Travelling between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah now comes with an unexpected bonus for Etihad Rail passengers: a taste of Emirati culinary heritage, delivered through a specially curated onboard dining menu designed to turn the journey itself into a cultural experience.
The new culinary offering, developed by Capital Catering, the food and beverage arm of ADNEC Group, a Modon company, was created around the theme “A Journey Through the Emirates,” an approach designed to weave the flavours, traditions and hospitality of the UAE directly into the passenger experience rather than treating onboard catering as a purely functional add-on.
A menu built around local heritage
At the centre of the offering is the work of award-winning Emirati chef Maitha Warshaw, one of the country’s leading culinary talents, whose approach to the menu blends contemporary presentation with deep respect for traditional Emirati cooking. The dishes draw on ingredients deeply connected to the region, including dates, saffron, cardamom, local honey and Arabic coffee, giving passengers an authentic sense of place even while moving between emirates at speed.
The menu’s signature dish offers a clear illustration of that philosophy in action: a contemporary interpretation of Machboos, a classic Emirati rice dish, reimagined by Chef Maitha as slow-braised short rib served alongside fragrant, spiced rice. The dish reflects what organisers describe as the wider thinking behind the entire menu, honouring established recipes while presenting them in a modern, memorable way suited to a contemporary rail travel experience.
A personal touch from the chef herself
During the initial weeks of the menu’s rollout, Chef Maitha personally engaged with travellers onboard, discussing the dishes and the stories behind them directly with passengers. According to Etihad Rail, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with travellers responding warmly both to the taste of the dishes and to the cultural narrative woven through the dining experience.
Hamed Al Qubaisi, Director of Commercial at Capital Catering + Services, framed the collaboration as reflecting a broader shift in how the travel industry approaches food. “It reflects the important role catering plays in the future of travel, where every detail contributes to comfort, service and a sense of place,” he said, adding that the partnership helps create a passenger journey that is “not only efficient and modern, but also deeply connected to the culture and identity of the UAE.”
What’s actually on offer
The onboard menu spans both Comfort and Premium classes, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options tailored to different journey times and passenger needs. A dedicated children’s menu has also been developed, ensuring families travelling together are equally well catered for during their journey.
Beyond the main meal offerings, passengers can also enjoy a selection of locally inspired chocolates, including seven spices, date and caramel, and gahwa and cardamom varieties, alongside a traditional coffee service complemented by speciality coffee, premium tea and fresh juices, rounding out an experience designed to engage multiple senses throughout the trip.
Part of a broader passenger experience strategy
The introduction of the Emirati-inspired menu fits within Etihad Rail’s wider strategy of positioning its passenger service as more than a simple point-to-point transport option. By investing in details like curated onboard dining, the network appears intent on building genuine passenger loyalty and differentiating its service from purely utilitarian alternatives such as driving or flying between emirates.
That approach also carries broader cultural significance, offering both UAE residents and international visitors an accessible, everyday touchpoint with Emirati food traditions that might otherwise require a more deliberate culinary excursion to experience.
A fitting complement to the network’s expansion
With Etihad Rail’s passenger service continuing to expand, including its forthcoming extension to Dubai later this month, the introduction of a distinctly Emirati onboard dining concept adds a layer of cultural identity to a network that is rapidly becoming a more prominent part of daily life across the UAE. For passengers travelling the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route, the new menu offers a small but meaningful reminder that the journey itself can be just as memorable as the destination. Next Article
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