The Queen Mary in Long Beach is leaning hard into its past, rolling out revamped menus and a new quick service counter aboard the historic ship. A themed “Dining Through the Decades” run at Chelsea Chowder House & Bar pairs archival recreations with rotating, decade-focused dishes, while managers refresh the Midship Market grab-and-go and launch a small coffee and pastry window for speedier visits. The changes arrive as the ship celebrates a 90th anniversary year filled with tours and special events.
Dining Through the Decades revives shipboard classics
The throwback menu pulls recipes from the liner’s own archives and features items such as a potage of cream, potatoes, carrots, and leeks, a recreation of a Delmonico salad, and an old-school ice box cake for dessert, according to the Long Beach Press‑Telegram. The Long Beach Press‑Telegram also reports a lamb chop Tourangelle served with scalloped potato and succotash among the special plates. For faster bites, Midship Market is said to be selling a “rivet burger” pressed into its bun panini style, along with custom flatbreads and sliced-to-order sandwiches. Jubilee, a new quick service window on the promenade, will focus on coffee, tea, ice cream, and pastries.
Chef's nod to history
“We wanted to bring actual dishes served on the Queen Mary back to the table,” Kirt Finley, the ship’s executive director of food and beverage, told the Long Beach Press‑Telegram, noting that decades-themed selections will rotate through the year. Finley said the approach blends archival recipes with seasonal produce and modern plating so repeat visitors can find something new each time. The special run lets the Queen Mary spotlight its maritime past while still serving dishes designed for contemporary diners.
Where to find the new dishes
The throwback plates will sit alongside Chelsea’s regular seafood-forward offerings and a full dinner menu that is posted on the ship’s site, according to Queen Mary. Managers say the mix of sit-down specials, Midship Market grab-and-go, and promenade treats is meant to appeal to both locals and tourists looking for anything from a quick stop to a full-on dinner night. Some items are expected to be strictly limited in time as the ship moves through anniversary programming and seasonal changes.
Anniversary push and local draw
The culinary refresh is part of a broader slate of events and upgrades tied to the Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary year, which includes a revamped embarkation tour and community celebrations, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. City and ship officials say the menu changes are meant to deepen ties with Long Beach diners while giving visitors one more reason to head to the dock. Diners are encouraged to check Queen Mary’s online menus or call ahead to confirm what is being served the day they visit.
