MSC Cruises 2026 Main Dining Room Menus - Daily PDF Menus & Dining Guide
MSC Seaside Ipanema Main Dining Room © MSC Cruises
Dining in the main dining room on MSC Cruises is included in your cruise fare and covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In 2026, menus continue to rotate daily, giving guests variety across international cuisine, Italian specialties, and classic favorites. Whether you want a sit-down breakfast, a lighter mid-day meal, or a full dinner with themed nights, the main dining room is the centerpiece of MSC dining.
MSC Cruises Main Dining Room Menus in 2026
Night 1 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
Night 2 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu - Caribbean Night
Night 3 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu - Gala Night
Night 4 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
Night 5 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
Night 6 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
Night 7 MSC Main Dining Room Dinner Menu - Italian Night
Day 1 MSC Main Dining Room Sea Day Lunch Menu
Day 2 MSC Main Dining Room Sea Day Lunch Menu
Day 3 MSC Main Dining Room Sea Day Lunch Menu
MSC Main Dining Room Breakfast Menu
MSC Main Dining Room Wine List
MSC Cruises Breakfast Menu 2026
The main dining room is open every morning for a sit-down breakfast. The menu includes both continental and cooked-to-order items. Examples include:
Fresh fruit plates, yogurt, and cereals
Pastries, croissants, muffins, and toast
Eggs prepared to order (fried, scrambled, omelets, poached)
Bacon, ham, sausage, and hash browns
Pancakes, waffles, and French toast
Cold cuts and cheeses, reflecting MSC’s European style
Juice, coffee, and tea are served at the table. Breakfast is a quieter alternative to the buffet and provides a more relaxed start to the day.
MSC Cruises Lunch Menu 2026 (Sea Days Only)
The main dining room is open for lunch only on sea days. On port days, most guests choose to dine at the buffet or ashore. When available, lunch offers a multi-course menu with rotating choices. Sample items include:
Starters: Minestrone soup, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, antipasti plates
Main Courses: Spaghetti pomodoro, grilled chicken breast, fish fillet, roast beef, vegetarian risotto
Sides: Fresh bread, seasonal vegetables, pasta sides
Desserts: Fruit salad, ice cream, chocolate cake, tiramisu
Lunch is open seating, so you can arrive during serving hours without a set time. It’s a good way to enjoy MSC’s sit-down service in a more relaxed setting when you have a full day onboard.
MSC Cruises Dinner Menu 2026
Dinner in the main dining room is the highlight of the day. The menu rotates nightly and always includes a chef’s suggestion, classic favorites, vegetarian choices, and desserts. Sample dishes include:
Appetizers: Chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, bruschetta, vegetable soup
Main Courses: Grilled Atlantic salmon, New York strip steak, lasagna al forno, vegetarian curry
Theme Night Options: Milanese-style osso buco, Caribbean lamb curry, gala night lobster tail (extra charge)
Desserts: Chocolate duo cake, New York cheesecake, cherry clafoutis, European cheese plate, assorted sorbets
Dinner is also where you’ll find MSC’s themed evenings — such as Italian Night, Caribbean Night, and Gala Night — which feature regional dishes and special menus.
How Does Dining Work on MSC?
Your assigned dining time and restaurant are given when you board. Guests sailing with Bella or Fantastica experiences usually have a fixed seating (around 5:30 pm or 9:00 pm, with some sailings offering a 7:30 pm option). Aurea and Yacht Club guests receive MyChoice dining, meaning they can dine at flexible times.
Seating is generally assigned, and some tables are shared with other guests. If you’d like a private table, you can request one, subject to availability.
Do You Sit With Other People on MSCin 2026?
Seating arrangements in the main dining rooms can vary. Guests may find themselves at a table with other cruisers, offering a chance to meet new people and share experiences. While some may enjoy this social aspect of dining, others looking for a more private experience have the option to request changes to their dining situation, subject to availability.
Are There Dining Theme Nights on MSC?
Yes, MSC Cruises spices up the dining experience with special theme nights on 7-day sailings, including Caribbean Night, Gala Night, and Italian Night. Each evening offers a chef's special suggestion alongside a selection of classic favorites, with starters, entrees, and desserts that rotate nightly. Additionally, some entrees feature selections that incur an extra fee, adding an exclusive touch to the dining experience.
MSC Main Dining Room Menu Highlights
The MSC Main Dining Room menus cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences, ensuring guests enjoy a memorable dining experience each night. The offerings include a blend of classic favorites and rotating culinary delights, from Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Caesar Salad to diverse main courses such as Grilled Atlantic Salmon and New York Strip Steak. Highlighting its European heritage, the menu features freshly made pasta on certain evenings. For those with dietary restrictions, vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, and kosher meals are readily available. Theme nights, such as Caribbean and Italian Nights, introduce guests to global flavors, with dishes like Caribbean Lamb Curry and Milanese-Style Osso Buco. MSC provides an opportunity for indulgence, with options for upscale dishes available at an additional charge, including grilled beef tenderloin and broiled cold water lobster tail. Desserts aboard MSC Cruises are a treat for the senses, offering a range of options to suit every palate. Guests can indulge in the rich Chocolate Duo Cake, the classic New York Cheesecake with a selection of toppings, European Cheese Plate, the traditional Cherry Clafoutis Cream, and a variety of ice cream and sorbets, among others.
What is the Main Dining Room Dress Code on MSC?
MSC Cruises maintains two primary dress codes for its evenings: formal (gala or elegant) and casual. Formal nights, which include gala and elegant evenings, suggest a more upscale attire. Men might wear a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit with a tie, while women may opt for a dressy outfit, evening gown, or cocktail dress. These formal occasions are an opportunity for special menus and photos with the captain on gala nights. The rest of the time, a casual attire prevails, allowing for a more relaxed attire suitable for the cruising atmosphere. Casual nights simply require clean and presentable clothing, with allowances for a wide range of attire as long as it adheres to the informal guidelines set by the cruise line.
Can You Wear Shorts in the Main Dining Room on MSC?
During casual nights, the dress code is quite relaxed, and while technically shorts are not recommended in the main dining room, the enforcement of this rule seems to vary. Jeans are considered acceptable on these less formal evenings as long as they're not torn or ripped.
Conclusion
In 2026, MSC Cruises main dining rooms provide full-service breakfast, sea day lunches, and nightly dinners across all sailings. From continental breakfasts to multi-course dinners with Italian and international flair, the dining room is a core part of the cruise experience. Guests can expect rotating menus, special theme nights, and a balance of flexibility and tradition that makes dining an important highlight of any MSC cruise.
