What it costs in Los Angeles
Private party catering in Los Angeles is priced per guest. The biggest swing is whether the food is dropped off or served by staff. Figures below cover food, or food and service where noted, before the extras listed under the table.
Private party catering in LA, per guest unless noted| What | Typical range |
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| Drop-off trays or buffet | $20 to $45 per guest |
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| Staffed buffet, food and service | $45 to $90 per guest |
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| Passed appetizers for a two-hour party | $35 to $80 per guest |
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| Servers hired by the hour | $40 to $60 per hour, often a 4 hour minimum |
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| Service charge on staffed parties | 18 to 22 percent |
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On top of the food, expect a delivery fee, a service charge on staffed parties, rentals if you want real plates, tables or linens, and sales tax, which is 10.25 percent in the City of Los Angeles as of October 2026. In California a required service charge is taxed along with the food.
For comparison, Marbled LA charges $24 per guest for Menu 1, $48 for Menu 2 and $70 for Menu 3, with $2.50 per guest for disposables, delivery from $150 per drop and a 15 percent service charge, before tax.
Tips
- Ask every caterer to quote the same guest count, menu style and serving time, then compare totals, not the per-guest number alone.
- Under about 50 guests, drop-off with a family member running the table often saves the cost of staff without changing the food.
- On a staffed party, the service charge, rentals and tax together can add a quarter or more to the food total. Budget for them on day one.
These are typical Los Angeles market ranges drawn from public price lists and cost guides, not quotes. Every caterer prices its own menus, so ask each one for a written quote.
