One of the best parts of a cruise is having plenty of dining options, and MSC Seaside offers a good mix of complimentary restaurants, casual buffets, and specialty dining experiences.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional sit-down dinner, a quick slice of pizza between activities, or a more upscale evening at a steakhouse, there are plenty of choices aboard the ship.
MSC Seaside features two main dining rooms, two buffet restaurants, and five specialty dining experiences. There’s also exclusive dining for MSC Yacht Club guests, along with casual snacks, desserts, and room service.
One feature that makes MSC Seaside particularly interesting is its waterfront-focused design. The Marketplace Buffet is located along the ship’s outdoor promenade, providing opportunities to enjoy a meal with ocean views.
MSC Seaside Restaurants: What’s Included and What Costs Extra?
Before getting into the individual restaurants, here’s a quick breakdown of your dining options.
| Restaurant | Deck | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Seashore Restaurant | 5 | Included |
| Ipanema Restaurant | 6 | Included |
| Marketplace Buffet | 8 | Included |
| Biscayne Bay Buffet | 16 | Included |
| Butcher’s Cut | 16 | Extra charge |
| Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant | 16 | Extra charge |
| Pan Asian | 16 | Extra charge |
| Kaito Sushi | 16 | Extra charge |
| Kaito Teppanyaki | 16 | Extra charge |
| MSC Yacht Club Restaurant | 18 | Included for Yacht Club |
| MSC Yacht Club Grill | 19 | Included for Yacht Club |
The good news is that you don’t need to spend anything extra to enjoy a variety of meals on MSC Seaside.
The main dining rooms and buffets provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner options throughout the cruise, although the specific venues open for each meal can vary by day.
Specialty restaurants are optional and offer a different dining experience for an additional charge.
Drinks, premium menu items, and certain additional food orders may also have separate charges, depending on your booking and the venue.
MSC Seaside Main Dining Rooms
MSC Seaside has two main dining rooms: Seashore Restaurant and Ipanema Restaurant.
Both offer traditional cruise ship dining with waiter service, multicourse meals, and menus that change throughout the cruise.
The main dining rooms are included in the cruise fare, making them an appealing choice for guests who want a sit-down meal without paying extra for specialty dining.
Seashore Restaurant – Deck 5
Seashore Restaurant is one of MSC Seaside’s main dining rooms, with seating for approximately 928 guests.
The restaurant serves Mediterranean and international cuisine, with menus that change daily.
Guests can expect a traditional sit-down dining experience, including appetizers, main courses, and desserts.
The menu generally includes a combination of familiar dishes and international selections, giving guests something different to try throughout the cruise.
Ipanema Restaurant – Deck 6
Ipanema Restaurant is the ship’s second main dining room, with seating for approximately 766 guests.
Like Seashore Restaurant, it offers Mediterranean and international cuisine with changing daily menus.
Both restaurants follow the same general main dining concept, so guests should not assume one provides a substantially different experience or menu simply because of the restaurant name.
Your assigned dining venue and available dining arrangements will depend on your booking.
How Main Dining Room Seating Works
MSC Seaside offers different dining arrangements depending on your booking experience and availability.
Traditional assigned dining allows guests to select an available dinner seating time, which generally remains consistent throughout the cruise.
MSC Seaside also offers Dine on Your Time for eligible Bella and Fantastica guests. When selected during booking, this option allows guests to arrive during the designated dining period and be seated based on availability. Waiting times can occur, particularly during busy periods.
Guests sailing with the Aurea Experience have access to My Choice Dining, which provides flexible dining within the restaurant’s opening hours.
Breakfast and lunch may also be offered in a main dining room, although the venue and hours can vary by sailing.
For anyone who enjoys a traditional restaurant experience, the main dining room is a good place to spend an evening. You can enjoy a complete meal without needing to purchase a specialty dining package.
MSC Seaside Marketplace Buffet – Deck 8
Marketplace Buffet is MSC Seaside’s primary buffet restaurant and one of the ship’s main casual dining venues.
Located on Deck 8, the buffet has seating for approximately 1,102 guests and includes outdoor dining areas along the waterfront promenade.
