Trainline Launches Culinary Rail Index to Explore Europe's Best Grain-Based Dishes
News related to:Trainline · 2 min read
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Trainline, Europe's leading train ticket booking app, has launched a new Culinary Rail Index, ranking 10 top European destinations for iconic grain and carb-based food and drink traditions. The initiative aims to inspire travelers to explore the continent's rich culinary landscape via rail.
The index, created in partnership with Irish actress and food connoisseur Nicola Coughlan, highlights destinations such as Bologna, Italy, for its tortellini en brodo, and Dublin, Ireland, for its stout. Coughlan, who hails from Ireland, expressed pride in having her home country near the top of the list, noting that both brown soda bread in Galway and a pint of stout in Dublin are must-tries for any visitor.
To compile the rankings, Trainline collaborated with Ryan O'Sullivan, a chef and culinary analyst, who evaluated 37 European destinations across 11 countries based on their grain-based food and drink traditions. The destinations were scored equally across four criteria: reachable by rail, food and drink culture, historical significance, and overall "worth the trip" appeal.
The top-ranked destinations include: - Bologna, Italy (98%), Tortellini en Brodo - San Sebastián, Spain (96.5%), Croquetas - Naples, Italy (95%), Neapolitan Pizza - Rome, Italy (93.5%), Cacio e Pepe - London, United Kingdom (92%), Salt Beef Beigel - Dublin, Ireland (90.5%), Stout - Lyon, France (89.9%), Paillasson Lyonnaise - Galway, Ireland (87.5%), Brown Soda Bread - Barcelona, Spain (86%), Paella - Manchester, United Kingdom (84.5%), Barm Cake
Hannah Randall, Country Manager at Trainline, emphasized the unique experience of traveling by rail, which allows for seamless exploration of diverse food cultures.
To help travelers plan their culinary journeys, Trainline has created Taste Guides for each of the 10 featured destinations. These guides provide information on signature dishes, station-side bites, and local favorite spots, along with practical rail information for continuing the journey to another featured destination.
Travelers can explore the full Culinary Rail Index and Nicola Coughlan's recommendations at Trainline.com. The site also offers Taste Guides for each destination, enabling users to plan their next Grain Train journey.
The Culinary Rail Index aims to highlight the rich culinary heritage of Europe, encouraging travelers to explore the continent's diverse food and drink traditions via rail. Trainline's initiative not only promotes travel but also celebrates the unique flavors that make each destination special.