Before a customer orders food or gets to taste it, your restaurant’s table setting, its ambiance, and your staff’s courtesy make the first impression and set the tone for his dining experience. True, restaurants gain popularity due to the dishes they serve and the service they provide. But it’s the design elements, the table sets that significantly make the customers’ experience worthwhile. As a restaurant owner, one often tends to focus on profits and revenues, and the table setting takes a backseat. However, remember why you got into the restaurant business in the first place. Was it just for the profits or for your passion for food and willingness to serve your guests? As a restaurant owner, you must thrive in creating an inspiring and delightful table setting that attracts your customers and makes them comfortable.
Types of table set up based on restaurant types
Just like the ambiance, dishes, service, etc., the choice of table set as well varies depending on the type of your restaurant and clientele as well. Here are some refreshing table set up ideas for popular types of restaurants.
1. Fine Diners & Restaurant
Fine diners, apart from weddings, holiday meals, banquets, etc., offer their customers upscale dining experiences and usually comprise more than three-course meals. The stylish ambiance at these restaurants reflects elegance, sophistication, exclusiveness, and class. In this type of formal table setting, since the service plate comes along with each course, you need not include it when you set the table. Amongst all the types of restaurant table settings, this setup is the most balanced and symmetrical one. Utensil placement is of utmost importance here, as is the table decor. Each table contains an even number of candles, and the centerpiece lies in the middle.
2. Family Restaurants
Family restaurants usually follow a casual and carefree table setting. The customers usually get the dishes served in large utensils in a relaxed ambiance. In such a setting, cutlery like dessert spoons, forks, bread plates, etc., are optional and depend on the type of cuisine. You can keep napkins either to the left of the forks or at the top of the dinner plate.
3. Bars
Whether it is having a beer with your colleagues after a long day at work or with your friends over the weekend, bars and pubs are the usual go to places. For serving at the bar counter, you just have to maintain a spotless countertop with minimal decoration. While serving at the table, the basic setup consists of a plate, cutlery items like a knife, fork, spoon, a napkin, and a glass.
4. Cafes
Cafes feature a relaxed, carefree ambiance with outdoor seating. The target base usually consists of freelancers, budding artists, and office-goers with loyal, repeat customers. Most of the cafes offer self-serving snacks, beverages, desserts, small portions of breakfast & lunch. As the ambiance is leisurely, there are no strict guidelines for setting the table, and you don’t need a large staff. The basic table set up consists of individual plates at the center with a spoon on the right and a fork with a napkin on the left. Additionally, you can keep cups for hot beverages and glasses for cold drinks or juices.
5. Quick Service Restaurant
Quick service or fast food restaurants are perfect for takeaways or quick meals. These restaurants are famous for their speed, convenience, and price. These restaurants usually offer counter service, and you don’t have to set the tables at all. You can use plastic trays or paper bags with disposable utensils.
Innovative ideas for Table Set Up
1.Seasonal Flowers for Decoration
Fresh aroma from natural flowers lifts the mood of customers. That is probably the reason that flowers continue to be the most popular table centerpieces. You can use seasonal flowers in trendy vases or vessels without spending a fortune. If you are on a budget, you can use carnations in a bud vase or decorate a tin case and fill it with water to put hydrangea. Even the basic, single stem vase with rose creates a pretty look. If you can splurge more, go for a large square vase with a hurricane or silver glass for an appealing floral arrangement.
2. Candles
Nothing encourages intimacy like candles. Whether you choose small tea lights or large candles with glass-holders, they amplify the dining experience significantly. Mismatched candles of different colors and sizes are an innovative way to fill the table. Alternately, you can consider LED lighting that is not a fire hazard and lasts long. If you are opting for candles, go for unscented candles. The prominent aroma from candles tends to impact your guest’s appetite. Also, scented candles interfere with the smell of the dishes and undermine the effort of your kitchen team.
3. Natural Elements
If you are tight on the budget and don’t want the hassle of changing flowers periodically, you can consider creating table setups with natural elements. Succulent plants, twigs, etc., in glazed pots, with lights, create a rich and classy look. Succulent plants are inexpensive, don’t require much maintenance, and look fascinating throughout the year. On the other hand, twigs create a rustic and magical look on the table. Alternately, you can consider earthen table lamps or artworks as decorative elements for a welcoming atmosphere. Similarly, dried fruits or flowers in a vase create a unique, warm setup.
4. Decorating According to Holidays
Another way to cash in the holiday spirit is to dress up your restaurant accordingly. For example, you can consider unique menu card designs and dishes depending upon the occasion or season. Similarly, you can put up a subtle decoration for adding the holiday cheer without splurging. Even decorative confetti or colorful ribbons can add to the vigor and cheer up your guests.
5. Casual
Mixing colors, patterns, textures, etc., results in a fun, casual dinner table set up. For example, a cotton runner on the table and a cotton napkin might look dull, boring, and usual. You can create a dramatic look by varying the linen. For example, consider a burlap runner and complement it with a ribbon-tied cotton napkin. Alternately you can skip the runner altogether and just go with cotton napkins. Similarly, you can experiment with colors for a fun, family diner setup. From relaxing monochrome to complementary colors to bold mismatched colors, choose according to the look you wish to create.
6. Vintage Vibes
Monochrome table setup can create a dramatic, rustic vibe in your restaurant. After all, shade variations of a base color make a fascinating, surreal look. For example, silver cutlery with white flowers, white candles, milk glass, white dishware, white napkins, and white tablecloth will definitely leave your guests in awe. More importantly, such monochrome interiors help your guests relax and focus on the dining experience. Alternately, you can consider adding royal, vintage touches of gold, red, green, etc., on an all-white, monochrome table setup.
Wrapping it up
Setting an eye-catchy table at your restaurant makes your guests comfortable and uplifts their dining experience. More importantly, it sets your restaurant apart from the competitors in the area. Finding the right style of table settings for your restaurant depends on its type, clientele, ambiance, and budget. This article lists some of the crucial decorative elements you can utilize to offer the perfect table-setting ideas for your restaurant.
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