We Tested (and Rated!) All the Dining Tables at CB2 — Here Are the Best Ones to Suit Your Style and Space

published Nov 20, 2024
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Aster Marble Dining Table in dining room with Personal Shopper seal in upper left
Credit: CB2

As Apartment Therapy’s resident Personal Shopper, I look at a lot of furniture on a monthly basis when I visit brick-and-mortar stores like West Elm, Burrow, Pottery Barn, and Blu Dot. When I go into a store, I typically view more than one furniture category, whether it’s dressers, bed frames, or desks, although I’ve quickly come to have a couple favorites. Specifically, I prefer looking at sofas and accent chairs, mostly because of the variety.

There are so many different silhouettes and upholstery styles to see, as opposed to categories like dining tables, which are usually made of wood and either round or rectangular. But then, I visited CB2. The brand’s designers clearly have a lot of fun when creating the products, which come in luxe materials and boast a ton of cool details. And yes, I’m talking about the dining tables.

Below, you’ll find every dining table I saw in CB2’s 3rd Avenue Manhattan store, along with a description of its most notable features and who I think the table would suit best. There’s something at CB2 for homeowners, small-space dwellers, regular dinner party hosts, and other home decor enthusiasts with expensive tastes. Read on to find out which one is best for you.

Why CB2?

Browsing CB2’s offerings online feels like looking through a highly curated home inspiration moodboard. The brand’s dining tables are best characterized as modern, trendy, and well-crafted. CB2 also exercises responsible manufacturing practices, using sustainably sourced materials for its products, such as preferred fibers and FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, the retailer offers free design services with experts to help you choose pieces that best suit your personal style. You can book an appointment in-store or opt for a virtual consultation if you don’t have a CB2 near you.

The Dining Tables

The Criteria

We judged every CB2 dining table in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine who the dining table suits best.

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media
  • Capacity: How many people can fit around the table? Are any structural or design elements (i.e., beams, legs, etc.) obtrusive?
  • Customizability: Are size, configuration, material, color, or other details customizable? How granular can a shopper get when customizing?
  • Versatility: Can the table expand or change size? How difficult would it be to assemble, disassemble, or move? Can it be used as more than just a dining table?
  • Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., detailing, dark wood) or more contemporary (i.e., sleek, light wood)?
  • Quality: Is the table built for looks or to last? Are its materials more basic (and typically easy to maintain) or more luxe and uncommon?

Every Editor-Tested Dining Table at CB2

Best Large Style: Aster Marble Dining Table

What impressed us: The S-shaped base and oval marble top.

The Aster table greeted us right as we walked into the store, and there couldn’t have been a stronger start to the visit. For one, it stuns because of its all-black finish. Although the table is large enough to seat up to eight people and is relatively long, it’s not oversized. CB2 has a lot of marble-top dining tables, but this one stands out because its dark surface is punctuated by large white streaks. And, of course, you can’t ignore that S-shaped fluted base. The Aster is at once a showpiece and a practical dining spot that offers plenty of leg room. It’s great for people who like to entertain and give their guests a dining experience they’ll remember.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 96”, seats up to 8 people
  • Aluminum base and marble top
  • Available in 1 finish

Best for Small Spaces: Lola Concrete Dining Table

What impressed us: The smooth, chalky feel and curved pedestal base.

The Lola is a solid option for smaller dining rooms, or it could serve as an entryway table for larger homes. It might be small compared to most of CB2’s dining tables, but it comfortably seats up to four people, and it looks grand, thanks to its hefty base. The chunky pedestal base curves upward at the bottom, almost making it look like the Lola might tip if touched — except this is one sturdy piece. The table is notably made of concrete and covered in a rubbery coating. It has an incredibly smooth, almost chalky feel. That, coupled with its matte finish, makes the Lola all the more striking.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 45”, seats up to 4 people
  • Stone powder, cement, and natural fiber
  • Available in 2 finishes

What impressed us: The surfboard-inspired shape and light finish.

A handful of the dining tables we viewed in-store were part of CB2’s collaboration with Goop. Love her or hate her, you have to admit that Gwyneth Paltrow has a great eye for aesthetics, and the Spigolo table is proof of that. Its top and legs are inspired by surfboards, which is even more evident when you run your hand along its grainy, whitewashed surface. The three parts curve at the corners, giving the table a slightly organic look that adds to its boho appeal. The Spigolo is one of CB2’s medium-sized options, and although it would work for families, we suggest taking care not to spill anything on it or wipe up messes immediately. Placemats and coasters are a must with this one.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 84”, seats up to 6 people
  • Also available in 107.5” size
  • FSC-certified oak and engineered wood
  • Available in 1 finish

Best for Entertaining: Sydney Marble Dining Table

What impressed us: The geometric corner legs and mixed material design.

