What to Buy for a Brunch Picnic

A brunch picnic needs more than sandwiches and fruit. Plan food, chilled drinks, coffee and tea, serving equipment, tableware, seating and cover for changing weather. Use your final guest count to scale portions, then check dietary requirements before shopping. The list on this page covers the supplies needed to prepare, transport and serve brunch outdoors, including items that are easy to overlook when the focus is on the food.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bistro tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Picnic benchesqty 4
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Table linenqty 9

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 45
Water glassesqty 50
Wine glassesqty 45
Knivesqty 50
Forksqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 8
Bread basketsqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 3
Bottle openersqty 3

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Phone chargersqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Table numbersqty 9

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 2
Hand broomsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Tea towelsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Mini wraps - 40 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 1 kg
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kg
- Young cheese - 2 kg
- Brie - 1.5 kg
- Goat cheese - 750 g
- Hummus - 1,5 kg
- Peanut butter - 750 g
- Strawberry jam - 750 g
- Honey - 500 g
- Turkey breast - 1 kg
- Smoked salmon - 1.2 kg
- Falafel - 1,5 kg
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Bacon - 1,5 kg
- Yogurt - 4 kg
- Granola - 2 kg
- Oats - 1 kg
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Unsalted butter - 500 g
- Herb cream cheese - 750 g
- Chicken breast - 1,5 kg
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kg
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kg
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Avocados - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 500 g
- Mixed lettuce - 1.5 kg
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Spring onions - 4 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Fresh mint - 3 bunches
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kg
- Grapes - 3 kg
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Blueberries - 1,5 kg
- Potatoes - 4 kg
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Pasta - 2 kg
- Pesto sauce - 1,5 liter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 500 ml
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Mustard - 500 ml
- Salt - 500 g
- Black pepper - 250 g
- Paprika powder - 100 g
- Italian herbs - 100 g
- Coffee - 1.5 kg
- Black tea - 80 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Honey portions - 50 pieces
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Rosé wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kg
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Storage containers - 20 pieces
- Food safety labels - 1 pack

Tips

Plan about 2 to 3 drinks per guest for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as coffee and tea, and bring coolers for anything that must stay chilled.
Allow 2 plates, 1 bowl, 1 fork, 1 knife and 1 spoon per guest if you do not want to wash up during the picnic. Add at least 10% extra for dropped or dirty items.
Work out coffee and tea quantities for the full guest count, not just the people who RSVP for brunch. Fill thermos flasks shortly before leaving and pack enough coffee cups and water glasses for everyone.
Pack serving spoons, tongs, bread baskets and covered serving trays separately from the food. These are often forgotten until the buffet is already being set up, making salads, bread and snacks difficult to serve cleanly.
Check the forecast 24 hours before the picnic and keep a bad-weather option ready. Party tents, picnic blankets, tables and chairs should be confirmed before shopping if the area does not provide them.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a brunch picnic per person?: Plan 1 main brunch portion, 2 to 3 smaller sides or snacks, and about 150 to 200 g of fruit or vegetables per guest. Add 10% extra when the picnic lasts more than 3 hours or when children are attending.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a picnic?: For a no-wash setup, provide 2 plates, 1 bowl, 1 water glass and 1 coffee cup per guest, plus 10% spare. Add wine glasses only if wine is part of the planned drinks.
How early should I shop for a brunch picnic?: Buy non-perishable supplies and equipment 2 to 3 days ahead. Shop for bread, fruit, vegetables and chilled items no more than 24 hours before the picnic, then wash and prepare produce on the day.
How do I keep brunch food cold outdoors?: Pack chilled food in coolers with ice packs and keep the lids closed until serving. Move food into serving trays no earlier than 30 minutes before eating, and return perishable leftovers to the coolers within 2 hours.

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