7 Luxury Trains with Next-Level Dining Cars

"If Europe has the Orient Express, India has the Palace on Wheels. The luxury train, first introduced in 1982 (it got an overhaul in 2017), is, quite literally, a railroad mansion, with decor fit for a maharaja, and a series of services designed to make the journey live up to its high price tag. That includes the cuisine on board. The train’s two restaurants, Maharaja and Maharani, serve up regional Indian dishes in regal surroundings embellished with hand-carved furnishings and colorful wall lamps, intricate floral tapestries, and mahogany paneling. Sumptuously draped curtains and crisp linens add to the royal aesthetic, though both dining cars have panoramic windows on both sides, to ensure you enjoy the breathtaking views with your meal. On the menu, the focus is mostly on Rajasthani specialities given the Palace’s route through the desert state. Offerings change daily but always feature the star ingredients of local cooking: Rich ghee and sweet jowar (sorghum), nutty bajra (pearl millet), and earthy lentils, all rendered in mouth-watering dals and curries. There are plenty of meat choices, too, from mutton saagwala to tandoori chicken. Guests can also expect North Indian and Mughlai classics, as well as continental, Thai, and international options, which are alternated throughout the trip. Can’t take the heat that often comes with Indian food? Fret not. The chefs—some of India’s best—will happily adjust the level of spices and salt to your request. The bottom line though: Everything tastes—and looks—phenomenal. Tickets start around $5,820 per person for an 8-day journey in a deluxe cabin during the low season."