Carnival Cruise Buffet Menu with Review & Food Pictures

Carnival Cruise ships are known for keeping things fun and relaxed and nowhere is that more true than at the Lido Marketplace. After Zoe tried the Windjammer Buffet on Royal Caribbean, I decided it was time to give Carnival’s version a try and explore what the Carnival Cruise Buffet menus had to offer.

The Lido Marketplace isn’t trying to be fancy, and that’s exactly what makes it great. It’s all about easy dining with plenty of choices and no fuss. One moment you’re enjoying a plate of classic comfort food, the next you’re sampling something new from the international section and of course finishing it all off with Carnival’s famous desserts.

On my recent cruise, I snapped photos of breakfast spreads, quick lunches, and casual dinners to capture just how much the Carnival Lido Marketplace offers throughout the day. If you’re looking for good food, variety, and a laid-back vibe, this is definitely a spot you’ll keep coming back to on your Carnival Cruise.

What is Lido Marketplace on Carnival Cruise?

The Lido Marketplace is the main casual buffet dining area on Carnival Cruise Ships. It’s a self-service restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks offering a wide variety of food stations including salads, hot entrees, international cuisines, desserts and made-to-order items like sandwiches and stir-fry.  

The space features both indoor and outdoor seating areas where passengers can enjoy their meals. This casual dining venue is included in your cruise fare, meaning you can eat there as often as you like without any additional charges. 

Carnival Cruise Buffet Menus

The Carnival Cruise Buffet menus offers an impressive variety of dishes. For breakfast, you can choose from classics like made-to-order omelets, crispy bacon, fresh pastries, cereals, and tropical fruits.  

Lunch includes a mix of international cuisines, featuring stations for salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, Asian stir-fry, and carved meats.  

You’ll find even more elaborate options at dinner like prime rib, seafood dishes, pasta specialties, and rotating international themes along with a tempting array of desserts including cakes, pies, cookies, and soft-serve ice cream.  

From breakfast omelets to dinner roasts and desserts, the Carnival Buffet welcomes guests with casual dining that’s perfect for families and those who want variety in their meals.   

Following are the Carnival Lido Buffet menus with food pictures:

Carnival Cruise Breakfast Buffet Menus

Here are Carnival Cruise Breakfast Buffet menus:

Here are photos of the different breakfast dishes available at the Carnival Lido Buffet:

Carnival Cruise Lunch Buffet Menus

Here are Carnival Cruise Lunch Buffet menus:

Below are photos of the lunch dishes available at the Carnival Lido Marketplace:

Carnival Cruise Dinner Buffet Menus

Here are Carnival Cruise Dinner Buffet menus:

Here are photos of some of the dinner dishes served at the Carnival Lido Marketplace:

Carnival Cruise Dessert Buffet Menus

Here are Carnival Cruise desserts buffet menus:

Here are photos of some of the desserts served at the Carnival Lido Marketplace for lunch and dinner:

Carnival Cruise Late Night Snack Buffet Menus

Here are Carnival Cruise late night snack menus from Lido Marketplace:

Which Carnival Ships have the Lido Marketplace?

The Lido Marketplace is a casual buffet restaurant found on all Carnival Cruise Line ships. Though the exact layout and Carnival Cruise Lido marketplace menu items might vary slightly between different ship classes. 

Where is the Lido Marketplace on Carnival Ships?

Let’s find the Lido Marketplace locations on different Carnival Class Ships:

• Excel Class Ships: Lido Marketplace is on Deck 16 on Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras that has other dining options like Big Chicken, Seafood Shack, Street Eats, Blue Iguana Cantina and bar options like RedFrog Tiki Bar and Tides Pool Bar.

• Venice Class Ships: Lido Marketplace is on Deck 10 on Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, Pizzeria Del Capitano, Java Blue Cafe and bar options like Rococo Bar.

• Vista Class Ships: Lido Marketplace is on Deck 10 on Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Pizzeria Del Capitano, Seafood Shack and bar options like Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and Red Frog Rum Bar.

• Carnival Dream Class Ships: Lido Marketplace is on Deck 10 on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic and Carnival Dream that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Mongolian Wok and bar options like Blue Iguana Tequila Bar, Red Frog Rum Bar and Tides Bar.

• Carnival Splendor Lido Marketplace is on Deck 9 & 10 that has other dining options like Masla Tiger, Guy’s Burger Joint, The Deli, and Pizzeria Del Capitano.

