By Justin Franz

This week, Amtrak is once again allowing coach passengers to enjoy its “traditional dining” service on long-distance trains across the west. It is the first time coach riders will be able to enjoy dinner in the diner since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

Amtrak spokesperson Kimberly Woods said that the dining car will be open to all on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited trains. Woods added that only a certain number of seats would be open to coach passengers to ensure there is enough room for sleeping car passengers, which have traditionally eaten for free while on board. 

“During each trip, a limited number of seatings for breakfast, lunch and dinner service will be available for purchase at a fixed price—starting at $20,” Woods said. 

In 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States, Amtrak closed all of its dining cars. A year later, in June 2021, it restored traditional sit-down dining car service, but only for sleeping car passengers. 

For more information on traditional dining and sample menus, visit Amtrak.com/traditionaldining.