Catering costs $9 to $200 per person in 2026
Catering costs $9 to $200 per person in 2026. Paperlust puts average wedding catering at $80 per person, and Mayfair Farms says about $85. NYFTA says caterers charge $20 to $200 per person. Food trucks and buffets cost less, while plated meals, private chefs, and full service cost more. The style of service, the guest count, and your city move the price.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Paperlust | Paperlust lists average wedding catering at $80 per person, taco trucks at $9 to $15, food trucks at $15 to $28, buffet at $40 to $70, family style at $60 to $100, plated dinner at $70 to $120, and all-inclusive venue packages at $100 to $200 or more, plus a full open bar at $30 to $75 and beer and wine at $15 to $40; the Midwest runs $55 to $80 and the New York metro runs $100 to $175 per person. |
| NYFTA | NYFTA says catering costs $20 to $200 per person, with traditional catering at $70 to $85, food trucks at $15 to $40, private chef at $50 to $150, bar service at $25 to $60, and buffet at $25 to $70; a traditional wedding is $70 to $120, a corporate event $50 to $120, and a private party $30 to $85; a private chef for a corporate event is $70 to $200. |
| Mayfair Farms | Mayfair Farms says average wedding catering is about $85 per guest, with restaurant catering at $45 to $75, full-service caterers at $95 to $150, and food trucks and drop-off catering at $15 to $40 per person. |
Catering cost per person by style and event
| Catering style | Cost per person | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Taco truck | $9 to $15 | Paperlust |
| Food truck | $15 to $28 | Paperlust |
| Buffet | $25 to $70 | NYFTA |
| Traditional, private party | $30 to $85 | NYFTA |
| Restaurant catering | $45 to $75 | Mayfair Farms |
| Private chef | $50 to $150 | NYFTA |
| Traditional, corporate event | $50 to $120 | NYFTA |
| Full-service caterer | $95 to $150 | Mayfair Farms |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Service style | A taco truck costs less than a plated dinner. Paperlust lists taco trucks at $9 to $15 per person and plated dinners at $70 to $120. |
| Type of event | Weddings tend to cost more than parties. NYFTA lists traditional catering at $70 to $120 for a wedding and $30 to $85 for a private party. |
| Type of caterer | Restaurants charge less than full service firms. Mayfair Farms lists restaurant catering at $45 to $75 and full-service caterers at $95 to $150. |
| Drinks | Bar service is often priced on top of food. Paperlust lists beer and wine at $15 to $40 per person and a full open bar at $30 to $75. |
| Location | Costs rise in big cities and fall in smaller markets. Paperlust lists Midwest weddings at $55 to $80 per person and New York metro weddings at $100 to $175. |
What the price includes
Most quotes cover the food, the cooking, and delivery. Full service quotes may also include staff, setup, and cleanup. Drinks, plates, tables, and linens are often extra. Mayfair Farms says food trucks and drop-off catering run $15 to $40 per person, while full-service caterers run $95 to $150. Ask what each quote includes before you compare them. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Caterers are restaurants, full service firms, food trucks, and private chefs. Most bill by the person, so the guest count sets the total. Many ask for a deposit and a final headcount a week or two before the event. Full service firms add staff and setup. Drop-off caterers only deliver the food. Mayfair Farms lists restaurant catering at $45 to $75 per person and full service at $95 to $150. Bar service is often a separate line. Paperlust lists beer and wine at $15 to $40 per person. Ask each caterer to list every fee in writing.
When you need this
Hire a caterer when you host more guests than you can cook for, or when you want to enjoy the event. Weddings, work events, parties, and funerals often use catering. Small groups may do well with a food truck, a drop-off tray, or a private chef. Start asking for quotes a few months ahead for big events, since popular dates fill up.
How to judge your quote
- Is the price per person, and does it list the guest count?
- Does the quote include staff, setup, and cleanup, or only food?
- Are drinks, plates, and linens in the price or extra?
- Is there a fee for delivery, service, or gratuity listed in writing?
- Compare the total with the range above: $9 to $200 per person for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Pick a buffet or food truck instead of a plated meal. NYFTA lists buffet at $25 to $70 per person, which is often less than plated service.
- Trim the guest list or the menu. Fewer guests and fewer dish choices lower the cost for each person and for the whole bill.
- Serve beer and wine instead of a full open bar. Paperlust lists beer and wine at $15 to $40 per person.
- Ask for drop-off catering if you do not need staff. Mayfair Farms lists drop-off and food truck service at $15 to $40 per person.
- Get three quotes with the same menu and guest count. Check what each one includes so you compare real prices.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Paperlust, NYFTA and Mayfair Farms. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does catering cost per person in 2026?
Sources list $9 to $200 per person. NYFTA says $20 to $200, and Paperlust lists an average wedding at $80.
How much does wedding catering cost?
Paperlust lists an average of $80 per person. Mayfair Farms says about $85, and NYFTA lists $70 to $120 for traditional wedding catering.
What is the cheapest way to cater?
Food trucks are often the lowest. Paperlust lists taco trucks at $9 to $15 and food trucks at $15 to $28 per person.
How much does a buffet cost per person?
NYFTA lists buffet service at $25 to $70 per person. Paperlust lists buffets at $40 to $70.
How much does a private chef cost?
NYFTA lists a private chef at $50 to $150 per person. For corporate events it lists $70 to $200.