Food & Drink

The 12 Best Outdoor Bistro Sets of 2025, by Food & Wine

If you’ve ever had a tiny balcony, deck, patio, or other outdoor space at home, you know how frustrating it can be to shop for patio dining sets. While they look great and accommodate four or more people, most dining sets are simply too large for a space with low square footage. Instead of giving up and leaving your outdoor dining space empty, a great alternative is to browse patio furniture retailers to find a bistro set that best fits your needs.

“A bistro set is a small outdoor dining set, typically a table and two chairs,” says senior architectural designer Kirsten Moehlig of Terracotta Design Build Co. “It is casual and easily moved around, perfect for a cup of coffee and a pastry while reading the paper (or Instagram feed), or a glass of wine al fresco in the evening.” After reaching out to Moehlig, we searched for the best bistro sets, paying attention to weather resistance, weight capacity, and additional features like umbrella holes. With our top 12 picks below, you can finally put some of your outdoor dinnerware and unbreakable drinkware to use.

Credit: Wayfair

Polywood thoughtfully designs outdoor furniture, including one of our favorite Adirondack chairs. Each of the brand’s furniture pieces is minimalist, strong, and more importantly, comfortable. The Lakeside Farmhouse Arm Chair Counter Set is made of high-density recycled plastic. Colors and UV inhibitors are added to the plastic while melted, making colors, including white, teak, and mahogany, bright and fade-resistant. Since the bistro set is made of high-density polyethylene, it’s also waterproof, down to the stainless steel fixtures that are coated in anti-corrosive Xylan (which also coats some cake pans).

What’s more, this set has features we love to see in outdoor furniture. The tabletop has an umbrella hole at the center, and it practically blends in with the table. The chair frames are built with footrests parallel to the ground, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the frame. Plus, you don’t have to cover this bistro set, as Polywood guarantees 20 years without splinters, rot, cracks, chips, or peeling. We also don’t mind the price, which is near average for high-quality bistro sets on the market. Grab the set and add on the quick-dry seat cushions, available in more than 40 colorways.

Material: High-density polyethylene and stainless steel | Size: 35.1 x 35.1 x 37 inches (table); 24.8 x 22 x 41.2 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 300 pounds | Color options: 7 | Umbrella hole: Yes

Pomona Bistro Table + Malibu Woven Dining Set
Credit: Pottery Barn

Available in versatile colors of white or light grey, the Pomona Concrete Outdoor Bistro Table is an elegant centerpiece. It fits into many aesthetics, from modern minimalist to bohemian. It’s also contract-grade, meaning it will withstand years of frequent use. The construction is solid, due to glass fiber-reinforced cement, and the entire table is covered in a water-based finish that wipes down easily with gentle cleaners. Buff the table with furniture wax occasionally to maintain its bright and shiny surface. This bistro table also has adjustable base levelers that stabilize it on uneven surfaces.

The table is sold separately from the chairs; however, Pottery Barn also sells chairs to match various design preferences. We love the Malibu Woven Dining Chair, made with hand-woven seagrass to add texture and a natural vibe to the bistro set. There’s also the Encinitas Wicker Outdoor Dining Chair that brings a curvaceous element to the table.

Material: Glass fiber-reinforced concrete (table); red mahogany and seagrass (chair) | Size: 36 x 36 x 30 inches (table); 19 x 20 x 31 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 275 pounds | Color options: 2 | Umbrella hole: No

Amazon Shintenchi 3 Pieces Patio Bistro Set
Credit: Amazon

Black powder-coated steel looks sharp on this modest bistro set. Great for tiny patios and balconies, the small side table is waterproof and sizable enough for morning coffees and afternoon snacks. The frames of the chairs, like the table, are made of powder-coated steel that can withstand the elements over time. The arm rests are topped with wood, adding a pop of natural color to the monochromatic set. Due to the wood component, it’s best to keep these chairs under an awning or furniture cover when not in use. The seats are made from durable Textilene, a PVC-coated polyester that’s strong and breathable, so you can be sure these seats will last for years.

