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Meals and Dining

Amtrak Vacations Dining and Menus

If you’re not hungry now, you might start to hear your stomach rumbling after taking a look at our menus. Whether it’s a full sit-down meal or more informal food service, many trains have one or more options for onboard dining. Learn more about your dining choices, onboard dining reservations and the different types of dining cars below.

Traditional Dining

Traditional dining service is provided in the Dining Car on the Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Customers in Sleeping Cars enjoy complimentary meals throughout their journey. Coach class customers are invited to purchase meals in the Dining Car. Aboard the Auto Train, Coach customers can enjoy meals, snacks and beverages in a dedicated car.

Dining Cars feature seasonal menus with a variety of entree selections. Complement your meal with a wide selection of beverages, including beer, wine, spirits for sale. Be sure to leave room for dessert — there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth. In addition to our regular menu items, kids can get all their favorites onboard.

Café service is available to both Coach and Sleeping Car customers along these routes, offering a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale.

Sample Menus
Get a taste of traditional dining selections by sampling each route menu. Our menus are updated regularly, so selections and prices are subject to change.

Making Reservations
Customers on routes with traditional dining service should make reservations for lunch and dinner. A member of the Dining Car staff will go through the train so you can select a preferred time for your meal. Traditional dining service offers communal seating in the Dining Car, providing a unique opportunity to dine and socialize with a fellow rider.

Meal Times
Breakfast: Available 6:30 – 10 am; board by 9:30 am
Lunch: Available 11:30 am – 3 pm; board by 2:30 pm
Dinner: Available: 5:00 – 9:30 pm; board by 8:30 pm

Exceptions apply to certain trains and adjustments may be made in the event of a delay.

Flexible Dining

As an exclusive and complimentary offering for Sleeping Car customers, flexible dining service on the Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited and Silver Meteor includes:

  • A menu with hot, ready-to-serve choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • A wide selection wine, beer and spirits (the first one is on us), plus unlimited soft drinks throughout the journey
  • Complimentary room service provided by the Sleeping Car attendant
  • Exclusive onboard lounge space for Sleeping Car customers to dine and socialize 24/7
  • Flexible dining times without the need for reservations

Café service is available to both Coach and Sleeping Car customers along these routes, offering a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale.

Sample Menu
Get a taste of the selections by sampling the menu. Our menus are updated regularly, so selections and prices are subject to change.

Meal Times
Breakfast: Available 6:30 – 10 am; board by 9:30 am
Lunch: Available 11:30 am – 3 pm; board by 2:30 pm
Dinner: Available: 5:00 – 9:30 pm; board by 8:30 pm

Exceptions apply to certain trains and adjustments may be made in the event of a delay.

Café

Most Amtrak routes offer Café service, with a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale. The Café features roomy tables and comfortable seating for having a bite, taking in the view, playing cards or a board game, or just sharing time with friends, family and new acquaintances. Customers in all classes of service are invited to the Café and service is available from early morning until late at night.

Sample Menus
Menus vary by route, but you can get a taste of Café service selections here. Our menus are updated regularly, so selections and prices are subject to change.

National

Regional

Special Menus and Dietary Requirements

Special menu selections, including kosher meals and vegan meals, are available on select trains.

Ordering Special Meals

Kosher meals on overnight trains and Acela First Class are prepared under rabbinical supervision and sealed until delivered to the passenger. Passover kosher meals will be served in lieu of regular kosher meals throughout the Passover period. Advance notice prior to the train’s origin station departure is required for kosher meals:

  • Overnight trains: 72 hours notice required
  • Acela First class: 24 hours notice required

Vegan meals are available in limited quantities for traditional and flexible dining services. No advance notice is required. Vegan meals are also available on Acela First class dinegan meals are available in limited quantities for traditional and flexible dining services. No advance notice is required. Vegan meals are also available on Acela First class dining service with advance notice 24 hours prior to the train’s origin station departure. ing service with advance notice 24 hours prior to the train’s origin station departure.

Mention your dietary requirements to your Amtrak Vacations agent and they will reserve your meal if applicable to your train and journey.

Low Fat, Low Cholesterol, Low Sodium, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Peanut Free Meals

Amtrak does not offer meals specifically designated as low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, gluten free, wheat free or peanut free. Most dinner entrees are not prepared on the dining car. The fat, cholesterol, sodium, gluten, wheat and peanut content may vary, and cannot be controlled or modified by the chef. Certain menu items are inherently low in fat, cholesterol and/or sodium and may be ordered from the regular menu. The waiter or lead service attendant can provide guidance.

Allergies

Amtrak is unable to guarantee a peanut-free or allergen-free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that passengers with life-threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self-administering these medications.

Plan for Contingencies

Due to events beyond our control, trains are sometimes delayed and supplies may become limited. If you have diabetes or special dietary requirements, please make sure that you carry sufficient nourishment with you to meet your dietary needs.

Personal Food, Beverages and Medication

The Amtrak Culinary Advisory Team is a group Amtrak employees, suppliers and other culinary professionals led by expert chef Michel Richard, that put their food minds together to develop new menu options for Acela First Class passengers as well as other dining patrons on select routes throughout the Amtrak system.

Bringing Your Food Aboard

You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.

Federal health regulations prohibit Amtrak personnel from handling your food, heating it in our ovens, or storing it in our refrigerators.

Planning for Contingencies

Unfortunately, trains are sometimes delayed and food supplies may become limited. If you have special dietary requirements, or a condition such as diabetes, we suggest that you carry sufficient food with you to meet your needs in the event of a delay or other contingency.

Alcoholic Beverages

We serve alcoholic beverages onboard trains in most Dining, Lounge and Café Cars.

Private Stock
You may bring aboard your own private stock of alcoholic beverages subject to the following limitations:

  • You may consume private stock alcoholic beverages only in Sleeping Car accommodations for which you have a valid ticket.
  • You may not consume private stock alcoholic beverages in any public areas.

Bring Your Medication With You

If you anticipate requiring medication en route, please carry it with you aboard your train. You must be capable of self-administering any medications you bring with you.

Do not pack your medication in checked baggage, or leave it packed in your car on the Auto Train, as you will not have access to your checked bags or vehicle during your journey.

Ice and Dry Ice

We can supply ice for your cooler/container to keep medication cool.

You may carry dry ice for your medication in checked baggage or carry-on baggage as long as it meets the proper conditions.

Amtrak Food Facts

View nutritional content, caloric information and food allergens for items on our menus by visiting AmtrakFoodFacts.com. Information is available for menus that provide caloric information on the printed version of the menu. Information is updated when menu changes are made.

 

Menu options and dining services and times are subject to change. For the latest information on specific dining options on your trip, check back on this page or contact us.

Where do you want to go?

Here are all of the destinations we travel to.

Western USA

Southern & Midwestern USA

Eastern USA

National Parks

Canada

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