Overview of eating on Amtrak

As we prepare for our trips, doing a little research is essential. I assume that you are looking for an overview of eating on Amtrak because you have a journey coming up or exploring the possibility of one. Food is an essential part of all of our lives, and knowing what to expect is helpful.

This page is an overview of eating on Amtrak while riding Long-distance or regional trains. For menus and more details, click the care and dining car links.

Cross country trains include a lounge/cafe car, and most have a dining car, and most regional trains only offer café cars.

Amtrak’s Amfleet II Long-Distance Coach Car

Amtrak has two types of trains

• Regional Trains
  • Routes under 750 miles
  • Often state-supported
  • Food served in the cafe car (if available)
• Long-Distance Trains
  • Train routes of 750 plus miles
  • Have coach and sleeper accommodations (the Palmetto does not have sleeper cars)
  • A few have business class
  • All have a cafe car
  • Dining car
    • Full sitdown meals
  • On trains that start and finish are getting “Contemporary Meal” options for sleeper passengers
    • These trains have Sleeper Lounges
    • For more information check out this story

Our meal on the Silver Meteor

Eating on Long-Distance Trains

For sleeping car passenger

• Your ticket includes all meals in the dining car (not applicable on the Silver Star)
  • Includes entree, drinks, and deserts
  • Alcohol beverages included on some trains
  • Tips are appreciated
• Car attendance can bring your meal to your room
• Can purchase additional food or drink in the cafe car

Coach and Business Class

• May eat in the dining car but are responsible for the cost
  • Not available on the Capitol Limited, Lakes Shore Limited for coach passengers
  • No dining car on the Silver Star
• May purchase food in the cafe car

This meal was handed out after leaving Portland, OR. on the Eastbound Empire Builder

Other tidbits

The Empire Builder or Lake Shore Limited dining cars do not travel on all portions of those routes so your first or last meal may not in the dining car.

For more information about the dining cars, including menu samples menus, click here.

You can buy food like this in Amtrak’s Cafe car and back to your seat

Eating on regional trains

Regional trains use café cars with A la carte carry-out style meals.

For more information on regional trains, cafe cars, click this link.

Not all regional trains have food service.

Safe Travels!

Kev

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