What is Table Service? 10 Types of Restaurant Table Service
Table service is a fundamental aspect of the dining experience, where customers are seated at a table and served food and beverages by waitstaff.
This type of service is prevalent in a variety of dining establishments, from casual diners to fine dining restaurants. The quality of table service can significantly impact customer satisfaction, making it crucial for restaurant owners to understand and implement the best practices suited to their style of dining.
In this article, we'll explore what table service means and delve into the different types of restaurant table service, providing examples to illustrate each type.
What is Table Service?
Table service refers to a style of service where customers are seated at a table, and a waiter or waitress takes their orders, serves their food and drinks, and attends to their needs throughout the meal. This contrasts with counter service, where customers order and collect their food at a counter. Table service is designed to provide a more relaxed and comfortable dining experience, allowing customers to enjoy their meal without the need to get up from their seats.
Importance of Table Service
Good table service enhances the dining experience by:
1. Providing a Personal Touch:
Waitstaff can offer personalised recommendations and cater to individual preferences.
2. Increasing Customer Satisfaction:
Attentive service ensures that customers feel valued and cared for.
3. Encouraging Repeat Business:
Positive dining experiences often lead to improved customer retention and loyalty.
4. Boosting Sales:
Skilled servers can upsell menu items and beverages, increasing the overall check size.
Types of Restaurant Table Service
Different types of table service are used depending on the style and ambiance of the restaurant. Here are 10 types of restaurant table service, each with its own unique characteristics and examples.
1. American (Plate) Service
In American service, also known as plate service, dishes are prepared and plated in the kitchen before being brought to the table. This type of service is common in casual and fine dining restaurants. The waitstaff serves the plates directly to the customers from the kitchen, ensuring a seamless and efficient dining experience.
Example: At a modern bistro, diners order from a menu, and their meals are artistically plated in the kitchen before being delivered to their table by the server.
2. French Service
French service is a more elaborate and traditional style where dishes are partially prepared in the kitchen and finished at the table. This can involve tableside cooking, carving, or garnishing. There are two main types of French service: Gueridon Service and Butlered Service.
Gueridon Service:
The waiter uses a portable table (gueridon) to prepare and serve food tableside. This is often seen in high-end restaurants.
Butlered Service:
The waiter presents a tray of food to the diners, who then serve themselves.
Example: In a high-end French restaurant, a server may flambé a dessert or carve a roast tableside, adding an element of theatre to the dining experience.
3. Russian Service
Russian service, also known as platter service, involves serving food from a large platter directly onto the customer's plate at the table. The waiter presents the platter to the guests and then portions the food onto their plates. This type of table service is typically used for banquets and formal dinners.
Example: At a formal banquet, the server presents a large platter of roasted meat and vegetables to each guest, portioning the food onto their plates as per their preference.
4. English Service
English service, or family-style service, involves placing large dishes of food on the table for guests to serve themselves. This creates a communal and interactive dining experience, often used in casual dining and family gatherings.
Example: In a family-style Italian restaurant, a large bowl of pasta and a platter of grilled vegetables are placed in the centre of the table, allowing diners to help themselves to their portions.
5. Buffet Service
While not traditional table service, buffet service involves diners selecting food from a buffet line and then returning to their table to eat. This type of restaurant table service is popular in hotels, large events, and casual dining settings due to its efficiency and variety.
Example: At a hotel breakfast buffet, guests can choose from a wide array of dishes such as eggs, pastries, and fresh fruit, serving themselves before sitting down to eat.
6. Self-Service
Self-service, similar to buffet service, requires customers to serve themselves. However, in self-service, the diners may also be responsible for clearing their tables. This type of service is common in fast-casual and cafeteria-style restaurants.
Example: In a fast-casual salad bar, customers create their own salads from a variety of fresh ingredients and then find a table to enjoy their meal.
7. Japanese (Teppanyaki) Service
Teppanyaki service is a unique style of table service where chefs cook meals on a hot iron griddle (teppan) in front of the guests. This interactive dining experience combines cooking and entertainment, making it popular in Japanese restaurants.
Example: At a teppanyaki restaurant, a chef skillfully prepares and cooks steak, shrimp, and vegetables on a griddle at the diners' table, engaging them with culinary tricks and flamboyant cooking techniques.
8. Pub Service
In pub service, customers typically order their food and drinks at the bar and then return to their tables. The food may be brought to the table by the waitstaff, or customers may be given a buzzer to collect their food when it's ready.
Example: In a traditional British pub, patrons place their orders at the bar, receive a number or a buzzer, and then collect their fish and chips when it's ready.
9. Silver Service
Silver service is a high-end service style where food is served from the left of the guest using a silver spoon and fork. This style is considered very formal and is often used for banquets and formal events.
Example: At a formal gala dinner, servers use silver utensils to serve portions of gourmet dishes from platters directly onto the guests' plates.
10. Interactive (Experiential) Service
Interactive or experiential service involves engaging diners in the preparation or customisation of their food. This can include cooking classes, build-your-own meal stations, or chef's table experiences.
Example: At a build-your-own taco bar, diners select their ingredients and assemble their tacos according to their preferences, often interacting with chefs who provide guidance and recommendations.
Streamlining Service with QR Code Table Ordering Systems
QR code ordering systems, integrated with modern Restaurant POS (Point of Sale) solutions, have transformed the dining experience.
It is offering a contactless and efficient way for customers to place their orders. With this system or through an online QR code scanning tool, diners simply scan a QR code at their table using their smartphones, which directs them to a digital menu where they can browse, customise, and submit their orders directly to the kitchen. This technology not only reduces the need for physical menus and minimises waitstaff interactions but also accelerates the ordering process, leading to quicker service and fewer errors. The integration with POS systems ensures that orders are transmitted in real-time, enabling kitchen staff to prepare meals promptly and accurately.
Additionally, QR code ordering systems often allow for easy modifications, special requests, and streamlined payment processing, enhancing overall customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Bonus Content: What is a POS System & How Does it Work?
Create the Perfect Dining Experience
Understanding the different types of table service is crucial for restaurant owners and managers aiming to create the perfect dining experience. Each type of service has its own unique characteristics and is suited to different dining environments, from casual eateries to fine dining establishments. By choosing the appropriate service style and training staff accordingly, restaurants can enhance customer satisfaction, increase efficiency, and ultimately boost their business success.
Whether you're enjoying a family-style meal at a casual diner or experiencing the theatrical flair of tableside cooking in a fine dining restaurant, table service plays a vital role in shaping your dining experience. By appreciating the nuances of each service style, diners and restaurateurs alike can contribute to a memorable and enjoyable meal.
More Resources:
How to Reduce Waiting Time in Restaurants
Manage Restaurant Workflow with POS