Food of the 1980s

What makes an ’80s party complete is the food. One spoonful of hearty goulash soup and you’ll feel transported back to your youth. Or how about a tray of pizza to share with your closest friends? Add delicious salads, small snacks, and sweet treats. Calories simply weren’t counted in the ’80s. Food was hearty, substantial, and simply delicious.

We at Kostümpalast know all about celebrations—whether it’s Carnival, Halloween, or a costume-themed party. Although we can’t provide the food to go with your ’80s costume, we can give you great tips on which dishes will be a feast for the senses at your party.

Auf einem Holztisch steht eine Schüssel Rindfleischeintopf, garniert mit Rosmarin, neben zwei Scheiben Brot und ein paar Kirschtomaten.

Delicacies to satisfy your hunger

At 1980s parties, there were several dishes that kept making an appearance. They are tasty, quick to prepare, and can feed a large number of guests. A typical retro food is the meatloaf hedgehog: raw ground meat shaped like a hemisphere, onion spikes, and round eyes made from pickles—the delicious meatloaf hedgehog is ready. Hawaiian toast with plenty of cheese and pasta salad with mayonnaise as the secret ingredient also satisfy the hunger of party-loving guests. So it is no wonder that even today, these dishes instantly create a cheerful atmosphere and lively conversation.

If you are partying late into the night, there should always be a proper midnight meal in the house. After a drink or two, you quickly start craving something hearty, such as goulash soup or a delicious mixed meat casserole. However, you can also serve either as a main course. Meatloaf with a hard-boiled egg in the middle is ideal for a hot meal or a cold snack in between. You can get creative with a baking sheet of homemade pizza. Preparing it is fun in itself, and the anticipation of the party grows even more.

Holzspieße mit aufgerollten gelben Käsescheiben und abwechselnd grünen und roten Weintrauben, angerichtet auf einem weißen Untergrund.

Small snacks and refreshing drinks

Finger foods add to the fun at any party. They come in a wide variety, so there’s something for everyone and you can happily sample your way through them. Small cheese skewers are always popular, optionally with grapes. For an extra touch of sophistication, you can stick the skewers into
half a honeydew melon—like a sweet meat hedgehog. Asparagus rolls, coleslaw, small potato pancakes with smoked salmon, and tomato and mozzarella have one thing in common: they’re a real treat
for in between meals.

With malt beer, wine, liqueur, and punches, you couldn’t go wrong in the ’80s. Mixed drinks such as Blue Curaçao, whiskey and cola, and Cuba Libre were also popular. One curiosity at ’80s drinking parties was the “Wodka-Ahoi” shot, made with vodka and fizzy Ahoi powder. Anyone who wanted to skip the alcohol could simply choose cola, Fanta, or the cult drink Capri Sun. And for the finishing touch, the party buffet can easily be decorated with some carnival accessories.

If you’d like to create something special, treat your guests to canapés with salmon mousse and shrimp cocktails with avocados.

Ein in Scheiben geschnittener Schokoladen-Keks-Kuchen mit sichtbaren Schichten aus Schokolade und Keksen, der auf braunem Backpapier liegt, daneben liegt ein Messer.

Sweet desserts

Of course, there are also plenty of treats to enjoy. For dessert lovers, there are delicious delicacies from the 1980s. Above all, the classic marble cake. It was already a staple on the table back then and still delights everyone who takes a bite today.

Is that not chocolatey enough? Then we recommend kalter Hund, a cake made from chocolate cream and layered butter biscuits. You do not need an oven for this delicacy. Simply chill it in the refrigerator and then serve. Delicious!

The 1980s have many other treats to offer: raspberry candies, sherbet powder, chocolate cigarettes, chocolate-covered ice cream bites, cookies with jam, marshmallow mice, puffed-rice bars, Toffifee, and candy necklaces. Every sweet tooth will be delighted.