A friend of mine asked for information about restaurant-cars. Most railways serve complete meals(like breakfest and lunch) in their trips?

Europe really depends on the country, I think Austria, Germany and the Czech Rep. have the best

In the UK you normally get a trolly service which is quite nice.

On many trains in Germany I have encountered extensive vending options on more regional routes

Holland is probably the worst as there generally is nothing

^^ i think you are right about Holland, but there isn't anything because it isn't really needed. You will never be more then 2 or 3 houres in a train. And all the stations have good places to eat.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express that runs between Paris and Venice has restaurant cars (+ a bar car) :

Taurus car :
http://www.pullmanorientexpress.com/imgs/p1/wagon1_pic2_Z.jpg

Anatolie car :
http://www.pullmanorientexpress.com/imgs/p1/wagon2_pic1_Z.jpg

Riviera car :
http://www.pullmanorientexpress.com/imgs/p1/wagon3_pic1_Z.jpg

Train Bleu car :
http://www.pullmanorientexpress.com/imgs/p1/wagon5_pic1_Z.jpg

Fleche d'Or car :
http://www.pullmanorientexpress.com/imgs/p1/wagon6_pic1_Z.jpg

Etoile du Nord car :
http://www.pullmanorientexpress.com/imgs/p1/wagon7_pic1_Z.jpg


... but it's an exception. Other French trains have only bar cars where the "food" is quite expensive and the taste is average. In France when something is very slim, we say it looks like a "SNCF sandwich". :)

http://www.wagons-lits.com/gb/index.html

Actually the German ones on DB services have a very bad reputation. The food is average at best (usually below par) and very expensive. In most cases, it's not so much a resturant than a kiosk that sells over prices sandwiches.

Actually the German ones on DB services have a very bad reputation. The food is average at best (usually below par) and very expensive. In most cases, it's not so much a resturant than a kiosk that sells over prices sandwiches.

ICE is good though

In Italy we have restaurand cars that serves complete meals and a snack bar which I suppose serves breakfasts as well. Personally I never tried that restaurant because is terribly expansive. We have the service only on the InterCity trains and Eurostar trains.
Greetings from Italy

ICE is good though

It's Ok, but but not great. A good example of the difference between the French and German systems is the high speed link between Paris and Frankfurt, aparently due by the end of next year. The French side is still under construction, and the German side is basically completed.

Paris to Saarbrucken (german-french border) is 340km, Saarbrucken to Frankfurt 160km.

Yet the service to Saarbrucken from Paris will be quicker.

Things really could improve on Germany's rail network. It's not bad or anything, but it's clear from looking at France that things could certainly be better.

The more regional VIA trains in Canada have a push cart service (quite similar to that seen on airplanes) where passangers can buy a light meal (sandwhich or something) or a snack. VIA cars that travel longer distances have full dining cars as I understand it, but I have traveled in one to confirm this.

Cheers.

Thanks for everyone. Good pics too.