Amtrak Traditional Dining: What You Need To Know

Dining in an Amtrak traditional dining car is one of the highlights of long-distance train travel for me. As a frequent traveler, I look forward to mealtimes to enjoy the delicious meals prepared by onboard chefs. One great feature is that these meals are complimentary for passengers in sleeping accommodations. Additionally, on most trains, coach passengers can enjoy these delectable offerings.

But Amtrak’s Traditional dining is more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow travelers. Whether you’re curious about mealtimes or want to explore the menu options, I’m here to guide you through every step.

One highlight of traditional dining is its communal aspect, but you can also eat in your room if that’s not for you. It’s a chance to start conversations with other passengers, take a break from your room, and enjoy the ever-changing scenery outside your window.

If you prefer a more intimate setting, you can have your meals delivered to your room for convenience and comfort throughout your stay.

Whether this is your first trip or your hundredth, here’s what you need to know about dining car meals.

Kev’s Experience

In 2014, I had my first meal in an Amtrak dining car. I enjoyed chicken on the California Zephyr as it traveled through Iowa. Over the years, I’ve created many wonderful memories and had numerous “interesting” conversations while enjoying meals and traveling by train.

I’ve enjoyed many great meals, a few decent ones, and way too many desserts! One long-term friendship began over lunch while riding the Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle (Hi, Sean and David).

The dining car’s other side offers an experience that breaks up the trip, encouraging me to leave my room or my coach-class seat.

The dining car is the train’s heart and soul, where people gather for a common goal: food!

Kev (And other people say something similar)

Important Note About This Amtrak’s Traditional Dining Guide

Amtrak’s menus, prices, offerings, and procedures frequently change, sometimes without notice. This information reflects current operations as of December 2025. Always confirm details with onboard staff, as they have the most up-to-date information for your specific train.

Popular menu items may sell out during longer trips, particularly toward the end of the route.

Food Services on Amtrak Long-Distance Trains

Knowing your food options helps you plan your first or next Amtrak adventure.

The café car is open to all train passengers throughout the trip, but closes overnight and during meal breaks.

Amtrak Traditional Dining is on these trains:

• Auto Train – (Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida)
• California Zephyr (Emeryville, CA – Chicago, IL)
• Coast Starlight (Los Angeles – Seattle, WA)
• Empire Builder (Seattle, WA/Portland, OR – Chicago, IL)
  • Traditional dining between Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA, is unavailable; however, an alternative meal will be delivered to your room. More details will follow later in this post.
• Floridian (Chicago, IL – Miami, FL)
• Silver Meteor A (New York, NY – Miami, FL)
• Southwest Chief A (Los Angeles, CA – Chicago, IL)
• Sunset Limited (Los Angeles, CA – New Orleans, LA)
• Texas Eagle (Los Angeles, CA/San Antonio, TX – Chicago, IL)
  • Traditional dining is available only between Los Angeles, CA, and San Antonio, TX. From San Antonio, TX, to Chicago, IL, you will receive Amtrak’s Flexible dining.

Coach passengers may access meals in the dining car, but space is limited. The Auto Train does not offer traditional dining for coach passengers.

Amtrak Flexible Dining is on these trains:

Passengers traveling in sleeping cars on the following trains will enjoy Amtrak’s flexible dining service.

• Cardinal (New York, NY – Chicago, IL)
• City of New Orleans (New Orleans, LA – Chicago, IL)
• Crescent (New York, NY – New Orleans, LA)
• Lake Shore Limited (New York, NY/Boston, MA – Chicago, IL)
  • Meals for passengers on trains on routes 448-449 between Boston, MA, and Albany, NY, will be served in the café car.
• Texas Eagle (San Antonio, TX – Chicago, IL)
  • Flexible dining is available only between San Antonio, TX, and Chicago, IL, with traditional dining options available from San Antonio, TX, and Los Angeles, CA.

Check out this page for more information on these trains with Amtrak’s Flex Dining.

Coach Passenger Pricing for Amtrak’s Traditional Dining

Coach passengers pay a set price for meals in the dining car.

• Breakfast – $20
• Lunch – $25
• Dinner – $45
• The kids’ meals – $20.

Meals include drinks and extras; you can purchase alcohol, although your first adult beverage during dinner is complimentary on Amtrak.

Amtrak Traditional Dining: Meals Offered

Amtrak menus frequently change with the seasons, and some trains serve as test kitchens, offering new items not yet on the current menu. All meals include complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, and you may receive one alcoholic drink with dinner.

