Planning your first long-distance Amtrak journey? One question that probably crosses your mind is: “What am I going to eat on this train?” Whether you’re riding the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles or crossing the country on the California Zephyr, understanding Amtrak’s dining options helps you plan better and avoid surprises.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about eating aboard Amtrak trains—from full dining cars to café options, prices, and what’s actually worth ordering.
Quick Answer: What Food Options Does Amtrak Offer?
Amtrak offers three main dining options depending on your route and ticket class:
- Traditional Dining Car (long-distance routes, sleeping car passengers)
- Flexible Dining (select overnight routes, sleeping car passengers)
- Café Car (all routes, available to all passengers)
Sleeping car passengers get complimentary meals in the dining car, while coach passengers can purchase food from the café car or buy dining car meals on select routes.
Understanding Amtrak’s Different Dining Services
Not all Amtrak trains offer the same food service. What you’ll eat depends heavily on which train you’re riding and what ticket you’ve purchased.
Traditional Dining Car Service
The traditional dining car experience is what many people picture when they think of train travel—white tablecloths, sit-down service, and freshly prepared meals. This service operates on major long-distance routes including:
Who gets it: Sleeping car passengers receive all meals complimentary as part of their ticket price. Coach passengers on some routes can purchase dining car meals, though availability varies.
What it’s like: You’ll be seated in a proper dining car with tables, often sharing your table with other passengers (which can be a great way to meet fellow travelers). Meals are cooked onboard and served by attendants.
Flexible Dining Service
Some overnight Amtrak routes offer what’s called “flexible dining”—a more simplified meal service with pre-prepared entrees that are heated onboard.
Routes with flexible dining:
- Silver Service trains (Silver Star, Silver Meteor)
- Cardinal
- Lake Shore Limited
- City of New Orleans
- Crescent (currently, though this changes)
Who gets it: Sleeping car passengers only, included with your ticket.
What it’s like: Meals can be delivered to your room or you can eat in the dining car. The food quality is decent—think airline business class rather than restaurant dining—but it’s certainly convenient.
Café Car
Every Amtrak train has some form of café or snack bar service. This is your go-to option if you’re traveling in coach or just want something light between meals.
Who can use it: Everyone—coach and sleeping car passengers alike.
What you’ll find: Grab-and-go sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, and light breakfast items.
Amtrak Dining Car Menu: What’s Actually on Offer?
Let me break down what you can expect to find on Amtrak menus. Keep in mind that exact offerings vary by route and season, but this gives you a solid picture.
Traditional Dining Car Menu Options
Breakfast (typically served 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM)
The breakfast menu usually includes:
- Scrambled eggs with breakfast meat (bacon or sausage) served with breakfast potatoes
- French toast with maple syrup and breakfast meat
- Railroad French toast (their signature dish—thick, custardy, delicious)
- Omelet with choice of fillings like cheese, vegetables, and meat
- Continental breakfast with yogurt, fruit, and a pastry
Sides and extras: Fresh fruit, oatmeal, breakfast pastries, orange juice, coffee, and tea
Lunch (typically served 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
Lunch offerings rotate but commonly include:
- Angus burger with fries
- Grilled chicken breast with seasonal vegetables
- Railroad salmon (another popular signature item)
- Pasta primavera or other pasta dishes
- Caesar salad with chicken
- Soup and salad combo
Dinner (typically served 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Dinner is the most elaborate meal service:
- Flex steak or grilled sirloin with sides
- Herb-crusted chicken with vegetables and starch
- Salmon fillet with seasonal preparation
- Pasta with marinara or Alfredo sauce
- Vegetarian and vegan options (always available—just ask)
Dinner also includes a starter salad, bread, and a dessert (often ice cream, cheesecake, or seasonal options).
