Planning a New Year party can feel overwhelming. What should you make? How much? Will vegetarian guests feel left out if there’s too much non-veg food? Will non-veg eaters be satisfied with just veg options?
The answer is simple: plan two menus. Not complicated, just organized. One vegetarian spread that stands on its own, and one non-vegetarian menu that complements it. This way, everyone gets their favorites, and you’re not scrambling to figure out who eats what.
This guide gives you complete, tested menus for both. Pick what works for your crowd, prep what you can ahead, and spend New Year’s Eve actually enjoying the party instead of stuck in the kitchen.
Why Separate Veg & Non-Veg Menus Work Best for Parties
It makes serving easier. When you clearly separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on your buffet table, guests know exactly where to go. No confusion, no accidentally picking something they don’t eat, no awkward questions. The veg section is complete on its own—not just “everything minus the meat.”
Your vegetarian guests feel respected. Nothing says “I care” like a thoughtful spread made just for them. Not just salad and bread, but proper starters, exciting mains, good desserts. When vegetarians see paneer tikka, biryani, crispy snacks, and rich gravies on their side of the table, they know you put in effort.
It keeps your kitchen organized. Separate cutting boards, separate cooking spaces, no mixing up serving spoons. If you’re cooking both types of food, this clarity helps you stay calm and efficient. You’re not constantly worrying about cross-contamination or accidentally using the wrong ladle.
Everyone eats better. Vegetarians get dishes made specifically for their preferences. Non-veg lovers get the chicken and egg dishes they’re excited about. Nobody feels like an afterthought. Nobody goes home hungry. That’s what good hosting looks like.
Welcome Drinks (For All Guests)
Start the evening right with refreshing drinks that set a festive mood. These are light, colorful, and get conversations flowing while people arrive.
Watermelon Mojito Mocktail
Fresh, minty, slightly sweet. Perfect for hot climates or warm indoor parties
Kulukki Sarbath
A Kerala favorite with lemon, sugar, and sabja seeds. Shake it in a bottle for fun presentation
Iced Lemon Tea
Classic, simple, never fails. Great for guests who don’t want anything too sweet
Keep a pitcher or dispenser ready so guests can help themselves. Add ice just before serving to keep drinks cold throughout the evening.
Starters & Finger Foods
This is where you shine. Variety is key—some fried and crispy, some grilled and smoky, some cheesy and indulgent. People should be able to pick different things throughout the evening.
Vegetarian Starters (Hot Starters)
Veg Crispy
Assorted vegetables in a crispy batter with Indo-Chinese flavors
Gobi 65
Cauliflower florets fried crispy with curry leaves and spice coating. Always disappears first
Paneer Tikka on Tawa
Smoky, charred paneer with peppers and onions. Skip the oven, make it on a hot griddle
Corn Cutlet
Sweet corn mixed with potatoes, shaped and fried. Kids and adults both love these
Indo-Fusion Snacks
Veg Quesadilla
Mexican meets Indian with spiced vegetables and cheese between tortillas
Veg Cheese Toasties
Grilled sandwiches with vegetables and melted cheese. Comfort food that works at parties
The hot starters should come out first, while they’re still crispy. The cheese-based items can wait a bit—they’re still good at room temperature.
Non-Vegetarian Starters
These are where non-veg really shines. Bold flavors, smoky char, rich spices. These starters set the tone for the whole meal.
Peshawari Chicken Kebab
Grilled chicken with North-West frontier spices. Smoky, tender, full of flavor
Chicken Ghee Roast
Mangalorean specialty with deep red color and buttery richness. Spicy but so good
Egg 65
For egg lovers. Similar concept to chicken 65 but with boiled eggs fried with spices
Serve these hot, straight from the kitchen to the table. They lose appeal when they sit too long.
Fusion Main Course
Not everyone wants traditional food at a party. These pasta and noodle dishes add variety and are huge crowd-pleasers, especially with younger guests. These work for everyone—vegetarian guests will enjoy them, and non-veg guests appreciate the variety.
Pink Sauce Pasta
Creamy tomato sauce with pasta. The color itself looks festive
Chilli Garlic Noodles
Indo-Chinese classic. Spicy, garlicky, addictive
Creamy White Sauce Macaroni
Rich, cheesy, comforting. Always a hit with kids.
Make these ahead and reheat just before serving. They hold up well and don’t need constant attention.
Vegetarian Rice Dishes
Rice is the heart of your menu. These dishes are substantial, aromatic, and what people expect when they think “proper meal.”
Vegetable Dum Biryani
Layered, aromatic, special. This is your showstopper
Kashmiri Pulao
Mildly sweet with dry fruits and saffron. Beautiful color and subtle flavors
Paneer Matar Pulao
Simple but tasty. Good for people who don’t want too much spice
Non-Vegetarian Rice Dish
Chicken Tikka Biryani
This is your star dish. Pre-grilled tikka pieces layered with aromatic rice. Less work than traditional biryani but equally impressive
Keep rice dishes warm in serving dishes or covered containers. They hold their heat well and can sit for a while without losing quality.
