From board meetings to company off‑sites and product launches, catering plays a pivotal role in corporate events. Mumbai’s dynamic food scene offers everything from simple buffet lunches to gourmet live‑station dinners, but budgets can vary widely. This guide outlines per‑person pricing for corporate catering Costs in Mumbai, explains how factors like menu type, guest count and service style affect costs, and offers practical tips to choose wisely. All information is drawn from recent industry reports, catering company guides and price estimates for 2025 jafferbhaiscatering.com.
Per‑Person Pricing: Basic to Premium
Corporate catering is often priced on a per‑person basis, which includes food preparation, serving staff and basic equipment. According to a 2025 corporate catering guide from a leading Mumbai caterer, a simple buffet lunch for a small team starts at around ₹500–800 per person, while premium menus featuring live stations and exotic dishes range from ₹1,200–2,000 per personjafferbhaiscatering.com. The same source notes in its FAQ that “prices usually start around ₹500 per person for basic menus and can go higher for premium or live counter options”.
These numbers align with national averages. A comprehensive catering cost study for Indian events reports that catering for 100 people typically ranges ₹500–2,000 per person, with vegetarian menus starting at ₹500 and non‑vegetarian or multi‑cuisine options starting at about ₹800. The study emphasises that prices tend to be higher in major metros like Mumbai due to higher overheads.
Choosing the right menu is crucial for guest satisfaction. Read our Veg vs Non-Veg Catering Menu Options in Mumbai – 2026 blog to decide what works best for your wedding and budget.
Cost Factors for Corporate Catering
1. Menu Type & Cuisine
Corporate lunches and dinners range from basic Indian meals to elaborate, multi‑cuisine buffets. Here’s how menu choices influence per‑person costs:
- Standard Indian vegetarian buffet: includes rice, breads, curries and desserts; typically costs ₹500–700 per person. Suitable for daily office lunches or modest training sessions.
- Indian non‑veg buffet: adds chicken or fish dishes; costs ₹800–1,200 per person, reflecting higher ingredient costs.
- Multi‑cuisine buffets: combine Indian with Asian, Continental or Mediterranean dishes; start at ₹1,200–1,800 per person.
- Premium & live stations: tandoor grills, sushi counters, pasta stations and dessert bars can raise costs to ₹1,500–2,000 per person.
Remember that seasonal ingredients and imported items also affect price. For instance, incorporating seafood or imported cheeses can add ₹200–300 per person.
2. Service Style
Similar to weddings, service style impacts corporate catering budgets:
- Drop‑off or buffet service: Food is delivered and self‑served on tables. This is the most economical option at ₹500–1,000 per person. Suitable for everyday lunches, internal meetings and training sessions.
- Staffed buffet service: Includes servers to replenish dishes and assist guests. Costs ₹800–1,300 per person, depending on the menu and staff ratio.
- Plated service or fine dining: Guests are served multi‑course meals at tables; costs ₹1,500–2,500 per person because of higher staffing and plating requirements.
- Live stations: Chefs prepare food on site (for example, wok toss, tacos, pasta); adds ₹200–500 per person to any base package.
3. Guest Count & Economy of Scale
Caterers often have minimum order requirements (commonly 30–50 covers) to make the event viable. Per‑person costs can decrease slightly as guest count increases because fixed kitchen overheads are spread across more plates. For example, the same lunch menu costing ₹700 per person for 50 guests might be negotiated down to ₹650 per person for 200 guests. However, very small groups (<30) may attract surcharges or require drop‑off only service.
4. Event Timing & Duration
Serving breakfast, lunch or hi‑tea usually costs less than a dinner event because menus are lighter and staff shifts are shorter. Corporate breakfast packages with South Indian or continental items can cost ₹350–600 per person. Hi‑tea or coffee break menus with snacks typically range ₹250–500 per person. Evening events run longer and often include alcoholic beverages, increasing the per‑person budget.
5. Venue & Logistics
Many corporate events take place at offices or co‑working spaces with limited pantry facilities. If the venue lacks a kitchen, caterers may charge a portable kitchen fee or require equipment rental. Deliveries to central business districts (Bandra‑Kurla Complex, Nariman Point) may include additional logistics charges due to traffic and parking constraints. Large corporate events held at hotels or convention centres typically pay more because the venue imposes its own F&B service charges. When comparing quotes, always check if rental, transport and service charges are included.
