Epicurean Rail Journeys: Fine Dining on the Tracks
2025-09-29
Richard Shane
Founder and CEO
The World’s Greatest Vacations
The romance of train travel has returned, and this time, it’s plated with Michelin-level dining. Around the globe, luxury rail operators are turning train journeys into rolling gourmet experiences, serving exquisite cuisine alongside breathtaking scenery. Here’s where to indulge in five-star dining—without ever leaving your seat.
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – Europe
This iconic train is the definition of glamour on the rails. Expect Art Deco dining cars, white-gloved service, and a menu curated by Michelin-starred chefs using seasonal European ingredients. Dishes like Brittany lobster and truffle risotto pair perfectly with Champagne as you glide past Alpine vistas.
2. Belmond Andean Explorer – Peru
South America’s first luxury sleeper train combines Peruvian landscapes with fine dining inspired by local flavors. Think alpaca tenderloin, quinoa salads, and pisco cocktails as you traverse the Andes from Cusco to Arequipa.
3. The Ghan – Australia
Crossing the heart of the Australian Outback, The Ghan’s Queen Adelaide Restaurant offers dishes like barramundi, kangaroo fillet, and native bush spices—showcasing the best of Australia’s terroir while passengers watch the red desert roll by.
4. Maharajas’ Express – India
This train is opulence on wheels, and its dining cars evoke royal banquets. Guests enjoy dishes like butter chicken, kebabs, and fragrant biryanis, all served on fine china as the train rolls past Rajasthan’s forts and palaces.
5. Rocky Mountaineer – Canada
Traveling through the Canadian Rockies, this daylight-only train offers multi-course meals crafted with locally sourced salmon, Alberta beef, and Okanagan wines—all while you take in glacier-carved peaks and turquoise lakes.
Why Gourmet Train Travel Works
Epicurean rail journeys are about more than just food—they’re about savoring the art of slow travel. They give travelers the chance to experience a destination’s landscapes and flavors simultaneously, turning every meal into an immersive cultural experience.
Whether you’re crossing continents or winding through mountain passes, these trains prove that the journey can be just as delicious as the destination.