Drinks Available:
- Coffee and tea (complimentary)
- Soft drinks
- Beer and wine (available for purchase)
- Full bar service on most routes
- Complimentary drinks for sleeping car passengers
Flexible Dining Menu
Flexible dining menus are more limited but still offer variety:
Breakfast boxes include:
- Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich
- Fresh fruit
- Muffin or pastry
- Orange juice and coffee
Lunch and dinner entrees:
- Braised beef with vegetables
- Chicken with sauce and sides
- Pasta marinara
- Asian-style noodle bowl
- Plant-based options
Each meal comes with a salad, roll, and dessert.
Café Car Menu and Snacks
The café car is your all-day option. Here’s what you’ll typically find:
Hot food:
- Hot dogs ($4-6)
- Pizza ($6-8)
- Burgers (around $9-11)
- Personal pizzas
- Chili and soups (when available)
Cold items:
- Sandwiches and wraps ($8-12)
- Salads ($8-10)
- Cheese and cracker boxes
- Fresh fruit cups
Snacks:
- Chips ($2-4)
- Candy bars ($2-3)
- Cookies and crackers
- Nuts and trail mix
Beverages:
- Coffee and tea ($2-3)
- Soft drinks ($2.50-3.50)
- Bottled water ($2-3)
- Beer ($6-9)
- Wine ($7-11)
- Spirits and cocktails ($7-12)
Amtrak Dining Car Prices: How Much Should You Budget?
Let’s talk money. Understanding the costs helps you budget for your trip appropriately.
Pricing Structure Overview
| Service Type | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Who Pays? |
| Traditional Dining Car | $12-17 | $15-25 | $20-35 | Coach pays; Sleeper included |
| Flexible Dining | Included | Included | Included | Sleeper passengers only |
| Café Car | $5-10 | $8-15 | $8-15 | Everyone pays |
Important note: If you’re traveling in a sleeping car, your meals in the dining car are included in your ticket price. This is one of the major value propositions of booking a roomette or bedroom—three full meals per day per passenger add up quickly!
Typical Meal Costs (For Coach Passengers)
If you’re purchasing meals separately in the dining car:
Breakfast entrées: $12-17
- Continental breakfast: around $10-12
- Hot breakfast plates: $14-17
Lunch entrées: $15-25
- Sandwiches and lighter options: $15-18
- Hot entrées: $20-25
Dinner entrées: $20-35
- Pasta and vegetarian options: $20-25
- Meat and seafood entrées: $25-35
Beverages:
- Non-alcoholic drinks: $2-4
- Beer: $6-9
- Wine: $7-11
- Cocktails: $7-12
Money-Saving Tips for Amtrak Dining
Bring your own snacks: Amtrak allows you to bring your own food aboard. Pack sandwiches, snacks, and drinks from home to save significantly.
Book a sleeping car for long trips: On multi-day journeys, the included meals in a sleeper can actually make it more cost-effective than coach plus purchasing all your meals.
Take advantage of flexible dining: If you’re on a flexible dining route with a sleeper, you’re getting free meals—use them!
Split café car items: Some café car portions are generous. Share a hot dog or pizza with a travel companion.
BYOB (within limits): You can bring your own beer and wine aboard, though you must consume it in your private room, not in public areas.
What’s the Food Quality Really Like on Amtrak?
Let’s be honest here—you’re not getting Michelin-star cuisine, but you’re also not eating gas station food. Amtrak dining falls somewhere in the middle, and your experience really depends on what you’re comparing it to.
Traditional Dining: The Better Option
Traditional dining service, when executed well, is surprisingly good. The Railroad French toast has a devoted following for good reason—it’s thick, custardy, and indulgent. The steaks are decent quality, and the salmon is often a safe bet.
Pros:
- Freshly cooked onboard
- Decent portion sizes
- Pleasant dining atmosphere
- Good for socializing with other passengers
Cons:
- Quality can vary depending on the chef and supplies
- Service can be slow during peak times
- Limited menu options
Flexible Dining: Convenient but Compromise
Flexible dining gets mixed reviews from passengers. It’s essentially elevated TV dinners—the food is pre-prepared and reheated, so it lacks the freshness of traditional dining.
