A restaurant chair is sat in, dragged, tipped back on and wiped down far more often than any chair in a home. Choosing the right one comes down to a few questions: how the frame is built, what the seat is made of, whether the chair will live indoors or outdoors, how much floor space it takes, and how quickly you need it. This guide walks through each, with examples from our in-stock restaurant chairs.
Contract-grade vs. residential chairs
“Contract” or “commercial” furniture is built for businesses rather than homes. The difference is in the structure and the testing. A dining chair sold for home use may look similar, but it is not designed for hundreds of guests a week, and using residential furniture in a commercial space can also create warranty and liability problems.
Every chair we sell is tested to 400 lbs and built to meet ANSI/BIFMA standards, the performance standards used for commercial seating in North America. Most of our wood chairs use mortise-and-tenon joinery, and our metal frames are welded rather than bolted, so there are fewer joints to loosen over time. Chairs carry a warranty of 3 years on frame structural integrity and 1 year on finish and upholstery, from ship date.
Frame materials compared
| Frame | Best for | Indoor or outdoor | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood | Full-service restaurants, hotel dining rooms, clubhouses | Indoor, conditioned spaces | Warm, traditional look; many models are stained to order in your chosen finish |
| Metal (including “wood grain” metal) | Cafés, fast-casual, hotel restaurants, banquet rooms | Indoor | Welded frames; a wood-grain finish gives the look of wood on a metal chair; some models stack |
| Aluminum | Patios, rooftops, pool decks, waterfront dining | Indoor and outdoor | Does not rust; most models stack for storage |
| Poly-molded | Beer gardens, food halls, sidewalk cafés, beach bars | Indoor and outdoor | UV-resistant for year-round outdoor use, wipes clean, stacks |
Wood frame chairs
Our wood frame chairs use solid European beechwood. Some come pre-finished and ship quickly: the Pembroke Side Chair is pre-stained in Select cherry and typically ships in 2–3 days. Others are stained to order in the finish you choose and ship in 2–3 weeks, such as the Harlow Side Chair, offered in Walnut or Espresso with an upholstered seat and back. Stained-to-order and custom-upholstered pieces cannot be cancelled or returned, so confirm finishes before ordering. Wood frame seating is for indoor, conditioned spaces.
Metal frame chairs
Metal frame chairs handle heavy daily use and are easy to clean. The Quarry Side Chair pairs a slim black metal frame with a walnut or oak HPL seat and back and is 16.5″ wide, which helps along banquettes and two-tops. Several models use a “wood grain” metal frame for a wood look with a metal structure, including the Rockwell Side Chair with a faux leather seat and back, and the Milford Side Chair, which stacks up to 5 high for banquet rooms and event spaces.
Aluminum and poly-molded chairs
For patios and rooftops, choose chairs marked Indoor/Outdoor. The Shoreline Side Chair is all aluminum, including “faux wood” aluminum slats, so there is no timber to rot or swell. Poly-molded chairs such as the Boardwalk Side Chair and Isle Side Chair are UV-resistant for year-round outdoor use; the Isle comes in eight colors for color-coding zones or matching a brand. See all outdoor chairs.
Seat and back options
- Wood seats are the easiest to clean and never need reupholstering. They suit high-turnover rooms.
- Upholstered seats add comfort for longer meals. Faux leather wipes clean and is common in steakhouses, lounges and hotel restaurants. Browse upholstered chairs.
- HPL seats and backs give a wood-grain look with a durable, wipeable laminate surface.
- Slats and textilene fabric on outdoor chairs shed water and dry quickly.
Custom finishes, fabrics and COM (customer’s own material) are available by quote, typically in 14–20 weeks.
Side chairs vs. arm chairs
Side chairs have no arms, take less room and slide closer together, so they suit most dining tables. Arm chairs are more comfortable for long meals and work well at table ends, in lounges and on terraces, but they are wider. The Mist Arm Chair, for example, is 26.25″ wide. Also check that the arms clear the table apron if chairs need to tuck in.
Size, seat height and spacing
Most dining chairs have a seat height of about 17–19″ for standard 29–30″ tables, and every chair page lists its seat height and overall dimensions. Plan about 24″ of table edge per seat. Chair depth matters too: a deeper chair, like the 25.5″-deep Kenmore Side Chair, feels relaxed but uses more aisle space than a compact chair. Our restaurant seating layout guide covers spacing and table sizes in more detail.
Stacking and storage
If you reset rooms for events, clean floors nightly or bring patio seating in for winter, stacking chairs save time and space. Most of our aluminum and poly-molded outdoor chairs stack, and each product page notes whether a chair is stackable.
Matching bar stools
Many chairs have a matching stool, so the dining room and bar share one look. Examples include the Quarry, Milford, Rockwell, Pembroke, Harlow and Shoreline families. See bar stools and our bar stool height guide.
Ordering, lead times and volume pricing
- Most seating has a minimum order of 4 pieces per item, and finishes or options of the same item can be mixed.
- The per-chair price drops automatically at 6, 20, 60 and 100 pieces, and orders of 100 or more can request a volume quote.
- In-stock chairs typically ship in 2–3 days from order and payment; stained-to-order frames ship in 2–3 weeks.
- All seating ships fully assembled, anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, with live freight rates at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a chair commercial or contract grade?
It is built and tested for heavy use in a business. Our chairs are tested to 400 lbs and built to meet ANSI/BIFMA standards, with welded metal frames or wood joinery such as mortise-and-tenon.
What is the best restaurant chair material?
It depends on the room. Solid wood suits full-service dining rooms, metal suits high-traffic cafés and fast-casual spaces, and aluminum or poly-molded chairs suit patios and outdoor seating.
Can wood restaurant chairs be used outdoors?
No. Our wood frame chairs are for indoor, conditioned spaces. For outdoor use choose aluminum or poly-molded chairs marked Indoor/Outdoor.
How much space does each restaurant chair need?
Plan about 24 inches of table edge per seat. Check each chair’s width and depth, since arm chairs and deeper chairs need more room.
How fast do restaurant chairs ship?
In-stock chairs typically ship in 2–3 days from order and payment. Chairs with frames stained to order ship in 2–3 weeks.
Is there a minimum order?
Most seating has a 4-piece minimum per item, and you can mix finishes and options of the same item to reach it.
Shop restaurant chairs with volume pricing built in, or contact us for a volume quote on 100+ chairs, stools or bases, or 50+ tops.