Although Amtrak aims to offer a comprehensive menu, popular items may sell out towards the end of the route if demand exceeds expectations.

Breakfast

Enjoying breakfast on an Amtrak train is a delightful way to start your day.

Here’s what to expect:

• Classic Breakfast Options:
  • Rotating entrées, such as pancakes or French toast.
  • An omelet is usually available.
  • Selections may change throughout the year.
• Lighter Choices:
  • A continental breakfast for those who prefer something simpler
• Add-Ons:
  • You can add breakfast meats at no extra cost.
• Beverages Included:
  • Choose from a menu of options, including coffee, tea, milk, and juice—you can enjoy more than one!
  • Pro Tip: Refill your coffee before returning to your room; I think it tastes better than the coffee from the sleeper cars.

Lunch

Amtrak offers a delicious year-round lunch menu with seasonal selections.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Classic Favorites:
  • Burgers, with options to add cheese or bacon at no extra cost.
  • Hot sandwiches are available on most trains.
  • Unique options may be available on specific routes, such as chili bowls or chili over baked potatoes.
• Lighter Options:
  • Fresh salads are a healthier choice.
• Included with Your Meal:
  • Dessert and, on most routes, a side salad.
  • Beverages (adult beverages available for purchase).

Dinner

Here are the basics you need to know before your first traditional dining meal on Amtrak.

• Dining by Train Type:
  • Superliner Trains: Enjoy a three-course meal with an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
  • Viewliner Trains: Savor a two-course meal featuring a main course and dessert.
• Main Course Options:
  • Choose from classic dishes like beef, chicken, and fish (or seafood), as well as vegetarian options.
  • For a lighter meal, you can often order from the lunch menu.
• Kids’ Menu:
  • It is open for lunch and dinner and serves kid-friendly favorites such as grilled cheese, chicken breast, hot dogs, and macaroni and cheese.
  • Adults can often order from the kids’ menu for a lighter option.
• Beverages
  • All of the same beverages from lunch are available for dinner. If you would like, your first alcoholic beverage of the meal is on Amtrak. If you would like another, you can purchase one.

Amtrak Traditional Dining Dietary Restrictions and Special Meals

Amtrak accommodates dietary restrictions, but options vary by route and require advance notice.

Special Meals with Advance Notice:

Certain meals require calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) in advance:

• Kosher meals: Available on overnight trains with 72 hours’ notice. They are prepared under rabbinical supervision and sealed until delivery.
• Vegan meals: Requests for meals on traditional dining trains require 72 hours’ notice. Limited quantities may be available without notice on café and flexible dining trains.

Pro Tip: When making your dining reservation, be sure to mention your pre-ordered special meal so the staff is aware it is for you.

For the most current information, check out Amtrak’s Special Dietary Requirements page.

Amtrak Traditional Dining Beverage Options

Although the options may change, this list will provide you with an idea of what to expect.

• Hot beverages
  • Regular and decaffeinated coffee: The dining car serves drip coffee, while percolated coffee is sometimes available in sleeper cars.
  • If I remember correctly, it is black tea. Please confirm with the staff.
• Cold beverages
  • Milk
    • Soy or other plant-based milk may be available on request
  • Orange juice
  • Unsweetened iced tea
  • Bottled spring or sparkling water
  • Regular and Diet Coke, Sprite, and ginger ale.
• Alcohol
  • Beer
    • Coors Light, Corona Extra, Stella Artois, Heineken, Stone IPA, and some have Space Dust IPA
  • Spirits
    • Tanqueray Gin, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Bacardi Rum, and Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey
  • Wines
    • Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, Scheid – Sauvignon Blanc, and Ryder Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon

Amtrak Traditional Dining Superliner Sample Menu

The menu is the same for all Superliner trains with traditional dining, but differs for the Auto Train. Here is the Auto Train sample menu.

Silver Meteor & Floridian Sample Menu

The Location Of Amtrak Traditional Dining Cars

The dining car on most trains is typically located between the Sightseer Lounge or Café car and the sleeper cars, in the middle of the train.

The Empire Builder dining car is on the Seattle side of the train, at the front. It is located behind the last sleeper, and the first coach car is positioned at the front of the train. Therefore, if you are in the Portland section, it is a short walk.

