The Most Romantic Food Scenes

Valentine's Day
on February 3, 2015
Serendipity
Serendipity (2001)
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Whether you’re happily paired with that special someone, searching for a new romance, or actively avoiding even the idea of dating, chances are you can appreciate that perfect cinematic moment where, just for one second, you’re absolutely convinced that true love exists. In honor of our dear friend Saint Valentine (and the hotly-anticipated release of Fifty Shades of Grey), we’ve compiled a list of the spiciest, sauciest, and sweetest food scenes in movies. Some insanely seductive and some overwhelmingly awwww!-inducing, these moments combine some of our very favorite things: cute guys, clever dialogue, and—let’s be honest, here—eating.

Bon appétit!

 

1. Chocolat (2000)

When you literally name a romance movie after chocolate, it’s inevitably going to be full of delicious scenes. Chocolat follows a French chocolatier named Vianne (Juliette Binoche) who falls in love with Roux (Johnny Depp), a super drool-worthy gypsy. The film—full of sexual tension and mountains of chocolate—is a particularly scrumptious treat despite its more serious undertones. In the scene above, Vianne offers Roux a chocolate she boastfully claims is his favorite, only to be shut down as he licks the remains off his fingers. Well played, Johnny.

 Chocolat-inspired recipe: Dark Chocolate Fudge

 

2. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

This light-hearted scene perfectly depicts a rare gem: a first date that actually goes really well. Janitor/secret genius Will Hunting (Matt Damon) finally works up the courage to ask out Harvard student Skylar (Minnie Driver), and what follows is several minutes of pure, unadulterated cuteness. They go to a novelty shop and try on goofy glasses and hats, eventually moving on to this restaurant, where they share a first kiss with giggles and mouths full of burger. Ok, so maybe it’s a little gross, but the couple is so sweet and unassuming that we’ll give them a pass this time.

Good Will Hunting-inspired recipe: Savory Beef Burgers

 

3. Annie Hall (1977)

Annie (Diane Keaton) and Alvy (Woody Allen) have a complicated relationship, for sure, but this scene demonstrates why it’s the little, silly moments that make a relationship work. Here, the pair’s attempt to cook lobster results in escaped crustaceans all over the floor and the humans in a panic. Annie tentatively picks up one of the little guys and dangles it tauntingly in front of Alvy—the moment thereafter memorialized in the couple’s minds as the most fun anyone has ever had with lobsters without actually eating them.

Annie Hall-inspired recipe: Lobster Pasta

 

4. Serendipity (2001)

Serendipity (2001)

Serendipity (2001)

Oh, New York. There’s something incredibly romantic about the city at Christmastime, especially when you add in Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara’s (Kate Beckinsale) meet-cute in the middle of Bloomingdales as they battle over the very last pair of black cashmere gloves. The warm and fuzzy feelings continue when the pair discusses fate, destiny, and love over frozen hot chocolates at the popular Upper East Side restaurant from which the movie gets its name. Fate may have other plans, but we’re sure rooting for you guys, John and Kate!

Serendipity-inspired recipe: Rich Dessert Hot Chocolate

 

5. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction (1994) Miramax

Pulp Fiction (1994) Miramax

This drug-filled black comedy might seem like an odd choice on a list of romantic movie scenes. But we love this moment between Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) during their date at Jack Rabbit Slim’s. Just before the iconic dancing scene, the pair has a very refreshing and frank conversation about love while Mia slurps her famous $5 milkshake. Vega has some good quotes about relationships, and we love this one (paraphrased slightly for the sake of avoiding profanity): “That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special….when you can just shut up for a minute and comfortably share silence.”

Pulp Fiction-inspired recipe: Caramel Bourbon Brownie Milkshake 

 

6. Pretty Woman (1990)

We would absolutely go through the embarrassment of accidentally flinging escargot across a 5-star restaurant—if it meant we could be on a date with Richard Gere, like Julia Roberts in this scene from Pretty Woman. In the film, down-on-her-luck prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) is hired by a wealthy businessman (Richard Gere) to be his escort to a bunch of high-society events. The poor girl is pretty far out of her element, as we see the first time she has to figure out table etiquette for fancy dinners. We feel her pain—even if you do like the French delicacy, those snails really are “slippery little suckers!”

Pretty Woman-inspired recipe: Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Mango Cocktail Sauce

 

7. Romantics Anonymous (2010)

Romantics Anonymous (2010)

Romantics Anonymous (2010)

This delicately sweet French film (subtitled in English) focuses on a painfully shy chocolatier named Angelique (Isabelle Carre) and her male counterpart, Jean-Rene (Benoît Poelvoorde). The adorably awkward romance between the two characters reaches a peak when they sample various chocolates, speaking in thinly-veiled innuendos the entire time. Angelique retreats before anything can actually happen, but the sheer amount of tension in the scene is sure to leave you wanting more.

Romantics Anonymous-inspired recipe: Chocolate Truffles 

 

8. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

In this infamous scene, Sally (Meg Ryan) demonstrates over lunch to Harry (Billy Crystal) how women…well, “fake it.” When Harry Met Sally is full of hilarious situations and dialogue, but this exchange in the diner easily takes the cake for the most simultaneously laugh-out-loud and cringe-worthy moment.

When Harry Met Sally– inspired recipe: Richard Blais’ Corned Beef on Rye

 

9. Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) | Relish.com

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)

We’re not a bit surprised Brad and Angelina fell in love during the filming of this movie; their chemistry is undeniable. Mr. and Mrs. Smith contains a lot of food-centered scenes, from the couple’s sexy first encounter in a South American bar to their many passive-aggressive dinners at home. But our favorite takes place the morning after they try to kill each other—an altercation that somehow results in a hook-up instead. Their giddy smiles as they eat breakfast in their completely destroyed kitchen prove that sometimes making up can make even the worst fight totally worth it.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith-inspired recipe: Applesauce Breakfast Parfait

 

10. The Vow (2012)

The Vow (2012) | Relish.com

The Vow (2012)

This recent tear-jerker inspires even more waterworks once you find out it’s based on a true story. Ten weeks after their wedding, Paige (Rachel McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum) are involved in a serious car accident. Leo escapes unscathed, but Paige loses all memory of the past few years—including those of meeting and falling in love with her husband. At one point in the movie, Leo takes Paige to Cafe Mnemonic for truffles and waffles (the coffee shop where they had their first date), and you can see her falling in love with him all over again. You’ll definitely need to grab some tissues before watching this one.

The Vow-inspired recipe: Mixed-Grain Waffles with Raspberry Butter

 

11. Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Yes, it’s a Disney movie. Yes, it’s about dogs. We don’t care. What could possibly encapsulate food-related romance better than the infamous spaghetti kiss from Lady and the Tramp? In this hopelessly endearing scene, the Tramp takes Lady to his favorite Italian restaurant for a spaghetti dinner, where they accidentally kiss while slurping the same piece of spaghetti—puppy love at its finest.

Lady and the Tramp-inspired recipe: Meatballs with Spaghetti

 

Found in: Valentine's Day