Elevate Your Dining Experience: A Guide To Choosing The Perfect Dinnerware Set

Dinnerware sets the table for every meal, from a casual breakfast to a formal dinner party. They are an extension of your style and help create the right ambiance for any occasion.

There are many dinnerware sets available in the market, and it can be challenging to choose the right one. When selecting a dinnerware set, consider the material, durability, design, and value. Here are some of the best dinnerware sets to help you make an informed decision:

- Best Overall: Our Place Classic Stacking Set is a favourite among consumers and scored high in attractiveness. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, dinner bowls, dessert plates, and soup bowls. It resisted cuts and stains and looked good after multiple dishwasher cycles.

- Best Value: Gibson Home Rockaway 12-Piece Dinnerware Set is a simple yet trendy stoneware dish set. It comes in various colours and includes dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, and mugs. The set is durable, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant.

- Best Lightweight: Corelle Vitrelle 18-Piece Dinnerware Set is a durable and scratch-resistant glass dinnerware set. It is lightweight, microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and perfect for indoor and outdoor use.

- Best Everyday: Williams Sonoma Apilco Porcelain Dinnerware Set features classic blue-banded porcelain dinnerware. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls, cups, and saucers. It is scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.

- Best Modern: Fable Base Dinnerware Set offers a minimalist aesthetic with a modern twist. The stoneware set includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and breakfast bowls. It is scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.

- Best Trendy: Fortessa Los Cabos Dinnerware Set features coloured glass dinnerware that is currently in trend. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, cereal bowls, and pasta bowls. It is scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.

- Best for Entertaining: Lenox Blue Bay 12-Piece Dinnerware Set stands out with its organic, wavy shape and gold rims. The porcelain set includes dinner plates, dessert plates, and bowls. It is scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe, even with the gold trim.

- Best White: Fortessa Modern Coupe Dinnerware Set offers a simple yet elegant design with sloped rims. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and mugs. It is scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.

- Best High-end: Wedgwood Gio 16-Piece Dinnerware Set is a unique and subtle textured bone china dinnerware set. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. It is durable, lightweight, and stackable. The pieces are sold separately, making it easy to replace any broken items.

- Best Colours: Fiesta 12-Piece Bistro Dinnerware Set is a brightly coloured porcelain dinnerware set. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls. It is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and oven-safe. Fiesta offers a five-year chip-replacement warranty.

Dinnerware Materials: Porcelain, stoneware, bone china, melamine, glass, ceramic, laminated glass, earthenware

Porcelain is a type of ceramic dinnerware made from fine particles of clay, including feldspar, kaolin, and quartz. It is fired at a high temperature, making it extremely durable and nonporous. This allows porcelain dinnerware to be thinner and more delicately constructed, giving it an almost translucent appearance. It is often used for formal dining occasions due to its upscale look.

Stoneware is another type of ceramic dinnerware that is fired at a higher temperature than porcelain, making it more durable. It typically has a vitreous (glass) material added to it for strength and can be finished with a glossy or matte glaze. Stoneware is commonly used for casual, everyday place settings and is safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer.

Bone china is a type of porcelain that includes bone ash in its composition, giving it a milky appearance. It is fired at a slightly lower temperature than porcelain, resulting in a lightweight, delicate, and translucent material. Despite its fragile appearance, bone china is the strongest and most durable ceramic dinnerware. It is typically dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.

Melamine dinnerware is made of plastic and is lightweight, sturdy, and inflexible, with a glossy finish. It is ideal for children and outdoor use as it is virtually indestructible. Melamine is usually dishwasher-safe on the top rack but should not be used in the microwave or oven.

Laminated glass, such as Corelle, is a type of vitrified glass dinnerware that is fired at high temperatures, making it nonporous and extremely durable. It is safe to use in the dishwasher and microwave and is known for its break resistance.

Earthenware is a type of ceramic that is glazed and fired. It has a thick, heavy, and rustic look but is less durable than other types of dinnerware and is prone to chipping. It is often used for hand-painted designs and is generally dishwasher and microwave-safe. However, it is porous and can absorb liquid, so it should not be left submerged in water.

Dinnerware Shapes: Wide, flat rims, straight walls, sloped rims, low bowls, blates, deep bowls, shallow bowls

Dinnerware shapes are an important consideration when choosing a set. Here are some of the most common shapes and their advantages:

• Wide, flat rims: These rims provide a large space to grab the plate, making it easy to carry. However, the trade-off is that there is less space on the plate for food.
• Straight walls: Plates with straight walls have more of a modern look and provide ample space for food. They also stack neatly in a single column, making them look organised on shelves.
• Sloped rims: Plates with sloped rims are a good middle ground between wide, flat rims and straight walls. They offer a place to grab the plate while still providing ample space for food.
• Low bowls or "blates": These are a cross between a bowl and a plate, with a wide, shallow bottom and raised sides. They are versatile and can be used as either a bowl or a plate.
• Deep bowls: These are great for cereal, desserts, and soups.
• Shallow bowls: These are better suited for pasta, risotto, or salads as they provide more surface area for food.

Dinnerware Sizes: Small, medium, large, extra-large

Dinnerware sets are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to extra-large. Here's a detailed breakdown of the different dinnerware sizes:

Small Dinnerware

Small dinnerware is typically used for serving appetizers, side dishes, or bread and butter. These plates usually measure between 6 to 8 inches 15 to 20 centimetres. They are perfect for serving small portions and can also be used as auxiliary plates for disposing of fish bones or teabags.

