Onboard Food & Cuisine
Royal Rajasthani recipes, Indian classics, and Continental favorites — freshly prepared onboard through all 7 nights of your journey.
A Taste of Royal Rajasthan
Food Fit for Royalty
No region of India tells its story through food quite like Rajasthan, and the Palace on Wheels menu is built around that heritage. Onboard chefs prepare a rotating selection of royal Rajasthani recipes alongside pan-Indian and Continental dishes, so every meal — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — reflects both the culture guests are traveling through and the international palate of guests from over 30 countries.
Meals are served course by course in the train's two elegant dining cars, Maharaja and Maharani, as the Rajasthan countryside rolls past the window. The onboard kitchen team plans menus around the day's destination, the season, and dietary requirements, so the food menu may vary slightly by departure — the sample courses below reflect what guests can typically expect.
Maharaja Restaurant (Swarn Mahal)
Swarn Mahal means "Golden Palace," and the name suits this dining car perfectly. Rich gold-toned ceiling work, warm ambient lighting, and delicate glass carving give the space an opulent glow reminiscent of a bygone royal era — one of the most photographed interiors on the entire train.
Guests are seated in plush, upholstered booths beside large picture windows, with luxurious fabrics and finely crafted cutlery completing the setting. Traditionally attired waitstaff serve the same multi-cuisine menu offered across the train, so the choice of dining car comes down to which décor guests prefer for the evening.
Maharani Restaurant (Sheesh Mahal)
Sheesh Mahal means "Mirror Palace," named for the intricate Thikri work worked into its walls — a traditional Rajasthani art of inlaid mirror fragments that catch and scatter light throughout the carriage, creating a shimmering, jewel-box atmosphere unique to this dining car.
Just as spacious as its sister restaurant, Maharani seats guests in the same comfortable booth arrangement beside panoramic windows. It serves an identical menu of Rajasthani, Indian, Continental, and Oriental dishes — many guests make a point of dining in both cars across the week to experience each one.
Where Meals Are Served, Day by Day
Meals move between the train and select heritage venues depending on the day's excursions. Here's what to expect at each stop on the 7-night route.
Delhi — Embarkation
Guests are welcomed aboard at Safdarjung Railway Station in the evening. Dinner is served onboard as the train departs on its overnight run to Jaipur.
Jaipur — The Pink City
Breakfast is served onboard after arrival. Lunch is typically taken at a heritage venue near Amber Fort or a Jaipur palace-hotel, with dinner back onboard before the train departs for Sawai Madhopur.
Sawai Madhopur & Chittorgarh
After an early-morning safari in Ranthambore National Park, breakfast is served onboard mid-morning. Lunch is prepared onboard en route to Chittorgarh, and dinner follows onboard after the fort's sound-and-light show.
Udaipur — City of Lakes
Meals are served onboard, with dinner occasionally hosted at a heritage property overlooking Lake Pichola depending on the day's schedule.
Jaisalmer — The Golden City
Breakfast and lunch are served onboard. Evenings often include a cultural program in the Thar Desert, with dinner served either onboard or at a desert camp.
Jodhpur — The Blue City
Meals are served onboard between visits to Mehrangarh Fort and the city's local markets.
Bharatpur & Agra
Onboard breakfast, followed by a full day exploring Agra and the Taj Mahal. Dinner is served onboard as the train begins its return run to Delhi.
Return to Delhi
A final onboard breakfast is served before guests disembark at Safdarjung Railway Station by mid-morning.
Meal locations vary slightly by departure and season. See our full day-by-day itinerary for the complete route and excursions.
What's Served Onboard
A rotating menu across the journey — here's a sample of the courses guests can expect. The exact menu may be modified by the onboard culinary team.
Soups & Salads
Every meal opens light — a warm soup followed by a fresh salad course.
- Cream of Tomato Basil Soup
- Chicken Consommé
- Vegetable Broth
- Kachumber Salad
- Sprouted Salad
- Three Beans Salad
Rajasthani & Indian Mains
The heart of the menu — recipes drawn from Rajputana's royal kitchens alongside pan-Indian classics.
- Laal Maas
- Dal Baati Churma
- Tandoori Chicken
- Murgh Makhani
- Methi Malai Mutter
- Paneer Lababdar
- Dal Maharani
- Kandhari Pulao
- Tandoori Roti
Continental Selections
International dishes for guests who prefer familiar flavors between Indian courses.
- Grilled Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Roast Chicken with Herb Jus
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Mashed Potato
- Chargrilled Vegetables
Oriental Selections
Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes round out the onboard menu's international side.
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Vegetable Manchurian
- Vegetable Hakka Noodles
- Thai Green Curry
Desserts
A sweet finish inspired by classic Rajasthani and Indian mithai.
- Gulab Jamun
- Malai Ghevar
- Moong Dal Halwa
- Kulfi
- Fresh Fruit Kheer
Note: The onboard menu is not fixed and may be modified by the train management as per operational requirements and seasonal availability.
Freshly Prepared Onboard
From the Onboard Kitchen
Every dish is prepared fresh onboard by a dedicated culinary team working from a compact but fully equipped kitchen car — no small feat on a moving luxury train covering thousands of kilometers across Rajasthan. Ingredients are restocked at scheduled halts to keep produce and spices fresh throughout the 7-night journey.
Vegetarian, Jain, and other dietary preferences can typically be accommodated with advance notice — simply mention any requirements at the time of booking so the onboard kitchen can plan accordingly.
Inside the Dining Cars
A closer look at where every meal is served aboard the Palace on Wheels.
Common Questions About Onboard Dining
Yes. Vegetarian, Jain, and most other dietary preferences can be accommodated onboard — it's best to mention any requirements at the time of booking so the kitchen team can plan the menu accordingly.
Start Your Journey
The Palace on Wheels Awaits.
When Will You Board?
2026 and 2027 departures are available. Demand from international travelers peaks 6 to 9 months before each departure. Secure your cabin now.