Areas served: Palo Alto, CA and surrounding Santa Clara County
Palo Alto's catering landscape reflects the city's diverse professional and academic community, with providers serving everything from Stanford University events to corporate functions in the Research Park. Local caterers range from full-service operations handling multi-day conferences to specialized providers focusing on specific cuisines or dietary requirements. The competitive market has driven innovation in sustainable sourcing, tech-industry dietary preferences, and flexible service models suited to both formal galas and casual startup gatherings.
Catering By Ericka is led by Chef Ericka Means, a California Culinary Academy Le Cordon Bleu graduate serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Specializing in personalized menus for weddings, corporate events, and life celebrations, Chef Ericka creates custom culinary experiences tailored to each client's preferences and dietary needs. With a 5-star rating from 122+ Google reviews and years of experience, she's known for transforming events into unforgettable dining experiences through fresh, high-quality ingredients and impeccable service.
“Chef Erika is my go-to caterer. I have used her several times. She is consistent, timely, clean, great customer service and a great staff. Most recently I hired her to cater for my book club. My book club sister said those waffles were the BEST SHE EVER HAD. The fried chicken was flown in from heaven! Yum 🤤 I’m STILL licking my fingers. My favorite part is Chef leaves things spotless and better than she found them. That’s why she’s my go-to Chef”
— Audra Golddie Williams, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 122 reviewsKanteen Catering is a highly-rated Indian catering company serving San Francisco, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the entire West Coast. They specialize in regional Indian cuisine alongside global fusion options, offering fully customized menus for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations with accommodations for vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and Jain dietary needs. With a 5-star rating from 46 Google reviews, Kanteen is known for impeccable presentation, gourmet ingredients, and personalized service that transforms every event into a memorable experience.
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Incredible Experience with Kanteen Catering! Thanks to Vishwas and the entire Kanteen team for delivering a truly outstanding culinary experience at our reception. From the moment the appetizers were served to the very last bite of dessert, our guests were blown away. Every single dish was delicious, beautifully presented, and full of flavor! The food was hands-down the highlight of the entire event, and the service was nothing short of phenomenal—professional, warm, and perfectly executed. A huge heartfelt thank-you to Chef Dinesh and the amazing Kanteen team for making our special day unforgettable. Our guests are still talking about the food. If you’re looking for exceptional food, flawless service, and an unforgettable experience—Kanteen is the best in the business! 🙌🍽️✨”
— Afzal Malik, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 46 reviewsCaterman Catering is a full-service catering and event planning company serving San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area, led by Executive Chef Maria Rita Gun. They specialize in corporate catering, weddings, and private events, preparing over 80% of their food from scratch using seasonal ingredients. Known for custom menus, professional on-site service, and careful attention to dietary accommodations, they serve tech companies, government entities, and organizations requiring reliable, high-quality food service across the Bay Area.
“We are beyond grateful for Caterman Catering and their absolutely incredible team. From start to finish, the experience was flawless — and so much of that is thanks to Carmen, who was an absolute dream to work with. He guided me every step of the way with patience, care, and true professionalism, and I felt completely supported throughout the entire process. The food was outstanding. Every bite was delicious, and the desserts were next-level. Our wedding cake became the talk of the town, and even at our post-wedding brunch, guests were still raving about the food. The short ribs were a huge hit — and what made it even more special was that everyone had a different favorite part of the meal and couldn’t stop talking about it 🍽️. The staff was warm, attentive, and truly went above and beyond. We felt so taken care of, and our guests did too. We are incredibly thankful for Caterman Catering and appreciate them more than words can say. Without a doubt, we will be using them for all of our future events. They helped make our wedding unforgettable.”
— Tessa T. Osborne, Google Review · 4.4 ★ avg from 33 reviewsMitra Catering Services, operating as Triguna Foods, is a San Jose-based Indian catering company specializing in authentic vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisine for corporate events, weddings, and private celebrations. With a perfect 5-star rating from 46+ Google reviews, they serve Silicon Valley with traditional recipes, made-from-scratch dishes, and customizable menus for gatherings of all sizes. Their kitchen is located in San Jose, CA and they deliver throughout the Bay Area.
“Absolutely outstanding catering experience. Every dish tasted delicious, and our guests couldn’t stop complimenting the food. Everything was packed well and handled seamlessly, making the entire event stress-free for us. Thank you so much!”
— Archita Pemmaraju, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 46 reviewsCentury Catering & Events is a full-service catering company based in Newark, CA, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. With a perfect 5-star rating from 24 Google reviews, they specialize in customized menus for corporate events, weddings, social gatherings, and private parties. Their 24/7 availability and commitment to quality make them a trusted choice for events ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale celebrations.
