The Best Caterers in Auckland
Our list of the Best Catering Services in Auckland, as rated by customers, covers catering for weddings, parties, corporate events etc.
Updated 7 September 2023
Summary
Know This First: Caterers can make or break your event
Our review covers:
Summary
- Catering doesn't need to be boring - soggy mini pies, mini samosas, mini spring rolls and dry rolls are not the standard offering from most Auckland catering companies.
- MoneyHub's list of trusted caterers includes both established food catering companies and food trucks that know how to deliver beyond expectations.
- The list below covers caterers who offer everything from salad platters, spit roasts, Polynesian, European, middle eastern, delicate French canapés and more, these caterers have you and your event covered.
Know This First: Caterers can make or break your event
- If you're unsure about the company you are dealing with at the quote stage, then it's best to trust your instinct.
- Different catering businesses will usually have different specialities or strengths, so being familiar with their past work is important.
- Our list below includes trusted Auckland companies with a proven track record who have served food to thousands of Auckland events.
Our review covers:
MoneyHub's Top Trusted Auckland Caterers
- Our research highlighted a leading caterer who deliver results for their clients.
- We suggest contacting Free Range Chef - our top caterer has proven reviews and has delivered outstanding results to Auckland residents just like you.
- Contacting a caterer by phone is the best way to kick things off - you can explain your plans and hear how you can get the results you want.
- Advertising Disclosure: The caterer appearing on this list have accepted MoneyHub's invitation for enhanced promotion, and pay for this service. We stand by their reputation and service, which we conclude as being excellent.
What do I need to consider when asking for a catering quote?
Arranging catering quotes is easier when you know what a catering company needs to know upfront. When inquiring, make sure you decide on:
You can let the caterer know later your final numbers the number of people with dietary requirement and any other special requests - these don't need to be confirmed upfront.
Catering quotes will almost always be 'food only', so you'll need to budget for 'optional' (but often essential) items such as:
- The number of people attending
- The budget you have for the entire event
- Whether you want a drinks package
- Whether you need bar staff or additional serving staff
You can let the caterer know later your final numbers the number of people with dietary requirement and any other special requests - these don't need to be confirmed upfront.
Catering quotes will almost always be 'food only', so you'll need to budget for 'optional' (but often essential) items such as:
- Crockery, cutlery, glasses, jugs etc
- Linen - napkins and tablecloths (if required)
- Refrigerated chillers (if needed)
​
What does catering cost?
Catering prices are usually charged per person, and the cost varies based on your event type, requirements and additional services.
Generally:
Before you agree to a quote, make sure you go through the quote line-by-line. If you're unsure what the costs cover, ask. If you're happy upfront with the costs, you'll establish a good working relationship.
Generally:
- For weddings, you will pay between $50 and $150 per person
- For parties or events in your home, you will pay between $30 to $60 per person
- For buffets (i.e. corporate catering), you will pay between $40 and $70 per person
Before you agree to a quote, make sure you go through the quote line-by-line. If you're unsure what the costs cover, ask. If you're happy upfront with the costs, you'll establish a good working relationship.
How can I reduce catering costs?
Spiralling catering costs are quite common - there is an expectation that you will get a lot for your money, but the reality is catering is a costly service given everything that goes into it. We've listed proven ways to bring down the costs and yet still deliver a five-star catering experience.
- Exclude Seafood. Auckland has access to excellent seafood, but the cost of serving up oysters, prawns, scallops and anything with salmon can blow your budget. By keeping things seafood-free, a lot of guests will have a wider selection, and you'll save money.
- Hand-pass canapes rather than offering a buffet. Guests will eat less, with most caterers disclosing that the costs can be around 25% to 40% lower as a result.
- Two courses ARE reasonable, even if you're catering a wedding. It's likely you'll have already included pre-drinks and canapés, so serving a main and a dessert is perfectly reasonable. It also speeds up the meal service and gives more time to dance.
- Vegetarian canapés are increasingly popular, and cheaper. Plenty of excellent vegetable-based canapés create intrigue and give guests a wide choice, while late-night vegetarian quesadillas, pizzas, and grilled cheese are proven favourites.
