Indian weddings are known for their grandeur.
But above all, guests look forward to one thing—the food.
The wedding buffet is the real showstopper.
In 2025, Indian wedding food trends are evolving.
From regional flavors to global fusions,
Buffets are becoming more creative and guest-focused.
Let’s explore the top food trends that are transforming Indian wedding buffets today.
1. Kerala – The Traditional Sadya Buffet
Location: Kerala (South India)
Style: Vegetarian Feast Served as a Buffet
Buffet Highlights: Red rice, Avial, Thoran, Olan, Sambar, Rasam, Pachadi, Banana Chips, Payasam
In Kerala, weddings are synonymous with the legendary Sadya, a vegetarian feast traditionally served on a banana leaf. Today, many modern weddings present Sadya as a buffet-style spread to accommodate large guest numbers. Guests can walk up to the counters and fill their plates with more than 20 traditional dishes.
The buffet typically features matta rice, coconut-rich curries, tangy pickles, and crunchy banana chips. A range of Payasams, such as Ada Pradhaman and Pal Payasam, round out the meal. Despite being entirely vegetarian, the Sadya is lavish, soulful, and deeply satisfying—perfect for traditional Kerala weddings.
2. Punjab – A Lavish North Indian Buffet
Location: Punjab (North India)
Style: North Indian Multi-Cuisine Buffet
Buffet Highlights: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Tandoori Naan, Paneer Tikka, Amritsari Fish, Jalebi
Punjabi weddings are grand, fun-filled, and full of indulgence. The buffet style in Punjab reflects the region’s generous spirit and love for bold flavors. Typically arranged in multi-cuisine counters, these buffets feature both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights.
Signature dishes include Butter Chicken, Paneer Butter Masala, and Dal Makhani, all served hot with fresh tandoori naan. You’ll also find live chaat stations, tandoori grills, and dessert counters overflowing with gulab jamun, rasmalai, and jalebi with rabri. The buffet layout allows guests to mix and match flavors at their own pace, making it a favorite format for large Punjabi weddings.
3. Rajasthan – The Royal Rajasthani Buffet
Location: Rajasthan (North-West India)
Style: Traditional Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian Buffet
Buffet Highlights: Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Gatte ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri, Ghewar, Rabri
In Rajasthan, wedding buffets are a royal affair. With dishes rooted in royal Rajput traditions, the Rajasthani buffet spread is both diverse and extravagant. You’ll often find a mix of vegetarian staples alongside meat-based delicacies.
From Dal Baati Churma and Gatte ki Sabzi to Laal Maas and Safed Maas, the options cater to every palate. Accompanied by bajra roti, missi roti, and rice pulao, the buffet experience is rich and flavorful. Sweet counters usually include local favorites like Ghewar, Moong Dal Halwa, and Rabri, beautifully presented in traditional earthen pots.
4. Gujarat – The Vibrant Vegetarian Buffet
Location: Gujarat (Western India)
Style: Pure Vegetarian Buffet with Farsan and Sweets
Buffet Highlights: Undhiyu, Khandvi, Dhokla, Thepla, Kadhi, Basundi, Shrikhand
Gujarat’s wedding buffets are a vegetarian food lover’s paradise. Known for their colorful and diverse buffet menus, Gujarati weddings offer dishes that balance sweet, spicy, and sour flavors.
A typical Gujarati wedding buffet includes Dhokla, Khandvi, Fafda, and Handvo in the starters section. The main course may feature Undhiyu, Sev Tamatar, Kadhi, and Dal Dhokli, served with Theplas and puri. For dessert, Shrikhand, Basundi, and Jalebi are essentials. The buffet layout is bright, festive, and loaded with choices—often accompanied by live counters for hot snacks and sweets.
5. Bengal – A Seafood and Sweet-Laden Buffet
Location: West Bengal (Eastern India)
Style: Non-Vegetarian and Sweet-Heavy Buffet
Buffet Highlights: Shorshe Ilish, Chingri Malai Curry, Mutton Kosha, Luchi, Mishti Doi, Rasgulla
Bengali wedding buffets are known for their love of seafood and sweets. The buffet layout often starts with vegetarian dishes and gradually moves into a range of fish and meat-based gravies.
Signature dishes include Shorshe Ilish (hilsa in mustard sauce), Chingri Malai Curry (prawns in coconut milk), and Mutton Kosha (slow-cooked spicy mutton). These are served with luchi, basmati rice, or pulao. For desserts, guests are treated to a variety of sandesh, rosogolla, and the iconic mishti doi. Buffets here are emotionally driven—many families include heirloom recipes as a mark of tradition.
6. Tamil Nadu – A Classic South Indian Vegetarian Buffet
Location: Tamil Nadu (South India)
Style: Banana Leaf-Inspired Buffet
Buffet Highlights: Sambar, Rasam, Kootu, Poriyal, Vadai, Curd Rice, Payasam
In Tamil Nadu, the wedding buffet is inspired by the traditional banana leaf meal but adapted to modern buffet formats for easier service and access. Guests can help themselves to a variety of vegetarian dishes laid out in sequence.
The buffet includes classics like Sambar, Rasam, Poriyal, and Kootu, all served with steamed rice. Accompaniments include papadam, banana chips, and pickle. Desserts like Paal Payasam and Rava Kesari are offered in generous quantities. Though vegetarian, this buffet is hearty and fulfilling, reflecting Tamil cultural depth and hospitality.
7. Hyderabad (Telangana) – The Star-Studded Biryani Buffet
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
Style: Mughlai and Hyderabadi Buffet
Buffet Highlights: Hyderabadi Biryani, Haleem, Chicken 65, Double Ka Meetha, Khubani Ka Meetha
Hyderabad weddings are incomplete without Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, and the buffet arrangement revolves around this fragrant, spiced rice dish. The Hyderabadi buffet typically includes non-vegetarian gravies, tandoori starters, and Mughlai breads.
Guests can enjoy Haleem, Mirchi ka Salan, Bagara Baingan, and spicy chicken dishes like Chicken 65. The dessert counter features Double Ka Meetha, Khubani Ka Meetha, and Falooda. The buffet is often served late into the night and includes live tandoor counters and dessert bars.
8. Maharashtra – Traditional Buffet with Regional Touches
Location: Maharashtra (Western India)
Style: Maharashtrian Vegetarian & Mixed Buffets
Buffet Highlights: Puran Poli, Batata Bhaji, Masale Bhaat, Modak, Kothimbir Vadi
In Maharashtra, the wedding buffet includes both traditional fare and popular North Indian options. While some weddings opt for fully vegetarian spreads, others may include non-vegetarian dishes like Kolhapuri Chicken and Mutton Sukka.
Staples include Masale Bhaat, Batata Bhaji, and Katachi Amti. For sweets, Ukdiche Modak, Puran Poli, and Shrikhand steal the show. Buffet counters are arranged with clean labels and traditional brass utensils for an elegant look.
Conclusion: A Feast for Every Palate
Indian wedding buffets are not just meals—they are an integral part of the celebration. Every state has its own culinary identity, and the buffet format allows for the showcasing of multiple dishes in one place, making it easy for guests to indulge at their own pace.
Whether it’s the banana leaf Sadya of Kerala, the Mughlai richness of Hyderabad, or the royal gravies of Rajasthan, these regional wedding buffet styles offer an unforgettable gastronomic journey. So, if you’re planning a wedding, let your buffet be a flavorful celebration of culture, tradition, and regional pride.