That location is one of its biggest advantages.
Unlike cruise ships where the main buffet is positioned high above the pool deck, MSC Seaside places Marketplace closer to the water, with outdoor seating that takes advantage of the ship’s design.
What Food Is Available at Marketplace Buffet?
Marketplace offers a broad selection of casual meals, including Mediterranean and international cuisine.
Guests can expect a mix of food stations featuring items such as:
- Freshly prepared pasta and Italian dishes.
- Pizza and other casual favorites.
- Salads and lighter selections.
- Hot entrées and rotating international dishes.
- Bread, pastries, and desserts.
- Breakfast selections during morning service.
One interesting feature is the visible food preparation areas, including a mozzarella-making station where guests can watch some items being prepared.
The buffet generally offers dining throughout much of the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night selections. Specific hours and available stations can vary.
Outdoor Dining at Marketplace Buffet
The outdoor seating is worth considering, especially when the weather is comfortable.
MSC Seaside was designed to emphasize the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and Marketplace Buffet fits that concept.
Being able to enjoy breakfast or lunch outside with ocean views is a nice alternative to eating inside a crowded restaurant.
As with most cruise ship buffets, popular meal periods can be busy. If you prefer a quieter experience, visiting outside peak breakfast and lunch hours may help.
Marketplace is also a convenient option when you want to eat at your own pace without committing to a longer sit-down meal.
MSC Seaside Biscayne Bay Buffet – Deck 16
MSC Seaside has a second buffet restaurant called Biscayne Bay, located on Deck 16 near the Miami Beach Pool.
Biscayne Bay has approximately 430 seats and is designed with families and children in mind.
The buffet emphasizes familiar foods and family-friendly choices, providing another convenient option beyond Marketplace.
Its location is particularly useful for guests spending time around the pool.
Rather than heading down several decks for a casual meal, families can take advantage of a dining venue located close to one of the ship’s main outdoor activity areas.
Biscayne Bay is included in the cruise fare.
However, its opening hours and food selections may differ from Marketplace Buffet. Guests should check the daily schedule rather than assuming both buffets offer identical service throughout the day.
For families traveling with younger children, having this second buffet can be a useful feature.
MSC Seaside Specialty Dining Restaurants
For guests who want something beyond the included restaurants, MSC Seaside offers five specialty dining experiences.
These restaurants require an additional purchase, although eligible MSC dining packages can provide savings when visiting multiple venues.
All five specialty dining experiences are located on Deck 16, making it easy to find the restaurant area.
The specialty lineup includes an American steakhouse, seafood restaurant, Pan-Asian cuisine, sushi, and teppanyaki.
Butcher’s Cut – Deck 16
Butcher’s Cut is MSC Cruises’ signature American-style steakhouse and one of the specialty dining options aboard MSC Seaside.
The restaurant has approximately 72 seats and offers a traditional steakhouse experience, with premium cuts of beef, seafood, classic sides, and desserts.
The menu typically features steaks such as filet mignon, New York strip, and ribeye, along with additional premium selections.
Butcher’s Cut is a good choice for guests who enjoy a classic steakhouse dinner or want a more upscale meal during their cruise.
We’ve enjoyed Butcher’s Cut on other MSC ships, including MSC Seascape, and found it to be a worthwhile specialty dining experience.
The restaurant is not included in the standard cruise fare, although it may be available through an MSC specialty dining package.
For a detailed look at the food, current menu, and pricing, read our MSC Butcher’s Cut Review and Menu Guide.
Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant – Deck 16
Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant is MSC Seaside’s seafood-focused specialty dining venue.
With approximately 32 seats, it’s a smaller restaurant than Butcher’s Cut or the main dining rooms.
The menu focuses on fish and seafood, with Mediterranean-inspired preparations and a selection of wines.
Guests who enjoy seafood will find this an appealing option for a more intimate dinner.
It’s particularly worth considering for couples or anyone looking for a quieter specialty dining experience.
Ocean Cay Restaurant is not included in the cruise fare, and reservations are recommended.
