delhi to varanasi vande bharat train food guide (2026)

tldr: delhi to varanasi on vande bharat - 9 hours, rs 1,500-2,500 depending on class, meals included. you get a snack tray (kachori, juice, popcorn, premix tea) and a full dinner thali (paneer/chicken, dal, rice, paratha, aloo sabzi, dahi, ice cream). food is decent, not great. the aloo sabzi is the star. the premix tea is forgettable. the journey itself is worth it.

there’s something about eating on a train that makes everything taste different. i don’t know if it’s the motion, the window views, the fact that you’re stuck with whatever they serve you, or just the general romance of indian railways. but train food has its own category in my head, separate from restaurant food or street food or home food. it’s train food. and it follows its own rules.

i took the vande bharat from delhi to varanasi after a gap of about four years. train number 22416, departing delhi at 3 pm, arriving varanasi junction at approximately 11 pm. nine to ten hours of travel, two meal services, and a growing excitement about reaching a city that, as they say, doesn’t let you come on your own - it summons you.

this is a complete breakdown of every piece of food that came my way on this journey. what’s good, what’s forgettable, and whether the vande bharat food hype is justified.

the awards (my personal picks)

• best item in snack tray: kachori. the only freshly made item. everything else is packaged.
• best item in dinner: aloo sabzi. simple, properly spiced, pairs perfectly with paratha.
• most forgettable: premix tea. it’s warm water with tea flavour. that’s all it is.
• best surprise: caramel popcorn in the snack tray. actually decent brand.
• biggest disappointment: the dinner paneer. rubbery texture, average gravy.
• best overall experience: the dinner tray presentation. systematically arranged, served hot.

the full list

the journey begins

boarding and first impressions

delhi, 3:00 pm / vande bharat 22416

the vande bharat’s most impressive quality has nothing to do with food - it’s punctuality. the clock hit 3, the doors closed, and the train started moving. no delays, no announcements about late running, none of the usual indian railways drama. refreshing.

you get a free water bottle the moment you sit down. the seats are comfortable, the air conditioning works, and the general ambiance is several levels above regular trains. the tea/snack service is scheduled for 4:30 pm, so you have about ninety minutes to settle in.

i brought my own black coffee in a tumbler because i’m not a tea person and i’ve learned not to trust premix beverages on trains. this turned out to be the right decision.

the snack tray (served around 4:30 pm)

the tea-time service

between delhi and kanpur / included in ticket / 6.5/10

the snack tray is neatly arranged - credit where it’s due, the presentation is better than any other indian train i’ve been on. here’s what you get:

• one kachori or samosa (your choice)
• one juice box
• caramel popcorn (surprisingly good brand)
• murmura/namkeen mix
• premix tea or coffee sachet

the kachori is the only freshly made item and it’s decent. crispy, properly filled, and warm. everything else is packaged. the juice is standard tetra pack stuff. the popcorn is actually pretty good - caramel flavoured, not stale.

the premix tea is what it is. they give you the sachet, and hot water comes after you finish the snack tray. you mix it yourself. if you’re particular about your chai, bring your own. if you’re a coffee person, definitely bring your own.

one important thing: you can ask for tea or coffee, and they’ll accommodate. if your coach doesn’t have what you want, the staff will get it from the next coach. the service attitude on vande bharat is genuinely good.

verdict: the tray is well-presented, the kachori is the highlight, and the rest is acceptable packaged food. bring your own chai/coffee if you care about taste.

the dinner service (between kanpur and prayagraj)

the main event

loaded at kanpur junction, served after departure / included in ticket / 6.5/10

this is where things get interesting. the food is loaded at kanpur junction and heated in hot cases at 93 degrees celsius. the kitchen setup at the back of the train is impressive - three separate sections with hot cases, deep freezers, and a tray assembly line.

the staff works at what i can only describe as superhuman speed. trays are assembled one by one - dahi first, then dry sabzi, then the main curry, dal, rice, and parathas. it’s systematic and efficient.

the veg thali includes:

• paneer sabzi
• dal
• aloo sabzi (dry)
• rice
• two parathas
• dahi
• achar
• ice cream (served after the meal)

the non-veg thali is the same but with chicken instead of paneer.

the aloo sabzi is the star. simple, properly cooked, and pairs beautifully with the paratha. it’s comfort food, nothing fancy, but it’s the one thing on the tray that tastes like someone actually cared.

the dal is decent - standard railway dal but warm and flavourful enough. the rice is plain and functional. the dahi is cold and thick, which is all you need from train dahi.

the paneer is where it falls flat. rubbery texture, generic gravy. if you’re getting the non-veg, the chicken is reportedly better, but i went with veg because i was heading to varanasi and it felt appropriate.

the parathas are the second-best thing after the aloo sabzi - warm, slightly flaky, and substantial enough to make the meal feel complete.

ice cream comes after the meal as dessert. standard stuff but appreciated.

important note: when you book your ticket, you must select veg or non-veg. many people skip this option during booking and then miss out on the meal service. don’t make that mistake.

verdict: the dinner is where vande bharat justifies its meal-included pricing. it’s not restaurant-quality food, but for train food, it’s honestly pretty good. the systematic preparation, proper heating, and clean presentation put it well above anything you’d get on a regular train.

the arrival

varanasi junction, approximately 11 pm

nine hours. one snack tray. one full dinner. one ice cream. multiple water bottles. and then the doors open at varanasi junction and nothing else matters because you’re in kashi.

the food on vande bharat is not the reason to take this train. the punctuality, the comfort, and the overall experience are. the food is a bonus - decent, sometimes good, never bad. that’s more than most indian trains can claim.

delhi to varanasi train food tips

• book your meal preference (veg/non-veg) while purchasing the ticket. this is not optional if you want to be served.
• bring your own tea or coffee if you’re particular. the premix is barely functional.
• the snack tray comes around 4:30 pm, dinner between kanpur and prayagraj. plan your hunger accordingly.
• food is loaded fresh at kanpur junction - it’s not sitting around since delhi.
• the aloo sabzi with paratha is the best combination on the dinner tray. eat that first while it’s hot.
• the staff is genuinely helpful. if you need something from another coach, they’ll get it.
• the train runs on time. 3 pm sharp from delhi. be on the platform early.
• the journey is approximately 9-10 hours. carry a book, some snacks, or just enjoy the window view.
• water bottles are free and provided at the seat. no need to buy from platform vendors.

if you found this useful, check out these other varanasi guides:

• best street food in varanasi
• best street food near assi ghat varanasi
• varanasi food guide