The short answer
Catering typically runs $45–$90 per person, with a typical figure around $65. Drop-off buffets sit at the bottom; plated, full-service meals with staff sit at the top. The market spread:
| Tier | Range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off / buffet | $25–$45 | Food delivered, you handle setup and service. |
| Full buffet with staff | $45–$75 | Setup, serving staff, cleanup, standard menu. |
| Plated / full-service | $75–$120 | Multi-course plated meal, full staffing, rentals coordination. |
| Premium / bespoke | $120–$175+ | Custom menus, high-end ingredients, higher staff-to-guest ratios. |
What actually moves the price
Service style. The single biggest lever. Drop-off catering is just the food. A plated dinner requires kitchen staff, servers, timing, and coordination — often doubling the per-person cost over a buffet. Decide how hands-off you need the day to be before comparing quotes.
What’s actually included. A per-person price can hide or include very different things: staff, rentals (tables, linens, china), service charges, gratuity, and tax. A “cheaper” quote that excludes staffing and rentals often ends up more expensive. Ask for an all-in number.
Menu and headcount. Premium proteins, dietary accommodations, and multiple courses raise the per-plate cost, while larger guest counts can lower it through economies of scale. Bar service is usually separate — that’s event bartender territory.
How this guide is priced
These figures are compiled from public rate listings and general market data — see our data methodology. As the Mindhyv marketplace grows, the ranges will be based on real, anonymized booking data from the platform rather than estimates.
Before you hire
Read the caterer hiring guide for the questions that surface hidden costs in a per-person quote. Drinks service is usually a separate line worth pricing on its own. Build a headcount-and-menu project brief so every caterer quotes on the same all-in basis.