Diwali Catering NYC

Diwali Catering Menu Nyc

Diwali in New York City carries a particular energy that blends tradition with urban sophistication. Homes, offices, and event spaces are filled with light, color, and a sense of renewal, yet the pace of the city often leaves hosts with little time to execute a celebration that truly honors the holiday. Green Apple Catering approaches Diwali not as a themed event, but as a cultural moment that deserves care, authenticity, and refined culinary interpretation.

Rather than offering pre-set packages, we build each Diwali experience around the people, space, and intention behind the gathering. Some clients want an intimate, reflective evening with family. Others plan corporate receptions that need to feel polished and celebratory without losing cultural depth. In every case, our role is to remove stress from the host while preserving the warmth and meaning of the holiday through thoughtful food, seamless service, and elegant presentation.

Our catering model is rooted in reliability. Timelines are respected, deliveries arrive on schedule, and every dish is prepared with the same level of attention whether the order serves twelve guests or several hundred. This consistency allows hosts to focus on their celebration rather than logistics, knowing that the culinary experience is in capable hands.

Traditional Diwali Catering Menus

BUILD YOUR MENU

Served with your Choice of two  sides, two salads, 1 chutney , desserts and Bread
ONE ENTRÉE $33.95 per person
TWO ENTRÉES $37.95 per person
THREE ENTRÉES $41.95 per person

Creating a Diwali catering menu for a celebration in New York City can be a wonderful way to honor this cultural holiday.  Here's a sample Diwali  catering menu  featuring dishes inspired by Indian Flavors and traditions:

APPETIZERS:

$38 Per Dozen

• CURRIED POTATO AND PEA SAMOSA with Tamarind Sauce
• CAULIFLOWER PAKORA with Mint Chutney
• INDIAN CURRIED SHRIMP
• SHRIMP TIKKA with Fresh Mango Chutney
• TANDOORI CHICKEN on crispy fried wafer served with mango chutney
• CHICKEN PAKORA: Chicken pieces battered with gram flour flavored with green chilies, turmeric, garlic served with mint & tamarind dips.
• BAKED ONION PAKORAS Served with tomato chutney
• ONION BHAJI : Shallow fried onion slices with cumin seeds, mild spices and deep fried.
• ALOO CHAP : Mashed potatoes infused with ginger, and cumin, dipped in the batter and deep fried
• PANEER & CORN CROQUETTE with Fresh Mango Chutney

ENTREES

CHICKEN ENTREES

• Chicken Haryali : Boneless Chicken with Mint & Cilantro
• White Coco Chicken Curry : Chicken with Cashew Nuts,Yogurt & Coconut Sauce
• Subaz-e-Bahar Chicken Curry : Chicken Cooked with Spinach & Cilantro Sauce
• KORMA Mild almond cream sauce sprinkled with ground cardamom and flavoured with rose water
• VINDALU : Spicy sauce created from onion, tomatoes, ginger and fresh grounded chillies.
• ACHARI MURGA TIKKA: Tender pieces of chicken breast marinated in yoghurt, pickled sauce, fresh seasonal herbs
• SAFFRON MALAI TIKKA: Tender breast pieces of chicken marinated and grilled till perfection with mild spices, yoghurt saffron, and fresh herbs.
• RATO BHALEKO SIZZLER : Chicken ( on bone ) marinated in yogurt, Nepalese spice and herbs grilled and cooked with home-style onion, peppers, tomato sauce, tossed with fresh spring onion
• TANDOORI CHICKEN : A mouth watering chicken leg/breast piece marinated in yoghurt sauce, tandoori spices, fresh herbs
• Chicken Kali Mirch Creamy chicken tikka cooked with fried black pepper in the curry sauce
• Chicken Chilli Masala Cooked with special masala sauce and chopped green chilies and garlic. Fairly hot.
• Chicken Chat -Small chicken cubes cooked with special chat masala , herbs and tangy sauce.
• Chicken Tikka Tender pieces of breast chicken marinated in fine spices in Tomato based cream sauce with grounded cashew nuts.

LAMB AND GOAT ENTREES

• LAMB VINDALOO : Kashmiri Red Chili, Roasted Ground Spices & Potato
• LAMB SAAG : Lamb Cooked with Fresh Spinach
• LAMB RAGAN GOSH : Lamb, Cooked with Cardamom & Cinnamon Curry
• KEEMA MUTTER : Minced lamb cooked with onion tomato and green peas infused with garlic and ginger.
• SHEEK KEBAB : Tender rolls of lamb, minced, mixed with chopped ginger-garlic, green chillies & coriander, spiced with cumin & saffron
• LAMB TIKKA :Chunks from the lamb, marinated in the mixture of yoghurt and vinegar with melange of spices.
• Indian Lamb Chops with Curried Cauliflower9 +$6
• Goat Curry

