11 royal meal experiences at the Maharajas' Express that are not to be missed

While eating on a train is an experience we have all witnessed, how about eating on a royal train offering a travel experience that recreates the grandeur of bygone eras? The Maharajas' Express is one of India’s most luxurious trains, operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. It offers personalised meal service, a lounge bar and more, all providing regal hospitality. It takes passengers on curated journeys across iconic destinations like Rajasthan, Agra, and Varanasi. While the highlights include heritage, culture, and opulence, one of the most surreal experiences is their dining service featured through two onboard fine-dining restaurant cars. The two multi-cuisine restaurant carriages serve delectable food in an elegantly themed ambiance befitting their names. First is Mayur Mahal Restaurant (Peacock Palace) and the other is Rang Mahal Restaurants (Palace of Colors). According to the website, the Maharajas' Express fare includes daily meals served on-board in the restaurant or during off-board trips. Guests can select one complimentary wine with breakfast, lunch, / dinner from a large menu including Table d’Hote meals. They can accommodate 42 guests each at a time. The seating arrangements are made in two ways. One side of the cabin has two-seater arrangements and on the other side, the chairs and tables are arranged in a four-seater style. Take a look at the 10 royal meal experiences they offer on-board.

According to their website, it is designed for lactose-intolerant travelers and is prepared without any milk or milk-based ingredients such as milk, butter, cheese, cream, or yogurt. Instead, the in-house chefs use alternative ingredients like plant-based substitutes or naturally dairy-free recipes to maintain taste and luxury dining standards.

This cuisine is said to be made with plant-based ingredients, dairy products and egg. The website information clearly mentions that meat, fish and poultry are not added to the meal.

It is a complete vegetarian cuisine. The cuisine also rejects ingredients grown under the soil like onion, beets, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and others. It is a thoughtfully prepared vegetarian diet rooted in the principles of Jainism, which emphasises non-violence and mindful living. Traditionally, the cuisine focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients such as grains, lentils, fruits, and above-ground vegetables, cooked with minimal spices to preserve natural flavours. The meals are free from meat, eggs, and often fermented foods. A Jain meal truly reflects purity, simplicity, and respect for all forms of life, making it as much a spiritual practice as it is a dietary choice.

The website states that this meal strictly contains only vegetarian ingredients. No animal-based products, including dairy products are included. Rooted in both ethical and health-conscious choices, vegan cuisine focuses on foods sourced entirely from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds—while using alternatives like almond milk, coconut milk, or soy products to replace traditional dairy. This meal also promotes sustainability, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility.

This meal comprises ingredients allowed as per the Jewish dietary law. Traditionally, one of the most defining rules of this meal is the complete separation of meat and dairy, meaning they cannot be cooked or consumed together, and even utensils are often kept separate. This meal reflects discipline, tradition, and spiritual mindfulness.

If you are gluten intolerant, then this meal is for you. Here, you can enjoy a meal without breads, cookies, grains, cereals, pastas and others. This type of diet focuses on naturally gluten-free foods such as rice, corn, millets, fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy, and unprocessed meat or fish. Here, alternatives made from flours like almond, rice, or buckwheat take the centre stage. Beyond just ingredient selection, a gluten-free meal also requires careful preparation to avoid cross-contamination, ensuring it remains safe and suitable, which is duly taken care of at Maharaja Express.

This one includes non-vegetarian dishes, starters, soups and more. It is often valued for its high-quality protein, essential vitamins like B12, and minerals such as iron and zinc, which support overall health and energy levels. From slow-cooked curries and grilled meats to seafood delicacies and egg-based dishes, you can expect all things delicious that you can enjoy on a moving train.

This meal includes ingredients that are plant-originated and dairy products. It typically includes grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and often dairy products like milk, paneer, and yogurt. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, vegetarian meals are known for supporting overall health and digestion while offering diverse textures and taste.

This is an authentic rural-styled Indian cuisine served with fresh vegetables, meat and fruits. The special taste of this cuisine is a credit to the unique cooking style. The dishes are flavored with fresh water fish, millets, corn, and others. The train chooses to provide royal dishes of the cuisine like steamed keema, phirni, Mewari lauki, stuffed bhindi, milk desserts and others. One of the legendary Mewar dishes served in the train is Paniyachurio, made with crushed maize, clarified butter, jaggery and local flavors. These dishes are traditionally made with coal to add a special aroma. To retain the aroma longer, the dishes are served in clay pots.

The website also states that apart from the Mewar cuisine, the train also serves other Rajasthan cuisine dishes, Mumbai’s tikka dishes, thalis of varies regions like (Punjabi thali, Rajasthan thali and others).

And if you are looking for an international meal experience, then starting from the noodles dishes of Chinese land to the pastries of Europe, the train provides a wide range of delicacies, starters and main course from various parts of the globe. This international cuisine is maintained to make everyone feel at home.

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