One important distinction: Ocean Cay Restaurant is an onboard restaurant and is not connected to the dining facilities at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
For more details, visit our Ocean Cay Seafood Restaurant Menu and Review.
Pan Asian – Deck 16
Pan Asian is part of MSC Seaside’s Asian Market Kitchen dining area.
The restaurant blends Asian cuisine with influences from Japan, Hawaii, and Europe.
Menu selections can include dishes such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, soups, rice dishes, and other Asian-inspired specialties.
Unlike the separate teppanyaki experience, Pan Asian focuses on a more traditional restaurant meal rather than cooking performed around a shared grill.
For guests who enjoy Asian cuisine but aren’t necessarily looking for sushi alone, Pan Asian provides another specialty dining option.
This venue carries an additional charge, and the menu may differ depending on the sailing.
For more details, visit our Asian Market Pan Asian Restaurant Menu and Review.
Kaito Sushi – Deck 16
Kaito Sushi offers a Japanese dining experience centered on freshly prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties.
Unlike Pan Asian’s broader fusion menu, Kaito Sushi focuses more directly on sushi-bar dining.
Depending on the menu, guests may find selections such as nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls, specialty rolls, and cooked Japanese dishes.
It’s a good option for travelers who want a lighter meal or prefer ordering individual sushi selections rather than a large multicourse dinner.
Kaito Sushi is an extra-charge restaurant, with available menu formats and pricing depending on the sailing.
For more information, see our MSC Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki Menu Guide.
Kaito Teppanyaki – Deck 16
Kaito Teppanyaki offers one of MSC Seaside’s more entertaining specialty dining experiences.
Rather than simply ordering food from a traditional restaurant menu, guests sit around a cooking station and watch chefs prepare their meals on a hot grill.
The experience combines Japanese-inspired cuisine with cooking demonstrations, making dinner part of the entertainment.
Menus typically feature combinations of meat, seafood, vegetables, rice, and other courses.
Teppanyaki is particularly appealing for families, groups, or anyone who enjoys an interactive dining experience.
Because seating is arranged around shared cooking stations, reservations are especially important.
There is an additional charge for Kaito Teppanyaki, and premium menu selections may carry a supplement even when using a specialty dining package.
You can find the different menus, prices, and details about the experience in our MSC Kaito Teppanyaki and Sushi Review.
Casual Food, Snacks and Desserts on MSC Seaside
In addition to the main restaurants and buffets, MSC Seaside has several bars and lounges offering snacks, desserts, and specialty beverages.
Some notable options include:
- Sports Bar, Deck 8 – A casual sports bar offering drinks and finger food.
- Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar, Deck 6 – Chocolate creations and specialty coffee.
- Venchi 1878 Gelato & Creperie, Deck 7 – Gelato, crepes, and sweet treats.
- Bistrot РLa Boh̬me, Deck 8 РA coffee bar for guests looking for a specialty coffee or relaxing break.
- Champagne Bar, Deck 7 – Champagne and premium cold food selections.
These locations provide additional choices when you’re looking for a snack or treat rather than a full meal.
Keep in mind that items purchased from specialty coffee shops, chocolate bars, gelato venues, and some other casual dining locations generally cost extra.
Food and beverages at bars may also have separate charges, depending on the item and your beverage package.
MSC Seaside Yacht Club Dining
Guests staying in MSC Yacht Club have access to exclusive dining venues in addition to the ship’s regular restaurants and buffets.
MSC Seaside has a dedicated Yacht Club Restaurant and a casual Yacht Club Grill.
MSC Yacht Club Restaurant – Deck 18
The Yacht Club Restaurant has approximately 128 seats and provides a dedicated dining experience for Yacht Club guests.
Rather than dining in the main restaurants, Yacht Club guests can enjoy meals in a more exclusive setting with dedicated service.
Access to the restaurant is included with Yacht Club accommodations.
MSC Yacht Club Grill – Deck 19
The Yacht Club Grill is located near the exclusive Yacht Club pool and sundeck.
It provides a more casual buffet and grill dining option for Yacht Club guests, making it convenient to enjoy a meal without leaving the private Yacht Club area.
