Vintage Breakfast Menus - Steamships and Ocean Liners
"Breakfast," Painted by William M. Paxton. The Ladies' Home Journal, March 1913. GGA Image ID # 1b96ab6e94
There is, in all too many married lives, what is called "the newspaper-at-breakfast stage": when the husband, forgetful of the courtesy due to his wife, hides behind his newspaper at the breakfast table. Sometimes verbally, but mostly silently, the wife always resents the discourtesy, as she rightly should. It is often, as this picture indicates, the first intimation that comes to the bride that the days of her husband's courtesy to her and consideration for her are over. It is the first awakening, and a sad one.
Vintage breakfast menus from the steamships and ocean liners from 1898 through 1955. View the wide variety of offerings in each bill of fare from various classes of passengers. Excellent graphics and menu layouts can provide ideas for your own special event breakfast menu. Menus are listed in chronological order.
Step aboard the RMS Campania in 1898 with this lavish First-Class breakfast menu featuring Finnan haddie, Porterhouse steak, lamb’s fry, Cerealine fritters, and a full spread of fruits, breads, meats, and cereals.
1902-02-26 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu
Breakfast Bill of Fare for 26 February 1902 featured a typical American fare including Buckwheat Pancakes, Omelots, Ham, Bacon, in addition to Rumpsteak, Calf's Liver and Grilled Vienna Sausages.
1902-03-02 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from 2 March 1902 featured Eggs Périgueux Style, Potato-Pancake with Cranberries, and Omelet aux Confitures.
1907-07-13 SS Kroonland Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from 13 July 1907 on board the SS Kroonland of the Red Star Line featured Broiled Sirloin Steaks, Country Sausage, and Fried Eggs.
1907-07-17 SS Kroonland Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from 17 July 1907 on board the SS Kroonland of the Red Star Line featured Broiled Salmon Trout, Farm Sausage, and Scrambled Eggs.
1907-07-21 SS Kroonland Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from 21 July 1907 on board the SS Kroonland of the SSLine featured Broiled Sea Bass, Fried Ham, and Boiled Eggs.
Hearty Simplicity at Sea – TSS California Breakfast Menu Postcard, 10 August 1908
Explore the 1908 Anchor Line TSS California breakfast menu postcard featuring halibut steak, stewed sausages with mashed potatoes, Irish stew, and traditional rolls and scones—a hearty, no-nonsense Second-Class breakfast at sea.
1909-09-13 SS Rhein Breakfast Menu Card
Beautiful medieval period graphic adorns this breakfast Bill of Fare for an unstated class of passengers for a September 1909 westbound voyage of the SS Rhein of the Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen Steamship Line. The Bill of Fare is written in English and German.
c1911 SS Victoria Luise Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from circa 1911 on board the SS Victoria Luise of the Hamburg America Line featured an impressively large selection of items including Scrambled Eggs with Morils, with Mushrooms, Fried Eggs with Ham or Bacon, and Broiled Salt Mackerels. The reverse side of the Bill of Fare was printed in German.
1914-09-08 RMS Laconia Breakfast Menu Card
Breakfast Bill of Fare card from the RMS Laconia on a Westbound voyage from Liverpool to Boston, arriving in Boston on 9 September 1914 featuring Grilled Cod Steaks and Yarmouth Bloaters
Simple Comforts at Sea: RMS Celtic Breakfast Menu, 5 July 1919 – Bacon, Sausage & Saratoga Potatoes
Step aboard the RMS Celtic in 1919 with this postwar breakfast menu featuring Wiltshire bacon, Palethorpe sausage with savory rice, Saratoga potatoes, Derby cake, and classic cereals—an authentic glimpse into Tourist Class dining after World War I.
SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu (October 23, 1923): A Transatlantic Morning Feast
The SS President Arthur’s breakfast menu from October 23, 1923, offers a fascinating glimpse into the morning dining experience aboard an early 20th-century transatlantic liner. This menu is notable for its hearty American and European-inspired selections, with a broad array of cereals, eggs, meats, and fish options, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of passengers aboard.
SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu (October 24, 1923): A Luxurious Start to the Day at Sea
The SS President Arthur’s breakfast menu from October 24, 1923, is a captivating snapshot of early 20th-century transatlantic dining, showcasing a blend of classic American breakfasts, refined European influences, and rare culinary selections that would have delighted travelers aboard this ocean liner.
1923-10-25 SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from Thursday, 25 October 1923 featured an extensive selection including Fried Eel in Drawn Butter, Scrambled Eggs à la Kleber, and Goulas à la Minute. The Bill of Fare selections were printed in English and German.
