The Very Best Foods to Have at a Party, Ranked

List of the best party foods, as ranked by food lovers and party enthusiasts. If you want to ensure that your party is a success,decorations and entertainment aren’t the only thing you need to worry about. No party is truly complete without a great spread of food. Without party food, your guests will be hungry, uncomfortable, and looking for the nearest exit. If you choose the wrong kind of food, such as anything too big or too messy, you could end up with stains everywhere. Depending on what sort of party you’re throwing, you want to make sure your party food fits within the theme and compliments the drinks.

Whether you’re throwing an office Christmas party or inviting your closest friends over to watch the Super Bowl, the sort of food spread you have is pivotal to the party’s success. The food should be filling and diverse but easy to munch on. You also want to have enough food to satisfy people of all dietary restrictions, from vegetarians to the lactose intolerant.

What are the best foods for your party? This list features foods of all sorts, from chocolate covered strawberries for more sophisticated affairs to bowls of pretzels to raise the appetite for a nice cold beer. If your favorite party foods aren't on this list of foods to serve at parties, make sure to add them.