MSC World America has one of the most exciting dining lineups in the MSC fleet, especially for North American cruisers. This is not just a ship with a main dining room, buffet, and a few specialty restaurants tucked away on the side. World America spreads food throughout the ship, with main restaurants, two buffets, casual bites, coffee, sweets, Mexican, Greek, Italian, sushi, teppanyaki, steakhouse dining, and exclusive venues for Yacht Club and Aurea guests.
That variety is one of the big reasons World America feels different from older MSC ships. You can keep your cruise very budget-friendly by sticking with the included dining, or you can turn the trip into more of a food-focused cruise by adding specialty restaurants like Eataly, Paxos, Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi Bar, or Kaito Teppanyaki.
This guide breaks down the dining options on MSC World America, including what is included, what costs extra, where the major restaurants are located, and which venues are best for families, couples, picky eaters, and foodies.
Quick Answers About Dining on MSC World America
MSC World America has a large dining lineup that includes main dining rooms, buffets, casual restaurants, specialty restaurants, coffee venues, sweet shops, and exclusive dining areas for Yacht Club guests.
The included dining options center around the main restaurants, buffet venues, and casual options like Pizza & Burger. Specialty restaurants cost extra unless they are covered by a dining package or other benefit.
The ship has two buffet-style venues: Il Mercato Buffet on Deck 18 and La Brasserie Buffet on Deck 19. This is helpful on a ship this large, because it spreads out crowds and gives guests more flexibility for breakfast, lunch, and casual meals.
MSC World America also has Eataly, which is one of the ship’s headline dining additions. Eataly is included in MSC’s specialty dining package terms for World America, along with Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi Bar, Paxos Greek Taverna, and Kaito Teppanyaki. Dining package rules can vary, so it is still worth checking the exact terms before booking.
Aurea guests also have access to Les Dunes, which functions as an Aurea-only anytime dining restaurant. That is a nice perk if you like more flexible dining times without needing to plan every dinner around a fixed seating.
MSC World America Restaurant Overview
| Venue | Type | Deck | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bubbles Restaurant | Main dining room | Deck 6 | Included sit-down dinner |
| Hexagon / Esagono Restaurant | Main dining room | Deck 6 | Classic MSC main dining |
| La Foglia Restaurant | Main dining room | Deck 5 | Included sit-down meals |
| Les Dunes Restaurant | Aurea-only anytime dining | Deck 8 | Aurea guests who want flexibility |
| Il Mercato Buffet | Buffet | Deck 18 | Casual meals and families |
| La Brasserie Buffet | Buffet | Deck 19 | Buffet dining and crowd relief |
| Pizza & Burger | Casual dining | Deck 6 | Quick bites, families, picky eaters |
| Eataly | Specialty Italian | Check onboard app | Italian food and food-focused cruisers |
| Paxos Greek Taverna | Specialty Greek | Deck 8 | Mediterranean dining and shared plates |
| Butcher’s Cut | Specialty steakhouse | Deck 7 | Steakhouse splurge |
| Hola! Tacos & Cantina | Specialty Mexican | Deck 7 | Casual specialty dining |
| Kaito Sushi Bar | Specialty sushi | Deck 7 | Sushi and lighter specialty meals |
| Kaito Teppanyaki | Specialty teppanyaki | Deck 7 | Families, groups, and dinner with a show |
| Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café | Coffee and sweets | Deck 6 | Chocolate, coffee, and dessert |
| Sweet Temptations | Sweets and snacks | Deck 8 | Ice cream, crepes, waffles, and treats |
| Coffee Emporium | Coffee venue | Deck 8 | Specialty coffee |
| The Harbour Bar & Café | Family-area bar and café | Deck 20 | Snacks near The Harbour |
Exact hours, menus, and package eligibility can change by sailing, so always check the MSC for Me app once onboard.
What Dining Is Included on MSC World America?
The included dining on MSC World America is built around the main dining rooms, buffet venues, and casual food options.
For most guests, the main included dinner option will be one of the ship’s main dining rooms. These restaurants serve the traditional MSC dinner experience with appetizers, entrees, desserts, and rotating menus. Depending on your dining assignment and experience level, you may have a fixed dining time or more flexibility.
The buffets are also included and will be the easiest option for breakfast, casual lunches, and quick meals. On World America, having two buffet venues is a major plus. A ship this large needs multiple places for guests to spread out, especially on sea days and embarkation day.
Pizza & Burger is another important casual venue. MSC is known for having great pizza, and this is the kind of place that can save the day when you want something easy instead of a full sit-down meal.
Some venues that feel casual, sweet, or snack-focused may still charge extra depending on what you order. Coffee drinks, specialty desserts, gelato-style treats, chocolate, and some café items are usually not the same as included buffet food. That does not mean you should skip them, but it does mean you should know what is covered before assuming everything is included.
