Balcony Beauties: the Best Bistro Sets

Balconies, porches, and small outdoor spaces are ideal locations for a bistro set. These patio furniture sets are almost always a single table and chairs and are ideal for compact outdoor use. We have looked at several options for bistro table and chairs on the market, and have found that the best bistro set is the Best Choice Products Cast Aluminum set.

Yeah, this set is definitely old-world in style, but it is quite appealing. It has cleverly-integrated ice bucket in the table, and the frame is made out of high quality cast aluminum, painted with a copper finish. It has won our hearts! You may want to pick up a cushion for the chair, though, if you plan on sitting on it for long periods of time. For a complete review of the Best Choice Products Tulip Outdoor Bistro Set, see below.

The Suncrown Outdoor rocking bistro set is a stylish, modern bistro set with two cool rocking chairs that are surprisingly comfortable. This set is fairly modern looking and has a low design common to modern outdoor furniture. Some who have difficulty getting out of low chairs may find these challenging to sit on, and to get out of. However, most will find them quite comfortable, and will rock the night away! For a complete review, please see below.

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With a beautiful color selection and simple styling, the Grand Patio bistro set is a great choice given its price point. As we explain below, it is a knockoff of the (somewhat difficult to get online in the US) Fermob Bistro set, but it is a nice patio set on its own, at a great price point. It is strikingly Parisian in design and has a great balance of classic styling and a modern touch. See our full review for more information on this fun, colorful patio bistro set.

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Outdoor Bistro Sets Reviews

In this section, we look carefully at five different patio bistro sets. We consider the material quality, style, comfort, and features of each individual set.

H&L Patio Resin Rattan Steel Folding Bistro Set, Parma Style

If you love PE-Resin wicker furniture for its ease of maintenance, stylish look, and simplicity, the H&L Patio Resin Wicker Steel folding bistro set is a great option! With very simple styling that will fit in most any patio environment and an attractive espresso brown PE-resin wicker look, this patio set is a delight. The chairs are quite comfortable, and the whole set up is great quality for its price point.

Key Points at a Glance

• PE Resin Wicker in Espresso Brown
• Steel Frame
• No Assembly Required
• Table is woven wicker, but quite sturdy
• Folds Away for Easy Storage
• 1 Year Warranty

Dimensions

Table Size23.6" L x23.6" W x 28.3" H

Table Thickness1"

Chair Size17.7" W x 23.2" D x 33.2" H

Chair Seat Area15.7" W x 15.7" D

Weight Capacity280lbs

Total Weight28lbs

With a high-quality steel frame and PE-resin wicker weave, the H&L patio furniture set is a great choice for many patio environments. It is all-weather, sturdy, super comfortable, and we love the fact that it is covered under a 1-year warranty! The H&L Patio Furniture bistro set is pretty utilitarian in its styling, with no excessive lines or decorations. It would easily fit into most any decor, but it might be a bit too bland in its styling for some looking for a little bit extra. Compared to say the Grand Patio set below, the H&L bistro set will likely sink into the background with its dark color scheme and lack of visual interest.

However, PE-wicker usually looks quite good, especially in context with some plants and perhaps colorful accents. We don’t want to knock the styling too much! Easy storage is one of the big benefits of the H&L patio bistro set. It folds up quite compactly, and is easily stored in a shed or garage space, and will take up very little space. When you’re ready for some time outdoors, you can quickly get the table and chairs out and be ready for conversation. The table top is made of wicker, and glasses with very small bases may sit awkwardly due to the lack of a flat surface. Some may find this a turn off, but all but the smallest-based glasses or vases will sit acceptably with the wicker weave.

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Suncrown Outdoor 3-Piece Rocking Wicker Bistro Set: Black Wicker Furniture - Two Chairs with Glass Coffee Table (White Cushion)

If you like relaxing in a soft rocking chair, the Suncrown Outdoor may be the bistro set for you! With an attractive, modern aluminum and wicker design, and finished with off-white seat cushions for additional comfort, these chairs are perfect for relaxing after a long day of work. The central table is a very simple metal and PE-wicker design, echoing the chairs, but topped with tempered glass.

