There’s something timeless about dining in a train car—polished wood, curved windows, and the sense that you’re part of a story still moving. While some sit stationary and others cruise through scenic routes, these refurbished railcars serve more than nostalgia.
They offer fine meals, attentive service, and a unique setting where each detail feels considered. The tracks may have stopped, but the charm certainly hasn’t.
Here’s a list of 15 train cars turned into full-service luxury restaurants.
La Gare – Paris, France
Once part of a suburban rail line, this historic train station-turned restaurant features original train cars converted into private dining spaces. Set in a leafy neighborhood of Paris, the setting is refined yet relaxed. Guests dine on French-Mediterranean dishes with Parisian flair.
It’s not just about the meal—it’s about feeling transported without leaving the city.
The Pullman Car Dining Experience – Colorado, USA
This restored 1901 Pullman car sits beside the historic Durango station, offering guests a five-course meal surrounded by velvet booths and wood-paneled walls. The experience includes era-specific music and period uniforms on the staff. It’s immersive without being overdone.
The setting alone sets the tone for an elevated evening.
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The Carriage Restaurant – Alberta, Canada
Nestled in the foothills near Calgary, this stationary railcar has been turned into a fine dining destination with white linens, candlelight, and prairie views. Originally a 1940s dining coach, it’s been carefully restored down to the luggage racks.
The menu features Canadian classics—think bison, trout, and buttery desserts. The setting might be tight, but the atmosphere is grand.
Gourmet Express – Tokyo, Japan
This isn’t your average train meal. In Tokyo, a high-end sushi restaurant has taken over a sleek train car from the 1980s and turned it into a minimalist dining space.
Chefs prepare each course behind the bar while the car remains parked in a quiet station courtyard. The design is understated—but the dishes speak volumes.
The Royal Scotsman Dining Car – Scotland
Operated by Belmond, this luxury train doesn’t just serve meals—it serves full journeys through the Scottish Highlands. Onboard, the vintage dining car features polished wood, tartan details, and soft lighting.
Multi-course meals include local game, fresh seafood, and fine whisky pairings. The scenery outside competes with the dishes inside.
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Old Railway Station Restaurant – Sussex, UK
Set in a repurposed station complete with classic railcars, this English countryside gem serves modern British fare inside restored 1920s Pullman coaches. Upholstered booths and antique details make it feel like time stood still.
Guests often stay overnight in converted sleeping cars after dinner. It’s a quiet luxury with a rural charm.
The Dining Car at The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel – Arizona, USA
Parked permanently near the Grand Canyon’s gateway, this dining car offers southwestern-inspired cuisine in a setting that echoes the golden age of rail travel. Soft jazz plays over the speakers, and vintage postcards line the walls.
Diners step from desert heat into air-conditioned elegance. It’s a polished stop before or after seeing one of nature’s biggest spectacles.
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant – Melbourne, Australia
Though the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant ceased operations in 2018, its legacy lives on in other tram dining experiences like those in Bendigo and Ballarat. Red velvet interiors, chandeliers, and polished brass set the mood.
Guests sip wine and watch the city glide by from oversized windows. The experience is both theatrical and surprisingly intimate.
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Napa Valley Wine Train – California, USA
Refurbished 1950s railcars take guests on a ride through wine country while serving full gourmet meals onboard. With white-tablecloth service and panoramic windows, the route winds past vineyards and historic estates.
Chefs plate up seasonal Californian cuisine, and the wine list doesn’t disappoint. It’s a journey where food and scenery compete for attention.
Station 100 – Michigan, USA
Built inside a century-old railcar in Frankenmuth, this European-style eatery specializes in Swiss-German cuisine. It’s known for its fondue and house-made sausage, all served in a cozy train car filled with old-world charm.
Outside, the car is decked out in Bavarian blue—inside, it feels like a chalet on rails.
Bistro Train Hokkaido – Japan
Part of a sightseeing service in Hokkaido, this mobile bistro features locally sourced meals prepared fresh during the ride. The decor is clean and warm, with natural wood accents and wide windows.
Dishes rotate by region and season, often highlighting seafood, mountain vegetables, and miso-based broths. It’s slow travel done deliciously.
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The Orient Express Dining Car – Istanbul, Turkey
At the historic Sirkeci Station, an original Orient Express dining car has been transformed into a fine dining venue offering Turkish-European fusion. With its dark wood, Art Deco lighting, and embroidered seating, it still feels like a train that could depart any moment.
Diners enjoy delicately spiced dishes while imagining the tracks that once led all the way to Paris.
The Train Car Restaurant – Texas, USA
Located in Big Spring, this locally beloved spot was built into a vintage dining car with Western flair. The food is more comfortable than couture—think steaks, catfish, and strong coffee—but the details feel curated.
Old maps line the walls, and every window shows the open Texas sky. It’s not fancy, but it’s real.
L’Orignal – Quebec, Canada
Though mostly a land-based restaurant, L’Orignal includes a dining section housed in an old railcar just off the main building. It’s a moody, dim-lit room that pairs well with wild game dishes and robust wines.
Guests often request the car for birthdays or date nights—it just feels different. Like you’ve stepped into another chapter.
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Restaurante El Ferroviario – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Located near a still-active train yard, this restaurant operates inside a retired dining coach surrounded by rail memorabilia. Argentine grilled meats take center stage, with steaks arriving on sizzling trays.
The car has been preserved in near-original condition, with ceiling fans and luggage racks intact. For rail fans and meat lovers, it’s the perfect blend.
Dining That Doesn’t Stand Still
Even when stationary, these train cars carry a sense of motion—long, narrow spaces lined with windows and stories. Dining inside, guests tap into nostalgia, luxury, and novelty all at once.
Whether they roll through vineyards or rest beside quiet stations, each car reminds diners that some journeys don’t require wheels—just imagination and good food.
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