OBJECTIVE To investigate factors that influenced nutritional care provided in two different types of residential care settings. METHODS The study used qualitative methods, including focus group interviews with relevant staff members, individual interviews with managers and residents of the care homes and their informal carers, observation of food preparation and mealtimes throughout the day and analysis of appropriate documents. RESULTS Data were analysed thematically, and this article describes one of the four main themes that emerged: the relationship between social context and residents' eating and drinking experiences. CONCLUSIONS Greater understanding of the sociocultural context of eating and drinking in residential care settings may be used to inform nursing practice in relation to meeting older people's nutritional needs in other settings.