Restaurant tables: sizes, bases and table tops
Tables are the piece of furniture guests touch most in a restaurant or café. They lean on them, set down plates, glasses and phones, and notice straight away if a table is cramped, wobbles or has a worn top. For the operator, table sizes also decide how many covers the room can hold.
This guide brings together the dimensions used in practice, how to choose a base that stays steady, and which tops suit which use, from a neighbourhood bistro to a hotel restaurant or a seafront terrace.
Table height: dining, counter and bar
A standard dining table is around 75 cm high (usually 72-76 cm) and pairs with chairs that have a seat height of 45-47 cm. The gap between seat and the underside of the top should leave about 25-30 cm for the thighs. If the top has an apron (a frame running under the edge), measure from the bottom of the apron, not the top surface.
High tables come in two heights. Counter-height tables are roughly 90-95 cm and need stools with a seat at about 65 cm. Bar-height tables are roughly 105-110 cm and need stools with a seat at 75-80 cm. Mix the two and guests either sit too low or knock their knees.
Cafés and lounges also use low tables of about 40-50 cm alongside armchairs. They are comfortable for drinks but not suitable for a full meal.
Table top sizes by number of covers
A useful rule of thumb is 60-70 cm of edge width per cover and around 40 cm of depth for plate, glasses and cutlery. Fine dining, with more plates and glassware, needs more. A café serving coffee and a pastry can work with less.
The sizes below are typical starting points that cover most needs:
- Square 2-top: 60x60 cm for coffee, 70x70 cm for dining.
- Square 4-top: 80x80 cm, comfortable for dining. 90x90 cm gives more room for sharing menus.
- Rectangular 4-top: 70x120 or 80x120 cm.
- Rectangular 6-top: about 80x180 cm.
- Round: 60-70 cm for two, 80-90 cm for three to four, 120 cm for six, about 150 cm for eight.
Table bases: stability and legroom
Single-column bases are the most common choice in hospitality because they keep out of guests' way and let you push tables together without legs clashing. They come as cross bases (four feet), three-star bases or disc bases. A disc base looks clean and is easy to mop around, but relies on weight to stay steady. A cross base supports larger tops better.
The rule of thumb is that the base spread must be generous relative to the top, so the table does not tip when someone leans on the edge. A 45 cm disc base suits tops up to about 70 cm, while an 80x80 cm top is better on a cross base with a 60-70 cm spread. Tops over 120 cm usually need two bases or a four-leg frame.
Feet matter too. Adjustable levellers remove wobble on uneven floors, which on terraces and paving is close to essential. For rooms that change layout or host events, tilt-top bases let tables be stored upright in very little space.
Table tops: which material for which use
The top is what wears first, so the material should match how the venue runs. Compact HPL (solid laminate, typically 10-12 mm) resists moisture, heat from plates and knocks, and works indoors and outdoors. Laminate on particleboard or MDF with an ABS edge is an economical indoor option, provided water is not left standing on the joints.
Solid wood and veneer bring warmth and can be sanded and refinished, but need a proper finish and care, especially around drinks and lemon. Marble and stone look impressive but are heavy, stain if not sealed and need a stronger base. Glass is easy to wipe but shows fingerprints and is noisy.
Outdoors, choose tops that do not swell in rain or fade quickly in the sun, such as compact HPL or purpose-made outdoor panels. Ask the supplier to confirm in writing that a top is intended for outdoor use.
Durability, standards and what to ask your supplier
The European standard EN 15372 sets strength, durability and safety requirements for non-domestic tables, and EN 581 covers outdoor furniture. If a supplier says a table meets a standard, it is reasonable to ask for the test report.
Before ordering, ask for a sample of the top and look closely at the edge, which is where chairs and trays hit. Ask whether tops and bases are sold separately, so in a few years you can replace only the tops and keep the bases.
- Is the top rated for outdoor use?
- Does the base have adjustable levellers?
- What is the largest top this base can take?
- Can I reorder matching tops later in the same finish?
Made-to-measure tables
Standard sizes often do not fit a room exactly, for instance a narrow terrace or a run of tables in front of a wall banquette. Almeco designs and manufactures contract furniture at its own factory in Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki, and offers tops and bases in different sizes and finishes from its finishes library. You can see samples at the showrooms in Thessaloniki, Athens and Crete, or request a quote with prices and lead times.