Drop-offBuffetPlated dinnerVeganGluten-free
Catering companies in Boston, MA
TopCaterers lists 15 catering companies serving Boston, MA. 1 offer buffet. Compare them below, or send one request and get quotes back from up to 5 of them.
Want prices to compare? Ask local caterers for sealed bids: up to 8 matching caterers are invited to bid.
| Caterers listed | 15 |
|---|---|
| Service styles available | Buffet (1) |
| County | Suffolk |
| City population | 653,833 |
Browse by catering type
More filters: service, dietary, extras, guests
Quick filter:
WeddingGraduationHoliday partyFuneral and repastFull-service
WeddingCorporatePartyHoliday partyFull-service
Full-serviceBuffetPlated dinnerCocktail receptionBar service
CorporateBuffetGrazing tableCocktail reception
Holiday partyDrop-offGrazing table
A closer look at catering in Boston
Boston has 15 caterers listed on TopCaterers, every one based locally. The events they list are fairly spread out: corporate events (5), holiday parties (3) and weddings (3). On the menu side you will find sandwich and deli (2), desserts (1), Italian (1) and Latin American (1); the other 9 don't name one, so describe the menu you want when you ask for quotes. For format, listings mention buffets (6), cocktail receptions (5) and grazing tables (5). Dietary tags: vegan (2), allergen-friendly (1) and gluten-free (1).
Events
- Corporate events 5
- Holiday parties 3
- Weddings 3
- Funerals and repasts 1
- Graduations 1
- Parties 1
Cuisines
- Sandwich and deli 2
- Dessert 1
- Italian 1
- Latin American 1
- Seafood 1
- Soul food 1
- Southern 1
Service styles
- Buffets 6
- Cocktail receptions 5
- Grazing tables 5
- Full-service (staffed) events 4
- Plated dinners 4
- Bar service 3
- Drop-off delivery 3
- Event staffing 1
Dietary
- Vegan 2
- Allergen-friendly 1
- Gluten-free 1
Counts are listings tagged with each type, out of 15; one caterer can carry several tags. 12 also describe their food as American.
More Massachusetts cities with caterers
- Cambridge 18 caterers · 3 mi
- Lowell 4 caterers · 23 mi
- Worcester 26 caterers · 39 mi
- Springfield 18 caterers · 80 mi
Catering by event in Boston
Catering in Boston: common questions
How many caterers serve Boston?
What cuisines are available in Boston?
Listings serving Boston are tagged Sandwich and deli (2), Dessert (1), Italian (1), Latin American (1), Seafood (1), Soul food (1) and Southern (1). The other 9 don't name a specific cuisine, so mention the menu you want in your quote request.
What events do caterers in Boston cover?
Counting the event types each listing names: corporate events (5), holiday parties (3), weddings (3), funerals and repasts (1), graduations (1) and parties (1). Many caterers take more than one kind of event, so these overlap.
How do I get catering quotes in Boston?
Use Get free quotes on this page. The form asks for the event type, rough guest count and city, plus optional date, service style and budget per person. We pass it to up to 5 matching caterers that serve Boston, and they reply to you directly. It is free and there is no obligation. Leave “Also ask for sealed bids” ticked and up to 8 caterers can also send a sealed bid with a total and per-person price.
How far in advance should I book a caterer in Boston?
For an office lunch or small drop-off order in Boston, MA, 1 to 2 weeks is usually enough. For a large corporate event allow 2 to 3 months, and for a wedding allow 9 to 12 months, since the best caterers in any metro book their Saturday dates first. December and the May-June graduation window are the hardest times of year to book late. Many caterers will take rush orders inside 72 hours for a fee, and repast catering is routinely arranged in under 48 hours.
How much does catering cost per person?
Nationally, drop-off trays and boxed meals commonly run about $15 to $30 per person, a buffet with setup about $25 to $55 per person, and a full-service event with staff and plated or stationed food about $50 to $150 per person or more. The three things that move the number most are service style, protein choice and guest count. Drop-off is cheaper than full service because there is no staffing, rentals or gratuity. Below roughly 40 guests, most caterers charge a flat minimum instead of a per-head rate.
What is the difference between drop-off and full-service catering?
Drop-off means the food is delivered hot in disposable chafing dishes with serving utensils, and the caterer leaves. You handle setup, refills and cleanup. Full-service means the caterer arrives early, sets up, cooks or finishes on site, staffs the event with servers, provides china and linens, and cleans up afterwards. Full service usually adds 20-30% on top of the food cost for labor, plus rentals.
How much food do I need per person?
A common planning rule is 1 pound of food per adult across all dishes, split roughly into 6 oz protein, 4 oz starch and 4-6 oz vegetables or salad. For appetizer-only receptions, plan 4-6 pieces per person per hour if a meal follows, or 10-12 pieces per person for a two-hour reception that replaces dinner. Order for 100% of your confirmed headcount, not your invited count.