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Best Event & Wedding Caterers in Wellington

We assessed 37 event & wedding caterers in Wellington and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 1,470 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 30 August 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Every caterer must operate under a Food Control Plan or National Programme registered under the Food Act 2014, and the Ministry for Primary Industries public register lets you check a business by name before you book. Ask for a per-head price that states what it includes (staff, crockery, travel) and what it does not, and confirm whether the caterer holds an on-licence endorsed for catering or you need a special licence from the council for alcohol. There is no statutory cooling-off period for a booking, so get the final-numbers deadline and cancellation terms in writing.

Top 5 Event & Wedding Caterers in Wellington

The top 5 event & wedding caterers in Wellington are #1 NOSH Catering + Events, #2 Wellington Functions, #3 Black Dog BBQ, #4 Simply Food Catering, and #5 Casa Sabrosa, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you book.

  • 1

    NOSH Catering + Events

    ↑ 1
    4.9 280 reviews Top5 Score 171
    5★ 269 4★ 7 3★ 1 1★ 3

    NOSH Catering + Events coordinates everything from pre-wedding menu planning and dietary accommodation through to table setup, drinks service, and reception dinner on the day. Named coordinators like Sarah and Amelia work closely with couples from initial enquiry, taking custom requests such as non-standard serving styles or sourced tableware in their stride without making clients feel like a burden.

    location_on 20 Ganges Road, Khandallah, Wellington

  • 2

    Wellington Functions

    ↑ 1
    4.4 468 reviews Top5 Score 168
    5★ 285 4★ 122 3★ 44 2★ 11 1★ 6

    Wellington Functions brings together waterfront dining, function spaces, and group catering for events ranging from conference lunches to large team dinners. Staff across front-of-house and bar have drawn repeated mentions for reading a room well, including managing large groups, dietary needs, and timely service when numbers are up.

    location_on 6 Taranaki Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

  • 3

    BLACK DOG BBQ

    ↑ 1
    5.0 121 reviews Top5 Score 162
    5★ 121

    Black Dog BBQ brings slow-smoked meats including brisket, pulled pork, and chicken to weddings and corporate events, with setups guests repeatedly describe as fast, stress-free, and visually well-presented. Clint's willingness to adjust menus as plans change, and genuine attention to vegetarian and gluten-free options, means the whole guest list tends to leave happy.

    location_on 125 Ohariu Road, Johnsonville, Wellington

  • 4

    Simply Food Catering Wellington

    ↑ 1
    5.0 119 reviews Top5 Score 162
    5★ 117 4★ 1 1★ 1

    Simply Food Catering runs wedding and event catering from initial menu tastings and venue visits through to table setup, floating dinner service, and bar management on the night. Liz travels to destination venues beforehand, walks couples through dish selection, and keeps costs transparent from the first conversation, so there are no surprises when the invoice arrives.

    location_on 2 Sar Street, Pipitea, Wellington

  • 5

    Casa Sabrosa

    ↑ 2
    4.9 101 reviews Top5 Score 158
    5★ 96 4★ 3 1★ 2

    Casa Sabrosa delivers authentic Filipino cooking, including dishes like chicken inasal and pork adobo, that guests repeatedly describe as tasting like home-cooked food. Generous portions and a warm, family-run atmosphere mean guests tend to feel genuinely looked after from the moment they arrive.

    location_on Shop 9, level 2/342 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

Before you book an event and wedding caterer in Wellington

Drawn from 696 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What does event or wedding catering typically cost per head in New Zealand? expand_more

Canapé-only receptions sit at roughly $60 to $100 per head, while buffet catering runs $80 to $130 and plated sit-down meals range from $120 to $250 per person. Grazing tables and food truck options are more affordable at $50 to $90 per head, though food trucks often add a minimum spend or travel fee of $200 to $600 on top. Per-head quotes frequently exclude staff costs, equipment hire, crockery, glassware, corkage or BYO fees, cake cutting, and GST, so always ask for a fully inclusive figure before comparing quotes. All caterers in New Zealand must be registered under the Food Act 2014 and operate under a Food Control Plan, so confirm this registration before paying any deposit.

How do I check that a caterer is registered under the Food Act, and who holds the licence for alcohol? expand_more

Every caterer who cooks and serves food at events must operate under a Food Control Plan or National Programme registered under the Food Act 2014, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) maintains a public register of registered food businesses you can search by name before booking. If a caterer is serving alcohol at your event, they need either an on-licence endorsed for catering or a special licence applied for through your local District Licensing Committee under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, with applications due at least 20 working days before the event. Ask the caterer directly which registration they hold and request the registration number so you can verify it on the MPI register yourself. The booking contract itself is covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986, so any written quote or menu agreement forms part of your consumer protections.

