Food was delicious. The staff was professional and friendly. We had a great time. It is definitely an experience that everyone should have. We were supposed to sit in the dome area but you have to sit with another couple and it is extremely cramped and tight. We ended up switching to the lower area. Skip the extra money for the dome and just sit below , theres more room and more private for couples. read more

Walked in with extremely high hopes and thought the venue looked great. Unfortunately we were met coldly and took seats at the bar. One of the bar staff spoke to us very rudely after my brothers phone went off. On our way out someone in our party on the way the situation was handed and it was less than pleasant. Apparently the bartender was owner and stated that we were the rude ones. Overall an extremely pretentious restaurant where in a world of wanting to support small businesses you make it hard. read more

BUYER BEWARE: Please be very explicit when calling them about dates they are open. Neither Yelp, Google Business, or their website is clear that this is a seasonal business. In fact, if you go to their website now, you would probably not know that they are closed or seasonal, either. Given this, you would think that staff would have made me aware that their season was coming to an end when I bought a gift certificate in advance as a honeymoon gift for my friends. You would also think that given this was never made clear to me and it was for such a rare and special occasion (we are not locals - they knew that as they mailed my gift card to New York), that there would be some understanding from the owners for the honeymooners given my gift was rendered useless for their special trip. But quite the opposite - they are taking the money and running. No refund. Some false assurances that my gift certificate will never expire (even though they hand wrote in the card themselves that it is only valid until next year, and NH law says that gift certificates over $100 expire within 5 years). As the owner of a small business in the food service industry, I can assure you that it does not have to be this way. While the money is great to have in-hand, you are also in the business of creating special memories for people, and that should matter as well. And a better business that actually gets people to return can be built by being kind and not greedy. read more

Disappointing overall/ not worth $90 per person Pros - the service, the strawberry/mango sorbet, the glazed chicken (ok not great), dessert Cons - the scenery was mostly trees and there was a golf course - couldn't see anything else. You could get beautiful scenery by taking a drive through mountains or going on one of the adventure tours. The steak was mostly gristle - not fat but hard chewy gristle, 3/4 inedible, when owner came around had taken one bite was ok, when told server she said it's the way the animals are fed and they cook with as much fat on it as possible to get the flavor and she could tell the chef but they do get a lot of complaints about the steak. I told her it was gristle when I brought it to her attention not fat. I opted not to tell the chef since this is a common problem with the steak. If there have been many complaints and it hasn't been fixed yet then it probably won't be. The dome is a bit crowded if you have 3 ppl. It's not a quiet atmosphere in that section. Too pricey for what you get. We expected better. There's a beautiful dinner train in cape cod at Hyannis port and an excellent 4 or 5 course meal at a restaurant in Milford, NH for $39.95 per person if that's what you're looking for but do something else in the White Mountains. read more

Not worth the money, Seriously, at $80 per person they should allow you to have more than one dinner role. The ravioli appetizer was paper thin, the rib appetizer tasted like stew meat and the for the price they can really do better than raw green beans and carrots as the only vegetable. We got one description of the dinner from the person who announced it and one from our waitress (the waitress was a highlight, professional and correct about the food description). As for the dessert? A pumpkin role cake that tasted as though it was made the day before and kept in the freezer. The trip was short and stopped on bridge where we had the view of rusty girders for about 15 minutes. Beautiful train, but really, for what they are charging, really not worth it. 5 courses: 1. dinner roll 2. appetizer 3. main course 3. sorbet 4. dessert Really, a dinner role and a gumball sized scoop of sorbet qualify as courses? read more

We come to Lincoln NH at least once a year to fine in the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. It is a bit expensive but worth every penny. The scenery is beautiful; a two+ hour ride while dining on a 5 course meal. The food is great, waitstaff is great especially David - he will keep you laughing and entertained the entire trip.. read more

Folks, if you are seeking superb ambiance, food, beverages and service you MUST experience the Cafe LaFayette Dinner Train! An ever changing menu prepared on board while you view wonderful scenery in The White Mountains on wonderfully restored dinning cars. The owners/operators are on board working side by side with the crew to make sure every guest is satisfied. Make reservations for dome car seats. Great view from the dome. read more

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train - Wonder seating, view and service up in the dome! - New American Near Me - Lincoln, New Hampshire

Food was great, service excellent as was the wait staff but the train ride were not what I expected. Considering he price I don't believe the value was there. The train ride was 30 minutes one way and the same backwards on the same rail line. For 4 of us and 3 glasses of wine, our bill came to $440. I don't think it was worth what it. We don't have any plan for returning. read more