The combination of a dedicated restaurant and poolside grill is one of the benefits of the Yacht Club experience.
Guests can still visit the ship’s other dining venues, although specialty restaurants outside Yacht Club generally carry their usual additional charges.
MSC Seaside Room Service
Room service is another dining option available aboard MSC Seaside.
For guests who prefer eating in their cabin, room service provides an alternative to visiting the restaurants or buffets.
MSC offers breakfast room service and additional food selections throughout the day and evening, depending on the available menu and service hours.
What’s included and what costs extra depends on the food ordered, delivery charges, and your booking experience.
Room service can be particularly convenient when you want breakfast in your cabin before heading into port or simply prefer a quiet meal without leaving your room.
For current menus, fees, and ordering details, read our MSC Cruises Room Service Guide.
Are MSC Seaside Specialty Dining Packages Worth It?
MSC Cruises offers specialty dining packages that allow guests to purchase multiple restaurant experiences for a combined price.
For travelers who already know they want to try several specialty restaurants, a package may offer better value than purchasing each meal individually.
However, there are a few things to understand before booking.
Specialty dining packages generally cover a defined meal experience at participating restaurants rather than unlimited access to everything on the menu.
Certain premium dishes, including upgraded steaks or teppanyaki selections, may have additional charges.
Restaurant availability and package terms can also vary by ship and sailing.
If you’re only interested in one specialty restaurant, purchasing that dinner individually may make more sense.
On the other hand, guests who want to experience Butcher’s Cut, Ocean Cay, and one of the Asian restaurants should compare the individual prices with an available dining package.
We generally recommend reviewing specialty dining options before sailing and making restaurant reservations early once onboard.
Popular evening times and teppanyaki seating can fill up, especially on longer cruises and sea days.
For additional information, visit our MSC Specialty Dining Guide.
Special Dietary Requirements on MSC Seaside
MSC Cruises accommodates a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan dining, meals prepared with gluten-free ingredients, and other dietary requirements.
The main dining rooms are generally the best places to arrange meals requiring additional care because the dining staff have more control over food preparation and service.
Guests with food allergies or medical dietary requirements should notify MSC in advance and discuss their needs with the dining team once onboard.
Although the buffets provide a wide variety of choices, MSC cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will be avoided in the buffet environment.
Guests with serious food allergies should work directly with the dining team rather than relying solely on buffet labels or assumptions about ingredients.
Tips for Dining on MSC Seaside
With so many restaurants available, a little planning can help you make the most of your cruise.
First, don’t feel obligated to purchase specialty dining.
MSC Seaside has two main dining rooms and two buffet venues included in the cruise fare, providing plenty of variety for a typical weeklong cruise.
Second, take advantage of the casual buffet options when your schedule is busy. Marketplace is particularly convenient when you want a quick meal, while Biscayne Bay provides another option near the main pool area.
Third, if specialty dining interests you, review menus before purchasing a package. Understanding what is included and which dishes cost extra can prevent surprises.
Finally, consider mixing different dining experiences throughout your cruise.
One evening might be a traditional dinner in the main dining room, another could be a relaxed buffet meal after a busy port day, and another might be a special dinner at Butcher’s Cut or Kaito Teppanyaki.
You don’t need to spend extra every night to enjoy the dining options aboard MSC Seaside.
Final Thoughts on MSC Seaside Dining
MSC Seaside offers a well-rounded selection of restaurants, with enough variety to keep dining interesting throughout a cruise.
The complimentary options are particularly useful, with two main dining rooms and two buffets providing a combination of traditional meals and casual dining.
Marketplace Buffet’s location along the waterfront promenade is a standout feature, while Biscayne Bay gives families a convenient alternative near the pool.
For specialty dining, the ship offers a solid selection of experiences, from steaks at Butcher’s Cut and seafood at Ocean Cay to Asian fusion, sushi, and interactive teppanyaki.
Our recommendation is to enjoy the included restaurants throughout your cruise and consider adding one or two specialty dining experiences if the menus appeal to you.
With a little planning, MSC Seaside offers plenty of ways to enjoy a good meal without spending more than you intended.