It may surprise many travellers, but some of the top foodie experiences in Europe can be found at major train stations. Housed in stunning architecture, these hubs have upped their culinary game over the years to provide travellers with a scrumptious arrival and/or departure souvenir.

Here are Rail Europe’s top eight picks.

1. Le Train Bleu,Gare de Lyon | Paris
   

   Gare de Lyon railroad train station.

Featured in numerous movies, including Nikita and Place Vendôme, Le Train Bleu is an ode to the original Train Bleu (otherwise known as the Calais-Mediterranée Express) that once served towns along the French Riviera. With a delectable menu, decadent surroundings and impressive halls (some even listed as historical monuments), it is no surprise that many a well-known and well-heeled dine here.

2. 1e Klas, Centraal Station| Amsterdam

For an unbeatable first-class dining experience in Amsterdam, the Grand Café Restaurant 1e Klas on Platform 2 of the Amsterdam Central Station offers an extensive menu with quick turnarounds. Delight in options from the general à la carte menu, croquette, bitterbal tasting, or high tea. Patrons will appreciate that the restaurant has preserved its original look and elegant style of the early 19th century.

3. Champagne Bar and Grand Brasserie, St Pancras International| London

No round-up of train station restaurants would be complete without this effervescent venue. On the upper concourse of the station is Searcy’s Champagne Bar, the perfect place for refreshments to start or end any train journey. Across from the champagne bar is the Grand Brasserie, an elegant eatery that merges the old-fashioned glamour of train travel with a modern British menu. Patrons are also treated to some jazz on Friday and Sunday evenings.

4. The Booking Office, St Pancras International | London

Another venue at St Pancras and adjoining the magnificently restored St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is the Booking Office Bar and Restaurant, which brilliantly captures the romance of the railways. Set in the historic former ticket office, the rich details of the building are made more majestic by its high ceilings. At the same time, its extensive cocktail menu celebrates and reimagines lost recipes from its Victorian past. Their popular afternoon tea service with a classic selection of teas, finger sandwiches and decadent pastries is not to be missed.

5. La Mundana, Estación Barcelona-Sants| Barcelona
   

   Restaurant 1eKlas a la carte.

A Bib Gourmand recipient in 2023, La Mundana serves up masterful takes on Spanish, Japanese, French and other European classics in tapa form. The surprise lies in the restaurant’s welcoming, or as their team describes it, “unpretentious,” fine dining experience. Patrons will enjoy elevated dishes that are artistically plated. With a reasonable price point and proximity to Barcelona’s Sants station, reservations are advised to avoid disappointment.

6. La Brasserie de la Gare Brussels Midi| Brussels

With the Michelin Guide’s stamp of approval, La Brasserie de la Gare nods to its prime location next to the bustling Midi station by featuring old train lanterns, train timetables and railway workers’ hats around the restaurant. The paintings adorning the walls painted by Paul Vankueken, the restaurant owner’s father, add to the theme. Food served includes traditional Belgian classics such as shrimp croquettes, steak and dame blanche.

7. All’Antico Vinaio: Stazione Centrale| Milan

For anyone who gets their foodie tips from TikTok, then All’Antico Vinaio comes highly rated. Videos of the owner passionately crafting double-decker Italian subs with the freshest ingredients have gone viral on social media and caused quite a queue at this sandwich stop in Milan’s Stazione Centrale. Made using the freshest schiacciata bread, popular options include the ‘Favolosa’ sandwich, which is stacked with Sbriciolona salami, pecorino cheese, artichoke spread and spicy eggplants.

8. Terminus Nord, Gare de Nord| Paris

An authentic brasserie experience right next to the terminal offers a great option for travellers transiting in Paris before jumping onto their next train. Offering the taste of a traditional brasserie, i.e. the likes of escargot, mussels and fries, coq au vin and crème brûlée, one might even learn about celebrities and legends who have dined at the Terminus.

For further information, visit the website www.raileurope.com.

Edited by: Peter Needham

=======================================