Print Mysteries

Murder Mystery Party Food – 20 Easy Finger Food Ideas

For the easiest stress-free murder mystery party, you’ll want food options that don’t require a lot of work, and can sit at room temperature for awhile without changing the taste. And once you’ve got the food sorted, be sure to check out – our full hosting guide that covers everything else. These 20 ideas are tested, practical, and sorted by the amount of prep effort you need to put in so you can plan around the time you’re free to spend.

We’ve also got some great info on table decoration, and making your home match your theme.

A Good Rule to Follow

Don’t overcomplicate your murder mystery food. Unless you’re having a seated dinner, you don’t need to go overboard with the cooking or catering for your event.

The more food you put on the menu, the more time you’ll spend in the kitchen over the night, and reheating food or clearing dishes. All these little inconveniences build up over the course of the night and lead to way more stress than they’re worth.

For the easiest night ever, stick to finger foods that still taste great even after standing at room temperature for an hour.

Format	Best For	Host Effort During Game
Finger food platters	Most murder mystery nights	Very low – set and forget
Pre-plated starter + simple main	Formal themes, seated mysteries	Some effort required
Three course meal	Small groups around a table	A lot of effort
Catered or delivered food	Works for all events	Zero
Restaurant private hire	Groups who want professional service	Zero

20 Easy Food Ideas

Finger Food and Canapés (1-8)

Mini quiches

Make ahead of time, serve at room temperature or warm. Works for all themes.

Stuffed mushrooms

Prep ahead, and roast just before guests arrive. Tasty to eat to make.

Cheese board with charcuterie

Zero cooking required. Place in the centre of the table, let guests help themselves throughout the night.

Cocktail sausages in pastry

Classic, crowd-pleasing, easy to eat with one hand while holding a character sheet. Can be made in batches.

Bruschetta or crostini

Top with tomato and basil, smoked salmon and cream cheese, or ricotta and fig. Prepare the toppings in advance.

Devilled eggs

A 1920s-era classic that fits any period theme. Make the day before and refrigerate until needed.

Mini beef or lamb sliders

Always a favorite. Pre-cook the patties and assemble just before serving.

Vegetable crudités with dips

Fills the table, caters for vegetarians easily, requires no preparation on the night. Hummus, guacamole, tzatziki.

Easy Seated Starters (9-12)

Soup with crusty bread

Easy to make in bulk. Make ahead, reheat and ladle in the kitchen, bring out all at once.

Smoked salmon with blinis

Elegant starter, pre-plated. Works well for Victorian and 1920s themes. 5 minutes of plating per 10 guests.

Caesar salad (pre-dressed)

Dress and plate before your guests arrive. Sits well for 20-30 minutes without wilting. Add the the croutons before serving.

Charcuterie and cornichon cups

Individual servings in small cups or glasses. No plating needed at the table, looks very elegant.

Easy Mains (13-17)

Chicken casserole or coq au vin

Prepare the day before. Reheat in the oven when serving starters, serve when ready. Works for 8 to 16 people.

Beef or vegetable lasagne

Make two days ahead, reheat, cut and serve all at once. One of the easiest large-group mains available.

Roast chicken thighs with potatoes

Tray-bake everything together in the oven. One tray per 4 guests. Made on the day. Set and forget..

Tagine or slow-cooked lamb

Cooked on the day, takes awhile but tastes amazing. Fits a 1920s or Moroccan-adjacent theme well.

Cold sharing platters

Poached salmon, sliced meats, pickles and bread. Set the table before guests arrive. No cooking needed during the game.

Easy Desserts (18-20)

Mini dessert cups

Chocolate mousse, tiramisu, or panna cotta in individual glasses. Prep 24 hours ahead, refrigerate.

Cheese and fruit as dessert

A cheeseboard is a tasty and low-effort dessert that stretches through the reveal.

Store-bought petit fours or macarons

Not homemade, but very tasty. Serve on the table during the reveal so guests have something to nibble on.

Naming Food After Characters and Clues

Something fun you can do with finger food plates is to give them names that match real players, in-game characters or actual clues. It’s definitely not required, but can be a fun addition to the game.

Write the names on some cards and place them in front of each platter. It only takes a few minutes extra and adds a lot to the atmosphere.

Dietary restrictions: Always ask when inviting guests what type of dietary restrictions they have. You’ll want to know what foods to avoid for allergies and for those that don’t eat meat, dairy, etc. This could make a huge differencce in your menu.

Drinks Options

I like to use themed cocktails and mocktails for when guests arrive, such as French 75s for 1920s nights and Manhattans for noir-themed themes. A simple gin and tonic works well for a Victorian theme.

After that, wine, beer, and a soft drink option will cover most guests needs for the rest of the night. You do not need to stock a full bar. Our free murder mystery wine labels can be customized with whatever wording you like, printed and attached to your bottles to make them look themed as well.

And at the end of the night, we’ve also got some great one prize ideas to end the night off on a high note.

We host murder mystery nights regularly and know exactly what foods work best to avoid stressing yourself out. Browse our printable murder mystery dinner party kits.