Photos of food served on trains in Britain

Most of the meals here were served on East Coast trains running between London and Edinburgh. They were served in first class and were included in the ticket price.

Most of the meals here were served on East Coast trains running between London and Edinburgh. They were served in first class and were included in the ticket price. Most of our train travelling in Britain was through BritRail first class passes, which we found to be not that much more expensive than standard, especially if you buy the England-only version. Since the price gap wasn’t too daunting, we decided to go for the extra luxury. The train meals meant we didn’t have to purchase restaurant food, or shop at a grocery store and then dine on a park bench. That helped to justify our extravagance.

Seats in first class on an East Coast train.

First class seating on an East Coast train in Britain.

Vegetarian breakfast in first class on an East Coast train in Britain.

Vegetarian breakfast with potato slices, grilled tomato, fried mushrooms, mushroom frittata, and grilled Halloumi cheese.

Breakfast with meat on an East Coast train in Britain.

Breakfast with bacon, sausage, cheese omelette, potato, mushrooms and grilled tomato.

Porridge on an East Coast train in England

Porridge with bananas and honey.

Sausage in a bun served on a Virgin train in Britain.

Sausage in a bun, served on a Virgin train for late breakfast. They had just stopped serving the full breakfast. Virgin's first class cars have mini fridges where you can help yourself to chilled water.

Muffin served on a Cross Country train in Britain.

Blueberry muffin served on a Cross Country train for breakfast. They also offered bacon in a roll and porridge. Their food service was less ambitious than East Coast's and Virgin's. Macaroni and cheese, and chili con carne were lunch options one day, but we missed that meal. On some journeys, especially on weekends, there was no food.

An evening menu in first class on an East Coast train. The evening meals on weekdays were the most substantial.

Chicken with couscous served on an East Coast train in Britain.

Chicken with a "Middle East" sauce, fruit couscous, and salad.

Vegetarian lasagna served on an East Coast train in Britain.

Vegetarian lasagna with salad.

Roasted lamb rump on an East Coast train in Britain.

Roasted lamb rump with potato in cream sauce and two kinds of vegetable — pea puree and carrots. This was probably the best of the British train meals.

Orange polenta dessert served on an East Coast train in Britain.