Amtrak, the national passenger rail operator in the United States, is changing the menu for First Class passengers on Acela trains, its premium service on the Northeast Corridor. The new offering includes small restaurant-inspired portions, hot breakfast items, and rotating desserts.
The menu update comes as part of the launch of NextGen Acela trains, the new generation of trains Amtrak is using on the Washington, DC–New York–Boston route, the most important passenger rail corridor in the United States.
Amtrak says the new menu is designed for travelers who want a more flexible experience on board, including on shorter trips. Instead of a fixed menu, passengers in First Class will be able to choose smaller portions—dishes that can be enjoyed separately or combined into a full meal.
Menu featuring frittata, cold salmon, and strawberry dessert
Among the dishes introduced by Amtrak’s culinary team are a goat cheese frittata, served with roasted broccolini, mushrooms, and artichokes, as well as a Liège waffle with caramelized pearl sugar and blueberry compote with honey.
For lunch or dinner, the menu includes cold salmon with lemon and aromatic herbs, served over farro with lemon and basil, roasted sweet potatoes, edamame, feta, and a green salad with pickled onions and a lemon-sumac vinaigrette.
In the small-plate category, Amtrak is also introducing muhammara, a paste made from roasted red peppers with Middle Eastern spices and nuts, served with pomegranate molasses, carrot sticks, and pita bread.
Desserts are also rotated periodically. One example provided by the company is Strawberry Basil Shortcake, a dessert featuring sponge cake, whipped cream, and strawberries infused with basil.
Dishes from Restaurants in Philadelphia and Washington
Amtrak is also continuing its collaboration with STARR Restaurant Group, an American restaurant company founded in Philadelphia. Through this partnership, First Class passengers will be served dishes inspired by well-known restaurants in Philadelphia and Washington.
These include Eggplant Parmigiana from Borromini, featuring fried eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil, as well as a Chinese Chicken Salad from The Occidental, with shredded vegetables, mango, cashews, crispy wonton strips, and a sweet-and-spicy peanut-ginger dressing.
For breakfast, the menu also includes a Gruyère omelet from Parc, a well-known Philadelphia restaurant, served with baked potatoes and caramelized onions.
Acela, Amtrak’s premium train
The Acela trains are Amtrak’s premium service on the Northeast Corridor, the rail corridor connecting Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. The new generation NextGen Acela was launched in August 2025, and the company says passengers have already taken over 1 million trips on these trains.
The new trains offer seating in First Class and Business Class, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, individual reading lights, and amenities designed for passengers who work while traveling.
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