UK | The 1980s dinner party, once the height of domestic glamour, is officially back on the guest list, as a new generation has ditched low-effort dinners in favour of hosting that’s all about putting on a show.
New research from Waitrose revealed that nearly half of UK adults believed classic dishes from the decade are making a comeback, with the 1980s now the most popular era for a themed dinner party.
From prawn cocktails and quiches to beef bourguignon and banana splits, Britain is rediscovering its appetite for the bold, indulgent flavours that defined the decade.
From prawn cocktails to showstopping centrepieces
Leading the charge is the ultimate retro starter, the prawn cocktail. A true dinner party favourite, it has been voted the dish people most want to see back on their tables.
Close behind are rich, comforting classics like beef bourguignon and bread and butter pudding, bringing back the full three-course spectacle of a proper night in.
The greatest hits do not stop there. Rhubarb and custard, banana splits and quiche Lorraine are all back in the mix; nostalgic, indulgent and guaranteed to steal the spotlight.
The trend has already shown up in shopping habits. Sales of Waitrose No.1 Prawn Cocktail have jumped 170 percent year on year, while Apple Tarte Tatin is up 104 percent, clear proof that these throwback favourites are firmly back on the menu.
To help a new generation embrace the trend, Waitrose has launched its 1980s Dinner Party Guide, The Dinner Party Decade: The definitive 1980s dinner party resurgence, a celebration of the decade’s most iconic food, reimagined for today.
The guide revealed how 80s food and styling have been brought back to the modern-day dinner party:
- Retro starters have had a revival, with some of the top picks including prawn cocktail (28 percent) and avocado-based dishes, to the ultimate 80s finger food: vol-au-vents (13 percent)
- Comforting, make-ahead mains are back en vogue, including beef bourguignon (24 percent) and quiche Lorraine (18 percent)
- Indulgent desserts are booming, with nostalgic puddings like tiramisu (sales up 413 percent at Waitrose), bread and butter pudding (24 percent) and banana split (19 percent) returning to menus
- Drinks still define the occasion, with fine wine and cocktails (both 45 percent) and Champagne (40 percent) seen as the ultimate markers of a special dinner party
- Findus crispy pancakes (29 percent), salmon mousse (24 percent), and devilled eggs (22 percent) top the list of dishes the nation would rather not see return.
The guide pointed to a wider return of practical, nostalgic ingredients. As hosts look to balance effort with ease, cupboard staples are being reappraised for their convenience and versatility.
This shift is reflected in sales data: Princes Corned Beef 340g is up +32 percent YoY, while Spam Chopped Pork & Ham 340g has declined -12.3 percent YoY, signalling a changing of the guard.
In the same way, products like Spam once defined quick, no-fuss cooking; corned beef has now stepped into the spotlight, quietly reclaiming relevance as part of a broader move towards comfort-led, low-effort meals that still feel satisfying to serve.
A new generation is reviving the dinner party
The decade’s revival is being driven by a new generation of hosts, as entertaining at home makes a comeback.
- Nearly half of 25 to 34-year-olds (49 percent) say they are hosting more often than they were five years ago, signalling a shift in how younger consumers are socialising.
- A quarter (26 percent) of 18-24 year olds are hosting at least every few months; the younger generation is driving the charge in bringing the dinner party back into fashion.
- But this is not just nostalgia; it is a reinvention. Hosting has become more considered, more curated and, at times, more pressured.
- Seven in ten (70 percent) young hosts say social media has raised expectations when entertaining, with guests most likely to judge food quality (56 percent), cleanliness (53 percent) and cooking skills (47 percent).
How to host like it’s the 80s (without the stress)
‘The Dinner Party Decade’ tapped into the decade's comeback, bringing back the flair, fun and food in a way that works for today. It blends nostalgia with genuinely useful advice, helping a new generation of hosts recreate the magic of 80s entertaining, while still enjoying the night themselves.
Lizzie Haywood, Senior Trend Innovation Manager at Waitrose, said the 80s were a bold, expressive era for food, and that sense of fun has come back in a big way. From prawn cocktails and quiches to indulgent desserts and standout drinks, people have rediscovered 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,” said Haywood.
“At the same time, expectations have shifted, with people feeling pressure to get everything just right. This guide is about helping hosts strike that balance, whether that’s planning, choosing the right menu or knowing where a shortcut can help.”
From nostalgic dishes and maximalist table settings to carefully curated guest lists, the spirit of 80s entertaining is being reinterpreted for today. Because while trends come and go, one thing remains the same: a good dinner party never goes out of style.
More trends and insights here
