Restaurants with table service on active GB stations

Jan Mayen · 23 Jun 2025

Are there any restaurants on stations any more?
I'm sure there used to be, but can't think of any. If they still exist, any recommendations?
Note: This is intended to be about GB, including heritage railways.
In terms of what is a restaurant, I'm thinking of an establishment where9 a waiter takes your order (so not an app, sorry Wetherspoons) and the menu has at least three courses ( so not Smoky Joe's Cafe).
Any suggestions?

RailUK Forums

jfollows · 23 Jun 2025

Saint Pancras, I think, https://stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk/hideout-app/app-uploads/sites/3/2025/06/StPancras_ALCMenu_A3_v9.pdf

”Bar & Brasserie” with 12 main courses, salads and sandwiches.

https://www.opentable.co.uk/r/st-pancras-brasserie-by-searcys-london

The brasserie, originally designed by the acclaimed Martin Brudnizki, showcases elegant 1920s Art Deco interiors that include rich wood panelling, brass fixtures and a vintage station clock. The menu is inspired by the warmth and elegance of the grand railway station restaurants of Paris, such as Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon and Café de la Paix at Gare Saint-Lazare. Highlights include Escargot de Bourgogne with garlic and parsley butter, French onion soup with Gruyère croutons and Saucisse de Morteau aux lentilles. Complementing these French dishes are beloved British staples, such as Battered haddock with minted peas and tartar sauce and Sausage and mash with onion gravy reflecting the brasserie’s connection between London and Paris.

SuspectUsual · 23 Jun 2025

There's an Italian place on the platform at Garforth

The Station House Cafe and Bistro – Homemade Italian Cuisine in Garforth Leeds

www.thestationhousecafe.co.uk

The Station House is a little bit of Italy set in the heart of Garforth. We serve traditional Southern Italian (specific to the Puglian region) cuisine based on family recipes with genuine Mediterranean warmth and hospitality. We love our food – we know you will too.

edwin_m · 23 Jun 2025

SuspectUsual said:
There's an Italian place on the platform at Garforth

The Station House Cafe and Bistro – Homemade Italian Cuisine in Garforth Leeds

www.thestationhousecafe.co.uk

I'm guessing that's one where a restaurant has happened to occupy the station building, but doesn't particularly rely on railway passengers for patronage. There are others like that, such as Dore & Totley. But restaurants that are probably used mostly by passengers are fewer and further between. Manchester Piccadilly apparently still has a Carluccios and a TGI Friday, the latter probably stretching the OP's definition somewhat.

Mcr Warrior · 23 Jun 2025

'Waterside Seafood Restaurant' at the railway buildings on the Kyle of Lochalsh station's island platform. Well worth a visit!

_toommm_ · 23 Jun 2025

Rajdhani is technically on the station, occupying the old station building at Dore & Totley.

raveon · 23 Jun 2025

Shelford (Cambs) - Zara Indian on the London bound platform.

Mag_seven · 23 Jun 2025

Can I remind posters they must provide a short text extract in quote tags from any link provided in their posts.

kevconnor · 23 Jun 2025

In the upper concourse of Manchester Piccadilly, there is Carluccio's. It's always a wonder to me that it remains in business. I pass it often, and there never appears to be more than a handful of customers, and often appear to be more staff than customers.

stadler · 24 Jun 2025

I seem to remember that Etchingham has a restaurant in the station building.

Bistro@the station | Home

Bistro @ the station - This new award winning place to have a drink and a bite to eat is a community interest project driven by local people for both the village and the commuters who use busy Etchingham station.

www.bistroatthestation.co.uk

It is called Bistro At The Station but it seems like it may be more of a cafe. They do a Full English Breakfast and it seems like it is a sit down cafe as well as a takeaway. They have an option to book a table so i guess it could be described as a restaurant too.

Magdalia · 24 Jun 2025

When it first opened, the Parcel Yard at Kings Cross used to have table service in the first floor room overlooking the main train shed.

I don't know if it still does.

Jan Mayen · 24 Jun 2025

stadler said:
I seem to remember that Etchingham has a restaurant in the station building.

Etchingham indeed does have a catering establishment. Not sure if it's full waiter service, as I've only every ordered breakfast from the counter.

sh24 · 24 Jun 2025

The Creamery at Castle Cary maybe stretches the station part, but it is a very good restaurant.

CarltonA · 24 Jun 2025

Windsor & Eton Central has plenty of dining places with table service.

DelW · 24 Jun 2025

Are you including one-time station hotels which have gone upmarket?

As well as St Pancras (mentioned in post 2), another example is the ex Great Central Hotel at Marylebone, now The Landmark:

Restaurants & Bars in Marylebone | Dining at The Landmark London

Experience the best champagne, afternoon tea, modern European dining, cocktails, and gastropub dining in Marylebone at The Landmark London.

www.landmarklondon.co.uk

Discover an array of charming and comfortable places to dine and unwind.

