What is a standing lunch?

Updated on 20/10/2026

A meal eaten standing up, with no assigned seats: bites and small dishes eaten with the fingers or a fork, often with high tables to lean on.

A standing lunch is a meal eaten on your feet, with no assigned seats: instead of a main course served at the table, guests are offered bites and small dishes eaten with the fingers or a fork, often with high tables to rest on. People move around, talk to one another and go back for what they fancy.

What it is used for at a corporate event

It works best when the point is for attendees to mingle: product presentations, openings, networking days or events with lots of people in a small space. It takes up less room than a seated meal and keeps the event moving. In our corporate catering this format is called a cocktail lunch: the ideal option to replace a formal meal.

Approximate quantities and duration

A standing lunch lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours. For 50 people, the calculator in our price guide estimates about 700 pieces (600 savoury and 100 sweet), about 2 kg of cheese or Iberian cured meats and about 150 drinks, plus a small margin for those who go back for more. These are industry guideline figures, not a fixed menu.

How it differs from other formats

Unlike a buffet, where dishes are served and people usually eat at a table, a standing lunch is eaten standing up, in bite-sized pieces.
Unlike a welcome cocktail, which is a pre-meal aperitif, here the nibbles replace the meal.
Unlike a vino español reception, which is shorter and lighter, here there is enough food to make a meal.
The bites are mostly finger food and canapés, and the sweet finish can be a dessert table.

For the staff who look after this format, see front-of-house service.