• Conquest Class Ships: Grand Buffet is on Deck 9 on Carnival Freedom, Liberty, Valor, Glory and Conquest that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Mongolian Wok, Pizzeria, The Deli, and Seafood Shack.

• Spirit Class Ships: Buffet is on Deck 9 on Carnival Spirit, Pride, Legend, Miracle and Luminosa that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, and Deli.

• Sunshine Class Ships: Lido Marketplace is on Deck 9 on Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Sunshine that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Deli, Seafood Shack, Big Chicken, and Pizzeria Del Capitano.

• Fantasy Class Ships: Buffet is on Deck 10 on Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation that has other dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, The Deli, Pizzeria and bar options like Blue Iguana Tequila Bar & Red Frog Rum Bar.

How Much is the Buffet on Carnival Cruise?

The Lido Marketplace buffet is included in cruise fare. You can visit the buffet as many times as you want and fill your plate with whatever foods you like.

The only things you might need to pay for in the buffet area are specialty beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks, or specialty coffees, but all the Carnival Cruise Buffet food and regular drinks like water, lemonade, and iced tea are included.

Carnival Cruise Buffet Hours

The Carnival Lido Buffet is open at convenient times for breakfast, lunch and dinner, making it easy to enjoy every meal.

Early risers can start their day at the buffet as early as 6:30 AM on port days, while sea days have a slightly later start at 7:00 AM, with breakfast service running until 11:30 AM.  

During lunchtime you can enjoy a variety of dishes from noon until 2:30 PM. Dinner begins at 6:00 PM and continues until 9:30 PM, perfect for both early and late diners.  

If you get hungry late at night, don’t worry! buffet offers late-night snacks from 11:30 PM until around 2:00 or 2:30 AM.  

Just keep in mind that Lido Marketplace hours might change slightly depending on your specific cruise ship and itinerary. 

Carnival Buffet Dress Code

The dress code at Carnival Cruise Line’s buffet is pretty relaxed, but there are still some basic rules to follow. You must wear a shirt, shoes and a cover-up over swimwear while dining at the buffet restaurants. Tank tops and flip-flops are fine, but wet bathing suits and bare feet are not allowed.  

Unlike the Main Dining Rooms, there’s no formal dress code at the buffet even during elegant nights. Most guests come dressed casually in shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, or other comfortable vacation clothing. 

Remember that even though the buffet is casual, you’ll want to be clean and dry before getting your food, which is a basic health and safety rule that applies to all dining areas on the ship. 

This makes the buffet a great choice for cruisers who want to grab a quick meal without having to change out of their casual clothes.

How to Make the Most of Your Lido Marketplace Dining Experience?

Following are some tips to make the most of your Lido Marketplace dining experience:  

• Explore All the Food Stations: Take a walk around to see all the options before choosing what to eat. 
• Try Something New: Be adventurous and taste dishes you’ve never had before, like international cuisines. 
• Go Early to Beat the Crowd: Visit during off-peak times to avoid long lines and grab the best seats. 
• Check Daily Specials: Look for special items that change daily to keep your meals exciting. 
• Save Room for Dessert: The buffet has a variety of sweet treats, so don’t miss out! 
• Keep It Balanced: Mix up your plate with some healthy choices like salads and fruits along with main dishes. 

Lido Marketplace Carnival Reviews

I found the Lido Buffet both convenient and full of variety during my recent cruise. What I liked most was how fresh everything felt whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The food stations were always well-stocked with hot and tasty dishes. On top of that, the area was kept clean and tidy throughout the day which made the whole experience even better. 

When it came to breakfast, I started my morning with the made-to-order omelets filled with mushrooms and cheese paired with fresh fruit and pastries that gave a great start to the day. Other cruisers often highlight the pancakes, waffles, and bacon. 

At lunch and dinner, I enjoyed the carving station with roast turkey and beef and the Mongolian Wok stir-fry where you can pick your own veggies and noodles. Many fellow cruisers mentioned liking the deli sandwiches, the pasta bar, and even the fried chicken and mashed potatoes that show up on rotation. 

Desserts were a highlight for me especially the tiramisu and chocolate cake. From other cruisers’ reviews, the soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt machines were a big hit with kids and families, becoming the most-visited spot after meals. 

A few guests felt the food quality was hit-or-miss compared to the main dining room, but most agreed the buffet’s casual vibe, wide food selection, and family-friendly options made it a reliable dining choice. 

FAQs – Carnival Cruise Buffet