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 18 April 2025

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:

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:

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:

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:

Direct Credit (internet banking)
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

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.

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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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.

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: [email protected]
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

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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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

Top Auckland Food Truck Caterers

We've handpicked three exceptionally high rated food trucks serving events all over Auckland.

⚠️ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. 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. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this 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.