The year 2013 marks not only the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) but also the publication of DSM-5. This fortuitous confluence presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on the current status of eating disorder assessment. As the first structured interview to evaluate the unique psychopathology of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the EDE revolutionised clinical understanding and research methodology in the eating disorder field. However, like any measure designed to capture illusive and evolving psychological constructs, the EDE has theoretical, logistical, and functional limitations. We review each limitation in turn and make proposals for the next generation of eating disorder assessment – from substantially streamlining the EDE to the potentially heretical consideration of alternative measures.