By the end of October in Dubai, what everyone has been waiting for since May finally happens: you can step out onto the terrace in the evening without regretting it five minutes later. The heat subsides, and for the next five or six months, the terrace becomes the best room in the house. Here at Home and Soul, every year we know the season has changed not by the calendar, but when customers start buying outdoor dining furniture again. That said, outdoor dining in Dubai differs from dining in a dining room in three ways: there’s wind, there’s dust, and there’s no overhead lighting.
A good outdoor table setting is put together step by step: first, the table itself and the open space around it; then, heavy layers of textiles; followed by tableware and eye-level lighting from lanterns and candles.
If you have a terrace, garden, or balcony that can fit at least a small table, this article will be more useful to you than ever. It’s time to return to enjoying dinner on the terrace while taking in the sunset.
Start With the Table and the Space Around It
The most important element for terrace dinners is, of course, the table. The most common story we hear is: the table is beautiful, but along with the chairs, it simply won’t fit on the terrace.
To avoid this situation, keep these measurements in mind:
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60 cm of table length per person. For four guests, you’ll need a table about 120 cm long.
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90 cm (at least) from the table to the wall, a planter, or the railing; otherwise, you simply won’t be able to pull the chairs back.
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75 cm in height for the table and 45 cm for the seat. Almost all dining furniture meets this standard.
A round table usually fits better on a balcony. It has no corners that block the walkway, and it’s easier to seat one more guest around it. We’ve explained in detail how to measure everything correctly in our article on measuring space properly.
Now, the materials. There really are a lot of modern materials available, and the selection is quite broad. However, for outdoor spaces, we prefer more classic options. For example, if you have a completely open space, it makes more sense to choose a stone or concrete table, since these options can easily withstand rain, wind, dust, and even the sun. Alternatively, you can use solid wood, which also performs well outdoors. If you’re looking for a lighter, airier texture, consider rattan.
Along with an outdoor dining table, you’ll need comfortable chairs. The material should also be durable, so consider wood and rattan.
Layers That Stay Put: Runners, Placemats, and Napkins
The wind on the patio is rarely strong, but it’s enough to send a napkin flying from your table to your neighbors’. To prevent this, layer your textiles.
Arrange the layers in this order:
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table runner in the center of the table
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placemats under each plate
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napkins in napkin rings
Texture matters more than color here. Jute, cotton, and woven fibers lie flat, while lightweight polyester blows away at the first gust.
We don’t recommend a full tablecloth on an open terrace: in the wind, it acts like a sail.
When choosing placemats in Dubai for outdoor use, look for two things: they should either be washable or easy to shake off. Dust settles on everything in literally just a day, so you’ll have to wash or wipe them down often. If you’re unsure which placemats in Dubai will last the season on your terrace, check out the Placemats & Runners section, where we’ve curated options that really hold up in Dubai’s hot climate.
Outdoors, you’ll need coasters even more than indoors. In the humid coastal air, a cold drink “sweats” so much that by the end of the evening it leaves a puddle and a light-colored ring on the wood.
A quick styling tip: on a natural wood or concrete table, a single runner is often enough without placemats, letting the tabletop’s texture show through. Overall, layers distinguish a well-thought-out table setting from a table set in a hurry.
Plates, Bowls, and Serving Pieces
Everything on an outdoor table is first carried out from the kitchen and then back again. That’s why tableware weight and durability matter more here than indoors.
Handcrafted ceramics hold up well to this kind of use: the glaze hides minor marks, and slight shape irregularities look natural alongside wood and greenery. Melamine is lighter and shatter-resistant; families with children and those with a table by the pool often choose it.
What to set out for a relaxed dinner:
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dinner plates for everyone
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two or three shared serving bowls
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a board or tray for bread and cheese
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small F for sauces and olives
Mix up the sizes, keep the color palette to two or three natural shades, and save the bright colors for the food. Shared dishes work better outdoors than individual servings: people sit at the table and chat, rather than walking to the kitchen for the next course.
When choosing tableware in Dubai for your patio, pick pieces that look just as good indoors. That way, your tableware won’t gather dust in the cupboard during the summer. We’ve gathered plates and bowls that work equally well indoors and out in the Bowls & Plates section.
Let’s talk separately about trays. They’re the fastest way to carry out dishes in a single trip, and on the table, a tray keeps candles and glasses neatly grouped.