Unfortunately very much not worth the $187 price tag excluding gratuity. I say this based upon the fact that you are seated on the train for 45 minutes before it finally starts moving. We were seated in Section C Table 13 so our entire view for the first 45 minutes was of the back of the building next to the railroad, and the view across the train car was obstructed by the bar and refrigerator. The food was mediocre, and it is a three-course meal at best. I wouldn't consider a wimpy salad with store-bought dressing and a teaspoon-sized spoonful of sorbet courses. The appetizers were bite-sized. My mother-in-law makes a better baked brie at home with store bought dough, and the shrimp fritters were 95% dough and 5% shrimp. The flat iron steak came with four thinly sliced pieces with blue cheese crumbles strewn over it, not a blue cheese sauce. I will say the cream puff served at the end of the night was delicious. Another huge downfall is that the train travels to a certain point, stops, then goes back the way it came so you have the same views on the way out as well as the way back. My last gripe is that they don't limit the number of cocktails each table can order. I'm all for people enjoying themselves and being in control of their own lives however both the tables around us had each couple order 12+ drinks between them so they were intoxicated before their entrees arrived, and it made our experience less enjoyable by listening to loud intoxicated people make fools of themselves. Overall, absolutely not worth the $225 it cost with one cocktail each and gratuity. We could've gone to a different restaurant and received a better meal for half the price. It was disappointing because it was a night out to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I definitely won't be back, and I won't be recommending it to any of my friends or family. I can think of numerous other things I could've done with the $225 it cost. Honestly wish I could get a refund. read more

Train ride was fun and the decoration inside is very nostalgic. Service was very good as well. I gave three stars because the food sucks... appetizer I got a stuffed dates which tasted ok but felt staled. Then they served you a salad which literally just a little mixed green with supermarket dressing. Tasted bad. Then they served you sorbet, which to me is weird. It was just one tiny sorbet I didn't finish because it tasted bad and I don't feel like eating sorbet in the middle of my dinner. Then for entree I ordered a tomato sauce chicken which literally tasted like chicken thigh in ketchup. Again I didn't finish. Finally the dessert - cream puff. Well, I am sure they are packaged food from supermarket. It was hard and covered with water, like you take out overnight food from fridge. The best part of the dinner was the dinner roll they gave you at the beginning that you eat with butter. Warm and fresh. That's the best part. Everything else just so bad. If you want to have the dinning in the train experience and snap some good pictures, sure go ahead. If you care about the food, I suggest you walk away. I am very disappointed with the food. read more

Loved it! Just came back from our anniversary dinner and were totally amazed. We had lots of fun and enjoyed the food, experience and atmosphere. The entire waitstaff was as pleasant and engaging as could be. The food was awesome, great presentation and great flavors. Don't be afraid to eat the flowers, they taste amazing! We had our 2 daughters with us, ages 7 & 9. Now, if your kids are not adventurous eaters do not bring them! If they are not well behaved do not bring them! If they do not know what restaurant manners are or what conversation tone/volume is do not bring them! If they can not sit in a booth for 2 hours do not bring them! We are lucky in that this was a special surprise for our girls and they cherished every minute of the experience. The waitstaff were so gracious in thanking the girls for their behavior. That goes a long way with us and the girls. I was also impressed with how engaged with the girls the waitstaff was. Do yourself a favor, if you question any of the above do the lunch ride on the nearby Hobo Railroad with the kids. This is fine dining, not all kids can appreciate it. Overall experience was awesome! read more

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train - Triple dessert - New American Near Me - Lincoln, New Hampshire

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We had a great time. The food and service is excellent and it was fun riding the train. Don't set high expectations for scenery and you won't be disappointed. I wouldn't pay the extra money to sit up top. read more

it's was wonderful ! the view was beautiful prices was affordable. Definitely will come back

Not exactly scenic, only thing to look foward too is a few river scenes, a golf course then a cow pasture. Then you stop and go back the way you came to see it all again. Food was ok but literally the smallest portions you can get away with. In no way worth 440 total for 4 people. Seriously they served a dinner roll as the first course and a gum ball sized sorbet as another. Also its in the white mountains but drive south towards nothing. Waste of a trip up north read more

My parents gave me the best birthday ever in July 2012, with a trip on this dinner train. It was a truly incredible dining experience! The entire meal was on par with the finest restaurants in the country and the service was tremendous! Our server, David (who is the Head Waiter, according to a special on Great Scenic Railway Journeys), really knew how to make us feel special. He was charming, funny, and perfectly attentive. I love when a server really gets into their role and the dining experience becomes a living performance. We had seats in the dome of the "Granite Eagle" train. It was beautifully appointed, with amazing views of river, meadows, and mountains. My first courses included delicious scallops and salad. For the main course, I had the filet mignon, served with mashed potatoes. It was all perfectly cooked and so so so scrumptious! I forget now what the desserts were, but I remember we enjoyed them! My parents surprised me with a birthday cake, that the chef also made on special order. It included white cake and strawberries, my favorite! One of my parents ordered the salmon with multi-grain pilaf. And it looked delicious, as well. They also have a full bar and I got to order my favorite drink, gin and tonic with Bombay Sapphire. I can't say enough good things about the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. If you love trains, beautiful scenery, amazing food and dessert, a classy atmosphere, and wonderful service, you will LOVE this dining experience! read more

