I’d treat a café patio as a commercial space first and a design moment second. For urban outdoor furniture, start with powder-coated aluminum frames and commercial-grade synthetic rattan or sling fabric—they handle sun, rain, and daily wipe-downs without swelling or fading. Teak is beautiful if you can commit to seasonal oiling, but for busy service I’d use it as an accent rather than the main workhorse. Stackable chairs and modular benches make it much easier to reset the floor for morning coffee, lunch, and evening drinks.
Tables need to be heavy enough not to skate in the wind but still easy to move. Powder-coated aluminum bases with HPL or compact laminate tops are practical; stone tops look premium, but check weight and edge safety. For two-tops, choose a base that doesn’t crowd knees. Add a few larger communal tables in durable teak or concrete composite if your service style supports groups.
Don’t overlook shade, lighting, and storage: cantilever umbrellas or fixed pergola slats, warm dimmable exterior lighting, and a discreet storage bench for cushions and cleaning supplies. Cushions should use quick-dry foam and solution-dyed acrylic, and ideally be removable. On windy sites, specify weighted bases and avoid lightweight hollow furniture. Finally, plan a clear circulation path of around 900–1,000 mm, keep hot food routes away from low stools, and choose materials that can be hosed down or wiped without special products. Buy one spare chair and table base—commercial life is hard on furniture, and matching replacements later is rarely easy.