“Century Catering did a great job for two nights of celebration we had amongst family. The food for both nights was warm, delicious, and great quality. It was beyond our expectations and their customer service was exceptional, they went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied and our guests were satisfied. Everyone loved it! I would highly recommend them for any event, their food and service is the best out there!”
— Ron Kazemi, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 24 reviewsHaute Cuisine Catering is a full-service catering company serving Sunnyvale and the greater Bay Area, California. Specializing in weddings, corporate events, and special occasions, they offer customized menus and professional event coordination. With a perfect 5-star rating from 108+ Google reviews, they're known for high-quality food presentation and reliable service for events of all sizes.
“Haute Cuisine Catering is 5 stars! They’re my go-to caterer—reliable, professional, and consistently exceeding expectations. Every time I’ve worked with them, they don’t just deliver what’s promised… they deliver 150%. The food is excellent, the presentation is on point, and the whole experience feels effortless because their team is always on top of everything. If you want a caterer you can trust to show up and make you look good, Haute Cuisine Catering is it. Highly recommend.”
— TSOVINAR MASSENA, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 108 reviewsPleasanton Catering Company is a full-service caterer serving Pleasanton, CA and the East Bay area, specializing in corporate events, weddings, and private parties. Known for fresh ingredients, professional delivery, and flexible service levels from drop-off to full-service staffing, they've earned a 4.8-star rating from 75+ Google reviews. They handle everything from breakfast meetings to wedding receptions with menus designed for events of all sizes.
“I chose Pleasanton Catering for my father in law’s Celebration of Life. I don’t live in the area, but I appreciated the nice variety of menu options when I found the company’s website. Pleasanton Catering responded within the hour to my initial inquiry and subsequent responses were always immediate and my questions answered. On the day of our event, Sara was even early delivering our food. She set up so quickly and explained everything we needed to know. The food was wonderful. My mother in law and family were so pleased. We will use Pleasanton Catering for any future catering needs. Highly recommend!”
— Karen Morelli, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 75 reviewsHandheld Catering is a full-service catering company founded by Dan Figone in 2012, specializing in corporate events, galas, and weddings across San Jose and the South Bay. Known for building fully functional pop-up field kitchens on-site, they can cater at any venue — from downtown parking lots to historic estates with no existing kitchen infrastructure. Their San Jose team is led by Event Planner Anna P. and Production Manager Lisa B., with menus executed by HACCP-certified Head Chef Ismael. They hold a 5-star Google rating and serve everyone from 20-guest dinners to 500+ person galas.
“Handheld Catering really put the time and effort into making my wedding amazing. Daelyn Chase worked with us for the first part of our planning and handed us off to An Bui to finish up. Both were highly skilled coordinators and helped us connect with the rental company we used for chairs, linens and place settings. We implemented virtual biweekly meetings until the month of the wedding when we met every week and everything went off without a hitch. The food was delicious (all my guests are still talking about it) and the donut bar we requested was a huge hit. I would definitely recommend them to anyone in the area for catering.”
— Elly Wyatt, Google Review · 5 ★ avg from 19 reviewsCornejo's Catering is a family-run catering service in San Jose's Eastside, specializing in authentic Latin American cuisine for weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, and celebrations. With a 4.7-star rating from 85+ reviews, they offer complimentary food tastings every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at their Whitton Avenue location, allowing clients to sample their menu before booking. Known for personalized service, attention to detail, and working closely with clients to bring their vision to life, Cornejo's serves San Jose and the greater South Bay area.
Handheld Catering & Events is a full-service catering and event planning company serving Santa Clara, San Jose, and the San Francisco Bay Area since 2012. Led by founder Daniel Figone (featured in The New York Times for Silicon Valley IPO celebration catering), they specialize in corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings from intimate dinners to events for 1,000+ guests. Known for sustainable practices, completely customizable menus, and comprehensive event services including rentals and coordination, they hold a 4.8-star rating from clients who praise their creative cuisine and professional execution.
“Handheld Catering has catered my Thanksgiving dinner two years in a row, and I can’t imagine the holiday without them now. The food is absolutely incredible (our guests rave about it every single time). The standouts are the stuffing (truly the best we’ve ever had), the perfectly cooked prime rib, and the dreamy butternut squash ravioli. Delivery and setup are effortless; they make everything seamless and stress-free. They even provide dishes, which takes one more thing off the holiday to-do list. It’s truly a zero-hassle Thanksgiving, allowing us to actually relax and enjoy the day instead of spending it in the kitchen. If you want a holiday that feels special, delicious, and easy, Handheld Catering is unmatched. Highly recommend.”
— Molly Boudreault, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 32 reviewsDishdash is an established Middle Eastern restaurant in Sunnyvale, CA, serving authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine since its founding. With a 4.6-star rating from over 6,300 Google reviews, Dishdash has become a beloved dining destination in the SF Bay Area, known for traditional dishes, warm hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings the flavors of the Middle East to Silicon Valley.
