From Sunrise Breakfast to Sunset Wine: Rocky Mountaineer's Epicurean Railway Experience  

There’s no other way to say it: a day onboard Rocky Mountaineer is a day of indulgence. From the first whistle, as you depart the station to the last sip of wine as you pull into your destination for the evening, your culinary adventure is going to be as spectacular as the landscape that unfolds outside the window. “For many of our guests, time onboard Rocky Mountaineer is a journey of a lifetime,” says Executive Chef Kaelhub Cudmore. “We make sure their dining experience on the train matches those high expectations.”   

Working with local purveyors to showcase the ingredients and cultural influences of each region, Chef Cudmore and his team create unique menus for each route at the beginning of each season. Whether you are traveling the Rainforest to Gold Rush route from Vancouver to Jasper or exploring Banff and Lake Louise before heading west, you will benefit from connecting with other travelers over a meal. This camaraderie creates a genuine sense of connection, not only with fellow travelers but also with the breathtaking scenery unfolding outside. Fresh ingredients are sourced seasonally from British Columbia and Alberta—in fact, many ingredients are from the areas you’ll pass through, such as pork raised in the Shuswap, artisan crackers from a bakery in Salmon Arm, and fresh berries from the Fraser Valley.    

While a day on the rails often starts early, raising a glass of fresh juice or cradling a steaming cup of coffee gets the journey off on the right foot. As you roll out of the station, your freshly prepared breakfast isn’t far behind! Those traveling in GoldLeaf Service are divided into two meal seating groups per rail coach and head downstairs to the dedicated dining room. Perusing the menu, you can choose from different delectable main courses at each meal. In SilverLeaf Service, you choose from two main courses served on white linen, right at your seat. For breakfast, you might choose between Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast on local sourdough or Liège Waffles served with a local berry compote. For lunch, will it be the Alberta Beef Shank Ragout or the Pacific Ling Cod with truffled green beans? If you’re torn between the options, the best news is you get the chance to try something new the next day! And just as much attention has been paid to what’s being poured into your glass or cup, from BC-roasted coffee to premium wines from the Okanagan Valley and beers from some of Vancouver’s best craft breweries.    

To produce such a high-quality dining experience while traveling at up to 50 kilometers per hour (30 miles per hour) takes commitment. The galley for each GoldLeaf Service rail coach is staffed by a full culinary team, preparing three-course meals for up to 70 guests each day, with a slightly smaller team preparing dishes for those traveling in SilverLeaf Service. While stocks and soups are made in a commissary kitchen and brought onboard, everything else is prepared on the train. Because of this, Rocky Mountaineer’s culinary team can accommodate most dietary concerns—given adequate notice—and the regular menu offers options for those sticking to a gluten-free or plant-based diet. On Rocky Mountaineer, every guest can look forward to a great feast.  

To book your 2024 Rocky Mountaineer journey of a lifetime, contact your AAA Travel Agent today and receive an exclusive AAA Member Benefit.