SEAFOOD ENTRESS

• FISH MADRAS CURRY : Cooked with Ginger, Coconut Powder, Mustard Seeds & Curry Leaves
• SALMON AMRITSARI: Crispy Salmon Battered in Gram Flour
• SHRIMP TIKKA MASALA : Jumbo Shrimp cooked in a Creamy Tomato Sauce

VEGAN ENTREES

• ALOO GOBI :Fresh cauliflowers and potatoes cooked in curry sauce, fresh herbs and spices.
• KERAU PANEER : Cottage cheese and green peas cooked with creamy tomato sauce and fresh herbs.
• SOUTH INDIAN VEGETABLE CURRY: This vegetarian curry is delicious served with some basmati rice alongside.
• KADHAI PANEER : Home made soft cheese, cooked in tomato sauce and finished with crushed Coriander seed, black pepper and chopped capsicum.
• VEGETABLE CURRY
• SAAG PANEER : Indian Cheese and Red Peppers in Fragrant Spinach Sauce
• CHOLAY : Chickpeas Cooked in a Spicy Tomato Sauce with yogurt on the side

SIDE DISHES

VEGETABLE

• DAAL MAKHANI (Chef’s Special Lentil) Combination of black lentils, ginger-garlic paste, simmered overnight over slow fire, garnished with cream & dollops of homemade butter.
• PALAK PANEER (Spinach and Cheese)
• MUTTER PANEER (Green Peas and Cheese)
• AALOO GOBI (Potato and Cauliflower)
• MUTTER MUSHROOM (Green peas with Mushroom)
• BOMBAY POTATO (Dry Potato)
• BHINDI MASSALA (Okra)
• TARKA DAAL (Thin Lentil)
• HARIYALI DAAL (Lentil with Spinach)
• SAAG ALOO (Spinach and Potato)
• SAAG BHAJI (Fresh Spinach)
• CHANA MASSALA (Chickpeas)
• MIXED VEGETABLE (Potato, Cauliflower, Mushroom)
• Stir Fried Bhindi Masala : Okra & Onion Cooked with Cumin & Turmeric

RICE

• Steamed Basmati Rice (Plain rice)
• Lemon Rice
• Basmati Rice with Peas
• Vegetable Biryani Basmati rice with seasoned vegetable, and cashew nuts
• Mushroom Rice(Rice with mushroom)
• Jeera Rice (Rice with cumin seeds)
• Mutter Rice ( Rice with green peas)
• Spiced Basmati Rice with Lentils and Caramelized Onions

SALADS AND RAJITAAS

• Garden Salad
• Mixed Baby Lettuce Salad with Peas, Carrots and Lemon Beet Vinaigrette
• Cucumber Raita Fresh yogurt prepared with cucumber, hints of salt.
• Mixed Raita Fresh yogurt prepared with cucumber, carrots and onion

CHUTNEY AND RELISH

• Coconut Relish
• cucumber and red bell pepper relish
• Quince-Date Chutney
• Mango Chutney
• Cilantro Chutney
• Mint Chutney
• Coconut Chutney

BREAD

• Plain NAN
• Butter Nan
• Garlic Nan : Bread Cooked with Garlic
• Onion Kulcha : Bread Stuffed with Onions
• Potato Naan (stuffed with spiced potato)
• Garlic/Chilli Naan (stuffed with garlic or chilli)
• Cheese Nan ( Stuffed with Cheese)
• Roti
• Chapati

DESSERTS

$8.95 Per Guest 

• Gulab Jumun : Soft Cottage Cheese Balls Dipped in Syrup
• Rice Pudding with Nuts & Raisins
• Kheer: a rice pudding infused with cardamom and often with raisins, almonds and saffron.
• Coconut Rice Puddings with Crispy Coconut
• Rasmalai : Cheese Dumplings in Reduced Milk
• Fruit Salad: Fresh and colorful fruit salad featuring seasonal fruits.
• Rose Flavored Panna cotta
• Cardamom Flavored Panna cotta
• VEGAN KAJU KATLI INDIAN CASHEW FUDGE
• Gulab jamun, almost like donut holes served in a sweet syrup.
• coconut cookies

BEVERAGES

$7.95 Per Guest

• Mango Lassi
• Plain / Salted Lassi
• Mocktail Pomegranate Margarita
• mocktail Watermelon Breezer
• Lemonade with Rooh Aftza, mint Leaves And Sabjat Seeds

A Seasonally Grounded Approach to Diwali

Seasonality shapes how we design food for autumn and early winter celebrations like Diwali. Instead of relying on mass-produced ingredients, we source from local purveyors and farmers’ markets whenever possible, integrating peak-season produce into menus that still feel culturally resonant. The result is food that tastes vibrant, intentional, and distinctly New York.

This approach also aligns with our broader commitment to sustainability. We minimize waste in preparation, prioritize reusable serviceware when appropriate, and partner with suppliers who share our values around responsible sourcing. These choices may not always be visible to guests, but they influence the quality, freshness, and integrity of what appears on the table.

