Planning an event in Houston — whether it’s a small backyard gathering, a stylish corporate dinner, or a full-scale wedding — starts with choosing the right caterer. Houston is packed with talented, boutique-style catering companies that offer everything from gourmet meals to global flavors to casual shawarma setups.
In this guide, we highlight five standout catering services in Houston with strong reputations, personalized service, and diverse menu options — perfect for anyone looking for quality without going to large, corporate caterers. Each pick offers something unique: Mediterranean street-food setups, global fusion menus, gourmet presentations, flexible small-to-medium event catering, and even full-service event planning.
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, wedding, cultural celebration, or business event, this curated list will help you find the right fit for your style, guest list, and budget.
1. Shawarmaandmore
Instagram: @shawamaandmore
Category: Restaurant & Outdoor Catering
Specialties: Shawarma, Pasta & More, Outdoor Catering
Overview
Shawarmaandmore brings a casual-yet-versatile catering style to Houston — with Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flair (shawarma) plus broader menu flexibility (pasta & more), and the ability to serve outdoor events. Their moderate follower count suggests a boutique, personal vibe, often ideal for small-to-mid sized gatherings rather than massive events.
Core Services
- Shawarma Catering: Perfectly spiced, flavorful shawarma wraps or platters — excellent for casual events, family gatherings, or cultural food-themed parties.
- Varied Main-Course Options (Pasta & More): Offers more diverse dishes beyond shawarma, giving flexibility to satisfy mixed guest preferences.
- Outdoor Catering Services: They explicitly offer outdoor catering — good for backyard parties, picnics, casual get-togethers, or outdoor social events.
- Flexible Menu & Smaller-Scale Events: Their social-media presence suggests a focus on personalized, smaller-scale events rather than large corporate gigs — which often translates into more attention to detail and tailored service for each client.
Who They’re Best For
- Casual to semi-formal gatherings (birthdays, friend/family meetups, small social events)
- Events wanting comforting, Mediterranean-style cuisine
- Outdoor parties or backyard events
- Clients who prefer a more “local” caterer than large corporate catering outfits
2. Nomada Catering
Nomada Catering Web Phone: +18328817510
Instagram: @nomadacateringtx
Category: Boutique Catering / Global-Flavors Catering
Overview
Nomada Catering positions itself as a “curated catering with a Nomad spirit” — blending global flavors for a wide range of events. Their moderate follower base suggests a boutique operation that likely offers personalized menus and versatile catering for different types of events. (Instagram)
Core Services
- Global-flavor menus: Ideal for tastemakers or events desiring something beyond standard fare — blending cuisines to suit diverse guest preferences.
- Small-to-mid sized events: Their size and business model make them a good fit for intimate private events, cultural gatherings, or creative social occasions.
- Flexible catering format: Likely able to cater buffet-style, plated meals, or custom chef-prepared spreads depending on event needs.
Who They’re Best For
- Cultural events, fusion cuisine lovers
- Small to mid-sized private parties or social gatherings
- Clients seeking unique, global-inspired menus
3. The Heights Catering
The Heights Catering Web Address: 1219 Shepherd Dr ste a, Houston, TX 77007 Phone: +18324449933
Instagram: @theheightscatering
Category: Boutique & Gourmet Catering / Event Service Company in Houston (Instagram)
Overview
The Heights Catering markets itself as a boutique catering and event service company, focusing on “world-class cuisine & quality catering” for Houston and surrounding areas. They emphasize creativity, presentation, and a bespoke experience — making them suitable for social events, weddings, corporate gatherings and more. (The Heights Catering)
Core Services
- Gourmet & Artful Cuisine: High-quality dishes, often crafted with attention to presentation and taste. (Instagram)
- Menu Tasting & Custom Menus: They offer tasting and menu customization — useful for events that require curated menus or thematic food selections. (The Heights Catering)
- Food-Truck & Gourmet Catering: They also handle events via food trucks or mobile catering, offering dynamic options beyond traditional sit-down meals. (The Heights Catering)
- Events of Various Sizes: From small private gatherings to larger social or corporate events — The Heights offers flexibility in scale. (The Heights Catering)
Who They’re Best For
- Stylish social events, corporate dinners, weddings
- Events where presentation and ambiance matter as much as food
- Clients wanting a customizable, high-end catering experience
4. Cater2U Cafe
Instagram: @cater2ucafe
Category: Boutique Catering / Private-Event Catering (Houston) (Instagram)
Overview
Cater2U Cafe describes itself as a boutique catering company capable of handling events from small to medium size (1–500 people). Their flexibility, community-oriented approach, and personalized service make them a solid pick for those who need modest-sized catering without the overhead of large catering firms. (Instagram)
Core Services
- Small-to-Medium Event Catering: Ideal for family dinners, birthday parties, office lunches, small celebrations.
- Flexible Menu Selection: Likely offers a variety of dishes to cater to different tastes — useful when attendees have varied preferences.
- Personalized Service: As a boutique outfit, they can adapt to customer needs, dietary restrictions, and specific event requirements.
Who They’re Best For
- Smaller private events or intimate gatherings
- Customers seeking personalized service rather than large-scale buffet-style catering
- Budget-conscious clients who still want quality and service
5. Elite Catering by Darren
Elite Catering by Darren Web Phone: +18329180737
Instagram: @elitecateringbydarren
Category: Full-Service Catering for Events, Weddings & Corporate in Houston (Instagram)
Overview
Elite Catering by Darren serves Houston & surrounding areas offering catering, event planning, and full-service setups — including weddings, private events, corporate gatherings, and social celebrations. Their service scope makes them a versatile choice for many event types. (Instagram)
Core Services
- Weddings & Private Events Catering: Full meal services, customized menus, and event-style catering suited for ceremonies, receptions, or private parties. (Instagram)
- Corporate & Business Events Catering: Suitable for business parties, corporate dinners, networking events, and formal gatherings. (Instagram)
- Event Planning + Catering + Setup: More than food — they can help with logistics, service staff, plating, and event flow, which simplifies planning for the client. (Instagram)
Who They’re Best For
- Weddings, formal events, corporate dinners
- Events where you need full-service catering + planning + service staff
- Clients wanting a one-stop solution for food, setup, and event coordination
Why These 5 Caterers Stand Out in Houston
- Boutique & Personalized Approach: All selected caterers have follower counts under 10K (or modest), indicating boutique-scale operations that tend to offer more personalized, flexible service rather than mass-produced catering.
- Diverse Styles & Event Suitability: Between them they cover everything — from informal shawarma parties to corporate events, weddings, social gatherings, and outdoor catering.
- Flexibility in Size & Menu: These caterers handle small to medium events, often with customizable menus — a big advantage for parties where guests have diverse tastes or dietary needs.
- Local-Focus & Community Feel: Being smaller, Houston-based operations, they are likely more responsive, adaptive, and invested in customer satisfaction than large chains.
- Good Balance of Quality and Value: With boutique pricing yet quality service and cuisine, they provide an appealing alternative to large, expensive catering companies.