- Limit the varieties of canapés. There is a temptation to offer 4-8 different types, but three is sufficient and much cheaper to serve.
- Buffets are rarely cheaper. There's a lot of prep work involved, and wastage. It also extends the time of a meal service, whereas a two or three-course setting is more often efficient and cheaper.
- Negotiate BYOB. Some venues and/or caterers will insist on using their alcohol supply, but this can add considerable cost. A simple bottle of Oyster Bay can retail for $18 in a supermarket but be charged at $40+ by caterers. If you're flexible, try to include BYOB - many alcohol shops offer a delivery service for catered events.
- Consider looking beyond traditional caterers. Try local food trucks, farmers market stands, or even your favourite cafe or restaurant.
- Reduce the number of guests. If your costs are spiralling, consider trimming the number of guests to help bring you in line with the budget.
- If children are attending, look for a discount. Find a caterer who offers free or half-priced meals for children up to age 16.
How do I pay caterers?
Most caterers accept a range of payment methods, including:
Caterers usually have non-refundable deposits, pre-payment and final payment terms. As an example, this could be:
- Direct Credit (internet banking)
- Cheque
- Cash with invoice
- Credit Card via the catering company's website (a surcharge may apply)
- On-site Eftpos (on delivery etc)
Caterers usually have non-refundable deposits, pre-payment and final payment terms. As an example, this could be:
- A non-refundable $250 deposit on the date of acceptance of the quote
- 50% of total quote price 4 weeks from the event date
- Final Payment 7 days after the event date
MoneyHub's Top Trusted Auckland Caterers
- Our research highlighted a leading caterer who deliver results for their clients.
- We suggest contacting Free Range Chef - our top caterer has proven reviews and has delivered outstanding results to Auckland residents just like you.
- Contacting a caterer by phone is the best way to kick things off - you can explain your plans and hear how you can get the results you want.
- Advertising Disclosure: The caterer appearing on this list have accepted MoneyHub's invitation for enhanced promotion, and pay for this service. We stand by their reputation and service, which we conclude as being excellent.
​
The Best Auckland Caterers
Our list below, which is no particular order, covers Central, East, West, North and South Auckland. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Auckland, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others. Caterers listed provide food for events such as parties, weddings, events and corporate.
Free Range Chef
Areas served: Auckland wide
Base: Mount Eden, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8:30 am – 9 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Facebook Page: Free Range Chef
Website: Free Range Chef
Email address: enquiries@freerangechef.co.nz
Phone: 09 390 0120
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Mount Eden, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8:30 am – 9 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Facebook Page: Free Range Chef
Website: Free Range Chef
Email address: enquiries@freerangechef.co.nz
Phone: 09 390 0120
Customer Feedback:
- Delicious and healthy food selections
- Easy to organise catering
- Excellent client communication
- Exceeds client expectations
- Quality food preparation
Pros:
- Works within the client's budget
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Free Range Chef offers a bespoke catering service for corporate functions, luxury yacht catering, private gatherings, weddings and birthday parties
- Uses only high-quality organic ingredients to create both contemporary and classic style dishes
Best Pacific Catering
Areas served: Auckland wide
Base: Papatoetoe, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8:30 am – 10 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Facebook Page: Best Pacific Catering
Website: Best Pacific Catering
Email address: info@bestpacificcatering.com
Phone: 09 278 2112
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Papatoetoe, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8:30 am – 10 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Facebook Page: Best Pacific Catering
Website: Best Pacific Catering
Email address: info@bestpacificcatering.com
Phone: 09 278 2112
Customer Feedback:
- Delicious food and drinks
- Provides professional service
- Helps to plan the menu and choose the best dishes to serve
- Helpful and professional staff
Pros:
- Budget-friendly catering service
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Best Pacific Catering caters for small and large events within the Auckland area
- Experts in serving Polynesian cuisine with delicious food options for a variety of events and gatherings
- Offers services for weddings, engagement parties, corporate events, birthday parties, funeral wakes, etc.
