5 Best Catering Services in Ottawa

Some occasions simply demand great meals, whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, wedding reception, or even a well-deserved corporate luncheon.

What better way to get great food and service than with Ottawa’s best catering services? As a result, this listicle aims to serve as a resource for the best caterers in the area.

We’ll also talk about how much typical catering fare costs in the next section.

What Does Catering in Ottawa Cost?

The answer to this question is highly dependent on the caterer you select. Caterers provide their products and services in a variety of ways.

For luncheons, brunches, and tea, some places have set menus. Others encourage customers to pick and choose from their most popular food items to create set meals.

The occasion, the number of people who will be served, any special dietary restrictions, the need for servers, your chosen venue, and others are all things to consider.

We chose some of the menu items from the catering services in Ottawa that we’ll be reviewing today. The table below shows some of their best-selling items and their prices.

Please note that the above-mentioned estimated costs may not yet include applicable taxes. Some catering companies may charge an additional fee for server requests and assistance.

5 Best Catering Services in Ottawa

Are you ready to choose from the most delectable cuisine prepared by professional caterers? Then let’s take a look at some of Ottawa’s best catering services for your next event!

1. Epicuria Food Shop and Catering

Epicuria was originally founded by Ryley Maclachlan in 1990 as a small business specializing in cuisine and prepared food. Heather Maclachlan and Cindy Ryley, the original founders, turned out classic dishes with a focus on European cuisine. They served neighbourhood clients, offered cooking classes, and welcomed people into their store to learn more about their passion for food. In 1995, current owner Tracey Black joined the team as an apprentice and quickly fell in love with the concept of take-home prepared foods. Today, Epicuria holds the same philosophy as it did when it first began – to connect people through the love of food.

Customer Reviews

Let’s take a look at what their clients have to say:

“I can’t say enough about how helpful Epicuria Food Shop has been to my family. As someone living with a chronic illness, getting healthy meals prepared for my family has been a challenge. Epicuria’s prepared meals have allowed us to continue eating healthy, “home cooked”, delicious meals without the energy needed to prepare them from scratch. Honestly, EVERYTHING we’ve had (treats too!) has been soooo good!” – Theresa Woolridge

“I used Epicuria to cater my wedding this week. All of my guests loved the dishes from Epicuria. The food was delicious and portions accurate for the number of guests. I definitely will be using them for future events and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caterer.” – Colette Nader

2. Lolacher’s Catering

Catering is an important service to have for any event, whether it be a small intimate dinner party or a formal banquet for hundreds of guests. Lolacher’s Catering has been providing delicious food and professional service for years, and they are experts in planning menus for business luncheons, conventions, and other events. Their attentive staff will make sure your event is special, and their wide variety of menu options means there is something for everyone. If you have any specific requests or needs, their experienced Banquet Planners are happy to help.

Customer Reviews

Let’s take a look at what their clients have to say:

“I just had the pleasure of tasting a catered meal for a work function from Lolacher’s and i was blown away with the quality of the meal. Every dish was Excellent. From one chef to another. I congratulate the team behind this company. I was also amazed with the friendly service the madame and gentleman helping us out as well. Thank you again. I will recommend this catering company to all. Happy Holidays” – Anik Roy

“Thank you for an exceptional Christmas Dinner for all our employees at Elite BMW. Our veteran employees said that this was the best Christimas Dinner/Lunch in 30 years. Congratulations for a job more than well done. Your staff is professional and friendly. Recommended for any occasion.” – Colleen McDougall

3. My Catering Group

My Catering Group is a company that provides catering services to businesses and private events in the Ottawa area. They have been in business for seven years and have a lot of experience in the catering industry. Their chef, Derick Cotnam, has over fifteen years of experience and started the company with the goal of providing fresh, high-quality food and exceptional service. The company has grown over the years and now operates out of a commercial kitchen. They also have a fleet of catering vehicles that allows them to service multiple events simultaneously.

