Brunch is the easiest meal to make feel generous. Menu structures that work, how much to order, mimosa bar basics and what brunch catering costs.
Brunch catering suits almost every occasion — bridal and baby showers, the morning after a wedding, milestone birthdays, Mother’s Day, Easter, team celebrations and client events. It is forgiving on timing, works beautifully as a buffet and costs less per guest than dinner. This guide covers menu structures, formats, portions and pricing.
Brunch menu structures that work
The classic brunch buffet
- Eggs: scrambled eggs, a frittata or strata (holds well, feeds many), or an omelet station.
- Breakfast meats: bacon, sausage, chicken-apple sausage or a plant-based option.
- Something sweet and baked: French toast casserole, pancakes or waffles, pastries and muffins.
- Potatoes: breakfast potatoes or hash browns.
- Fresh: a fruit platter and a green salad.
- Lunch-side anchor: a chicken or salmon dish, quiche, or mini sandwiches for guests who want something savory.
- Beverages: coffee, tea, juice; a mimosa or Bloody Mary bar if alcohol is served.
Grazing brunch
Bagel and lox spread, pastries, fruit, cheese and charcuterie, yogurt parfaits, mini quiches — no hot line, no utensils beyond a plate. Ideal for showers and casual gatherings.
Plated brunch
A seated course or two — for formal post-wedding brunches and client events where a timeline matters.
Brunch stations
Omelet, waffle, breakfast-taco or avocado-toast stations add a show; see our live station guide.
How much to order
- Eggs: two eggs’ worth per guest (a frittata serving or a scoop of scrambled).
- Meats: two strips of bacon or one sausage per guest; more for a hungry crowd.
- Baked items: one and a half pieces per guest.
- Potatoes: half a cup per guest.
- Fruit: about a cup per guest.
- Lunch-side main: half a portion per guest if it supplements the breakfast items.
- Mimosa bar: roughly one bottle of sparkling wine per three guests for a two-hour event, with two or three juices.
Timing and service
Brunch runs best as a 90-minute to two-hour window from late morning. Hot items go out in waves rather than all at once, so ask the caterer about replenishment. For showers and home events, drop-off with disposables keeps costs down; for weddings and client events, a staffed buffet or plated service keeps the room polished.
Dietary coverage
Brunch is naturally friendly: fruit, potatoes and eggs cover gluten-free; a tofu scramble or plant-based sausage covers vegans; label baked goods with allergens and offer a gluten-free bread or muffin. Collect allergies with the RSVP.
What brunch catering costs
Per guest, brunch typically sits between a continental breakfast and a lunch buffet; stations and plated service cost more, alcohol is extra. Delivery distance, rentals and staffing hours move the total. On Caterizi brunch menus list the per-person and total price with tax. For the morning-after-the-wedding format specifically, pair this with our wedding catering services guide.
Brunch by occasion
- Bridal or baby shower: grazing brunch, a mimosa bar, a pretty dessert display; 20–50 guests.
- Post-wedding brunch: hot buffet or plated for out-of-town guests; order generously, people arrive hungry and late.
- Office celebration: drop-off brunch with labeled items, coffee service, no alcohol unless approved.
- Mother’s Day, Easter, graduation: family-style trays delivered to the house; book two to three weeks ahead.
FAQ
Can a caterer handle the mimosa bar?
Where licensing allows, yes — bartenders, juices, glassware; otherwise the caterer supplies the setup and you provide the sparkling wine. Confirm the model in your state.
How far ahead should I book brunch catering?
Two to three weeks for drop-off; four to six for staffed events, and earlier around Mother’s Day and Easter.
Is brunch cheaper than dinner catering?
Usually, yes — brunch proteins and formats cost less per guest than dinner mains and plated service.
Can brunch work for 150 guests?
Yes — a double-sided buffet or stations, with staff to replenish hot items in waves.
Find brunch caterers in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Austin and other cities — browse menus or post your event.
