10 culinary highlights on board the AIDAcosma

Welcome aboard the AIDAcosma, where the culinary variety is almost as impressive as the journey itself. On our 23-day Trans Suez voyage from Dubai to Palma de Mallorca, we can test the cafés and restaurants on board extensively. From South American barbecue specialties to dinner entertainment – the choice is huge. Let’s go on a culinary voyage of discovery together and explore the top 10 highlights on board the AIDAcosma.

1. Breakfast at the French Kiss

The French Kiss is a restaurant included in the travel price that embodies the style of a French brasserie and offers you a variety of dishes from breakfast to dinner.

If you prefer a quiet breakfast without going to the buffet, breakfast at French Kiss is just the thing for you. In an authentic French bistro atmosphere, you can order your breakfast à la carte and then sit back and relax while it is brought to your table.

The selection ranges from various French and international cheeses and sausages to salmon, hearty egg dishes and freshly baked croissants. For a healthy start to the day, there is also muesli, yogurt and an abundance of fresh fruit. There is even a selection of vegan cheeses for you to choose from. We love to start the day here with a glass of sparkling wine, surrounded by an etagere full of breakfast specialties and fragrant croissants.

Breakfast is included in the price. However, drinks such as coffee, tea and water must be paid for separately. The prices are quite affordable; a cappuccino, for example, costs 3.60 euros and a latte macchiato 3.90 euros. A glass of sparkling wine is available for 4.50 euros. Some drinks are included in our all-inclusive drinks package, but not all. We recommend that you reserve your place in the restaurant in advance, as demand is high.

Breakfast at the French Kiss

2. A second coffee from Starbucks at my favorite spot on deck 8

After breakfast, we like to treat ourselves to a second coffee with a view of the sea. There is a Starbucks Café on deck 8 next to Café Mare. Here you can order all the Starbucks classics, even in the familiar white porcelain cups. As usual at Starbucks, coffee is available in Tall and Grande sizes. A latte macchiato, for example, costs 3.80 euros in Tall and 4.30 euros in Grande.

Café Mare on deck 8

You can sit down with your coffee in one of the seating areas in the atrium or go outside. For a little moment of downtime in the morning, we take an iced latte from Starbucks outside to the walkway on deck 8, where we enjoy our coffee with a view of the waves. Incidentally, you can take wonderful photos here both during the day and in the evening. One of our favorite places on board.

Starbucks coffee with a sea view

3. Morning pint in the brewery

A real classic on the AIDA ships is the brewery on deck 8, where there are of course daily events and the opportunity to sample the beer brewed on board in accordance with the German purity law. Food is included, but drinks are available for an extra charge. At lunchtime from 13:30 there is, for example, beef goulash, grilled chicken and grilled sausage. In the evening, there are also real brewery classics such as snacks, schnitzel and pork knuckle.

The morning pint in the brewery is particularly popular on sea days. The fun begins at 11:30 am with a hearty buffet consisting of meat loaf, pretzels and veal sausage. As soon as the master brewer shouts “O’zapft is!”, a round of free beer flows and the atmosphere rises immeasurably. The party then continues on the beer benches. The event ends at 1 pm. We particularly recommend the Nordic morning pint. Instead of veal sausage and pretzels, there are typical Nordic delicacies such as fish sandwiches or fish with fried potatoes.

The brewery

A great time with pretzels and meat loaf

4. Have lunch or dinner in one of the new inclusive restaurants

There are some new included restaurants on the AIDAcosma that we really wanted to try out. It is best to reserve these in advance via the app, as they get booked up quickly. The Beach House Restaurant and Ocean’s Fish Restaurant are further culinary highlights on board and are both located on deck 7.

The dishes are served à la carte in both restaurants, and in addition to the main courses there are starters and desserts at the buffet. The meals are included in the price of the trip, only the drinks have to be paid for separately. The all-inclusive drinks package is also valid here for some drinks, but not for all.

The Beach House Restaurant is located near the theater in the middle of the ship on deck 7 and opens its doors from 6 pm. The atmosphere is indeed reminiscent of a cozy beach house, with white wooden slats on the walls, blue and white cushions and maritime decorations. The dishes are named after regions that have famous beaches. For example, you can try fruity ceviche with passion fruit from Lima, a Thai curry soup from Ko Samui, mole chicken with crispy polenta from Cozumel or parmigiana di melanzane from Sardinia. Our personal highlight is the flamed lime pie from Key West. Another tip: be sure to try the ox cheeks!

Ocean’s fish restaurant is located at the back of deck 7 near the Yacht Club buffet restaurants. Food is served here at lunchtime from 12:30 to 14:00 and in the evening from 18:00. The selection of fish dishes here is varied, from prawns in a crispy coating to salmon fillet or a delicious fish soup. The appetizer buffet also offers delicious fish rolls and bread with matjes and salad.

