Start with the food
The best Mexican parties are built around the food. Tacos, nachos, quesadillas and burritos are colourful, easy to eat while chatting and good for mixed groups. Fresh salsas, guacamole and lime bring the flavour. If the food is right, the rest of the party falls into place.
Menu ideas
- Arrival: tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole, and perhaps loaded nachos to share.
- Main: tacos with two or three fillings, such as slow-cooked pork carnitas, chicken tinga or beef birria, plus a vegan option like spiced mushrooms or black beans.
- Alongside: burrito bowls for guests who prefer a fork, and quesadillas for children.
- Toppings: pickled red onion, coriander, radish, lime, cheese, soured cream, and salsas from mild to hot.
- Dessert: a birthday cake, or ask your caterer what else is possible.
A build-your-own taco bar
A taco bar is a natural centrepiece. Guests build their own tacos from warm tortillas, fillings, salsas and toppings. It gets people talking and lets everyone choose their own heat and diet. Read our taco bar guide for layout and quantities.
Drinks
Mexican drinks suit a party: margaritas, palomas, Mexican beer with lime, and aguas frescas such as agua de jamaica (hibiscus), horchata, tamarind and fruit waters. Aguas frescas are a good alcohol-free option for drivers, children and anyone not drinking. Our Mexican drinks guide explains each one. If alcohol is being sold at your event, check the licensing first; see our margarita bar guide.
Decorations without the clichés
You don’t need fancy dress to make a party feel special. Focus on colour and light instead:
- Bright tablecloths and napkins, and plenty of fresh flowers
- Festoon lights for evening parties
- Bowls of limes and chillies as table centres
- Hand-painted menu boards for the food and drinks
- Papel picado (cut paper bunting), which is traditional at Mexican celebrations
Keep it respectful: celebrate the food and colour, and skip the costume stereotypes.
Music and timings
A relaxed playlist while guests arrive, food served once most people are there, and music turned up afterwards is a simple plan. Agree a food time with your caterer and stick to it, so the food is ready when guests are hungry. If there are speeches or a birthday cake, plan them either before or after food, not during service.
Planning the numbers
As a rule of thumb, most caterers plan two to four tacos per person as a main meal. Count children separately, and ask about diets on your invitation. Our guide to how many tacos per person has more detail. Truck and trailer service usually suits around 50 to 400 guests; smaller parties are quoted case by case.
Ideas by occasion
- Milestone birthdays: a food truck in the garden or at a hired hall, with a taco bar and a margarita bar for the evening.
- Anniversaries and family reunions: sharing platters to tables, so older guests don’t need to queue, with mild and hot salsas on the side.
- Engagement parties: loaded nachos and tacos served through the evening, so guests can graze while they mingle.
- Leaving and retirement parties: a set lunch or early-evening service, with aguas frescas and soft drinks for those heading home.
- Summer street parties and club events: a truck serving to order, with a short menu to keep the queue moving.
Getting a quote
Tell us your date, place, numbers and what kind of party you’re planning, and we’ll suggest a menu. Contact us for a quote through our quote form, or see our Mexican party catering.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.