8 best garden tables and chair sets for dining alfresco in 2023

No need to limit your entertaining with this fantastic buy from Sue Ryder. Made from sturdy powder-coated steel, it comes with four chairs and a glass-topped table making it perfect for most families looking to dine alfresco. However, you won’t struggle for seats when visitors pop round for a drink either.

The set also includes four PE rattan footstools that are cleverly stored inside the chairs and can be whipped out to transform this compact set into an eight-seater – or simply used if you want to put your feet up to bask in the sunshine. The rest of the time, the chairs themselves also tuck away under the table to save on space and keep your garden looking neat and tidy.

Smart grey cushions make it comfy to sit a while too – though remember these will need to be stored away when not in use. You can even feel good about buying this set as all profits go to the Sue Ryder charity which provides palliative, neurological and bereavement support for those who need it. A real summer win-win.

If you’re short on space, you don’t need to forgo outside dining with this diddy bistro set that can be squeezed into the tightest corner. It features two armchair-style chairs and a 53cm wide table ideal for dining a deux – or just resting that ice-cold glass of rosé between sips.

The set has a smart, rattan effect in dark charcoal grey but is actually made of polypropylene so it can withstand the weather, while even the cushions are water-resistant so you won’t need to panic if they get caught in the occasional shower. Both the tables and chairs are lightweight enough to be stashed away but won’t fly around the garden at the first gust of wind. Assembly was straightforward too and took us less than ten minutes on our own. It’s a great compromise if you hanker after outdoor living but can’t manage a full-size table.

This set ticks a lot of boxes. The charcoal grey colour looks stylish in the garden and it includes a parasol so you won’t need to buy anything else. Plus, it’s all made of weather-resistant powder-coated aluminium so it can stay outside all year round. The six chairs were easily some of the most comfortable we tested and we loved the fact each one reclined, making them perfect for lazy afternoons in the sunshine.

The set is easy to put together and the chairs came fully assembled so we only had to attach the legs to the table and open the parasol to be barbeque ready in minutes. The parasol itself has a crank mechanism so is simple to open and is larger than expected so offers decent coverage – just be aware that you might want to buy an additional weighted base to stop it flying away in the wind. We also liked the tempered glass top on the table which is easy to wipe down in seconds to keep the whole set looking its best.

Overall, those snooze-worthy reclining chairs and the fact it doesn’t need to be stored away during winter make it one of our top buys. It is unfortunately out of stock at the moment, but you can sign up to be notified once it’s back.

Garden sofas are bang on trend but not always practical if you’re keen on eating in the garden. This elegant – if pricey – set is the perfect compromise. The corner sofa is a little more upright than some on the market so it’s still possible to eat at the table while sitting on it. However, the UV and mould-resistant cushions are just-squishy-enough to laze on all day with a book. We reckon the corner sofa easily seats four but if you have guests over (or want to put your feet up), the set also comes with a cushioned bench for extra seating. Smart all round.

This high-end dining set looked so impressive once it was installed in our garden, we worried it was too good to be left outside. So swish it could easily be used as a dining table inside instead, it can still be left outside all year round thanks to ingenious fabric that is water, stain, mould and UV resistant, plus the sturdy powder-coated table topped with spray stone tempered glass. We especially loved the fact that this had no outer rim to trap debris and dust so is easily wiped down to keep it pristine.

Available in five neutral colours, the chairs are sheer garden miracles too, with a supportive curved back and inner foam that make them gloriously comfortable for long days outside. We’ve never eaten in the garden so much since testing this set and had compliments from everyone who has laid eyes on it.

Sadly, garden furniture this luxe doesn’t come cheap but it does include a seven-year warranty and a handy free cover if you do want to protect it when the weather turns. It’s easily the best looking – and most practical – garden furniture money can buy.

When only a classic look will do, this traditional bistro set from Fallen Fruits is unbeatable. Consisting of a round table and two chairs, it makes the perfect morning coffee spot and is actually crafted from powder-coated steel rather than wrought iron so it won’t rust if you leave it out all year. We also liked the fact the chairs can be folded flat if you do decide to store them away, while it was one of the easiest sets we put together, taking only a couple of minutes.

It would be ideal to use in a summer house, on a small balcony or as an additional set in a sunny corner, rather than a large table and chairs. The chairs aren’t the most comfortable if you’re planning on sitting for a long time though, so we’d recommend buying cushioned seat covers for extra padding.

You can’t go wrong with a sleek wooden table and chairs, which will work in any garden and will never date. This fantastically priced set from Ikea is one of the only sets we tested that included a bench instead of chairs and is a great choice in a small space as it can be pushed up against a wall or tucked underneath for easy storage. Children will love it too.

It’s made from acacia which is naturally durable and has been pretreated to protect against bad weather. However, Ikea still recommends that it’s covered in bad weather so you’ll need to find space to store it or invest in a waterproof cover to keep it looking its best. It will also need to be re-stained at least once a year. Still, it’s a great buy with a timeless feel that looks far more expensive than it is.

We were really impressed with this set for the money. It comes with a parasol featuring a crank mechanism, a glass-topped table for easy wiping and four sturdy chairs. Though these don’t recline, they are very comfortable thanks to thick padded seat covers. They’re also reversible for a garden makeover in a flash, with solid grey on one side and stripey on the other. However, the cushions do need to be removed and stored in bad weather so it’s worth making sure you have room somewhere before buying.

While the table included in this set isn’t enormous if you plan on entertaining regularly, it’s ideal for a smaller patio and for average daily use, with an excellent price tag too.