Cook and Butler Cuisine
Areas served: Auckland wide
Base: Titirangi, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Facebook Page: Cook and Butler Cuisine
Website: Cook and Butler Cuisine
Email address: info@cookandbutler.co.nz
Phone: 021 459 056
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Titirangi, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Facebook Page: Cook and Butler Cuisine
Website: Cook and Butler Cuisine
Email address: info@cookandbutler.co.nz
Phone: 021 459 056
Customer Feedback:
- Wide variety of food selections
- Quality, delicious foods
- Stress-free planning of events and easy to deal with
- Pleasant presentation of food
Pros:
- Discreet while setting up and during cleaning
Cons:
- Does not operate during weekends
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Cook & Butler has been operating since 2009 to provide all-event catering services within Auckland
- They have since built a reputation for excellence in food options, presentation and pricing
- Offers catering services for weddings, corporate events, private dining, lunches, etc.
Paella Pan Spanish Catering
Areas served: Auckland and North Island
Base: Ellerslie, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 9 pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Facebook Page: Paella Pan Spanish Catering
Website: Paella Pan Spanish Catering
Email address: orders@paellapan.co.nz
Phone: 021 740 884
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Ellerslie, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 8 am – 9 pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Facebook Page: Paella Pan Spanish Catering
Website: Paella Pan Spanish Catering
Email address: orders@paellapan.co.nz
Phone: 021 740 884
Customer Feedback:
- Affordable and delicious food
- Helpful, kind and efficient staff
- Arrives on time
- Stress-free and well-organised catering service
Pros:
- Produces their handmade Spanish chorizo without additives and food colouring
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Paella Pan Spanish Catering provides European cuisine catering throughout Auckland and the North Island
- They have been using traditional Spanish recipes since they started ten years ago
- Offers catering services for Christmas functions, weddings, birthday parties, festivals, corporate events, deliveries and fundraiser events
Sherry Kitchen
Areas served: Auckland wide
Base: Northcote Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 7 am – 4 pm, Sat 7 am – 2 pm
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
Facebook Page: Sherry Kitchen
Website: Sherry Kitchen
Email address: admin@sherrykitchen.co.nz
Phone: 021 811 085
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Northcote Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 7 am – 4 pm, Sat 7 am – 2 pm
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
Facebook Page: Sherry Kitchen
Website: Sherry Kitchen
Email address: admin@sherrykitchen.co.nz
Phone: 021 811 085
Customer Feedback:
- Delicious food flavours
- Leaves everything clean and tidy after the party
- Healthy food that's beautifully presented
Pros:
- Operates on Saturdays
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Sherry Kitchen has been providing catering services to small and large scale events for over eight years
- They are known for serving delightful menus with contemporary and creative presentation
- Offers catering services for corporate events, weddings, privates parties, etc.
The Big Smoke BBQ Co.
Areas served: Auckland and Northland region
Base: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Facebook Page: The Big Smoke BBQ Co.
Website: The Big Smoke BBQ Co.
Email address: auckland@thebigsmokebbq.co.nz
Phone: 021 0263 9046
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Facebook Page: The Big Smoke BBQ Co.
Website: The Big Smoke BBQ Co.
Email address: auckland@thebigsmokebbq.co.nz
Phone: 021 0263 9046
Customer Feedback:
- Great service
- Delicious and enjoyable food
- Helpful and polite staff
Pros:
- Makes the event easygoing
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- The Big Smoke BBQ Co. provides gourmet BBQ catering for all types of functions in Auckland and Northland areas
- They are well known for using high-quality meats hence, highly recommended by their clients
- Offers catering services for private occasions, weddings, parties, etc.
