Melamine Dinnerware: Elevate Your Dining Experience With Style And Durability

Melamine dinnerware sets are a great alternative to disposable plates for outdoor dining. They are hard to break, easy to carry, and more environmentally friendly. Melamine is a type of plastic that is break-resistant, usually top-rack dishwasher-safe, and available in a range of qualities and prices. While melamine dinnerware is not microwave-safe, it is a good option for outdoor dining, especially around the pool, where breakables can be dangerous and difficult to clean up.

There are many stylish options for melamine dinnerware sets, including sets from Williams Sonoma, Gibson, Corelle, Fable New York, and Pottery Barn. When choosing a set, consider the weight of the dishes, as something too light might blow away in the wind, while something too heavy might be difficult to carry. It is also important to note that while bamboo dinnerware is a popular alternative to melamine, it is not microwave-safe or recyclable.

Best melamine dinnerware sets for outdoor dining

Melamine dinnerware is a great choice for outdoor dining as it is shatterproof, lightweight, and durable. Here are some of the best melamine dinnerware sets for outdoor dining:

Lenox Blue Bay Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set received top ratings for attractiveness and durability in lab tests. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and tumblers, and the various blue patterns are different yet cohesive. There were no signs of wear or tear after drop tests, and only very light scratches were visible under light after scratch testing. Lenox also offers a replacement promise for defective or broken items.

Gibson Soho Lounge Home Canyon Crest Matte Melamine Set

This affordable and sturdy melamine tableware set is highly popular on Amazon. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, and it performed well in lab tests, showing no signs of wear or tear after multiple washes. However, the set showed some scrape marks after the chip test.

Williams Sonoma Sicily Outdoor Melamine Dinner Plate Set

This set evokes the feel of a quintessential Italian feast with its colourful plates and bowls, which resemble Sicilian Maiolica ceramics. The plates are durable, scratch-resistant, and dishwasher-safe. Williams Sonoma offers a variety of purchasing options, including sets of four or multiple sets of dishes.

Fable New York Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware

This set is made from organic bamboo fibre, non-GMO corn starch, and a food-grade BPA-free melamine coating. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, deep bowls, and shallow bowls, and you can purchase cups separately. The pieces are lightweight yet durable, and the beautiful matte colour options can be mixed and matched. However, the dark blue colour option may develop scuffs over time.

Certified International Talavera 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

These flawless, medium-weight plates and bowls feature a wholesome design inspired by traditional Talavera pottery from Mexico. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and all-purpose bowls, and there were no visible flaws or scratches after testing. The pieces are neither too heavy nor too flimsy, making them suitable for various outdoor dining scenarios.

Best melamine dinnerware sets for kids

Melamine dinnerware is a great option for kids because it's shatter-resistant, lightweight, and often features fun designs that children will love. Here are some of the best melamine dinnerware sets for kids:

Zak Designs Confetti 12-Piece Dinnerware Set

This set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, and comes in a speckled white colour that resembles a Funfetti cake. It's one of the most lightweight sets, making it perfect for kids to handle and carry. The set is also durable, scratch-resistant, and had no visible flaws in its design. It retails for $40.99 and can be purchased from Amazon, Target, or Walmart.

Zak Designs Disney Frozen Kids Dinnerware 5-Piece Set

This adorable set is perfect for any Frozen fan! It includes a plate, bowl, tumbler, and utensil, all made of durable melamine material. It's non-BPA and dishwasher-safe, making it a practical choice for parents. This set is available on Amazon for those who want mealtimes to be a magical experience for their little ones.

Zak Designs Marvel Comics Spider-Man Dinnerware Set

Your little superhero will love this Spider-Man-themed dinnerware set! It includes a 10-inch melamine plate and a 27-ounce bowl, both durable and break-resistant. The set is also BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. You can find this set on Amazon for your child's friendly neighbourhood meals.

French Bull 4-Piece Toddler Kids Feeding Melamine Tableware Set

This colourful and vibrant set includes a plate, cup, bowl, and divided tray, making it perfect for toddlers who are learning to eat on their own. It's BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and durable. The set features a fun jungle design that will make mealtimes more enjoyable. You can purchase it on Amazon and let your little one go on a culinary safari.

Rex London Melamine Kids' Plates

These plates are perfect for little ones in the weaning phase as they can handle being thrown to the floor. Rex London offers a range of cute animal-printed plates in various colours and designs. You can find them on the Rex London website or Amazon and let your child's inner beast loose at the dinner table.

Best budget melamine dinnerware sets

Melamine dinnerware is a great option for outdoor dining and entertaining. It is hard to break, lightweight, and often dishwasher-safe, making it a convenient and stylish alternative to traditional dinnerware or disposable plates. Here are some of the best budget-friendly melamine dinnerware sets:

The Pioneer Woman Country Splatter 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

This charming and inexpensive melamine set from Walmart evokes a vintage enamel graniteware look with its vivid, speckled colours. The set includes four 9-inch bowls, which are on the larger side, along with four dinner plates and four salad plates. While the design might be a bit busy, this set is a great option for casual summer gatherings, and it won't break the bank at $44.93.