Main Dining Rooms on MSC World America
MSC World America has multiple main dining rooms instead of one massive restaurant. That is typical for a ship this size and helps spread guests across different venues.
The main dining rooms include Bubbles Restaurant, Hexagon / Esagono Restaurant, and La Foglia Restaurant. These are the places most guests will use for their included sit-down dinners.
The main dining room is best when you want a slower, more traditional cruise meal. It is a good choice for Gala Night, a family dinner where everyone sits together, or any night when you want table service instead of walking the buffet.
The menus are usually similar across the main restaurants, so the specific room matters less than your dining time, table assignment, and location. If you have a dining preference or need a change, ask the dining team early in the cruise. It is always easier to adjust things near the beginning than halfway through the sailing.
Breakfast and lunch may also be offered in select main dining rooms on certain days, but do not assume every main restaurant is open for every meal. Check the daily schedule in the MSC for Me app.
More: Main Dining Rooms on MSC Ships
Les Dunes for Aurea Guests
Les Dunes is an important venue to understand because it is not just another standard main dining room. On MSC World America, Les Dunes is for Aurea guests and works more like an anytime dining option.
That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons some cruisers choose Aurea. Instead of being locked into a traditional early or late dinner time, Aurea guests can have a more relaxed dining schedule. On a ship with this much to do, that can be a real advantage.
Les Dunes is especially useful if you like to build your evening around shows, activities, or sunset time outside instead of planning everything around a fixed dining slot.
Buffets on MSC World America
MSC World America has two buffet-style venues: Il Mercato Buffet on Deck 18 and La Brasserie Buffet on Deck 19.
That is a big deal. Buffet crowding is one of the most common complaints on large cruise ships, and having multiple buffet areas helps spread people out. It also gives you more flexibility depending on where you are on the ship.
Il Mercato Buffet is the upper-deck buffet and includes indoor and outdoor seating areas. That makes it a strong choice when you want a casual meal with pool-deck energy nearby.
La Brasserie Buffet is also on the upper decks and gives guests another place to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner without committing to a full dining room meal.
Expect the buffet to be busiest on embarkation day, sea day mornings, and right after popular activities. The best strategy is to avoid peak times when possible. Go a little earlier for breakfast, a little later for lunch, or walk the full buffet before filling your plate. There are usually more stations than you notice at first glance.
The buffet is also one of the easiest choices for families. Kids can pick what they want, adults can avoid a long meal, and nobody has to sit through a formal dinner if everyone is tired after a port day.
More: Our Guide to MSC Buffets
Specialty Dining on MSC World America
Specialty dining is where MSC World America really stands out. The ship has a strong mix of extra-cost restaurants, and the lineup feels more varied than what you find on many older MSC ships.
The key specialty restaurants include Eataly, Paxos Greek Taverna, Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi Bar, and Kaito Teppanyaki.
You do not need to book specialty dining to enjoy the ship. The included dining is enough for many cruisers. But if you enjoy trying different restaurants on vacation, World America gives you plenty to work with.
Eataly
Eataly is one of the biggest dining headlines on MSC World America. For many guests, this will be the specialty restaurant they are most curious about before boarding.
The appeal is simple: Italian food is already one of MSC’s strengths, and Eataly gives the ship a more recognizable, food-focused concept for North American cruisers. If you are only choosing one specialty restaurant on World America, Eataly should probably be high on your list.
Eataly is also included in MSC’s specialty dining package terms for World America, which makes it easier to work into a dining package strategy. Just remember that package terms can be specific. They may cover food only, may require reservations once onboard, and may be based on availability.
Best for: Italian food fans, couples, foodies, and anyone looking for the most unique dining experience on the ship.
Read our Eataly Guide and Menu here.
Paxos Greek Taverna
Paxos gives World America a Mediterranean specialty option that feels different from the steakhouse, Mexican, and Asian venues. It is a Greek-inspired restaurant and a great choice if you want something that feels lighter, fresher, and more shareable.
This is the kind of restaurant that can work well for couples or groups. It is also a good pick if you want a specialty meal but do not necessarily want a heavy steakhouse dinner.
Paxos also has Paxos on the Go as part of the broader concept. I would treat that as an extension of Paxos rather than a totally separate restaurant. It gives the area more casual flexibility and makes the Greek dining concept feel less formal.
Best for: Mediterranean food, shared plates, couples, and cruisers who want something different from the main dining room.
More: MSCCruiseFan’s Guide to Paxos
Butcher’s Cut
Butcher’s Cut is MSC’s signature steakhouse and one of the safest specialty dining choices if you are cruising with people who want something familiar.