Although it’s not the biggest dining table we saw, the Sydney table is pretty imposing, perhaps because of its geometric silhouette. Four hulking, sharp-edged legs rest at each corner. The marble top is quite thick, too, and boasts touches of red that you don’t initially see from far away. This is one of the more customizable models at CB2, as you can choose between two sizes and a variety of top and base materials. The Sydney is just the table for greeting guests during the holidays — or any other time of year, for that matter. It offers maximum legroom and surface area, so you can have fun with your dinner layout and create a truly showstopping presentation against the glossy background.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 72”, seats up to 8 people
  • Also available in 95.5” size
  • Steel base and marble top
  • Available in 6 top material options and 3 base material options

Best Table for Two: Babylon Marble Bistro Table

What impressed us: The small footprint and all-marble construction.

We initially passed by the Babylon table without stopping to take notes, but then a store employee informed us that it is, in fact, a dining table. It looks a tad small for that at first glance, but the table can, indeed, seat up to two people. This makes it great for small apartments; even if you don’t have a dedicated dining room, you can tuck it into a corner to create a cozy little nook. Regardless of whether you get it in gray, black, or green marble, the Babylon is downright dazzling — so much so, that you might opt to display it in your entryway for storing keys, mail, and other items. A pedestal base provides plenty of stability and adds to the table’s streamlined silhouette.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 30”, seats up to 2 people
  • Solid marble and metal construction
  • Available in 3 finishes

Best Industrial Style: Bretagne Dining Table by Goop

What impressed us: The artistic metal base and egg-like tabletop.

It’s not that we’ve never seen an oval-shaped dining table, but we’ve certainly never seen one quite like the Bretagne model from the Goop collab. Its white resin top really does look like an egg in person, and paired with the sculptural metal base, it looks not unlike an art installation. Inspired by Brutalist design, the Bretagne is a conversation-starter, but it’s certainly not impractical. You’ll be able to easily wipe spills off its nonporous surface and pair it with other modern decor. Although, if you find yourself reluctant to decorate, this piece easily stands out enough on its own.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 96”, seats up to 10 people
  • Solid resin top and cast aluminum legs
  • Available in 1 finish

Best Sculptural Style: Taza Travertine Dining Table

What impressed us: The coiled pedestal and light caramel color.

A good mid-sized option, the Taza table boasts a thick travertine surface and a color reminiscent of crème caramel. Its slightly textured feel adds an artisanal vibe, but the coiled pedestal base definitely steals the show. Able to seat up to six people, this table would look lovely adorned with a floral arrangement and some linen placemats. Although travertine is softer and more porous than marble and prone to scratching as a result, it is moisture-resistant, so it’ll hold up well amid years of use. Plus, we think it gives the Taza table a slightly archaic feel that’ll take your dining room to the next level.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 54”, seats up to 6 people
  • Travertine over engineered wood construction
  • Available in 1 finish
  • Also available in marble

What impressed us: The brass details and groovy leg cutouts.

By now, you’ve seen that CB2 has a lot of eye-catching designs to choose from. But the one that made the biggest impression on us was Goop’s Albertine table. For the most part, its oak construction is quite simple. But brass detailing and exposed screws on the edges of the oval surface and legs makes this table impossible to look away from. The two plank-style legs also have large oval-shaped cutouts for added visual intrigue. At 110 inches long, the Albertine can seat up to 10 people, so it’s also one of the largest models we saw on display. It would fit right into a big country home, as it perfectly marries modern and traditional aesthetics.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 110”, seats up to 10 people
  • FSC-certified oak veneer over engineered hardwood top, FSC-certified oak legs, and brass band with exposed screws
  • Available in 1 finish

Best for Families: Amalie Resin Dining Table

What impressed us: The glossy appearance and organic shape.

We didn’t just deem the Amalie table the best pick for families because we think kids would get a kick out of its blobby resin design. The nonporous surface also makes it easy to wipe up spills and other messes; just take care to do so quickly and avoid staining, or opt for the black version. Despite the table’s textured feel, it has a smooth, milky finish and an organic shape that’ll help break up other rigid lines in the room. Two wide legs offer plenty of space to stretch out under the table’s middle, and they also allow the Amalie to seat up to 10 people. It’s a unique and artistic piece that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 103”, seats up to 10 people
  • Resin top and concrete composite legs
  • Available in 2 finishes