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Event Catering Price Guide Dubai 2026

Our Dubai event catering price guide for 2026 brings together myCHEF starting prices and clearly identified market ranges, helping you compare formats and prepare a realistic event brief.

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Plated fish and meat dishes with vegetables at a catered table

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PLANNING & BUDGETING

How to use this event catering price guide Dubai 2026

Catering prices vary by service format. myCHEF starting prices are AED 90 per person for drop-off, AED 120 for a standard event buffet, AED 150 for canapés, BBQ and live stations, AED 180 for weddings and AED 280 for yachts. Bespoke chef-led plated dining is AED 700–950 per person, with scope and VAT confirmed in the proposal.

Package totals are separate: Date Night from AED 2,400, Family from AED 4,800, Birthday from AED 6,000, Corporate Dinner AED 4,500. Those are not multiplied by headcount. 5% VAT is a separate line. Regular household chef visits are priced separately.

The wider per-person list, including indicative market bands, lives on catering prices. Use the format prices as a starting point for your 2026 event budget.

PRICING MODELS

How Dubai Catering Pricing Works

Per-Person Pricing

A set rate per guest that includes food, basic service, and sometimes equipment. This is the most common model for weddings, gala dinners, and large celebrations.

Package Pricing

A fixed price for a defined menu and guest count, often used for corporate lunches, yacht catering, and smaller private events.

What to Confirm in Every Quote

Food and ingredients

Chef and kitchen staff

Service staff and bartenders

Tables, chairs, linens, and tableware

Transport and setup

Beverages (often billed separately)

VAT and service charges

Always request an itemised quote so you can compare fairly.

2026 PRICE RANGES

Price Ranges by Event Type

“From” shows the myCHEF starting price. Indicative market ranges are provided for context. Compare the service inclusions as well as the per-person figure.

Event Type	From	Indicative market	Notes
Drop-off food	AED 90	—	10 guests and AED 900 minimum order.
Standard event buffet	AED 120	AED 220–420	myCHEF floor from AED 120. A standard event buffet starts from 20 guests on the hub, the calculator and Menus.
Canapés	AED 150	AED 180–350	myCHEF starts from AED 150 per person. The separate AED 180–350 range is an indicative market comparison.
BBQ & live stations	AED 150	AED 200–380	Sits in the hub premium band (from AED 150) with BBQ/live stations.
Chef-led plated dining	AED 700	AED 700–950	Chef-led plated service. Household visit rates are on /private-chef-dubai/pricing.
Yacht catering	AED 280	AED 280–550	Logistics and compact galleys sit above a villa buffet floor.
Wedding catering	AED 180	AED 180–350	myCHEF starts from AED 180 per person. The AED 180–350 range is shown separately as an indicative market comparison.

“From” shows the myCHEF starting price. Indicative market ranges provide wider context. Menu choices, additional staff and venue access affect the final written quote.

WEDDINGS

Wedding Catering Costs

Wedding catering from AED 180 per person, from 20 guests. Totals scale with headcount. We do not publish a round “small wedding” lump sum.

From 20 guests

Staffed wedding catering

From AED 180 per person

Style: Staffed wedding buffet or stations, tailored to the menu and venue.

Best for: Villa receptions and seated weddings that need a team in the room

Buffet from 20 guests · BBQ from 15

Buffet or live stations

Buffet from AED 120 · live from AED 150 per person

Style: A maintained line, or cooking in front of guests.

Best for: Larger rooms that should move, not sit for courses

From 2 guests

Chef-led plated

AED 700–950 per person

Style: Courses cooked and served to the table. A different product from a wedding buffet.

Best for: Smaller weddings and dinners where every plate is served

Common Wedding Add-Ons

Add-On	Typical Cost
Wedding cake	Quoted as a line. Price confirmed in the proposal.
Dessert table	Quoted with the catering. Priced to suit the menu and guest count.
Live cooking station	From AED 150 per person, from 15 guests
Bar service	Staff and kit quoted. Alcohol only where licensed.
Late-night station	Quoted as extra service time and food. Not a published total.

Any alcohol service depends on the required venue permissions and a confirmed arrangement. Bar staff, equipment and drinks are itemised separately from the food menu.

CORPORATE EVENTS

Corporate Catering Costs

The Corporate Dinner package starts at AED 4,500 for 10–15 guests. Yacht charter and yacht catering are quoted separately according to the booking.

From 10 guests · AED 900 minimum order

Drop-off

From AED 90 per person

Includes: Food delivered ready to serve. No team on site.

Best for: Working lunches where the room serves itself

Buffet from 20 · canapés from 10

Staffed buffet or canapés

Buffet from AED 120 · canapés from AED 150 per person

Includes: A maintained line, or passed bites. Staff sized to the room.

Best for: Launches and standing receptions

10–15 guests

Corporate dinner package

AED 4,500 total

Includes: Menu, chef and service staff for 10–15 guests. VAT invoice. Not a dinner cruise.

Best for: Boardroom and client dinners in that guest band

Repeat office catering is quoted as a programme. An LPO does not create credit terms by itself.

WHAT MOVES THE PRICE

Factors That Affect Final Pricing

Several variables can move a quote up or down significantly. Understanding them helps you control the budget.

Guest Count

Larger events usually reduce the per-person cost because setup and staffing are spread across more guests. Very small events may have a minimum spend.

Menu Complexity

A buffet and a plated tasting menu require different preparation and staffing. Premium ingredients and extra courses affect the final quote.

Ingredients & Sourcing

Locally sourced seasonal produce is often more cost-effective than flown-in speciality items. Sustainable and organic menus may carry a premium.

Service Style

Plated service requires more staff per guest than buffet or family-style. Passed canapés, live stations, and formal table service all add labour.

