Restaurant etiquette rules: how to behave at a restaurant table and feel confident

When we go to a restaurant, it is a bit more than just going out to eat. We go to restaurants to enjoy the taste of dishes, the atmosphere, communication, and sometimes even to gain a new experience through master classes, formal dinners, or gastro evenings. And etiquette rules help us feel more confident at the table, communicate more easily with waiters, and simply enjoy the meal. This is not about rigid rules, but about respect for yourself, other guests, and the staff.

In this article, we will look at the basic rules of behavior in a restaurant, the nuances of table etiquette, and how to properly use cutlery. Understand the subtleties of restaurant etiquette to feel comfortable and confident when visiting restaurants of different levels.

How to behave in a restaurant: simple rules of restaurant etiquette

The first and obvious rule of etiquette is to arrive on time. If you are running late, inform the restaurant or the people who are waiting for you. After you are shown to your table, place the napkin on your lap — this is the basis of restaurant etiquette. The napkin is not placed on the plate and is not tucked into clothing; it should remain on your lap throughout the entire meal.

Behavior at the table also matters. Do not put your elbows on the table, do not speak too loudly, and do not gesture over other guests’ plates. These are simple general rules, but they significantly affect the overall atmosphere.

It is also worth mentioning waiters separately. Etiquette recommends addressing the waiter politely, without calling out across the entire room. When you want to get attention, a light gesture or eye contact is enough. Service staff are part of restaurant culture, so politeness always works both ways.

Table etiquette: how to properly use cutlery

Most often, young people “google” the question “how to properly eat with a knife and fork?”. According to etiquette rules, the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right. The fork is held with the tines facing down, and the knife is used not only for cutting but also as a kind of “barrier” that helps push food onto the fork.

Table etiquette has one simple rule: use the cutlery from the outside in. That is, the utensils placed farthest from the plate are used first. If it is a European-style restaurant, cutlery may be set in several rows, and their placement indicates the order of courses.

A spoon is used for soups, cream soups, and some desserts. A spoon is not used for pasta, salads, or other dishes that require a fork and knife. The fork should be held so that the hand looks natural, without gripping the utensil too tightly. Try not to tap the knife on the plate, as this is considered a violation of etiquette.

How to properly eat different dishes

Many people worry not so much about using cutlery as about how to eat specific dishes. For example, fish is served with a special knife that does not cut but separates the fillet from the bones. Salads are eaten only with a fork. Meat dishes are eaten with a knife and fork. Even pizza, if it is a restaurant format, is usually eaten with a knife and fork, although in an informal setting it is acceptable to eat it with your hands.

Bread is not bitten into in large pieces but broken into small pieces by hand. Hot dishes are not blown on; instead, you wait for them to cool down. It may seem like a small thing, but it is precisely such small details that make up true table etiquette.

Plates, glasses, and tableware: what goes where

In restaurants, plates are arranged strictly according to rules: the large plate for the main course is placed in the center, appetizer plates are placed to the right or left, depending on the service. The glass for water or another drink is placed on the right, slightly above the knife, with the wine glass nearby. By the way, according to etiquette, it is not customary to move tableware around the table on your own, so if something needs to be changed, it is better to ask the waiter.

After finishing the meal, cutlery is placed parallel to each other on the plate. This signals to the waiter that the plate can be cleared. If you are taking a break, place the fork and knife in the shape of an inverted V.

Restaurant etiquette without tension — and a bit of freedom at the end

Etiquette rules in a restaurant are not meant to restrict but to make dinner, lunch, or breakfast comfortable for all guests. Yes, knowing the basic rules of table etiquette is useful, but sometimes you want to forget everything and just eat with your hands. It’s cool to eat without strict norms, put a piece on a plate or straight into your mouth however you like, and simply enjoy the food without thinking about cutlery and rules.

And if you like to eat without etiquette, without a knife or fork, but with soul, just order ready-made dishes from Pronto. We will prepare everything fresh and delicious and deliver it without unnecessary ceremonies. You enjoy it, and we’ll take care of the rest.