Enjoyed a very well prepared 5 course dinner aboard the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. Our bus trip group was treated exceptionally. Everyone was served together and the food the perfect. I had the pork loin with a red wine demiglace with asparagus and potatoes au gratin. The only minor disappointment was dessert. After our fabulous meal, I expected a fabulous dessert. The berry napoleon was dry and difficult to eat. The scenery was beautiful and I highly recommend the dinner train experience. read more

Wonderful food, one very entertaining waiter, all waitpersons attentive. We stayed on the bottom levels rather than paying extra $10 each for the observation top dining especially if you are tall or claustrophobic. Main level dining is roomy and has the best views. You can confirm that at the end when allowed to explore everywhere. read more

We decided to take the dinner train because it sounded very interesting and unique. The trip included a 5 course meal and we ordered a bottle of wine to go with our meal. It was a two hour train ride through the mountains of NH. It was relaxing but I thought the food wasn't amazing. The views were OK, nothing breath taking. At one point, the train cuts through a golf course and people's back yards. It was a unique experience of eating on a dinner train and enjoying some quiet time with my wife. It was pricey but worth the experience. I don't think I would do it again if I was in the area but it was a nice experience. read more

It was better than I ever could have imagined, great food the people running the show were funny and very personable!! I will be back!

Marvelous dining experience.....haut cuisine at its best.....fine meal, excellent wait staff....couldn't be more perfect....our group of five was blown away.....thank you all.... read more

We had a wonderful time just a few nights ago ....it's located very easy right off the highway right down the street from loon Mountain. We made a reservation on the phone just a week prior...they made it very easy you check in and then they board you on time ...everything they stated was right to the minute ....Nothing was delayed. The service was delightful the food was impeccable and the train ride was fun. The only downfall I wish that the train ride was longer. The owners gave us find information about the other trains and how long they've been in business and their history .. it was fun to listen to they also played some great music while we dined. After we got off the train we were able to go see other parts of the train which were from the 1920s and everything has been kept in great condition. After we got off the train we were able to meet some of the staff and we met the head chef and congratulated him on a wonderful meal. I would highly recommend this place and I would definitely go back again. read more

I took this train last summer and it was spectacular. It deserves more than five stars. The food was superb. Do yourself a favor and get on this train. Well worth the price. Service was excellent. read more

If you love food and trains this train is wonderful. The staff, food and service are top notch. The train is cool. We sat up top, which was very nice, but I think sitting in one of the other historical coaches would have been fine too. For those of you who want to complain about the view, if you were expecting a trip through the white mountains, please read the brochure. It's a pleasant 8 mph ride through some nice country. It's probably stunning during foliage season. These folks are doing a great job and deserve all the support they can get. read more

Food and service was far far better than I expected, being on a train an all. Had a selection of 4 appetizers and 4 entrees, each presented beautifully. The meal is prepared by a chef and 3 others, served this night by a staff of 5for about 75 guests. We wanted for nothing, and the staff was fast, courteous, and attentive. Drinks were made well also. Train meanders along a river for some miles, for about 1 hour then puts it into reverse and backs back, traveling at about 10 - 20 miles per hour. Great white tablecloth experience. Only flaw, a little on the expensive side but I guess it costs to run a train. Our waitress, Amanda, was greayt along with the others. read more

Our experience was fantastic! It's been on my bucket list for a few years now, and I'm so glad that we did it. I will rave about this experience for the rest of my life - excellent food, incredible service, and so unique. Oh, and we opted to spend a bit more for a table in the dome car - definitely worth the extra money in my opinion. The only thing I would say was slightly disappointing was the actual scenery along the rail. Much of the ride was going through neighborhoods/backyards of houses. But, we did go in the fall during peak foliage, so the ride through the woods was beautiful. read more

last night,my son and my best friend and i went for dinner and the train ride,we had over 50 plus other guest on the train that night,less than half way into the dinner and the ride the train motor stopped working, we were stop there for over hour and 15mins ,for help to arrived, another train to push us then tow us back to the pick spot, i feel bad for them,but we paid good money for this for 3 of us came to 311.45, the only add on was 2 rootbeers for my son, then they add a 20 % tip on to the bill for a total 311.45, well i thought because we broke down for so long that they could have comp every one a discount for next time ,if anyone would like to come back maybe 25% off for there trouble or one free drink example soda or a beer, or something,but no nothing,greedy ,the tip was put on ours bill 20 % you could not leave less,honest i would have left 15% tip because the service wasnt great,if you wasnt buying alcohol you had to wait for a cup coffee,more alcohol they sold or a soda they add a bar tip too,thank you for reading this,i hope this might help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more