and, in Melk, Austria, a hands-on lesson in making schaumrolles, the region’s decadent cream-filled pastry horns, at a famous pastry shop. The head chef will also occasionally invite guests to join for shopping at a local farmer’s market for food for that evening’s menu; if the opportunity arises, take it.
Fewer Guests
f you can’t fathom how Riverside can provide these quality experiences night after night, here’s the secret: Riverside’s ships are built to carry fewer guests than other cruise line vessels, which provides a higher staff-to-guest ratio. That means lots of extra personal touches like Champagne at boarding, private transfers from the airport for guests in upper-level suites, a certified sommelier on every ship, and the services of a personal butler.
Cabins are large enough to accommodate a king-sized bed, many also have walk-in closets, extra-large showers, and double vanities. Public areas are equally spacious, too. The Ravel and Debussy have a pool and spa, while the Mozart also has a Jacuzzi with an expanded spa including hair and nail salons. You’ll also find well-equipped gyms aboard all three ships.
Plan Your Own Cruise
In a time of cookie-cutter vacations and algorithm-driven offerings, Riverside gives you the ultimate luxury: choice. Four pricing options allow you to curate the cruise of your dreams with specific inclusions such as excursions and premium beverages. Dinner, which is generally served at a specific time on most river vessels, is served at your pleasure, whether it’s a coursed meal served just as the dining room is closing or fresh pasta with grated pecorino brought to your suite. And, Riverside offers itineraries from 3 to 21 nights, perfect for travelers who just want a long weekend getaway or have enough time to spend a few weeks on the river.
“It’s luxury redefined,” says Riverside CEO Jennifer Halboth.
Learn More About This Fine Dining Voyage
In partnership with Riverside Luxury Cruises
