Food & Dining on Ambassador Ambience

All You Need to Know About Eating onboard with photos and menus

I don’t know about you, but food can make or break a cruise for me. It doesn’t always have to be cordon bleu haute cuisine, as long as it’s good, tasty and filling. If I’m going to splash out on a speciality restaurant, I like to know what to expect before I go so I can determine if it’s value for money.

I’ve just returned from a 10 day Around Britain cruise on Ambassador Ambience and here is my guide to what and where you can eat onboard, including your frequently asked questions. This is a post about the restaurants with menus. To get an idea of the food check out My Cruise on a Plate.

Is Food Included on Ambassador Ambience?

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner is included on Ambience, plus late night canapés in bars/lounges. Speciality restaurants and room service cost extra (room service breakfast is included for suite guests only).

How Many Restaurants on Ambassador Ambience?

There are 6 restaurants on Ambassador Ambience:

Borough Market
Buckingham Restaurant
Saffron (Speciality) (sectioned-off area in Borough Market)
Sea & Grass
Chef’s Table (sectioned-off area in Buckingham Restaurant)
Alfresco Grill

Is There a Buffet on Ambassador Ambience?

The buffet on Ambassador Ambience is called Borough Market. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, it is not a self-service buffet - food is served to you in line.

Is there Vegetarian/Vegan Food on Ambassador Ambience?

Borough Market (the buffet) has a dedicated section for Vegetarian/Vegan options. There are also plant-based choices on other restaurant menus. Advise the waiting staff in the main dining room of your dietary requirements, and you should be provided with the vegetarian menu.

What Type of Food Can You Expect on an Ambassador Cruise?

I’m not a restaurant critic, but if I were to describe the food on Ambience I would say it was predominantly good, hearty, traditional, British fare, with some options for the more adventurous diner. Expect full English breakfasts, roast dinners with all the trimmings, pasta with Italian breads, fish and chips, and a British dish of the day such as steak pie or liver and bacon - satisfying home-cooked food that your mum or grandma might have served you.

Dinners are a little more fancy and nicely presented, but still using familiar ingredients - think dinner party quality, with several choices for each course. I can honestly say we didn’t have one bad meal on our cruise.

Borough Market (Included)

Borough Market Sign on Ambassador Ambience

As mentioned above, Borough Market is Ambassador’s buffet restaurant located up on Deck 12 Aft. Meals here are served to you - only tea, coffee, juice and water are self-service. Borough Market is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Worth noting that there is no late-night buffet on Ambience.

Seating in Borough Market on Ambience

Whilst seating is plentiful, it does get very busy at peak times so my advice is to find a table first before queuing for your food. During the daytime you can sit in the area used by Saffron. An improvement since my first visit last year is that Ambassador now provide a cutlery stand on each table and breakfast bar with multiple knives, forks, spoons (not teaspoons) and paper napkins. This is a much better arrangement than looking for cutlery rolled in cloth napkins that were sometimes elusive at busy periods.

Display Unit in Borough Market on Ambassador Ambience

Decor is modern and inviting with tropical leaf printed upholstery and cheerful picture galleries and artistic displays that makes the whole area feel homely.

There are several free self-service dispensers for tea, coffee and water (and juice at breakfast). Other drinks can be ordered from the waiters wearing green aprons - either as part of your drinks package or added to your onboard account.

There are various sections, each requiring you to queue separately - sometimes there are two queues at each section (for example the cooked breakfast and egg station), or adjacent sections merge into one queue (salad bar and cheese).

Breakfast in Borough Market

Breakfasts consist of sliced fresh fruit, cereals and porridge, toast with marmalade or jam, a small continental selection, full English breakfast options, egg station, bakery items and an Asian option. The cooked breakfast items include back bacon, sausages, grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, fluffy scrambled eggs, hash browns and proper baked beans (if you know, you know). At the egg station you can choose from boiled, poached, fried to your preference or an omelette. There is a selection of well-known sauces and condiments available.

Opening hours:

Early Bird Breakfast (continental) 06:00 - 06:30

Main Breakfast 06:30 - 10.00 (times may vary so check your All Aboard App/paper)

Lunch in Borough Market

If you enjoy Fish & Chips check out the daily offering at the ‘Salt & Vinegar’ section, which changes daily. ‘Sugar Bar’ is where to head for sweet treats and desserts - there is a delicious daily hot dessert such as a crumble with custard. The portions are generous so watch your waistline. ‘Crouton’ serves soup and a sandwich of the day; ‘Graze & Grains’ has plant-based, vegetarian and vegan options. For something a little more adventurous, try ‘Points East’ for a stir fry or curry. For pasta queue up at ‘Marinara’ for either a tomato-based or creamy pasta with a side option of Italian bread of the day (garlic focaccia for example). For a carvery roast dinner with all the trimmings, queue up at ‘The Oven’ where the joint of meat changes daily (we had gammon, roast turkey, roast chicken, roast beef (various cuts), roast pork and roast lamb during our cruise - I was unable to resist each day). At the salad bar you can have your salad made to order from the usual suspects (cucumber, tomato, onion, lettuce) plus a salad of the day. You can add some cold cuts (ham salami) or, as I did, have a cheese plate assembled with either crackers or bread rolls.

