Walking dinner, paella or BBQ: which suits your party?

Anyone organising a party of twenty guests or more on the Costa del Sol faces the same choice: a walking dinner, live paella or a BBQ. We cook all three on location, and all three include the chef, service staff, tableware, set-up and clean-up. The difference lies in atmosphere, space and price.

A walking dinner (€42 p.p.) is a complete meal without seating. Guests stand, move between terrace, garden and bar, and receive six to eight small dishes in relaxed rounds. It is the most social format: everyone talks to everyone and no buffet queue forms. On a small terrace or in an apartment, it is the only format that always fits.

Live paella (€38 p.p.) is the most affordable choice and works as a warm centrepiece. The paella pan is set up on location and everyone watches the rice cook. You choose from paella de marisco, mixta, de pollo or a vegetarian version. Paella is slightly more static than walking bites — guests take a plate and find a spot — but the atmosphere around the pan makes up for a lot.

The Mediterranean BBQ (€45 p.p.) is the most extensive option: premium meat and fish go on the grill live, with salads, bread and sauces alongside. It does require space: a garden or generous terrace is needed for a safe set-up with grill and extraction. At a rented villa we check the house rules in advance, as not every urbanisation allows open fire.

For guest numbers, all three menus work from 20 guests at a fixed price per person. Combining is possible too: many hosts start with two or three walking bites on arrival and let the paella or BBQ form the warm heart of the evening. We price such a combination per guest pro rata.

Not sure? Send us your date, location and guest count, and we will advise the menu that fits your space and budget. Also read the full pages on our walking dinner in Marbella, paella at home in Marbella and BBQ catering in Marbella for the complete menus and approach.