The 1980s are officially back in vogue, and it's not just about double denim, leggings, or the hit TV show Rivals. The 1980s dinner party is also making a resurgence. Some 40 years later, the desire to spoil friends and family with fabulous-looking food has returned. A Waitrose survey of 2,000 adults in April 2026 revealed that 48 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 49 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 are hosting more than they did five years ago.
When it comes to the food, hosts are thinking retro, with everything from prawn cocktail (the dish people most want to serve, according to Waitrose), beef bourguignon, banana split, and bread and butter pudding on the menu. Lizzie Haywood, Senior Trend Innovation Manager at Waitrose, said: 'The 80s were a bold, expressive era for food, and we're seeing that sense of fun come back in a big way. From prawn cocktails and quiches to indulgent desserts and standout drinks, people are rediscovering the joy of these classic dishes. What's exciting is that a new generation is reinterpreting them, bringing back the theatre, the creativity and the sense of occasion, but in a way that works for modern life.'
Ease Your Guests in with a Light Starter
When it comes to the starter, ease your guests in with a light dish like French Onion or Broccoli and Cheddar soup. Prawn cocktail is, of course, a popular option. The dish fell out of fashion in recent years, dismissed as outdated, but now a more refined take has put it back in the spotlight, with additions like garnish. As the Waitrose Fish Buyer noted in 1985: 'In the south, housewives are prepared to be adventurous. They're trying garnishes on winkles and shrimp on white fish dishes.' If you're opting for a more casual affair, think dips and melba toast - and it's perfectly acceptable to cheat a little with supermarket-purchased options. They weren't around in the 80s, but sales of dips are currently up 14 per cent over the year at Waitrose, with standouts including the nostalgic Cheese & Chive, while Houmous with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Taramasalata are also seeing sales increases. Meanwhile, Findus crispy pancakes (29 per cent), salmon mousse (24 per cent), and devilled eggs (22 per cent) top the list of dishes the nation would rather not see return.
Showstopping Centrepieces
When it comes to the main event, the bigger really is better. The 1980s were unapologetically bold, and your food needs to be too. Waitrose reported that its Duchy Organic Fresh Whole Salmon and No. 1 Beef Wellington are currently popular options, and have recorded growth year-on-year in stores and online. If you want to go full old-school, classics including quiche and chicken Kyiv have made a big return. Other trending ingredients that have witnessed a sales boom at Waitrose that lend to the main event include filo pastry (23 per cent), sundried tomatoes (29 per cent), pesto (133 per cent), and goat's cheese (25 per cent). If your home isn't big enough to seat everyone around the piece de resistance, consider a buffet and let people perch on the sofa while keeping the limelight on the kitchen table.
End with a Bang
Desserts are the course that truly reveals the carefree nature of the 80s, but there's no shame in combining homemade efforts with bits from the supermarket. Nostalgic desserts like tiramisu, trifle, and apple tarte tatin will work well - and why not pair them with the Peach Melba ice cream, recently introduced by Waitrose in a nod to the eighties revival? The supermarket has also urged people to explore options with kiwis - an exceptionally popular fruit in the 80s - tinned pineapple, and black cherries with kirsch.
Don't Go Easy on the Drinks
In the 80s, drinks were a statement - and that largely still rings true today. Serving wine, champagne, and cocktails signifies that the host has put effort into their evening. When it came to cocktails, Screwdrivers (orange juice and vodka) and Harvey Wallbangers (vodka and orange with Galliano L'Autentico liqueur) were all the rage. Today, why not make your favourite cocktail in a punch bowl - or buy the pre-canned ones at the supermarket? Sobriety has gained momentum today, so make sure to have teetotal versions on offer for your guests. And when it comes to decor, make sure to have fun with it. From fun garnishes to loud straws and ice cubes with fruit pieces frozen inside.