Expect a classic steakhouse feel, with steaks, sides, appetizers, and a more upscale dinner atmosphere than the buffet or main dining room. This is a popular choice for celebrations, date nights, and anyone who wants a straightforward specialty dining splurge.
One important dining package note: MSC’s terms for World America mention that the dining package is honored a maximum of one time at Butcher’s Cut. That means you should not assume you can use multiple package meals there on the same cruise.
Best for: Steak lovers, celebrations, date night, and cruisers who want a familiar specialty dining option.
More: Our Guide on Butcher’s Cut Menu and Reviews
Hola! Tacos & Cantina
Hola! Tacos & Cantina is one of MSC’s most approachable specialty restaurants. It is casual, fun, and usually easier to recommend to families or groups than a formal dinner.
This is a good option if you want something different from the main dining room but do not want a slow, expensive-feeling meal. Tacos, Mexican-inspired dishes, and a more relaxed atmosphere make Hola a nice fit for lunch, a casual dinner, or a night when everyone wants something easy.
Best for: Families, groups, casual specialty dining, and picky eaters who still want something fun.
More: Our Guide, Menu and Review of Hola! Tacos & Cantina
Kaito Sushi Bar
Kaito Sushi Bar is the ship’s sushi-focused venue. It is a good choice if you want a lighter meal, a break from heavier cruise food, or a specialty option that does not feel like a big production.
This can also be a nice alternative for couples who want a quieter dinner or guests who prefer ordering à la carte style instead of a full multi-course meal.
Best for: Sushi fans, lighter meals, couples, and cruisers who want a break from buffet and steakhouse food.
Kaito Teppanyaki
Kaito Teppanyaki is part dinner, part entertainment. The food is prepared in front of you, and the experience is usually lively, social, and fun.
This is one of the better specialty dining options for families and groups because the meal itself gives everyone something to watch. If you are traveling with teens, friends, or a multigenerational group, teppanyaki is one of the safest specialty picks.
Best for: Families, groups, teens, and cruisers who want dinner to feel like an activity.
More: Our Guide to Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki
Pizza & Burger
Pizza & Burger is one of the most important casual dining venues on MSC World America. It is not the fanciest restaurant onboard, but it may be one of the most useful.
This is where you go when you want something quick, familiar, and easy. It is especially helpful on embarkation day, after a long port day, or when kids are hungry and nobody wants to sit through a full meal.
MSC pizza is generally a strength, so do not treat this as an afterthought. Even on a ship with Eataly, Paxos, and Butcher’s Cut, sometimes the best meal is a simple slice of pizza when you are tired, hungry, and trying to get to the next show.
Best for: Families, kids, picky eaters, embarkation day, and quick meals.
Coffee, Sweets, and Snacks
MSC World America has several venues that are worth knowing even if they are not full restaurants.
Coffee Emporium is the ship’s specialty coffee venue. If you care about better coffee than the standard included options, this is a place you will probably visit more than once.
Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café is a sweets and coffee venue with a more premium feel. It is a good stop for chocolate, coffee, and dessert-style treats.
Sweet Temptations is another fun option, especially for families. This venue focuses on treats like ice cream, frozen yogurt, crepes, and waffles. It also has outdoor promenade seating, which makes it a nice place to grab something sweet while enjoying the ship.
The Harbour Bar & Café is located near The Harbour area, which is one of the ship’s major family zones. This is worth knowing if you are traveling with kids because snacks and drinks near family activity areas are always helpful.
Promenade Bites should be treated as part of the broader promenade food scene rather than a major standalone restaurant. It is the kind of option that makes the ship easier when you want something small without committing to a full meal.
Yacht Club Dining on MSC World America
MSC Yacht Club guests have their own exclusive dining areas, which is one of the biggest perks of booking Yacht Club on a ship this large.
The Yacht Club dining experience includes the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant, Yacht Club Grill & Bar, and food and snacks in the Top Sail Lounge. This gives Yacht Club guests a quieter, more premium dining setup away from the busiest parts of the ship.
That matters on World America because this is a very large ship with a lot of guests. Yacht Club gives you access to the full ship, but also gives you a private retreat when you want an easier meal or a calmer evening.
For many cruisers, Yacht Club dining is not just about better food. It is about convenience, service, and not needing to fight crowds at peak meal times.
Are MSC Dining Packages Worth It on World America?
Dining packages can make a lot of sense on MSC World America because the specialty dining lineup is strong. If you already know you want to try Eataly, Butcher’s Cut, Paxos, Hola, or Kaito, a package may be a better value than booking everything one meal at a time.
