Hiring professional catering is often far more cost-effective than buying and preparing all the food yourself. By minimizing hidden costs, time pressure, and waste, it becomes a smart financial choice for your party. Here, we explain how you can save money on your gathering.
The Myth of Cheap Home Cooking
Planning a large party usually involves a lot of logistical challenges and hidden expenses. Many mistakenly assume that cooking for everyone yourself is always the cheapest option. The truth is, buying ingredients in smaller quantities quickly adds up because regular consumers don’t have access to wholesale prices. Professional catering companies, on the other hand, purchase massive volumes of food at significantly reduced prices, which lowers the cost per serving.
Hidden Costs and Lost Time
You also avoid buying expensive special tools, extra serving platters, or huge pots that you’ll never use again. Beyond the pure material costs, most people forget to account for the value of their own time and energy on the day of the event. Spending days in the kitchen before the guests arrive creates enormous stress and takes away the joy of celebrating. When you calculate the hourly wage for your own hard work, you’ll quickly see the financial scales tip.
The Tipping Point – How Many Guests?
It’s almost always a losing proposition and a stress factor to cook the food yourself if the number of guests exceeds a certain limit. But how many people does it take for it to be genuinely profitable for a typical household? According to industry experience, the economic and practical tipping point is around 15 to 20 people. It’s at this number of guests that the economies of scale with professional cooking really start to become noticeable.
Smooth Logistics and Less Waste
For smaller groups under 10 people, it might still be worthwhile to cook the food yourself in the kitchen. But as soon as the party grows to around 15 guests, the need for preparations, refrigeration space, and advanced logistics at home explodes. This is when catering becomes the absolutely smartest option for your wallet. By ordering ready-made buffets or menus, you can be completely confident that there’s enough food for everyone. You also avoid the problem of an overstuffed fridge and enormous amounts of leftovers that might go to waste. To find affordable menus, check out the recommendation to order affordable catering from ICA which guarantees high quality at great prices. Getting help from experts gives you more time to actually socialize and enjoy your guests. It’s the ultimate investment for a successful, stress-free, and economically smart event at home.
Your Guide to a Smarter Everyday Life
Do you want to optimize your personal finances and have more money left in your wallet each month? Small changes in your daily life can quickly lead to significant savings over time. By reducing food waste and reviewing your subscriptions, you stop unnecessary expenses. Shopping smarter and taking advantage of the right times of day significantly lowers your fixed costs. It’s not about reducing quality of life, but about consuming more consciously. Our review shows how easily you can save up to 30,000 kronor a year. Implement these simple yet powerful ten life hacks directly into your routines. Read our complete guide to a cheaper and smarter everyday life on Prisfare. Start your journey towards a more stable household economy and a more secure future today. Let your money work for you through wise and strategic choices in all stages of life.
Stockholm (25 catering companies)
The capital offers everything from classic French elegance to modern street food concepts and exclusive canapés.
| Company | Specialty | Address | Price (Start) | Website |
| Winterviken Catering | Modern/Party | Vinterviksvägen 60, Stockholm | 650 SEK/p | winterviken.se |
| Munkbro Mat | Classic/Buffet | Munkbron 11, Gamla Stan | 450 SEK/p | munkbromat.se |
| Systrarna Voltaire | Green/Healthy | Åhléns City, Stockholm | 350 SEK/p | systrarnavoltaire.se |
| Operakällaren Catering | Ultra-luxury | Karl XII:s torg, Stockholm | 1,200 SEK/p | operakallaren.se |
| Pontus! Catering | Innovative/Chic | Stockholm Arlanda/City | 800 SEK/p | pontusfrithiof.com |
| Cateringverket | Locally Sourced | Liljeholmen, Stockholm | 500 SEK/p | cateringverket.se |
| Westmans Catering | All-round | Holländargatan 30, Stockholm | 400 SEK/p | westmans.se |
| Edsbacka Catering | Classic French | Sollentunavägen 220, Sollentuna | 750 SEK/p | edsbacka.se |
| Inredningscatering | Party/Design | Östermalm, Stockholm | 900 SEK/p | inredningscatering.se |
| Food by Co | Modern Fusion | Södermalm, Stockholm | 550 SEK/p | foodbyco.se |
| Carotte Catering | Event/Premium | Birger Jarlsgatan 121, Stockholm | 600 SEK/p | carotte.se |
| Bros Catering | Mediterranean | Kungsholmen, Stockholm | 380 SEK/p | broscatering.se |
| Eriks Catering | Fish & Seafood | Gondolen/Slussen, Stockholm | 850 SEK/p | eriks.se |
| Annies Catering | Homemade/Buffet | Bromma, Stockholm | 320 SEK/p | annies.se |
| Grodan Catering | French Bistro | Grev Turegatan 16, Stockholm | 650 SEK/p | grodan.se |
| Berns Catering | Asian Fusion | Berzelii Park, Stockholm | 750 SEK/p | berns.se |
| Grinda Wärdshus | Archipelago Cuisine | Grinda, Stockholm Archipelago | 700 SEK/p | grinda.se |
| Storstad Catering | Urban/Modern | Vasastan, Stockholm | 480 SEK/p | storstad.se |
| Kalf & Hansen | Nordic/Eco | Mariatorget, Stockholm | 290 SEK/p | kalf-hansen.se |
| Nybrosmörgåsen | Sandwich Cakes/Lunch | Nybrogatan, Stockholm | 180 SEK/p | nybrosmorgasen.se |
| Panini Catering | Fast/Fresh | Sveavägen, Stockholm | 220 SEK/p | panini.se |
| Urban Deli Catering | Delicacies | Nytorget, Stockholm | 450 SEK/p | urbandeli.se |
| Fabrique Catering | Breakfast/Event | Multiple Locations, Stockholm | 150 SEK/p | fabrique.se |
| Östermalmshallen | Delicacy Mix | Östermalmstorg, Stockholm | 600 SEK/p | ostermalmshallen.se |
| Noema Catering | Modern/Continental | Östermalmsgatan 87, Stockholm | 700 SEK/p | noema.se |
Gothenburg (25 catering companies)
Here, the sea takes center stage with fantastic seafood platters, but there’s also a strong focus on locally sourced meat and game.
