A wave of nostalgia for 1980s cuisine is sweeping across British supermarkets and restaurants, with demand for retro dishes surging, partly fuelled by the return of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals series to television screens.
Waitrose has reported soaring sales of classic items like tiramisu and corned beef, while chef Gordon Ramsay’s establishments now feature pavlova and a modern take on rum baba.
A Waitrose survey found almost half of UK adults (48%) believe 1980s dishes are making a comeback. Prawn cocktail was the most desired dish (28%), followed by beef bourguignon (24%) and bread and butter pudding (24%). Rhubarb and custard (20%), banana split (19%), and quiche Lorraine (18%) were also popular.
Reinforcing the trend, Waitrose’s luxury prawn cocktail sales have rocketed by 170% year-on-year, with apple tarte tatin up 104%. The grocer is even launching a guide dedicated to hosting the quintessential 1980s dinner party.
London stalwart The Savoy Grill said tarte tatin was now one of its most popular choices, while head chef Arnaud Stevens is introducing the mojito baba to the menu – a twist on the 1980s classic rum baba and featuring a light baba sponge, lime and mint syrup and lemon curd.
Waitrose has even launched a 1980s dinner party guide, describing it as a “celebration of the decade’s most iconic food” and providing guidance on formats such as buffets alongside tips on shortcuts and presentation.
Lizzie Haywood, senior trend innovation manager at Waitrose, said: “The ’80s was 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.”
At Ramsay’s newly opened Bread Street Kitchen at London’s 22 Bishopsgate, head chef Kamal Rees-John is serving pavlova from a dessert trolley.
He said: “For summer 2026 we’re seeing a real return to retro ’80s classics that feel playful while still incorporating elements of finesse and theatre, and pavlova fits perfectly within that trend.
“Our guests are leaning towards desserts that feel joyful, shareable, and a little nostalgic, and pavlova delivers all of that.”
As well as 1980s-themed food, the fashions of the decade are also having a revival.
Vogue recently tipped ’80s-style jewellery as a summer must-have in the form of cuffs and hoop earrings, while Marie Claire cited the ’80s-inspired “Glamoratti aesthetic” as a clothing trend for the summer.
