14 Foods That Were Favorites Of Bette Davis
Crisp wit, sharp taste, and zero patience for anything bland made certain cravings feel very on-brand.
Behind the legendary glare and scene-stealing one-liners, Bette Davis also had everyday favorites that offered comfort between long shoots, late nights, and nonstop publicity.
Some picks leaned classic and homey, while others nodded to old-school restaurant staples that defined mid-century dining.
Food was not a prop in her life story. It was a small pleasure, a routine, and sometimes a reward after the work was done.
Disclaimer: Reported favorites are drawn from publicly available interviews, biographies, and documented anecdotes.
1. Potatoes
Davis couldn’t get enough of this humble vegetable. She worked potatoes into nearly every meal imaginable, from breakfast hash to elegant dinner sides.
Whether mashed, fried, or baked, spuds held a special place at her table. The actress once joked that she could live on potatoes alone if she had to.
Her New England upbringing taught her to appreciate simple, filling foods that stuck to your ribs. Potatoes delivered exactly that kind of satisfying comfort she craved after long days on set.
2. Croquettes
These crispy, deep-fried delights were pure indulgence for Davis. She loved how the golden exterior gave way to a creamy, savory filling with each bite.
Often stuffed with mashed potatoes, meat, or cheese, croquettes satisfied her craving for comfort with a touch of elegance.
They were fancy enough for guests but homey enough for a quiet evening. The actress appreciated foods that felt both special and familiar.
3. Corned Beef Hash
Davis adored the traditional version with its crispy edges and tender center.
This no-nonsense breakfast was a staple in her kitchen, simple yet deeply satisfying. The salty corned beef paired beautifully with soft potatoes, creating texture and flavor in every forkful.
She’d often request it during early morning film shoots when she needed serious fuel.
Nothing fancy, nothing fussy – just honest food that delivered comfort and energy when she needed it most on demanding days.
4. Split Pea Soup
Thick, hearty, and soul-warming, split pea soup was Davis’s answer to chilly New England evenings. She contributed her personal recipe to a 1933 cookbook, proving her dedication to this humble dish.
The combination of tender peas, smoky ham, and vegetables created a bowl of pure comfort.
Each spoonful delivered that homestyle flavor she cherished throughout her entire life.
Davis understood that great food doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes a simple pot of soup, simmered low and slow, beats any fancy restaurant meal hands down.
5. Boston Baked Beans
Talk about dedication! Davis once had 21 pounds of Boston baked beans flown from Boston to Hollywood for a party.
That’s serious bean love right there.
The sweet molasses and savory salt pork combination created magic in every bite. These weren’t just any beans – they were a taste of home, a connection to her Massachusetts roots.
Slow-baked until tender and caramelized, they represented everything she valued about traditional New England cooking. Rich, honest, and worth every single calorie, these beans were her ultimate comfort food ambassador.
6. Fishcakes
Coastal New England knew how to stretch ingredients, and fishcakes were the perfect example.
Pan-fried until golden and served with tartar sauce, they transformed simple ingredients into something special. The crispy outside and tender, flaky inside created textural perfection she couldn’t resist.
These weren’t glamorous, but they were delicious and practical which was what mattered most!
7. Fresh Scrod
Scrod, young cod or haddock, represented the freshest catch from New England waters. Davis insisted on quality when it came to this delicate white fish.
Simply prepared with butter, lemon, and maybe some breadcrumbs, scrod needed nothing fancy to shine. Its mild, sweet flavor and flaky texture made it a sophisticated yet unpretentious choice.
She’d often order it at her favorite Boston restaurants or prepare it at home.
Fresh scrod reminded her that sometimes the best ingredients speak for themselves without needing elaborate sauces or complicated preparations whatsoever.
8. Three-Minute Egg
Precision mattered to Davis, even with something as simple as a boiled egg. A three-minute egg delivered a set white with a gloriously runny yolk – breakfast perfection.
She’d dip buttered toast into that golden yolk, savoring the simple pleasure of perfectly cooked protein.
The actress understood that mastering simple techniques separated good cooks from great ones.
A perfectly timed egg showed care, attention, and respect for even the humblest ingredients on your morning plate.
9. Homemade Burgers
Forget fancy steakhouses – Davis preferred a good homemade burger any day. She liked them thick, juicy, and cooked just right, with quality beef as the star.
No need for complicated toppings or gourmet pretensions here. A good bun, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato, and maybe some cheese was all she wanted.
Her burgers reflected her straightforward personality: honest, satisfying, and unpretentious.
She was proof that Hollywood glamour and backyard grilling weren’t mutually exclusive, and sometimes the best meals came straight from your own kitchen grill or stovetop.
10. Cucumber Salad
Crisp, cool, and refreshing, cucumber salad provided the perfect counterpoint to Davis’s heartier favorites. The light, tangy dressing complemented rich main dishes beautifully.
Thinly sliced cukes with vinegar, cream, and fresh dill created a simple side that never went out of style. It was elegant enough for dinner parties yet easy enough for weeknight meals.
Davis appreciated how this salad cleansed the palate without stealing the show.
11. Cornish Game Hen
When Davis wanted to feel fancy without the fuss, Cornish game hen delivered perfectly. These petite birds roasted up beautifully, looking impressive while remaining approachable.
Each person got their own bird, making dinner feel special and individualized.
The tender, juicy meat and crispy skin satisfied her craving for something a bit more refined.
She loved serving these at intimate dinner parties where elegance mattered but pretension didn’t.
12. Clam Bake
Nothing says New England summer like a proper clam bake!
Davis adored this communal feast featuring steamed clams, lobster, corn, and potatoes cooked together with seaweed.
The briny sweetness of fresh clams, the rich lobster meat, and sweet corn created coastal perfection. It was messy, hands-on eating that brought people together around shared enjoyment.
A clam bake was an experience, a celebration, and a delicious connection to her beloved New England coastal heritage and roots.
13. Fresh Berries with Cold Cream
For dessert, Davis kept things beautifully simple with fresh berries and cold cream. No fancy pastries needed when you had perfectly ripe, seasonal fruit.
The natural sweetness of berries paired with rich, cold cream created pure summer bliss. She’d often pick berries herself when possible, enjoying the freshness that only comes from just-harvested fruit.
This dessert embodied her food philosophy entirely: quality ingredients prepared simply taste better than complicated confections.
14. Hash Browns
Crispy, golden, and absolutely essential to Davis’s breakfast table, hash browns completed the morning meal. She liked them extra crispy on the outside while staying tender inside.
These shredded potatoes, fried until they formed a gorgeous golden crust, represented breakfast done right. The contrast between crunchy edges and soft centers made every bite satisfying.
Whether at home or ordering breakfast out, hash browns were non-negotiable.
