Catering Budget Calculator Berlin
Plan your event and see what catering in Berlin roughly costs in seconds. The per-person estimate is based on real prices from Berlin caterers, including staff, delivery and drinks.
- Based on 15+ Berlin caterers
- Free & non-binding
- Result in seconds
Your catering budget
The food is delivered; you handle setup and serving yourself.
Add plates, cutlery, glasses, standing tables and more.
Per person
€25–44
How the budget breaks down
- Food€20–35
- Drinks€5–9
- Delivery€30
Basis of the estimate
- Buffet (hot & cold)
- for 50 guests
- Company & office event
- Delivery only
- Soft drinks
- Central Berlin (S-Bahn ring)
All prices net. Plus 7% VAT on food and 19% on drinks.
Non-binding estimate. Real quotes vary by caterer, menu and season.
Why catering prices vary
Food quality & style
Simple finger food sits well below a multi-course fine-dining menu. Fresh ingredients, organic produce and handwork push the per-person price up.
Service & staff
Delivery only is the cheapest option. As soon as service staff, setup, serving and clean-up are added, the per-person price rises noticeably.
Delivery & logistics
Within the S-Bahn ring the trip is shortest. Outer districts and Brandenburg mean longer distances and higher delivery costs.
Drinks
Soft drinks are cheap, beer, wine and sparkling add up more, and an open bar with cocktails is the biggest item. You can often supply drinks yourself.
Equipment & rental tableware
Plates, cutlery, glasses, standing tables and decor cost extra when the venue provides nothing. For an upscale event that quickly becomes its own budget line.
Occasion, season & VAT
Weddings and galas are more involved and pricier than an office lunch, and in spring and summer the best caterers book out early. Since 2026, 7% VAT applies to food and 19% to drinks.
What you get at each price level
A rough guide per person, depending on style, service and occasion.
Budget
€8–18 per person
Filled rolls, simple finger food or a plain buffet for pick-up or delivery.
Standard
€18–30 per person
A solid hot-and-cold buffet or generous finger food, delivered and set up.
Premium
€30–50 per person
A high-quality buffet or BBQ with service staff, fresh ingredients and a wider choice.
Luxury
€50–120 per person
A plated multi-course menu, live cooking and full coverage for weddings and galas.
Staff, delivery and drinks come on top depending on the scope.
What does catering in Berlin cost?
Catering costs in Berlin depend mostly on what you want to serve and how much service you add. As a rough guide: simple catering per person starts at around €14 to €20, a well-stocked buffet usually lands between €20 and €35, and an upscale event with service is more like €40 and up. Our calculator shows you a realistic range for your selection instead of a made-up figure.
Finger food catering in Berlin typically runs €14 to €25 per person, premium a little above that. It works well for receptions, openings and relaxed company events where guests stand and move around freely. What you pay in the end depends on the number of bites per person and the quality of the ingredients.
With buffets the most common question is: what does a buffet cost per person? In Berlin you generally budget €20 to €35 per person for a hot-and-cold buffet, and more like €35 to €55 for a premium buffet with more courses and better ingredients. A buffet is often the most economical choice for larger groups because the portions per head are easy to plan.
BBQ catering in Berlin is popular for summer parties and outdoor company events and usually sits at €28 to €45 per person. Add a live grill where chefs cook in front of the guests and the price rises through staff and setup. In return you get a show and freshly grilled food straight off the grate.
Wedding catering is usually the largest item. Wedding catering costs in Berlin often fall between €45 and €90 per person, depending on menu, service and drinks, and a plated multi-course menu can run higher. Always budget staff, delivery and drinks separately, and book early, because good caterers fill up fast for the season.
The key point: catering prices in Berlin cannot be reduced to one fixed figure. Every caterer calculates differently, menu and season shift the cost, and staff, delivery and rental tableware come on top depending on the event. You can save by supplying drinks yourself, using standing tables instead of full seating, or choosing a buffet over plated service. The calculator gives you the range; a binding quote then comes directly from the caterer.
Common questions about catering costs
It depends heavily on the style. Simple finger food runs about €14 to €25 per person, a buffet €20 to €35, a premium buffet €35 to €55. Staff, delivery and drinks come on top depending on the scope.
A hot-and-cold buffet in Berlin usually costs €20 to €35 per person. For a premium buffet with more courses and higher-quality ingredients, plan for more like €35 to €55.
Wedding catering in Berlin often falls between €45 and €90 per person, depending on menu and service. A plated multi-course menu with full coverage can run higher. Budget drinks and staff separately.
The per-person food price usually includes neither staff nor delivery. Our calculator lists food, service, drinks, equipment and delivery separately, so you see the full range honestly.
Since 2026, 7% VAT applies to food and 19% to drinks. In the calculator you can switch between net and gross display so the figures are easy to read.
The estimate is based on market data from 15+ Berlin caterers and gives you a realistic range, not a fixed price. A binding quote always comes directly from the caterer, because menu, season and details shift the cost.
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