Material: Powder-coated steel and PVC-coated polyester | Size: 19 x 19 x 18 inches (table); 21.1 x 22.4 x 32.3 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 250 pounds | Color options: 3 | Umbrella hole: No

Breakwater Bay Hurtt Half Moon Outdoor Dining Set
Credit: Wayfair

Acacia is a beautiful wood with a broad, stretched grain and whisps of yellow-brown hues. The color is natural and highly recognizable, so it styles well in most spaces. This acacia wood bistro set is available in natural acacia and grey colorways. The table is half-round and designed to sit against a wall, making it great for folks with a narrow patio, balcony, or walkway. The chairs are leaned back slightly for comfort, and they’re some of the strongest on our list, rated for bearing 300 pounds. Best of all, the chairs and table are foldable, making the somewhat delicate acacia wood much easier to store and care for.

Material: Acacia wood | Size: 18 x 30.75 x 30 inches (table); 15.75 x 20.5 x 33.75 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 300 pounds | Color options: 2 | Umbrella hole: No

Castlery Rio Outdoor Teak Bar Table & Stool Set
Credit: Castlery

Castlery designs furniture that feels both organic and luxurious. Its Rio Outdoor Teak bistro set feels high-end and fits comfortably into a midcentury modern or contemporary outdoor space. The set includes a high-rise table and two bar stools with backs, and it’s made of real teak wood, which contains a high amount of natural oil. The oil makes the wood weather-protective and, if left untreated over time, develops a silvery patina that enhances the natural wood design. If you want to maintain its fresh, unstained look, you may want to use drink coasters, in addition to furniture covers for this set.

The chairs are deep-seated. The backs are woven, adding an interesting texture, and water-repellent woven cushions are offered in a natural beige color. The square table is sleek with wooden slats framing the top, and it features an umbrella hole at the center. Due to its teak construction, every piece is unique.

Material: Natural or treated teak, aluminum, and Olefin | Size: 34.6 x 34.6 x 41.7 inches (table); 18.5 x 22.8 x 44.5 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 286.6 pounds | Color options: Natural beige | Umbrella hole: Yes

Outdoor Furniture Plus Woodard Wrought Iron Turner Dining Bistro Set
Credit: Outdoor Furniture Plus

Wrought iron is pulled and bent into its shape, unlike cast iron, which is poured into a mold and solidifies. Furniture makers traditionally use wrought iron to create outdoor pieces with ornate curves, overlapping patterns, and rustic etching. A more modern take on the pulled metal, the Woodard Turner Dining Bistro Set is available in various finishes to meet your needs. You can choose cruder options, such as Aztec bronze, pewter, and textured black, or modernized finishes like blush, poppy, and aged teak.

The tabletop features a mesh pattern and sits on top of groovy legs that curve inward. You can purchase this bistro set with custom seat and back cushions available in 112 fabric colors and patterns. Not to mention, Woodard backs its contract-grade bistro set with a 15-year warranty that covers cracks, peels, or blisters in the finish.

Material: Wrought iron | Size: 30 x 30 x 29 inches (table); 20.75 x 29.75 x 34.25 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 250 pounds | Color options: 19 | Umbrella hole: No

2Modern Fermob Bistro Chair Round Folding Table Set

When you think of a bistro set, the Fermob bistro series is probably the style of furniture that first comes to mind. Made of 98%-recycled lacquered steel, the set creates a thin silhouette and can support 275 pounds per seat. Its foldable design works well both indoors and outdoors, and colorways range from a neutral nutmeg to a bright poppy red. Each piece is finished in a solvent-free powder coating that’s UV-resistant to prevent fading. The table can seat four people for a few small plates and a drink pitcher to share. Plus, it has an umbrella hole in case you’d like to enjoy your food, beverage, and company under the shade. At most retailers, the Fermob Bistro Chair is sold separately, but you can at least purchase the exact number of chairs you’d like for your table.

Material: 98% recycled lacquered steel | Size: 30 x 30 x 29 inches (table); 16.5 x 20 x 32 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 275 pounds | Color options: 16 | Umbrella hole: Yes

Yardbird Eden Conversation Set with Swivel Rocking Chairs
Credit: Yardbird

A rocking chair is one thing, but a rocking chair that also swivels is even more enjoyable. Yardbird’s Eden Conversation Set can handle both rocking and swiveling in all directions due to its commercial-grade aluminum construction. The aluminum frame is powder-coated and hand-painted to resemble weathered teak, meaning it won’t rust. The cushions are upholstered in water- and fade-resistant Sunbrella fabric. Each chair’s deep, plush seat cushion is stuffed with high-density polyurethane, while the back cushions are filled with polyester batting to prevent flattening. More cushion color options would be nice, but neutral silver and cool mist are, nonetheless, versatile and comforting. With the spacious 22-inch square side table between the chairs, this set brings the feeling of a waterside vacation to your home.

