Paxos is one of the standout specialty restaurants onboard MSC World America and one of the clearest examples of how MSC is leaning into regional, experience-driven dining on its newest ships. Inspired by the Greek island of Paxos, this restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients, traditional flavors, and a relaxed, social style of dining built around sharing.
This guide walks through what Paxos is, how dining works, what’s on the menu, and who this restaurant is best suited for. This is part of our series on MSC Specialty Dining, a part of our broader review of MSC Onboard Dining.
What Paxos Is
Paxos is a Greek taverna-style specialty restaurant found exclusively on MSC World America. It is designed to feel warm, casual, and communal rather than formal or fine dining.
The menu draws heavily from classic Greek cuisine, with an emphasis on mezes, grilled seafood, lamb dishes, and traditional desserts. Meals are meant to be shared, paced comfortably, and enjoyed as much for conversation as for food.
This is not a rushed dining experience. Paxos works best when you lean into the format and treat it as a longer, social meal.
Where Paxos Is Located on MSC World America
Paxos is part of the expanded specialty dining lineup onboard MSC World America, which features more specialty restaurants than any other MSC ship class.
As a specialty restaurant:
- Reservations are required
- It is not part of the Main Dining Room
- It is eligible for dining packages and certain loyalty benefits
Exact deck location can vary by sailing materials, but Paxos is easy to locate once onboard through the MSC app or dining reservations desk.
Paxos Dining Experience and Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Paxos is relaxed and inviting, with Mediterranean-inspired decor and a layout that encourages sharing and conversation.
Key things to expect:
- Tables are arranged to accommodate shared plates
- Courses are paced more leisurely than in the Main Dining Room
- The experience feels social rather than formal
This is a good restaurant to visit with another couple or small group, but it also works well for pairs who enjoy tasting a variety of dishes.
How Dining at Paxos Works
Dining at Paxos follows a structured but flexible format.
The meal generally includes:
- Fresh pita and dips to start
- A selection of mezes meant to be shared
- An entrée choice focused on land or sea
- A traditional Greek dessert
Some seafood selections are displayed fresh and may carry a small supplement depending on the fish and portion selected. These upgrades are optional and clearly explained by the staff.
Paxos Menu Overview
The Paxos menu is designed around variety and balance, with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and traditional preparation.
Pita and Dips
Meals begin with warm pita bread served alongside classic Greek dips such as tzatziki and homemade tarama. This sets the tone for a traditional Greek dining experience and encourages sharing from the start.
Mezes Selection
Guests select four mezes to share from a mix of cold and hot options.
Cold mezes include items such as:
- Greek salad with barrel-aged feta and olive oil
- Hummus
- Mixed olives and large capers
- Smoky eggplant melitzanosalata
- Grilled vegetables with yogurt mint sauce and Mastelo cheese
- Orange salad with arugula, grapefruit, avocado, and honey
- Watermelon and barrel-aged feta salad with cucumber and mint
Hot mezes include:
- Moussaka with eggplant, beef, lamb, tomato, and béchamel
- Fried seafood with calamari, shrimp, and white fish
- Falafel with yogurt sauce
- Fried feta rolls wrapped in phyllo and finished with honey
- Zucchini fritters with herbed yogurt
- Grilled octopus with potato stew and smoked paprika
- Avgolemono lemon chicken soup with egg and orzo
This section of the meal is where Paxos really shines, offering a wide range of flavors and textures.
Entrées at Paxos
All entrées are served with gigantes beans from Prespes and roasted lemon potatoes, which act as hearty and flavorful accompaniments.
Seafood Entrées
Paxos offers a fresh seafood display where guests can choose from a selection of fish and seafood prepared simply to highlight natural flavors.
Some premium seafood options may require a supplement depending on selection and portion size. Portions can be ordered for individual dining or shared at the table.
Land Entrées
Land-based entrée options include:
- Grilled lamb chops served with tzatziki
- Giaourtlou kebab with lamb and beef on pita
- Roasted chicken thighs marinated in yogurt, lemon, garlic, and herbs
- Lamb kleftiko baked in parchment with potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and Kefalotyri cheese
Sauce options include ladolemono, salmoriglio, creamy smoked paprika sauce, tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and tzatziki, allowing guests to tailor flavors to their preference.
Desserts at Paxos
Desserts stay true to Greek tradition and provide a satisfying end to the meal.
Options include:
- Karidopita spiced walnut cake with vanilla ice cream
- Portokalopita phyllo cake with orange drizzle
- Baklava with Greek yogurt, honey, and pistachio
- Fresh seasonal fruit
Greek dessert wines are also available for guests who want to extend the experience.
Signature Drinks and Non-Alcoholic Options
Paxos offers a selection of Greek-inspired cocktails, many built around ouzo and citrus flavors.
Cocktail options include:
- Anise and cherry splash
- Greek garden fizz
- Greek Bloody Mary
- Raspberry slush
- Bold Greek martini
Non-alcoholic options include:
- Soumada almond drink
- Greek frappe coffee
- Pomegranate mojito
- Greek lantern
- Sour cherry “sangria”
These drinks pair well with the menu and reinforce the regional theme of the restaurant.
Pricing and Dining Packages
Paxos is typically priced at $49 per person when booked individually. It is eligible for MSC dining packages and is often discounted when booked online prior to sailing.
Because of its pricing and menu structure, Paxos can be a strong value choice when using a dining package or a complimentary Diamond specialty dining benefit.
Paxos On The Go
In addition to the sit-down restaurant, MSC World America also features Paxos On The Go, a casual takeaway option connected to the Paxos concept. This order window allows cruisers to grab Greek-inspired dishes without committing to a full specialty dining experience. Paxos On The Go offers a separate, rotating à la carte menu with items prepared shortly after ordering, making it a good option for a quick lunch, a lighter meal, or something easy to take back to a nearby seating area. It is designed for flexibility and convenience rather than a full dining service, and pricing is handled per item rather than as part of the Paxos restaurant experience.
Who Paxos Is Best For
Paxos is a great fit for:
- Guests who enjoy Mediterranean and Greek cuisine
- Couples and small groups who like sharing plates
- World America cruisers looking for a restaurant unique to the ship
- Guests seeking a relaxed but elevated dining experience
Who May Want to Skip Paxos
Paxos may not be ideal for:
- Guests who prefer very quiet or formal dining
- Picky eaters uncomfortable with shared plates
- Guests uninterested in Greek flavors or seafood
Final Thoughts
Paxos is one of the more thoughtfully designed specialty restaurants on MSC World America. It leans into traditional Greek flavors, encourages sharing, and offers a dining experience that feels social rather than scripted.
For guests who enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and are willing to embrace a communal style of dining, Paxos is one of the more rewarding specialty dining options onboard and a strong example of how MSC is evolving its culinary offerings on newer ships.