Pros:
- Consistent quality
- Convenient (can eat in your room)
- Always available
- Dietary restrictions easier to accommodate
Cons:
- Not as fresh as traditional dining
- Less atmospheric
- Some dishes are better than others (chicken and pasta tend to fare better than beef)
Café Car: Your Standard Fare
Café car food is exactly what you’d expect—basic American snack bar fare. Don’t expect gourmet, but it’s perfectly adequate for a light meal or snack.
The pizza is surprisingly decent, hot dogs are hot dogs, and the sandwiches are pre-packaged but fresh enough. The real value is in convenience and availability.
Dietary Restrictions and Special Meal Requests
Traveling with dietary restrictions? Amtrak has made efforts to accommodate various needs, though your options depend on which service you’re using.
Available Special Diet Options
Vegetarian meals: Available on all dining services. Just inform your car attendant or the dining car staff.
Vegan options: Most routes can accommodate vegan requests. The pasta primavera without cheese, salads without dressing or cheese, and fresh fruit are your safest bets. On flexible dining, specifically vegan entrees are available.
Gluten-free: Harder to accommodate fully, but staff can help you identify safe options. Bring your own gluten-free bread or snacks to supplement.
Kosher meals: Must be requested when booking, at least 72 hours in advance (ideally more).
Food allergies: Inform your sleeping car attendant or the dining car staff immediately. They can help you navigate options and ingredient lists.
Kids’ meals: Smaller portions are available on request, and children’s favorites like mac and cheese or chicken fingers are usually offered.
How to Request Special Meals
- When booking: Call Amtrak directly rather than booking online if you have specific dietary needs
- 72 hours before travel: This is the minimum for special meal requests
- Upon boarding: Immediately inform your car attendant about any allergies or restrictions
- Before each meal: Remind dining car staff of your dietary needs
Tips for the Best Amtrak Dining Experience
After talking to veteran Amtrak travelers and taking dozens of train journeys myself, here are the insider tips that actually make a difference:
Reservation Timing Matters
Make early reservations: On traditional dining trains, you’ll make reservations for specific meal times. Book your preferred time slot as early as possible—these fill up fast.
Avoid the rush: The first seating for each meal tends to be packed. Opt for the second or third seating for more relaxed service.
Flexible dining advantage: One perk of flexible dining is eating whenever you want. Take advantage of this if you’re not a rigid schedule person.
What to Order (and What to Skip)
Best bets:
- Railroad French toast at breakfast (seriously, everyone raves about it)
- Salmon dishes (usually fresh and well-prepared)
- Pasta options (hard to mess up, consistently good)
- The burger at lunch (café or dining car—it’s filling and satisfying)
Skip or be cautious:
- Steaks on flexible dining (pre-cooked steak is never great)
- Complex dishes on shorter routes (less prep time = less quality)
- Reheated items from the café late at night
The Social Aspect
Community seating: Traditional dining cars seat strangers together at tables of four. This is actually part of the charm of train travel—you’ll meet people from all over. Come with an open mind.
Solo travelers: Don’t worry if you’re alone—you’ll be seated with others, and it’s expected. Some of the best travel conversations happen over a shared meal on a train.
Want privacy? If you have a sleeping car with flexible dining, you can eat in your room instead.
Bringing Your Own Food
It’s totally allowed: Amtrak doesn’t restrict passengers from bringing their own food. This is one of the big advantages trains have over planes.
What travels well:
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Fresh fruit
- Cheese and crackers
- Nuts and trail mix
- Chips and cookies
- Bottled water and soft drinks
What to avoid bringing:
- Anything smelly (fellow passengers will thank you)
- Foods that need refrigeration for long periods
- Messy items that require extensive cleanup
Storage tips: Bring a small cooler bag if you’re on a long journey. Most trains don’t have refrigeration available for passenger use.
