Tips for a Beautiful Table Setting

Cutlery

There are a few basic rules for placing cutlery so that everything looks neat and your guests intuitively know which utensil to use for which course.

Where do you start with cutlery? Always start with the cutlery that is farthest from the center of the plate – and work your way inward. That means:

• The outermost cutlery is for starters or soup
• Next comes cutlery for the main course
• Closest to the plate may be cutlery for salad or intermediate courses
• Dessert cutlery is usually placed above the plate

Quick overview of the order:

1. Starter cutlery (e.g. soup spoon, salad fork & knife)

2. Main course cutlery (larger fork and knife)

3. Fish cutlery (if fish is served)

4. Dessert cutlery (spoon and fork)

Where does the soup spoon go?
Far right: the outermost utensil, just beside the knife. If soup is served separately, the spoon may also be placed on the soup plate.

Where does the cake fork go?
To the left of the main plate, handle facing left. If a special dessert fork isn’t used, a standard fork will do.

Where does the dessert spoon go?
To the right of the knife or above the plate (handle to the right), especially if a dessert fork is used alongside it.

Plates

There’s a clear order when it comes to stacking plates.

How to stack plates correctly:

1. Main plate at the bottom

2. Salad or starter plate on top or to the upper left

3. Soup bowl (if used) goes on top of the starter plate, depending on the menu

Where does the bread plate go?
Top left of the main plate, about 2–3 cm from the edge. If your plates have a motif, be sure all are aligned in the same direction.

When do you use a charger plate?
The charger plate serves as an elegant base and stays on the table throughout the meal. It adds structure and sophistication to your setting.

Glasses

Typically, 1–2 glasses are placed per guest (for water and possibly wine). If multiple drinks are served, placement order matters.

How to arrange multiple glasses:
Glasses are placed above the knives on the right – in the order they’ll be used.

From left to right:

1. Water glass (closest to the plate)

2. Wine glasses – white wine comes first, then red wine

3. Champagne or dessert glasses

4. Beer glass (if used) goes to the far right, slightly lower

Where does the schnapps or liqueur glass go?
Above and to the right of the water glass, or centered above the plate, optionally with a small saucer.

Napkins

Napkins can be placed:

• Decoratively on the dinner plate
• On the bread plate (to the left of the main plate)
• Inside a glass (if stylishly folded)
• With a napkin ring, directly on the plate

Serving Etiquette

A few golden rules ensure smooth service and avoid awkward moments:

1. Serve food from the left, clear from the right

2. Hold the plate in one hand, serve precisely with the other

3. Pour drinks from the right, ideally holding the glass by the stem

4. Serve guests in a thoughtful order (e.g. clockwise, or by age)

5. Never reach across or over guests' heads

6. When pouring, go slowly and avoid overfilling the glass