James MartinI was thrown into the catering cauldron almost a year ago when our office needed to host a corporate event. With everyone at the office conveniently busy (or conveniently pretending to be), I ended up drawing the short straw.
Never having organized a shindig before, I was panicking and not in a good way. So, I did what any sane person would do — I called in reinforcements!
Friends, family, even that distant cousin twice removed who’s always bragging about their taste buds.
After much deliberation, I ended up with a list of five caterers — ranging from the highfalutin to the budget-friendly, and from the traditional to the bold and flavorful.
Thanks to this motley crew of culinary wizards (yep, I roped in more than one!), our event was a smashing success. Now, I’m the go-to catering czar among my friends, dishing out advice faster than a bartender pours shots.
So, if you’re on the prowl for primo catering in Halifax, consider this list your secret ingredient to success!
| How much does catering cost in Halifax? Catering in Halifax costs $20 to $100 or more. The average cost depends on factors like the type of event, number of guests, menu choices, and level of service. |
How We Chose the Best Catering Services in Halifax
RCR Hospitality Group Ltd
Website: https://www.rcr.ca/
Address: 2830 Agricola Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 4E4
Contact Details: +1 902-454-8533
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM–5 PM
RCR Hospitality Group Ltd has been a cornerstone in Halifax’s hospitality scene since 1974, evolving into a premier catering service with an impressive portfolio of corporate and private events, weddings, and exclusive partnerships.
Their mission—“Yes, we can!”—encapsulates their dedication to meeting client needs, no matter how complex or unique. The company has earned its reputation through its commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and ability to provide complete event solutions, making them one of the most trusted catering providers in the region.
RCR Hospitality caters to a wide range of events, including corporate functions, private celebrations, and weddings. This versatility ensures they can tailor their services to any event size or theme, making them a flexible choice for clients with diverse needs. Their experience spans large-scale events like the Tall Ships Festivals to intimate gatherings, offering clients reassurance that they can handle any challenge.
The quality of food provided by RCR Hospitality is one of their standout features. Whether it’s their renowned “Ultimate Lobster Supper” or a custom menu for a corporate gala, RCR is known for fresh, high-quality ingredients and expert preparation. This commitment to culinary excellence has garnered them industry awards such as the TIANS Crystal Tourism Award for Culinary Excellence, reflecting their dedication to the craft.
RCR offers more than just catering; they provide end-to-end event solutions, including consulting, design, and planning services. This all-inclusive approach reduces the stress on clients, as RCR takes care of every aspect of the event, ensuring everything from the menu to the décor aligns with the client’s vision. This is particularly beneficial for large or complex events where seamless coordination is essential.
With over 40 years of experience in the industry, RCR’s longevity speaks to its reliability and quality of service. Their prestigious client list—including figures like Queen Elizabeth II, Bill Clinton, and Mick Jagger—illustrates the level of trust placed in them by high-profile individuals and organizations. This reputation can be a significant asset for clients looking to impress their guests with a well-established and respected caterer.
RCR has exclusive catering rights to prominent Halifax venues, such as the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites. This gives them a unique advantage for clients seeking a prestigious venue along with their catering services. Having access to these iconic locations adds an extra layer of convenience and prestige to events hosted with RCR.
Pros
- Diverse Catering Expertise
- Exceptional Quality of Foods
- Comprehensive Event Services
- Reputation and Trustworthiness
- Exclusive Venues and Partnerships
Cons
- Can Be Busy During Peak Seasons
I can’t recommend working with Melissa and RCR enough
“We just had our wedding at the Waterfront Warehouse and it was a perfect success! We worked primarily with Melissa Carey who is AMAZING! She is very professional, responsive and super friendly. Melissa worked with us to determine the best RCR venue for our needs, gave us a tour, met with us at the venue several times, and was super flexible and accommodating. I can’t recommend working with Melissa and RCR enough to make your wedding dreams come true.”
Working with Melissa and RCR has been absolutely phenomenal
“Working with Melissa and RCR has been absolutely phenomenal. Melissa worked with me over the last year to tour RCR venues and answered my questions which helped to determine the perfect place to host our wedding. Melissa, Alicia, and the staff at the Agricola Street Brasserie helped us pull off the most seamless and perfect wedding. Couldn’t recommend hosting an event with them more!!”
