Wood Table Tops Guide

Wood is one of the most widely used materials globally, with nearly any type of wood suitable for crafting restaurant furniture. Each wood variety has unique characteristics, contributing distinct color, texture, dimensions, and warmth to enhance various décor styles. This guide will further explore different wood types, their characteristics, and other materials commonly used to build restaurant tables.

Choosing the right wood table tops can be challenging, especially if you’re unsure of exactly what you need. This decision becomes even more complex when considering alternative materials like laminate and wood-like options such as resin. To make the process easier, we’ve created this guide to help you explore different wood types, table top constructions, designs, and other material options.

Solid Wood Butcher Block Table Top

utcher block tables are typically constructed from 2" wide wood strips cut to random lengths between 6" and 20". These strips are glued together with the edge grain facing upward, making butcher block tables exceptionally strong and durable compared to many other wood table tops. The varied lengths of wood pieces also enhance the visual appeal, adding a unique and attractive character to each tabletop.

Solid Wood Plank Table Top

Plank tables are made from 4" - 6" wide strips of even length, glued with the face grain facing up. This traditional design is popular in upscale restaurants for its classic, opulent look. While the butcher block is valued for its varied wood block arrangement, the plank design appeals for its refined and lush appearance.

A dining table is often the centerpiece of a restaurant, making it essential to choose restaurant tables crafted from durable hardwood. Hardwood, sourced from broad-leaved deciduous trees, offers greater resistance to wear and tear, is generally darker in color, and is more durable than softwood, which typically comes from conifers and is lighter in color. Because of their longevity, hardwoods tend to be more expensive.

Hardwoods are widely used in commercial-grade furniture. Popular choices for restaurant tables in industrial, rustic, mid-century, and traditional décor themes include beech, maple, and oak. For a lighter, more budget-friendly option, softwoods such as pine are available. While softwoods are more affordable, they do not match the durability of hardwoods and are more susceptible to dents.

Wood Type	Wood Species
Hardwoods	Beech, Maple, Oak, Ash, Mahogany, Rubberwood
Softwoods	Pine, Spruce, Cedar

A dining table is often the centerpiece of a restaurant, making it essential to choose restaurant tables crafted from durable hardwood. Hardwood, sourced from broad-leaved deciduous trees, offers greater resistance to wear and tear, is generally darker in color, and is more durable than softwood, which typically comes from conifers and is lighter in color. Because of their longevity, hardwoods tend to be more expensive.

Hardwoods are widely used in commercial-grade furniture. Popular choices for restaurant tables in industrial, rustic, mid-century, and traditional décor themes include beech, maple, and oak. For a lighter, more budget-friendly option, softwoods such as pine are available. While softwoods are more affordable, they do not match the durability of hardwoods and are more susceptible to dents.

Wood Type	Wood Species
Hardwoods	Beech, Maple, Oak, Ash, Mahogany, Rubberwood
Softwoods	Pine, Spruce, Cedar

Table Top	Construction Type	Maintenance	Affordability
Solid Wood	Solid wood construction with various edge options	Easy to refinish, repair, sand, and stain to conceal damages	Higher upfront cost but longer-lasting, as it can be refinished multiple times
Veneer	Core made from manufactured wood (e.g., plywood) with a thin wood veneer layer on top and edges	Warp-resistant, retains appearance over time	Moderately priced—more than laminate but less than solid wood
Laminate	Similar core to veneer with a laminated surface; edge type may vary	Resistant to heat, spills, and scratches, though difficult to repair long-term damage	Affordable, easy to clean, and low-maintenance

wood table tops available and their characteristics

Wood restaurant tables come in various edge styles, with the bullnose, waterfall, and eased edges being among the most popular and practical choices.