Routes With the Best Dining Experiences
Not all Amtrak routes are created equal when it comes to food. Here are the routes known for having the best dining options:
California Zephyr: Consistently rated as having excellent traditional dining service. The scenery through the Rockies pairs perfectly with a good meal.
Coast Starlight: Known for its wine and cheese tastings for sleeper passengers (check if this service has resumed). Traditional dining with great quality.
Empire Builder: Traditional dining across a beautiful two-day journey through the northern United States.
Southwest Chief: Another traditional dining route with solid reviews for food quality and service.
Routes with flexible dining aren’t bad—the food is fine—but if you’re seeking the classic train dining experience, aim for routes with traditional service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amtrak Dining
It depends on your ticket class. Sleeping car passengers get complimentary meals in the dining car. Coach passengers must purchase food separately from the café car or dining car (when available to coach).
On some routes, yes—coach passengers can purchase meals in the traditional dining car. However, on routes with flexible dining, the dining car is exclusively for sleeping car passengers. Check your specific route before assuming access.
For coach passengers on a day-long journey, budget $30-50 per person for meals and snacks. For overnight trips, expect $75-100 per day if purchasing all meals. Sleeping car passengers don’t need to budget for dining car meals—they’re included.
No. While meals are complimentary for sleeping car passengers, alcoholic beverages must be purchased separately. Only coffee, tea, and soft drinks with meals are included.
Breakfast is typically served 6:30-10:00 AM, lunch from 11:30 AM-3:00 PM, and dinner from 5:00 PM-9:00 PM. Exact times vary by route. The café car usually operates from early morning until late evening with longer hours.
Yes, you can bring your own beer and wine (no hard liquor) aboard Amtrak trains. However, you can only consume it in your private sleeping car room, not in coach seats or public areas. This policy is strictly enforced.
For traditional dining service, yes—your sleeping car attendant will take meal reservations shortly after departure. For flexible dining, no reservations are needed. The café car operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Inform Amtrak when booking and notify your car attendant immediately upon boarding. While staff tries to accommodate, train food preparation has limitations. For severe allergies, bringing your own safe food is the most reliable option.
It’s subjective, but most passengers find traditional dining to be decent quality—comparable to a mid-range restaurant. Flexible dining is more like airline food. Café car food is standard snack bar fare. Manage expectations accordingly, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
With flexible dining service, yes—you can have meals delivered to your sleeping car room. With traditional dining, meals are typically served in the dining car, though your attendant may be able to bring something to your room if you’re unwell.
Final Thoughts: Is Amtrak Dining Worth It?
Here’s my honest take after many miles of train travel: Amtrak dining is part of the overall experience, not a destination in itself.
If you’re traveling in a sleeping car, the included meals add tremendous value. You’re not just paying for food—you’re paying for the experience of dining on a moving train, meeting fellow travelers, and enjoying the scenery while you eat. That’s worth something.
For coach passengers, the café car serves its purpose for casual snacking, but I’d recommend bringing some of your own food to supplement, especially for longer journeys. The cost adds up quickly if you’re purchasing every meal.
Traditional dining service, when done well, is genuinely enjoyable and one of the highlights of train travel. Flexible dining is more utilitarian—it gets the job done without much fanfare.
The bottom line? Amtrak food won’t blow your mind, but it’s adequate, convenient, and part of what makes train travel unique. Set reasonable expectations, choose wisely from the menu, and enjoy the journey—that’s what train travel is really about.
Ready to book your Amtrak adventure? Now that you know what to expect for meals, you can plan your trip with confidence. Whether you’re splurging on a sleeping car with included dining or packing snacks for a coach journey, you’re prepared for whatever your train journey brings.
Safe travels, and enjoy those Railroad French toast—everyone who’s had them says they’re genuinely good!