Indian Breads (For All Guests)
These pair beautifully with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian gravies.
- Garlic Naan – Buttery, garlicky, perfect for scooping up gravies
- Butter Naan – Classic option for those who want it simple
- Plain Paratha – For guests who prefer something lighter than naan
Breads can be wrapped in foil and reheated quickly. Make them towards the end so they’re warm when served.
Vegetarian Gravies & Sides
Traditional, satisfying, and exactly what makes a meal feel complete.
Paneer Butter Masala
Rich, creamy, mildly spiced. Universal favorite
Chana Masala
Protein-rich, flavorful, and pairs with both rice and bread
Bhindi Fry
Crispy okra for texture contrast. Not everything needs gravy
Dal Fry
Comfort food. Simple, homey, necessary
Accompaniment
Thick Curd
Cooling, helps balance spicy dishes, aids digestion
Non-Vegetarian Gravies & Sides
Bold flavors that complement the rice and breads perfectly.
Butter Chicken
Creamy, mildly spiced, universally loved. Even people who don’t usually eat Indian food enjoy this
Chettinad Pepper Chicken Masala
For spice lovers. Bold, peppery, full of South Indian flavors
Keep the gravies warm in serving dishes or slow cookers. They stay good for hours and can be reheated easily if needed.
Desserts
End on a sweet note with options that range from traditional to modern. Everyone can share these regardless of what they ate for dinner.
Gulab Jamun
You can’t go wrong. Warm, syrupy, exactly what people expect at Indian celebrations
No-Bake Coffee Pudding
Modern, light, for guests who want something different from traditional sweets. Make this a day ahead
Serve desserts slightly later in the evening, after people have had their mains and are ready for something sweet with tea or coffee.
Tips to Plan a Stress-Free New Year Party Menu
Prep ahead wherever possible. Make desserts one or two days before. Marinate meats the night before. Chop vegetables and store them in containers. The morning of the party, you should just be cooking and assembling, not starting from scratch.
Balance your spice levels. Not everyone handles heat the same way. Have at least two mild dishes (like butter chicken or paneer butter masala) and a few spicy ones (like Chettinad chicken or Gobi 65). This way, all your guests find something they enjoy.
Plan portions based on your crowd. For 10 people, assume everyone will try 2-3 starters, take one serving of rice/bread with curry, and want dessert. It’s better to have a little extra than to run out. Leftovers make great next-day meals anyway.
Consider a live counter for one dish. If you want to make the party special, have one dish made fresh in front of guests. Dosa counter, pasta station, or even fresh-grilled paneer tikka. It adds entertainment and ensures at least one dish is piping hot.
Set up a beverage station. Don’t make guests ask for drinks constantly. Have a table with water, juices, mocktails, and glasses. Let people serve themselves. This reduces your workload significantly.
Label your dishes clearly. Small cards or labels saying “Paneer Butter Masala (Veg)” or “Chicken Tikka Biryani (Non-Veg)” help guests navigate the buffet, especially if they have dietary restrictions. It looks professional and prevents confusion.
Arrange your buffet table strategically. Put all vegetarian dishes on one side, all non-vegetarian on the other. Place serving spoons next to each dish. Have the breads and rice in the middle since both groups use them. This organization makes serving smooth and prevents cross-contamination.
Use your appliances smartly. Slow cookers can keep gravies warm. Rice cookers can hold rice at serving temperature. The oven on low can keep breads warm. Free up your stovetop for last-minute cooking by using these helpers.
Accept help. If someone offers to bring dessert or drinks, say yes. If a family member wants to help with serving, let them. You don’t get awards for doing everything yourself, but you do get tired and stressed.
Final Thoughts
New Year parties should be fun for the host too, not just the guests. The key is planning: decide your menu early, prep what you can ahead, and don’t try to cook 20 dishes from scratch on party day.
Mix and match from these menus based on your crowd size and preferences. Having 15 people? Make all the dishes. Just 6-7 guests? Pick 2-3 starters, one rice dish, two gravies, and dessert. Scale it to fit.
The recipes linked here are tested and work at home without special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. They’re the kind of dishes that make guests ask for recipes and remember your party months later.
Most importantly, don’t stress about perfection. If one dish doesn’t turn out exactly right, there are nine others on the table. If you forget to garnish something, nobody will notice. What people remember is the warmth, the effort, and the fact that you brought everyone together to celebrate.
Save this menu for your New Year hosting. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or both, these menus give you a solid foundation to build a memorable celebration.
Happy New Year, and happy cooking!
