Identical meals were prepared and served to 49 elderly subjects (mean age 74.3 +/- SD 7.7 years) in two different eating environments. The improved environment was a state of the art training restaurant and the standard environment was a staff canteen. Each subject was served an identical meal in both environments. The energy intake of each meal consumed was determined using the weighed intake method. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the energy intake in the elderly between the improved (4894 +/- 613 kJ) and standard (4536 +/- 620 kJ) eating environments. Eating environment has a positive effect on the energy intake of elderly subjects. Changes to eating environment may be a useful way to improve energy intake in the elderly.