Birthdays are always special – be it for children or adults. Who does not like to get pampered and be showered with love, good wishes and blessings on one’s birthday? One of the most important aspects of birthdays is the special birthday dishes.
Different people celebrate birthdays in various ways. Some prefer to keep the event low-key and celebrate at home with a sumptuous birthday dinner or a birthday special dish. Again, some people love to throw a birthday party with the best birthday party menu.
Milestone birthday parties are always special – like your child’s 1st birthday, 5th year birthday or 18th birthday. People often celebrate their 25th, 50th and even 75th birthday grandly. Birthday dishes ideas will vary depending on the person’s age.
It is obvious that a kids birthday party menu will be different from that of an adult’s birthday meal ideas. In this blog, we will discuss in detail the best food for birthday party for kids and adults, breaking down the menu into different categories. It will also include birthday snack ideas, birthday lunch ideas and a birthday dinner menu.
Best birthday party menu ideas for a grand party
Category | Subcategory | Item |
Cakes & Sweets | Cakes | chocolate cake, vanilla cake, funfetti cake, cartoon character cakes (like Mickey Mouse, Dora the Explorer, or Spiderman), unicorn cake, rainbow cake, monster truck cake, princess cake, car cake, cupcake cake, ice cream cake, and animal-themed cakes (like a lion, bear, or dinosaur cake) |
Candy | Chocolate: M&M’s (Milk Chocolate, Peanut, Peanut Butter), Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, Kit Kats, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, | |
Traditional Sweets | Rosogolla, Gulab jamun, Komola Bhog, Makha Sandesh, Kalakand, Burfi Sandesh, Chocolate Sandesh, Ice Cream Sandesh, Butter Scotch Sandesh, Sandesh, Gajar Halwa, Moong Daal Halwa, Rabri, Jilebi, Rosomalai, Baked Mihidana | |
Brownies | Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Brownie, Pineapple Brownie, Brownie With Ice Cream | |
Ice Cream | Classic Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip | |
Beverages | Welcome Drinks | Welcome Drinks |
Mocktails | Mocktail Live | |
Fruity & Refreshing | Fruit Punch, Lemonade, Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Grape Juice, Watermelon Juice/Agua Fresca, Pineapple Juice | |
Fizzy & Fun | Sparkling Cider (Non-Alcoholic), Flavored Sparkling Water, Homemade “Soda” (Fruit Juice + Sparkling Water) | |
Creamy & Sweet | Milkshakes (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry), Smoothies (Fruit-Based) | |
Sherbet | Curd Sharbat With Different Flavours (Live) | |
Soft Drinks | Soft Drinks | |
Tea/Coffee & Others | Tandoor Tea, Tea, Coffee, Iced Tea (Sweetened or Unsweetened), Flavored Water (Infused Water) | |
Starters/Snacks | Street Food | Popcorn, Street Chaat Counter Live, Fuchka Live, Dahi Vada |
Egg Dishes | Egg Devil | |
Fish Dishes | Fish Tandoor, Fish Ball, Fish Orly, Fish Finger, Fish Cutlet | |
Prawn Dishes | Prawn Cutlet, Golden Prawn Fry | |
Chicken Dishes | Chicken Satay, Chicken Pakora, Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Momo, Cream Of Chicken Soup, Chicken Reshmi Kebab, Chicken Hariyali Kebab, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Drumstick | |
Pizza | Chicken Pizza, Mini Veg Pizza | |
Vegetable Dishes | Crispy Baby Corn, Chili Baby Corn, Paneer Tikka, Paneer Chop, Veg Pakora, Mochar Chop, Cheese Balls, French Fries, Veg Momo, Corn Soup, Tomato Soup | |
Live Counter Items | Chowmein Live, Pasta Live | |
Main Course | Salads | Mini Salad Bar, Green Salad, Raita, Russian Salad, Sweet Corn Salad, Macaroni Salad, Sprouts Salad, Chicken Salad, Egg Salad, Prawn Salad |
Breads | Radha Ballavi, Peas Kochuri, Kulcha, Masala Kulcha, Rumali Roti, Baby Naan, Bhature | |
