Restaurant Patio Setup

Restaurants expanding onto a patio need furniture that can be wiped down after every service and cleared quickly at closing. Stackable resin chairs such as the Nardi Doga, square tables like the Nardi Cube 80 (80 × 80 cm, resin top on aluminium legs) and a large rectangular umbrella such as the Hamel (300 × 400 cm) cover the basics.

Restaurant terrace furniture planning: start with covers

Before choosing models, decide how many covers the patio should seat and how the space will be served. Draw the terrace to scale with the kitchen door, the entrance, steps and any planters or columns, then place tables on the plan.

• An 80 × 80 cm table seats two comfortably, or four for a short meal such as lunch or coffee.
• Two 80 × 80 cm tables pushed together make an 80 × 160 cm table for six.
• Allow about 60 cm of table edge per guest and about 60 cm behind each chair so people can sit down and stand up.
• Keep main service aisles at least 90 cm wide, wider on the route from the kitchen door, so a server with a tray can pass seated guests.

Layout tips

• Square tables push together into longer tables for groups; round ones don't.
• Keep service routes clear between tables.
• A rectangular canopy suits long rows of tables better than a round one.
• Line tables along the edge of the patio first and fill the middle last, so the busiest route stays straight.
• Keep a few tables free for two: couples rarely want to sit at a table for four.

Chairs that work a full shift

The Doga is UV-treated fiberglass resin, weighs 5.1 kg and stacks, so a server can clear a row of chairs quickly. Non-slip feet help on tiled or wet floors, the seat height is 46.5 cm, standard for dining, and it comes in 8 colours. An armchair version is available if you want more comfort on a slower dinner terrace. Resin chairs shrug off spilled drinks and wipe clean with soapy water, which matters when the same chair sees breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more options see stackable outdoor chairs.

Tables

The Cube 80 has a DurelTOP polypropylene resin top on coated aluminium legs, weighs 11.5 kg and has adjustable feet to level the table on uneven paving, a common problem on old town patios. A Kit Cube 80 High accessory raises it to bar height if you want a standing area. Larger plans can mix the Cube 80 with longer tables from the dining tables range.

Shade

The Hamel has a 350 g polyester canopy, an aluminium pole and steel ribs, and opens with gas piston assistance, which helps when staff open and close it every day. A 300 × 400 cm canopy covers a row of two or three square tables. Choose a base heavy enough for the canopy size, see umbrella bases, and close large umbrellas when strong wind is forecast. Our guide to umbrella size and base weight has more detail.

Closing routine

• Wipe tables and chairs with mild soapy water at the end of the day; rinse off salt on seafront terraces.
• Stack chairs against a wall or inside, so the patio can be swept and washed.
• Close and tie the umbrella every night.
• Once a week, check the adjustable feet and reset any table that has started to rock.
• Through winter, keep a smaller set out for sunny days and store the rest.

Common mistakes

• Filling the patio to the last centimetre, so servers squeeze past guests.
• Mixing table heights and shapes that cannot be joined for groups.
• Choosing heavy chairs that staff cannot stack and move at closing.

For larger projects we prepare a quote with quantities and colours, see furniture for cafes and restaurants or send a request for a quote.