Rudy’s Catering Service
Website: https://www.rudyscatering.ca/
Address: 1681 Granville St
Contact Details: +1 902-420-0188
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM–4 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM–2 PM
Rudy’s Catering Service has been providing catering services for over 40 years. Aside from in-store food orders and catering, they also provide picnic box meals and meal plans.
Their catering covers personal and corporate events, with options for sit-down, buffet, or drop-off. Rudy’s makes catering easier by providing you with a checklist where you can tick off your preferences so they can create a budget for your menu.
There isn’t a vegan menu, so you might want to skip this if you’re hoping for a meat-free catering event.
You have your usual courses here: a three-course meal, desserts, and tea or coffee. And while you can request alcohol, you’ll need to get the license yourself.
Most hosts miss the additional charge (plus tax) for groups of less than 100, so be warned.
Pros
- Over 40 years of experience
- Convenient checklist for estimates
- Variety of catering options
Cons
- No vegan menu
- Alcohol requires a separate license
- Extra charge for small groups
Went above and beyond for catered wedding event
“We had Rudy’s cater our wedding and it was excellent! Our wedding was an hour outside of Halifax at a venue with no kitchen facilities, and the folks at Rudy’s were able to prepare an excellent warm meal. You would never know that there was no kitchen on site! We had several guests with strict dietary requirements and Rudy’s was able to make an option for each of them. I would highly recommend Rudy’s to cater your event 😊”
Emma Crawley, Google Reviews
Great meals, service, and staff
“Excellent meals service and people. Food is prepared right in front of you and baked goods are homemade. They will also cater to your special events.”
Lemuel Smith, Google Reviews
Jane’s Next Door
Website: https://www.janesnextdoor.ca/
Address: 2053 Gottingen St
Contact Details: +1 902-431-5697
Operating Hours:
- Closed on Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM–6 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM
Jane’s Next Door has two decades of experience in providing catering services to Halifax’s North End. Chef Tahir — 2013 Culinarian of the Year by Nova Scotia Association of Cooks and Chefs — added more fine dining power to the catering company in 2021.
Their catering includes a specific Thanksgiving menu as well as breakfast and lunch catering aside from the typical mains and starters. Some clients even order extra platters just to freeze them and reheat the meals on another day.
And if you’ve got celiac issues or prefer vegetarian options, they’ll accommodate your preferences.
Their add-on delivery is from Monday to Saturday. If your event is on a Sunday, you’ll have to pick up your order or engage a third-party delivery service.
Pros
- Focuses on North End market
- Award-winning chef
- Diverse menu options
- Accommodates dietary needs
Cons
- Add-on delivery fee
- No delivery on Sundays
Convenient and delicious food, helpful and friendly staff
“This is my go-to spot when I’m looking to stock up on some tasty homemade frozen meals or give a gift of meals to a new parent or friend in need! Food is delicious. We especially love the seafood pie and butter chicken. Staff always friendly and helpful!”
Alysha MacPherson, Google Reviews
Went above and beyond despite bad weather
“A big thank you to the whole team from Janes Next Door! Their team went above and beyond to successfully cater our Welcome dinner for our daughter’s out of town wedding guests….during Hurricane Lee!! A Saturday night to remember for us all. I still can’t believe that both this event, and the wedding the next day, were celebrated exactly as planned. Thank you to the kind, fun and committed group from Janes!!”
Shellene Condon, Google Reviews
Scanway Catering
Website: http://scanwaycatering.com/
Address: 1505 Barrington St B1 Level
Contact Details: +1 902-425-0386
Operating Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
Scanway Catering has been providing catering and packaged meals for over 70 years. They’ve got ongoing partnerships with some of the best watering holes, including Four Points by Sheraton and Glen Arbour Golf Course.
Their catering is diverse: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and reception — plus a selection of cakes. Their catered reception is one of the bestsellers, inclusive of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and followed by starters, entrees, and your choice of desserts.
Meals can also be made vegan or vegetarian. And if you’re looking to get gluten-free or dairy-free meals, they’ve got that too.
However, we’d steer clear of getting catered meals during holidays. There have been complaints of undercooked holiday food along with inconsistent meal flavor and quality – probably due to the volume of orders during this peak season.
