Find a catering service in San Diego, CA

Find catering services in San Diego, CA

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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 .

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Find catering services in San Diego, CA

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

Zip code

Top 10 catering services in San Diego, CA

Clients agree: these San Diego catering services are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

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 San Diego catering services

Recent success stories from people in the San Diego area.

Karla L.

Chef Chuey is amazing! With an overflowing work load and super pressed with time, I luckily found Paradise Catering who made my 2-day meeting SO MUCH EASIER! I needed breakfast for 2 days to start our business meeting. I didn’t have much time to think about the menu so Chef Chuey provided a fantastic list of options — not your standard breakfast fare, but lovely-sounding dishes with unique twists. After a little adjustment, the menu was set and I knew, even though I had never met Chef face to face, eaten any of his food, seen his presentation, or even had a recommendation for him, I JUST KNEW I was not going to be disappointed. I WAS NOT! And neither were any of the attendees! I think all of the attendees commented to me about how wonderful breakflast was before our meeting concluded. Perhaps they were all secretly hoping everything was to be catered for our event by Paradise. Me too. I‘m sharing Chef Chuey’s contact info to everyone I know who plans meetings and events, or needs catering. And clearly I’ll be using Paradise Catering again and again! - Executive Director of a professional medical association

Paradise Creations S.D. Catering

Eric G.

Tainos was an experience everyone should enjoy. Attending the popup was the perfect night. The food was amazing, high quality and well plated. Frank is an excellent chef and his attention to detail was perfect. I would highly recommend.

Tainos Popup and Private Chef

Katie P.

Very responsive and they listen to what you want! The food is always fresh and delicuous!

Lamont Street Grill Catering

Jessica C.

had the pleasure of experiencing an exceptional culinary journey thanks to Chef Julia Shelley. Her expertise and talent shone brightly as she curated a delightful menu for my anniversary party. Chef Julia's creations were the highlight of the evening, impressing guests with their flavors and presentation. Each dish was expertly crafted and beautifully arranged, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Her culinary talents transformed my event into an unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend Chef Julia Shelley for anyone seeking exceptional dining. She is so kind, professional and wonderful to have a part of any event that you're planning to have! I highly recommend her!