On Europe’s rivers, dining has long followed a familiar formula — banquet-style meals, predictable menus, and little connection to the landscapes drifting by. But Riverside Luxury Cruises is changing that narrative, crafting a culinary experience that rivals the world’s top restaurants and reflects the soul of each destination along the way.
Where the Journey Is as Delicious as the Destination
At the heart of Riverside’s philosophy is owner Gregor Gerlach’s belief that the culinary program should be just as important as the ports of call — and given the budget to match. This dedication allows the line’s chefs to source exceptional local ingredients and craft made-to-order menus that evolve daily, delighting returning guests with creativity and flavor inspired by the regions they sail through.
Each Riverside ship is purpose-built to deliver on this promise. Spacious galleys, multiple cooking stations, and specialized storage for fresh ingredients give chefs the freedom to prepare every dish à la minute. With a daily discretionary budget to shop locally, chefs can create dishes featuring fish purchased dockside that morning, or highlight artisanal cheeses from a nearby village market.
A Taste of Place: Regional Flavours that Tell a Story
Riverside’s itineraries offer a true sense of place — through both scenery and cuisine.
Guests aboard Riverside Mozart on the Danube can indulge in a playful Hungarian tapas-style dinner, blending traditional flavours with modern twists. On the Rhine, a barbecue lunch featuring freshly baked pretzels and grilled German sausages is the perfect complement to a day sailing past the castle-lined gorge aboard Riverside Debussy.
Meanwhile, in Burgundy and Provence aboard Riverside Ravel, the onboard sommelier might recommend a bold French red to pair with a classic boeuf bourguignon and crêpes Suzette — the essence of France in every bite.
Dining Venues That Redefine River Cruising
Riverside sets itself apart with a variety of thoughtfully designed venues and experiences across its fleet:
- Waterside Restaurant – The heart of Riverside’s dining scene, offering an expansive Marketplace buffet by day and multi-course dinners with paired wines each evening. Expect live cooking stations, vegan and vegetarian selections, and fresh-baked breads and desserts.
- Atelier – A relaxed, café-style space serving all-day dining from a curated buffet and à la carte menu, plus a barista-run coffee bar featuring espresso drinks, bubble waffles, and house-made ice cream.
- The Vintage Room – An intimate, sommelier-hosted experience where guests enjoy multi-course, wine-paired dinners featuring rare vintages and exceptional ingredients.
- Vista Deck Barbecues – Al fresco feasts featuring giant prawns, ribeye steaks, lamb chops, and grilled vegetables cooked on Big Green Eggs — all served with panoramic river views.
- 24-Hour Room Service – One of the few river cruise lines to offer full in-suite dining around the clock.
- Blue (Riverside Mozart only) – A casual aft venue serving burgers, flatbreads, and milkshakes for laid-back lunchtime indulgence.
Award-Winning Excellence
This dedication to culinary artistry hasn’t gone unnoticed. Riverside Luxury Cruises was named a winner in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024, earned Cruise Critic’s 2023 and 2024 Editors’ Pick Awards for Best Dining (River Category), and saw Riverside Ravel’s Burgundy and Provence itineraries featured by Forbes as among the Best European River Cruises for Foodies.
Luxury Without Compromise
Beyond its award-winning cuisine, Riverside Luxury Cruises redefines what it means to sail Europe’s rivers. The line’s all-suite ships — Riverside Mozart, Riverside Ravel, and Riverside Debussy — feature the largest average suite sizes in the industry, king-size beds, the highest staff-to-guest ratio, and up to five onboard restaurants.
Every journey includes butler service, premium wines and spirits, Starlink Wi-Fi, shore excursions in every port, prepaid gratuities, and complimentary ground transfers — ensuring a seamless, indulgent experience from start to finish.