Opening Hours: 12:00 - 14:30 (times may vary so check your All Aboard App/paper)

Afternoon Tea in Borough Market

Every day afternoon tea is served in the buffet. There is a hot dish, small selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones - either ready filled with raspberry jam and cream (not clotted, for purists amongst you), or unfilled with jam and cream served separately. There are also flavoured scones plus a delicious pound cake (flavours change daily).

Opening hours: 15:30-16:30

Dinner in Borough Market

Marinara in Borough Market on Ambassador Ambience for Pasta

It is a much more casual event dining in Borough Market in the evening than in the main dining room. However, dinner options are similar to those in Buckingham Restaurant but served buffet style. With choice of appetisers, soup, salad and main courses including the ubiquitous carvery and lots of dessert options. If you don’t fancy dressing up on formal nights, or want more flexibility then having dinner in Borough Market is a good alternative.

Opening hours: 18:00 - 21:00

Buckingham Restaurant (Included)

Buckingham Restaurant

Located aft on Deck 7 Promenade Deck, the Buckingham Restaurant is the main dining room on Ambience. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (there are two dinner sittings: early at 5:45 pm and late at 8.15 pm). You can select your preferred dining time and table size (4, 6, or 8) when booking. There is no “freedom dining” model on Ambience and very few tables for two. They will hold your table for 30 minutes after which time they may release it to other diners (useful tip if you’ve been given early sitting when you wanted late - worth checking if they will allow walk-ups after 30 mins).

Breakfast in Buckingham Restaurant

Breakfast is waiter served and is generally served between 07:00 - 09:00, but check the All Aboard app or daily paper for current opening hours. It is open seating in Buckingham Restaurant in the morning, so you will be taken to join the next available table which could be for 4, 6 or 8 people.

Choices include Continental Breakfast, Healthy Options, Chef’s Daily Special, Full English Breakfast, Kippers, omelettes, Eggs Benedict and pastries. See menu below for full options. You can choose whatever you want from the menu (I like to have fruit, cereal and then a cooked breakfast) but beware as timings seem to be geared to bring all hot dishes at once so you may keep your fellow diners waiting. Buckingham Restaurant is ideal for a leisurely breakfast but perhaps go to Borough Market (buffet) if you are on a tighter schedule for an excursion for example.

Buckingham Breakfast Menu

Lunch in Buckingham Restaurant

Lunch is usually served daily between 12:00 - 13:00, but again do check. Open seating means you will be asked to share a table.

The menu consists of several starters, soup, hot and cold main courses, sandwiches, Pub Grub options, hot and cold desserts or cheese board.l, so bring your appetite!

Buckingham Lunch Menu (Sample)

Dinner in Buckingham Restaurant

Dinner is a traditional affair on Ambassador Cruise Line with two set sittings on shared tables - Early at 6 pm and Late at 8.15. When booking you should be able to request your preferred sitting and table size (4, 6 or 8 people), although this isn’t guaranteed. If you are travelling as a group, contact Ambassador to request to be seated together.

Your evening meal on Ambience is a multi-course event with several options for each. Menus are broken down into Appetisers, Soups, Salads, Main Courses, Dessert and Tea/coffee. Choose all or some of the courses ( yes you can have an appetiser, soup and salad before your main course if you want). Can’t decide what to have? Ask your waiter if you can try one of each! So Done at our table asked for two different main courses (not me) and someone regularly had two desserts (yes, that was me). Water will be topped up during your meal, but no other drinks are included. You can order wine or other drinks from the winewaiter.

On Ambassador/Gala Nights (formal nights) the menus will include even more luxurious items such as lobster stuffed fish, beef wellington and the not-to-be-missed baked alaska complete with a traditional, and very entertaining, Baked Alaska Parade (have your cameras ready).

Buckingham Dinner Menu (Sample)

Alfresco Grill

Located just outside Borough Market on Deck 12 Aft starboard (right-hand side), the Alfresco Grill serves pizza slices, hotdogs and burgers. Being situated on the Lido deck, it is ideal for those poolside snacks.

Alfresco Grill is open 10 am - 6 pm daily.

Gelato Ice Cream Shop (Extra)

Gelato Ice Cream Shop sells a range of flavours.

If you fancy an ice cream, (and why not - you’re on holiday after all), a visit to Gelato is in order. Located on Deck 12 Aft Port (left) side just outside Borough Market. There is an extra cost for ice creams (see menu).

Opening hours seem to vary but advertised as between 11:00 - 17:00

Gelato Menu

Saffron (Speciality Restaurant - Extra Cost £19.95 per person)

This is Ambassador’s Indian Fusion speciality restaurant which is located within a curtained-off area in Borough Market on Deck 12 Aft. The area, which in the daytime is used as extra seating for the buffet, is transformed into the more exclusive Saffron after dark, with heavy purple velvet curtains acting as an effective partition from the main Borough Market area. Gone are the cutlery stands, replaced by opulent charger plates and black cloth napkins, and the waiters are dressed in traditional Indian clothing. The restaurant rotates two menus A and B which differ, but you can view them on the interactive screens around the ship.

