Planning an event in Miami's vibrant social scene often comes with a crucial question: What will the catering cost? Whether it's a sun-drenched wedding, a high-powered corporate luncheon, or a lively family gathering, understanding the financial landscape is key. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what you can expect to spend, with prices reflecting the higher-end market of a major metropolitan area.

Casual Events & Drop-Off Service: $25 to $50 per person. Ideal for office lunches or informal parties. This typically includes food in disposable trays and basic paper goods.

- Buffet Style: $60 to $125 per person. A popular, flexible option. The price varies based on the menu's complexity, with Miami-centric options like a ceviche bar or carving station at the higher end.

- Plated Dinners: $100 to $200+ per person. The standard for formal occasions like weddings and galas. This price often includes a multi-course meal (appetizer, salad, entrée, dessert).

- Food Stations: $90 to $180 per person. An interactive and modern choice. The cost is driven by the number and type of stations (e.g., a pasta station, a raw bar, a taco station).

- Food Trucks: $25 to $60 per person. A fun, casual alternative. Most trucks have a minimum booking fee (e.g., $1,500 - $3,000) that you must meet.

A catering quote is multi-faceted. Understanding the components is essential.

Often Included in the Per-Person Price:
The Food Itself: Cost of ingredients and preparation.

- Basic Service Staff: Chefs, servers, and bussers needed for the chosen service style.

- Standard Place Settings: Basic china, glassware, and flatware.

- Service Charge: 18% to 25% of the food and beverage total. This is an operational fee for the caterer and is not a staff gratuity.

- Sales Tax: Miami-Dade County's 7% sales tax is added to the total bill.
a. Bar/Beverage Packages:
b. Beer and Wine: $20 to $40 per person.
c. Full Open Bar: $40 to $80+ per person.
d. Corkage Fee: If you provide your own alcohol, some caterers charge $10 to $25 per bottle to serve it.

- Staffing Fees: Bartenders, station attendants, and coat check staff are often extra, billed at $30 to $60 per staffer, per hour. Overtime charges may apply for events running longer than scheduled.

- Rental Upgrades: Premium linens, tables, chairs, tents, and décor are extra.

- Kitchen Setup Fee: If your venue lacks a proper kitchen, the caterer may need to rent equipment (ovens, refrigerators), incurring a fee of $500 to $2,000+.

- Cake Cutting & Plating Fee: If you use an outside bakery, the caterer may charge $2 to $5 per guest to cut and serve the cake.

- Dietary Accommodations: While most caterers handle common requests, complex or numerous dietary needs (e.g., a fully vegan menu) might increase the per-person cost.

- Venue Choice: A full-service venue with an in-house caterer may streamline costs, while a "raw space" venue (like a gallery or private home) gives you flexibility but requires you to build the event infrastructure from scratch, increasing rental and staffing costs.

- Menu & Cuisine: Miami's culinary scene is diverse. A Latin-inspired menu featuring chicken and pork will be more economical than a seafood-heavy menu with stone crabs and lobster.

- Guest Count: A larger guest count increases the total bill but can sometimes lower the per-person cost.

- Time of Year: Peak season (November-April) sees higher demand and prices. Off-season (the hotter summer months) may offer more budget flexibility.