IRCTC e-Catering vs Pantry Car Food: What’s Better in 2025?

IRCTC e-Catering vs Pantry Car Food: Train travel has seen the advancement of external features in speed and service as well as onboard consumption of meals. In India in 2025, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) currently offers two main food alternatives: the traditional pantry car food and the newest e-Catering service. Which one, then, is the better alternative? Let us break it down.

Pantry Car Food: The Original Option

Many long-distance trains have a pantry car, which is a kitchen on board. Meals are prepared or heated on-board and served right to passengers. Pros:

Immediately available.

Included in the ticket fees (for some classes).

Not to be pre-booked.

Cons:

Limited variety (mostly fixed menus).

Quality mostly varies.

Some routes still report poor hygiene.

IRCTC e-Catering: Food at Your Fingertips

E-Catering services were launched by IRCTC for customers to book fresh food for consumption on their upcoming train journey via online access to different partner restaurants linking into the major stations or terminals along the rail.

Advantages:

Menu is huge (available South Indian, North Indian, Chinese and snacks, desserts)

Well-known restaurants, like Haldiram’s, Bikanervala, Domino’s and many more, served.

Much better hygiene and packaging

Disadvantages:

Requires internet access for booking.

Applicable on select stations and timings only.

Delivery risk if train arrives early or late.

IRCTC e-Catering vs Pantry Car Food

It is true that e-Catering, in taste, variety, and hygiene, beats a pantry car hands down. Still, for those who value simplicity or who happen to travel on routes that have little or no internet access, pantry car backup remains pretty reliable.

ALSO READ: Booking Train Tickets in India: A Step-by-Step IRCTC Guide 2025

IRCTC e-Catering would be the most advantageous method in 2025, particularly for health-conscious travelers and those seeking a little more than dal-chawal. Yet, there are certain trains for which pantry car food still has relevance, alongside late last-minute travelers. With just over a thousand additional stations being constructed into the e-Catering network, the future of train food is certainly digital and appetizing.