The Party Helpers is a full-service catering company serving San Jose and the greater Bay Area for over 40 years, owned by Kristin Dickens. They specialize in corporate events (breakfasts, lunches, cocktails, dinners from 10 to 2,000 guests), weddings, and private parties with a focus on personalized service and creative menus. Known for responsiveness and attention to detail, they've built lasting relationships with Bay Area companies and clients who have used them for decades.
“We have used The Party Helpers for two SJSU Marching Bandgiving lunches, which always take place on the SJSU football game weekend right after Thanksgiving. Feeding more than 100 college marching band students, staff, and our director after a 2½-hour band practice is no small task, yet The Party Helpers consistently deliver. They provide delicious food that fills everyone’s stomachs and lifts their spirits. The quality of their food, their attention to decorations and setup requests, and the professionalism of staff members like Luis and Carlos are truly outstanding. They are one of the best catering companies I have worked with in my 30 years at SJSU. The Party Helpers should absolutely remain an approved vendor for SJSU.”
— Lucy Yamakawa Cox, Google Review · 4.7 ★ avg from 39 reviewsContinental Caterers is a full-service catering and event planning company serving the San Francisco Peninsula, including Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, and Redwood City. Known for creative menu design and exceptional presentation, they specialize in corporate events, weddings, and milestone celebrations with a focus on fresh, flavorful cuisine. With a 4.8-star Google rating and availability 24/7, they handle everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events across the Bay Area.
“We really enjoyed working with Continental for our wedding at Nestldown (Los Gatos, CA)! Brittney and team organized a wonderful tasting experience for us and our parents to select the wedding menu items. They were highly receptive to feedback after the tasting -- everything from changing garnishes to incorporating our own tomato soup recipe for the soup sippers. They also worked with us to source our favorite Josey Baker bread from The Mill in SF. The food at the wedding was AMAZING! We served it family-style so that everyone could choose from a variety of items. Our most favorite dish was the veggie galette, which we loved so much that we made it available to all guests, not just vegetarians. Many of our guests complimented the menu saying it was the best food they had ever had at a wedding!!! Thank you Continental team!”
— Emily Mills, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 17 reviewsMichi Catering is a San Francisco Bay Area full-service catering company specializing in Asian-American cuisine crafted with California's finest ingredients. They cater events from intimate 5-guest gatherings to large-scale corporate functions of 5,000+ attendees, offering everything from interactive sushi-making classes to full-service private dining experiences. Based in Campbell, CA, Michi serves weddings, corporate events, and private parties throughout the Bay Area with a focus on creating seamless, memorable culinary experiences that blend traditional Asian flavors with California's unique food culture.
Taste Catering and Event Planning is a premier full-service catering company serving San Francisco and the Bay Area from their Burlingame location. Specializing in both wedding and corporate events, they offer comprehensive food and beverage design alongside event production services. With a 4.8-star Google rating and partnerships with Jalsa for specialty cuisines, Taste delivers exceptional quality and service for events of all sizes throughout the Bay Area.
“Winner! Delicious food and great service. 5 stars!”
— Andrew P, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 16 reviewsTony Caters is a San Jose-based catering service run by Tony, a Bay Area native and trained chef who has been catering since 2009. Specializing in small to mid-size corporate events and private parties, Tony Caters offers custom menus made from scratch, themed banquets, DIY food stations, and light event planning across the San Francisco Bay Area from San Jose to the Peninsula. With a background in Silicon Valley corporate culture, Tony understands both exceptional food and the demanding details of business events.
“We loved working with Tony Caters/Smashing Dishes on our latest big event in the Bay Area! As event planners, BB Events works with a ton of catering companies and you absolutely nailed it. From the curation of the menu and the collaborative planning to the thoughtful set up and delightful service, it was an absolute pleasure to partner on this momentous event. Event with the event set up on a construction site you were ready for all the elements and potential challenges. Thank you to your wonderful team and the delicious food! We highly recommend Tony Caters/Smashing Dishes for any catering needs.”
— Becca Bloom, Google Review · 4.6 ★ avg from 34 reviewsEisenhauer's Catering & Events has been serving Silicon Valley for over 40 years, specializing in business catering, weddings, and private events. Their experienced team sources the freshest ingredients daily and prepares time-tested recipes that accommodate every dietary need. Based in Sunnyvale, they serve corporate clients and families throughout the Bay Area with both drop-off service and full-service event staffing.