Mealtimes in Amtrak Traditional Dining Cars

Regarding meal service on Amtrak, keeping track of time is essential, especially with the different schedules. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you don’t miss a meal:

• Dining Cars Follow Local Time:
  • Amtrak usually serves meals on the train according to local time. However, there is an exception for the Amtrak Floridian. Even after the train crosses into the Eastern Time Zone, the first eastbound meal is still served according to Central Time. This is because the train originates in Chicago.
• Tech Tip for Easy Scheduling:
  • Most cell phones and smartwatches automatically adjust to local time, so enable this feature to stay on track.
• Meal Timing Can Change:
  • If the train arrives early at its final destination, meal services may be shortened or skipped.
  • If the train runs late, Amtrak may add an extra meal service, but it may be served more quickly than usual.
• What if You Miss a Meal:
  • Don’t worry—the café car is open from early morning to late night and serves snacks and light meals (at your own expense).
  • It’s a good idea to bring your snacks just in case the café is closed or unavailable during your trip.
• Check Meal Times with Onboard Staff:
  • Meal times provided online are a helpful guide, but for the most accurate schedule, it’s always best to check with the onboard staff for updates.

Making Reservations For Amtrak Traditional Dining Cars

Amtrak requires reservations for dinner and often for lunch, but breakfast reservations are rarely necessary.

Sleeping car passengers

Making reservations is simple for sleeper passengers.

The dining car steward or car attendant will walk through the sleeper car to chat with passengers and gather reservations, often making an announcement beforehand.

At least one person in your party must be present at your accommodation to confirm the reservation.

On some trains, the steward provides a reminder slip.

If you’re not on board when the dining steward comes by, your car attendant may be able to make the reservation for you.

Coach passengers

The dining car steward will explain the reservation process. They usually walk through the lounge and coach cars until all spots fill up, or they may have coach passengers come to the dining car.

Coach passengers are not guaranteed reservations, but they can use the café car, which is always available.

Dress Codes For An Amtrak Traditional Dining Car

Amtrak dining cars do not have a specific dress code, but it is recommended to keep attire family-friendly. Casual clothing is acceptable, but dressing up can enhance your dining experience.

If you enjoy dressing nicely for dinner, pack something nice and have a great time. If you prefer a casual approach, that’s fine.

General Information for Amtrak’s Traditional Dining

Not all dining cars operate the same way.

On Western trains, attendants usually announce meal times and when meals are ready. On Eastern trains, you often go to the dining car when your watch says it’s time. I often ask the sleeping car attendant, the first time they come around, whether they announce meal times or if I should just head down.

When making your meal reservation, ask about the dining service on your specific train so you can plan accordingly and arrive early enough to receive all your meals. Remember that even if you have a 6:30 reservation, it may not be called until 6:45 or later, but it will still be listed as the “6:30” seating.

If you’re traveling on Amtrak’s Floridian, note that meal times after leaving Chicago will follow Central Time, even though you’ll be in the Eastern Time Zone.

Entering Amtrak’s traditional dining Cars

The common practice for eating in an Amtrak Dining Car

• When you arrive at the dining car, please wait to be seated.
• The steward will direct you to your seat unless instructed otherwise.
• Amtrak often practices communal seating.
  • If fewer than four people are at your party, others may join you.
• Often, they will take your whole order at once.

Diner on the 27/28 “Portland” Empire Builder

Depending on the direction, the Empire Builder splits or joins, so there may not be a dining or café car during part of your trip. Often, your section of the train will have one or the other.

Portland section (28) of the Empire Builder joins the Seattle section (8) in Spokane, WA. The Seattle section features a diner, while the Portland section features a café car. If you are a Portland sleeper passenger, car attendants will hand you a meal not long after you leave, and after the two trains combine, you will enjoy the rest of your meals in the dining car.

Tipping & Amtrak’s Traditional Dining

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Many passengers base their tips on the menu prices or estimated meal costs.

If I have the same staff throughout longer trips, I may choose to tip at the end of the day, but it’s entirely up to you. Do what feels appropriate for your experience.

You can learn more about tipping on Amtrak here.

Amtrak Traditional Dining Wrap-Up.

Dining on the train can be one of the most memorable parts of your Amtrak adventure, and it certainly has been for me! I have enjoyed Amtrak Traditional Dining on many trips.

Menus can change frequently, and occasionally, Amtrak offers off-menu items as test runs for potential future additions.

If you have a sleeper car reservation, your meals include a main entrée and extras, with dinner featuring one complimentary adult beverage per person. Complimentary drinks are available with each meal.

You can enjoy your meals from Amtrak’s traditional dining service either in the dining car or in your accommodations. Your car attendant can deliver your meal to your room, or you can pick it up in the dining car and take it back to your seat or room.

Remember, if you have the Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard, you can earn 10-20% cash back when you use it on Amtrak. Here is more information about where you can apply.

Safe Travels!

Kev