Key Points at a Glance

• Aluminum and resin wicker bistro set
• Cushions (off-white) included
• Cushions are machine washable
• Rocking chairs
• Chairs do not fold
• Tabletop made of tempered glass
• Some assembly required

Dimensions

Chairs25” (W) x 26” (D) X 28” (H)

Seat Height14" with 3" cushion

Cushion SizeTop 21" x 23" Bottom 22" x 22" (approx)

Weight CapacityApprox 300lbs

Table18” (L) x 18” (W) x 19.25” (H)

The chairs on the Suncrown Outdoor bistro set are a little bit on the low side, and those who are particularly tall, or who have difficulty getting out of low seating, may find these seats challenging. However, the fact that they rock means that you can use the momentum of the rocking chair to help propel you out of the chair a bit. The chairs are primarily made of a metal frame (we believe aluminum, they’re quite light). The metal is wrapped with PE-resin wicker around the base of the cushion, and the cushion support comes from the resin wicker. The result is a modern-looking chair frame, with arms and legs are exposed powder-coated metal, and everything looks quite fit and elegant. Most will find these chairs comfortable to sit in, and great for relaxation and conversation. It’s a shame that they are a little difficult to get out of, but overall we feel that most will find this set to be comfortable and interesting.

The cushions are not tied or anchored to the chairs at all, and you may want to store them in a deck box when they’re not on the chairs. In terms of color, they are more of an off-white shade than a pure white. They are zippered and are easily washable when the time comes. If you prefer to not use the cushions at all, you can skip them, though the chair is much more comfortable with cushions than without.

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Best Choice Products Outdoor Patio Furniture Tulip Design Bistro Set

The Tulip Design Bistro Set in Antique Copper has a nostalgia-filled old-world vibe, with an ornate cast aluminum frame that offers a great deal of visual interest. It may not fit into an ultra-modern patio area or balcony, but in many different decors, this set will feel just like home! While most people would associate bistro sets of this design with cast iron, this set is made of cast aluminum, which is a great, durable outdoor furniture material. Cast aluminum is relatively light, but can be made in the interesting designs that cast iron is classically known for.

Key Points at a Glance

• Frame made of cast aluminum
• Painted in a copper color with a low-gloss finish
• Elegant woven design is quite compelling
• Chairs have plastic feet for easy leveling
• Built-in ice-bucket area will let you keep your drinks cool
• Removable ice bucket lid
• Assembly required

Dimensions

Table27"(Dia) x 27"(H)

Table capacity143lbs

Table umbrella hole diameter3.4"

Chairs21"(L) x 17.5"(W) x 34"(H)

Chair capacity220lbs

Seat area15.25"(L) x 14.75"(W) x 1"(H)

Seat height16.5"

Seat diameter15"

Weight35.2lbs

There is something beautiful about the old world design of cast metal furniture. While we love modern design in general, the Best Choice Products Tulip Design bistro set has won our hearts with its high-quality materials and compelling look.

The chairs and tables require some assembly, though fortunately, it’s not terribly extensive. The end result is a patio furniture set that is light yet sturdy, with an interesting look that is very calming to the eye. The seats aren’t super comfortable for long-term sitting, so if you think you’ll be using these for hours on end, you may want to pick up a set of cushions to improve the comfort. In terms of maintenance, this set is pretty low-effort. The cast aluminum frame material should not rust. It can be left outside pretty much indefinitely. However, the set is painted, and over time may need to be re-painted or refreshed. The chairs are not stackable and the set does not fold up, so this patio furniture set isn’t ideal for those who want something they can easily stash away when not needed. We love the clever addition of a cooling bucket in the middle of the table. It is optional and can be hidden away if not needed, but if you want to keep your wine bottle chilled while sitting outside on a hot day, there’s no need for a cooler! Just leave the bottle right in the middle of the table, and you can focus on the conversation without needing to get up in order to refill the glass. Best Choice Products also makes a version of this bistro set with no ice bucket, but with a hole for a patio umbrella. There is a hole in the base approximately 3.4“, so plenty of room for most umbrella shafts. You may want to pick up a patio umbrella cone to get your umbrella set properly, and be sure to use a base!

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Grand Patio 3-PCS Bistro-Set

The Grand Patio Bistro set is, honestly, a knock-off of the Fermob bistro set. The Fermob Bistro set is one of our favorite sets, by one of our favorite patio furniture brands. It looks outstanding. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get the full Fermob Bistro full set in the USA. Local retailers in your area may have them, and Amazon carries the chairs but not the table, but the full set is complicated. So we have by necessity gone to the knock-off, the Grand Patio 3 Piece Bistro Set. It is available in several very cool colors and looks extremely close to the Fermob set. We do hope Fermob expands its online offerings in the USA, and we will update the page when they do. For now, the Grand Patio.

