Blog

What pairs well with rail travel? The Amtrak Traditional dining experience! As a frequent train traveler, I look forward to meal times when I can enjoy delicious meals prepared by onboard chefs. One nice thing about these meals is they are complimentary for passengers in sleeping accommodations. On most trains, coach-seat passengers can also savor 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. Consider me your trusted advisor for Amtrak dining, from making reservations for coach or sleeper passengers to navigating the culinary delights onboard.

One highlight of traditional dining is its communal aspect, but you can eat in your room if that is 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, don’t worry; you can choose to have your meals delivered right to your room, ensuring convenience and comfort throughout your journey.

So, whether you’re a seasoned rail enthusiast or embarking on your first Amtrak adventure, get ready to savor the unique experience of meals on the rails. And don’t forget to treat yourself to dessert!

Kev’s experience

In 2014, I had my first meal in an Amtrak dining car. I had the chicken on the California Zephyr while rolling through Iowa. Over the years, I’ve made many great memories and had many “interesting” conversations while enjoying meals and traveling the rails.

I’ve had a lot of great meals, a few okay ones, and too many desserts! One long-term friendship started over lunch while riding the Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle (Hi, Sean and David).

The other side of the dining car offers an experience that breaks up the trip and gets me out of my room or my seat in coach class.

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

Kev (And other people say something simular)

Food Service on Amtrak Trains

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

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

Amtrak’s Traditional Dining is on these trains:

Coach passengers (on trains with an “A”) can access these meals in the dining car.

Auto Train	California Zephyr A
Coast Starlight A	Empire Builder * A
Floridian A	Southwest Chief A
Sunset Limited A	Texas Eagle A+
Silver Meteor A

Flex dining is available on these trains:

Sleeping car passengers on the following trains receive Amtrak’s flex dining.

Cardinal	City of New Orleans
Crescent	Lake Shore Limited
Texas Eagle*

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

If you ride the Texas Eagle between Chicago and San Antonio, you will have flex dining. However, between San Antonio and Los Angeles, the Texas Eagle is paired with the Sunset Limited, which offers traditional dining.

Coach Passenger Price for Amtrak’s Traditional Dining

Coach passengers pay a set price for dining car meals. These prices can change anytime; check with the dining car to confirm.

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

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

Amtrak Traditional Dining: Meals Offered

Amtrak menus often change seasonally, and some trains are used as test kitchens, offering new items not on the current menu. All meals come with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages; you can receive one alcoholic drink with dinner.

While Amtrak tries to have everything on the menu, if popular choices are more popular than expected, they may run out toward the end of the route.

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 like pancakes or French toast.
  • A customizable omelet option is always 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 and juice—you can enjoy both!
  • Pro Tip: Top off your coffee before heading back to your room. While the dining car coffee is often better than the coffee station in your car, it’s up to personal taste.

Lunch

Amtrak offers a delicious lunch menu with seasonal selections throughout the year.

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 on some routes, like chili bowls or chili over baked potatoes.
• Lighter Options:
  • Fresh salads for a healthier choice.
• Included with Your Meal:
  • Dessert and, on most routes, a side salad.
  • Beverages (adult beverages available for purchase).

Dinner

Amtrak dinner service offers a satisfying and well-rounded dining experience:

• Included with Every Dinner:
  • Main course, salad, warmed roll, dessert, and beverages.
  • Your dinner comes with a complimentary adult beverage.
• 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, fish (or seafood), and 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 mac and cheese.

Amtrak Traditional Dining beverage choices

While the options may change, this list will give you an idea of what you can expect.

Hot beverages

• Regular and decaffeinated coffee: The coffee in the dining car is drip coffee, while percolated coffee is available in sleeper cars.
• If I remember correctly, it is black tea, but please check with the staff.

Cold beverages

• Milk
  • Soy or other plant-based milk is 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
• 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 for the Auto Train. Here is the Auto Train sample menu.

Silver Meteor & Floridian Sample Menu

The Location Of The Dining Car

For most trains, the dining car is between the Sightseer or Cafe car and the sleeper cars in the middle of the train.

The Empire Builder dining car is on the Seattle side of the train, which is the front section. It is behind the last sleeper, and the first coach car is towards the front of the train, so if you are in the Portland section, it is a little bit of a walk.

Mealtimes for Amtrak Traditional Dining

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 serves meals on the train at the local time. However, the Amtrak Floridian makes an exception—even after crossing into the Eastern Time Zone, meals follow Central Time starting from Chicago.
• Tech Tip for Easy Scheduling:
  • Most cell phones and smartwatches automatically adjust to local time, so turn on 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 might add an extra meal service, but it may be quicker than usual.
• If You Miss a Meal:
  • Don’t worry—the café car is open from early morning to late night, and it has 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.

Be advised that these times and other information on this page may change, and things can vary from train to train.

Making reservations for Amtrak traditional dining cars

Amtrak requires reservations for dinner, often for lunch, but you rarely need them for breakfast, and they are easy to make!

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 in your accommodation to make 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 can use the café car, which is always an option.

The Amtrak traditional dining dress code

Amtrak dining cars do not have a set dress code, but you should keep things family-friendly. Casual is fine, but you can dress up more to enhance your experience.

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 they are ready for you. On Eastern trains, you often go to the dining car when your watch says it’s time.

When making your meal reservation, ask how the dining service works on your specific train so you get all the meals and arrive early enough. Remember that even if you have a 6:30 reservation, it might not be called until 6:45 or later, though it will still be called the “6:30” seating.

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

Entering traditional Amtrak dining cars.

The common practice for eating in an Amtrak Dining Car

• When you arrive at the dining car, please wait to be seated, as 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.

Diner on the “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 has the diner, while the Portland section has a cafe 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 and 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!

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. Complimentary beverages are available with each meal.

You can enjoy your meals in the dining car or your accommodations. Your car attendant can deliver your meal to your room, or you can pick it up in the dining car and bring it back to your seat or room.

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

Safe Travels!

Kev