Amtrak Reimagines First Class Dining on Acela for a More Elevated Onboard Experience

From chef-crafted small plates to refreshed entrees and rotating desserts, the new menu brings greater variety and a more modern approach to First Class dining.

WASHINGTON - Amtrak has taken inspiration from its state-of-the-art NextGen Acela trains to innovate its Acela First Class menu and reimagine the dining experience for premium travel on the Northeast Corridor. At the center of this update is the introduction of new small plate concepts, alongside warm breakfast pastries and a rotating dessert selection - bringing greater flexibility and a more modern, restaurant-inspired approach to onboard dining.

Designed to meet evolving customer preferences, the new small plates offer lighter, thoughtfully curated options that are ideal for shorter trips or for those seeking a more flexible dining experience. These dishes allow guests to enjoy high-quality food at their own pace, whether as a standalone selection or part of a more customized meal.

WHAT'S ON THE MENU:

• Amtrak's Culinary Team has developed a range of new offerings that reflect contemporary dining trends. Sample menu items include:
  • Goat Cheese Frittata - Potato and herb frittata served over roasted broccolini, mushrooms and artichoke vegetable hash.
  • Liège Waffle - Buttery waffle with caramelized pearl sugar, served with honey-blueberry compote.
  • Chilled Lemon Herb Salmon - Salmon over lemon-basil farro, roasted sweet potatoes, edamame, feta and mixed greens. Topped with pickled onions and served chilled with lemon-sumac vinaigrette.
  • Muhammara Dip (a small plate) - Middle Eastern-spiced roasted red peppers blended with walnuts, garnished with pomegranate molasses and served with fresh carrot sticks and flatbread.
  • Strawberry Basil Shortcake - Pound cake layered with whipped cream, topped with basil-steeped strawberries.
• In addition, as part of its continued collaboration with STARR Restaurant Group, Acela First Class guests will now enjoy select dishes from some of Philadelphia and DC's most notable restaurants, including:
  • Eggplant Parmesan (From Borromini) - Crispy fried eggplant layered with chunky tomato sauce, whole-milk mozzarella and fresh basil.
  • Chinese Chicken Salad (From The Occidental) - Shaved vegetable salad with mango and cashews, topped with crispy wonton strips and toasted sesame seeds. Served with a sweet and spicy peanut ginger dressing.
  • Gruyère Omelet - (From Parc) - A classic hand-rolled omelet with Gruyère cheese and fresh herbs. Served with roasted potatoes and caramelized onions.

NEXTGEN ACELA: Since its launch in August 2025, Amtrak guests have taken over one million trips on NextGen Acela between major city centers from Washington, DC, to New York to Boston and destinations in between. Featuring a sleek design, innovative elements and amenities, guests can enjoy First Class and Business Class travel on America's high-speed rail service while staying productive, traveling in comfort, and having a modern travel experience.

The new NextGen Acela trains offer an elevated experience, with all the amenities that today's travelers expect plus everything they need to be productive: free, high-speed, 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, power outlets and reading lights.

For images, videos, b-roll, fact sheets, and more information, Amtrak's NextGen Acela media kit can be found at: Media.Amtrak.com/NextGen-Acela