How Much Does Catering Cost in Dubai?

How Much Does Catering Cost in Dubai?

Catering in Dubai is usually priced per person, but the final amount depends on the menu, service style, venue, guest count and level of customisation.

For Indian vegetarian catering, a useful starting point is:

Catering Type	Typical Price / Person
Simple Vegetarian Meal	AED 35–60
Premium Vegetarian Buffet	AED 60–100
Corporate Catering	AED 40–80
Wedding Catering	AED 80–180+
Live Food Counters	AED 15–40+ per counter
Premium Dessert/Sweet Stations	AED 20–50+

Note: These are planning ranges. Actual pricing depends on menu selection, guest count, venue, staffing and service requirements.

1. What Determines Catering Cost in Dubai?

The biggest mistake when budgeting for catering is looking only at the per-person price.

Your final catering cost can be affected by several things.

Guest Count

Larger events can sometimes bring the per-person cost down because preparation and staffing can be planned more efficiently.

For example:

50 guests × AED 70 = AED 3,500

while a larger event may have a different per-person rate based on the menu and service requirements.

Menu Selection

A simple menu of dal, vegetables, breads and rice will generally cost less than a menu with multiple starters, premium sweets, live counters and elaborate desserts.

Consider:

• Starters
• Main courses
• Breads
• Rice/Biryani
• Salads
• Chaats
• Desserts
• Mithai
• Beverages
• Live counters

2. Catering Price by Event Type

Corporate Catering

Corporate events usually focus on convenient, easy-to-serve food.

Typical requirements include:

• Breakfast meetings
• Lunch boxes
• Buffet lunches
• Tea & snacks
• Corporate celebrations
• Conference catering
  

Planning range: AED 40–80 per person

A simple corporate lunch for 100 people at AED 50 per person would have a food budget of approximately:

AED 5,000

before any additional event-specific charges.

3. Wedding Catering

Indian weddings are usually more elaborate and can include several food experiences throughout the event.

A wedding menu might include:

Welcome Drinks → Starters → Chaat → Main Course → Live Counters → Desserts → Mithai

Premium wedding catering can also include:

• Decorative buffet setups
• Live cooking stations
• Multiple cuisines
• Special Jain menus
• Custom sweets
• Guest-specific dietary requirements
• Dedicated service staff

Planning range:

AED 80–180+ per person

For 200 guests, that could mean a food budget of approximately:

AED 16,000–36,000+

depending on the menu and service format.

4. Live Counters: What Do They Add?

Live counters can make an event feel more interactive, but they can also increase the catering budget.

Popular Indian live counters include:

Chaat Counter
Pani puri, sev puri, dahi puri and papdi chaat.

Dosa Counter
Fresh dosas prepared individually for guests.

Pav Bhaji Counter
A popular option for evening functions.

Jalebi Counter
Fresh jalebi prepared and served hot.

Indian Mithai Counter
A selection of traditional sweets presented for guests.

When choosing live counters, think about guest experience as well as cost.

5. Vegetarian & Jain Catering

For guests with specific dietary requirements, menu planning becomes even more important.

A Jain menu may require:

• No root vegetables
• Separate preparation
• Clear ingredient control
• Dedicated cooking arrangements
• Appropriate kitchen practices

If you're hosting a Jain event, don't simply ask whether a caterer offers a "Jain menu."

Ask how the food is prepared.

A good caterer should be able to clearly explain their preparation process.

6. What Is Usually Included?

Before comparing two catering quotes, check exactly what each one includes.

A catering package may include:

✓ Food preparation

✓ Buffet setup

✓ Serving staff

✓ Crockery & cutlery

✓ Buffet equipment

✓ Food counters

✓ Basic service

But some services may be charged separately.

Always ask about:

• Transportation
• Additional staff
• Live counters
• Premium ingredients
• Special menus
• Equipment
• Venue-related charges
• Cleaning/service char
• Taxes

7. How to Build Your Catering Budget

A simple way to estimate your starting budget is:

Number of Guests × Price Per Person = Food Budget

For example:

150 guests × AED 75

= AED 11,250

Then add any additional requirements such as live counters, premium desserts, additional staff or special setup.

8. How to Keep Catering Costs Under Control

You don't necessarily need to reduce the quality of the food to reduce your catering budget.

Choose the menu carefully
Instead of offering too many dishes, choose a smaller menu with well-balanced options.

Prioritise signature items
Spend more on the dishes guests will remember.

Limit unnecessary live counters
Choose two or three strong counters instead of adding many.

Match the menu to the event
A corporate lunch doesn't need the same menu as a wedding reception.

Confirm guest numbers
Accurate guest numbers make planning easier and reduce unnecessary food costs.

What Should You Ask Your Caterer?

Before confirming a catering package, ask:

01. What is the price per person?

02. What exactly is included?

03. Are service staff included?

04. Are crockery and cutlery included?

05. Are live counters charged separately?

06. Can the menu be customised?

07. Are Jain or other dietary requirements possible?

08. Are transportation or setup charges additional?

09. Are taxes included in the quoted price?

10. Can we arrange a menu tasting?

Quick Budget Guide

Event	Guests	Example Budget
Corporate Lunch	50	AED 2,000–4,000
Corporate Lunch	100	AED 4,000–8,000
Small Celebration	100	AED 5,000–10,000
Wedding	200	AED 16,000–36,000+
Wedding	500	AED 40,000–90,000+