Creativity plays an important role as well. We often draw inspiration from our broader repertoire of elevated catering concepts, such as our cheese fondue catering experience, adapting elements like warm, communal dipping styles into Diwali-friendly presentations that encourage sharing and connection. The idea is not fusion for novelty’s sake, but subtle cross-cultural touches that feel natural within a celebratory setting.

Thoughtful Customization and Dietary Care

No two Diwali gatherings look the same, and we plan accordingly. Some hosts prioritize strictly vegetarian menus, while others request a mix of plant-based and non-vegetarian options. Many guests have dietary needs related to gluten sensitivity, vegan preferences, or kosher-style preparation. Rather than treating these as limitations, we see them as part of the creative process.

For example, interactive components like our baked potato bar catering or mashed potato bar catering can be thoughtfully reimagined for a Diwali context by pairing them with spiced vegetables, lentil-based toppings, or yogurt-based accompaniments. This gives guests variety while maintaining a cohesive, elevated feel.

Beverages are treated with the same level of intention. Many clients appreciate specialty drinks that nod to South Asian flavors without feeling overly traditional. Our Indian Lassi catering in NYC offerings, for instance, can be presented in sleek glassware with subtle garnishes that align with a modern aesthetic rather than a buffet-style setup.

Designing the Mood, Not Just the Menu

Food is central to Diwali, but atmosphere is what transforms a meal into a celebration. Our team works closely with hosts to understand how they want their space to feel—whether warm and intimate, bright and festive, or quietly elegant. Lighting, table styling, and service flow are considered alongside the menu from the very beginning.

For clients who want a more theatrical environment, we sometimes draw inspiration from other culturally rich celebrations we support, such as our Mardi Gras themed catering, adapting its bold use of color and texture into a Diwali palette of golds, deep reds, and soft candlelight. For more understated gatherings, we lean into minimalism, allowing the food and conversation to take center stage.

Our experience working across diverse cultural events—including Kwanzaa catering services—has sharpened our ability to respect tradition while maintaining a polished, contemporary sensibility. This balance is particularly important for Diwali in NYC, where hosts often want both authenticity and refinement.

Cross-Cultural Touches for Modern Diwali Menus

For many of our NYC clients, Diwali represents both a personal tradition and a shared opportunity to bring cultures together. As such, we are often asked to include elements that resonate beyond the South Asian community while still anchoring the event in its heritage. Our culinary team works to interpret those requests with subtlety, avoiding clichés and instead crafting layered experiences that reflect the city’s diversity.

This might include passing hors d’oeuvres that combine recognizable flavors with Indian spice profiles, or integrating tasting portions inspired by other global cuisines. Our past work in Mexican-themed catering concepts has given us a strong foundation for building balanced, spice-forward menus that appeal to mixed palates without veering into novelty.

Interactive stations have also become increasingly popular. Guests enjoy the ability to engage with chefs or customize elements of their meal. Offerings like our Nacho Bar catering and NYC taco bar catering can be carefully adapted with Indian ingredients and house-made chutneys to create a flavorful bridge between familiarity and tradition. We approach these integrations with respect and restraint, always ensuring that the foundation of the event remains rooted in the spirit of Diwali.

Reliable Execution with a Bespoke Mindset

Hosting a Diwali event in New York comes with its own set of logistical demands. Space is often limited, timelines are tight, and expectations are high. Our team understands these dynamics intimately and works with clients to address them in advance through proactive planning. We conduct site visits when needed, coordinate delivery windows with building management, and offer solutions for layout, service flow, and clean-up that prioritize discretion and professionalism.

We also recognize that many hosts need to balance cultural tradition with the requirements of the venue, guest demographics, or business objectives. Our role is to provide structure without rigidity. Whether that means coordinating a plated drop-off dinner that feels intimate but elevated, or supporting a full-scale corporate reception with cultural significance, we meet the moment with flexibility and focus.

What distinguishes our work is not simply the food itself, but the confidence clients have in our ability to execute under pressure. It’s a level of service that comes from years of experience delivering events that are both beautiful and functional, rooted in the details that matter most.

Planning Your Diwali Event with Green Apple Catering

Organizing a Diwali event should feel celebratory, not stressful. At Green Apple Catering, our planning process is designed to be collaborative, efficient, and responsive to your vision. From the first consultation, we seek to understand not just what you want served, but how you want your guests to feel. That understanding guides every aspect of our work, from the culinary decisions to the styling and final execution.

Whether your goal is to host a serene evening with family or a high-impact gathering that honors Diwali’s deeper meaning in a public setting, we have the infrastructure, creativity, and cultural fluency to bring it to life with integrity. Our refined aesthetic, reliable logistics, and commitment to detail have made us a trusted partner for clients throughout New York City who value quality without compromise. Diwali deserves to be honored with food and design that reflect its light and richness. We are proud to offer a catering experience that is as thoughtful and vibrant as the holiday itself.