Background: The planet earth’s population is aging at an incredible speed. Poor dietary practice is a major problem in elders. However, there is a scarcity of literature for dietary practice in elders in the study area. Therefore, the results of this study may give information for decision makers. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess dietary practices and associated factors among elderly people in Woreta town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A community-based mixed study design, quantitative study supplemented with qualitative study design, was employed among elderly people from May 20 to July 2, 2022. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used for selecting study participants in quantitative and qualitative study, respectively. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire for quantitative and interview guide for qualitative part. Binary logistic regression analysis was used. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant variables. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of association. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. Results: A total of 422 participants recruited for the study. Twenty six in-depth interviews were done. Prevalence of inadequate dietary practice was 45.5% [95% CI: (40.8, 50.2)]. It was significantly associated with family size five and above (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.6), elders who didn’t have access to credit services (AOR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.8), elders with chronic disease (AOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.0), eating sometimes alone (AOR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.5, 4.4), eating always alone (AOR: 5.40; 95% CI: 3.0, 9.5), and food insecure(AOR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.8). Thematic analysis revealed three themes that interfere with dietary practices of elders: taboos and cultural beliefs, barriers and experiences regarding dietary practices. Conclusion: The prevalence of inadequate dietary practice was high. It was significantly associated with family size, access to credit services, chronic disease, with whom feeding, and household food security status. Taboos and cultural beliefs, barriers, and experiences hampered dietary practices of elders. Therefore, improving dietary practices of elders focusing on advanced age, loneliness, food security, taboos and cultural beliefs, barriers and experiences regarding dietary practices should be done. Keywords: Dietary practice, Elderly people