Stranger Things Season Five is releasing on 27 November 2025 on Netflix, and the countdown has brought renewed attention to the food that helped build the show’s character. Across four seasons, audiences saw meals that carried jokes, tension, comfort and pure 1980s chaos. These items added personality to scenes, and they often appeared at turning points. Some were linked to specific characters, while others served as small cultural markers of Hawkins. The list below looks at the most iconic ones and sets out why each item earned its place in Stranger Things history.
1. Eleven’s Eggo Waffles
Eggo waffles remain the ultimate Stranger Things food. They first appeared in Season One when Eleven discovered them in Mike’s kitchen and adopted them as her favourite breakfast. They showed up in emotional scenes, quiet escapes and moments of bonding. The waffles worked as a symbol of freedom for her and became one of the most memorable visuals in the series. Their presence across multiple seasons secured their status as the show’s top snack.
2. Surfer Boy Pizza
Surfer Boy Pizza arrived in Season Four with outrageous toppings, bright boxes and scenes powered by Argyle’s enthusiasm. The pineapple slice turned into a conversation starter within the group and added humour to tense situations. The Surfer Boy van became a moving landmark as the team travelled across California. This pizza shaped an entire stretch of the season and made its mark with style.
Image credit: Stranger Things Wiki
3. Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream Sundaes
Season Three introduced Scoops Ahoy at the Starcourt Mall, where Steve and Robin served towering sundaes to delighted customers. The USS Butterscotch sundae appeared in several busy scenes and became a signature on the menu. The ice-cream counter created a lively backdrop for secrets, jokes and unexpected confessions. It added colour to the mall setting and delivered one of the most cheerful food moments in the series.
Image credit: Stranger Things Wiki
4. Hawkins Middle School Cafeteria Meals
The cafeteria trays showed up throughout Seasons One and Two, carrying mashed potatoes, corn, sloppy joes and fruit cups. These meals appeared during strategy talks, friendship squabbles and random bursts of laughter. They gave the school scenes a grounded feel and became part of the daily life of the group. The trays helped set the pace of their routine and built a sense of place within Hawkins.
5. Benny’s Burgers Plates
Benny Hammond’s diner played a key role in Season One. Eleven ate a simple burger and fries at his counter after escaping from the lab, and that meal shaped her first safe moment in the outside world. The plate looked ordinary but carried strong emotional weight. Benny’s kindness in that scene made the diner a memorable part of Stranger Things lore.
Image credit: Stranger Things Wiki
6. Joyce Byers’ Pantry Meals
Joyce relied on simple pantry staples in Seasons One and Two, often serving canned soup, boxed macaroni or quick dinners during stressful nights. These meals appeared during moments filled with fear, instinct and determination. The food was never fancy, but it captured the strain of a household trying to stay afloat while dealing with the unknown. Joyce’s kitchen became a familiar anchor throughout the series.
7. Hopper’s Police Station Donuts
Hopper’s donut habit turned into a small running detail in Seasons One and Two. The boxes on his desk appeared in scenes involving investigations, interrogations and morning briefings. The donuts matched his chaotic schedule and added humour to his otherwise heavy workload. They became an amusing part of his character without overshadowing the story.
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8. Halloween Candy Hauls
Season Two opened the door to colourful stashes of Halloween candy. The group carried bags filled with chocolate bars, chewy sweets and seasonal treats during their Ghostbusters night. The candy appeared in scenes filled with excitement and sudden tension. These small details added a festive layer to the storyline before everything spiralled.
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9. Mike’s Basement Snacks
Mike’s basement served as the group’s headquarters in Season One, and the snacks scattered around the room became part of the storytelling. Bowls of chips, cookies and pretzels sat on tables while the group planned escapes and tested theories. These snacks created an atmosphere of long nights and restless thinking. They reminded viewers of the simple rituals of childhood friendship.
Image credit: Stranger Things Wiki
10. Rink-O-Mania Treats
Season Four presented Rink-O-Mania with popcorn tubs, nacho trays and giant sodas. These snacks appeared during a bright scene that took a sudden turn and shifted the mood of the episode. The treats added to the roller-rink energy and framed the incident that followed. Their presence made the setting feel lively before the tension rose.
11. Karen Wheeler’s Family Dinners
The Wheeler household often featured casseroles, baked potatoes and hearty weekday meals. These dinners appeared in Seasons One and Two and served as the backdrop for awkward conversations and awkward silences. The food supported the image of a traditional suburban home and added structure to the family scenes. Karen’s table created a snapshot of the domestic life of Hawkins.
Image credit: Stranger Things Wiki
12. Jonathan And Will’s Peanut Butter Sandwiches
The Byers brothers shared peanut butter sandwiches in early episodes of Season One. These simple meals appeared during emotional moments and highlighted their close bond. The sandwiches represented routine and comfort during a time when their world was changing fast. The detail stayed with viewers because it felt honest and sincere.
13. Dustin And Steve’s Gas-Station Snacks
Season Two featured a memorable stop where Dustin and Steve grabbed chips, corn nuts and sugary drinks before heading back into danger. The snack bags added comic relief to a stressful episode and captured their developing dynamic. The scene carried a sense of teenage spontaneity and became a favourite among fans.
14. Murray Bauman’s Peanut Butter And Vodka
Murray’s strange combination appeared in Seasons Two and Three and stood out because of its unpredictability. He snacked on peanut butter while sipping vodka during late-night strategy sessions. The pairing looked chaotic and perfectly matched his eccentric personality. It offered a glimpse of his unconventional habits in the middle of intense planning.
15. Hawkins Community Cookout Food
Season Four included a community event with burgers and hotdogs served on open grills. These plates appeared during scenes that brought the town together before things grew more complicated. The cookout food added a festive touch and captured the spirit of local gatherings. It offered a brief moment of normalcy before the plot moved forward.