“Eisenhauer's Catering is the best!! We tried sample tasting at several catering companies when we were choosing the one for our wedding, and Eisenhauer's was exceptional. Their food was delicious, the way it was served was gorgeous, and communication with them was so easy, so we chose them for our Big day with no hint of doubt. During the entire year Dustin and Lisa were a huge help to us, which is really important during wedding planning. On our wedding day food was beyond our expectations. It was tasty, had lots of variety, some appetizers were very thoughtfully labeled as "Dairy free" and "Vegetarian", to make sure all the guests were comfortable with their food. We had a special request for a traditional salad, that is cooked in our native cuisine, and Eisenhauer's totally coped with that. If I mention all the details I asked them to do,it's going to be a 10-page review :-) so I will just say that: Eisenhauer's were great and without them our wedding could not be as awesome, as it was. Our guests were excited, and we are absolutely happy!”
— Anna Parshev, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 14 reviewsCalifornia Catering Company is a full-service catering provider serving South San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. With a 4.9-star rating from clients, they specialize in corporate events, weddings, private parties, and buffet-style catering with customizable menus to fit any occasion. Their team handles everything from menu planning to setup and service, making event hosting seamless for clients throughout the Peninsula.
Oren's Hummus is an Israeli and Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Palo Alto serving authentic hummus, falafel, shawarma, and fresh Middle Eastern cuisine. Known for their creamy, made-from-scratch hummus and vibrant vegetarian options, Oren's offers dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering for events. Located at 261 University Ave with a 4.4-star rating from 2,500+ reviews, they're open daily 11 AM–11 PM and host First Wednesday wine tastings.
Catered Too is an industry-recognized catering and event design company serving the Bay Area and Silicon Valley since 1992. With over 30 years of experience, they specialize in creating custom menus and executing events of all sizes—from intimate corporate gatherings of 20 guests to large-scale ethnic weddings and celebrations for 20,000. Known for their creative culinary approach and exemplary service, they work closely with clients to bring unique visions to life. Based in East Palo Alto, CA, they hold a 4.5-star rating on Google from 35+ reviews.
Salt & Honey Catering + Events is a full-service Oakland catering company specializing in scratch-made cuisine for corporate events, weddings, and social gatherings throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Located at 3303 San Pablo Ave in Oakland, they offer personalized menus, event planning, and design services, bringing locally sourced ingredients and creative presentation to events of all sizes. With a 4.7-star Google rating from 32 reviews, they're known for flexible catering options including drop-off delivery and full-service event coordination.
BLOOM Catering USA is a social enterprise catering company in Santa Clara, CA specializing in MSG-free Asian fusion lunchboxes and corporate catering. Founded as a mission-driven business, they donate a portion of proceeds to vocational training and aid for disadvantaged children in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the US. Known for fresh, healthy meals at accessible prices ($15 lunchboxes) and reliable service for corporate events, meetings, and office lunches.
“Absolutely Gorgeous ! display of food for our son’s traditional Vietnamese Engagement party - Dam Hoi We had guests coming from Orange County CA and they were stunned with all the beautiful spread of food . Again , great successes for BOTH our sons ‘ engagement parties (over last 7 years ) Thank You much 🙏 Benjamin & his team of ladies who put in great effort paying attention to details - Our family deeply grateful for their care & services.”
— Maianh Bui, Google Review · 4.9 ★ avg from 7 reviewsCatering By Ericka is the top-ranked catering provider in the Palo Alto area with a Lantern Score of 84.87/100 and a 5-star rating from 122 reviews. Led by Chef Ericka Means, a California Culinary Academy Le Cordon Blue graduate, they specialize in full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations.
Kanteen Catering (Lantern Score: 83.33/100) and Mitra Catering Services (Lantern Score: 81.53/100) are both top-ranked options for Indian cuisine catering. Kanteen Catering specializes in bespoke Indian catering for weddings and corporate events, while Mitra Catering Services offers Indian cuisine alongside multicultural dining options for weddings and private celebrations.
Handheld Catering San Jose (Lantern Score: 80.43/100) is an excellent choice for corporate event planners, having served San Jose's corporate and nonprofit communities since 2012 under founder and executive chef Dan Figone. They're also well-suited for tech companies, executive conferences, and nonprofit fundraisers.
Dishdash Middle Eastern Cuisine (Lantern Score: 78.88/100) offers authentic Levantine dishes and provides catering services for events. Additionally, Oren's Hummus in Palo Alto (Lantern Score: 75.37/100) specializes in fresh Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine and can support catering needs for health-conscious diners and office workers.
Handheld Catering & Events (Lantern Score: 79.33/100) specializes in large group celebrations of 100+ guests and offers full-service catering and event planning for corporate events, weddings, and private events across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Multiple top-ranked caterers offer customized menus, including Continental Caterers (Lantern Score: 77.23/100), Michi Catering (Lantern Score: 77.15/100), and Salt & Honey Catering + Events (Lantern Score: 74.21/100), all specializing in personalized menus for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations.