Here’s The Deal: Trends in Tabletop

Tabletop items don’t cook food or wash dishes like equipment but when done well, they can make a big impact on an operation.

“The right tabletop strategy can strengthen brand identity, increase perceived value, support menu innovation and improve operational performance,” says KJ McCann, director of merchandising at Edward Don & Company.

Tabletop trends she sees happening now include the following:

1. CURATED ECLECTICISM. It’s the biggest trend she sees. “Operators are commonly not buying a single dinnerware pattern across the entire menu,” McCann says. “They’re mixing shapes, textures, glazes and even manufacturers to create a collected, curated look.”

2. RISE OF NEWSTALGIA. Think vintage-inspired designs with modern materials, she says. Operators want retro colors, classic rim shapes and speckled glazes all while not sacrificing modern-day durability.

3. ELEVATED BEVERAGE EXPERIENCES. Beverages are one of the more profitable opportunities for growth. “The right glassware can elevate perceived quality, support premium pricing and create a more memorable guest experience,” she says.

4. SIGNATURE VESSEL PRESENTATION. Operators are picking out their highest-margin or most-photographed menu items and choosing tableware to support it, versus selecting dinnerware and then figuring out what food goes on it.

5. TEXTURE OVER COLOR. Color is still important, McCann says, but reactive glazes, matte finishes, handcrafted appearances, embossing and organic shapes help create visual interest too.

6. INDOOR/OUTDOOR VERSATILITY. “Operators increasingly want solutions that can move seamlessly between dining room, patio, rooftop and event spaces,” McCann says. “This is especially driving innovation in melamine, drinkware and lightweight materials.”

7. SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LONGEVITY. Instead of recycled materials or environmental claims, operators are asking, “How long will it last?” Long-lasting items help the environment—and reduce costs.

8. SOCIAL MEDIA DRIVEN PRESENTATION. On-trend tableware supports Instagram-worthy moments. In this way, it’s often part of the broader restaurant trend of experiential dining.

9. HOSPITALITY-LED LUXURY. Luxury is becoming less about formality and more about authenticity. “We’re seeing operators use handcrafted looks, organic silhouettes and layered tabletop elements to create an atmosphere that feels curated rather than prescribed,” McCann says.

10. BRAND-SPECIFIC TABLEWARE. More operators see tableware as an extension of their brand identity. Items can help separate a steakhouse from a coastal seafood concept or a sports bar from a chef-driven bistro.

Moving into 2027, McCann says, “The next generation of tabletop products will need to support operational realities while helping venues stand out in a crowded marketplace.” She looks forward to what comes next, noting the product category is ever evolving—even if it doesn’t fry chicken.