5 Murder Mystery Dinner Menu Ideas to Match Our Themes

Planning the food can feel like the trickiest part of your murder mystery party. You want a murder mystery dinner menu that fits the theme, is easy to serve between clues and keeps everyone fuelled enough to keep sleuthing.

The good news: you do not need to cook like a TV chef for your night to be unforgettable. A smart, themed menu plus the right game from our Family Murder Mystery Games or Murder Mystery Game Digital Downloads collections is more than enough to wow your guests.

Below are five menu ideas inspired by some of our most popular themes, plus tips to help you choose the right murder mystery dinner menu for your group.

Choosing the Right Murder Mystery Dinner Menu

Before you decide on dishes, think about:

• How involved you want to be in hosting vs cooking
  Choose mostly make-ahead or buffet-style food so you are not stuck at the stove while everyone else is uncovering clues.

• How hands-on the game is
  Broadway Murder Mysteries games are interactive and theatrical, so you want food that is easy to eat with one hand, or served in short breaks between rounds.

• Where the action happens
  If characters move around a lot, go for grazing boards, sliders and small bites rather than a formal plated three-course dinner.

• Your theme and guest comfort level
  A 1920s speakeasy menu can be a bit adventurous. A family-friendly manor mystery might lean more toward comfort food.
  
  

1. Family Game Night Murder Mystery Dinner Menu

Perfect for: cozy evenings using our Family Murder Mystery Games collection, where kids, teens, and adults are all playing together.

Keep it simple, colourful and easy to serve in between clue rounds.

Appetizers & Snacks

• Veggie sticks in cups with ranch or hummus
  

• Mini cheese quesadillas cut into triangles
  

• Popcorn in small bowls labelled “Interrogation Snacks”
  
  

Main Course

• DIY pizza bar: pre-baked crusts plus bowls of toppings so guests “build their alibi”
  

• Baked mac and cheese in a big casserole for easy scooping
  
  

Sides

• Simple green salad with a couple of dressing options
  

• Garlic bread or breadsticks
  
  

Dessert

• Brownie bites or cookie platters
  

• Cupcakes with question mark toppers
  
  

Drinks

• Lemonade, iced tea, and fruit punch in labelled drink dispensers
  

• Sparkling water with fruit slices for a “Detective Spritzer”
  
  

2. Elegant Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner Menu Ideas

Perfect for: glamorous nights with our Masquerade & Murder (Digital Download) and other ballroom-style mysteries.

Think candlelight, elegant bites, and a little bit of drama on the plate.

Appetizers

• Crostini with whipped goat cheese and roasted grapes
  

• Stuffed mushrooms with herbs and parmesan
  

• Shrimp cocktail served in small glasses
  
  

Main Course

• Herb-crusted chicken breast or salmon fillets with a light lemon butter sauce
  

• Vegetarian option: wild mushroom risotto or butternut squash ravioli
  
  

Sides

• Garlic mashed potatoes or truffle mashed potatoes
  

• Roasted seasonal vegetables (carrots, Brussels sprouts, green beans)
  
  

Dessert

• Mini chocolate mousse cups
  

• Berry tartlets or petite cheesecakes
  

• A small “masked” cake with fondant or chocolate mask decorations
  
  

Drinks

• Sparkling wine or prosecco
  

• A signature “Masquerade Martini” or non-alcoholic sparkling mocktail
  

• Still and sparkling water in glass bottles
  
  

Hosting tip:
Serve dessert right before the final accusations. Guests get something sweet while they deliver their most dramatic theories.

Download Masquerade & Murder from our Murder Mystery Game Digital Downloads collection, print your materials, and you are ready for a night where every toast might be your last.

3. 1920s Speakeasy Dinner Menu Ideas

Perfect for: roaring twenties mysteries like Roaring 20’s: Death By Bathtub Gin (Digital Download), full of flappers, jazz, and secret passwords.

Here, your murder mystery dinner menu should feel like a decadent underground supper.

