Top picnic food ideas

Whatever summer brings... hopefully it's levelled-up picnics. From spring park meet-ups to spontaneous beach days, we’ve got everything you need to make your picnic or al fresco picky bits feast taste amazing. After all, M&S is the home of picky bits, whether you're throwing together a grazing board or want delicious deli snacks to pack, we've got you covered.

Create a relaxed, tapas-style spread with our Spanish Style Patatas Bravas – crispy, garlicky potatoes with a rich tomato sauce – alongside Turkish Grilled Pepperoncini, bringing a smoky, gently spiced kick.

Prefer to build your own? Our flavour-packed pots are made for mixing and matching. Spoon over our Roasted Caponata Topper onto toasted sourdough or grilled fish, or tuck into our Greek Style Bean Pot, filled with creamy beans, feta and olives in a punchy vinaigrette.

Add a couple of standout dips to bring it all together. Our Creamy Greek-Style Dip is a fresh twist on tzatziki, with yoghurt, feta, olives and herbs, while our Buttermilk Ranch Dip delivers that classic tangy, subtly sweet flavour that pairs with just about everything.

Finish with your own charcuterie board with delicately Ruffled Spanish Chorizo and Chilli Cheddar Cheese and Ruffled Spanish Coppa and Ibérico Cheese.

There’s nothing quite like a really good crisp‑and‑dip combo – and this summer, we’ve taken things up a notch. Start with our new Ultimate Dipper Tortillas, boldly flavoured with zingy lime and perfectly sized for scooping, they’re made for dunking and diving straight in.

Pair them with our Fully Loaded Diner Dip, which brings all the best bits of your favourite burger into one seriously scoopable dish. Think tangy burger sauce, tomato salsa and ranch dressing, finished with cheese and gherkins on top.

Looking to impress? Our new Flip ’n’ Dips are your picnic centrepiece. Simply flip the pot and watch as the dip holds its shape beautifully – ready to serve and guaranteed to get people talking. Choose from vibrant basil pesto or sweet, smoky red pepper, both layered with a rich, creamy base and finished with a glossy dressing.

We know you love a twist on a classic, and our latest topped dips turn much‑loved flavours into crowd‑pleasing centrepieces. Try our Topped Chicken Tikka Dip, featuring a gently spiced base, tender chicken, and pops of pickled onion. Or dive into our Topped Mezze Dip, layered with aubergine, tomatoes, and creamy labneh, and finished with olives and herbs.

If you'd like to make your own dip, follow our simple recipe to whip up a zingy fresh pea and avocado dip or creamy homemade houmous. Serve with fresh and crunchy crudités.