Substantial volumes of food waste (FW) generated globally pose a grave threat to the environment, a concern exac￾erbated by the increasing population growth worldwide. Anaerobic digestion (AD) stands out as an ideal and effective solution for addressing this problem due to its multifaceted benefits. These include effective FW management and treatment, as well as the generation of renewable energy. This review provides an in-depth overview of the AD process for FW, covering its characteristics, stages, parameters, approaches to co-digestion, its different uses, and pretreatment methods, which play pivotal roles in enhancing the overall process. To maximize economic returns, it is recommended to implement co-digestion of FW and advanced pretreatment methods, as well as optimizing co-digestion strategies by balancing substrate mixtures and nutrient supply. These approaches ensure stable and efficient AD processes, leveraging existing infrastructure to reduce costs and generate sustainable revenue through biogas utilization. This approach not only enhances biogas yield but also supports sustainable waste management and energy production.