Last updated on October 10th, 2025 at 02:04 pm

By using our table-setting guide, you may discover the most effective ways to set your table for different situations. We’ll cover some general rules for setting silverware on the restaurant tables in the sections that follow, specifically for formal, informal, and basic table settings. Please take pleasure in viewing our films, which will teach you how to set the table at your restaurant.

1. A SIMPLE TABLE

The main table layout consists of the equipment needed for a regular dinner. For a special brunch or a typical dinner, opt for a straightforward table arrangement. 

To set up a basic table, you’ll need a charger plate, a knife and fork, a water glass, and a serviette. There are no hidden extras in this straightforward table arrangement; adhere to the basic rules mentioned above!

Dessert cutlery is sometimes absent from simple table settings because serving dessert is not typically expected. A wine glass is not required if you are not drinking wine. However, a champagne flute for Bucks fizz might be part of a welcoming brunch setting! 

2. COMFORTABLE TABLE

Simple table arrangements are becoming increasingly popular at formal events, such as weddings and house parties. It gives a distinctive touch without seeming constrictive or stuffy.

To set up your informal table, you will need a knife and fork for the starter and the main course, or a soup spoon if it is the starter. Additionally, place a dessert fork and spoon horizontally above the container. Depending on what you are serving, the glassware will change, but generally speaking, a wine glass and a water glass should be positioned above the knife in the upper right corner of the plate. The napkins can be placed in the middle of the table setting or to the left. 

It’s great to try out different styles in a casual dining environment. Each guest may need a drink of water, wine, or champagne, but you may customize them by varying the patterns and colors. Another great way to be creative is with charger plates. If you want a more rustic look, you could also use a piece of bent wood, a placemat, or a piece of mirror glass in place of a plate.

3. OFFICIAL TABLE

Traditional fine dining restaurants often use the typical table arrangement. A more modern custom, on the other hand, is to remove the plates and cutlery between courses and replace the utensils used for each meal with new ones. The formal technique is most commonly used when serving more than three courses or more complex meals at home. 

The primary difference is the variety of meals served at the formal table, which calls for different plates, glasses, and cutlery. In formal dining settings, a tablecloth is typically utilized. It is generally found at more conventional establishments, though, and is optional.

Before setting up your formal table, select what your guests will need from your menu. Do you serve soup? Sometimes you’ll need a bread plate and a soup spoon. Once it is clear what has to be stated, it is possible to adhere to the general rules mentioned above. Keep in mind that forks belong on the left and soup spoons on the right, next to the knives. In a bread plate arrangement, position this in the top-left corner. To ensure that no guests view your blade as hazardous, always tilt it diagonally downward! The handle of your dessert fork and spoon should be facing up, above the dish.