Gibson Home Brela 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set offers a modern and elegant look with its matte teal colour and simple design. It includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four bowls, providing service for four. The pieces are lightweight yet sturdy and can be safely washed in the dishwasher (top rack only). At $24, this set offers excellent value for money.

Gibson Home Rockabye 12-Piece Double Bowl Melamine Dinnerware Set

This unique set features a matte teal colour with a distinctive black rim, adding a stylish touch to your outdoor dining experience. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls, and four double bowls, perfect for a variety of dishes and occasions. It is available on Amazon for $20.56.

AELS Melamine Dinnerware Set of 18 Pieces

This lightweight and unbreakable melamine dinnerware set comes in a soft light blue colour, adding a calming touch to your table. The set includes six dinner plates, six salad plates, and six bowls, providing service for six people. It is dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, making it a practical and safe choice for your outdoor gatherings. You can find this set on Amazon for $36.54.

Yinshine Melamine Dinnerware Set – 12 Pieces

This versatile melamine dinnerware set features a beautiful cobalt blue colour and a slightly dimpled surface, giving it a unique, handcrafted look. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four bowls. While it is not microwave-safe, it is dishwasher-safe and very durable. This set is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use and can be purchased on Amazon for $36.54.

Best elegant melamine dinnerware sets

Melamine dinnerware is a great alternative to disposable plates for outdoor dining. It is hard to break, lightweight, and often scratch-resistant, making it ideal for picnics, camping, and dinner parties. Here are some of the best elegant melamine dinnerware sets:

Sandia Melamine Dinnerware Set

This 16-piece set from Food52 is the most elegant melamine dinnerware set according to Consumer Reports. It has a chic and simple design with a unique irregular edge and a high-shine glaze. The set includes pasta bowls, cereal bowls, salad plates, and main plates, making it perfect for serving a full meal. While it is one of the heavier sets, making it less ideal for picnics or camping, it is a great option for dinner parties or outdoor gatherings.

Lenox Blue Bay Melamine Dinnerware Set

This 16-piece set from Lenox received the highest ratings in attractiveness and durability in Good Housekeeping's lab tests. It offers a variety of blue patterns that are different yet cohesive, creating a stylish tabletop. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and tumblers. It performed well in drop tests and scratch resistance tests, with only very light scratches visible when held up to the light. Lenox also offers a replacement promise for any breakage during normal use or defective items.

Williams Sonoma Sicily Outdoor Melamine Dinner Plates

These plates from Williams Sonoma performed excellently in Good Housekeeping's scratch and drop testing, with only a few nearly invisible scratches. The plates have a classic Italian design, evoking the feel of a quintessential Italian feast outdoors. They are available in a wide variety of colour combinations and ornate patterns, including fruit designs. The melamine dinnerware is easy to clean in the top rack of your dishwasher but is not microwave-safe.

Fable New York Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware

This 16-piece set from Fable New York is made from organic bamboo fibre, non-GMO corn starch, and a food-grade BPA-free melamine coating. It offers seven beautiful matte colour options that can be mixed and matched to create a customised set. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, deep bowls, and shallow bowls, with cups sold separately. The dishes look like ceramic but are much more lightweight. While the dark blue colour option developed scuffs over time, the other colours cleaned up nicely.

Certified International Talavera 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

This 12-piece set from Certified International features a wholesome design inspired by traditional Talavera, a type of hand-painted, handmade pottery from Mexico. The plates and bowls are medium-weight and ideal for various situations where unbreakable plates are needed. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four all-purpose bowls. There were no detectable flaws, and the pieces sat evenly, had a smooth glaze, and did not scratch easily. This set is a great option for camping trips, picnics, or dinner parties.

Best lightweight melamine dinnerware sets

Melamine dinnerware is a great alternative to disposable plates for outdoor dining. It is lightweight, durable, and often shatterproof, making it perfect for picnics, camping, and outdoor entertainment. Here are some of the best lightweight melamine dinnerware sets available:

Craft & Kin Melamine Dinnerware Set

This 12-piece set for four includes large dinner plates, salad/dessert plates, and bowls. The rustic wood grain design is subtle and attractive, perfect for a camping trip or outdoor entertainment. The set is dishwasher-safe, lightweight, and BPA-free. However, some customers have reported issues with the colour fading over time and microwave safety.

CaterEco Melamine Dinnerware Set

The CaterEco set is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use and is available in different quantities, including sets of 3, 6, and 18. The break-resistant design makes this set ideal for children and outdoor activities like camping. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and, for the set of 6, tumblers and flatware. It is scratch-resistant and dishwasher-safe, but not microwave-safe.

French Bull Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set features a fun robot pattern and includes a divided kids' plate and spoon, perfect for toddlers and babies. The high-grade glazed melamine is scratch and shatter-resistant, non-absorbent, and BPA-free. It is dishwasher-safe but not suitable for the microwave.

Gibson Home Rockabye 12-Piece Double Bowl Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set is available in green and blue and includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls. The colourful design is perfect for outdoor entertainment and everyday use. The set is dishwasher-safe but not microwave-safe.

Certified International Talavera 12-Piece Dinnerware Set

This set features a charming traditional Talavera design, modelled after handmade Mexican pottery. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, and all-purpose bowls, making it a well-balanced set. The pieces are lightweight, durable, and dishwasher-safe, but not microwave-safe.

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