Crystal reveals specialty dining venues for Crystal Grace ahead of 2028 debut

Crystal has released new renderings showcasing specialty dining venues aboard its upcoming vessel Crystal Grace, offering further detail on the ship’s onboard experience ahead of its planned debut in June 2028.

The latest images focus on three signature restaurants: Umi Uma, Osteria d’Ovidio, and Beefbar. Each has been developed in collaboration with established culinary partners and integrated into the ship’s broader design concept.

The venues have been designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden, with an emphasis on spatial flow, material quality and continuity between indoor and outdoor environments.

Umi Uma

Umi Uma, created in partnership with chef Nobu Matsuhisa, will return as a central feature of the ship’s dining programme.

Located on Deck 5, the restaurant will accommodate 84 guests and include both a reservation-based dining room and a sushi bar designed for more informal visits.

A full-height glass wall will provide uninterrupted sea views, forming a key architectural element of the space.

The menu will continue to focus on Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, including established dishes such as black cod and Chilean sea bass, alongside a broader sushi offering.

Osteria d’Ovidio

On Deck 10, Osteria d’Ovidio will once again feature as part of Crystal’s collaboration with Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo.

The restaurant will offer seating for 68 guests indoors, with an additional 20 seats on an outdoor terrace. The design incorporates a covered open-air dining area, allowing for service to extend beyond the interior.

The menu is structured across three sections, drawing on Italian regional cuisine as well as dishes associated with the Alajmo family’s Michelin-starred operations.

Beef Bar

Adjacent to Osteria d’Ovidio, Beefbar will also return, continuing Crystal’s partnership with restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi.

The venue will feature 56 indoor seats and a larger outdoor terrace accommodating 58 guests.

The restaurant will focus on a contemporary steakhouse concept, with an emphasis on premium cuts and a menu approach referred to as “Beef Reef Leaf”, combining meat, seafood and plant-based elements.

A shared bar connecting Beefbar and Osteria d’Ovidio is intended to create a unified dining area across the two venues, with outdoor seating forming a significant component of the overall design.

Crystal Grace rendering

“From the beginning, our vision for Crystal Grace was to build on the strength of our culinary partnerships while giving each venue a renewed sense of place and design,” said Gunter Lorenz, Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations, Crystal. “The result is a collection of dining experiences that feel both familiar and excitingly new for our guests.”

The ship is part of Crystal’s ongoing fleet development programme, following the relaunch of its existing vessels under new ownership.

Crystal Grace is expected to expand the line’s capacity while maintaining its focus on smaller-ship design and a high crew-to-guest ratio.

Further details on additional onboard venues and itineraries are expected to be released ahead of the ship’s entry into service in 2028.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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