1923-10-26 SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from 26 October 1923 featured fruits, Cereals, Fish, Eggs & Pancakes, Meats, Mutton Chops, Potatoes and Toast.
1923-10-27 SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare and Concert Program from 27 October 1923 offered Salted Cod and Fried Sole along with Stewed Apples for the Day's addition to standard American breakfast fare.
1923-10-28 SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu
Sunday's Breakfast Bill of Fare from 28 October 1923 featured Fried Codfish Steak, Fried Flounder, Rossini Eggs à la Turbigo and Diamond Stew in addition to traditional American fare.
1923-11-01 SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from Thursday, 1 November 1923 onboard the SS President Arthur featured Omelette à la Jurassienne, Shirred Eggs Meyerbeer, and Fricandelles, Onion Sauce in addition to tradational American fare.
Explore the 1927 RMS Cameronia Tourist Class breakfast menu featuring fried haddock fillets, milk scones, cottage bread, and Force cereal—a balanced mix of Scottish tradition and American favorites.
An Elegant Start to the Day – RMS Berengaria First-Class Breakfast Menu, 5 August 1927
Explore the lavish First-Class breakfast menu of the RMS Berengaria (1927), featuring calf’s liver in piquant sauce, boneless codfish in cream, Force cereal, Sally Lunns, Triscuit crackers, and an unmatched selection of breads and fruits—a true taste of transatlantic luxury.
1928-04-02 SS Minnekahda Breakfast Menu
This is a Breakfast Bill of Fare from Cabin Class for the 2 April 1928 Westbound Voyage on board the SS Minnekahda of the Atlantic Transport Line, from London to New York. Includes some wonderful selections from that era like Devilled Mutton Kidneys and Minced Lamb on Toast.
A Grand Atlantic Breakfast – RMS Berengaria First-Class Menu, 18 July 1929
Step aboard the RMS Berengaria (1929) with this lavish First-Class breakfast menu featuring grilled Spanish mackerel, Creole-style turkey hash, Force cereal, Bubble and Squeak, and 18 varieties of bread—an elegant snapshot of luxury ocean travel.
Breakfast at Sea: TSS California Menu Card, 1 June 1930 – From Smelts to Ox Kidney
Discover the 1930 TSS California breakfast menu featuring fried smelts, sauté of ox kidney, kippered herring, Force cereal, and Cadbury’s Cup Chocolate—a hearty blend of British tradition and transatlantic tastes.
Breakfast with Character – RMS Athenia Tourist Third Cabin Menu, 29 August 1930
Step aboard the RMS Athenia in 1930 and explore a Tourist Third Cabin breakfast menu featuring Arbroath Smokies, Shirred Eggs with Roquefort, York Ham, and vintage favorites like Force cereal—an appetizing slice of transatlantic travel history.
1930-09-24 RMS Scythia Breakfast Menu
Vintage Tourist Third Cabin Breakfast Bill of Fare from 24 September 1930 on board the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line featured Broiled Wiltshire, Danish and American Bacon, Bonny Boy Toasted Oats, and Buckwheat Cakes.
1930-09-28 SS Stuttgart Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from 28 September 1930 on board the SS Stattgart of the Norddeutscher Lloyd/North German Lloyd featured Omelette Bergère, Fried Eggs Meyerbeer, and Lamb Hash with Green Pepper.
1931-10-18 RMS Franconia Breakfast Menu Card
1931 Bill of Fare Card from the Cunard Line RMS Franconia II offered an extensive array of the typical American breakfast fare including fruit, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and preserves.
Tourist Class at Its Best – SS Bremen Breakfast Menu, 21 September 1933
Explore the Tourist Class breakfast menu aboard the SS Bremen (1933), featuring lamb hash, poached eggs Polonaise, Pancake Creole, European cheeses, and rye crispbread—a fascinating mix of American staples and continental flavors.
1934-04-08 SS President Harding Breakfast Menu Card
Colorful breakfast Bill of Fare card from the SS President Harding offered a Third Cabin viewpoint through the passenger's diary of the day written on the back of the menu.
1934-04-13 SS President Harding Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Third Cabin Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from 13 April 1934 featured Salt Mackerel, Clear Butter, Scrambled Eggs with Bacon or Plain, and Fried Country Sausage.
