If you’re a foodie with a passion for travel, you might like to think about a gastronomic rail tour. Dazzling train journeys and mouthwatering local cuisine are wonderful ways to gain new perspectives on the world’s most beautiful places – and the good news is that you can enjoy both at once.
Train companies all over have upped their culinary game, hiring top chefs and serving delicious dishes that reflect the culture, history, and geography of their destination. Offboard, you’re also free to explore the local cuisine in your own way, whether sampling street food or dining in gourmet restaurants.
The best gastronomic rail journeys take you through landscapes of jaw-dropping beauty and provide plenty of chances for adventure and cultural immersion. So, if this sounds good to you, where should you go?
Here are eight of the best rail holidays for foodies.
1. The Ghan, Australia
Australia’s size makes it ideal for a train odyssey, and the Adelaide to Darwin rail route is great for discovering the diversity of this continent-sized country. Climb aboard the Afghan Express – or ‘The Ghan’ – and shuttle through 1,420 kilometres of Australia’s most spectacular scenery. Over three days, chug past vineyard-clad hills, beneath impossibly starry skies, and through the desolately beautiful Red Centre.
The train restaurant serves freshly prepared meals that focus on regional cuisine. Saltwater barramundi and grilled kangaroo fillet are on the menu, and Australian wines, beers, and spirits are all-inclusive. Offboard, wine lovers can visit Adelaide’s celebrated vineyards, while cosmopolitan Darwin has an outstanding fusion food scene, blending indigenous influences with Southeast Asian flavours.
2. Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru
Peru arguably has the best food in Latin America – and, on the Belmond Andean Explorer, you can discover its delicious diversity. Travel along one of the world’s highest train routes from Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, to the colonial city of Arequipa. En route, you can marvel at soaring mountains, sweeping plains, kaleidoscopic sunsets, and the vast, mirror-like Lake Titicaca.
The train’s dining cars are decorated with traditional woven fabrics, and the food is just as authentic. Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz expertly showcases the full spectrum of Peruvian flavours and Andean ingredients, and you can tuck into seared trout and ceviche from Lake Arapa, beetroot from the Sacred Valley, and Andean potato salad. Later, head to the swanky piano bar for live music and a pisco sour.
3. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
It’s difficult to properly convey the beauty of the Swiss Alps. From the snow-capped, sky-high peaks to flower-speckled meadows and chocolate-box villages, the scenery is astounding – and a ride on the Glacier Express reveals the very best of it. Connecting the charming town of Zermatt to the glitzy ski resort of St. Moritz, the track passes through an astonishing 291 bridges and viaducts.
When you’re not admiring the views, you can feast on sumptuous five-course meals, sip Swiss wines, and sample local delicacies like capuns (Swiss chard dumplings) and ghackets mit hörnli (macaroni with meat and wine sauce). All milk on board comes from Chur, one of the train’s stops. Offboard, you can feast on some of Switzerland’s most famous culinary delights, like cheese fondue, rosti, and, of course, chocolate.
4. The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
For something closer to home, why not head to the highlands for a journey on the Royal Scotsman? Several itineraries are available, ranging from two-to-seven-night journeys – but all take you through some of Scotland’s wildest and most wonderful scenery. From Edinburgh, shuttle past towering mountains, gleaming lochs, historic castles, and wooded glens in a luxurious old-school sleeper train.
Meals are served in the mahogany-panelled restaurant cars and local ingredients take centre stage. Executive Head Chef Mark Tamburrini’s menu is an ode to authentic Scottish flavours, and you can enjoy river-caught wild salmon, West Coast scallops, smoked haddock, and prime Angus beef. There are over 50 whiskies to choose from – and some journeys even include tastings at world-famous distilleries.
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5. The Vietage, Vietnam
Vietnam might be most famous for street food like pho and banh mi, but things are a little more upscale on the Vietage train. The naub route connects the coastal cities of Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang, travelling through the lush landscapes of Central Vietnam. No matter where you hop off, you’re perfectly placed to explore tranquil coves and ancient temples – and take advantage of the sensational street food scene.
The menu combines modern Vietnamese cuisine with French culinary techniques, and, if you’re looking for a high-end gourmet dining experience, you won’t be disappointed. Feast on lemongrass tofu with green beans, fresh fish from Quy Nhon, caviar from Da Lat, and crème brûlée with chocolate from Dong Nai. Then, wash things down with a Vietmojito, made with butterfly pea tea and Vietnamese rum.
6. The Maharajas' Express, India
For fans of Indian food, a trip on The Maharajas’ Express can be the ultimate gastronomy-focused luxury break. This stately train retraces the journeys of Indian Royalty and the British Raj, and you can choose from three- to six-night itineraries. Along the way, you’ll stop at the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the Taj Mahal, Ranthambore National Park, and the temple city of Varanasi, so it’s a great way to explore.
On board are two restaurant cars, and the menus feature a variety of regional cuisines, from Rajasthani to Punjabi. Mewar cuisine – authentic, rural Indian food cooked on coal – is celebrated, and dishes include mewari lauki (gourd curry), bharwa bhindi (stuffed okra), paniyachurio (buttery maize balls), and phirni (fragrant rice pudding). There’s plenty of time to sample street food when you stop, too.
7. La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Italy
Fans of Italian food may like to treat themselves to a journey on La Dolce Vita Orient Express. Several itineraries take you through some of Italy’s most beautiful regions, from Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast to the Italian Riviera and Sicily. Each route is designed to showcase Italy’s stunningly diverse landscape, from rolling vineyards to coastal cliffs, but the Tuscan route is arguably the most dazzling.
Under the guidance of three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, every onboard meal is an event. You’ll pass historic hill towns and silvery olive groves on a delicious journey of flavour and culture. Freshly-caught fish and seafood, artisanal pasta, local meats, and Sicilian arancini are on the menu, paired with the best Italian wine. Desserts include classics like tiramisu, panna cotta, and cannoli.
8. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer travels through one of the most hauntingly beautiful parts of North America: Canada’s Rocky Mountains. From your window, you can admire views of jagged peaks, deep blue lakes, and seemingly-endless pine forests – yet from the train’s panoramic glass dome, the vistas are truly spellbinding. The train only operates during the day, to make sure you never miss a second of scenery.
There are three routes, but for foodies, the best is arguably Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops, a city known for its excellent food scene. On board, the focus is on local, seasonal cuisine, with Pacific salmon or Albertan beef on the menu, and wine from Jackson-Triggs Winery, Canada’s top vineyard. The lemon lavender posset is even served with macarons in the Rocky Mountaineer’s colours: blue and gold.
Final thoughts…
From the snow-blanketed mountains of the Swiss Alps to Central Vietnam’s blissful beaches, these train journeys take you through some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes – and gastronomic hotspots.
While part of the fun of travelling is exploring the food scene at your destination, on these journeys, you also get to savour every meal that’s served on board. The menus on all these trains pay tribute to their destination’s history and culture, using fresh, local ingredients to create innovative new versions of traditional, classic dishes.
For further reading, why not check out our articles: 12 of the most scenic train routes in the world and From Alps to Coast – 9 stunning train tours in Italy and Switzerland?
Do you like the sound of any of these train journeys? Are there other foodie destinations you’d like to explore by rail? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.