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2024

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Best Catering Companies in Charlotte, NC

Our Recommended Top 15

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Charlotte Catering Companies on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

161Reviewed

102Curated

15Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Charlotte, NC 28211

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (1)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Queen City Food Truck Events is a catering supply business located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company offers a full array of services. Its event managers source the appropriate entertainment and food trucks supplying the type of menus required for the event and coordinate the logistics of the operation to ensure everything goes smoothly. During the event, they provide on-site support and management. The firm caters to everything from a company lunch to weddings and other family celebrations.

Charlotte, NC 28208

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (142)
Facebook
4.6 (56)
Yelp
4.5 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Queen City Catering has served the Charlotte community with catering since 2010. Today the company boasts a 10,000 square foot catering facility and 40 full-time employees, and customers can order diretly online from an extensive menu of breakfast items, boxed lunches, trays and sides, hot buffets, snacks, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts. Clients can also use the group for full-service events with a set of planning tools including venues, photographers, and florists right on the website.

Mooresville, NC 28117

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (65)
Facebook
4.8 (63)
Yelp
4.5 (23)

Why choose this provider?

Catering By Tracy has been catering in Mooresville for 10 years and brings almost 30 years of experience in the field. The group caters for dnner parties, social events, wedding receptions, and tailgating with BBQs, burgers, seafood, and wings. Clients can reserve the mobile cooker with staff, have food delivered, request buffet set-up, serving, and clean-up, request daily meals for a family, or order boat lunch delveries. Servers, chef staffing, event planning, bartender, and rentals are also available.

Charlotte, NC 28202

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
3.5 (389)

Why choose this provider?

Queen City Q handles catering in Charlotte. The veteran-owned business provides catering for small in-home gatherings as well as corporate events with 1,000 guests and also rents out its own party room or full facility if desired. Customers are asked to give 24-hours notice, and services include pickup, delivery, small service with set-up and disposable pans, and large service with chrome chafers, tablecloths, set-up, and clean-up. Queen City Q has been named the best BBQ by Charlotte Magazine and supports local charities.

Huntersville, NC 28078

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Savory Moments, LLC has been serving Huntersville with catering services since 2009. Customers can order catering for bridal showers, corporate needs, special events, and holidays, and rentals are available as well as Savory Moment's own event space and its Magnolia Woods Event Venue. The company was featured in The Charlotte Observer, was named a Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, and supports various organizations through its work.

Charlotte, NC 28205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (4)
Facebook
4.7 (1)

Why choose this provider?

SMS Catering Services, Inc. has been handling catering services for Charlotte residents for over 40 years. SMS boasts a large banquet hall on nine acres for events of every kind with tents, tables, and entertainment available, or clients can request off-site catering with a mobile kitchen. Menus feature countless possibilities from upscale items to BBQs, and the company holds an A+ rating with the BBB.

3236 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.1 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (7)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sweet Creations of Charlotte is a catering company that was developed by the Friendship Community Development Corporation in 2007. It provides affordable catering services for social, corporate, and special events that feature healthy, delicious cuisine. The company works with My Sister's House, which is a transitional living center for homeless women, offering workforce opportunities to residents and using the profits to maintain and support the organization's daily operations.

Harrisburg, NC 28075

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (9)
Facebook
5.0 (5)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Berry Scrumptious Catering has been catering in Harrisburg since 2003. The family-owned company is licensed and insured and can handle corporate events, weddings, and private parties with options for delivery service throughout the area or pick-up. All menus can be customized and wedding reception coordination is also available. Berry Scrumptious is inspected by the Health Department and enjoys a large number of repeat customers due to its high standards, attention to detail, and customer service.

Charlotte, NC 28273

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.0 (2402)
Google
4.1 (2201)
Yelp
3.5 (483)

Why choose this provider?

A Piece of Havana has been a Charlotte caterer since 2008. The location is known for excellent Cuban food and for the entertainment at its Havana Lounge and features catering services for special events, parties, and meetings. The whole menu can be catered, although one-week notice is required, and the delivery area is limited for orders of more than four entrees. The company has been featured in Charlotte Magazine, was named Business to Visit" by Traveller™ Magazine, and holds an A+ rating with the BBB.

Charlotte, NC 28202

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (91)
Yelp
4.0 (39)
Google
4.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Jack's New Yorker Deli has been a Charlotte caterer since 2002. Menus range from its signature Reubens and cheesesteaks with chips and pickles to breakfast options and gourmet salads. The team is known for using only top-quality meats and cheeses and for having friendly customer service and a "Southern Charm." Clients can fill out an easy online form to request catering services, and someone will be in touch to confirm.

