Popcorn? Check. Comfy sofa? Check. Ice-cold carbonated beverage. Check.
But what happens when food takes center stage on the silver screen? Movie magic!
Whether it’s a lady and a tramp sharing a spaghetti strand or a great feast in the Harry Potter dining hall, food often turns an ordinary scene into an unforgettable one.
To celebrate these iconic movie scenes, I’ve collected 10 of the very best foodie moments in film.
Don’t see your favorite? Share your top foodie scene in the comments!
Now, grab a snack. Here are the top 10 tastiest moments in cinema.
10 Unforgettable Foodie Moments in Film
1. The Katz’s Deli Scene From “When Harry Met Sally”
It’s impossible to hear the phrase, “I’ll have what she’s having” without picturing Meg Ryan’s over-the-top performance!
This famous scene was filmed on location at Katz’s deli in New York City. Billy Crystal’s character seems puzzled by the idea of women “faking it” in the bedroom. Meg Ryan proceeds to “present” him with evidence he can’t possibly deny. This scene is beyond priceless!
2. The Cafeteria Scene from “Animal House”
This classic film depicts the ridiculous antics and behavior of a typical fraternity in the late 1970s. In the famous cafeteria scene, Bluto, played by Jim Belushi, loads up his tray like he’s never eaten before.
Between stuffing extra sandwiches in his pockets and stuffing his own face, it’s an absolute riot! It’s honestly a wonder Belushi didn’t choke during filming.
3. The Blueberry Scene from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”
This beloved film centered around the “land of pure imagination” has been enjoyed for generations. Kids and adults alike marvel at the wonder of a magical world made out of candy and chocolate.
The movie has its fair share of dramatic, unforgettable moments. But the point where contest winner Violet turns into a huge blueberry is tough to top!
Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) warns her not to try a special piece of gum. And when Violet disobeys him, the consequences speak for themselves!
You can probably already hear the “Oompa Loompa” theme in your head as they roll her out of the factory.
4. The Onion Cutting Scene from “Julie and Julia”
This film chronicles one modern chef’s journey to make all of the recipes in Julia Child’s cookbook, “Mastering the Art French Cooking.”
During one flashback scene, we see Julia enter a room full of nothing but male chefs. After belting out, “Bonjour!”, she joins the class to get a lesson on how to cut onions. She doesn’t quite get it on the first try. So she takes it upon herself to practice at home. The result is pure comedy!
5. The “Let the Feast Begin” Scene from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
Dining in a great hall that look like Hogwarts is every Harry Potter fan’s fantasy. It’s truly hard not to be charmed by the dining hall scene from the first movie in the series!
Dumbledore exclaims, “Let the feast begin!” Then, a spread of food fit for young wizards and witches magically appears on the table.
From drumsticks to corn to French fries and fruit, it’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. (If only all dining experiences were this magical.)
6. The Spaghetti Dinner Scene from “Elf”
There aren’t many people who can resist Buddy the Elf’s charm in this beloved holiday film! When he sits down to dinner with his newly-found family, he regales them with his tale of arriving in New York City.
Of course, things escalate from there as he downs a 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola and asks where the maple syrup is. In movie history, there’s never been a bigger sugar lover than Buddy.
7. The Family Dinner scene from “Christmas Vacation”
Here’s another true holiday classic that never gets old. All Clark Griswold wants is a good, old-fashioned family Christmas. After Aunt Bethany’s epic rendition of “grace,” it’s finally time for the family to enjoy their holiday feast.
But as soon as he cuts into the turkey, it totally deflates and steam rises out of the top. As poor Catherine, who made the turkey, fights back tears, Clark digs through the bird and says, “Here’s the heart!”
This movie is a definite must-see every year for that scene alone.
8. The “Bella Notte” Scened from “Lady and the Tramp”
It doesn’t matter how old you are. This iconic Disney movie is always a joy to watch! And the famous spaghetti scene will go down in history as a romantic moment for the ages.
The accordion serenade of “Bella Notte” sets the mood perfectly. It’s over this special dinner that Lady and her Tramp share their first impromptu kiss. Who can resist Lady’s bashful face afterward? She might be shy, but she can’t hide the stars in her eyes.
9. The Old 96er Scene from “The Great Outdoors”
This movie is a beloved 1980s classic no one can forget! Starring the late John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, it follows a family’s not-so-perfect summer vacation at a lakeside retreat.
In one of the most memorable scenes, the family goes out to dinner at a local restaurant. Roman (Dan Aykroyd) asks the waitress what the “Old 96er” is. She explains it’s their famous 96 oz. blue ox steak. If the person who orders it finishes it, the entire party eats for free. Chet (John Candy) is early up to the task. But let’s just say it proves to be a lot more challenging than he expected!
10. The Food Critic Scene from “Mystic Pizza”
This classic flick takes food scenes up a notch, as the entire movie revolves around a famous pizza joint in Mystic, Connecticut. Starring Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor, it’s a story about young love, heartbreak, and, of course pizza!
In a well-known scene, a popular food critic comes into the restaurant and orders the famous Mystic pizza. He doesn’t get a great first impression and leaves after a couple of bites, much to the staff’s dismay.
But as we learn later in the film, he gives the pizza his highest rating of “4 stars.” Although, he can’t quite identify what the secret spices are. To this day, nobody really knows what the owner Leona put in that pizza.