Bullnose - A rounded edge, typically with a radius that’s half the table top thickness. For example, a 1 1/2" thick table would have a radius of about 3/4". The bullnose edge offers a classic, timeless look.
Eased - This edge style has a slight radius, usually no more than 1/16", resulting in a polished, tempered finish that creates a clean, refined appearance.
Waterfall - A combination of bullnose and eased edges, the waterfall edge includes a rounded section followed by a straight edge, adding both elegance and versatility to the table’s design.

Sometimes all you want is a complete table that will save you the hassle of matching a base to your desired table top. Below are our most popular wood table sets that will save you time when ordering your new restaurant tables:

Ottis Table Set in Black Finish

Perfect for both regular and communal dining the Ottis table is one of the biggest rising trends in restaurant tables design. With a solid wood table top and commercial grade metal frame, the Ottis looks great in any location from a steak house all the way to an upscale restaurant.

Ottis Bar Table in Dark Grey Finish

A matching bar height option to the regular Ottis, this bar table is great for large parties coming in for a drink or for adding more character to your restaurant. The American made solid wood table top and 18 gauge steel legs give the Ottis bar table unsurpassed strength and durability and the wood-metal combination creates a table that becomes a focal point in any setting.

Industrial Series Restaurant Table with Metal Legs

This commercial grade rustic table with dark walnut wood top and dark grey metal legs is ideal for industrial style locations. With a variety if industrial style chairs to match it, this table is hard to surpass.

Industrial Series Restaurant Table with Metal Base

The industrial style design is growing in popularity and can be seen in restaurants all across the USA. Suitable for diverse locations this industrial table with a square metal base will look great in any upscale restaurant with a touch of modern industrial decor.

Industrial Series Pinewood Table

Full of rustic charm and personality the 1 3/4" thick handcrafted pinewood top and sturdy steel tubular legs looks like it just came out of an old-style factory. Perfect for steak houses and urban settings this pinewood table will stand the test of time.

Industrial Series Pinewood Bar Table

Combine these Pinewood bar tables with matching regular tables and some industrial style chairs and bar stools to create a beautiful urban setting or a rustic interior. The metal legs have foot rests that provide not only additional comfort but also help strengthen the overall structure.

Industrial Series Restaurant Table with Metal Frame

This industrial style metal table with metal frame is a great investment. Durable, attractive and stylish the table is a perfect example of why the industrial style is so popular. With matching chairs and bar height tables you can create an attractive and inviting interior for your customers to enjoy.

Solid Wood Plank Table Top with Legs

The 1 1/2" thick American made solid wood plank top sits on 4 wood legs strengthened by a wood frame. Made especially for commercial use, the solid wood plank table is quickly becoming a staple in upscale bistros and restaurants.

Laminate Tables – Types and Edges

Self Edge

Self edge tables feature identical laminate on both surface and edge. Table top is 1 1/4" thick with a commercial grade laminate by Wilson Art and includes thermally fused backer. Comes in almost any size. Made in the USA.

T Mold

T-mold tables feature a laminated surface and T-mold edging made with high quality rubber. Table top is 1 1/4" thick with a commercial grade laminate by WilsonArt and includes thermally fused backer. Comes in almost any size with 3" radius cut corners. Made in the USA.

Overlay

Overlay tables feature a laminate surface incased by a 3/8" nominal wood edge that can be stained in various wood finishes. Table top is 1 1/4" thick with a commercial grade laminate by WilsonArt and includes thermally fused backer. Comes in almost any size. Made in the USA.

Inlay

Inlay tables feature a laminate surface with a solid wood 1 1/4" wide edge that can be stained in various wood finishes. Table top is 1 1/4" thick with a commercial grade laminate by WilsonArt and includes thermally fused backer. Comes in almost any size. Made in the USA.

Reclaimed Look

The commercial grade 1 1/4" thick laminated top comes with white melamine backer and is available in several reclaimed wood choises. Comes in almost any size. Made in the USA.

Outdoor Laminate

Made to be used both indoor and outdoor this table top is available in 3 laminate colors, comes in multiple sizes and shapes and has a black phenolic edge.