Each fork, knife, glass and plate on a formal table has a place, and the places follow a few simple rules.
Key idea
Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right, knife blades facing the plate. Guests use utensils from the outside in, one set per course. Glasses stand above the knives (water glass closest to the knife tip, wine glasses to its right). The bread plate sits at the upper left with its butter knife. Dessert spoon and fork lie above the plate. The napkin goes on the plate or to the left of the forks.
Why it works
An easy memory trick: make OK signs with both hands. The left hand makes a "b" (bread, on the left); the right makes a "d" (drinks, on the right). In service, plates are often set down from the guest's left and cleared from the right, and drinks served from the right, though customs vary by restaurant.
| Item | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Salad fork | The salad course; outside left if salad comes first |
| Dinner fork | The main course |
| Fish fork and knife | A fish course: the fish knife has a broad, dull blade for lifting flesh off bones |
| Soup spoon | Outside right when soup comes first |
| Oyster fork | The only fork placed on the right, outside the spoons |
| Water goblet | Above the dinner knife |
| Red and white wine glasses | To the right of the water glass, in the order used |
| Bread plate and butter knife | Upper left |
| Dessert spoon and fork | Above the plate (spoon handle to the right, fork handle to the left) |
Worked example: Which fork first?
A dinner has a salad course, then a main course. Two forks lie to the left of the plate.
- Use from the outside in.
Answer: The outer fork (the salad fork).
Common mistake
Grabbing the bread plate on your right. Solids on the left, liquids on the right.
Practice at home
- Set a formal place setting for a four-course dinner (soup, fish, main, dessert) using what you have. Check it against the picture.
Elsewhere on the site
- Etiquette Ladder: table manners and dining