“How much per plate?” is the first question every family asks a caterer. This guide shares our actual 2026 price ranges in Chennai and explains what pushes a quote up or down, so you can budget with confidence.
Price Per Plate by Menu Type
Catering Price Per Plate
All prices are per plate and depend on the menu you choose. Final quotes depend on guest count, venue and service style.
| Menu | Price per plate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| South Indian Tiffin | ₹199 – ₹550 | Morning muhurtham, poojas, house functions |
| Veg Meals (banana leaf) | ₹220 – ₹549 | Wedding lunch, housewarming, seemantham |
| Non-Veg Menu | ₹285 – ₹900 | Receptions, birthdays, family parties |
| Dinner & Reception | ₹325 – ₹1,550 | Receptions and evening events with live counters |
What Changes the Price Per Plate
Number of items
Every extra sweet, starter or main dish adds to the cost. A classic veg meal with one sweet and one payasam costs far less than a grand menu with three sweets, biryani, two starters and ice cream.
Veg or non-veg
Mutton and seer fish cost more than chicken, and chicken costs more than vegetarian dishes. A mutton biryani menu will sit near the top of the non-veg range.
Serving style
Banana leaf service and buffets with live counters need different staffing. Live counters (dosa, chaat, pasta) add cost but also add to the experience.
Guest count
Very small orders can cost slightly more per plate because the cooking and serving team is the same size. Larger events spread fixed costs across more plates.
Date and season
Popular muhurtham dates are booked early. Booking well ahead gives you the widest choice of menus.
Food-Only vs All-Inclusive Packages
If you want one booking for everything, our wedding packages combine catering with camera, decoration, DJ, flowers and pooja essentials — from ₹4,40,000 for the Silver package (600 dinner guests and 250 tiffin guests).
How to Get an Accurate Quote
- Share your date, venue and guest count for each session
- Pick a starting menu from our menus
- List any dishes you want added or removed
Get a Free Quote for Your Function
Tell us your date, venue, guest count and veg or non-veg preference. We will suggest a menu and send a clear per-plate quotation.
Written by the Sri Venkateswara Catering Team
Our kitchen in Edapalayam, Redhills cooks weddings, receptions, housewarmings, seemantham and corporate events across North and West Chennai. These guides draw on the menus, per-plate prices and questions we handle with families every week.