Lentils/Vegetables | Chana Masala, Kashmiri Aloor Dum, Aloo Dum, Cholar Dal, Dal Makhani, Stuffed Aloor Dum, Chole, Malai Kofta, Chanar Dalna, Butter Paneer Masala, Vegetable Navratan, Phulkopir Roast, Kachkolar Kofta, Potoler Dolma | |
Fish Dishes | Bhetki Fish Fry, Batter Fry, Paturi, Kabiraji, Cutlet, Dahi Katla, Katla Kalia, Parshe Jhal, Shorshe Pabda, Chingri Malaikari, Shorshe Ilish | |
Chicken Dishes | Chicken Afghani, Chicken Kosha, Chicken Lababdar, Chicken Duck Bungalow, Chilli Chicken, Chicken Chaap | |
Mutton Dishes | Mutton Kosha, Mutton Curry, Mutton Rogan Josh, Mutton Duck Bungalow, Mutton Chaap | |
Rice/Pulao/Biryani | Steamed Rice, Jeera Rice, Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Mixed Fried Rice, Vegetable Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, Vegetable Pulao, Basanti Pulao, Peas Pulao, Chicken Pulao, Mutton Pulao, | |
Other Main Courses | Spaghetti, Risotto, Taco, Vegetable Chow Mein, Vegetable Pasta,Chicken Chow Mein, Mixed Chow Mein, Mixed Pasta, Chicken Pasta, | |
Chutneys | Dry Fruits Chutney, Fruits Chutney, Pineapple Chutney, Mango Chutney, Dhania Chutney | |
Desserts | Indian Desserts | Payesh |
Paan | Paan | Pan, Fire Pan, Pan Stall Live |
Let us take a look at the birthday party buffet food ideas in different categories and their sub-categories.
Cakes and Sweets
No birthday party food will be complete without cakes and sweets. This applies particularly to birthday parties for kids. Mentioned below are some of the most popular cakes and sweet items that people love:
Cakes
Cake cutting is an integral part of any birthday party. You can choose from a wide variety of cake options, particularly for children. Some of the options include:
- Chocolate cake
- Vanilla cake
- Funfetti cake
- Animal-themed cake (like a lion, bear, or dinosaur cake)
- Monster truck cake
- Car cake
- Unicorn cake
- Rainbow cake
- Cartoon character cake (like Mickey Mouse, Dora the Explorer, or Spiderman)
- Princess cake
- Ice cream cake
- Cupcake cake
Candy
For children, candies are the best sweets for birthday. A handful of candies makes any child happy. These are also excellent return gifts. Some varieties include:
- Chocolate: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, Snickers, M&M’s (Milk Chocolate, Peanut, Peanut Butter), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats
- Hard Candy & Lollipops: Blow Pops, Lollipops (various flavors and sizes), Life Savers, Ring Pops
- Candy Floss: Different colors and flavors
- Novelty Candy: Pop Rocks, Candy necklaces and bracelets, Push Pops
- Sour Candy: Sour Belts, Warheads
- Fruity & Chewy: Gummy Bears (Haribo is a popular brand), Twizzlers, Starburst, Jelly Beans, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids
- Chewy & Taffy: Tootsie Rolls, Airheads, Laffy Taffy
Traditional Sweets
If you are a Bengali, you will surely have some traditional sweets for birthday party. These sweets are sure to find a place in a Bengali birthday menu list.
- Rosogolla
- Makha Sandesh
- Gulab jamun
- Rosomalai
- Kalakand
- Sandesh
- Komola Bhog
- Chocolate Sandesh
- Baked Mihidana
- Rabri
- Ice Cream Sandesh
- Burfi Sandesh
- Moong Daal Halwa
- Jalebi
- Butter Scotch Sandesh
- Gajar Halwa
Brownies
For birthday sweets ideas, brownies act as excellent birthday party desserts. They are available in different forms like:
- Pineapple Brownie
- Chocolate Brownie
- Brownie with Ice Cream
- Strawberry Brownie
Ice creams
Ice creams can be an independent item or an item among birthday party desserts. Ice creams come in different varieties and flavors. Some available options include:
- Fun & Colorful: Bubble Gum, Rainbow Sherbet, Cotton Candy
- Novelty Treats: Frozen Yogurt, Ice Pops/Popsicles
- Classic Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, Mint Chocolate Chip
- Treats & Sundaes: Ice Cream Sandwiches, Ice Cream Sundaes, Ice Cream Cake, Milkshakes, Ice Cream Cones
Beverages
Guests coming to the birthday party will love to drink something hot or cold. They can choose from the below-mentioned options.
