Is the Crown Grill Worth it? Menu and Review

Princess Cruises is known for its exceptional food and a firm favourite with many cruisers is the Crown Grill specialty restaurant. There is a reason why it was named among the “Best Cruise Ship Steakhouses” by USA TODAY. In this post, I share my thoughts on the Crown Grill and its menu.

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About Crown Grill

The Crown Grill is a specialty dining venue found on many Princess Cruises ships and which was first introduced on Crown Princess. The cruise line’s signature steakhouse is featured onboard:

• Caribbean Princess
• Crown Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Grand Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Sky Princess
• Discovery Princess

This specialty restaurant offers cruise passengers top-notch steak, chops and seafood, all cooked to your individual preferences. There is even a salt menu (read on to find out more)!

Crown Grill has a cover charge of $39 per person, which includes an appetizer, salad or soup, one main and dessert. Side dishes are included and additional main courses can be added for $10 each. Drinks at the Crown Grill can be purchased as you would in the Main Dining Room and your drinks package can be used here.

The specialty restaurant is open from 5pm to 11pm nightly but reservations are recommended as it’s a popular restaurant and walk-ins can’t be guaranteed a table. You can now make reservations for the Crown Grill and other specialty restaurants using Dine My Way.

Crown Grill Atmosphere

The Crown Grill has a relaxed atmosphere but be aware that dress codes still apply and if you dine on a formal evening, men will be required to wear smart trousers.

There are various table sizes to suit those dining in couples or with friends. There are booths for tables of four, which help to create a more intimate dining experience.

There’s a large table for up to 8 people situated away from the main dining area, which is surrounded by wine racks. This is perfect for a special occasion or to enjoy a meal with the whole family. I would recommend requesting this table specifically if you want to secure this spot.

The dark wood decor is featured throughout the restaurant. You can certainly tell it’s a steakhouse as soon as you walk in.

The open kitchen provides an element of theatre to your meal as you watch the chefs carefully preparing dishes in full view of the restaurant. The bar in front of many Crown Grills will sometimes have live entertainment but you are far enough away for it not to encroach on your conversations over dinner.

Crown Grill Menu

This is a sample Crown Grill menu to give you an idea of the dishes that are typically available.

Appetizers

Black Tiger Prawns and Papaya Salpicon with mustard seed aioli

Hand-Cut Beef Filet Tartare, plancha sear, fried quail egg, smoky dressing and crispy polenta sticks

Mediterranean-Style Spiny Lobster Cake with Tarragon Foam, cured olives and grilled asparagus

Bay Scallop Timbale with Cajun Crayfish Cream, toasted corn, crispy okra and grits beurre blanc

Soups and Salads

Shrimp and Pancetta Bisque with chickpea croutons

Black and Blue Onion Soup, fresh thyme, Jack Daniels and Roquefort crust

The Grill Salad, Grape Balsamic Vinegar, mesclun greens, roasted bell peppers and hass avocado

Marinated Goat Cheese and Heirloom Tomato Salad, baby spinach, beets, opal basil vinaigrette

Seafood

Mussel and Smoked Sausage Pot, white wine, shallots, garlic Parmesan pull-apart bread

Chilean Sea Bass and Brioche-Breaded Kind Prawns, leeks and mushroom ragout with Champagne mousseline

Grilled Tiger Prawns in Whiskey, Chili and Garlic Marinade with fried onion rice

Maine Lobster Tail (6-7 Oz.), broiled with pepper butter or split and grilled with garlic

Chops

Sterling Silver Beef Chop (16 Oz.), blackened with mushrooms and onions

Madeira-Glazed Wisconsin Veal Chop (12 Oz.), fine herbs

New Zealand Double Lamb Chops (9 Oz.), rosemary essence

Porterhouse (22 Oz.), the best of filet and sirloin grilled on the bone

Steaks

New York Strip (12 Oz.), traditional thick cut sirloin

Kansas City Strip (16 Oz.), traditional bone-in sirloin

Rib-Eye (14 Oz.), rich with heavy marbling

Filet Mignon (8 Oz.), classic, tender and delicate

Crown Grill’s Surf and Turf (additional $10 per serving), filet mignon (8 Oz.), Maine lobster tail (6-7 Oz.) served with drawn butter and your choice of sauce and sides

Side Dishes

• Loaded baked Idaho potato
• Garlic and herb French fries
• Red skin mashed potatoes
• Grilled asparagus
• Creamed spinach
• Sauteed wild mushrooms

Gourmet Salt Selection

Hawaiian Black Salt (Hiwa Kai) combined with activated charcoal, this solar evaporated Pacific sea salt has a stunning black colour, silky texture and natural saline flavour

Smoked Applewood Salt (Yakima) sweet Applewood from the Yakima Valley fuels the fire that flavours this smoked sea salt with a subtle fruit wood taste. This paired well with steak.

Himalayan Mountain Pink Salt, experience this exotic ingredient that boasts a robust salt and mineral flavour, which is said to provide many health benefits and remove toxins from the body

Desserts

Molton Dutch Fudge Obsession, rich and warm with a soft centre served with double chocolate ice cream

Lemon Meringue Pudding Tart, macadamia nut shortbread and white chocolate tuile

Seven Layer S’Mores Stack, Graham cracker, marshmallow and milk chocolate

The Crown Dependence, the executive pastry chef’s sampling of their favourite desserts

Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar with honey roasted peanuts. This dessert is a tribute to the love and marriage of peanut butter and chocolate. The base of this delicious dessert, developed by Chef Love, is a moist cake made from almond flour and brown butter topped with a silky smooth peanut butter cream and topped with a layer of milk chocolate mousse.

Crown Grill Review

I’ve dined at the Crown Grill on three occasions to date and particularly appreciate the attentive service and the quality of the dishes.

I can highly recommend the scallop appetizer, filet mignon and the grilled lobster tails with garlic butter. I was pleasantly surprised by the creamed spinach side dish, which made a great accompanying dish.

When we first dined at the Crown Grill there wasn’t a limit on main courses but on our most recent visit, additional main courses were chargeable ($10). To be honest, you won’t go hungry at the Crown Grill because the portion sizes are adequate without needing a second main dish. I haven’t always been able to fit dessert in (and I can usually always find room for dessert!).

The waiting staff are on hand to offer suggestions and will even provide a selection of steak knives according to the cut of meat you choose. There is a trolley that displays the various steaks on the menu that is brought to your table to help you make your decision.

I particularly enjoy the Crown Grill’s relaxed atmosphere whilst still maintaining a subtle sophistication. I’ve chosen to eat at the Crown Grill on more than one formal night.

It has its own dedicated area and kitchen as opposed to the pop-up Sterling Steakhouse found in the buffet on other Princess ships. I could never bring myself to eat steak from a melamine plate on Sapphire Princess.

Booking is highly recommended because I’ve never seen this specialty restaurant quiet. You can book a table at the restaurant’s front desk or via your cabin’s telephone.

Crown Grill is a must for meat-lovers and I wouldn’t go without visiting it at least once on a Princess cruise. The $29 cover charge is excellent value for money, given the quality of food on the menu and portion sizes.

Is the Crown Grill the best steakhouse at sea? I think so.