Key Points at a Glance

• Fermob Bistro Set Knock Off
• Available in 5 fun colors
• No assembly required
• Made of rust-free powder coated steel
• Chairs have plastic feet
• Folds away for easy storage

Dimensions

Chair Dimensions19.5" (W) X 23" (D) X 33" (H)

Seat Height16.5"

Folded Chair Dimensions 37" x 2.76"

Chair Weight Capacity280lbs

Table Dimensions24" (DIA.) X 28" (H)

Folded Table Dimensions37" x 2.76"

The Grand Patio Bistro set is on its own a quite elegant steel bistro set. The fact that it is quite solid, strong and stylish brings this bistro set over the top! This set has an attractive lacquered paint finish that looks wonderful and should last a while even out in the weather. It folds up for easy storage, so there’s no need to leave it out in the weather to get ruined, but if you forget from time to time, the set should still be able to handle some weather. With lots of fun colors (though fewer than Fermob offers!) the Grand Patio will bring a pop of excitement to any outdoor space. The colors are bold and modern, and while the legs look rather thin, the fact that they are made of steel makes these chairs surprisingly robust.

One issue with the design of these chairs is that there are only four slats on the seat as opposed to five on the Fermob design. This results in a little space all the way at the back of the chair between the last slat and the back arms that is not present in the Fermob version. If you like to sit very much upright, you will want to pick up a cushion for this chair to accommodate that space or choose another chair. It seems to be the most significant area where Grand Patio sought to cut costs, so buyers should be aware of that limitation. That said, if you sit even a couple of inches from perfectly upright, you’ll miss the space and the chair is quite comfortable. So for many, it won’t be an issue.

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Clayton Court 3-Piece Motion Outdoor Bistro Set

The Clayton Court 3 piece outdoor bistro set is an elegant metal bistro set made by Better Homes and Gardens. The included cushions in an attractive red color, and the metal weave is stylish without going crazy to the old world look, as the Best Choice Products set does. This set features rocking/gliding chairs, and a classic steel table that has somewhat of a wrought iron look. The Clayton Court is perfect for sipping a cocktail, or relaxing with a book while watching the sunset.

Key Points at a Glance

• Cushions made of Jacquard woven fabric cushion with polyurethane and polyester fill
• Chairs rock/glide
• Assembly required
• Seat is made of steel mesh, and cushions are not required

Dimensions

Chair Dimensions24.25"L x 22.75"W x 34.25"H

Seat Height19"

Cushion Size20" x 18" x 2.5"

Table Size24" x 24"

Weight61.9 pounds

While this set is decidedly not modern in its design, the gentle curves and colorful cushion gives plenty of visual interest without a huge amount of clutter. We love that the chairs rock/glide! This is always a nice feature when present, and turns a bistro set into more of a bistro/lounge set. The set is quite easy to put together, and assembly should be completed in 15-30 minutes. No ties come with the cushions, so you may want to consider some Velcro ties or other options for securing the furniture on windy days. The cushions are not required, and the steel mesh frame continues under the seat base. If you don’t want to use the cushions, you can skip them. The chairs are still quite comfortable without them. The seat itself is pretty deep, so you may want to pick up some additional pillows for comfort. The seat height is a little bit high compared to the 24“ in the table, and some larger individuals will find that the space between the table and seat is too tight for their legs. If you or your guests are big and tall, you may want to consider your options. You could always forgo the cushion and gain a few inches.

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Conclusion: Best Patio Bistro Set

All of the bistro sets on our list today have strong points, and any of them would be a great choice for your balcony or patio area. With such a wide variety of styles and materials, there are many variations on the bistro set theme. We weren’t expecting to pick an ornate, old-world set as our top choice, but the materials quality, price, and design of the Best Choice Products set are really compelling. However, it doesn’t have rocking capability, and if that’s a big feature for you, the Suncrown Outdoor is an excellent set. And if you want something that folds away, and is super stylish, and is easy on the wallet, the Grand Patio is a perfect choice!

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