Find a catering service in Palo Alto, CA

Find catering services in Palo Alto, CA

Find catering services in Palo Alto, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best catering services in your area.
Zip code

Budget per person

Find catering services in Palo Alto, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best catering services in your area.
Zip code

Budget per person

Top 10 catering services in Palo Alto, CA

Clients agree: these Palo Alto catering services are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
The Gurkha Kitchen

The Gurkha Kitchen

5.0(1)
5+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Sunil says, "Friendly and good quality food" Read more
Katrinas

Katrinas

New on Fash
Serves Palo Alto, CA
At katrinas, we bring culinary excellence to your special moments in San Francisco, CA. With a dedicated team of 12 professionals, we specialize in Wedding and Event Catering, ensuring every occasion is memorable and seamless. add a unique flair to any event, offering gourmet experiences on the go. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, katrinas is committed to delivering exceptional food and service to make your event truly unforgettable.
Delight Indian Cuisine

Delight Indian Cuisine

New on Fash
Serves Palo Alto, CA
DELIGHT INDIAN CUISINE OFFERS AUTHENTIC INDIAN, PAKISTANI, SRI LANKAN & BANGLADESHI CUISINE, COOKED WITH LOVE) (WE SERVE VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, AND HALAL MEAT).
Santorini Restautant

Santorini Restautant

New on Fash
12+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
We are ready to host you at the Santorini restaurant with a capacity of 80 people, and we can also take care of your celebrations and ceremonies at your place and we can BBQ at your location
COOL!NARIA

COOL!NARIA

New on Fash
7+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Chef Alberto Avramow Pitman was born and raised in Mexico City; where gastronomic diversity was the perfect scenery to stimulate his curiosity and train as a cook. Mexico’s cultural heritage and traditions inspired him; executing dishes based on culinary traditions and techniques which have forged his style in Mexican cuisine. He formally started on his own in 2007 under the name of “Chef Avramow”. While on his quest to find new traditional Mexican flavors, he ventured into new projects and places where he wanted to reach new audiences throughout San Francisco, California. In June 2014 he launched a POP-UP with a 7 course menu at “Cosecha”
Lalos Asados Catering

Lalos Asados Catering

New on Fash
5+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
We are Lalos Asados Catering. We have been in the food industry for 15 years. Creating delicious meals and bringing people together with our food. From street food to fine dining, finger foods, grazing tables and much more. We cater all events from birthdays, baby showers, corporate events and weddings.
L'Amour De KC

L'Amour De KC

New on Fash
6+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Our authentic Vietnamese meals feature familiar favorites like grilled lemongrass meat over vermicelli, vegetarian dishes, and imperial rolls, and always focus on bringing new ideas and dishes for more exotic and adventurous options. We not only successfully serve the community, but we also launch catered food for your special events and gatherings. It doesn’t have to mean turkey rolls and party pies. We make it possible to give your celebration greater with fresh and healthy food that will suit a huge range of tastes and dietary requirements. We’ve got choices from mixed party platters and à la carte trays to individual combo boxes to accomm
JW Catering

JW Catering

New on Fash
3 hires on Fash
23+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
We are large enough handle all of details, yet nimble enough to care and maintain a direct line of communication with our clients. Local, fresh and sustainable are our guiding principles. Creating memorable meals from sustainable and seasonal imgredients allow us to express our cilinary passions.
Eat Play Events & Catering

Eat Play Events & Catering

5.0(2)
1 hire on Fash
12+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Stephanie S. says, "Energetic, friendly, and passionate people who are a pleasure to work with. Plus our customers love the food, in their time working with our business, they created quite a dedicated following of people looking forward to their monthly offerings." Read more
Adelita's Restaurant, Taqueria & Bar

Adelita's Restaurant, Taqueria & Bar

New on Fash
26+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Great tasting homemade food. Mexican original, with our own recipes. Super taco Bar is a very popular option, with everything you need to make your own tacos, carnitas, chicken, refried beans, Mexican rice, corn & flour tortillas, guacamole, homemade chips, pico de gallo, & all our handmade salsas, tomatillo, chipotle, jalapeños & more... only $18/person.