Customer Reviews

Let’s take a look at what their clients have to say:

“We can’t thank the My Catering Group team and staff enough for making our daughter’s wedding so special. Everyone, and I mean everyone, all of our guests, the DJ and the Photographer and her crew, all told us how delicious the food was and how amazing the staff were – so personable and attentive to all the details. Staff was so friendly and made all of our guests feel at home and special. Customer service was amazing. Food was amazing. When I booked with My Catering Group I knew about their food and service but they really exceeded my expectations. Planning for the event was made easier and simpler with the expert advice of staff at My Catering Group. We had no worries or concerns leading up to the special day.” – Deb & James Abbott

“We had My Catering Group cater a birthday party at our house. They brought everything in and of course cooked up the yummiest of foods. The whole experience was amazing! We will be using them again. highly recommend.” – Brittany Forsyth

4. Essence Catering

Essence Catering provides full-service catering for events of all sizes. Whether you are planning an intimate dinner or a large reception for 300 guests, Essence Catering will take care of all the details to ensure your event is memorable. They provide staffing, rental equipment, floral arrangements, and even entertainment options. If you have a vision for your event, Essence Catering will work with you to make it a reality. They are known for their attention to detail and their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Customer Reviews

Let’s take a look at what their clients have to say:

“Jason and Tanya were such a wonderful part of our small family wedding (14 people) at our cottage. Jason is a dynamic and talented chef, and prepared a beautiful meal of passed canapes and 3 small plate courses. I don’t think I can do the food justice in words – it was absolutely spectacular and everybody raved about it. Jason also did a wonderful job of accommodating food restrictions – one of our guests who is vegan and one who has some very restrictive food allergies. I also really appreciated Jason’s suggestion of doing a cocktail-style meal instead of a plated dinner – having small plate courses and the ability to move around the cocktail tables and lawn at the cottage was perfect to allow for lots of mingling among our small number of guests, and we would not have thought to do this had he not suggested it. We would highly recommend Essence Catering!” – Alex Harder

“We found Essence Catering through a Google Search and contacted them to cater an intimate immediate family only wedding at our cottage at Lac Sainte Marie, PQ, after reading the many glowing reviews. They exceeded expectations. Though communication was a bit delayed during COVID lockdown periods, they more than made up for it during the event itself. They were on time, well organized, courteous, COVID sensitive, and provided canapés and small plates that were interesting and excellent. Jason was unfazed by the unique dietary requirements of some of the guests and produced the same quality of dishes to meet their needs. We were all super impressed…and the kitchen was left spotless! Highly recommend Essence Catering for your event.” – Marlene Cross

5. Grenfell Catering

Grenfell Catering is a unique full-service catering company that specializes in creating one-of-a-kind events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or special occasion, Grenfell’s team can help you with all aspects of the party. They have a professional and perfectionist attitude that sets them apart from other caterers in Ottawa. Their menus are customized to suit your specific event, and they employ some of the most experienced servers, carvers, and chefs in the city. No matter what type of event you’re throwing, Grenfell Catering is sure to make it a memorable one!

Customer Reviews

Let’s take a look at what their clients have to say:

“I love eating once a week every week for the past 8 months service is great food is better and I’m always happy with everything! You gotta try the poutine! And kick it up a notch and add some jerk chicken to that poutine it is pretty darn good! Thank you!!!!” – Joshua Hiscoe

“Highly recommend Grenfell Catering! We pre-ordered their Party/Tea Crust less Sandwiches for our “Merry Mingle” and they were a huge hit at our event! We have also ordered items off their lunch menu, which the food was amazing, and Christine & Mark are truly gifted chefs, and their attention to detail is 5 star rated! Very professional, yet down to earth and easy to work with. Thank you! Thank you!” – Tracy Christie

FAQs About Catering Services in Ottawa

We hope your next special occasion or event will have the high-quality food and services you deserve now that you know where to find the best catering services in Ottawa.

If you believe we missed a notable catering company, please let us know so we can review them as well.