Catering guide · 2026 How catering is priced in Dubai

By the Messify team · Updated October 2026 · 4 min read

Most catering is priced per person

Caterers in the UAE usually quote a price per person (per head) for the food, then add anything that isn't food: staff, equipment, delivery and setup. Some include these in the per-person price; others list them separately. That is why two quotes for the same event can look very different until you put them side by side.

We don't publish a fixed price list, because every Messify menu is built around the event. What we can do is explain what moves the price, so you can brief a caterer well and compare quotes fairly.

What changes the price per person

1. The menu. The number of courses and the dishes themselves matter most. Lamb and seafood cost more than chicken; a single main course with sides costs less than a spread with appetisers, two mains, salads and desserts.
2. Headcount. Larger events usually cost less per person, because cooking, transport and setup are shared across more guests. Very small events often have a minimum order.
3. Service style. Food delivered ready to serve costs least. A buffet set up at your venue adds equipment and setup time. Served or plated meals need the most staff. See catering styles compared.
4. Staff. Servers, buffet attendants and clean-up are usually priced per staff member and per hour.
5. Equipment. Chafing dishes, serving ware, tables, linen, plates and cutlery. Disposable or reusable makes a difference too.
6. Location and timing. Events further away cost more to reach. Early morning, late night and peak dates, such as weekends in the cooler months and the days around Eid, can be in higher demand.
7. Notice. Short-notice orders can limit the menu, and sometimes cost more.

What a good catering quote should show

Ask for a written quote that lists:

• The full menu, dish by dish, with the quantity or number of portions.
• The price per person and the total, and whether VAT is included.
• What is included: delivery, setup, equipment, serving staff, clean-up and taking equipment back.
• Arrival time, serving time and how long food will be on the buffet.
• The deadline for final numbers, and the cost of adding guests after it.
• Payment terms: deposit, balance and cancellation.

Companies in the UAE usually need a tax invoice for their accounts, so mention it when you ask for the quote.

How to compare two quotes fairly

1. Line up the menus. Same number of courses, similar dishes, similar portions.
2. Add the extras to each per-person price: delivery, setup, staff and equipment.
3. Check the quantities. A low price with small portions is not cheaper if you run out. Our guide to how much food per person gives you a benchmark.
4. Compare the total, including VAT, for your real headcount.

How to keep catering costs down

• Get your headcount right. Over-ordering is the most expensive mistake.
• Pick fewer dishes, done well. One or two mains with good sides feed people as well as five mains.
• Choose delivered catering when you don't need a full setup, for example a team lunch in the office.
• Book early, especially for weekends, Eid and the cooler months.
• Be clear about timing, so you pay for staff only when you need them.

Getting a Messify catering quote

Send your date, location, headcount, the time you want to serve and any menu ideas, and we'll come back with a menu and a price for your headcount. Every menu is 100% halal and fully customisable, in Indian, Arabic, Continental, Italian, Chinese or other flavours. Request a catering quote.

Questions people ask