6. Beverages & Desserts
Most corporate packages include soft drinks and bottled water, but hot beverages, mocktails or alcoholic drinks are extra. Non‑alcoholic beverage packages cost ₹100–300 per person. If the event requires an open bar, per‑person costs can climb by ₹1,000–2,000. Desserts such as exotic pastries or ice‑cream counters add ₹200–400 per person.
Area‑Wise Pricing Insights
Just as with weddings, corporate catering costs vary by location within Mumbai:
- South Mumbai (Nariman Point, Fort, Churchgate): High real estate and logistics costs push catering prices to the upper end of the range. Expect premium menus starting at ₹1,200 per person and rising for evening events.
- Bandra‑Kurla Complex (BKC) & Lower Parel: A major business hub with many corporate offices. Intense competition among caterers keeps prices moderate; buffet lunches typically cost ₹700–1,200 per person.
- Suburban offices in Andheri, Powai, Thane & Navi Mumbai: More room for kitchen setups and lower delivery costs; packages often start at ₹500 per person for vegetarian meals. Large corporate parks in Powai and Thane house full‑service cafeterias, yet clients may contract external caterers for special events.
- Kurla & Ghatkopar: Many mid‑sized companies opt for affordable lunch packages in the ₹500–800 per person range. However, premium menus are veg available for customer‑facing events or annual gatherings.
Example Budget for a 100‑Person Corporate Event
To illustrate how costs add up, here’s a sample budget for a corporate lunch for 100 delegates in Andheri: Catering Services in Mumbai for 50–500 Guests
- Basic vegetarian buffet (₹700 × 100): ₹70,000
- Two non‑veg dishes (₹200 × 100): ₹20,000
- Dessert spread (₹150 × 100): ₹15,000
- Beverage package (₹100 × 100): ₹10,000
- Live pasta station (₹300 × 100): ₹30,000
- Staffing, setup and transport: ₹25,000
Total: ₹1,70,000 (equivalent to ₹1,700 per person). Adjusting menu items or dropping the live station could lower costs to around ₹1,200 per person.
Save & Share: Tips for Cost‑Effective Corporate Catering
- Clarify the purpose of the event. A training lunch requires a simpler menu than a client dinner. Tailor the menu to the audience to avoid over‑spending.
- Consolidate dietary preferences. Collect attendee food restrictions in advance (vegan, gluten‑free, Jain) and share them with the caterer so dishes aren’t duplicated unnecessarily.
- Choose buffet service for large groups. It’s efficient, encourages networking and keeps costs lower than plated meals.
- Opt for local, seasonal ingredients. They reduce procurement costs and provide fresher flavours.
- Negotiate package deals. Many caterers offer discounts on repeat orders or multiple events booked together. Explore long‑term catering contracts if you host frequent meetings.
Conclusion
Corporate catering in Mumbai offers solutions for every budget, from working lunches at ₹500 per head to premium gala dinners that cost nearly ₹2,000 per person. Understanding per‑person pricing, menu types, service styles and location factors is essential for planning a successful event. With clear objectives, early headcounts and smart menu choices, you can impress clients and colleagues without exceeding your budget. Use this 2025 guide as a reference when negotiating with caterers so your next corporate event in Mumbai is both memorable and cost‑effective.
Looking for reliable and hygienic catering services in Mumbai? Contact us now to discuss menus, pricing, and availability for your event.
FAQs
What is the starting price for corporate catering in Mumbai?
Basic vegetarian buffet lunches start around ₹500–800 per person, according to corporate catering guides.
How much does a premium corporate dinner cost per person?
Premium menus with live stations and multi‑cuisine dishes typically range ₹1,200–2,000 per person.
Is vegetarian catering cheaper than non‑vegetarian?
Yes. National cost reports note that vegetarian menus begin at about ₹500 per person, while non‑veg or multi‑cuisine options start at ₹800 per person. Non‑veg plates are more expensive due to meat and seafood.
How many people do I need to book a corporate caterer in Mumbai?
Most caterers require a minimum order of 30–50 guests to deliver. For smaller meetings, consider lunch boxes or in‑house pantry services.
Do corporate catering quotes include beverages?
Not always. Soft beverages may be included, but coffee, mocktails or alcoholic drinks usually cost extra (₹100–300 per person for non‑alcoholic packages). Always check whether beverages are separate before finalising your budget.
by Delhi Darbar Catering