North Indian Veg Deepavali
Catering
Singapore (2026)
Most Deepavali catering guides in Singapore list caterers without telling you what actually makes the food good or bad. They skip over the part that matters: what ends up on the table and whether it tastes the way it should for the occasion.
We are Akasa. We’ve been feeding people in Singapore’s CBD since we opened, and Deepavali is the season that means the most to us. This guide covers what we do, how North Indian vegetarian catering for Diwali should look, and what you need to figure out before you book anyone.
Heart of Singapore
Deepavali Sweets
The Part Most Caterers
Get Wrong
Mithai is not an optional extra at Deepavali. It is the festival. Sweets are exchanged as gifts, offered during puja, placed on the table as the meal closes. Most catering packages include a generic sweet as an afterthought. A factory-made ladoo. A gulab jamun from a tin. That's not the same thing. At Akasa, our mithai is made in-house: Gulab Jamun made from pure milk solids, handcrafted, not from a mix. Cardamom, sticky sugar syrup. The real version. Lesooni Malai Kheer saffron rice pudding with a touch of ground garlic. A dish that surprises people who've had kheer many times and assume they know what to expect. For corporate Deepavali gifting, we put our mithai into custom gift boxes. A well-presented box of Akasa sweets is a proper Deepavali gift something that came from a real kitchen, not a shelf. Email us at info@akasa.sg to discuss quantities and packaging for the festive season.
The Catering Formats We Offer
Not every Deepavali event is the same size or in the same setting. Here are the formats that work
The Grand Feast Full buffet with professional staff and premium setup
This is the one for large Deepavali events where the catering is the centrepiece. Our team brings the food, the setup, and the service. Suited to community dinners, large corporate Deepavali celebrations, and weddings.
The Live Tandoor Station
Guests watch the food being made. Naans come off the tandoor hot. Kebabs are grilled in front of them. The smell alone changes the atmosphere of an event. This is the format that people talk about afterwards.
The Executive Suite Bento sets and individual portions
For office Deepavali lunches where people eat at their desks or in a meeting room. Portioned individually, presented properly. Not a catering tray divided into sections. A real set meal.
The Mithai Gifting Lounge
Custom gift boxes of our in-house Indian sweets for festive gifting. Gulab Jamun made from scratch, Lesooni Malai Kheer, and other traditional mithai. For corporate gifting to clients and employees during the Deepavali season.
Sit-down group dinner at Akasa
If you want a proper restaurant dinner rather than catering at your venue, we handle group Deepavali dinners at the restaurant in Tanjong Pagar. Private dining available.
What to Check Before You Book
Any Deepavali Caterer
This applies whether you're booking Akasa or anyone else. Go through this list before you pay a deposit: Is the kitchen genuinely vegetarian or does it handle meat in the same space? For families observing traditional Deepavali, cross-contamination matters. Ask directly. Is the food cooked fresh on the day or prepared in advance and reheated? For a festival meal, this makes a real difference to what arrives on your table. Does the caterer know North Indian cooking specifically? South Indian and North Indian vegetarian menus are very different in flavour profile, technique, and ingredients. Don't assume a caterer who does one does the other equally well. What is included in the quote? Setup, warmers, serving equipment, cleanup confirm each one. Price surprises after the event are frustrating. Can they accommodate Jain requirements if needed? No-onion, no-garlic menus require kitchen adjustment. Not every caterer can do this.
Heart of Singapore
Deepavali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November.
When to Book for Deepavali2026
Deepavali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November.
The right time to book is end of September. Not mid-October. Not “once we finalise the guest list.”
Here is why. Deepavali week is the single busiest period for Indian catering in Singapore. Good caterers and restaurants fill their slots weeks ahead. The companies and families that call in mid-October are choosing from whatever’s left, or paying premium rates for last-minute availability.
If your event is on 5 or 6 November the Thursday and Friday before Deepavali those slots go first. September booking gives you the pick of dates, times, and menu customisation.
Book through: Phone: +65 80121181 Email: info@akasa.sg Or visit the vegetarian catering Singapore page.
North Indian vs South Indian Veg Catering for DeepavaliWhat's the Difference?
People sometimes aren’t sure which to choose. Here’s the short version:
North Indian vegetarian catering is built around dairy-rich dishes paneer, cream, ghee, butter with thick gravies, dum-cooked rice, and breads from a tandoor. The flavours are bold and warming. Dal makhani, biryani, kofta, fresh naan.
South Indian vegetarian catering is built around rice, lentils, tamarind, and coconut. Sambar, rasam, kootu, rice-based dishes. Lighter overall, different spice language.
Both are appropriate for Deepavali. Many families in Singapore have a specific tradition. If your event is mixed, North Indian tends to have broader appeal because the dishes are richer and more immediately familiar to people who haven’t grown up with South Indian food.
Akasa does North Indian. Specifically and only. That focus is why the food tastes the way it does.
Deepavali Catering for Different Group Sizes
This is practical. Different group sizes need different formats.
Under 20 guests individual bento sets or a small sharing spread. Executive Suite format from Akasa works well. Clean, portioned properly, easy to handle in a home or office setting.
20 to 50 guests mini buffet with warmers. Two or three mains, dal, biryani, bread, and dessert. This is the format most home Deepavali events and office celebrations fall into.
50 to 150 guests full buffet with setup and service. This is the Grand Feast format. Our team handles the whole thing.
150 guests and above full event catering with live stations. The Live Tandoor Station works particularly well at this scale because it creates a focal point and keeps food fresh throughout the event.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Akasa do North Indian vegetarian catering for Deepavali?
Yes. It’s one of the things we do most during the festive season. Home dinners, office parties, community events, and restaurant group dinners. Contact us at +65 80121181 or info@akasa.sg.
When is Deepavali 2026 in Singapore?
Sunday, 8 November 2026. Public holiday in lieu Monday 9 November.
When should I book Deepavali catering?
End of September. Diwali week slots go fast. Mid-October is already too late for the best options.
Is Akasa's catering kitchen purely vegetarian?
Yes. Our catering operates on the same principles as our restaurant kitchen North Indian vegetarian food, freshly prepared.
Can you do Jain catering for Deepavali?
We can accommodate no-onion, no-garlic requirements with advance notice. Mention this specifically when you enquire so the kitchen can prepare accordingly.
What dishes are included in a Deepavali catering spread from Akasa?
A typical spread includes starters like Akasa-E-Galouti and Broccoli Kebab, mains like Punjabi Kofta Curry and Balai Saagwala, Dal-e-Akasa, Kathal Dum Biryani, Paronthia Naan, and desserts like Gulab Jamun and Lesooni Malai Kheer.
Do you offer a live tandoor station for Deepavali events?
Yes. The Live Tandoor Station is one of our most requested setups for large Deepavali events. Fresh naan and kebabs made in front of guests. Ask about this when you book.
Can I order just Deepavali sweets from Akasa for gifting?
Yes. We do custom mithai gift boxes for corporate and personal Deepavali gifting. Email info@akasa.sg for quantities and packaging options.
What is the difference between North and South Indian veg catering for Deepavali?
North Indian is richer, dairy-forward, built around paneer, dal, dum biryani, and tandoor bread. South Indian is lighter, rice and lentil-based. Akasa does North Indian specifically.
How do I enquire about Deepavali catering from Akasa?
Call +65 80121181, email info@akasa.sg, or visit the Indian food catering services Singapore page. Book by end of September for Deepavali week dates.