Pros
- Extensive experience
- Diverse catering options
- Partnerships with top venues
- Accepts dietary accommodations
Cons
- Inconsistent holiday meal quality
Extensive menu even for desserts
“Scanway Catering supplied our wedding dessert bar with various types of mini bites, such as cupcakes, fruit tarts, macarons, etc. Their catering menu is extensive with many good options. Melisa, the Event Catering Manager, was very helpful when organising all of this over email. Guests commented on how delicious the dessert was!”
Nina Huppertz, Google Reviews
Outstanding food that was beautifully presented by communicative team
“I’m a wedding planner and my couple hired Scanway for a casual reception style meal for their wedding. The food was outstanding and just beautifully presented. They staff were attentive and full service for set-up and clearing. The wedding was the same day hurricane Lee blew through and the team at Scanway was flexible, communicative, and great to work with while alternative plans were considered leading up to the wedding. They are one of the higher priced off-site catering options but they overdeliver in terms of both food quality and service.”
Roberta Micallef, Google Reviews
Allano’s Catering Services
Website: https://allanoscatering.ca/
Address: 124 Herring Cove Rd
Contact Details: +1 902-479-2392
Operating Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10 AM–8 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11 AM–9 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM–8 PM
Allano’s Catering Services provides catered meals featuring the popular dishes from its Filipino restaurant. The meals come in large aluminum platters, with popular dishes combined to create what is commonly known as family trays.
Allano’s menu options are diverse, allowing you to choose between chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, or seafood meals. You can also let them know if you like your food grilled, sizzling, stewed, or fried.
However, if you have food sensitivities or allergies, this provider may not be for you as they don’t accommodate substitutions. The same applies to vegans and vegetarians, except for certain vegetable dishes where meat can be omitted.
Patrons love Allano’s for its authentic flavors, though it can be too much if you’re used to mild-tasting food. Also, just be aware that occasional miscommunications can lead to order mix-ups.
Pros
- Authentic Filipino flavors
- Variety of preparation styles
- Rich and flavorful food
Cons
- No accommodations for food sensitivities or allergies
- Miscommunication with orders
Flavorful food, friendly service
“Gen her team were an instrumental part of our wedding day. They were incredible and I cannot say enough good things. The food was delicious and so many of our guests said it was the best wedding food they had ever had! Gen also brought our decor dreams to life and set-up and take down was so smooth! We are so grateful. 11/10 would recommend.”
Meghan Borland, Google Reviews
Amazing customer service, wonderful food
“If you ever need food catered – this place is the spot!! Amazing customer service and wonderful food. Our wedding guests are still talking about how delicious everything was.”
Jenna McLean, Google Reviews
902 Restaurant & Catering
Website: http://www.902halifax.com/
Address: 1579 Dresden Row
Contact Details: +1 902-477-9090
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Sunday: 2–10 PM
902 Restaurant & Catering specializes in catering Mediterranean cuisine. It also offers safe and traditional choices like burgers and fried chicken.
They’ve got a whole slew of options: family dinner platters, party packages, reception trays, and even buffet lunches.
If you’re going for a big purchase, then their lamb is a good choice. You can pick from a whole lamb, which can feed up to 30 people, or half lamb, good for 15 guests.
Both options are served with your choice of salad as well as saffron or smoky rice. For an extra fee, you can have the rice topped with nuts.
Mediterranean food is bold, flavorful, and spicy — which may not suit those with sensitive noses and taste buds. We’d suggest the burgers and chicken, but there are better providers for these types of dishes.
Just note that if you have allergies (particularly nuts), the kitchen has an open layout so cross-contamination is possible.
Pros
- Strong focus on Mediterranean cuisine
- Wide variety of dining options
- Specialized lamb dishes for large gatherings
Cons
- Most meals are bold and spicy, which may not appeal to everyone
- Risk of cross-contamination in the open kitchen layout
Great food at reasonable prices
“Very freindly, co- operative staff. Excellent food quality and serving. I asked them to serve about 12 guests with lamb shanks and roast chicken. We all loved the food, and had a great evening. Reasonable prices also.”
Mona Nasir, Google Reviews
Wonderful food with something for everyone
“We ordered assorted hot and cold meze (moutabal, hummus, baba ganouj, lentil kofta, falafel, fatayer and sambusa) as catering for an event with ~25 people. It was FANTASTIC! People loved the food and there was something for everyone with different diets. Lots of folks asked where it came from. I couldn’t recommend 902 more highly. If you’re having folks over, skip cooking and call them instead!”
Ruth Lavergne, Google Reviews
