One of the joys of cruising is eating your way through the best of a new port city every day, global smorgasbord just off deck. In each destination, distinctive flavors await: a bite of tart lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake, a glass of artisanal rum, a plate piled high with Manchego cheese and jamón Ibérico. Fellow cruisers may flock to grand museums and historic sites, but surprises await those who ditch the pack. From exploring local spice markets to securing a coveted reservation at a must-visit restaurant, seeking culinary adventures offshore can break up the sameness of mealtime at sea.
As soon as the captain gives the all clear, set down that mimosa and leave the buffet behind. Many cruise lines offer offshore excursions, some better than others, but mapping your own route is part of the fun. Consider these itineraries for six popular cruise ports of call a jumping off point to maximizing your time in a new locale.
Editor in chief Jamila Robinson explores how dining on the road turns every meal into a cultural adventure.
Hong Kong, China
Navigating the Fragrant Harbor may not be for the faint of heart, but giving in to your sense of adventure is well worth the effort. If you’re not the group-tour type, start with taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor (a bargain at one dollar) to the historic Lin Heung Tea House for dim sum. Dine as locals do: Share a table, drink the potent tea, and be bold, nabbing small plates right off the clattering trolleys. When the vanilla-scented egg tarts arrive, it’s time to settle up. If you remain in port for the evening, check out the Temple Street Night Market, where plastic stools and folding tables transform it into Hong Kong’s liveliest dining room after dark, the scents of smoky wok hei and clay pot rice filling the air.
Barcelona, Spain
Before 9 a.m., locals still outnumber tourists in the labyrinthine paths of Barcelona’s famed central market, La Boqueria. Bypass the touristy front stalls to sidle up at 14-seat Bar Pinotxo’s counter. Although the dapper former proprietor Joan Bayen has passed on, it remains raucous with the chatter of festive locals and langoustines sizzling in garlic. Enjoy a Catalan breakfast of garbanzo con butifarra negra and blanco, a stew with two types of sausage, plump raisins, and crunchy toasted pine nuts. A hunk of crusty bread helps you sop up every drop. Locals buy up all the deep-fried, sugar-coated, cream-filled Xuxo pastries by 11 a.m., so grab one (or four) to go. Bar Pinotxo also serves coffee drinks, but a vermouth on ice is always a good idea.
Galveston, Texas
The historic island city of Galveston feels like New Orleans and Key West rolled into one: sun-drenched beachside bars, high-end seafood restaurants, and the world’s best saltwater taffy. Take in the buttery morning light at cheery Sunflower Bakery and Cafe. Here you’ll find crispy soft-shell blue crab over poached eggs, topped with velvety hollandaise. Walk down the Strand, known for its opulent Victorian architecture, to reach La King’s Confectionery, a charming old-timey ice cream shop, for dessert. Or head to the rooftop bar of Hotel Lucine, a retro-glam newcomer serving coastal fare in chic digs. Take in dazzling views of the Gulf of Mexico while sipping an ice-cold Tiki Wheat beer from Galveston Island Brewing Company.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
With its blue cobblestoned streets and homes splashed with cheery pastel colors, Old San Juan is a flaneur’s paradise. Lunch at El Convento, a 350-year-old former Carmelite convent turned luxury hotel. Patio Del Níspero, the hotel’s outdoor restaurant, offers contemporary takes on dishes like mini alcapurria fritters stuffed with ground beef and mamposteao rice-and-bean croquettes. Snag a sweet after at Limbers Del Viejo San Juan, located a block west of Catedral Basílica de San Juan Bautista. A limber is an ice pop made of tropical fruit purées or sweetened condensed milk named after Charles Lindbergh, who allegedly adored the Puerto Rican dessert (though some say it’s more an homage to the famed aviator’s chilly personality).
Lihue, Kaua‘i
Kaua‘i is known for its glimmering rainforests and turquoise waves, so plan ahead to hike a section of the NaPali Coast, a tough trail with views of emerald peaks plummeting into the ocean. Fuel your trek at Konohiki Seafoods and order pork lau lau or an ahi poke bowl topped with crushed inamona (a relative of macadamia nuts). Japanese immigrants brought shave ice—fluffier than your average snow cone—to Hawaii in the early 1900s, and it’s now ubiquitous. Order one drizzled with condensed milk and local flavors like guava, lilikoi, or pineapple. In the charming town of Kapa‘a, located at the base of Nounou (the Sleeping Giant) Mountain, Wailua Shave Ice has earned a cult following for its huge portions and wild flavor combinations.