Lighting: Lanterns, Candles, and Where the Light Should Be
The main rule: There’s no ceiling light outdoors, so the light should come from several low-hanging sources.
We divide it into three levels:
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Soft overhead lighting: string lights, a hanging lamp under a pergola, or a wall sconce.
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At table level: candles, tea lights, a small lamp.
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At floor level: a large lantern by the table or near the steps.
Keep the flame at eye level or lower so no one has to look across the entire table to see the fire. Place candles in a glass or a lantern. An open flame will go out in a light breeze and drip wax onto the path.
If you’re buying just one item, go for outdoor lanterns. They keep the flame lit even in the wind, look decorative even during the day without a candle, and are easy to move around the patio when you rearrange the furniture.
Group lights in odd numbers and at different heights: one tall lantern, with two or three short candle holders nearby. These low candle holders in Dubai stand well on the table, while larger outdoor lanterns work better on the floor. Look for candle holders (with or without glass) in the Candle Holders section.
The color temperature matches the room: 2700K, or the glow of a real flame. Cool white light makes both faces and food look grayish. Safety note: keep lanterns away from fabric, throws, and dried flowers.
Food Covers, Dust, and the Practical Bits
This section usually surprises those who have recently moved to Dubai. Three things can ruin an al fresco dinner here: fine dust that settles constantly, insects that are drawn to any light in the early evening, and wind that quickly cools the food.
A woven food cover solves all three problems at once. That’s why you’ll find one on almost every table in the region, though newcomers often haven’t even heard of it.
It’s easy to use: cover dishes between courses and while guests are still arriving. Keep the bread basket and fruit under the food cover all evening.
Other useful items to keep on hand:
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a tray to clear the table in one go
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a pitcher with a lid for water
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heavy napkin rings
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a cloth to wipe the table down just before everyone sits down
Comfort: Cushions, Throws, and the Temperature Drop
Whether guests stay at the table after dessert or move inside depends entirely on comfort.
In December and January, the evening temperature is around 18 degrees. That sounds warm, but after two hours of sitting still on the patio, it feels quite different.
With seat cushions, hard benches become comfortable even for a long dinner. Drape throws over the backs of two or three chairs in advance so no one has to ask for one.
Choose a natural fabric that also dries quickly: due to coastal humidity, outdoor textiles get damp overnight.
An outdoor rug under the table defines the dinner area and keeps the cold from the tile floor under your feet.
We’ve long noticed a simple truth: how long dinner lasts depends on how comfortable it is. And long dinners in the fresh air are, in essence, the whole point of this season.
A Simple Formula: How to Set the Table in 20 Minutes
And now for our personal secret: just eight steps, and the table will be set before your guests even find a parking spot (don’t forget to save this list in your notes):
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Wipe down the table and check which way the wind is blowing.
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Place the table runner down the center and lay out the placemats, allowing 60 cm per person.
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Arrange the plates, then the glasses to the right at the top, then the napkins in rings.
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Place shared bowls and a cutting board in the center, leaving the middle open for light.
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Add candles and a lantern, in odd numbers and at varying heights.
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Cover anything already on the table with lids.
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Arrange cushions on the chairs and throw over two chair backs.
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Dim or turn off any harsh lighting.
A good table setting relies mainly on order and repetition, not on budget. When the arrangement is familiar, the same setup works for both a regular weeknight family dinner and an evening with guests.
Where to Buy for Outdoor Dining in Dubai
When shopping, pay attention to four things:
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washable textiles that dry quickly
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lanterns with glass instead of open candle holders
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a woven food cover instead of a plastic one
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tableware that will also come in handy indoors
The shopping order is the same as for your home: start with the table and chairs, then add the rest over a few weeks. This makes it easier to figure out what you really need and what you don’t.
Our Home and Soul store delivers throughout the UAE, and we offer express delivery within 4 hours for many items in Dubai if you place your order by 5:30 p.m. You can check the dimensions and material of an outdoor dining table with us in advance or see them in person at our showroom.
For outdoor dining in Dubai, everything you need is organized into several sections: tables; outdoor lanterns in a separate collection; candle holders in Dubai in the candleholder section; placemats and runners; and tableware in Dubai in the tableware catalog.
From late October through April, the terrace remains the best room in a Dubai home. It takes just an hour to set the table, and outdoor dining in Dubai becomes a tradition you’ll want to repeat every weekend during the season.
