Beer sommeliers & lavish deck BBQs: Dining on Riverside Luxury Cruises

There are many reasons travellers are drawn to the rivers of Europe: the epic castles that drift by, the golden light on cascading vineyard terraces, the excitement of docking in the heart of picturesque medieval towns. But for those who step aboard one of river cruise line Riverside Luxury Cruises’ three charming vessels, there is another, more delicious reason to sail.

Here, dining is not a pause in the day or just a means for refuelling; it is a key component of the journey itself. Each day brings the chance to taste Europe anew, with menus that evolve and adapt as the river winds through varying wine countries and culinary capitals, bringing destinations to life through myriad artfully crafted flavours and fresh, standalone produce.

Riverside Luxury Cruises’ menus are entirely crafted to reflect the region you are sailing in at that current moment. If you are sailing through along France’s Rhône river, it might be Boeuf Bourguignon one evening, paired with a fruity Burgundy, the next, Assiette de la Mer as a heavenly scene of lavender fields floats by your window.

Or perhaps you’re gliding along the Danube: a plate of freshly caught pike-perch with a crisp glass of Riesling as you pass through the rolling hills of Austria, dotted with fairytale chapels and half-timbered homes. 

And while high-end cuisine is there in abundance if you want it, it’s not all fine dining. As blissful afternoons go, it’s hard to beat Riverside’s lavish deck barbecues up on deck. Occurring at least once per cruise, guests all gather under the afternoon sun for a wonderful feast of grilled meats, fish, tasty salads and everything in between – all washed down with your tipple of choice from the Vista Deck Bar. 

– READ MORE: Complete guide to Riverside Luxury Cruises Debussy ship –

Twice-daily excursions range from the classic to the quirky on a variety of topics, but foodies are spoiled for choice when it comes to specially curated culinary and wine outings. You’ll leave your holiday with a deeper connection to and appreciation of Europe’s flavours – whether it’s trying out truffle hunting in the Ardèche, wine tastings in the Beaujolais hills, or heading out on a 4×4 adventure to discover the flavours of the Rhine region. 

Local experts add colour and depth to each excursion, and you’ll meet the families behind centuries-old distilleries, vineyards and farms who share their wisdom and passion for their craft over mouth-watering tastings and fascinating tours.

New for this year, guests can join a specialist beer-themed sailing along the Rhine, hosted by expert beer sommelier James Kellow.  Uncover the secrets of Northern Europe’s brewing heritage with visits to traditional breweries of Germany and Holland, plus guided walking (and tasting!) tours in cities like Amsterdam and Düsseldorf. Back onboard, take part in a unique beer-pairing dining experience, balancing six exquisite dishes with six tasty ales from the region.

Michelin-level moments in the Vintage Room

The pièce de résistance in river cruise dining comes in the form of Riverside Luxury Cruises’ Vintage Room. Available on all three ships, this intimate, wood-panelled dining venue seats no more than 12 guests at a time and offers a seven-course tasting menu. Each delicately balanced course is introduced and explained by the head chef, with an accompanying wine chosen by the head sommelier, who is also on hand to talk through each pairing.

Riverside offers flexible package options to suit every preference. For a refreshingly inclusive option, food and wine lovers will get the best value with the Premium All-Inclusive with Excursions package. Expect full-board dining across multiple venues – whether that’s an extensive à la carte breakfast or a three-course meal at the elegant Waterside Restaurant, paired with sommelier-selected wines. 

Feeling peckish mid-afternoon? An endlessly tempting array of freshly made snacks is available at all times for guests in the casual eatery, Atelier.

When it comes to drinks, premium wines, beers, and soft drinks flow freely with lunch and dinner, while barista-made coffees, teas and bottled water are also available.

The only dining venue which comes at an additional supplement is the Vintage Room experience.

While every sailing with Riverside Luxury Cruises features top-of-the-range culinary moments, a couple of itineraries stand out for particularly fabulous flavours. 

Where better to embark on a gourmand’s adventure than France? Riverside’s seven-night ‘South of France Soiree’ along the Rhône river is a feast for the senses in the country’s stunning Provence region. You’ll be pairing Châteauneuf-du-Pape cellar tastings with al fresco dinners under pink skies and exploring fresh market produce in Avignon and dining in France’s foodie capital, Lyon. Each day offers a taste of the region’s celebrated culinary heritage – just remember to save room in your bag to bring a flavour of France home with you…

Moving slightly further up Europe, the ‘Romantic Rhine Northbound’ itinerary sails from Basel to Amsterdam, taking in the Rhine’s story through zingy Rieslings in Rüdesheim and refreshing Kölsch in Cologne (to be sipped with a backdrop of the city’s impressive twin-cathedral) – to moreish bitterballen in Amsterdam. Along the way, vineyard-cloaked hills give way to riverside taverns and humming market squares, each with its own idiosyncratic character and traditions.