We know eating properly can be tricky when you’re in a foreign land, too nervous or short on time to wander away from your interchange station. So we’ve scoured for the most delectable eateries at some of Europe’s most popular stations so when you’re on traincation, you won’t go hungry. Bon appetit!

Le Train Bleu, Gare de Lyon, Paris

It seems unfair to call Le Train Bleu a “train station restaurant”, since it’s more like a museum for the train of the same (colloquial) name. And although the original so-called Train Bleu (also known as the Calais-Mediterranée Express) completed its last journey back in 2007 its memory lives on, with delectable food and decadent surroundings a nod to the elegance of the luxury overnight express service.

1e Klas, Centraal Station, Amsterdam

If you’re looking for a delightful dining spot in Amsterdam it’s nice to know you don’t even have to leave the station! 1e Klas, on Platform 2 of Centraal Station, has an extensive menu of dishes with a relatively fast seating time too. Embrace Holland in all its glory by opting for an Osseworst of Apfelstrudel and soothe your soul with a cold brew. About a quarter of the menu is dedicated to beer, so some Dutch courage may be in order to summon up decisiveness! Of course, if you have a long wait between connections, you could just work your way through the entire selection…

Midi Station, Brasserie, Brussels

While other railway stations are content to proffer cafes and snack kiosks, the Midi Station Brasserie in Brussels offers not just a restaurant, but a bar, cigar lounge, and centralised dance space spread over 2000m². So kick back or get your dance on, in the knowledge the Eurostar and Thalys platforms are just next door!

Au Premier Restaurant, Zurich Bahnhof

The Au Premier restaurant in Zurich train station looks over the Bahnhofstrausse and offers contemporary dining in historical surroundings. The food doesn’t come cheap, but it’s made up for with a creative menu that changes seasonally, attentive service and a refined atmosphere away from the chaos of the main station arcade. In summer, there’s literally a smorgasbord offering all the Swedish fare you can muster!

Oyster Bar, Grand Central Station, Manhattan

Okay, so this isn’t Europe, but it would be unfair not to mention this impressive seafood bar in any train station restaurant rundown worth its salt. The Grand Central Oyster Bar is a cavernous space with vaulted ceilings on the lower level of New York’s Grand Central station, where customers can choose from 30 varieties of oysters daily. And even if molluscs aren’t your thing, the ambience and surrounds hark back to the grandeur of an age gone by. So prop up the bar or order NY cheesecake and fancy yourself as a movie icon, if only fleetingly.

St Pancras International, London

No station dining list would be complete without a mention of home turf. If you find yourself at St Pancras International with an hour or two to spare, you really should make the most of the in-station dining options. On the upper concourse opposite the famous Searcy’s Champagne bar is the St Pancras Grand Brasserie – an elegant eaterie that merges the old-fashioned glamour of train travel with a delectable British menu. If you’re there on a Friday or a Sunday evening you may even be treated to a spot of soul or jazz music. If you’re struggling to pick what to have don’t worry: there’s a daily special each and every day to inspire you.

Ah but wait, there’s more. Adjoining the magnificently restored St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, The Booking Office Bar and Restaurant captures brilliantly the romance of the railways. Set in the historic former ticket office, the refit is sensitive to the architectural splendour of the place, while the cocktail menu reimagines lost recipes from its Victorian past.

Are there any other train station restaurants you think we’ve missed off the list? Let us know in the comments below!

Bon voyage & bon appetit!