Iona - Best speciality restaurant for intimate meal

[Frontera2]

I’ll be onboard Iona in a few weeks celebrating our wedding anniversary. Which would you say is the best speciality restaurant for a nice, intimate, meal? 

[AchileLauro]

You may have very little choice as it will depend on which ones are open at that time.

[Harry Peterson]

Epicurean, surely?

[jaydee6969]

Surely it would depend on your tastes and preference?  I had my birthday meal in Sindhu on Iona, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[indiana123]

I wouldn't chose Pearl or Coral. We found those very light and airy, even in the evening.  We are all different and some love that, but we prefer a more intimate ambience in the evening.

 

Have a lovely time, wherever you decide.

[AchileLauro]

1 hour ago, Harry Peterson said:

Epicurean, surely?

Epicurean wasn't open when we sailed on Iona in July.

It was also impossible to get a booking in one of the other restaurants as it was always full.

Edited September 30, 2022 by AchileLauro

[jaydee6969]

p.s. Try and pre-book before you sail to ensure you get your choice, and any dicsounts.

[NaomiW]

I found the Olive Grove to have the best feel in terms of intimacy and cosiness. Epicurean would probably be similar. A lot of the other speciality restaurants that were in and around the atrium didnt have that feel for me-it felt more like a meal at a shopping centre or food hall as they were so open and people could walk through etc. Even Sindhu felt less intimate on Iona-the bit we went in just felt like a big function room.. 

[Otter18]

My wife and I tried the Epicurean on Iona earlier this year. The food was mediocre. Over an hour seated at the table before the first course arrived. That was after asking three times for some service. The people sat on the tables either side of us said they had the same problem. Poor service throughout the meal, and no excuses or apologies. This was my only bad experience at any of the specialty restaurants, on all of the P&O ships I have sailed on. Hopefully it will have improved over the summer. 

[Harry Peterson]

31 minutes ago, Otter18 said:

My wife and I tried the Epicurean on Iona earlier this year. The food was mediocre. Over an hour seated at the table before the first course arrived. That was after asking three times for some service. The people sat on the tables either side of us said they had the same problem. Poor service throughout the meal, and no excuses or apologies. This was my only bad experience at any of the specialty restaurants, on all of the P&O ships I have sailed on. Hopefully it will have improved over the summer. 

Sorry to hear that!  We’ve never experienced anything other than excellence from the Epicurean - both food and impeccable service. I’d rate both on a par with several Michelin starred UK restaurants. Breakfasts and dinners in the Epicurean were real highspots of the cruises.

 

If P&O have messed that up as well as various other things, I suspect we’ll be parting company.

[bobstheboy]

We have always raved about the Epicurean on other ships but onboard Iona we were disappointed. It didn't have any atmosphere and the food was mediocre.

[devonuk]

Save your money and use the Opal restaurant 👍