Let’s face it, finding a good caterer in London is harder than spotting a taxi in the rain. One minute you’re dreaming of Michelin-star canapés, the next you’re facing down a soggy sausage roll.
This is why we’ve done the legwork (and the taste-testing, someone had to do it) to bring you the definitive guide to the city’s top catering scenes.
You may even consider this your official invitation to the culinary party of the year – RSVP is mandatory and stretchy pants are highly encouraged.
| How much do catering companies charge in London? The average cost of catering in London is £37.50 per person for a standard 3-course meal. However, this price can vary depending on your menu choices and additional services. |
How we chose
- Menu variety and customisation – We sought out caterers who offer a diverse range of menus to suit different tastes and dietary needs. We also considered those who are willing to create bespoke menus tailored to specific client preferences.
- Experience and expertise – We factored in each company’s experience and expertise in catering for various types of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations.
- Additional services – Beyond food and drinks, we explored the additional services offered by each caterer, such as event planning, staffing, equipment rental, and venue suggestions.
- Experience and expertise – We factored in each company’s experience and expertise in catering for various types of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations.
- Reputation and reviews – We carefully examined each company’s online presence and reputation, paying close attention to customer reviews and testimonials.
1. Eden Caterers
Location: 199 Hercules Rd, London SE1 7LD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7803 1212
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
These guys don’t just talk about quality: they live it. Every ingredient they use is sourced right here in the UK too, plus their meat is free-range and the fish is sustainably sourced.
It’s not just lip service either. It’s even earned them a well-deserved 3-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association!
But let’s get down to what really matters: what they offer. For corporate meetings, they provide breakfast options like fresh pastries, fruit platters, and hearty breakfast bowls. For lunch, their offerings include sandwich platters, hot bowl meals, and picnic sets.
For larger gatherings, we especially love their hot and cold canapés, finger foods, and full buffet setups. Personally, we’ve been blown away by their ability to cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs.
Ordering from them is a breeze too. Their website is super user-friendly since it lets you choose from their range of options. Just a heads-up, though: their high standards do come with higher costs, so we suggest booking early to secure availability.
Pros
- Years of experience
- Sustainability
- Quality and variety
- Online ordering system
Cons
- Higher costs
Provides efficient service and delicious food
“This is simply a very good company to work with if you want efficient service and tasty, healthy, food to serve to your guests. We only gave them a couple of days notice and Eden was able to cater for 150 people with delicious salads and sandwiches, including gluten free bread. I generally don’t do sandwiches at my events, but these were legit. Really happy with how the event catering for lunch on day two turned out.”
James Governor, Google Review
Offers smooth delivery and the ability to cater to diverse dietary needs
“I only have good things to say about Eden Caterers and have recommended them for future events. The sandwiches were delicious and fresh – there was something for everyone. It’s difficult to affordably cater to a range of dietary requirements, but they made it very easy to suit the needs of our team. The delivery was so smooth, I was concerned about whether they would be able to find our venue, but the delivery person was right on time and nailed it! I wouldn’t hesitate to use Eden Caterers again in future.”
Emma Murphy, Google Review
2. Humdingers
Location: 234-236 Hoxton St, Whitmore Estate, London N1 5LX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7729 6644
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Founded by Robert Hunningher, Humdingers started as a small cake stall in Stoke Newington and has grown into a thriving catering business. We love how they’ve maintained their charm while expanding their offerings.
Their menus are a delight since they cover everything from breakfast and lunch to sandwiches, hot meals, afternoon tea, canapés, bowl food, and even a festive sharing menu.
And if you’re like us and enjoy a good drink, you’ll appreciate that they offer not just wine but a full cocktail menu, with bespoke cocktail requests available too.
But what really sets Humdingers apart is how they go beyond just catering. They host events like private dining, seminars, conferences, brand launches, bar hires, and even provide staffing.
We even talked to some of their customers, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One customer mentioned how their office Christmas dinner was a hit thanks to the great food at a fair price.
Another thing we have to mention is the way they give back to the community. During the height of the pandemic, they opened a soup kitchen that serves hundreds of free hot meals weekly.
Pros
- Cocktail menu
- Hosts events
- Community engagement
Cons
- A few reports of late deliveries
Provides superb presentation and perfect execution
“I booked Humdingers for an in-house corporate lunch. From beginning to end, they were a pleasure to work with. They managed to make everything happen for us, and the impossible, possible! The process was completely seamless, from the communication to the execution on the day. The food is amazing and superb quality and presentation. We had catering for the office as well as a 3 course meal. Everything was perfect. Super happy and would recommend! Without a doubt, we will be using Humdingers again in the future.”
Sylvia King, Google Review
“A lovely cafe that serves a soup kitchen on some days. Love a cafe with a mission! Walked past so many times, but never gone in. Craving for brownies the other day so popped in and got one of their normal brownies. Honestly wasn’t expecting much but oh it was so rich and realllllyyyyy good. I’m already planning to return over the next few days to get more! They also have vegan brownies and nut brownies and cakes and lots of other baked food which I might try some other time. For now, my eyes are on their brownies.”
Jo, Google Review
3. PenniBlack
Location: 3 West Dr, London SW16 1RP, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Founded by Charlotte Penniceard, who trained at Leith’s, PenniBlack combines culinary excellence with creative presentation.
We love how their menus change with the seasons to ensure fresh and exciting options that cater to both contemporary and traditional tastes.
They also stood out to us because of the array of catering services they offer, from holiday to corporate catering.
