MSC Cruises has announced the introduction of the first Eataly at Sea restaurant on its new ship, MSC World America. The venue opens on Deck 8 and will serve guests both lunch and dinner. Dining at Eataly requires passengers to purchase a dining package prior to the cruise, though reservations can be made to dine a la carte subject to availability.
The Eataly concept, which began in 2002 with a venue in Torino Lingotto, Italy, combines dining with grocery shopping, offering a variety of gourmet Italian foods and cooking classes. The chain now has multiple locations worldwide, including Boston, Dallas, and New York City in the United States and internationally from Paris to Seoul.
“Eataly’s name has a certain cache and star power,” the announcement noted, and its first onboard location promises an authentic Italian culinary experience. Luca Cesarini, MSC’s corporate specialty restaurant chef, Giuseppe Mazzola, Eataly’s senior culinary chef, and Diego Puddu, Eataly USA’s culinary director, are behind the endeavor.
Stéphane Franchini, senior director of food and beverage for MSC Cruises, highlighted the restaurant’s wine selection and emphasized that “all our Italian wines are sourced specially for Eataly’s wine list (40 entries) covering all main regions and wine types.” Featured wines include selections from Toscana: Sassicaia, Tignanello, and 50&50.
The menu at Eataly offers diners a traditional five-course Italian dining experience. Antipasti options, a selection of salads, and a variety of pasta dishes reflect Italy’s regional culinary diversity. Main courses such as La gran cotoletta alla Milanese and the seared whole branzino showcase high-quality ingredients like Olitalia extra-virgin olive oil and Taggiasche olives.
Dessert options at Eataly include traditional Italian favorites such as tiramisu, chocolate hazelnut mousse cake, and limoncello cake, with additional offerings like gelato and fruit salad.
During a showcase pre-inaugural cruise, attendees experienced Eataly’s cuisine and atmosphere firsthand. Despite some menu items being unavailable due to the preview sailing’s nature, dishes such as the burrata appetizer and tonnarelli cacio e pepe were well received by patrons.
MSC World America and its Eataly restaurant welcome guests aboard for a unique experience combining Eataly’s renowned dining with a maritime setting.
