A “When Harry Met Sally” Valentine’s Dinner Party

Valentine’s Day is all about love—romantic love, friendship love and, most importantly, love for really good food. And no movie quite captures all of the above like When Harry Met Sally. It’s the ultimate rom-com, packed with banter, New York nostalgia and some of the most memorable food scenes in movie history.

So instead of stressing over a fancy restaurant this Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day, why not turn your movie night into an interactive dining experience? That’s right—we’re eating exactly what Harry and Sally eat, scene by scene, as their relationship unfolds. Whether you’re watching with your partner, your best friends, or family, this themed dinner party is guaranteed to make the evening extra special.

Grab a blanket, queue up the movie, and get ready for a cozy, food-filled night inspired by When Harry Met Sally.

The “When Harry Met Sally” Dinner Party Menu

This dinner party is so fun because each course is timed to match the movie, so you’re eating with the characters. Every meal has a moment, and every moment has a meal—let’s dig in.

Course 1: Turkey sandwich and a seltzer (00:32)

A When Harry Met Sally dinner party isn’t complete without the most famous food scene. At Katz’s Delicatessen, Harry and Sally debate men and women’s dating habits while Sally casually proves a very important point, much to the shock of the entire restaurant. After her unforgettable performance, a woman at the next table turns to the waiter and delivers the legendary line: “I’ll have what she’s having.”

Sally orders a turkey sandwich on white bread with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and alfalfa sprouts—which, in all honesty, is kind of an underwhelming choice given all the pastrami greatness that Katz’s is known for. But hey, we’re here for authenticity! Serve it with a classic deli-style soda or seltzer and get ready to quote the scene in real time. 

Course 2: Pecan pie and Irish coffee (00:46:15)
Later in the film, Harry and Sally are sitting in a café, joking around, when Harry playfully teases Sally into repeating the phrase “pecan pie” in a silly voice. It’s a small but sweet moment that hints at their growing chemistry and it’s the perfect excuse to break out dessert round two.

For this course, serve mini pecan pie tarts—perfect for snacking, sharing or hoarding all to yourself. If you’re making them from scratch, you can prep them earlier in the day so they’re ready to go when this scene pops up. Pair them with another cup of coffee, or if you’re feeling fancy, an Irish coffee with a splash of whiskey.

Course 3: Chicken paprikash and red wine (01:10:00)

At a dinner party with their friends, Harry and Sally engage in some of their usual back-and-forth banter and Harry randomly throws out a line about how there’s too much pepper in his paprikash (because if there’s one thing Harry does well, it’s being slightly annoying in the most charming way possible). Meanwhile, their friends Jess and Marie are hitting it off, proving that sometimes love happens where you least expect it.

For this course, we’re serving chicken paprikash, a comforting Hungarian dish with a rich, paprika-spiced sauce. To balance things out, add a little pesto pasta on the side, because pesto gets a name-drop in the conversation and we’re going all in on the details. A glass of red wine ties everything together perfectly.

Course 4: Grapes and champagne (01:30:00)

As the film reaches its final moments, we see Harry and Sally ringing in the New Year at different parties. Sally, looking elegant but sad, is seen snacking on grapes as she watches couples dancing. Moments later, we get the big emotional climax, the grand declaration of love and that famous monologue about how Harry loves Sally’s crinkle above her nose when she looks at him like he’s nuts.

To match the scene, keep things light with a bowl of grapes and of course, a glass of champagne to toast to love, friendship and the fact that When Harry Met Sally is still one of the best rom-coms ever made.

Ready for the ultimate rom-com dinner?

So there you have it—the ultimate When Harry Met Sally Valentine’s dinner, where every bite is timed to the movie. Whether you’re watching for the first time or the fiftieth, this themed menu makes the experience even more fun. So grab your pie, press play and fall in love with one of the greatest rom-coms of all time—one bite at a time.