How do I know a caterer can deliver the agreed menu on the day? expand_more

Request a tasting before the menu and per-head price are locked, as reviews show that caterers who offer this step tend to arrive on the day with food that matches expectations in flavour, portion size, and presentation. Confirm in writing the final-headcount deadline, who leads the team on the day, and how many staff will attend, because reviews flag that service stalls when fewer staff arrive than quoted. Ask whether they have catered at your specific venue before, since familiarity with a kitchen's layout and access points directly affects whether food arrives on time and at the right temperature.

What are the warning signs of a caterer you should not book? expand_more
  • Dietary and allergen requests are acknowledged but not properly tracked, as one review noted a guest was served a dish containing dairy despite a confirmed dairy intolerance, only to be offered the correct alternative moments too late.
  • Booking communication is slow or requires chasing across multiple channels before a confirmation arrives.
  • No tasting is offered before the menu is finalised and the per-head price is locked.
  • The final invoice includes charges for items, such as travel, staffing, or equipment, that were never itemised in the original quote.
  • Staff numbers on the day are fewer than agreed, causing service to stall during key moments of the event.
  • Menu items are changed on the day without prior notice or any offer of an equivalent alternative.
What should you ask before booking a caterer? expand_more
  • Ask exactly what the per-head price includes and excludes: staff costs, crockery, glassware, travel or delivery fees, corkage or BYO fees, and whether GST is already factored in.
  • Confirm the minimum guest numbers required and the deadline for submitting your final headcount, as the invoice is usually reconciled to that confirmed figure.
  • Ask whether a tasting is included, when it takes place, and at what point the menu is locked so no items can be swapped without your agreement.
  • Find out how dietary and allergen requirements are recorded, communicated to kitchen staff, and tracked through to service on the day.
  • Clarify whether the caterer holds an on-licence endorsed for catering or whether you as the host need to apply to your local District Licensing Committee for a special licence.
  • Ask who leads the team on the day, how many staff will attend relative to your guest count, and whether they have catered at your venue before.

Event & Wedding Caterers ranked 6 to 10 in Wellington

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    Food Envy | Events, Catering, Hospitality

    ↑ 2
    5.0 85 reviews Top5 Score 158
    5★ 84 1★ 1

    Food Envy takes on wedding catering from canapes and seated dinners through to bar service, equipment hire, setup, and packdown, with named coordinators keeping couples informed at every step. Reviewers at events of 150 to 400 guests highlight that dietary requirements, last-minute schedule changes, and unexpected on-the-day problems were absorbed without fuss, leaving hosts free to enjoy the occasion.

    location_on 25a Tennyson Street, Te Aro, Wellington

  • 7

    Ngon Spot

    ↑ 2
    5.0 80 reviews Top5 Score 157
    5★ 79 4★ 1

    Ngon Spot brings a warm, crowd-pleasing approach to event catering, with guests repeatedly responding well to the food on offer. The team's service style leaves attendees genuinely satisfied, making them worth considering for social gatherings where good food and a welcoming atmosphere matter.

  • 8

    Canape Company

    ↑ 2
    4.9 84 reviews Top5 Score 156 +1
    5★ 80 4★ 1 3★ 1 1★ 2

    Canape Company delivers catering for weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, and multi-day conferences, with food that guests repeatedly single out for both flavour and visual presentation. Named coordinators like Mary, Bridget, and Jess guide clients through menu planning, dietary requirements, and day-of logistics, taking the stress out of the organising process from first enquiry through to service.

    location_on 141 Thorndon Quay, Pipitea, Wellington

  • 9

    Urban Levant

    4.9 67 reviews Top5 Score 153
    5★ 66 1★ 1

    Urban Levant brings Syrian shawarma, falafel, meat on chips, and baklava to public events and markets, with portions that guests consistently flag as generous for the price. Staff hand out free samples while people wait, and the food draws guests back to find them again at future events.

    location_on 11 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington

  • 10

    In House Catering

    4.9 65 reviews Top5 Score 152
    5★ 62 4★ 2 3★ 1

    In House Catering covers weddings from canapes and mains through to grazing tables and dessert, handling difficult allergies, severe nut restrictions, and special food requests without disrupting the planned menu. Beth and the team are known for fielding late changes close to the event date, keeping guests well fed with generous portions, and leaving couples free to enjoy their day.

    location_on 3/70 Kenmore Street, Newlands, Wellington

Related Wellington rankings

About this ranking

How are the top event & wedding caterers in Wellington chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for event & wedding caterers in Wellington. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about every two months. This page was last checked on 30 August 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for event & wedding caterers in Wellington. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 65. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.