Before you order the waiter will bring a basket of hot naan bread and two dips (beware - the green one has a kick!) There are three choices of starter - meat, fish or veggie. We ordered a meat and a fish to share and both were delightful. There are a choice of six main courses (vegan alternatives available on request). All main courses are served with more hot naan bread, mushroom & pea rice, Kashmiri Pulao and basmati rice. We ordered the Lamb Rogan Josh and the Butter Chicken to share on our visit, and the portions were huge. There are three dessert options - on our visit there was one dessert that didn’t seem to be going down too well with guests, namely the Warm Vattayapaam with Chocolate Sauce (a steamed rice mound). Fortunately, our two choices were delicious. I can highly recommend the Carrot Halwa Trifle - which was far more delicious than it sounds with a tropical fruit and carrot layer (couldn’t tell it was carrot), jelly, vanilla ice cream topped with topping of saffron cream and nuts - heavenly!

I have tried many Indian speciality restaurants on my cruises, and this one is up there with the best of them. The food is plentiful, authentic and above all delicious and well worth the supplement in my opinion, which is much less than you would pay on other ships.

Opening hours: 18:00 - 20:30

Saffron Sample Menu

Sea & Grass (Speciality Restaurant - Extra Cost £29.95 per person)

Located on Deck 12 Forward Starboard (right hand side), Sea & Grass offers a premium fine dining experience. There are seven courses (“Acts”) plus several side dishes and a palate cleansing sorbet in the middle. There are no choices - it is a set menu - but you can miss out courses if you choose, or ask your waiter for plant-based alternatives. Courses include fish (the ‘Sea’ part), duck, beef, lamb or veggie (the ‘Grass’ part). There is a cheese board served from a trolley filled with options, as well as dessert and tea/coffee and petit fours. Although the courses look quite small, they are filling and defeated us before the cheese course sadly. You will be served a complimentary welcome glass of bubbles on arrival, further drinks can be ordered from your wine package or charged to your onboard account. There is an optional wine paring costing an additional £7.95.

The food is beautifully presented with dramatic touches and whilst I enjoyed most courses I personally wasn’t a fan of the Endive which I found too bitter, or the pulled lamb which was too salty for me (although my husband found it fine). The steak option looked very appealing and I must admit to food envy. The dessert was surprisingly large given how rich it was.

The decor here, like the food, is luxurious with beautiful lamps and comfortable seating (request a window table if you can).

Opening times: 18:00 - 20:30

Sea & Grass Sample Menu

Chef’s Table (Speciality Restaurant - Extra Cost £89 per person)

This is definitely one to save for a special occasion. Described as “the ultimate on board culinary experience”, Chef's Table is an exclusive VIP multi-course dining experience specially created and hosted by the Executive Chef, including a tour of the Galley. If you like to understand the context behind what you are eating and want to see behind the scene, then join the Executive Chef who will walk you through every course, talking about the inspiration behind the dish and its preparation.

It is a nine-course set menu (there are also Vegan and Vegetarian menus) with included wine pairings for each dish. Upon arrival you are served with a glass of bubbles and an amuse bouche, before embarking on your galley tour. You then return to your table for the remainder of the meal.

Located in an exclusive private area of Buckingham Restaurant, The Chef’s Table requires there to be a minimum of ten guests booked onto the event for it to run.

Opening times: Dependent on numbers - not available on formal nights

Chef’s Table Sample Menu

Coffee House/Dickens Coffee Shop (Extra)

The Coffee House can be found on Deck 12 Forward on the Port (left) side of the pool deck. It is a bar/coffee shop with indoor/outdoor seating. Depending on whether or not you have the appropriate drinks package (Ambassador Expedition Package) your drinks and beverages will be charged to your onboard account. You can purchase delicious cakes and gateaux from the Coffee House for an extra charge (not included in any drinks package).

Dickens Coffee Shop is located on Deck 5 Mid-ships opposite Receotion on the port (left) side of Centre Court. It’s a nice spot to watch the world go around whilst enjoying a nice cuppa. The same rules apply as for The Coffee House regarding pricing - drinks only included on Ambassador Expedition Package, cakes have to be purchased.

Room Service on Ambassador Ambience

There is no complimentary room service on Ambassador Ambience. Each item is paid for individually (charged to your onboard account). Room service is available from 11:00 - 23:00. Suite Guests get complimentary room service breakfast if they wish. There is a card in each suite to be completed and put on door before midnight.

Ambience Room Service Menu

Late Night Nibbles

Unusually, there is no late-night buffet service on Ambassador Ambience. However if you are still out partying, trays of complimentary canapés are circulated by the waiting staff in lounges (The Observatory, Raffles Bar and Botanicals), between 11:00 - 11:30 pm. You need to be quick though as they are demolished quickly.

I hope you’ve found this guide useful, if so do let me know in the comments section. Alternatively, if you have a question leave me a message in the comments and I will try to answer it.

Don’t forget to pack those elasticated waist trousers - you are going to need them!

Ambassador Ambience Ultimate Restaurant Guide