Material: Aluminum and Sunbrella fabric | Size: 22 x 22 x 20.75 inches (table); 28.5 x 35.25 x 40.5 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: Estimated 350 pounds | Color options: 2 | Umbrella hole: No

Jake Arnold for Crate & Barrel The Harpen Metal Bistro Outdoor Dining Set
Credit: Crate & Barrel

Jake Arnold, a British interior designer based in Los Angeles, went nonlinear with his first-ever outdoor dining set. A result of his collaboration with Crate & Barrel, the Harpen bistro set accents luxurious curves with its thin metal frame. The metal is finished in a sage green electrocoating and powder coating, making it weather-resistant and adaptable to any outdoor space. The stylish striped cushions are also water-repellant and resistant to fading and stains.

Built with the same sage green metal frame and scalloping under the tabletop, the table features a cream-colored limestone surface with ogee edges. Every detail of this set truly elevates an outdoor space. To maintain its clean appearance, Crate & Barrel recommends using furniture covers when the set is not in use.

Material: Steel and acrylic fiber | Size: 36 x 36 x 30.6 inches (table); 18.99 x 20.13 x 32.22 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: Estimated 250 pounds | Color options: Soft sage (frame) and dove grey (cushion) | Umbrella hole: No

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Credit: All Modern

Natural wicker is sturdy and attractive, but it doesn’t hold up well to the elements. This Fuze wicker conversation set has steel frames woven in polyethylene rattan that is UV- and water-resistant. The entire set is also rust-resistant. Its black metal, rattan, and glass design is charmingly modern, and the chair backs are slightly sloped — a functional detail that ups the comfort factor. The chairs come with cushions available in beige, navy, or white, and the side table is fitted with a glass pane, adding durability and creating visual depth. Additionally, this bistro set costs under $400, making it one of the less expensive rattan options on the market.

Material: Glass, polyester, polyethylene wicker, and steel | Size: 20.5 x 20.5 x 21.3 inches (table); 22 x 27 x 31.5 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 275 pounds | Color options: 3 | Umbrella hole: No

Frontgate Eden 3-pc. Teak Folding Bistro Set
Credit: Frontgate

Teak is a strong wood with a high natural oil content and tight grain, so it’s more difficult to work with than soft woods like cedar and pine. Regardless, this Frontgate-exclusive bistro set proves that hardwoods can be used for detailed furniture pieces, too. We love that the tabletop slats are wrapped in a unique octagonal frame. The chairs also have impressive curved backs and lace designs that set this outdoor furniture apart from others. 

This bistro set is highly functional. The tabletop has an umbrella hole. A parasol will keep you and your furniture protected; however, even left uncovered and untreated, teak develops a natural silver patina that some enjoy. Not to mention, the set is foldable, so it’s easy to store inside during the offseason. You have the option to order Eden Seat Cushions in standard or quick dry, and they’re available in up to 78 colors and patterns.

Material: Natural teak | Size: 39.5 x 39.5 x 29.25 inches (table); 19.25 x 26 x 34.75 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 225 pounds | Color options: 1 | Umbrella hole: Yes

West Elm Wren Bistro Table & Metal Stacking Chair Set
Credit: West Elm

Haze, lush, petrol blue, and terracotta colorways set the tone for this streamlined and modern bistro set. The set is finished in a shiny powder coating that brightens its muted tones and keeps the metal underneath protected from weather and dinner mishaps. Moehlig also loves “a durable, powder-coated steel for a timeless modern look.”

This is a contract-grade set, so it’s purposefully designed to last through frequent, extended use. However, the manufacturer recommends keeping it dry, avoiding harsh cleaners, and using furniture covers during inclement weather. The table and chairs can be purchased separately if desired, and the table pairs well with other chairs, such as West Elm’s Slope Outdoor Dining Chair Set.

