Royal Caribbean Recipes: Chops Grille, Windjammer Favorites & More

Royal Caribbean is home to some of the most ambitious dining programs at sea — from the sizzling cuts at Chops Grille to the global buffet spread at the Windjammer Café to the specialty restaurants that rival fine dining on land. If you’ve sailed Royal Caribbean and found yourself craving one of their signature dishes long after you disembarked, you’re not alone. Royal Caribbean has shared several of their most popular recipes over the years, and we’ve brought the best of them together here.

Royal Caribbean Chops Grille Lobster Bisque

Chops Grille is Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse and one of the most beloved specialty restaurants at sea. Their rich, velvety lobster bisque is the dish guests ask for most. Here’s a home version that captures the essence of that creamy, deeply flavored soup.

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 2 live lobsters (about 1.5 lb each), or 1 lb lobster meat + 2 cups lobster shells
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup dry sherry or brandy
• 4 cups seafood or fish stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon (or 1 tsp dried)
• Salt, white pepper, and cayenne to taste
• Fresh chives for garnish

Instructions

1. If using whole lobsters, steam or boil them for 8–10 minutes until cooked. Remove meat and reserve shells. Chop lobster meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until softened, about 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. Add tomato paste and stir to coat vegetables. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the paste darkens slightly.
4. Add the lobster shells (if using) and pour in the sherry or brandy. Let it cook down for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
5. Add seafood stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes to extract maximum flavor from the shells. Strain out shells and solids if used.
6. Using an immersion blender (or carefully in batches in a regular blender), blend the soup until very smooth.
7. Return to pot, stir in heavy cream and tarragon. Season with salt, white pepper, and a pinch of cayenne.
8. Add the lobster meat pieces to the bisque and gently heat through. Serve in warm bowls, garnished with fresh chives and a small drizzle of cream.

Royal Caribbean Windjammer Café Caesar Salad Dressing

The Windjammer’s caesar salad has a devoted following among regular Royal Caribbean cruisers. This creamy, anchovy-forward dressing is the secret to why it always tastes better on the ship than most versions at home.

Ingredients (Makes about 1 cup)

• 4–6 anchovy fillets (or 1 tablespoon anchovy paste)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 2 egg yolks (or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise for a safer version)
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl or food processor, mash the anchovies and garlic into a smooth paste.
2. Whisk in the Dijon, Worcestershire, and lemon juice.
3. Add the egg yolks (or mayonnaise) and whisk until combined.
4. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly, until the dressing emulsifies into a creamy consistency.
5. Stir in the Parmesan. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using to allow flavors to develop. Keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Royal Caribbean Johnny Rockets Onion Rings

Johnny Rockets on Royal Caribbean ships is a crowd favorite — especially with families. The crispy onion rings are ordered almost as often as the burgers. Here’s how to recreate that golden crunch at home.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 2 large yellow onions, cut into ½-inch rings
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for serving
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cold sparkling water or club soda
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. Separate onion rings and pat dry thoroughly. Lightly dust with ¼ cup of the flour — this helps the batter stick.
2. In a bowl, whisk together remaining ¾ cup flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add cold sparkling water and whisk until just combined (a few lumps are fine — don’t overmix).
3. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Dip floured rings into the batter, letting excess drip off. Fry in batches (don’t crowd the pan) for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply golden and crispy.
5. Drain on paper towels, season immediately with a little extra salt, and serve hot with ranch dipping sauce or ketchup.

Royal Caribbean Chocolate Chip Cookies (Windjammer Bakery)

The fresh-baked cookies at the Windjammer Café are a constant temptation. This recipe produces that same thick, slightly soft, melt-in-your-mouth result.

Ingredients (Makes 24 cookies)

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
4. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
6. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone. They firm up as they cool.
7. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Plan Your Royal Caribbean Cruise

From the Windjammer Café’s global buffet to Chops Grille’s perfectly aged steaks and the specialty restaurants aboard the world’s largest ships, Royal Caribbean delivers one of the most ambitious food programs at sea. Whether you’re sailing on Wonder of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, or any ship in the fleet, the dining experience is a highlight of every voyage.

Our cruise specialists at Atlas Travel know the Royal Caribbean product inside and out and can help you find the perfect ship, sailing, and cabin for your next voyage. Browse Royal Caribbean options or contact us to plan your cruise today.