Indulge in some 80s nostalgia food for your retro themed date night or fun trip back in time!
Ah, the 80s.
It’s hard to believe that such a pivotal time in my life was so long ago.
I wore pastel everything, put lace headbands in my hair, and thought the height of coolness was my fingerless gloves.
I listened to Madonna on a tape deck and sat for hours listening to the radio so I could hit record when my favorite song came on.
And the food. Oh the food!
If today is about farm to table, then the 80s were about eating things the most steps removed from an original food source.
The microwave revolutionized cooking (though my mother refused to buy one because she thought we would become victims of radiation poisoning), making heating up food quick and easy.
Food also started getting more “exotic.”
While times have changed, the recipes remain.
At home date nights are my jam, and making food for such date nights (like these date night dinners) is always an integral part of the evening.
If you want to channel the 80s then check out this list of 80s nostalgia food which has been specifically structured for you to create a date night dinner from.
You’ll be loving these big time for your next date night in!
(And take it to the next level by going all in on a totally awesome 80s date night).
80s inspired menu
This 80s inspired menu is perfect for if you're wanting to indulge in some 80s nostalgia food, have an 80s dinner party or an 80s themed date!
80s appetizers
These 80s appetizers are sure to whet your appetite.
Bring back memories or try out some "new" taste sensations.
Kick start your 80s night with a cheeseball and crackers.
It's the perfect retro appetizer.
This starter was a hit from the 60s to the late 80s.
Shrimp were often used instead of a prawn - either will capture that 80s vibe.
I can still remember the first time I had a spinach dip bread bowl.
It was at a party held at the parents of my first husband's friend.
Although we were out of the 80s by that stage, there's no denying the spinach dip bread bowl is classic 80s food.
I sat at the table with that bread bowl most of the night.
I hope you do the same with this delicious recipe!
80s dinner menu ideas
Once you've stimulated your taste buds with the 80s appetizers, it's time to move on to the main event.
The 80s was a decade of blackened dishes: often blackened fish but also blackened chicken.
I don't know about you but cooking fish makes me nervous, so the chicken option it is.
As a child, I thought sour cream was a next-level exotic ingredient.
This 80s nostalgia food dish known as beef stroganoff puts that together with tender beef, delicately flavored mushrooms, and creamy sauce.
It's totally delicious and definitely worth including in your 80s inspired menu.
Considering that meat and three vege (one of which had to be potato) was the norm for most families, lasagna was an exotic addition to the 80s dinner plate.
Garfield fans will bear a particular fondness for this dish!
80s food was about ease and speed and this easy Sloppy Joe recipe delivers on both counts.
Forget the looks and get down to the eats.
Comfort food. That meal you reach for when life's a little tough or you simply want to feel warm and cozy.
Times may have changed but comfort food as a concept hasn't.
Chicken pot pie was the comfort food of the 80s.
Bring it out again for your 80s inspired menu.
Remember what I was saying about processed foods?
Here's looking at you, little smokies.
Things in moderation though, right?
Barbecue sauce, grape jelly, and hint of sriracha make these little weenies burst with juicy flavors!
80s pasta salads
Nothing says 80s food like a pasta salad to serve with your main dish - especially if it's suffering from mayo overload.
This American macaroni salad is probably a little healthier than its 80s counterpart - it's gluten free, allergy free and vegan too.
Another ubiquitous 80s pasta salad was the tricolor / rainbow salad.
Here's a classic recipe for you to enjoy.
This recipe makes a LOT so scale back if you're having an 80s themed date for two.
Layered salads served in trifle bowls were all the rage in the 80s.
I still make our family favorite garden layered salad for special events.
This combo includes eggs, ham and peas.
80s desserts
Round out your trip back in time with these 80s desserts.
Black forest cake, pineapple upside down cake, tiramisu - all totally delicious.
Black forest cake - or Black forest gateau if you were feeling fancy - was on the dessert menu of every restaurant I remember from my teen years.
Think chocolate sponge, whipped cream, kirsch and maraschino cherries and you've pretty much got it.
This cake is pretty much what it claims to be: pineapple rings at the bottom of the cake pan flipped upside down when its done.
But that doesn't do justice to its moist, sweet taste. If you've never tried it, you're in for a treat.
Chuck in some of those maraschino cherries you have left over from your black forest cake and you're away.
If you've read my trifle post, you'll know that I used to have a love hate relationship with tiramisu.
Which is sad really, because it's basically trifle (my fave dessert) with coffee in it (my fave drink).
You'll certainly enjoy this popular 80s dessert.
These 80s nostalgia foods are still hanging in there – and you can make your own 80s inspired menu by selecting from the choices available for a fun date night in.
It’s the perfect meal for an 80s date night at home!