Tables

Buying Guide: Commercial Dining Tables for Hospitality Venues

Commercial dining tables set the tone for your venue’s front-of-house experience. In cafés, restaurants, pubs and hotels, tables must do more than just provide a surface—they shape traffic flow, seating comfort and the overall look of the space. Hospitality environments demand tables that can withstand high customer turnover, frequent cleaning, heavy tableware and constant movement without losing stability or appearance.

1. Types of Hospitality Tables

Different hospitality concepts call for different table styles:

• Café tables: Compact tops designed for 1–2 guests, ideal for brunch and all-day dining venues.
• Restaurant dining tables: Larger formats that support longer dining times and multi-course service.
• Bar-height tables: Elevated tables used in bars, pubs and casual drink-service areas.
• Modular tables: Units that can be joined for groups, banquets or flexible event layouts.
• Outdoor tables: Weather-resistant tables for courtyards, patios and alfresco zones.

2. Commercial-Grade Materials

Unlike domestic tables, hospitality tables are chosen for their combination of durability, hygiene and style. Common commercial materials include:

• Compact laminate: Hard-wearing, water-resistant and heat-tolerant—ideal for busy cafés.
• Solid timber: Warm and premium, perfect for boutique restaurants and hotel dining rooms.
• Resin or melamine tops: Budget-friendly, easy to clean and suitable for casual venues.
• Aluminium frames: Lightweight and rust-proof, especially useful for outdoor areas.
• Powder-coated steel frames: Strong, stable and suited to high-traffic dining floors.

3. Table Shapes & Sizes

The shape and size of your tables will affect seating capacity and circulation:

• Square tables (600–700mm): Popular in cafés; easy to push together for larger groups.
• Round tables: Great for social dining and improving movement around tight spaces.
• Rectangular tables: Best for restaurants, shared dining and banquette seating.
• High bar tables: Used in bars and casual areas where guests stand or sit briefly.

4. Mix & Match: Using Separate Tops and Bases

Many venues build their dining setup with a mix-and-match system—selecting table tops and table bases separately. This gives you more control over:

• Height: Match bases to dining, counter or bar seating.
• Stability: Choose pedestal, cross or four-leg bases based on floor type and table size.
• Design: Mix different top finishes and base styles to fit your brand identity.
• Maintenance: Replace worn tops later without changing the entire table.

For detailed options, you can explore our dedicated table tops and table bases categories within the Hospitality Furniture range.

5. Where Commercial Tables Are Commonly Used

Commercial dining tables feature in almost every hospitality setting:

• Cafés: Compact tables paired with café chairs for quick turnover service.
• Restaurants: Larger tables with solid frames and premium tops for longer sittings.
• Hotels: Restaurant, lobby and bar tables that support multi-use spaces.
• Pubs & bars: High and low tables used with bar stools or standard seating.
• Outdoor venues: UV-stable tops and corrosion-resistant frames for alfresco dining.

6. Hygiene, Safety & Durability

Because tables are in constant contact with food, drink and customers, it’s important to choose designs that support hygiene and safety:

• Easy-clean surfaces: Compatible with commercial sanitisers and frequent wipe-downs.
• Heat resistance: So hot plates and equipment won’t damage the surface.
• Non-porous finishes: To prevent staining and odour absorption.
• Stable bases: To reduce wobbling and prevent tipping incidents.
• Rounded corners: Safer in tight aisles and high-traffic zones.

FAQ

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying domestic tables that are not rated for commercial use.
• Using indoor-only tables in outdoor areas where they can warp or fade.
• Pairing oversized tops with undersized bases.
• Ignoring floor levelling and not using adjustable glides to stabilise tables.

Related Categories

• Hospitality Furniture
• Café Chairs
• Bar Stools
• Outdoor Seating
• Table Bases
• Table Tops

Shop Commercial Dining Tables

Browse our range of commercial dining tables for cafés, restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues. Combine your preferred table tops and bases to build durable, stylish and practical seating layouts for everyday service.