“I’ll Have What She’s Having”: 14 Iconic Food Moments in Movies

This 1989 film is regarded as one of the best romantic comedies of all time, and the iconic diner scene where Sally, portrayed by Meg Ryan, shows Harry, played by Billy Crystal, how swift women can forge an orgasm is the cherry on top of its cake. After delivering her performance, an innocent bystander delivers yet another one of the most memorable lines from cinema when they tell the cafe waiter: “I’ll have what she’s having.” 

An animated depiction of a Cocker Spaniel and a Schnauzer mixed breed eating a plate of spaghetti may not sound like one of the most romantic scenes in movie history, but it certainly is. Lady and the Tramp certainly isn’t centered around food, but the clip where Lady and Tramp share a single spaghetti noodle and accidentally lock lips is certainly one of the film’s most shining moments. 

Charlie Chaplin had quite the impact on the silent-film era during his days in Hollywood, and his renowned dinner roll dance scene in the 1925 film The Gold Rush stands out as one of the earliest most memorable food moments in movie history.

Pulp Fiction is full of crime, violence and, surprisingly, a slew of standout food references. As hitmen Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vince (John Travolta) are on the way to handle business, they nonchalantly discuss the discrepancies between American and European cuisine. Turns out the one major difference between the two countries is that in France they call a quarter pounder with cheese a “Royale with cheese.” It’s a small instance that sticks out from Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film. 

Buddy the Elf single-handedly assembled one of the most peculiar dishes in movie history in this holiday classic. Comprised of spaghetti noodles, maple syrup, chocolate syrup, marshmallows and a few crushed-up Pop-Tarts, Will Ferrell happily inhales the dish — and it’s all for breakfast. 

In a movie that’s all about food and spreading the message that “Anyone can cook,” Ratatouille is jam-packed with iconic bits in the kitchen. However, the moment when esteemed food critic Anton Ego takes a bite of Remy the rat’s very own Ratatouille stands out among the rest. After the first bite, Ego is transported back in time to his childhood, instantly reminding the audience of how food can trigger memories and swiftly transport us back to simpler times. 

In this 1967 prison drama, Paul Newman’s character, Luke Jackson, embarks on the challenge of eating 50 hard-boiled eggs in an hour — a task he completes and a role that earned Newman a nod for best actor at the 1968 Oscars. 

The dinner in prison scene from Goodfellas shows the top-to-bottom process of how Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta, and his fellow mobsters prepare a noteworthy meal behind the bounds of confinement. 

In this 1991 Disney classic, food is at the center of Belle’s mind after being kidnapped in the castle by the Beast — and the enchanted residents surely deliver an unforgettable feast full of soup du jour, hot hors d’oeuvres, beef ragout and more during the movie’s beloved “Be Our Guest” segment. 

Peter Clemenza (Richard S. Castellano) teaching Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) how to make his famous sauce may not be one of the overarching plot points of The Godfather, but it did make for a delicious moment while simultaneously teaching the audience how to make an authentic red sauce. 

In the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn eats a pastry and sips on her coffee while strolling through the empty streets of New York City and peers into a Tiffany and Co. shop. It’s a simple yet impactful moment that opens up the 1961 film.

When the Griswold family gathers for Christmas Eve dinner, they’re met with an unsettling debacle — their turkey is completely dry. Upon the first cutting of the dish, the family sits in silence, as nothing but the noise of their teeth crunching on the turkey like nails on a chalkboard fills the scene. 

The infamous scene from this 1996 movie when Bruce (Jimmy Karz) is forced to eat an entire chocolate cake isn’t exactly appetizing, but it did help coin the namesake of “Matilda chocolate cake” from the film’s title. 

Much of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory centers around food — or candy — though the 1971 original’s chocolate river is an undeniable standout fixture of the film. After indulging in drinking some of the river, Augustus Gloop (Michael Bollner) accidentally falls in and is grimly whisked away.