Thames Boat Party Catering London: Mediterranean BBQ On Board

A function room cannot compete with the Thames at golden hour. Thames boat party catering turns a hired boat into the best table in London. Picture a live grill on deck, Mediterranean platters carried round, and the skyline drifting past. The London Eye gives way to Tower Bridge as you eat.

We are the caterer who comes aboard, not the boat operator. In this post we cover what goes on the menu, how the on-deck service works, and footage from a recent party. Ready to talk dates? Send us an enquiry or see our full boat catering London service.

Thames Boat Party Catering: What Goes on the Menu

The menu carries the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours we are known for. Every skewer is marinated in-house and cooked over a proper grill. The Mediterranean BBQ Pop-Up costs £19 per person and includes:

• Lamb shish, tender and seasoned the traditional way
• Chicken shish, marinated with Middle Eastern spices
• Veggie kebab built around seasonal Mediterranean vegetables
• Warm Turkish pita bread for wrapping and sharing
• Hummus and fresh tzatziki
• Shepherd's salad with tomatoes, cucumber and herbs

Halal options are available on request, and the veggie kebab keeps plant-based guests well fed. Tell us about allergies when you book. On the day, we label everything clearly so nobody has to ask.

Live BBQ On Deck or Served Ready to Go

There are two ways to run it, and the right one depends on your boat. Where the vessel and operator permit open-deck cooking, our chef brings a self-contained grill. They cook everything fresh in front of guests. Live cooking adds £3 per person and becomes the centrepiece of the party.

If live fire is not allowed on your vessel, we cook everything in our kitchen that morning and serve it hot on board. Either way you get the same food and the same crew. Tell us your operator and we will confirm which option works before the day.

See a Thames Boat Party in Action

Words only go so far with live fire cooking on the water, so here is recent footage from one of our boat parties.

Why a Boat Party Beats a Function Room

A boat does something four walls never quite manage. Guests move between the deck and the bar, and the view keeps changing. The whole evening feels like an occasion, not a meeting with canapes. For summer socials and client entertaining, it is hard to beat.

We have cooked for teams at Nike, Amazon, UCL and Imperial. We cater everything from intimate charters to party boats of more than 200 guests. Want the full picture of how we work on the water? See our boat catering London page, or browse our wider pop-up range.

Planning Your Thames Boat Party

Most Thames boat party catering bookings land between late June and the end of August. The best summer dates go first. We suggest enquiring several weeks ahead, especially for Friday evenings. Once your boat is booked, send us the operator and departure pier. We will plan loading and timings around it.

What we need from your boat

For live cooking, we need an open deck and the operator's sign-off on a grill. Our setup is self-contained, so we bring everything to cook and serve. For ready-to-serve catering, deck space and a serving table are enough. Additionally, our 5 Star Food Hygiene rating answers most questions an operator might raise before the day.

Thames Boat Party Catering: Your Questions Answered

Do you supply the boat as well as the catering?

No, we are the caterer rather than the boat operator. You book the boat with your chosen Thames hire company, and we bring the food, bar and crew aboard.

Can you cook a live BBQ on board?

Yes, where the vessel and operator permit open-deck cooking. If live fire is not allowed, we cook ahead and serve everything hot on board.

How many guests can you cater on a boat?

From intimate charters of ten to party boats of more than 200 guests. We scale the menu and crew to your vessel and numbers.

How much does it cost?

Our Mediterranean BBQ Pop-Up starts at £19 per person, with live on-deck cooking at £3 per person extra. The price includes the chef, the grill and all serving ware.

Ready to get the party on the water? Thames boat party catering is what we do best right through summer. Send us an enquiry, explore the full boat catering London service, or email orders@routecatering.co.uk with your date, boat and guest numbers. We will take care of the rest.