Although it's not on the station, it's immediately adjacent, and was part of the same original development.

I'm sure there are other examples around the country.

Benjwri · 24 Jun 2025

The Three Guineas at Reading Station has a restaurant area that does table service.

D6130 · 24 Jun 2025

There are Indian restaurants in the former station buildings at Corbridge, Nantwich and Swanwick. That at Corbridge has direct access from the platform, but I'm not certain about the other two.

Alfie1014 · 24 Jun 2025

There’s the Station Bistro https://www.stationbistro.co.uk/bistro-menu/ at Wymondham which used to be known as the Brief Encounter.

WolvertonWorks · 24 Jun 2025

Magdalia said:
When it first opened, the Parcel Yard at Kings Cross used to have table service in the first floor room overlooking the main train shed.

I don't know if it still does.

We were at the Parcel Yard about a month ago - the dining area in the centre was table service while all the other spaces surrounding it are "order at the bar with your table number" and they bring your food to you.

consettman · 24 Jun 2025

D6130 said:
There are Indian restaurants in the former station buildings at Corbridge, Nantwich and Swanwick. That at Corbridge has direct access from the platform, but I'm not certain about the other two.

Corbridge's other USP is that its restaurant is served by trains. At least according to perception - there's the Curry Train from Newcastle Central which takes the punters direct to the restaurant, and returns them at the end of the evening. According to their marketing the service is The Passage to India - in reality a timetabled 156 shared with commuters, but "staffed" by a costumed waiter with a coolbox, nervously keeping an eye on things.

iphone76 · 24 Jun 2025

London Liverpool Street has a sushi restaurant called Moshi Moshi Sushi which sits above Platform 1 giving views over the Western side of the station.

Moshi Moshi | Sushi London

Link above for the restaurant.

LondonExile · 24 Jun 2025

Davanti Classico has part of the station building at Tynemouth (now T&W Metro), with tables both inside, and on the southbound platform.

Davanti Classico at Tynemouth Station | Tynemouth

Davanti Classico at Tynemouth Station, Tynemouth. 8,267 likes · 14 talking about this · 23,862 were here. Restaurant | Bar | Cafe Terrace | Private Dining Classic Italian Dining at Tynemouth...

www.facebook.com

JWK · 24 Jun 2025

The former station house at Aylesford on the Medway Valley line is now Melad Tandoori restaurant

BeijingDave · 25 Jun 2025

kevconnor said:
In the upper concourse of Manchester Piccadilly, there is Carluccio's. It's always a wonder to me that it remains in business. I pass it often, and there never appears to be more than a handful of customers, and often appear to be more staff than customers.

It might be there largely for prestige/name recognition/branding purposes, the same way many luxury goods units in airports don't actually make a profit.

There are Carluccios all over the country, the one in Chester seems to be very popular, and they are quite dependable if not amazing. Since their target market is probably (to some extent) the business lunch on expenses crowd it makes sense to be seen at places like Piccadilly station and airports.

Backroom_boy · 25 Jun 2025

consettman said:
Corbridge's other USP is that its restaurant is served by trains. At least according to perception - there's the Curry Train from Newcastle Central which takes the punters direct to the restaurant, and returns them at the end of the evening. According to their marketing the service is The Passage to India - in reality a timetabled 156 shared with commuters, but "staffed" by a costumed waiter with a coolbox, nervously keeping an eye on things.

That sounds fun! There should be more unofficial tie ins like this!

YorksLad12 · 25 Jun 2025

edwin_m said:
I'm guessing that's one where a restaurant has happened to occupy the station building, but doesn't particularly rely on railway passengers for patronage.

They have a serving hatch to the platform for drinks. Not sure if that extends to a slice of pizza. Forum outing? 8-)

rower40 · 25 Jun 2025

Ayr station hotel?
Oh. Whoops Sorry. As you were….

yorkie · 25 Jun 2025

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Church Fenton yet; the old station building now hosts Sunar Bangla. A lot of forum members have had a curry there!

apinnard · 25 Jun 2025

yorkie said:
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Church Fenton yet; the old station building now hosts Sunar Bangla. A lot of forum members have had a curry there!

You beat me to it! Love it there. Good little curry house.

kevjs · 26 Jun 2025

I'm not quiet sure if La Vita Mia on Newark Castle station fits the bill as their website doesn't seem to list deserts, but they might be one.

Join Our Culinary Family at La Vita Mia
Are you passionate about crafting authentic Italian culinary experiences that tantalise taste buds and transport diners to the heart of Italy? La Vita Mia, a brand new Italian restaurant in Newark Castle Station

La Vita MIa

re you passionate about crafting authentic Italian culinary experiences that tantalise taste buds and transport diners to the heart of Italy? La Vita Mia, a brand new Italian restaurant, is seeking vibrant and talented individuals to join our culinary family.

lavitamia.co.uk

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Restaurants with table service on active GB stations

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