Planning an event in London and trying to work out the budget for catering? You are not alone. The cost of catering in London is one of the most searched questions among event planners, HR teams, wedding couples and private hosts across the UK. This guide breaks down exactly what you can expect to pay — and what influences the price — based on real 2025 market rates.
The Short Answer: What Does Catering Cost in London?
Catering in London typically costs between £9 and £95 per person, depending on the type of service, the number of guests, the menu complexity and whether you need staffing. Here is a quick overview by format:
| Format | Price Range (pp) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Break | £9 – £38 | Office workshops, training days |
| Working Lunch | £15 – £55 | Corporate meetings, team lunches |
| Breakfast Catering | £12 – £42 | Morning events, AGMs, launches |
| Canapés Reception | £19 – £85 | Drinks receptions, networking |
| Bowl Food Party | £22 – £65 | Standing events, celebrations |
| Buffet Catering | £25 – £70 | Weddings, parties, corporate |
| Plated Fine Dining | £65 – £150+ | Weddings, VIP dinners, gala nights |
| Chef’s Table Experience | £85 – £195 | Private dinners, intimate events |
All prices exclude VAT (20%) unless stated otherwise. A minimum number of guests typically applies — usually 20 to 50 people for most formats, though smaller events can be accommodated at a higher per-head rate.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Catering in London?
1. Service Style: Drop-off vs Staffed vs Full-Service
This is the single biggest cost variable. Drop-off catering (delivered, ready to serve, no staff) is the most affordable option — ideal for office lunches, smaller meetings and informal events. Staffed catering adds waiting staff, a chef on site and full service management, which typically adds £15–£35 per head or a flat staffing fee. Full-service event catering (including equipment hire, bar service, a maître d’ and a complete event timeline) is the premium tier, and pricing reflects that.
2. Menu Complexity and Cuisine Style
A straightforward working lunch platter (sandwiches, salads, fruit) costs considerably less than a five-course plated dinner with live cooking stations and a sommelier. Specialist cuisines — sushi, raw bar, live paella, jamón ibérico carving — carry a premium because of the skill, equipment and time involved. At Vlamber, for example, a Paella Live Station starts at £16 per person for drop-off service and goes up to £42 per person for a full staffed experience with a live paella chef on site.
3. Number of Guests
Catering has significant economies of scale. A canapé reception for 20 people will cost more per head than the same menu for 200, because the setup, staffing and logistics costs are shared across fewer guests. Most London caterers set minimum orders — typically 20 guests for drop-off, 30–50 for staffed events — and the per-person cost decreases meaningfully once you pass the 100-person mark.
4. Venue Location and Access
London venues vary enormously. A ground-floor office in Zone 1 with a goods lift is straightforward to cater. A rooftop terrace in Zone 2 with no catering kitchen, tight access hours and a venue coordinator who requires specific insurance documentation is a more complex (and more expensive) operation. Caterers factor in travel, parking permits, load-in time and any venue surcharges. Central London — City, Canary Wharf, Mayfair, Westminster — tends to attract a modest premium over outer zones.
5. Day of the Week and Time of Year
Corporate catering is in highest demand Tuesday to Thursday, and pricing can be sharper on those days. Weekends command a premium for staffed events. The Christmas party season (November–December) sees prices firm up and availability shrink, so early booking gives you better rates and more menu choices. January and February are typically the easiest months to negotiate.
6. Dietary Requirements
London event audiences are diverse, and most corporate and wedding clients will have guests with dietary needs — vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, halal, kosher. Standard catering already accommodates most of these, but a fully bespoke vegan fine dining menu or a strictly certified kosher service adds cost. Always declare dietary requirements upfront so the caterer can cost them properly.
Corporate Catering Costs in London
Corporate catering is the most frequently booked category in London, driven by office events, client entertainment, product launches and conference catering. Here is what businesses typically pay:
- Coffee Break (per person): £9 – £38 depending on whether you want a basic pastry and coffee setup or a full barista station with freshly baked goods, fruit platters and a range of hot drinks.
- Working Lunch (per person): £15 – £55. At the lower end, you get premium wraps, salads and deli platters. At the higher end, you get hot fork buffets, grazing tables or curated bowl food with dietary-labelled stations.
- Breakfast Catering (per person): £12 – £42. From a simple continental setup (pastries, yogurt, juice) to a full cooked breakfast station or a premium avocado and smoked salmon bar.
- Drinks Reception with Canapés (per person): £19 – £85. This is the format most corporate teams use for client events, team milestones and end-of-year parties. The price range is wide because canapé count, quality, staffing and live station add-ons all affect the total.