Material: Powder-coated metal | Size: 28 x 28 x 29.5 inches (table); 20.3 x 20.8 x 32.2 inches (chair) | Chair weight rating: 275 pounds | Color options: 4 | Umbrella hole: No

Factors to Consider

Outdoor Space

Many manufacturers list the dimensions of each furniture piece and suggest a minimum area optimal for a bistro set to be used properly. If the product information does not include a minimum area suggestion, ensure your outdoor space has about two feet of clearance for pulling chairs out and sitting comfortably. For bistro sets with side tables, where chairs do not slide under, ensure you have around one foot of space to step in front of the set.

Uncovered outdoor spaces may need a patio umbrella. If the table does not have an umbrella hole, a cantilever patio umbrella can cover the table from an off-center position. Also, account for any existing furniture on your patio. Sometimes, patio furniture collections already include a matching bistro set. Nonetheless, a unique bistro set that doesn’t match the other furniture is a great way to separate an intimate space from the rest of the yard.

Material

The best materials for outdoor bistro sets can withstand harsh weather for years. Our favorite bistro set is made of plastic-based lumber that can be left outside uncovered without permanent damage. Other sets can be made from various materials, including concrete, coated metals, glass, wicker, and wood, which can be weather-resistant but not impervious to harsh conditions. Check the manufacturer’s care recommendations to see if a set should be taken inside when not in use.

A couple of our favorite bistro sets are made of teak lumber. New teak, especially untreated, can stain your patio for the first few rains. You can avoid the staining risk by wetting and drying your teak furniture two or three times away from the patio. Alternatively, place a machine-washable outdoor rug under the set.

Cleaning and Storage

From a light coating of pollen to a thick spider web, bistro sets, like all outdoor furniture, are quick to harbor all kinds of outdoor debris. Generally, using a dish towel and a gentle cleaning solution, like dish soap and water, to wipe down the set will suffice. You can also use a hose with a stream attachment or your thumb to spray your furniture down and allow it to air dry.

To err on the side of caution, we recommend patio furniture covers for all outdoor furniture pieces that remain outside. You can also bring furniture indoors out of season; however, clean and dry the furniture completely before storing it away to maintain longevity and prevent bugs from entering your home. Some bistro sets are foldable, making the task of storage much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are bistro sets used for?

    Bistro sets are commonly used for two-person dining at restaurants. You’ve probably seen the two-seaters outside of restaurants or in tightly arranged indoor seating areas. You can use bistro sets for two-person dining at home, too; although, many home bistro sets are made with smaller side tables to hold a vase of flowers, a couple of drinks, and a small snack. The sets are popular among people who eat outdoors occasionally, because they double as decorative pieces for small patios and balconies that won’t fit large, entertainment-worthy dining sets.

  • Where is the best place to put a bistro set?

    Placing bistro sets in small areas is common. Think: decks, patios, or even indoor dining nooks. “It’s a particularly perfect solution for a balcony or small porch,” says Moehlig. Bistro sets are also appropriate for intimate spaces within a larger patio furniture setup. If you need a small dining space close to the pool, a half-moon table against a wall, or a tiny seating area within a garden, a bistro set is a stylish and functional choice for those areas.

  • What is the difference between a bistro table and a regular table?

    Bistro tables are usually under 40 inches long diagonally or in diameter. They’re made to seat at least two people and no more than four.

  • Are all bistro sets designed for outdoor use?

    No, some bistro sets are made of materials that are not suitable for outdoor use. Bistro sets made of low-oil woods, uncoated metals, or finishes untreated for UV and moisture protection are likely to fade, rot, or rust if used outdoors.

Our Expertise

  • An update writer at Food & Wine, Dillon Evans is a lifelong home cook and baker who loves to host intimate gatherings for friends and family at his tiny, balcony dining table. He has experience researching and testing outdoor dining products, including beverage tubs, dinnerware, and outdoor tablecloths, and he used those insights to create this roundup. Dillon’s work can also be found on EatingWell.
  • Kirsten Moehlig is a senior architectural designer at Terracotta Design Build Co. in Decatur, Georgia. She is EarthCraft certified and has expertise in many facets of design, including coordination with interior designers and consultants.

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