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 (between San Antonio and Los Angeles). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. As an exclusive offering, customers in Private Sleeping Rooms enjoy complimentary meals throughout their journey.
Dining Cars feature seasonal menus with a variety of entree selections. Vegan meals are available in limited quantities for traditional and flexible dining services. Complement your meal with a wide selection of beverages, including beer, wine, spirits for sale. Don't forget your complimentary wine with dinner and 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.
Get a taste of traditional dining selections by sampling each route menu. Amtrak's menus are updated regularly, so selections and prices are subject to change. View sample menus on our Resources webpage.
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.
Menus vary by route, but you can get a taste of Café service selections here.
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, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, and Texas Eagle (between Chicago and San Antonio) includes:
Customers on routes with traditional dining service can make reservations for lunch and dinner — served in the Dining Car or by complimentary in-room service on some routes. Once onboard, your Amtrak car attendant will take your reservation times. Effective June 23, 2021, the Dining Car will offer communal seating, providing a unique opportunity to dine with a fellow rider.
Breakfast: Available 6:30 – 9:30 am; board by 9:00 am
Lunch: Available 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; board by 2:00 pm
Dinner: Available: 5:00 – 9:00 pm; board by 8:15 pm
A ‘last call’ is made 15 minutes before the period ends. Exceptions may apply based on the train schedule or in the event of a delay.
Yes, all meals are included with the purchase of sleeping accommodations aboard the train as well as several other perks including; a picture window, showers and toilets, electrical outlets, climate...
Yes, most trains offer one or more dining options ranging from casual dining to full sit-down meals. If you have a private sleeper all meals in the dining car are included in your price (gratuities...
We can provide special menu selections on most trains with 72-hour advance notice. We require 24-hour advance notice for the Acela Express First Class service. You do not need to provide advance...
Special menu selections, including kosher meals and vegan meals, are available on select trains. 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:
Mention your dietary requirements to your Amtrak Vacations agent and they will reserve your meal if applicable to your train and journey.
Bringing your own food onboard
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.
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:
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.
Amtrak is unable to guarantee a peanut-free or allergen-free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage passengers with life-threatening or severe allergies to 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.
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.
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.
Learn more about our accessibility and special needs train travel.
