What should a vegetarian birthday party menu include?
A vegetarian birthday menu works best as a welcome drink, two starters, three mains with rice and roti, one sweet and the cake. Most Indian party menus follow a starter, main course and dessert pattern, with one or two appetisers and a drink to keep guests busy while everyone arrives.
Choose the time first. A 4 pm party needs snacks and cake, while a 7 pm party needs a proper dinner with rice and roti, which is the split one popular recipe site recommends for birthday parties.
| Part of the menu | How many | Easy choices |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome drink | 1 | Rose milk, jaljeera, fresh lime soda, mango juice |
| Starters | 2 | Paneer tikka, veg cutlet, dahi kebab, spring rolls |
| Mains | 3 | Dal makhani, shahi paneer or paneer butter masala, mixed veg |
| Rice and bread | 2 | Jeera rice or veg biryani, tandoori roti, butter naan |
| Sweet | 1 or 2 | Gulab jamun, rasmalai, ice cream with the cake |
Sources pipingpotcurry: Indian party menu ideas, accessed · Tarla Dalal: Indian birthday party main dishes, accessed
What do kids and adults each eat at a birthday party?
Kids eat finger food and plain, mild dishes, while adults want a spicier main course, so plan one table of each rather than one menu for all.
For children under 10, finger foods are the safest choice. For a mixed crowd, paneer and potato dishes please both groups, and spicier mixed vegetables or chole can sit next to them.
| Guest | Works well | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Children under 10 | Veg puffs, mini samosa, paneer tikka (mild), pasta, jeera rice, plain paratha | Keep chilli out of the first batch and serve small portions |
| Teenagers | Pav bhaji, chole bhature, cheese corn balls | They eat the most of any group, so cook a little extra |
| Adults | Dal makhani, paneer main, chole, veg biryani with raita | One spicier dish and one mild dish is enough |
| Grandparents | Dal, plain sabzi, rice, soft sweet | Less oil and less spice, served hot |
Sources Tarla Dalal: Indian birthday party main dishes, accessed
How much food do you need for 50 guests at a birthday party?
If a dish is the main course on its own, cook 6 kg of dal makhani for 50 guests, and the same for shahi paneer. When you serve three mains together, each one shrinks.
For a full dinner of dal, sabzi, rice and roti plus sweet, the kitchen planning figure for 100 guests is 9 kg dal, 18 kg sabzi, 9 kg rice, 250 rotis and 12 kg sweets, so take about half of each for 50. Add the cake and a starter and the plate fills up.
| Dish | Cooked quantity for 50 guests, if it is the main |
|---|---|
| [Dal makhani](/menu/dal-makhani/) | 6 kg |
| [Shahi paneer](/menu/shahi-paneer/) | 6 kg |
| [Veg biryani](/menu/veg-biryani/) | 9 kg |
| [Chole bhature](/menu/chole-bhature/) | 5 kg |
| [Pav bhaji](/menu/pav-bhaji/) | 7 kg |
| [Gulab jamun](/bulk-sweets/gulab-jamun/) | 100 pieces |
Which menu fits a lunch, a tea-time party and a dinner?
A tea-time party needs snacks, cake and a sweet; a lunch or dinner needs a main course. Fix the hour before you fix the dishes, because it decides how many mains you need.
| Time | Menu shape | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 pm | Snacks, cake, one sweet, drinks | Samosa, paneer tikka, pav bhaji, cake, gulab jamun |
| Lunch | Starter, 3 mains, rice, roti, sweet | Chole bhature, paneer, dal, biryani, rasmalai |
| Dinner | Same as lunch with a soup or a second starter | Tomato soup, tikka, dal makhani, naan, jalebi rabri |
How do you order a party menu for 50 without overspending?
Tell the caterer your guest count, the hour, the number of children and your budget per plate, and ask for a menu to fit it. Cut the number of mains before you cut the quality of the dishes.
If you want a ready set for 20, 30 or 50 guests, start with small party catering. For bigger groups see event catering, or the sister guide on kitty party menus.
Questions families ask
What is a good vegetarian menu for a birthday party at home?
Pick one welcome drink, two starters such as paneer tikka and veg cutlet, three mains such as dal makhani, a paneer dish and chole, then rice or biryani, roti and one sweet beside the cake.
What snacks can I serve at a kids' birthday party?
Mini samosa, veg puffs, cheese corn balls, mild paneer tikka and pasta suit children. Keep each portion small and serve the first batch with little chilli.
How many dishes should a birthday dinner for 50 people have?
Seven or eight dishes are plenty: a drink, two starters, three mains, rice with roti, and a sweet. More dishes mostly add waste and cost.
Can a birthday party menu be Jain or without onion and garlic?
Yes. Say so when you order, and the dishes are cooked without onion and garlic. See our Jain catering page for what that menu looks like.
How far ahead should I book party food?
A week is comfortable for a small party, and longer for a weekend in the wedding season. Send the date, the guest count and the hour so the kitchen can confirm it is free.
Small party catering for 20, 30 or 50 guests Event catering Pure veg catering
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