Medium Dinnerware

Medium-sized dinnerware, also known as salad or dessert plates, usually measure between 8 to 10 inches 20 to 25 centimetres. They are perfect for serving salads, desserts, or side dishes and can also be used as a substitute for a full-sized dinner plate.

Large Dinnerware

Large dinnerware is the standard size for dinner plates and typically measures between 10 to 12 inches 25 to 30 centimetres. These plates provide ample space for serving a main course with sides and are commonly used in restaurants and homes.

Extra-Large Dinnerware

Extra-large dinnerware includes serving plates or platters and can range from 8 to 20 inches 20 to 51 centimetres. These are typically used for serving large portions, canapes, or as a centrepiece on the dinner table. They are perfect for entertaining guests or large gatherings.

Dinnerware Sets: Full sets, individual sets, open stock, place settings

Dinnerware sets are a great way to express your personal style and elevate your dining experience. When shopping for dinnerware, you can choose between full sets, individual sets, or open stock. Here's a guide to help you navigate the different options:

Full Sets

Full dinnerware sets typically include multiple place settings, usually four to six, making them ideal for larger households or those who entertain frequently. These sets offer a complete solution and often provide the best value for money. They usually include a variety of pieces such as dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, although the exact composition may vary. Full sets are a convenient choice if you want a matching collection right away.

Individual Sets

Individual dinnerware sets, also known as place settings, typically include the essential pieces for one person, such as a dinner plate, a salad plate or bowl, and sometimes a mug. They are perfect for those who live alone or prefer to mix and match their dinnerware. Individual sets offer flexibility and allow you to create a unique table setting by combining different patterns or colours.

Open Stock

Open stock refers to purchasing dinnerware pieces individually or in smaller sets, such as a set of four bowls or plates. This option provides the ultimate flexibility to customise your dinnerware collection. You can buy only the pieces you need, in the quantities you require, and easily replace any broken items. Open stock is ideal if you want to build a unique set gradually or need to expand your existing collection.

When choosing dinnerware, consider factors such as the number of place settings you need, the types of dishes included, the shape and size of the pieces, the material and durability, and whether they are microwave and dishwasher safe. Remember to select a style that reflects your taste and complements your dining experience.

Dinnerware Brands: Our Place, Fable, Gibson Home, Corelle, Williams Sonoma, Fortessa, Wedgwood, Fiesta

Our Place

Our Place is a newcomer to the dinnerware market, but its dinnerware set has made a splash. The set includes plates, bowls, and mugs, and is made from recycled and sustainably-sourced porcelain. The set is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe, and the plates have raised sides to prevent food from rolling off. The set is moderately priced and comes in a variety of colours, including spice, steam, and char.

Fable

Fable is a Canadian brand that offers simple, timeless, and responsibly-made dinnerware. The brand works with artisanal makers around the world and uses high-quality, environmentally-mindful materials. Fable's dinnerware set includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and breakfast bowls, and is available in a range of colours, including blush pink, dove grey, and midnight blue. The set is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe, and each piece is organically shaped and one-of-a-kind.

Gibson Home

Gibson Home offers a range of dinnerware sets, including the Rockaway 12-piece set, the Zuma 16-piece set, and the Everyday Essential 12-piece set. The Rockaway set features a simple, modern design and is available in a variety of colours, while the Zuma set has a matte finish and is available in round and square shapes. The Everyday Essential set is a basic, affordable option that comes in a variety of colours. Gibson Home dinnerware sets are made from stoneware or porcelain and are dishwasher and microwave-safe.

Corelle

Corelle offers durable and affordable dinnerware sets made from Vitrelle, a type of laminated glass. The sets include plates and bowls and are available in a variety of patterns, including Winter Frost White, Country Cottage, and Splendor. The sets are chip, crack, and break-resistant, and are dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe. Corelle dinnerware sets are ideal for everyday use and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor dining.

Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma offers a range of dinnerware sets, including the Apilco Tradition Blue-Banded Porcelain set, the Brasserie All-White Dinnerware set, and the Open Kitchen Dinnerware set. The Apilco set features a classic design with blue bands, while the Brasserie set has a bistro-style design. The Open Kitchen set is a budget-friendly option that includes dinner and salad plates, cereal bowls, and mugs. Williams Sonoma dinnerware sets are made from porcelain and are dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.

Fortessa

Fortessa offers a range of dinnerware sets, including the Los Cabos Dinnerware set and the Sound Thunder Dinnerware set. The Los Cabos set features coloured glass plates, bowls, and mugs, while the Sound Thunder set has a stoneware design with a grey hue. Fortessa dinnerware sets are dishwasher and microwave-safe.

Wedgwood

Wedgwood offers dinnerware sets in a range of patterns and colours, including the Florentine Turquoise set, the Wild Strawberry set, and the Renaissance Gold set. The sets include dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, and are made from bone china. Wedgwood dinnerware sets are dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.

Fiesta

Fiesta offers colourful dinnerware sets that are made from porcelain and are dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe. The sets include dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, and are available in a variety of colours, including poppy red, daffodil yellow, and lapis blue. Fiesta dinnerware is iconic and collectible, with a design that dates back to the 1930s. The sets are chip-resistant and come with a five-year warranty.

Frequently asked questions