restauratiewagens

Restauratiewagens, or restaurant cars, are railway passenger coaches equipped with an onboard kitchen and a dining area to serve meals to passengers during train journeys. They typically include a galley for food preparation, a dining hall with tables and seating, and often a small bar or buffet counter. Depending on the railway, service may be à la carte or a fixed menu, with meals prepared by trained catering staff and served to passengers at their tables or at a counter.

Historically, dining cars appeared in the 19th century as rail travel lengthened, enabling long-distance meals. They became a common feature on long-haul and international services in many regions, including Europe and North America. Modern restauratiewagens are designed to meet current safety, hygiene, and accessibility standards, and may be integrated into the train’s power and waste systems or operated by separate catering contractors. Some trains maintain a dedicated dining car on international routes, while others rely on adjacent lounge or café cars or on-board kitchen modules.

In the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, restauratiewagens are a traditional option on many intercity and sleeper trains, though some operators have reduced or eliminated dedicated dining cars in favor of vending, mobile catering, or service from a kitchen car. Preservation and heritage railways maintain historic restauratiewagens as museum pieces or operating examples of classic rail dining, illustrating the evolution of onboard catering.