Marilyn Monroe was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but off the screen, she had a surprisingly down-to-earth and sometimes glamorous relationship with food. From simple breakfasts to rich French dishes, her tastes were as varied as her personality.
Whether she was cooking in a hotel room or dining at a fancy Beverly Hills restaurant, Monroe always found a way to make mealtime memorable. Here is a look at the foods and drinks that the iconic star reportedly loved most.
1. Ice Cream Sundaes
After long evenings at drama class, Marilyn Monroe would treat herself to a hot fudge sundae at Wil Wright’s ice cream parlor in Beverly Hills. It became a sweet ritual she looked forward to regularly.
Wil Wright’s was a beloved local spot known for its rich, creamy flavors. Monroe’s love for this indulgent dessert showed that even Hollywood’s biggest star had a soft spot for simple pleasures.
2. Raw Eggs in Warm Milk
Mornings in Monroe’s world started in a rather unusual way. She would heat up a cup of milk, crack two raw eggs into it, and drink the mixture while getting dressed for the day.
This high-protein breakfast might sound odd today, but it was a practical choice that kept her energized. It is a peek into the surprisingly no-fuss morning routine of one of the most glamorous women in history.
3. Broiled Steak
Cooking in a hotel room might sound impossible, but Monroe made it work. She often broiled steak in her electric oven and paired it with crunchy raw carrots for a satisfying, no-fuss meal.
This habit showed her independent streak and her preference for hearty, protein-rich food. Rather than relying on room service, she took charge of her own meals, which says a lot about her resourceful personality.
4. Homemade Stuffing
Monroe was no stranger to the kitchen, and her stuffing recipe proved it. Her version included a whopping 18 ingredients, such as beef, eggs, and chicken or turkey liver and hearts.
This was not your average holiday side dish. The complexity of the recipe shows that Monroe put real thought and effort into cooking when she wanted to.
It was a labor of love that reflected her creative and passionate nature.
5. Lamb Chops
Much like her steak habit, Monroe reportedly broiled lamb chops right in her hotel room. It was a favorite protein she returned to time and again during her travels and busy filming schedules.
Lamb chops are rich in flavor and satisfying, making them a smart choice for someone with a demanding lifestyle. Monroe clearly knew what she liked and was not afraid to cook it herself, even in less-than-ideal kitchens.
6. Warm Cereal Breakfast
Not every morning called for raw eggs. On some days, Monroe kept things simple with a bowl of well-cooked warm cereal, often paired with orange juice, stewed prunes, or a glass of milk.
This kind of breakfast is easy to overlook, but it speaks to her practical side. She balanced indulgence with simplicity, showing that even a Hollywood icon appreciated a comforting, no-frills start to the morning.
7. Rice Pudding
Rice pudding was one of Monroe’s go-to sweet treats, and recipes for it were found among her personal cookbooks. Creamy, warm, and comforting, it is the kind of dessert that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Finding this recipe in her collection tells us she enjoyed cooking homestyle desserts. It is a charming reminder that behind all the glitz and glamour, Monroe had a warm, homebody side that many fans might not expect.
8. Champagne
Few things say “Marilyn Monroe” quite like a glass of champagne. She was famously fond of Dom Perignon and Piper-Heidsieck, and reports suggest she sometimes started her day with a morning glass of the latter.
Champagne was not just a drink for Monroe; it was part of her glamorous identity. Piper-Heidsieck even honored this connection by naming a cuvee after her, cementing her legendary status in the world of bubbly.
9. Eggnog
While champagne kicked off her mornings, eggnog was Monroe’s drink of choice to wind down at night. She reportedly enjoyed it as a nightcap, sipping it before bed to relax after long days on set.
Eggnog is rich, creamy, and slightly sweet, making it a surprisingly comforting end-of-day ritual. It is a fun contrast to her bubbly morning drink, showing that Monroe had a real range when it came to her beverage preferences.
10. Beef Bourguignon
Monroe had a handwritten recipe for beef bourguignon tucked into her personal cookbook, which tells you she took this classic French dish seriously. It is a slow-cooked stew made with beef, red wine, and vegetables.
The fact that she wrote it out by hand adds a personal touch that feels deeply human. Monroe was clearly drawn to rich, flavorful cooking, and this French classic was the kind of recipe worth keeping close.
11. Chili
During the filming of “Some Like It Hot,” Monroe was a regular at Barney’s Beanery in Los Angeles, a famously laid-back bar and grill known for its hearty chili. It was a favorite hangout spot for her.
Barney’s Beanery was the opposite of a fancy Hollywood restaurant, which is exactly what made it appealing. Monroe clearly enjoyed unpretentious comfort food just as much as fine dining, and chili was the ultimate crowd-pleasing bowl.
12. Rum and Coke
Spotted alone at the Polo Lounge inside The Beverly Hills Hotel, Monroe reportedly ordered rum and Coke when she wanted a quiet, casual drink. It is about as unpretentious as a cocktail gets.
There is something endearing about a woman known for champagne and glamour quietly sipping a rum and Coke by herself. It is a reminder that Monroe had many layers, and sometimes she just wanted a simple, familiar drink without the fuss.
13. Marrow Bone Soup
A recipe for marrow bone soup was found among Monroe’s personal belongings, suggesting it was a dish she genuinely valued. Bone marrow soups are known for being deeply nourishing and full of rich, savory flavor.
This choice reflects a more health-conscious side of Monroe that often goes unnoticed. She was clearly aware of nutritious cooking and appreciated hearty, warming dishes that went beyond the glamorous image the public typically associated with her.
14. Chocolate Souffle
Romanoff’s was one of the most exclusive restaurants in Beverly Hills during Monroe’s era, and she had a clear favorite on the menu: the chocolate souffle. Airy, rich, and decadent, it was the perfect ending to a glamorous dinner.
A souffle requires precise timing and skill to get right, which made it a special treat rather than an everyday dessert. Monroe’s fondness for it shows she had a refined palate alongside her love of simpler comfort foods.
15. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti was part of Monroe’s regular meal plan, served with either tomato sauce or a pat of butter, but notably without cheese. It was a straightforward, satisfying dish that kept things light.
Skipping the cheese was likely a dietary choice, keeping the calorie count manageable while still enjoying a filling pasta meal. Simple, affordable, and delicious, spaghetti was the kind of everyday food that grounded Monroe’s otherwise extraordinary life.
16. Onion Gratin Soup
During her honeymoon in Japan with Joe DiMaggio, Monroe dined at Royal Nakasu Honten and ordered the onion gratin soup three days in a row. When you find something that good, why change it?
French onion soup is known for its deeply caramelized onion broth and bubbling cheese topping. The fact that she ordered it repeatedly on her honeymoon suggests it was one of those rare dishes that genuinely stopped her in her tracks.
17. Hot Dogs
A photograph captured Monroe happily eating a hot dog from a street stand in New York City, and it became one of the most relatable images of her ever taken. No fancy restaurant, just a street dog.
Hot dogs are as American as it gets, and Monroe clearly had no problem embracing that. The photo is a perfect snapshot of her ability to move between two worlds: Hollywood royalty one moment, everyday New Yorker the next.
18. Tacos
In 1962, Monroe visited El Taquito in Mexico City, where she was photographed sipping margaritas and enjoying tacos. It was one of her final international outings, and she looked genuinely happy doing it.
Tacos might not be the first food you picture when you think of Marilyn Monroe, but that is exactly what makes this detail so charming. She embraced local food culture wherever she traveled, proving her appetite for life was just as big as her fame.