Matthews, NC 28105

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Chef’s Catering started catering for the Matthews area back in 1980. The company is known for affordable prices, current menus and cuisine, and top-notch customer service with catering for corporate occasions, weddings and rehearsal dinners, custom events for cocktail parties, dinners, and theme parties, and Smokin' Que BBQ. Menus are available online for viewing, and the group can also provide everything from in-house wedding planners, florals, and props to linens, china, entertainment, and parking valets.

Charlotte, NC 28273

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Waiter’s Choice brings 25 years of experience to Charlotte catering clients. The team offers 24/7 catering services for corporate events, in-office needs, all-inclusive private parties, tailgating grills, and formal celebrations with no extra fess for after-hours or weekend services. On-site event planners are also available. Waiter’s Choice is a member of the Chamber of Commerce for both Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.

Charlotte, NC 28205

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Creative Catering has been a Charlotte catering company since 1995 and has almost 30 years of experience in the field. The group is known for its articstic flair and fine catering for weddings, rehearsal dinners, social events, bridal showers, church events, and business meetings. Menus cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as hors d'oeuvres, side items, soups and salads, and desserts, and sample menus are available online for viewing.

Charlotte, NC 28203

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (18)
Yelp
4.5 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Best Impressions, Inc. has been catering in Charlotte since 1989. The group is comprised of Best Impressions Caterers, Byron’s South End venue, and The Grill & Picnic Company. Best Impressions Caterers' Executive Chef is James Fox from The Culinary Institute of America, and the team is renowned for pulling off fine dining experiences at large-scale events. Clients use the group for weddings and grand philanthropic galas to large company picnics, oyster roasts, and barbecues.

Charlotte, NC 28204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (430)
Facebook
4.8 (222)

Why choose this provider?

Dressler's Restaurant has been a Charlotte catering company for 15 years. Clients can request both on and off-site services for events large and small including birthdays, retirements, employee appreciation events, reunions, bridal showers, business seminars, luncheons, and charity events. Dressler's itself can accomodate up to 75 guests for a seated dinner with video/audio equipment, large patio, and live music on request as well as complementary valet.

Compare our Top Catering Companies

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Queen City Food Truck Events
Charlotte, NC 28211
Queen City Catering
Charlotte, NC 28208
Catering By Tracy
Mooresville, NC 28117
Queen City Q
Charlotte, NC 28202
Savory Moments, LLC
Huntersville, NC 28078
SMS Catering Services, Inc.
Charlotte, NC 28205
Sweet Creations of Charlotte
3236 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216
Berry Scrumptious Catering
Harrisburg, NC 28075
A Piece of Havana
Charlotte, NC 28273
Jack's New Yorker Deli
Charlotte, NC 28202
Chef’s Catering
Matthews, NC 28105
Waiter’s Choice
Charlotte, NC 28273
Creative Catering
Charlotte, NC 28205
Best Impressions, Inc.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Dressler's Restaurant
Charlotte, NC 28204

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Catering is a convenient service that brings restaurant-quality food and beverages to a variety of social gatherings. It's beneficial to weddings, workplace celebrations, and other events because it invites guests to relax and enjoy a festive meal. While there are many dedicated catering businesses that transport food and equipment to their clients, many restaurants also offer catering as part of their dining services.

    For those interested in a career in catering, the flexibility to take your business anywhere is one factor that may make the industry attractive. Like traditional restaurants, caterers often specialize in one type of cuisine, and they can vary widely in price and capacity. Whether you're looking to hire catering services for your next event or you want to learn more about the profession, take a look at these frequently asked questions below.
  • Can a catering company serve alcohol?

    Just like brick-and-mortar restaurants, catering companies need a liquor license to serve alcohol to patrons. If a caterer is serving alcoholic beverages, guests under the age of 21 are allowed on the premises, but they may not buy or consume alcohol.

  • Are catering tastings free?

    If you're having a large event catered and expecting to spend a lot of money, having a tasting beforehand is often a good idea. Tastings are handled differently by catering companies; some may charge while others won't. In general, most caterers charge a fee, usually around the cost of a meal at a restaurant.

  • When catering for a party, how do you calculate how much food is needed?

    Caterers usually help their clients calculate food by offering a recommended portion size per guest. Taking this into consideration, all you need to do is multiply this portion by the number of expected guests to determine the total amount of food needed.

  • When should you reserve catering services before an event?

    The amount of time in advance needed to schedule catering services depends on the number of people and type of event. For weddings with 50 people or more, six to 12 months in advance is recommended. For smaller gatherings, a month or two should suffice.

  • Do you tip the caterer?

    Some catering services include tips in the bill, so you don't have to worry about handling this aspect on the day of your event. If the tip is not included, a minimum of 15% of the total bill is recommended, while tipping 20% is not uncommon.

  • What is included with catering services?

    In addition to the food you order, catering services can include delivery, linens, silverware or plasticware, plates and cups, a small heat source to keep hot dishes warm, and staff. When planning your event, it's always a good idea to confirm which of these items are included and necessary.