6 Food Bar Ideas for Your Next Big Party

Delight your guests with a creative take on dining at your next big party. Easy to prepare and fun to eat, these six food bar ideas include clever appetizers like a French fry bar, appealing main courses like a mashed potato bar, and tantalizing desserts like a doughnut bar. With just a bit of prep, a fun display and some inspiration from us at Pottery Barn, your food bar can be the centerpiece of your next party.

Appealing Appetizer Bars

Perfect for game day parties, a nacho bar is an eclectic mix of veggies, meats and savory cheeses. Begin with a base of your favorite tortilla chips displayed in an oversized serving bowl or two. Then, add smaller bowls or trays of veggies like green onions, tomatoes, olives, jalapeno peppers, tomatillos, avocado, iceberg lettuce and bell peppers. A double-bowl chafing dish or multiple crock pots can hold melted nacho cheese, seasoned ground beef or diced chicken at the perfect temperature for noshing. Keep condiments like sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh salsa and guacamole cool by placing their serving bowls on a large plate of ice cubes or inside chilled silver bowls.

A scrumptious take on an old favorite, this crowd-pleasing French fry bar is perfect for kids and adults alike. Start with a medley of French fry favorites for your guests to choose from – classic standard cut Russet potatoes, big waffle fries, dip-able tater tots and fancy curly fries. From there, let your imagination guide you when choosing the tastiest toppings for your guests. Think warmed nacho cheese or gravy, chopped jalapeños or tomatoes, crispy fried bacon or thinly cut steak. A bevvy of condiments looks perfectly delectable when stacked on a cake stand or tiered serving tray. Be sure to include small pots of ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce and hot sauc

Main Course Bars

Make Taco Tuesday the highlight of everyone’s week with a colorful taco bar that includes all the best trimmings. Give your guests some flexibility by including both soft tortillas and crunchy tortilla shells. If you place a warmed bowl of refried beans nearby with a small spatula, guests can even create their own double-decker taco by spreading beans between a layer of crispy and soft tortillas. A variety of meats like grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef or even fried fish make delicious bases for shredded cheeses, iceberg lettuce and diced tomatoes. Keep a hearty stock of condiments nearby, including fresh salsa, sour cream and hot sauces.

A great choice for a main course or appetizer, a baked or mashed potato bar is a hearty choice for your next big gathering. A mashed potato bar offers a fun opportunity for guests to fix their meals in a unique container, like a martini glass or even a ceramic ice cream waffle bowl. Keep a big bowl of prepared mashed potatoes or small pre-sliced baked potatoes warmed on your display table with a hot plate or a bowl of heated stones if you’re planning a rustic themed party. Nearby, set small bowls of diced onions, tomatoes, peppers and olives on a tiered display. Other toppings of chili, gravy, bacon and chilled sour cream are classic flavors everyone will look forward to.

Tempting Dessert Bars

A clever twist on a traditional ice cream bar, the doughnut bar is one of our favorite food bar ideas for parties. While stacked donuts in a rainbow of colors draw your guests in, you’ll keep them talking with available toppings of ice cream, sprinkles, whipped cream and more. A doughnut ice cream sundae is easy to build in a soup-sized bowl or mug. Keep a stack of these along with some big spoons at the ready.

Marked by beautiful silver carafes of homemade cocoa and stacks of crisp white cups and saucers, the hot chocolate bar is a sweet ending to a festive gathering. Be sure to include plenty of the traditional favorites like giant marshmallows, freshly whipped cream and sprinkles in easily accessible bowls. With tall wooden skewers, poke through a variety of delectable treats, like mini churros, cookies, berries, macarons or dipped chocolate marshmallows for your guests to enjoy with their cocoa.