| Company | Specialty | Address | Price (Start) | Website |
| Sjömagasinet | Seafood/Luxury | Adolf Edelsvärds gata 5, Gbg | 900 SEK/p | sjomagasinet.se |
| Eriksberg Catering | Modern/Event | Maskingatan 11, Gothenburg | 550 SEK/p | eriksbergscatering.se |
| Fiskekrogen | Fish/Classic | Lilla Torget 1, Gothenburg | 800 SEK/p | fiskekrogen.se |
| Mat & Möten | All-round/Buffet | Mölndal, Gothenburg | 380 SEK/p | matochmoten.se |
| Långedrags Värdshus | Archipelago/Classic | Talattagatan 24, V. Frölunda | 650 SEK/p | langedragsvardshus.se |
| Gourmetkorv Catering | Street Food/Premium | Södra Larmgatan, Gothenburg | 190 SEK/p | gourmetkorv.se |
| Trattoria 21 | Italian | Majorna, Gothenburg | 420 SEK/p | trattoria21.se |
| Avenue 01 | Event/Party | Kungsportsavenyn, Gothenburg | 600 SEK/p | aveny01.se |
| Västkust-Catering | Fish Buffet | Torslanda, Gothenburg | 450 SEK/p | vastkust-catering.se |
| Sofina Catering | Delicacies | Lorensberg, Gothenburg | 500 SEK/p | sofina.se |
| Catering Göteborg | All-round | Stampen, Gothenburg | 350 SEK/p | cateringgoteborg.se |
| Restaurang Ester | Locally Sourced | Kungsbacka/Gbg | 400 SEK/p | restaurangester.se |
| Jacy’z Catering | Modern/Chic | Drakegatan 10, Gothenburg | 750 SEK/p | jacyzhotel.com |
| Pustervik Catering | Rustic/Vegan | Järntorget, Gothenburg | 300 SEK/p | pustervik.nu |
| Kattegat Catering | Sea Delicacies | Billdal, Gothenburg | 550 SEK/p | kattegatt.se |
| Kock & Rock | Party/BBQ | Hisingen, Gothenburg | 400 SEK/p | kockochrock.se |
| Thörnströms Privat | Fine Dining | Gothenburg City | 1,100 SEK/p | thornstroms.se |
| Swedish Taste | Cooking Focus | St Eriksgatan 6, Gothenburg | 850 SEK/p | swedishtaste.se |
| Mat.se Catering | Simple/Lunch | Online/Gothenburg | 150 SEK/p | mat.se |
| Gothia Towers | Large Groups | Mässans gata 24, Gothenburg | 600 SEK/p | gothiatowers.com |
| Hagabadet Catering | Healthy | Haga, Gothenburg | 320 SEK/p | hagabadet.se |
| Burgersson Catering | Sliders/Street | Skanstorget, Gothenburg | 250 SEK/p | burgersson.se |
| Pilsen Catering | Czech/Rustic | Majorna, Gothenburg | 350 SEK/p | pilsen.se |
| Feskarbröderna | Seafood Delights | Nordstan, Gothenburg | 500 SEK/p | feskarbroderna.se |
| Koka Catering | Modern Nordic | Viktoriagatan 12, Gothenburg | 950 SEK/p | restaurangkoka.se |
Dalarna (25 catering companies)
Rustic, Dala red, game meat, and traditional flavors from the Siljan region.