The ambience at Ocean’s fish restaurant

5. Enjoy an ice cream sundae on the terrace of the ice cream bar

There is a genuine Italian ice cream parlor on deck 8, which is open from 2 pm to 10 pm. Here you can either buy a single scoop of ice cream or a whole ice cream cup. The ice cream is not included in the tour price and a scoop costs one euro. The ice bar also offers specialty coffees that are only available here.

We especially love to enjoy the ice cream either inside or outside on the terrace of the ice cream bar. An insider tip for coffee time: sometimes they also offer slices of cake for afternoon coffee. Here you can also get your free cake and enjoy it in this relaxed atmosphere.

The outdoor area of the ice bar

Ice cream from the ice cream bar

6. Hot Pot Restaurant

The Hot Pot Restaurant on deck 6, in the middle of the ship, is part of the Sushi House and is fully chargeable. The price is 26.90 euros per person. Drinks are not included, but here too we can use the all-inclusive drinks package for some drinks. The Hot Pot Restaurant is open for lunch from 12:30 to 14:00 and in the evening from 18:00.

We sit at tables with wells in the middle, into which the various funds are poured. There is a choice of vegetable, fish and beef stocks. The food is then cooked directly at the table in the boiling stock. There are different types of meat, fish variations and, of course, vegetarian ingredients that can be cooked in the stock. Served with rice or noodles and various sauces. The buffet also offers a variety of dips that can be enjoyed with the cooked dishes. As the food is prepared at the table, it naturally takes a little more time, but it is a sociable experience and, in our opinion, a visit to the Hot Pot Restaurant is definitely worthwhile.

The food at the Hot Pot Restaurant

7. Great entertainment in the Time Machine

The Time Machine Restaurant on the AIDAcosma is not just a place to eat, but a journey through the culinary highlights of the world. Each dish is inspired by a different era or region and offers a varied selection for every taste. From exotic spices to traditional dishes, everything is included.

This paid restaurant is located on deck 6. In the Time Machine, we immerse ourselves in the world of Professor Tempus. He and his team take us on a dinnertainment journey in a lovingly designed steampunk atmosphere.

During the selected menu, an entertainment show is presented in the middle of the restaurant. The journey through time is accompanied by impressive video and lighting effects on the screens on the walls. Disguised artists, dancers and the restaurant team ensure a wonderful experience, in which some guests are also actively involved.

There are three different menus to choose from: Fish, meat or vegetarian, as well as a children’s menu. The additional payment starts at 24.90 euros per person or 9.90 euros for children. Drinks are additional, but some of them are included in the all-inclusive package. We opt for the meat menu, which includes smoked roast beef tartare, guinea fowl breast with port wine jus for the main course and a passion fruit and whey mousse for dessert. It is an unforgettable evening and the extra payment is worth every penny.

8. Snack on bread and sandwiches or in the kebab & spicy corner

On board the AIDAcosma you will not only find the famous hot corner, where you can enjoy currywurst with a roll, but also a street food corner with delicious kebabs. For lovers of savory sandwiches, there is also the Brot & Stulle. This area is located in the middle of deck 7 and has a colorful and modern design with various photo impressions of cities. Take a seat on the benches or chairs at the wooden tables and enjoy an Estrella or Astra beer.

The Döner & scharfe Ecke was open daily from 12 noon until 2 am. Here you can fortify yourself after an excursion. In the evening, after a rock session in the Rock Box Bar or after a party in the Beach Club, it’s also a good place to stop for a snack. The offer is inclusive and therefore free of charge.

The Brot & Stulle opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. Our tip for sea days: simply take a loaf of bread with you to your cabin, a coffee and then enjoy the view from the balcony at breakfast.

Bread with a sea view on your own balcony

9. Burger variety at Best Burger @ Sea

At Best Burger @ Sea on deck 7, burger fans can put together their own creations. With a selection of bread rolls such as brioche, sourdough and integral as well as different types of meat such as beef with bacon, pulled pork, crispy chicken with caramelized onions or salmon with wasabi mayonnaise, there is something for everyone. There is also a veggie version with vegetable roast Italo style.

The concept offers a wide selection, supplemented by daily changing burger specials. During our trip, we were particularly impressed by the Spain burger with Manchego, Serrano and aioli.

Food is included in the price, while drinks must be paid for separately. The Best Burger @ Sea is open daily until 10 pm. A good option for a relaxed burger break after a shore excursion or as an alternative to dinner at the buffet.

10. In the churrascaria at sunset

A special culinary highlight on board for us is dinner in the churrascaria at sunset. The Churrascaria Steakhouse on deck 8 offers seating both indoors and outdoors on deck and is an à la carte restaurant subject to a surcharge.

Here you can try authentic South American barbecue specialties. There is a varied selection of grilled meat, which is served directly at the table. Our Rodizio menu with 5 different churrasco skewers, which are carved at the table, costs 34.50 euros per person. Typical South American side dishes are served with it. In addition to the rodizio, you can also order various beef steaks, salmon fillets and turkey steaks at the churrascaria.

The atmosphere is lively and inviting, which contributes to a sociable and entertaining evening. It is definitely a culinary experience that will be remembered for a long time.