Just like most catering businesses, they offer a range of menus, but it’s their street food menu that truly stole our hearts. From American and Mexican to Moroccan, Spanish, and ski season street food, their offerings are as diverse as they are delicious.
One feature we absolutely love is their “Quote Me” section on the website. You can input the number of guests, event start and end times, select the menu and drinks, and get an instant estimate. Plus, you can opt to have this estimate emailed to you for convenience.
Their sustainable methods impressed us too. They recycle and upcycle, banish plastics as much as possible, and prefer local and seasonal ingredients. Even their website is powered by 100% renewable energy!
Pros
- Comprehensive services
- Sustainability
- Streetfood menu
- Online quotation feature
Cons
- A few reports of poor customer service
Ensures exceptional catering and diverse options
“Having worked with Penni Black for the last five years at Grove House I would happily recommend their services and more importantly their food! The team at Penni Black are always coming up with new ways to present the catering offerings but also creating menus from small intimate events as well as outside festival and food stalls. Whatever your taste, event I would be happy to eat their food every day!”
Conference Roe, Google Review
Steps in at the last minute to save the day
“After another caterer had let us down last minute for our Christmas party, PenniBlack stepped in and saved the day! As soon as I got in contact with them, Charlotte was super helpful and accommodating with all of our queries. We’ve ordered some Christmas roasts and nut roasts and everything has been super delicious and lovely in presentation. We also had a staff member, Dan run the catering for us and he’s been nothing but a joy to work with. I’d highly recommend PenniBlack!”
Laura Fazekas, Google Review
4. Masters Catering
Location: 109-111 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8HW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 7824 190092
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Masters Catering impressed us with its blend of affordability, quality, and convenience. Many will agree they’ve earned a spot on our list of top choices for both home meal delivery and event catering in London.
Their home meal delivery service offers high-quality, nutritious meals starting from just £5 which makes them accessible to a wide range of customers.
We also like how there are no contracts or commitments required, so you can order as needed without any hassle.
Another thing that stands out to us is their free delivery on orders over £40 within London. This is a fantastic deal for families or groups placing larger orders, making it even more budget-friendly.
We also love the chat feature on their website, where you can ask questions and receive assistance regarding your orders or any other inquiries. While replies aren’t always instant, in our experience, they always get back to you, sooner or later.
Pros
- Home delivery and catering services
- Free deliveries on orders over £40
- Convenient chat feature
Cons
- Chat responses take some time
Best choice for corporate events
“Best catering company in London for corporate events. From the quality of food to the organisation and friendliness of the staff this is without doubts the most soulful company in town. In my more than 10 years experience as event organiser I never found a more proactive and trustworthy staff. Having Cecilia onsite is equivalent of success as she is the kindest and more professional manager I ever met and Raquel is always ready to pick up the phone and bring solutions when needed. Big thank you guys!”
Luz Martínez Orjales, Google Review
Delivers old-school deli vibe
“Looking a bit like an old school deli you see in an American TV show, this is a great place to stop and grab a quick bite, or a main meal. Loads of choices and while we only had a quick snack, you could see from others that the food looked pretty good. If I lived in Elephant and Castle I would be there everyday.”
Andy Tullett, Google Review
5. Owen Brothers Catering
Location: Unit C3-C4, 32-34 Jaggard Way, London SW12 8SG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 8675 2905
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Established in 1974, this catering company has built a strong reputation over the decades. Specialising in corporate catering, they provide tailored solutions for office events, meetings, and conferences.
This is another option that sources fresh and sustainable produce. For instance, their salmon is from suppliers who adhere to Marine Stewardship Council standards, and their beef is hand-selected from British, farm-assured sources.
Their environmental efforts also stand out. Their fleet of delivery vehicles meets the latest Euro 6 emissions standards, which minimises their ecological footprint.
Plus, they cater to a wide range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. This makes them a versatile choice for any event.
One thing to keep in mind is that they require advance booking, though. They’re definitely not the choice if you need something put together with little lead-up time.
Pros
- Years of experience
- Sustainability & environmental responsibility
- Range of dietary options
Cons
- Requires advance booking
Provides top-notch catering with a variety of dishes
“Truly exceptional! The food was delicious and portions more than generous, ensuring no one left hungry. There was a great variety of dishes, catering to all tastes, and you could tell only the best quality ingredients were used. The presentation was impeccable, communications about the order great, and delivery arrived on time. Overall, I couldn’t have been more impressed. If you’re looking for top-notch catering for your company or next event, Owen Brothers is the one to go for! Highly recommended!”
Magsy G, Google Review
Offers ideal catering for small gatherings
“I was organising and an afternoon tea for some friends and stumbled across Owen Brother when I was doing a Google search for mini cakes, and realise when I went onto their website they do more. This was perfect as I wanted finger sandwiches as well and not many supermarkets did finger sandwiches or an assortment of mini cakes. Communication was easy and after putting in an email request I was able to discuss my needs over the phone with John on a couple of occasions and he advised me on what I needed. As this wasn’t a big catering job I loved the fact that even the smallest of function the prices were reasonable. Plus their office wasn’t too far from where I lived which made it easy to collect. I and my girlfriends were blown away by the food and they looked so pretty on the cake stands. They tasted great too and definitely enough to feed six ladies. I would recommend Owen Brothers to anyone who needs catering whether big or small and the staff are friendly and helpful!! I can’t wait to host another one!”
Alison Gilliard, Google Review
