A dishwashing apparatus comprises a housing containing a series of zones, each zone adapted for performing a step of a dishwashing cycle. A drive means transports a shuttle loaded with a soiled item in a loop from a loading/unloading area atop the housing, into the housing, through each of the wash-step zones and out of the housing back to the loading/unloading area. Different shuttle types are provided, each type adapted to carry one of: an individual item of plateware, an individual item of cupware or an individual place setting of cutlery. A method of washing dishes utilising the apparatus is described. The apparatus is compact for installation flush with countertop adjacent to a kitchen sink. The apparatus and method permit rapid and efficient washing of small numbers of items such as a single place setting.