Garden Party Food Ideas For All Seasons

There’s something so magical about gathering in the garden – dining outside just makes the food 100x more delicious in my opinion. Whether you’re planning on having a small lunchtime gathering with close friends or a large family celebration in the evening, a generous spread of seasonal food must be the star of the show. 

If you’re looking for easy menu ideas for your garden party – no matter the season – we’ve got you covered with easy crowd-pleasing food ideas and styling tips guaranteed to impress any crowd. 

 

Setting Your Garden Table 

Before we dive into the main event, we must first discuss tablescaping. Setting the scene is one important element of hosting a garden party, as it helps to create ambience and set the tone of the event. 

I love incorporating natural textures such as rattan table mats and cotton table runners, accompanied by elegant candlesticks dotted down the centre of the table. 

Depending on the season, introducing bud vases of freshly cut flowers helps to bring the outside onto your table; fresh and colourful is best, but dried arrangements are perfect for autumn time. 

Guest comfort is key when you’re dining outside. Add cushions and throws to the seating area, heat lamps if it’s due to get cold, and ensure the dining area is well-lit – wireless table lamps and fairy lights are perfect for this. 

 

 

Spring Garden Party Menu

Springtime should focus on light, vibrant and colourful dishes to fit with the fresh vibes of the season. This season is perfect for brunches, easter gatherings and social dining in the early evening. 

 

Starters & Sharing

• Asparagus tart with lemon and ricotta
• Mini bruschettas with tomato, basil & balsamic glaze
• Fresh pea, mint & feta salad
• Smoked salmon crostini with dill cream cheese
• Devilled eggs with microgreens

Mains

• Lemon & thyme roasted chicken
• Spring vegetable quiche
• Grilled halloumi skewers with herb dressing
• Herby new potato salad
• Pesto pasta with peas and rocket

Desserts

• Rhubarb and strawberry crumble jars
• Carrot cake muffins
• Lemon & blueberry brie bites 
• Mini pavlovas with whipped cream & fresh berries
• Elderflower and lemon drizzle loaf

Drinks

• Mint, lychee & elderflower mocktails
• Elderflower spritzers
• Prosecco with edible flowers

 

Styling Tip: Use pastel table runners, floral napkins, vases filled with daffodils, and mismatched vintage glassware to reflect the season.

 

 

Summer Garden Party Menu

Summertime is perfect for refreshing, sharing style foods to graze on whilst the sun shines – sharing platters, posh picnics, and BBQs are made for this time of year.

 

Starters & Grazing

• Mediterranean mezze: hummus, flatbreads, olives, grilled veggies
• Caprese salad skewers
• Watermelon, feta & mint bites
• Mini crab cakes with lemon aioli
• Heritage tomato salad
• Zucchini fritters with tzatziki
• Colourful crudites platter

Mains

• Grilled halloumi or chicken skewers with lemon dressing
• Pizza (you could even turn this into a make-your-own pizza party!)
• Pesto pasta salad
• Any BBQ food

Desserts

• Summer berry puff pastry tarts
• Meringue nests with various toppings
• Lemon sorbet served in hollowed lemons
• Mini cheesecakes topped with seasonal fruit
• Lemon possets 

Drinks

• Chilled rosé
• Sangria with fresh citrus and berries
• Homemade lemonade
• Fruit-infused sparkling water

 

Styling Tip: Use of bright coloured linens, citrus decor such as dried orange garlands and piles of lemons in wooden bowls to create your centerpieces. I also love creating wildflower centrepieces from foraged stems at this time of year.

 

 

Autumn Garden Party Menu

In the autumn, you want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that embodies the cosiness of the season. Whether it’s a cosy catch-up with your gal pals or a fun outdoor Halloween party, you’ll want to choose food that is hearty, colourful, and most importantly, absolutely delicious.

 

Starters & Sharing

• Pumpkin or butternut squash soup served in rustic mugs
• Roast squash, lentil & feta salad
• Baked camembert with rosemary
• Rustic breads with herby butter
• Stuffed mushrooms with garlic & breadcrumbs

Mains

• Steaming hot pies and pasties
• Butternut squash & goat’s cheese tarts
• Autumnal vegetable stew with dumplings
• Roast chicken with thyme & seasonal root veg
• Mushroom risotto with parmesan crisps

Desserts

• Classic apple & cinnamon crumble
• Apple tarte tatin
• Spiced pumpkin cupcakes
• Sticky toffee pudding
• Mini s’mores bites (great for fire pits!)

Drinks

• Mulled cider
• Red wine
• Espresso martinis
• Chai lattes

 

Styling Tip: Lean into neutral tones at this time of year – I love dotting mini pumpkins and unique mini squashes around the table, along with bud vases of dried flower stems. To add more of a spooky vibe to your autumn garden party,  add some fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, and flickering candles.

 

 

Winter Garden Party Menu

Although the winter months can be on the chillier side (especially if you’re also in England!), it’s still possible to throw a warm and inviting garden party. The use of heaters, fire pits and warm comfort foods can help keep guests toasty in frosty afternoons and evenings, and can be especially lovely for Christmas or New Year’s gatherings.

 

Starters & Sharing

• Charcuterie and grazing boards
• Honey-roasted root vegetables
• Mini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef & horseradish
• Homemade sausage rolls
• Smoked salmon blinis

Mains

• Roast dinners served family-style
• Hearty stews or casseroles
• Stuffed peppers with quinoa & roasted veg
• Baked salmon with herb butter
• Rustic sandwiches with turkey, cranberry & stuffing
• Brussel sprout, apple, & cranberry salad

Desserts

• Mince pies (mini versions are adorable!)
• Chocolate fondant pots
• Baked pears with walnuts & goat’s cheese
• Sticky ginger loaf cake
• Gingerbread & vanilla cheesecake

Drinks

• Mulled wine
• Hot chocolate with all the trimmings
• Festive spiced punch
• Champagne or prosecco

 

Styling Tip: Keep it simple and cosy with soft throws over chairs, a few candles, and some greenery like pine or eucalyptus. Add a couple of small decorations like pinecones or fairy lights, and you’ll have a warm, inviting winter table without any fuss.

 

Garden Party Hosting Tips From Savery Grazing

No matter the season, the joy of garden parties comes down to great food, beautiful presentation, and even better company. We hope you found our garden party food guide helpful, no matter if you’re hosting in the scorching summer sunshine, or as the leaves are turning brown! 

For more entertaining ideas, tips, tricks, and delicious recipes, keep up to date with our blog. For more foodie inspo, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

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