Welcome Drinks
Different caterers prepare different kinds of welcome drinks for guests. While some welcome drinks might be common, there are special summer and winter welcome drinks. While finalizing the menu, the caterer can inform about the variety of welcome drinks that they offer.
Mocktails
Many caterers now arrange for live mocktail counters. Invitees to the birthday party can enjoy mocktails of their choice. There are professionals at the bar counter who prepare the mocktail instantly.
Fruity and Refreshing Drinks
When it comes to beverages many people want to keep some fruity and refreshing drinks/juices for their guests. These can be in the form of:
- Lemonade
- Pineapple Juice
- Fruit Punch
- Apple Juice
- Watermelon Juice/Agua Fresca
- Grape Juice
- Orange Juice
Fizzy and Fun Drinks
If you want to experiment and add a fun element to your drinks, these fizzy and fun drinks can be a great choice.
- Flavored Sparkling Water
- Sparkling Cider (Non-Alcoholic)
- Homemade “Soda” (Fruit Juice + Sparkling Water)
Creamy and Sweet Drinks
Children coming to birthday parties often love to have some creamy and sweet drinks. Some of the most popular options include:
- Smoothies (Fruit-Based)
- Milkshakes (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry)
Sherbet
Sherbet is available in different flavors and tastes. Many caterers offer Curd Sherbet and Lassi in different flavors. This is also a live counter at the party.
Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are a favorite beverage at a party, particularly during the summer months. These drinks are available in different flavors like lemon, orange, cola and many more.
Tea/Coffee and others
Along with cold beverages, hot beverages are also served at parties. Different kinds of teas and coffees are often served. Popular options include:
- Iced Tea (Sweetened or Unsweetened)
- Tea
- Coffee
- Tandoor Tea
- Flavored Water (Infused Water)
Starters
Birthday party snacks are an indispensable part of birthday dinner ideas. Birthday party snacks for adults and children can be from different cuisines. The snacks are usually crispy, munchy, slightly spicy and delicious. Finger foods are a popular choice. Let us take a look at the different kinds of starters served at birthday parties.
Street Food
Street foods have become a popular starter option in many places. Items in street food include:
- Fuchka Live
- Popcorn
- Dahi Vada
- Street Chaat Counter Live
Egg dishes
Egg items are often a popular starter item at birthday parties. Egg Devil needs a special mention in this regard.
Fish Dishes
If you are looking at starters in a birthday menu Bengali, you are sure to find some amazing fish items. Some of them are:
- Fish Orly
- Fish Cutlet
- Fish Tandoor
- Fish Finger
- Fish Ball
Prawn Dishes
Prawns are also a favorite item for starters. Popular items are:
- Golden Prawn Fry
- Prawn Cutlet
Chicken Dishes
You will be amazed by the varieties of chicken dishes, which are available as starters. You are sure to find some of them in an Indian birthday party menu. Let us check some of the options:
- Chicken Pakora
- Chicken Reshmi Kebab
- Chicken Tandoori
- Chicken Hariyali Kebab
- Chicken Momo
- Chicken Tikka
- Chicken Drumstick
- Chicken Satay
- Cream of Chicken Soup
Pizza
There is probably no kid or teenager who does not like pizza. When it comes to party food ideas buffet, pizzas make it to the list. Two popular choices are:
- Mini veg pizza
- Chicken pizza
Vegetable dishes
Not everyone at the birthday party is a non-vegetarian. Some people who love vegetable items in starters and in the main course as well. Some famous vegetable starters include:
- Paneer Tikka
- Crispy Baby Corn
- Cheese Balls
- Paneer Chop
- Chili Baby Corn
- Veg Momo
- Veg Pakora
- French Fries
- Mochar Chop
- Tomato Soup
- Corn Soup
Live Counter Items
Many starter items are available in live counters at the birthday party. The most popular live counter items include:
- Pasta Live
- Chowmein Live
Main Course
Whether you are deciding on a Bengali birthday lunch menu or thinking about birthday dinner menu ideas for adults, you can choose from the below-mentioned items. While some items are suitable for the lunch menu, others work well for the dinner menu. You can take a look and decide. The main course is divided into different sub-categories, with many items under each.
