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Cafe Menu

Veg Starters Menu List

This veg starters menu collects 100+ vegetarian starters for cafes, restaurants, parties and weddings: Indian tandoor and fried starters, paneer starters, Indo-Chinese, continental, cold starters and BBQ. A short non-veg starters list is included at the end for mixed menus.

Use the tables to build a starter menu list for your card or event. A cafe usually needs 6 to 10 starters; a wedding or party menu usually needs 4 to 8 passed or counter starters.

Indian veg starters menu (tandoor and grill)

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Paneer tikkaVegMost ordered veg starter
Malai paneer tikkaVegCreamy, mild
Achari paneer tikkaVegPickle spices
Hariyali paneer tikkaVegMint and coriander marinade
Tandoori mushroomVeg
Mushroom tikkaVeg
Tandoori alooVegStuffed potato
Bharwan shimla mirchVegStuffed capsicum
Tandoori gobiVeg
Malai soya chaapVegNorth Indian favourite
Masala soya chaapVeg
Afghani chaapVeg
Paneer seekh kababVeg
Veg seekh kababVeg
Tandoori pineappleVegParty starter
Tandoori broccoliVegPremium

Kababs, tikkis and fried Indian starters

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Hara bhara kababVegSpinach and peas
Dahi ke kababVegHung curd, crisp outside
Corn seekh kababVeg
Rajma galouti kababVeg
Aloo tikkiVeg
Veg cutletVeg
Paneer pakoraVeg
Onion pakora (bhajiya)Veg
Mix veg pakoraVeg
Mini samosaVeg
Corn cheese ballsVeg
Paneer 65VegSouth Indian style
Gobi 65Veg
Mushroom pepper fryVeg
DhoklaVegGujarati
KhandviVeg
Medu vada (mini)Veg
Dal vadaVeg
Kothimbir vadiVegMaharashtrian
Sabudana vadaVegFasting friendly

Paneer starters menu

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Paneer tikkaVeg
Paneer chilli dryVegIndo-Chinese
Paneer 65Veg
Paneer pakoraVeg
Paneer popcornVeg
Paneer fingersVegCrumb fried
Paneer satayVegPeanut sauce
Paneer shashlikVegSkewered with peppers
Paneer seekh kababVeg
Paneer salt and pepperVeg
Paneer kurkureVegCornflake crust
Paneer tikka in pita pocketsVegCafe style

Chinese starters veg menu (Indo-Chinese)

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Veg spring rollVeg
Veg manchurian dryVeg
Gobi manchurian dryVeg
Chilli paneer dryVeg
Chilli mushroomVeg
Chilli baby cornVeg
Crispy cornVegSalt and pepper
Honey chilli potatoVeg
Chilli potatoVeg
Veg crispyVeg
Veg momos (steamed, fried, tandoori)Veg
Veg wontonsVeg
Dragon paneerVeg
Salt and pepper vegetablesVeg
Veg lollipopVeg

More Indo-Chinese dishes are on the Chinese menu page.

Continental and cafe starters

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
BruschettaVegTomato basil
Garlic breadVeg
Cheese garlic breadVeg
Nachos with salsa and cheeseVeg
French friesVeg
Peri peri friesVeg
Potato wedgesVeg
Stuffed mushroomsVeg
Mozzarella sticksVeg
Jalapeno poppersVeg
Veg quesadillaVeg
Falafel with hummusVeg
Onion ringsVeg
Cheese and corn croquettesVeg
Mini veg slidersVeg

For a cafe snacks list, see the cafe menu items list.

Cold starters and chaat counters

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Dahi puriVeg
Sev puriVeg
Papdi chaatVeg
Dahi bhallaVeg
Bhel puriVeg
Pani puri / golgappeVegCounter
Sprouts chaatVeg
Corn chaatVeg
Fruit chaatVeg
Canapes (cheese, corn, paneer)Veg
Russian saladVeg
Hummus and cruditesVeg
Mini tacos with salsaVeg
Cucumber cream cheese bitesVeg

Party and wedding starter menu

For a marriage starter menu, pick a mix of textures (grilled, fried, soft, crisp) and cuisines, and avoid starters that go soggy while they wait on trays.

Indian wedding starters (veg), sample set of 8

  1. Paneer tikka
  2. Hara bhara kabab
  3. Dahi ke kabab
  4. Malai soya chaap
  5. Mushroom tikka
  6. Veg spring roll
  7. Crispy corn
  8. Mini samosa or corn cheese balls

House party starters (veg), sample set of 5

  1. Paneer chilli dry
  2. Cheese garlic bread
  3. Nachos with salsa
  4. Honey chilli potato
  5. Dahi puri

BBQ starters menu (veg)

Grilled paneer shashlik, tandoori pineapple, corn on the cob with butter and chilli, grilled mushrooms, stuffed capsicum, soya chaap skewers, tandoori broccoli, grilled sweet potato.

Plan roughly 6 to 8 starter pieces per guest when starters are followed by a full dinner, and more if starters are the main event. Check quantities with your caterer.

For full wedding menus by region, see the wedding menu card page.

Non veg starters menu (for mixed menus)

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Chicken tikkaNon-veg
Malai chicken tikkaNon-veg
Tandoori chickenNon-veg
Chicken seekh kababNon-veg
Chicken 65Non-veg
Chilli chicken dryNon-veg
Chicken lollipopNon-veg
Chicken wingsNon-veg
Fish tikkaNon-veg
Amritsari fish fryNon-veg
Prawn koliwadaNon-veg
Mutton seekh kababNon-veg
Egg pakoraEgg
Chicken momosNon-veg

Building a veg starter menu card

  • Group starters by style: tandoor, fried, Chinese, continental. Customers often decide on a style first.
  • Keep 6 to 10 starters on a cafe card and 12 to 20 on a restaurant card.
  • Mark paneer, Jain and spicy items with small icons.
  • Put your best-selling starter first in each group.
  • For appetizer menus with prices, keep one consistent price column; see cafe menu with price for example ranges.

Make the card with the menu card maker, or see the full restaurant course order on the menu card page.

Questions and answers

What are the best veg starters for a party?

Paneer tikka, hara bhara kabab, crispy corn, honey chilli potato, veg spring roll, cheese garlic bread and dahi puri are dependable crowd favourites.

What are good Indian veg starters for a wedding?

Paneer tikka, dahi ke kabab, hara bhara kabab, malai soya chaap, mushroom tikka and mini samosa work well, along with a chaat counter.

What are popular Chinese veg starters?

Veg manchurian dry, chilli paneer, crispy corn, honey chilli potato, chilli mushroom, veg spring roll and veg momos.

What is a cold starter?

A cold starter is served at room temperature or chilled, such as chaat, canapes, salads, hummus platters and dahi bhalla.

How many starters should a restaurant menu have?

A small cafe can manage with 6 to 10 starters. A full restaurant menu usually has 12 to 20, split between veg and non-veg.

Last checked: 14 October 2026