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Caterers · Riverside, CA/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Caterers in Riverside, CA

Riverside's catering scene is competitive yet promising, with a variety of options for all types of events. Find the best fit for your needs.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceBraun's Catering Company
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Riverside-metro caterers businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

Riverside's catering market is evolving, with a growing number of providers competing for your business. With 10 evaluated caterers, the options range from established favorites to promising newcomers, many of which have fewer than 50 reviews, indicating a developing trust among customers.

This ranking highlights the top caterers based on their Vetted Scores, which reflect customer ratings and review counts. Our evaluation process ensures that you receive an unbiased overview of the best available services in Riverside.

10caterers evaluated in Riverside
4.82average rating across the field
1.9Kcustomer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does caterers cost in Riverside? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
96Score

Braun's Catering Company

★★★★★5.0(235 reviews)

With a perfect 5-star rating from 235 reviews, Braun's Catering Company is a local favorite.

Read full review
Best Value
94Score

As You Like It Events & Catering

★★★★★4.9(61 reviews)

As You Like It Events & Catering holds an impressive 4.9-star rating from 61 reviews.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
92Score

OTS Catering

★★★★★5.0(43 reviews)

OTS Catering has a stellar 5-star rating from 43 reviews.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
5.0★★★★★
235Weddings and corporate events
2
94Score
4.9★★★★★
61Customizable events on a budget
3
OTS Catering
OTS Catering
Most Reviewed
92Score
5.0★★★★★
43Casual gatherings and formal events
4
85Score
5.0★★★★★
16Intimate gatherings
5
82Score
4.6★★★★★
50Small to medium-sized events
6
80Score
4.8★★★★★
20Casual and formal occasions
7
78Score
5.0★★★★★
12Unique small events
8
79Score
4.7★★★★★
15Interactive gatherings
9
78Score
5.0★★★★★
5Small gatherings
10
78Score
4.2★★★★★
1,458BBQ lovers and casual events
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 caterers.

To create this list, we analyzed 10 catering providers in Riverside, focusing on their customer ratings and the number of reviews they received. Our methodology emphasizes transparency, meaning no business pays for placement on this list.

We refresh our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the most current data. This allows you to make informed decisions based on the latest customer feedback and service performance.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Braun's Catering Company

★★★★★5.0(235 reviews)
96Score

With a perfect 5-star rating from 235 reviews, Braun's Catering Company is a local favorite. Customers rave about their delicious food and excellent service, making them ideal for weddings and corporate events. However, their popularity means you should book well in advance to secure your date. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is weddings and corporate events. It serves Riverside and surrounding areas, with $20 to $50 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are booking can be competitive and limited availability during peak seasons.

Pros

  • Outstanding food quality
  • Excellent customer service
  • Highly recommended for events

Cons

  • Booking can be competitive
  • Limited availability during peak seasons
Best forWeddings and corporate events
Service areaRiverside and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$20 to $50 per person
2
Best Value

As You Like It Events & Catering

★★★★★4.9(61 reviews)
94Score

As You Like It Events & Catering holds an impressive 4.9-star rating from 61 reviews. Customers appreciate their customizable menus and affordable pricing, making them a great option for various events. A downside is that their review count is still building, so some may find them less established. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is customizable events on a budget. It serves Riverside and nearby communities, with $15 to $30 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are growing review base and limited experience compared to larger companies.

Pros

  • Customizable menu options
  • Affordable pricing
  • High customer satisfaction

Cons

  • Growing review base
  • Limited experience compared to larger companies
Best forCustomizable events on a budget
Service areaRiverside and nearby communities
Typical pricing$15 to $30 per person
3
Most Reviewed

OTS Catering

★★★★★5.0(43 reviews)
92Score

OTS Catering has a stellar 5-star rating from 43 reviews. Clients love their diverse menu and friendly staff, making them suitable for casual gatherings and formal events alike. However, their smaller review base means that while results are promising, they are less proven than some competitors. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is casual gatherings and formal events. It serves Riverside and surrounding areas, with $10 to $25 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are smaller review base and limited brand recognition compared to top competitors.

Pros

  • Diverse menu options
  • Friendly and accommodating staff
  • Suitable for various events

Cons

  • Smaller review base
  • Limited brand recognition compared to top competitors
Best forCasual gatherings and formal events
Service areaRiverside and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$10 to $25 per person
4

NEETS KITCHEN

★★★★★5.0(16 reviews)
85Score

Neets Kitchen has a solid 5-star rating from 16 reviews. Customers appreciate the homemade feel of their dishes and the personal touch in service. However, the limited number of reviews suggests they are still building their reputation in the area. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is intimate gatherings. It serves Riverside and nearby regions, with $12 to $28 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited reviews and less experience in large events.

Pros

  • Homemade quality
  • Personalized service

Cons

  • Limited reviews
  • Less experience in large events
Best forIntimate gatherings
Service areaRiverside and nearby regions
Typical pricing$12 to $28 per person
5

Ashley Catering

★★★★★4.6(50 reviews)
82Score

Ashley Catering has a respectable 4.6-star rating from 50 reviews. Clients praise their friendly staff and tasty offerings, but some mention inconsistency in service during busy events. This makes them a solid choice for smaller gatherings but may not be ideal for larger functions. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is small to medium-sized events. It serves Riverside and surrounding areas, with $15 to $35 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are inconsistent service during peak times and limited scalability for large events.