The important thing is to understand the rules before you buy. MSC’s specialty dining package terms for World America list Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi Bar, Paxos Greek Taverna, Kaito Teppanyaki, and Eataly Restaurant as participating restaurants. The package includes food only, reservations are required, and meals are based on availability.
The terms also note that reservations can only be made once onboard. That means you should not wait too long after boarding if you have a specific restaurant or time in mind. Use the MSC for Me app, interactive screens, your cabin TV, booking counters, or the specialty restaurants themselves to make reservations.
For this article, I would keep the dining package advice simple: if you only want one specialty meal, book the one restaurant you care about most. If you want two or more specialty meals, compare the package price against the restaurants you actually plan to visit.
For the full breakdown, see our MSC dining package guide.
Best Restaurants on MSC World America by Cruiser Type
If you are a first-time MSC cruiser, start with the main dining room, buffet, Pizza & Burger, and one specialty restaurant. Eataly is probably the best first specialty pick if you want something unique to World America.
If you are cruising with kids, focus on the buffet, Pizza & Burger, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Teppanyaki, Sweet Temptations, and casual food near The Harbour. Those options give you flexibility, familiar foods, and less pressure than a long formal dinner every night.
If you are cruising as a couple, look at Eataly, Paxos, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Sushi Bar. Those are the best fits for a date-night feel.
If you are a foodie, prioritize Eataly, Paxos, Kaito Sushi Bar, and Butcher’s Cut. World America has more variety than many MSC ships, so this is a good ship to build a dining package around.
If you are a picky eater, stick with Pizza & Burger, the buffet, Butcher’s Cut, and Hola. Those are the easiest venues for familiar choices.
If you want the quickest meal, look at Pizza & Burger, the buffet, Promenade Bites, and Paxos on the Go.
If you want the best splurge, choose Eataly or Butcher’s Cut.
If you want the most fun group dinner, choose Kaito Teppanyaki or Hola! Tacos & Cantina.
Sample 7-Night Dining Plan for MSC World America
For a balanced cruise, I would not book specialty dining every night. Part of the value of cruising is that the included meals are already part of your fare. A good approach is to mix included dining with a few upgraded meals.
Night 1: Main dining room
Night 2: Eataly
Night 3: Buffet or Pizza & Burger after a busy port or pool day
Night 4: Paxos or Butcher’s Cut
Night 5: Main dining room for Gala Night or a more traditional dinner
Night 6: Hola! Tacos & Cantina or Kaito Teppanyaki
Night 7: Main dining room, buffet, or your favorite casual repeat
For a budget-friendly version, skip the dining package and choose one specialty restaurant as your splurge. Eataly would be my first choice for that role.
For a foodie version, look at a package and prioritize Eataly, Paxos, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito.
For a family version, keep it flexible. Use the buffet, Pizza & Burger, Hola, Teppanyaki, and Sweet Temptations. You do not want every dinner to become a scheduling project when you are traveling with kids.
Tips for Dining on MSC World America
Make specialty dining reservations early once you are onboard. Even if package reservations can only be made on the ship, you should not wait until halfway through the cruise to book the restaurants you care about most.
Use the MSC for Me app every day. Restaurant hours, menus, and availability can change, and the app is the easiest way to keep track.
Do not assume every dining venue is open all day. Cruise ship dining is very schedule-driven, and some restaurants may only open for certain meals.
Avoid peak buffet times when possible. On sea days, breakfast and lunch can get especially busy. Going slightly earlier or later can make the experience much better.
If you have Aurea, take advantage of Les Dunes. Flexible dining is one of the most useful perks, especially on a large ship with a busy evening schedule.
If you have Yacht Club, use your exclusive dining venues. The rest of the ship has plenty of great food, but the quieter Yacht Club experience is part of what you paid for.
If you have dietary needs, notify MSC before sailing and confirm again onboard. The main dining room team is usually the best place to start because they can help coordinate meals across the cruise.
For dining packages, read the terms carefully. Package meals may include food only, certain venues may have limits, and reservations are based on availability.
Final Thoughts
MSC World America is one of the best MSC ships for cruisers who care about dining variety. You can keep things simple with the main dining rooms, buffets, and Pizza & Burger, or you can build a much more food-focused trip around Eataly, Paxos, Butcher’s Cut, Hola, Kaito Sushi, and Kaito Teppanyaki.
The key is to plan just enough without overplanning. Pick the specialty restaurants that matter most, make your reservations early once onboard, and leave room for casual meals when the ship, ports, pools, and shows pull you in different directions.
For most cruisers, the best dining strategy on MSC World America is simple: use the included dining as your base, choose one or two specialty restaurants that really excite you, and keep Pizza & Burger in your back pocket for the moments when easy food is exactly what you need.