Foodie holidaymakers seeking the best culinary experience onshore have been told which cruise ports offer the finest cuisine, with Barcelona ranking number one in the world for fine dining. Luxury cruise specialist Panache Cruises has analysed the busiest cruise ports globally to reveal which has the most prestigious Michelin-star restaurants.
| Cruise Port | Location | Cruise port by passenger movement (2022 | Michelin Star Restaurants |
| Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain | 2,329,000 | 76 |
| Genoa/ Savona | Genoa & Savona, Italy | 1,572,000 | 20 (18 in Genoa, 2 in Savona) |
| Nassau | Nassau, Bahamas | 3,212,603 | 14 |
| Palma de Mallorca | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | 1,727,000 | 12 |
| Port Miami | Miami, Florida | 4,030,000 | 11 |
| Civitavecchia | Civitavecchia, Italy | 2,172,000 | 2 |
| Southampton | Southampton, England | 1,899,654 | 1 |
| Port Everglades | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 1,717,908 | 0 |
| Port Canaveral | Cape Canaveral, Florida | 4,072,396 | 0 |
| Cozumel | Cozumel, Mexico | 2,943,760 | 0 |
There has been a huge rise in gastronomic tourism, and recent studies indicate that 60% of travelers venture abroad primarily for the purpose of indulging in new culinary delights.
Foodies looking to indulge in outstanding cuisine when their cruise ship calls in at port have been told that Barcelona in Spain is the ideal location to disembark and dig in. Known as a Mediterranean hub, those with an appetite for fine dining have 76 Michelin-star restaurants to choose from.
Only the most exceptional and high-quality restaurants can receive a star, so Port de Barcelona, located just 10 minutes from the old town, is a dream spot for food connoisseurs looking to lose themselves in the dining scene. The ports of Genoa and Savona in Italy have the second-highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants. More than 1.5 million cruisers travel through these fascinating locations every year.
From modern cuisine inspired by regional traditions to raw food dishes served inside Europe’s largest aquarium, the historical city of Genoa has 18 of the finest dining venues to pick from, while the closeby seaport of Savona has two.
Nassau, the most visited port in the Bahamas, and the third busiest in the world, boasts 14 Michelin-starred restaurants. The capital is known globally as a paradise for its miles of stunning sandy beaches and stretches of coral reefs, but it is also a haven for foodies hunting down the best-rated seafood restaurants in the world.
James Cole, founder and managing director at Panache Cruises said “Cruising allows holidaymakers to visit numerous destinations in one holiday, giving them the chance to wake up in a new place with different food cultures, every morning.
“Some of the busiest cruise ports in the world are just a stone’s throw from the most prestigious fine dining spots in the world, so foodies should definitely take advantage. “Given the excellent restaurants that can be found on cruise ships, it is often tempting to return to the ship for lunch when in port. But by doing so, many people miss out on some fantastic local culinary experiences.
“Those coming in or leaving from Port Barcelona in Spain have an impressive 76 Michelin restaurants to pick from, which is ideal for those wanting to experience luxury fine dining. “For culinary enthusiasts, a must-do is to explore cities with Michelin star restaurants that showcase remarkable techniques and unparalleled flavour, so it is great to know that some of the busiest ports in the world allow connoisseurs to eat well onshore as well as onboard.”
The port of Palma is the largest in the Spanish Balearic Islands and has 12 Michelin-starred restaurants dotted around the historical city. The second busiest cruise port in the world, the port of Miami in South Florida, ranks fifth and is home to 11 restaurants worthy of the star.
There is a vast range of food choices in Miami too, from American tasting-menu-focused restaurants on the South Beach to Mexican seafood and even Colombian Cuisine. Due to the popularity of Port Miami as a departure point, it is recommended that those wanting to indulge in one of these fantastic restaurants pre-book to guarantee themselves a spot.
Of the busiest ports in the USA, cruisers with a love for fine dining should opt for ships that visit Port Miami because the other busiest global ports in the USA, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral (also based in Florida), have no Michelin star restaurants. The nearest from Port Everglades would be a drive to Miami, and the nearest to Port Canaveral, which is the busiest in the world, would be a drive to Orlando, which is inconvenient for cruisers on a tight schedule.
Cozumel, an Island off the coast of Mexico, which is a favourite destination for cruisers due to its picturesque white-sand beaches and coral barrier, also has no Michelin star restaurants. Civitavecchia, another port in Italy near Rome, has just two Michelin star restaurants, while Southampton in England has only one.
Cole added: “Michelin stars are not easy to obtain due to the extremely high standards required. With the honour comes immense prestige and exposure so they can be hard to come by. It can be even harder to secure a table reservation so research and pre-planning is essential.
“Often, it makes sense to make table reservations well before a cruise vacation starts but if this is not possible, the customer service team on the ship should still be able to help. “People traveling with luxury cruise lines will also be able to make use of the Concierge service onboard. Savvy travelers will know that this can be a clever option to secure sought after table reservations at the most popular restaurants when in port.
“Holidaymakers can experience cultural and historical cuisine in spots all over the globe. Don’t overlook restaurants that haven’t won a star however. There are thousands of incredible restaurants that should still feature on your short-list. Restaurant review websites and local tourist offices in each destination are a good place to start.”