Appetizers

• Deviled eggs with paprika
  

• Shrimp cocktail with zesty cocktail sauce
  

• Cheese board with grapes, nuts, and crackers
  
  

Main Course

• Beef bourguignon or braised short ribs
  

• Roast chicken with thyme and lemon
  

• Vegetarian option: creamy mushroom pasta
  
  

Sides

• Buttered green beans or asparagus
  

• Roasted potatoes or potato gratin
  
  

Dessert

• Classic cheesecake with berry compote
  

• Lemon bars or citrus tart
  

• “Bathtub Gin” jelly cups (non-alcoholic version for all ages)
  
  

Drinks

• Gin-inspired cocktails or mocktails in coupe glasses
  

• Ginger ale, cola, and sparkling water
  

• Pitchers of iced tea dressed up with citrus and mint
  
  

4. Western Outlaw Dinner Menu Ideas

Perfect for: wild west stories like Murder On The Sagebrush Express (Digital Download) and other frontier-style mysteries.

This murder mystery dinner menu is hearty, rustic, and easy to serve buffet-style.

Appetizers

• Chips and salsa or queso
  

• Cornbread mini muffins
  

• Veggie platter with ranch
  
  

Main Course

• Build-your-own chili bar: one beef chili and one vegetarian
  

• Pulled chicken or pulled pork sliders
  

• Grilled veggie skewers
  
  

Sides

• Coleslaw
  

• Baked beans
  

• Corn on the cob or roasted corn kernels
  
  

Dessert

• Apple crisp or cobbler with vanilla ice cream
  

• Pecan pie bars
  
  

Drinks

• “Saloon Sarsaparilla” (root beer)
  

• Lemonade in mason jars
  

• Whiskey or bourbon cocktails for adults, if desired
  
  

5. Vintage Manor or Victorian Dinner Menu

Perfect for: stately whodunits such as Royally Bashed: Murder at Ridgerton Park, Murder at the Debutante Ball, or any of our classic estate mysteries.

Think refined comfort food that feels special without being fussy.

Appetizers

• Cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches
  

• Mini quiches
  

• Cheese and charcuterie board with grapes and chutney
  
  

Main Course

• Roast chicken with herbs and pan sauce
  

• Beef pot roast with root vegetables
  

• Vegetarian option: lentil shepherd’s pie
  
  

Sides

• Buttered peas and carrots
  

• Roasted potatoes or Yorkshire pudding
  

• Simple garden salad with vinaigrette
  
  

Dessert

• Trifle in a glass bowl
  

• Bread pudding with warm sauce
  

• Shortbread cookies with “bloody” raspberry jam
  
  

Drinks

• Hot tea and coffee
  

• A light red wine or sparkling juice
  

• “Manor Punch” with citrus slices and berries
  
  

Browse our Murder Mystery Game Digital Downloads for manor, estate, or royal-themed games, then build a vintage menu that makes your guests feel like they have stepped straight into the story.

Final Thoughts

Your murder mystery dinner menu does not need to be complicated to be memorable. Pick one of these themes, choose a game that matches and focus on food that is:

• Mostly make-ahead
  

• Easy to serve between rounds
  

• Fun to talk about in character
  
  

FAQs

1. Can I adjust these menus for dietary restrictions?

Yes. Treat these as starting points, not strict rules. Swap in gluten-free pasta, dairy-free cheese, or plant-based proteins where needed. Label dishes clearly so guests with allergies or preferences can grab what works for them without breaking character.

2. How many courses should a murder mystery dinner have?

Most hosts are happiest with:

• 1–2 appetizers
  

• 1 main course with 2–3 sides
  

• 1 dessert
  

That keeps things special without making you juggle too many plates while managing the game. If you want a more formal feel, you can serve salad, main, and dessert as three separate courses between game rounds.

3. Are themed drinks necessary for a murder mystery dinner?

Not necessary, but they are an easy way to reinforce your theme. A “Bathtub Gin Fizz” for a 1920s game or “Masked Spritz” for a masquerade can make the evening feel more immersive, even if you keep the food simple. Just be sure to offer non-alcoholic versions too.T

4. Can these menus work for both small and large groups?

Yes. For small groups, you can plate each course. For larger groups, turn most of the menu into a buffet or self-serve stations so guests can grab food between clues. Chili bars, pizza bars, and dessert tables scale particularly well.

5. How far in advance should I prepare the dinner menu?

Aim to finalize your murder mystery dinner menu and shopping list at least one week before the party. Cook or prep as much as you can the day before, then on the day of the event you are mostly reheating, assembling, and enjoying the drama instead of racing around the kitchen.