Pros

  • Friendly service
  • Tasty food options

Cons

  • Inconsistent service during peak times
  • Limited scalability for large events
Best forSmall to medium-sized events
Service areaRiverside and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$15 to $35 per person
6

McGrath's Catering

★★★★★4.8(20 reviews)
80Score

McGrath's Catering holds a strong 4.8-star rating from 20 reviews. Customers appreciate their flavorful dishes and prompt service, making them suitable for both casual and formal occasions. However, their limited review count suggests they are still gaining visibility in the local market. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is casual and formal occasions. It serves Riverside and surrounding areas, with $18 to $40 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited reviews and less known in the area.

Pros

  • Flavorful dishes
  • Prompt service

Cons

  • Limited reviews
  • Less known in the area
Best forCasual and formal occasions
Service areaRiverside and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$18 to $40 per person
7

James Madison catering

★★★★★5.0(12 reviews)
78Score

James Madison Catering has a perfect 5-star rating from 12 reviews. Customers enjoy their unique offerings and personal service, but the small review base raises concerns about their experience and consistency in larger events. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is unique small events. It serves Riverside and nearby areas, with $20 to $45 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very limited reviews and unproven for larger events.

Pros

  • Unique offerings
  • Personal service

Cons

  • Very limited reviews
  • Unproven for larger events
Best forUnique small events
Service areaRiverside and nearby areas
Typical pricing$20 to $45 per person
8

Senshi Hibachi Catering

★★★★★4.7(15 reviews)
79Score

Senshi Hibachi Catering enjoys a solid 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews. Reviewers love the interactive cooking experience and fresh ingredients, making it a fun choice for gatherings. However, their limited review count may indicate less experience in the catering field. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is interactive gatherings. It serves Riverside and surrounding areas, with $25 to $60 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited reviews and less traditional catering options.

Pros

  • Interactive experience
  • Fresh ingredients

Cons

  • Limited reviews
  • Less traditional catering options
Best forInteractive gatherings
Service areaRiverside and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$25 to $60 per person
9

Taste Of The Town

★★★★★5.0(5 reviews)
78Score

Taste Of The Town has a perfect 5-star rating from just 5 reviews. While customers praise the quality of food, the very small review base makes it difficult to gauge overall reliability and consistency for larger events. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is small gatherings. It serves Riverside and nearby areas, with $15 to $35 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very small review base and unproven for larger events.

Pros

  • High-quality food
  • Positive initial feedback

Cons

  • Very small review base
  • Unproven for larger events
Best forSmall gatherings
Service areaRiverside and nearby areas
Typical pricing$15 to $35 per person
10

Gram's BBQ Restaurant & Catering

★★★★★4.2(1,458 reviews)
78Score

Gram's BBQ Restaurant & Catering has a respectable 4.2-star rating from a whopping 1,458 reviews. While their strong volume of feedback indicates reliability, some reviews mention inconsistent service during peak times, which can be a drawback for larger events. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is bBQ lovers and casual events. It serves Riverside and surrounding areas, with $10 to $25 per person pricing, and the honest trade-offs are inconsistent service during busy times and less focus on catering-specific events.

Pros

  • High volume of reviews
  • Variety of BBQ options

Cons

  • Inconsistent service during busy times
  • Less focus on catering-specific events
Best forBBQ lovers and casual events
Service areaRiverside and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$10 to $25 per person
Before you book

How to choose a caterer in Riverside

Selecting a caterer in Riverside requires attention to several key factors, including service area, response time, and state licensing. Here are three essential considerations to guide your choice.

Service Area Coverage

Verify that your caterer serves your specific location in Riverside. Some may have restrictions on travel distance.

Response Time

Look for caterers who respond quickly to inquiries. A prompt response can indicate good customer service and reliability.

Licensing and Insurance

Ensure your chosen caterer has the necessary state licenses and insurance to operate legally and safely.

What it costs

What catering costs in Riverside

The cost of catering in Riverside varies based on the type of service, menu selection, and event size. Here’s a breakdown of typical pricing tiers.

Basic PackagesExpect to pay around $15 to $25 per person for simple catering options, including basic buffet setups.
Mid-Range OptionsFor more elaborate menus and service styles, prices range from $30 to $50 per person.
Premium CateringHigh-end catering services with gourmet menus can cost between $60 to $100 per person.
Custom EventsTailored catering for unique events may exceed $100 per person, depending on the specifics of your request.

Frequently asked questions

How much does catering cost in Riverside?

Catering prices in Riverside typically range from $20 to $100 per person, depending on the menu and service style.

What types of events can I hire a caterer for in Riverside?

Caterers in Riverside can handle a variety of events, including weddings, corporate functions, and private parties.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Riverside events: <strong>Braun's Catering Company</strong>

If you are planning a large event and need reliable service, Braun's Catering Company is your best bet. With 235 reviews and a perfect 5-star rating, they excel in delivering quality and consistency. For smaller gatherings or more personalized service, As You Like It Events & Catering with its 4.9 rating is an excellent choice, especially for those looking to tailor their menu. Lastly, if you are on a budget but still want top-notch options, OTS Catering is a promising option with a 5-star rating from 43 reviews, though their review base is still thin.