| Company | Specialty | Address | Price (Start) | Website |
| Dalarna Catering | All-round/Wedding | Falun | 450 SEK/p | dalarnacatering.se |
| Åkerblads Catering | Classic/Luxury | Tällberg | 700 SEK/p | akerblads.se |
| Tällbergsgården | Manor Feel | Tällberg | 650 SEK/p | tallbergsgarden.se |
| Siljan Event | Large Parties | Leksand | 500 SEK/p | siljanevent.se |
| Mora Hotell Catering | Classic/Lake | Mora | 480 SEK/p | morahotell.se |
| Gagnefs Catering | Locally Produced | Gagnef | 350 SEK/p | gagnefscatering.se |
| Sahlins Struts | Farm Luxury | Borlänge | 420 SEK/p | sahlinsstruts.se |
| Dala-Floda Värdshus | Organic/Eco | Dala-Floda | 550 SEK/p | dalaflodavardshus.se |
| Skedvi Bröd | Rustic/Game | Stora Skedvi | 450 SEK/p | skedvibrod.se |
| Falu Mat & Dryck | Modern/City | Falun | 400 SEK/p | falumat.se |
| Banken Bar & Mat | Modern | Falun | 500 SEK/p | bankenfalun.se |
| Snitths Hantverksbageri | Breakfast/Mingle | Furudal | 180 SEK/p | snitths.se |
| Lugnets Catering | Buffets | Falun | 320 SEK/p | lugnetswardshus.se |
| Vansbro Wärdshus | Traditional | Vansbro | 290 SEK/p | vansbrowardshus.se |
| Smakverkstan | Delicacies | Rättvik | 450 SEK/p | smakverkstan.se |
| Gustafskorv Catering | Charcuterie Focus | Gustafs | 250 SEK/p | gustafskorv.se |
| Orsa Grönklitt | Wilderness/Mountain | Orsa | 550 SEK/p | orsagronklitt.se |
| Restaurang Onkel Jean | Luxury Bistro | Sälen | 850 SEK/p | onkeljean.se |
| Högfjällshotellet | Mountain Luxury | Sälen | 900 SEK/p | hogis.se |
| Dala-Husby Hotell | Manor Cuisine | Dala-Husby | 650 SEK/p | dala-husby.se |
| Kupolen Catering | All-round | Borlänge | 280 SEK/p | kupolen.se |
| Ludvika Catering | Classic | Ludvika | 300 SEK/p | ludvikacatering.se |
| Avesta Mat | Buffet | Avesta | 250 SEK/p | avestamat.se |
| Gränges Catering | Home Cooking | Grängesberg | 220 SEK/p | grangescatering.se |
| Dala Nöje Catering | Complete Solution | Falun | 600 SEK/p | dalanoje.se |
Skåne County (25 catering companies)
Österlen and Malmö offer vineyard concepts, fresh vegetables, and southern culinary joy.
| Company | Specialty | Address | Price (Start) | Website |
| Flädie Mat & Vingård | Wine/Gourmet | Bjärred | 850 SEK/p | fladiematvingard.se |
| Kiviks Hotell | Sea/Eco | Kivik | 750 SEK/p | kivikshotell.se |
| Malmö Catering | All-round | Malmö | 350 SEK/p | malmocatering.se |
| Gastronomi & Harmoni | Fine Dining | Lund | 950 SEK/p | gastronomi-harmoni.se |
| Österlen Catering | Locally Sourced | Simrishamn | 500 SEK/p | osterlencatering.se |
| Västra Hamnen Catering | Modern/Canapés | Malmö | 450 SEK/p | vhcatering.se |
| Skanörs Gästis | Classic/Sea | Skanör | 700 SEK/p | skanorsgastis.se |
| Båstad Catering | Luxury/Summer | Båstad | 800 SEK/p | bastadcatering.se |
| Helsingborg Catering | Event/Party | Helsingborg | 380 SEK/p | hbgcatering.se |
| Mat & Kärlek | Organic | Lund | 420 SEK/p | matochkarlek.se |
| Kulla Catering | Rural/Kulla | Höganäs | 480 SEK/p | kullacatering.se |
| Margretetorp | Inn/Buffet | Hjärnarp | 550 SEK/p | margretetorp.se |
| The Lodge | New England/BBQ | Genarp | 700 SEK/p | thelodge.se |
| Sjöbo Gästis | Skåne Home Cooking | Sjöbo | 320 SEK/p | sjobogastis.se |
| Grand Hotel Lund | Historic | Lund | 850 SEK/p | grandilund.se |
| MJ’s Catering | Urban/Trend | Malmö | 650 SEK/p | mjs.life |
| Ystad Saltsjöbad | Luxury/Sea | Ystad | 900 SEK/p | ysb.se |
| Örenäs Catering | Castle/Classic | Glumslöv | 750 SEK/p | orenasslott.com |
| Möllers Catering | Delicacies | Kristianstad | 350 SEK/p | mollerscatering.se |
| Torekov Hotell | Sea/Near | Torekov | 800 SEK/p | torekovhotell.se |
| Sydost Catering | All-round | Landskrona | 320 SEK/p | sydostcatering.se |
| Pålsson Catering | Buffet | Trelleborg | 290 SEK/p | palsson.se |
| Kulturmejeriet | Vegetarian/Alternative | Lund | 300 SEK/p | mejeriet.net |
| Holy Smoke BBQ | Authentic BBQ | Bräcke | 500 SEK/p | holysmokebbq.se |
| Ängavallen | 100% Organic | Vellinge | 650 SEK/p | angavallen.se |



