Built for food service, not just for looks
Restaurant counters need to do more than hold plates and cash registers. They must take heat, water, cleaning chemicals, knocks from trays and constant wiping down through a long shift. Our counters are made from stainless steel sheet and tube, with welded frames, folded edges and tidy sealed joints so crumbs, grease and liquid do not collect in awkward places.
For service areas, we can build a plain working counter, a fitted top over existing joinery, or a full counter with shelving, undercounter support and splash guards. In busy kitchens around Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and George, stainless is a practical choice because it handles coastal humidity better than painted steel, and it is easier to keep sanitary between breakfast, lunch and dinner service.
Sizes, thicknesses and layout options
Each counter is made to the space on site, but we work from common practical sizes so ordering is simple. Straight counters often start at 600 mm deep for narrow serving points and go to 750 mm or 900 mm deep where staff need more prep room. Standard working height is 900 mm, though front counters can be set lower or higher depending on bar stools, pass-through hatches, or wheelchair access where required.
We usually fabricate from 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm stainless sheet for tops, with heavier support where hot equipment or stacked stock is expected. Frames can be made from square tube or angle support, with adjustable feet for uneven floors. Options include:
- Plain flat top for serving and plating
- Turned-down front edge for a neater finish
- Backsplash from 75 mm to 150 mm high
- Undershelves for trays, tubs and stock
- Sink cut-outs and drain board sections
- Removable access panels for cleaning and maintenance
Where stainless counters suit best
These counters suit restaurant kitchens, coffee bars, takeaway counters, hotel serving areas, bakeries, club kitchens and staff canteens. They also work well in fish and seafood operations near the coast, where washdown is frequent and humidity can cause other materials to rust or swell. If your space includes a servery hatch, a pass line or a cold room entry, we can shape the top to suit the workflow instead of forcing staff to work around the counter.
We also make counters for venues that need a smart customer-facing finish in front and a hard-working surface behind. In these cases, the front can be polished or brushed, while the kitchen side can be kept simpler for easy upkeep. This helps the counter fit in with the room without making maintenance a problem.
Installation, services and site checks
Before fabrication we do site measuring and shop drawings so the counter fits the actual room, not just the plan. That matters in older buildings, tight kitchen corners and leased spaces where walls are not always square. Our team can also work around existing water points, floor drains, gas lines and extractor positions, which saves time and avoids rework later.
Installation can include levelling, anchoring, joining separate sections, fitting splash backs and sealing against walls. If a counter needs to be set around a sink, fryer, warmers or refrigeration unit, we plan the openings and service gaps in advance. For venues with gas cooking nearby, we allow safe clearances and avoid placing hidden joints where heat may build up. If the counter has lighting, sockets or other electrical fittings nearby, those must be handled by a qualified electrician and we leave proper access for them.
Care in coastal kitchens and busy service areas
Stainless still needs proper care if you want it to keep its finish. Daily wipe-downs with warm water and mild detergent are usually enough. Avoid harsh chlorine cleaners, steel wool and abrasive powders, because they can mark the surface and shorten the life of the polish. Where salt air is strong, especially in seaside towns, regular rinsing and drying helps prevent tea-staining and water marks.
We can also help with maintenance checks, surface restoration and stainless repairs if a counter gets dented, warped by heat or damaged at a welded joint. On busy sites, a small fault can grow quickly, so it is worth checking edges, seals and mounting points every few months. A loose top or failed seal is a nuisance and can turn into a hygiene issue if it is left too long.
What to confirm before you place the order
When ordering a restaurant counter, the main things to check are the overall length, depth, working height and where the service points sit. Also confirm whether you need a plain top, a fitted sink opening, a backsplash, undercounter shelves or a closed base. If the counter must match an existing kitchen line, send us the measurements of the adjacent units and the floor to wall distances so we can keep the joints neat.
It also helps to know how the counter will be used each day. A counter for plated service is different from one that holds bins, small appliances or hot pans. If the site is in George, Mossel Bay, Wilderness or anywhere with stronger coastal conditions, we may recommend slightly heavier sections and more careful sealing. The right choices up front save a lot of call backs later, and the counter stays serviceable for years.
- Length, depth and height in millimetres
- Type of use: prep, serving, plating or cash point
- Need for sink cut-outs, splash guards or shelves
- Any fixed power, gas or water points nearby
- Preferred finish: brushed or polished
- Delivery access and installation date on site
Key facts
| Material | Stainless steel sheet with welded support frame |
|---|---|
| Typical sheet thickness | 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm, depending on use |
| Common heights | 900 mm standard, custom heights available |
| Common depths | 600 mm, 750 mm or 900 mm |
| Finish options | Brushed or polished surface |
| Service area | Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, George and Mossel Bay |
