If you’re someone who plans your cruise around the food (guilty), then you’re going to want to make a reservation at one of my favorite restaurants on Holland America Line ships, Tamarind. The cruise line is giving this specialty restaurant a bit of a refresh—and not just in the kitchen. We’re talking new menu items, stylish new table settings, and even revamped uniforms.
Let’s start with what matters most: the food. If you’ve ever eaten at Tamarind, you know it’s going to be pretty hard to make something that’s already great even better! Over a dozen new dishes are being introduced to the restaurant’s Pan-Asian menu, and they’re designed to be shared—though I won’t judge if you keep the bao buns to yourself.
What’s New on the Tamarind Menu?
New appetizers are the star of the new menu, like Korean beef tacos (which can be made vegetarian), pork bao buns, and coconut-crusted scallops. There’s also a new Vegan Tom Kha Thai Coconut Soup. If there’s a group at your table and you want to taste a little bit this and that, the Taste of Tamarind platter looks to be the perfect choice —it comes loaded with some of the best starters all on one plate.
On the entrée side of things, you’ll find dishes like:
- Mongolian Lamb Chops with baby bok choy and plum sauce
- Teochew Fried Seabass with ginger scallion chili soy
- Sweet Potato Cauliflower Massaman
- Vegan Singapore Mei Fun with eggplant katsu
- And yes, there’s a Wok-Seared Lobster for those splurge-worthy nights (this one comes with a little upcharge, but looks delicious!)
Don’t worry, Tamarind classics like my favorite, the Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin, is still on the menu along with the Crispy Duck with Ginger-Chili Glaze.
If you managed to save room for dessert, the new dessert lineup looks pretty, pretty good:
- Cherry Blossom Tart with chocolate and cookie crust
- Passion Fruit Cloud, which is basically a soufflé’s stylish cousin
- Vegan Pineapple Coconut Tapioca with lemongrass foam
- And a trio of house-made sorbets including lychee, lemon-basil, and yuzu
A Look at the New Full Tamarind Menu
Changes in Tamarind Besides the Menu
As I mentioned, it’s not just the menu that’s getting a refresh. The dining room will feature updated table settings with more color and texture, giving it an extra pop of elegance. And the staff will now be dressed in sleek black outfits with plum-colored cummerbunds.
Where Can You Try the New Tamarind Menu?
The rollout starts now and will be complete by the end of June 2025 on the following ships:
- Rotterdam
- Nieuw Statendam
- Koningsdam
- Eurodam
- Nieuw Amsterdam
And if you’re cruising on the Westerdam or Noordam later in 2025, you’ll get a chance to try a Taste of Tamarind pop-up experience. Keep an eye out for that, especially on Grand and Legendary Voyages.
As a side note, Tamarind is a specialty dining venue, and there’s a $35 charge per person (unless you have the “Have It All” package, in which case it’s included).