Venue Access & Location

Events in remote desert locations, on yachts, or in venues with restricted loading access may incur transport, fuel, and setup surcharges.

Timing

Peak dates (New Year's Eve, Christmas, Eid, major public holidays, and wedding-season weekends from November to March) often command higher pricing.

ACCURATE QUOTES

How to Get an Accurate Quote

To receive a realistic quote quickly, share the following with your caterer. The more detail you provide, the more accurate and useful the proposal will be.

Request a Custom Quote

Event date and approximate timing

Number of guests

Venue or location type

Occasion and desired atmosphere

Preferred cuisine or menu style

Dietary requirements and allergies

Beverage requirements

Budget range (if comfortable sharing)

Downloadable 2026 Price Guide

We have condensed the ranges above into a one-page PDF summary that you can save, share with your planning team, or bring to venue meetings.

• Per-person price ranges by event type
• Wedding budget benchmarks
• Corporate catering package ranges
• Add-on cost checklist
• Questions to ask before booking

Request the PDF

The PDF is sent by email after a brief inquiry so we can include any updates for your event type and date.

Related Services & Guides

Wedding Catering Dubai

Multi-course and banquet-style catering for Dubai weddings.

Corporate Catering Dubai

Buffets, working lunches, and boardroom catering for offices.

Yacht Catering Dubai

Compact, elegant menus designed for Dubai yacht events.

BBQ Catering Dubai

Grill-focused menus for villas, poolsides, and outdoor events.

Private Chef Dubai

Personal chef service for intimate dinners and daily dining.

Dubai Catering Prices Guide

Per-person costs for private chef, buffet, plated dinner, and more.

Event Catering Price Guide Dubai 2026: the questions we get before a booking

Usually it includes food, basic service, and standard equipment. Beverages, premium rentals, transport, VAT, and service charges may be additional. Always confirm with your caterer.

Some include tastings in the event contract; others charge a flat fee that may be credited against the final booking. Ask about tasting policy before committing.

Minimums vary. Many premium caterers require a minimum spend rather than a strict headcount, especially for off-peak dates or remote venues.

For weddings and peak-season events, book 3–6 months in advance. Corporate events and smaller gatherings can often be arranged with 2–4 weeks notice.

Staffed wedding catering starts from AED 180 per person, from 20 guests, with the menu and service confirmed in your proposal. Multiply by headcount for a working total, then add staff, cake, stations and 5% VAT on the written quote. We do not publish a round lump sum for a “small wedding”.

Share your event date, guest count, venue, occasion, preferred cuisine, dietary requirements, beverage needs, and budget range. The more detail you provide, the more precise the proposal.

There is no single number. Drop-off from AED 90, buffet from AED 120, canapés, BBQ and live stations from AED 150, wedding from AED 180, yacht from AED 280, plated AED 700–950 per person. Packages start at AED 2,400. Send date, headcount and venue for an itemised proposal with 5% VAT on its own line.

Send the date, the headcount and the format

We typically acknowledge enquiries within 15 minutes during business hours. Your itemised proposal follows after we review the brief: food, chefs, staff, hire and 5% VAT on separate lines.

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01 · Planning with myCHEF

Compare the complete proposal

Read the price together with the menu and service scope. Two proposals can have different totals because one includes equipment, staffing or a longer service period that the other does not. Compare them against the same guest count and requirements before deciding which is the better fit.

Check the minimum order, included hours, delivery or transport arrangements and how applicable VAT is shown. If the menu uses a starting price, ask which choices could change it. Premium ingredients, additional stations, extended service and extra hospitality support may need separate pricing.

The written proposal should also explain the payment schedule and the terms for changes or cancellation. Use the terms attached to your booking, as a private occasion and a corporate contract may have different arrangements. A clear comparison gives you confidence in the decision and helps avoid assumptions about what a headline price includes.

Small savoury canapés on a stone platter beside fresh salads

02 · Planning with myCHEF

Use the same questions for every provider

A comparison becomes more useful when each proposal answers the same brief. Give providers a consistent guest count, venue, service time and menu direction. Ask them to identify preparation, delivery, equipment, staffing and clear-down separately enough for you to understand the complete scope.

Look for evidence relevant to your occasion. A portfolio may show a style you like, but ask how that format would work at your venue and for your group. If a particular credential or operational capability is essential, request the relevant information rather than assuming it from general marketing language.

There is no universal best option for every event. Compare the clarity of the proposal, the suitability of the menu and the practical plan alongside the price. A provider who understands the brief and explains responsibilities clearly gives you a stronger basis for deciding how your event will be catered.

03 · Planning with myCHEF

Choose the support that makes hosting easier

Decide who will do the work after the food arrives. If your own team will lay out platters, replenish drinks and clear the space, a delivery arrangement may be suitable. If you want to stay with your guests, discuss setup, service staff, equipment and clear-down as part of the proposal.

Different formats create different demands. A buffet needs attention to presentation and replenishment; a plated meal requires coordination between the kitchen and table; passed food needs staff who can circulate comfortably through the room. The number of guests matters, but so do the layout and pace of service.

Ask for included roles and hours to be clearly identified. Additional items such as table linen, crockery, glassware, bar support or styling should be confirmed explicitly. A well-defined scope lets you understand the service you are buying and helps the team prepare for the work you expect.

Your occasion, thoughtfully planned

Tell us what you have in mind.

Share your date, venue, guest count and menu preferences. We’ll discuss the service your occasion needs and confirm the details in a written proposal.

Start your catering enquiry

Previous Work · myCHEF

See the details. Picture your occasion.

From the food and live stations to the tables ready for guests. Explore a selection from our previous work, then find the details you would like for your own occasion.

View Previous Work