Last Updated on 2026-07-29 by Linda
One of the biggest reasons people choose Virgin Voyages is the food—and after sailing aboard Scarlet Lady, I completely understand why.
Forget crowded buffets and traditional cruise dining rooms. Virgin Voyages has reimagined dining by replacing the buffet with a collection of unique restaurants, each offering its own atmosphere, cuisine, and culinary personality. Better yet, every restaurant is included in your cruise fare, so you can enjoy elevated dining without paying specialty restaurant surcharges.
Whether you’re craving a perfectly cooked steak, inventive tasting menus, handmade pasta, or bold Asian flavours, Scarlet Lady delivers one of the best dining experiences at sea.
During our voyage, we had the opportunity to dine at several of the ship’s signature restaurants. Here’s a look at each one and why they’re worth adding to your reservation list. Kicking off my Scarlet Lady Restaurant Guide
Test Kitchen
A dining experience unlike anything else at sea.
If you love tasting menus and beautifully plated dishes, Test Kitchen should be at the top of your list.
Inspired by culinary laboratories, this restaurant presents a fixed menu where every course highlights technique, creativity, and flavour. Watching the chefs plate each dish in the open kitchen adds to the experience, making dinner feel like part performance and part fine dining.
Perfect for:
- Foodies
- Date night
- Adventurous eaters
➡️ Read my complete Test Kitchen review.(coming soon)
The Wake
Classic steakhouse elegance with spectacular ocean views.
The Wake quickly became one of our favourite restaurants aboard Scarlet Lady.
From perfectly cooked steaks to fresh seafood and decadent desserts, every course feels worthy of a luxury steakhouse on land. Add floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ship’s wake, and you’ve got one of the most beautiful dining venues onboard.
Don’t miss:
- Filet Mignon
- Clam Chowder
- Seafood Tower
- Baked Alaska
➡️ Read my complete guide to The Wake.
Lucky Lotus
Bold Asian flavours with a modern twist.
Lucky Lotus combines vibrant flavours with beautiful presentation in a contemporary Asian-inspired setting.
From bao buns and pan-roasted dumplings to spicy noodle soup and unforgettable desserts, every dish encouraged sharing and sampling. It’s a restaurant that feels both relaxed and sophisticated.
Our favourites
- Bao Buns
- Pan-Roasted Dumplings
- Spicy Noodle Soup
- Portuguese Egg Tart
➡️ Read our Lucky Lotus dining experience.
Extra Virgin
Fresh handmade pasta and rustic Italian comfort food.
Extra Virgin celebrates regional Italian cuisine with house-made pasta, fresh seafood, and incredible desserts.
The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and perfect for a leisurely dinner paired with a glass of wine.
Don’t miss
- Handmade Pasta
- Burrata
- Tiramisu
➡️ Read our Extra Virgin guide.(coming soon)
Pink Agave
Upscale Mexican cuisine with creative cocktails.
Pink Agave brings bold Mexican flavours into an intimate and stylish dining room.
Expect elevated tacos, perfectly seasoned meats, fresh ceviche, and one of the best cocktail menus onboard.
It’s easy to understand why this restaurant is one of the hardest reservations to secure.
➡️ Read our Pink Agave experience.(coming soon)
Razzle Dazzle
Vegetable-forward by day, vibrant by night.
Razzle Dazzle is one of the most versatile restaurants aboard Scarlet Lady.
During the day you’ll find colourful brunch dishes, while evenings offer an entirely different dining experience. Even meat lovers will appreciate how creatively vegetables are incorporated throughout the menu.
➡️ Read our Razzle Dazzle guide.(coming soon)
Gunbae
Dinner and entertainment rolled into one.
Gunbae isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience.
Guests gather around Korean barbecue grills, enjoy drinking games, and cook premium meats right at the table. If you’re traveling with friends or want to meet new people onboard, this is one of the most fun restaurants on Scarlet Lady.
➡️ Read our Gunbae experience.(coming soon)
Which Scarlet Lady Restaurant Was Our Favourite?
Choosing a favourite isn’t easy because each restaurant offers something completely different.
Scarlet Lady Restaurant Guide
| Restaurant | Best For |
|---|---|
| Test Kitchen | Fine dining & tasting menus |
| The Wake | Steak & seafood |
| Lucky Lotus | Modern Asian cuisine |
| Extra Virgin | Italian comfort food |
| Pink Agave | Mexican flavours |
| Gunbae | Interactive dining |
| Razzle Dazzle | Brunch & creative vegetarian dishes |
Rather than trying to pick just one, I’d recommend experiencing as many as possible during your cruise. Since they’re all included in your fare, it’s one of the best opportunities to sample a variety of world-class cuisines without worrying about extra charges.
Final Thoughts
Dining aboard Scarlet Lady was one of the highlights of our Virgin Voyages experience. Every restaurant had its own personality, atmosphere, and menu, making each evening feel like a completely new culinary adventure.
If you’re planning your first Virgin Voyages cruise, make your restaurant reservations as early as possible and don’t be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone. Some of our favourite meals were dishes we might never have ordered anywhere else.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or simply enjoy great meals while travelling, Scarlet Lady proves that cruise dining can be every bit as memorable as the destinations themselves
More Virgin Voyages Inspiration
If you’re planning your own Virgin Voyages adventure, be sure to explore my growing collection of guides, reviews, and tips. From honest restaurant reviews like The Wake to ship tours, cabin insights, stylish evenings onboard, port guides, and packing inspiration, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help you make the most of your voyage. Whether it’s your first sailing or you’re already hooked on Virgin’s adults-only experience, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire your next cruise.
- My First Virgin Voyages
- My complete Virgin Voyages Ship Review
- Scarlet Lady Restaurant Guide
- Razzle Dazzle Brunch
- The Galley on Virgin
- The Wake Restaurant
- Lucky Lotus
- The Test Kitchen
- The Pink Agave
- What to Pack for a Virgin Voyages Cruise
- Life Onboard: Entertainment, Parties & Experiences
- Virgin Voyages Cabin Review
- Sailor Loot Explained
- Best Bars and Cocktails on Virgin Voyages
- My Favourite Virgin Voyages Moments
- Mediterranean Virgin Voyages Itinerary Guide (coming soon)
- Shore Excursion Reviews (coming soon)
Be sure to bookmark this page, as I’ll continue adding new Virgin Voyages reviews, travel tips, dining experiences, and destination guides after each sailing. My goal is to create one of the most comprehensive Virgin Voyages resources for travelers looking for honest advice, beautiful inspiration and practical tips.
Thanks so much for stopping by A Labour of Life! If you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you shared it or followed along on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest or Facebook. Every like, comment and share helps more women over 50 discover this little corner of the internet—and hopefully find a little inspiration to travel more, embrace their personal style and find joy in every journey.
And if you don’t want to miss what’s coming next, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Never Miss a Post delivers my latest posts straight to your inbox, along with the occasional tip, idea or behind-the-scenes tidbit I haven’t shared anywhere else.
Thanks for being here, for reading and for supporting A Labour of Life. It truly means more than you know.
Leave a Reply