For a 50-person office lunch with delivered platters and no staff, budget £750 – £2,750 all-in. For a 100-person staffed drinks reception with canapés and a live station, expect £3,500 – £8,500 plus VAT.
Wedding Catering Costs in London
Wedding catering in London is among the most significant line items in any wedding budget, and the variation is enormous — from a relaxed bowl food celebration at £35pp to an eight-course plated fine dining experience at £150pp or more.
A typical London wedding catering budget for 80–120 guests might look like this:
- Drinks reception (1.5 hours, canapés + prosecco): £28 – £55pp
- Wedding breakfast (3-course sit-down dinner): £65 – £110pp
- Evening buffet or late-night food: £12 – £25pp
- Staffing (for 100 guests, full day): £1,500 – £4,000
- Equipment hire (linen, crockery, glassware): £800 – £3,000
Total all-in cost for a luxury wedding catering package for 100 guests in London: £12,000 – £22,000 plus VAT, depending on the level of service and menu choices.
Private Dining and Home Catering Costs
Private dining at home — whether a dinner party for 12 or a milestone birthday for 40 — is a growing category. A private chef or catering team coming to your home in London typically charges:
- Chef’s Table experience (8–14 guests): £85 – £195 per person, including a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairing guidance.
- Canapés and bowl food for 20–40 guests: £28 – £65pp staffed, £18 – £35pp drop-off.
- Live station (e.g. paella or jamón carving) for 20–50 guests: £580 – £1,800 including a chef, equipment and service.
What Is Included in a Catering Quote?
When you receive a catering proposal, make sure you understand what is and is not included. A good London caterer will clearly itemise:
- Food and preparation (per head cost)
- Staffing (number of staff, hours, travel)
- Equipment (if provided: tables, linen, crockery, glassware, chafing dishes)
- Delivery and logistics (fuel, parking, loading charges)
- Service charges (typically 10–15%)
- VAT (20%)
- Any venue-specific surcharges
Always ask whether the quote is exclusive or inclusive of VAT, and whether service charges are included. The cheapest headline price can look very different once everything is added.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Catering Budget
Book early. Popular caterers fill their diaries quickly, especially for Fridays and Saturdays from May through September and again in November and December. Booking 3–6 months ahead gives you the best availability and often more flexibility on price.
Be specific about what you need. A vague enquiry gets a vague quote. The more detail you provide — guest count, dietary breakdown, venue access, service duration, equipment requirements — the more accurate and competitive your proposal will be.
Consider drop-off for smaller events. If you have a team of 20–30 and the event is in an office with a kitchen, drop-off catering can deliver the same quality at 30–50% lower cost than a staffed service.
Ask about package deals. Many caterers offer packages that bundle the drinks reception, main event and late-night food at a better combined rate than booking each separately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catering Costs in London
What is the average cost of catering per head in London?
The average cost for corporate event catering in London is £25 – £55 per person for a staffed working lunch or canapé reception. Wedding catering averages £75 – £120 per person for a full sit-down meal with staffing. These figures exclude VAT.
Is catering cheaper on weekdays?
Generally yes. Weekday events (particularly Monday and Friday) can attract lower staffing rates. The busiest — and sometimes priciest — days are Tuesday through Thursday for corporate and Saturday for weddings and private events.
Do caterers charge a minimum order?
Most do. Typical minimums range from 20 guests for drop-off services to 30–50 for staffed events. Some caterers also have a minimum spend (e.g. £1,500 or £2,000 per event) which may affect very small or informal bookings.
What should I budget for catering a corporate event for 100 people?
For a staffed canapé and drinks reception of 2 hours for 100 guests in London, budget £4,500 – £9,000 plus VAT. This covers canapés (8–12 per person), a live station, waiting staff, bar service and basic equipment. Add £1,500 – £3,000 if you want crockery, glassware and linen included.
Can I get luxury catering in London for under £30 per person?
Yes — for drop-off catering. A premium working lunch platter or a bowl food drop-off can be delivered at £22 – £28pp with high-quality ingredients and thoughtful presentation. The trade-off is no on-site staff. For fully staffed luxury catering, £45pp upwards is a more realistic starting point.
Ready to Get a Catering Quote for Your London Event?
At Vlamber, we specialise in luxury catering across London — from corporate working lunches to full wedding receptions and private chef experiences. Our menus combine Spanish-inspired gastronomy, refined European flavours and contemporary international stations, all delivered with immaculate service and premium presentation.
Use our catering cost calculator to get an instant estimate for your event, or request a full bespoke proposal from our team — typically delivered within 24–48 hours.