LittleWolf - Unforgettable Events
Areas served: Auckland wide
Base: Mount Wellington, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm, Sat to Sun 9 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
Facebook Page: LittleWolf - Unforgettable Events
Website: LittleWolf - Unforgettable Events
Email address: info@littlewolf.co.nz
Phone: 09 571 0157
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Mount Wellington, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm, Sat to Sun 9 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
Facebook Page: LittleWolf - Unforgettable Events
Website: LittleWolf - Unforgettable Events
Email address: info@littlewolf.co.nz
Phone: 09 571 0157
Customer Feedback:
- Attentive and friendly staff
- Good at managing large groups
- Great Middle Eastern menu choices
- Professional service
Pros:
- Operates seven days a week
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Founded in 2010 and has gained its name in Auckland as one of the most admired catering brands
- Led by founder and chef Marcel Leydesdorff, a highly experienced team of chefs and event professionals
- Offers delivered catering, event catering and wedding catering
Toast Catering and Events
Areas served: Greater Auckland and surrounding suburbs
Base: Wairau Valley, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Facebook Page: N/A
Website: Toast Catering and Events
Email address: melissa@toastcatering.co.nz
Phone: 0800 241424
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Wairau Valley, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Facebook Page: N/A
Website: Toast Catering and Events
Email address: melissa@toastcatering.co.nz
Phone: 0800 241424
Customer Feedback:
- Makes the event easy to organise
- Friendly service and accommodates during the whole process
- Uses certified Halal meats
- Professional service and delicious food
Pros:
- Generous sized servings
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Toast Catering caters all suburbs in Auckland to provide spit roast and BBQ menus for all types of occasions
- They have plenty of flexible menu options to choose from to suit the client's catering requirement
- Offers services for weddings, corporate events, holidays celebrations, food delivery, serviced BBQ, and private parties
Southern Spit Roast & BBQ Catering
Areas served: Auckland, Whangarei, Bay Of Plenty, Tauranga, Hamilton and Waikato area
Base: Takanini, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Facebook Page: Southern Spit Roast & BBQ Catering
Website: Southern Spit Roast & BBQ Catering
Email address: graham@ssbbq.co.nz
Phone: 0800 277 487
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: Takanini, Auckland
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Facebook Page: Southern Spit Roast & BBQ Catering
Website: Southern Spit Roast & BBQ Catering
Email address: graham@ssbbq.co.nz
Phone: 0800 277 487
Customer Feedback:
- Delicious menu
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick to respond with a friendly approach
- Always on time and easy to organise
Pros:
- Guides clients what to choose from the menu list that suits the occasion
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Southern Spit Roast & BBQ Catering is a family operated catering business based in Auckland
- They offer Southern Spit Roast and BBQ Catering services for birthdays, corporate events, weddings and private parties
- Provides catering services for corporate events, weddings, privates parties, funerals, delivered menu and split roast menu
Together Bespoke Whole Food Catering
Areas served: Auckland and North Shore
Base: North Shore, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 3 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Facebook Page: Together Bespoke Whole Food Catering
Website: Together Bespoke Whole Food Catering
Email address: togetherbespokecatering@gmail.com
Phone: 021 102 6571
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Base: North Shore, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 3 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Facebook Page: Together Bespoke Whole Food Catering
Website: Together Bespoke Whole Food Catering
Email address: togetherbespokecatering@gmail.com
Phone: 021 102 6571
Customer Feedback:
- Uses fresh whole foods on their menus
- Great customer service
- Easy to work with
Pros:
- Caters for any dietary requirements
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Together Bespoke Whole Food Catering is passionate about whole foods and nutrition, which they use to provide delightful menus for a variety of occasions within Auckland
- Offers delivered catering, event catering and wedding catering
​
MoneyHub's Top Trusted Auckland Caterers
- Our research highlighted a leading caterer who deliver results for their clients.
- We suggest contacting Free Range Chef - our top caterer has proven reviews and has delivered outstanding results to Auckland residents just like you.
- Contacting a caterer by phone is the best way to kick things off - you can explain your plans and hear how you can get the results you want.
- Advertising Disclosure: The caterer appearing on this list have accepted MoneyHub's invitation for enhanced promotion, and pay for this service. We stand by their reputation and service, which we conclude as being excellent.
Top Auckland Food Truck Caterers
We've handpicked three exceptionally high rated food trucks serving events all over Auckland.
⚠️ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz may have financial relationships with some businesses listed on this page due to their acceptance of our invite for additional promotion. We stand by the businesses we work with and believe them to be among the best. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. Our list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.
