What budget for a birthday party of 20, 30 or 50 guests in Paris?

First, what time is the party?

A birthday budget is not just about the number of guests. It is mostly about the time. A party that starts in the late afternoon, with guests heading off to dinner elsewhere, does not need the same quantities as an evening where nobody has eaten before arriving. In the first case drinks are enough; in the second you need something that replaces a meal.

In practice, three formats cover almost every birthday. Two-hour drinks, 14 pieces per guest, for a late-afternoon party. A dinner reception, 20 pieces per guest, for an evening of three hours or more. And a buffet, with starters, a cold main, cheese and dessert, for a birthday lunch around the table: grandma's 80th or a Sunday with the family.

Each format has its price per guest, shown on the menu page. The price shown is the price paid, with delivery included everywhere in Île-de-France except Seine-et-Marne, where it costs €90.

How much for 20, 30 or 50 guests?

The Classic Bistro menu brings together what you expect from good party food: cheese gougère, rillettes toast, devilled egg, bruschetta, mini chicken club, then mini éclair, financier, lemon tartlet and cannelé. The Mediterranean menu, at €20.30 per guest, is fully vegetarian: hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, marinated feta, baklava. For an evening that replaces dinner, the Hearty menu goes up to 20 pieces: mini clubs, wraps, quiches, smoked salmon blinis, guacamole and six sweet treats per guest.

Still and sparkling water, napkins and disposable tableware are included in all three. The prices below are catalogue prices for the default selection; you can swap pieces on the menu page before ordering.

What about a birthday lunch at the table?

When the birthday is celebrated around a table, with children and grandparents, a buffet is easier than a standing reception. The Classic buffet has two starters, a cold main, cheese and a dessert per guest: devilled eggs, lemon carrot salad, cold roast chicken, vegetable tart, three cheeses, apple tart or chocolate mousse, with fresh bread and water.

It costs €24.30 per guest: €364.50 for 15, €486 for 20, €729 for 30. The Mediterranean buffet, at €27.30 per guest, swaps some starters for aubergine dip, Greek salad and tabbouleh, and adds falafel alongside the roast chicken.

The cake is usually brought by the family. To go with coffee, or to keep the children busy during the speeches, the Sweet Platter, four treats per guest (cookie, madeleine, financier, brownie), is added to the order at €3.20 per guest.

Drinks and extras

Water is included. Everything else is added on the menu page, per guest: soft drinks (sodas, iced teas) at €3, freshly squeezed juice at €2.50, unlimited coffee and tea in flasks at €2.20. With children at the party, soft drinks go faster than planned: count them for everyone.

Buffet set-up by our team is optional: €90 up to 30 guests, €190 from 31 to 100. There are no serving staff: once the table is set, everyone helps themselves, and there is no stranger moving around between your guests.

Disposable plates, cups, cutlery and napkins are included. There is no glassware: if you want real glasses for the toast, bring your own.

When to order, and which slot?

Order online at least 24 hours before the start of the delivery slot, 48 hours from 100 guests. Saturdays and Sundays are delivered like any other day, in two-hour slots between 7am and 7pm. For an evening party, the last slot, 5pm to 7pm, is the right one: everything arrives ready to serve and is eaten cold.

For a surprise party, give the name and phone number of the person receiving the order: it is handed over at the party address without the guest of honour having to deal with it. Add the floor, the door code and the intercom name; if the building has a caretaker, let them know.

The minimum is €300 per delivery. With the Classic Bistro menu it is reached from 15 guests; with the Hearty menu, from 10. Below that, add drinks or a Sweet Platter, or move up a format.

Our advice: for a Saturday evening party, don't bet on drinks alone in the hope that guests will have eaten first. They come straight from work or errands, and the party goes on. The dinner reception costs more per guest, but it is what makes a good evening, and it saves the last-minute pizza order.