Breakfast Afloat – SS American Farmer Menu, 30 June 1934
Step back to 1934 with the SS American Farmer breakfast menu—featuring salmon fish cakes, Yorkshire ham, sultana scones, and vintage favorites like Postum and H-O Oats. A flavorful look at shipboard dining in the golden age of ocean travel.
1936-07-03 SS Hamburg Breakfast Menu
Beautiful graphic Breakfast Bill of Fare dating from 1936 from the SS Hamburg of the Hamburg America Line offer traditional American fare plus sirloin steaks, german fried potatoes, and Bologna.
1937-07-30 SS Hamburg Breakfast Menu
July 1937 Elaborate Breakfast Bill of Fare for passengers on board the SS Hamburg of the Hamburg America Line offers the standard American fare plus German favorites.
1937-10-10 SS Europa Breakfast Menu
Third Class Breakfast Bill of Fare from October 1937 on the SS Europa of the Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen presents standard American fare in a graphically illustrated Bill of Fare with eloquent typography.
1948-08-09 SS Veendam Breakfast Menu Card
Tourist Class Breakfast Menu Card from 9 August 1948 on board the SS Veendam of the 9 August 1948 Featured Typical American Style Breakfast Foods Including Eggs, Bacon, Cereal, Toast, and Coffee.
1949-10-25 SS Empress of France Breakfast Menu Card
Tourist Class Breakfast Bill of Fare Card for Tuesday, 25 October 1949 offered typical Bill of Fare selections plus Fried Flounder, Smoked Cod and Broiled Streaky Bacon.
Continental Elegance at Sea: A 1949 First-Class Breakfast Aboard the SS Ile de France
Ah, bonjour, madame or monsieur! Allow me to walk you through this morning’s splendid first-class breakfast offerings, just as you might’ve experienced aboard the elegant SS Ile de France in the autumn of 1949. This is not merely a menu—it is a culinary voyage across continents, an intersection of French sophistication and international flair.
🥇 Featured Entrees
While this menu offers an impressive selection, two entrees likely served as the featured stars of the morning:
Broiled Kipper à l’Anglaise
– A breakfast classic beloved in British tradition. This smoked herring is served broiled, often with a pat of butter and perhaps lemon on the side. A bold, savory choice and likely a highlight for those with European tastes.
Omelet à l’Espagnole with Chicken Liver
– A truly Continental creation. This Spanish-style omelet with the earthy richness of chicken liver stands out as both adventurous and indulgent—perfect for those wanting something beyond the ordinary.
1952-06-16 RMS Queen Mary Breakfast Menu Card
1952 Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line offered standard American breakfast fare and treasures like Sauté of Kidney and Finnan Haddie in Milk.
1952-06-19 RMS Queen Elizabeth Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from 19 June 1952 on board the RMS Queen Elizabeth of the Cunard Line featured a large selection of breakfast fare including Fried Lemon Sole au Citron, Eggs en Cocotte à la Crème, and Broiled American and Danish Bacon.
1953-03-31 RMS Queen Mary Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from Tuesday, 31 March 1953 on board the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line featured Scotch Minced Collops, Buckwheat and Griddle Cakes, and Fried, Turned, and Poached Eggs.
1953-04-02 RMS Queen Mary Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from 2 April 1953 featured Finnam Haddie in Milk, Broiled Breakfast Bacon and Chipped Beef in Cream, and Buckwheat and Griddle Cakes.
1955-06-13 RMS Franconia Breakfast Menu Card
This 1955 Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from the Cunard Franconia II offered passengers typical American breakfast fare including fruit, cereal, eggs, bacaon, toast and marmalade.
1955-09-09 SS Maasdam Breakfast Menu Card
"Snowwhite" Themed Vintage Tourist Class Breakfast Menu Card from Friday, 9 September 1955, on board the SS Maasdam of the Holland-America Line featured Omelet Paysanne, Broiled Ham, and Assorted Cold Cuts.
1955-09-13 SS Maasdam Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Tourist Class Breakfast Menu Card from Tuesday, 13 September 1955, on board the SS Maasdam of the Holland-America Line featured Fried Fresh Fish with Lemon, Mushroom Omelet, and Sweet and Fancy Rolls.
1958-12-22 SS Maasdam Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from 22 December 1958 on board the SS Maasdam of the Holland-America Line featured Corn or Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Omelet with Ham, Bacon, Parsley, Tomato, Jam, Cheese, and Sweet and French Rolls.
1958-12-29 SS Maasdam Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from Monday, 29 December 1958, on board the SS Maasdam of the Holland-America Line featured Shirred Eggs, Omelet Lyonnaise, and Aloyau of Beef.
