Restaurant-Style Thalis Onboard: How IRCTC eCatering Redefines Train Meals

Train journeys in India have always been special, and food is a big part of the experience. Earlier, passengers had limited choices and often settled for simple, bland, sub-par or station vendor meals. But today, travellers can enjoy restaurant-style thalis onboard, bringing the taste of a proper restaurant right to their train seat.

With the help of IRCTC eCatering, passengers no longer have to compromise on quality or variety. These thalis come with multiple dishes served together, making them wholesome, filling, and perfect for long journeys. It’s like getting a mini-restaurant dining experience with you while you travel.

What Makes Restaurant-Style Thalis Special?

A thali is more than just a meal, it’s an experience. It brings together different dishes on a single platter, giving passengers a complete and satisfying dining option while travelling.

• Variety in One Plate – A thali usually has rice, chapati, dal, vegetables, curry, pickles, and sometimes dessert. For non-veg thalis, dishes like chicken or fish curry are included. This mix of items makes the meal exciting and fulfilling.
• Balanced and Nutritious – With grains, proteins, vegetables, and flavours all in one, thalis are wholesome and suitable for long journeys.
• Feels Like Home-Cooked Food – The combination of familiar Indian dishes gives passengers comfort, reminding them of meals at home.
• Restaurant Quality Onboard – IRCTC eCatering allows you to order thalis from several well-known restaurant partners. These thalis taste fresh, tasty, and exactly like what you’d expect from a restaurant.

The Role of IRCTC eCatering in Train Meals

In the past, passengers often had to adjust with whatever food was available on the train. But now, IRCTC eCatering has changed the way people eat while travelling. It has made restaurant-style thalis easily available to passengers, ensuring that they enjoy quality meals without leaving their seats.

• Simple Ordering – Enter your PNR number on the Food on Track app or eCatering website, browse through menus, and choose your favourite thali.
• Wide Choice of Restaurants – IRCTC partners with trusted restaurants across India to bring a variety of thalis, from veg to non-veg and even regional specialities.
• Fresh and Hygienic Meals – The food is prepared freshly, packed securely, and brought to your train seat timely.
• Convenience for Travellers – No more rushing to find food at stations or settling for sub-par meals. Everything comes to you, fresh and hot.

Types of Restaurant-Style Thalis Available

One of the best parts of ordering through IRCTC eCatering is the variety of thalis you can choose from. Passengers can enjoy a range of restaurant-style thalis depending on their taste and preference.

Vegetarian Thali

• Includes rice, chapati, dal, seasonal sabzi, curd, salad, and pickle
• Light, healthy, and perfect for those who prefer a simple meal.

Non-Vegetarian Thali

• Comes with dishes like chicken curry, mutton curry, or egg curry, along with rice, chapati, dal, and salad.
• A filling choice for non-veg lovers.

Seafood Thali

• Available on certain routes, includes fish curry, prawns, or fried fish with rice and accompaniments.
• A must-try for seafood lovers when travelling through coastal regions.

Some Regional Thali Options

• Gujarati Thali – dhokla, kadhi, sabzi, roti, rice, and sweets.
• Rajasthani Thali – dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, rice, and rotis.
• Bengali Thali – rice, fish curry, vegetable sabzi, dal, and sweets.
• South Indian Thali – sambar, rasam, curd rice, poriyal, and appalam.
• North Indian Thali – paneer dish, dal makhani, roti, rice, salad, and dessert.

These thalis bring a mini-restaurant experience onboard, letting passengers taste the flavours of India while on their journey.

Why Should Passengers Order Thalis Onboard

• Complete Meal on One Plate – Thalis include everything you need for a balanced meal, rice, roti, dal, curry, vegetables, and sometimes dessert.
• Variety of Flavours – Thalis give passengers a mix of tastes and textures, keeping the meal exciting.
• Easy to Eat While Travelling – Since everything comes in one platter, thalis are simple to manage onboard without extra fuss.
• Affordable and Filling – Passengers get a wholesome meal at a reasonable price, making it great value for money.
• Good for Families – Thalis are perfect for sharing, especially when travelling in groups or with children.

Hygiene and Freshness Promise

• Trusted Restaurant Partners – With eCatering, you can order thalis from many prominent restaurants and food partners across India and have them delivered to your train seat. Zomato and Swiggy have also teamed with eCatering to provide food delivery on trains.
• FSSAI Certified Kitchens – All meals are prepared in kitchens that follow proper safety and hygiene standards.
• Freshly Cooked Meals – Thalis are prepared fresh at the station, ensuring you get the best food on trains.
• Sealed Packaging – Food is packed properly to avoid spillage and keep it safe during delivery.
• Hot and On Seat Delivery – Meals are delivered right to your seat, so you can enjoy them warm and fresh.

Easy Ordering Process with IRCTC eCatering

One of the best things about IRCTC eCatering is how simple it is to order food while travelling. Passengers can enjoy Restaurant-Style Thalis in just a few easy steps:

1. Enter Your PNR Number – Open the Food on Track app or website and enter your train PNR number.
2. Browse the Menu – Check out the list of restaurants and thalis available on your route.
3. Choose Your Thali – Pick from vegetarian, non-veg, seafood, or regional thalis.
4. Place the Order – Confirm your order and make the payment from a variety of options, ranging from online to cash on delivery.
5. Get It Delivered to Your Seat – Your thali is prepared fresh and delivered to you at your train seat.

This simple process makes it easy for passengers to enjoy a restaurant-like dining experience without leaving their seat.

Why Thalis Are a Game-Changer Onboard

Restaurant-style thalis onboard Indian trains have transformed the way passengers enjoy meals while travelling. With IRCTC eCatering, travellers no longer have to compromise on quality, variety, or hygiene. From wholesome vegetarian thalis to indulgent non-veg, seafood, and regional delicacies, these meals bring the comfort and taste of home-cooked or restaurant food directly to your seat.

Easy to order, fresh, hygienic, and filling, restaurant-style thalis make train journeys not just about the destination, but also about enjoying every bite along the way. Whether travelling solo, with family, or with friends, these thalis ensure a delightful, convenient, and satisfying dining experience onboard.