Your Wedding and Event Catering questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Fash.

How much is catering?

Catering costs $10 to $35 per person for basic party food or a drop-off service. On average, caterers charge $500 to $7,500 total for 50 guests, $1,000 to $15,000 for 100 guests, and $1,500 to $23,000 for 150 guests. Alcohol or bartending options often cost extra.

Formal catering or wedding catering costs $30 to $200 per person for plated meals, a buffet, or food stations. A food truck rental costs $10 to $40 per person, depending on the type of event and whether you hire the truck on a weekend or holiday. Popular food truck menu options include tacos, pizza, BBQ, and ice cream.

What is catering?

Catering means supplying food and drink at a party, wedding, or other gathering. Some catering companies provide waitstaff, while others offer self-serve buffet stations or simply drop off prepared food to an event. Different catering companies provide different types of foods and cuisines, including:

  • Italian
  • Mexican
  • Barbeque
  • Japanese
  • Pizza
  • Sandwiches
  • Ice cream
  • Breakfast or brunch

How far in advance do I need to order catering?

Most caterers recommend ordering at least a few weeks to 6 months in advance, depending on the type of event and number of guests. However, catering a small party may not require as much advance time as a wedding, holiday party, or large corporate event.

Large chain restaurants often provide limited, drop-off catering services and require less notice than professional catering companies. Some chain restaurants and grocery stores offer catering services with only one day's notice.

What do caterers provide?

Caterers supply all the food for your event, either cooking it on-site or preparing it in their own kitchen beforehand. Many catering services include serving dishes, plates, glasses, and silverware in their price. Some caterers also offer tables, chairs, linens, or custom place settings for an added fee.

How long do caterers stay at an event?

Caterers typically serve food for 1 to 4 hours, depending on the time of year and number of guests. Setup usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Ask your caterer whether they will include any of the setup or cleanup time in their estimate.

Do you tip caterers?

Some caterers include a gratuity charge of 15% to 20% on your bill that is split between the servers. Before adding a cash tip, ask your caterer or review the contract to make sure a gratuity charge is not already included. If you decide to give cash tips directly, pay each person between $15 to $50.

How do I choose a catering company?

Search our list of caterers, then:

  • Get three or more free estimates to compare.
  • Read their reviews and menus on Fash and Google.
  • Choose a licensed, insured, and experienced company.
  • Try menu tasting before your event if possible.
  • Make sure they're a good fit for your budget and schedule.
  • Get a written estimate or contract.
  • Avoid making a large payment before your event begins.

After reading reviews and asking questions, hire the best company in your area.

What questions should I ask caterers?

When looking for local catering companies, consider asking the following questions:

  • How long have you been catering?
  • Are you licensed and insured?
  • How far in advance do I need to book?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • Do you allow menu changes?
  • Will you bring prepared food, or will you prepare it onsite?
  • How long will you be able to serve food?
  • How long do you need to set up?
  • Do you charge extra for travel fees?
  • Will you give me a written estimate and contract?

Reviews for Palo Alto catering services

Recent success stories from people in the Palo Alto area.
Tori D.
You can always count on personalized service and great quality when dealing with Eat Play Events & Catering - it's a pleasure doing business with them!
Eat Play Events & Catering
Tory M.
Chef Zachary was extremely professional and knowledgeable from the start, and created some of the best dishes I’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying. He is not only incredibly talented and comfortable in the kitchen, but was also so approachable and flexible with our party. He provided exactly the experience I was hoping for and I only plan on using him in the future. Thank you Chef Zachary!!
Farm to Table Provisions
Alicia P.
I had the pleasure of working with Teri and the Catered Too staff for my wedding on September 27. They did a phenomenal job. The food and set up was perfect. We received so many compliments on the food and the fast and friendly service from staff. They took care of everything from set up, rentals, food, bar tending, and clean up. I had a great experience and I would absolutely work with them for another event and recommend them to anyone for their events.
Catered Too, Inc.
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