Salads
Many guests enjoy salads as a part of their meal. Some of the most popular salad options are as follows:
- Green Salad
- Sweet Corn Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Russian Salad
- Mini Salad Bar
- Sprouts Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Raita
- Prawn Salad
- Egg Salad
Breads
Breads are a staple in birthday dishes Indian. Available in different varieties and tastes, Indian breads are unique in themselves. Items often served at parties include:
- Kulcha
- Radha Ballavi
- Masala Kulcha
- Baby Naan
- Peas Kochuri
- Bhature
- Rumali Roti
Lentils/Vegetables
Indians, particularly Bengalis are food-loving people. They love to experiment with different kinds of lentils and vegetables offering excellent tastes. Here are some lentils and vegetable items, which are often included in any party menu:
- Butter Paneer Masala
- Vegetable Navratan
- Kashmiri Aloor Dum
- Dal Makhani
- Stuffed Aloor Dum
- Plain Aloo Dum
- Chana Masala
- Malai Kofta
- Chanar Dalna
- Potoler Dolma
- Chole
- Kachkolar Kofta
- Cholar Dal
- Phulkopir Roast
Fish Dishes
Fish dishes are mandatory in any Bengali birthday lunch menu or dinner menu. The variety of fish items served at any Bengali event is noteworthy. Here are some popular fish items that are a must-try in any event:
- Bhetki Fish Fry
- Paturi
- Katla Kalia
- Fish Batter Fry
- Dahi Katla
- Fish Kabiraji
- Chingri Malaikari
- Fish Cutlet
- Shorshe Pabda
- Parshe Jhal
- Shorshe Ilish
Chicken Dishes
Talk of buffet party food ideas for adults and chicken dishes will be there in style. Succulent pieces of chicken in various curries and gravies are a great attraction on the menu. They can be eaten with rice items or breads of your choice. Let us check out some popular chicken dishes:
- Chicken Kosha
- Chicken Duck Bungalow
- Chicken Afghani
- Chicken Chaap
- Chicken Lababdar
- Chilli Chicken
Mutton dishes
Though mutton is an expensive choice over chicken, many people want to keep mutton dishes on the birthday party menu. Mutton items that people love include:
- Mutton Curry
- Mutton Chaap
- Mutton Kosha
- Mutton Duck Bungalow
- Mutton Rogan Josh
Rice Items
An Indian birthday party menu will definitely have rice items. You can choose from the below-mentioned items and keep the one you prefer.
- Steamed Rice
- Jeera Rice
- Peas Pulao
- Fried Rice
- Basanti Pulao
- Vegetable Pulao
- Chicken Biryani
- Vegetable Biryani
- Mutton Biryani
- Chicken Pulao
- Mutton Pulao
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Mixed Fried Rice
Other Main Courses
Apart from rice and bread, you can choose from other options too. Here are some of them:
- Vegetable Chow Mein
- Chicken Chow Mein
- Mixed Chow Mein
- Vegetable Pasta
- Chicken Pasta
- Mixed Pasta
- Taco
- Spaghetti
- Risotto
Chutneys
End your meal with some sweet and sour and delicious chutneys. Chutneys are prepared according to the available ingredients. Some common options are:
- Mango Chutney
- Dry Fruits Chutney
- Pineapple Chutney
- Dhania Chutney
- Fruits Chutney
Desserts
After the chutneys, it is time for desserts. A detailed list of the desserts and sweet items is there at the top of the menu list.
Along with the ones mentioned there, another popular Indian dessert that is a must for birthdays is payesh. It is considered an auspicious birthday special dish.
Paan
The last item in the birthday dishes Indian is the ‘Paan’. The paan is not only aromatic but also helps in easy food digestion. Check out some paan options:
- Pan stall live serving different kinds of pan
- Fire pan
Summing it Up
This blog provides comprehensive information on various birthday dishes ideas, including birthday dinner ideas and birthday lunch ideas. You can provide a list of the items you want in the birthday party buffet food and discuss the same with your caterer. The right caterer will help you create the best birthday meal ideas.
For all kinds of birthday party menus and birthday party catering services in kolkata, contact New Bhojon Caterer. We offer the best food at the most reasonable rates. Contact us for more details.