We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food and Recipes Kitchen Assistant The 11 Best Dinnerware Sets for Serving Up Supper in Style From classic porcelain to durable stoneware. By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines and Christie Calucchia Christie Calucchia Christie Calucchia is a writer, editor, and content strategist with five years of experience in the lifestyle digital media space. She has interviewed interior designers, organization experts, dermatologists, and celebrities to discover trends and provide product recommendations. Her work can be found on Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, People, Health, Shape, and more. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 21, 2021 03:21PM EST Photo: Courtesy of Wayfair If you're like us, the right dinnerware can make all the difference when it comes to creating the perfect meal. Whether it's a solo night in front of the TV, a fancy dinner date, or a casual outdoor family picnic, the plates, bowls, and platters you serve your food on help set the mood for any occasion. However, a good dinnerware set should do more than just look pretty. It should be practical (not too heavy), durable (no one likes a chipped plate), and, most importantly, easy to clean (who has time for scrubbing?). Your dinnerware should also be versatile, so you can easily add on or replace pieces as your family grows or if something breaks. If you've found yourself in the market for a new dinnerware set, a few questions probably come to mind. How many plates do I really need? Should I go for stoneware or porcelain? Who makes the best dinnerware sets? And, of course, what's my budget? Should You Point Silverware Up Or Down In The Dishwasher? We recently scoured the internet in search of the best dinnerware sets to fit a wide range of price points and styles. We looked at hundreds of customer reviews and found that most buyers prefer sets that include large dinner plates, smaller salad plates, and bowls for serving cereal, pasta, soup, or a few scoops of ice cream. And there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are the 11 best dinnerware sets you can buy online, according to customer reviews: Best Quality: Gibson Soho Lounge Dinnerware Set Best in White: Euro Ceramica White Essential Dinnerware Set Best Porcelain: Wayfair Basics Porcelain Dinnerware Set Best Stoneware: Sango Siterra Painter's Palette Dinnerware Set Best for Everyday: Pfaltzgraff Trellis Dinnerware Set Best Modern Design: Casafina Modern Classic Dinnerware Set Best Square Set: Better Homes & Garden Square Porcelain Dinnerware Set Most Affordable: Safdie & Co. Dinnerware Set Best Value: Mikasa Delray Dinnerware Set Best Casual: HomeVss Stoneware Dinnerware Set Best for Families: Gibson Home Brist Melamine Dinnerware Set Our picks include top-rated sets from brands like Casafina, Gibson, and Better Homes & Gardens, as well as the best budget option and the best splurge for your fanciest dinner parties. Keep scrolling to learn more about each set. Best Quality: Gibson Soho Lounge Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon Buy It: $49.99 (ORIG. $59.99); amazon.com Gibson is an industry-leading producer of houseware products based out of Los Angeles. Over the last four decades, it's earned a reputation for creating stylish and durable goods. With over 1,800 five-star ratings on Amazon, this 16-piece dinnerware set by Gibson gives you everything you need for four people, including 11-inch dinner plates, 8.25-inch salad or dessert plates, 31-ounce cereal bowls, and 12-ounce mugs. Available in an assortment of colors, including gray, red, green, and teal, these dinnerware pieces are made using a double reactive glaze technique, which fuses colors to create a final product with superior vibrance and quality. The dishes are also dishwasher- and microwave-safe. "These dishes are perfect," wrote one reviewer. "They don't get hot in the microwave and are the perfect size. I've run them through the dishwasher many times, and they hold up great." Best in White: Euro Ceramica White Essential Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon Buy It: $48.92 (ORIG. $69.99); amazon.com Not only do white plates fit nicely into just about any style home, but they also allow your food to take center stage. White dinnerware is a blank canvas that lets the colors of your ingredients pop for a unique presentation every time. This 16-piece set by Euro Ceramica comes with service for four, including 10-inch dinner plates, 8-inch salad plates, 6-inch cereal bowls, and shallow 7-inch bowls that are ideal for soup. This set has gotten top customer marks for its chip-resistant material (professional-grade porcelain) and because it's oven-safe at temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Best Porcelain: Wayfair Basics Porcelain Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Wayfair BUY IT: $29.99 (ORIG. $49.99); WAYFAIR.COM If you've got your heart set on a high-quality porcelain dinnerware set, consider this option by Wayfair Basics. The 16-piece set includes service for four with 10.5-inch dinner plates, 7.5-inch salad plates, 7-inch bowls, and 12-ounce mugs. Each piece is made from high-quality, scratch-resistant porcelain and features a glossy finish accented by a double-striped border for a hint of color. Porcelain is a favorite material for dinnerware because it looks lightweight and delicate but is quite durable. Plus, like most porcelain options, these plates are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. "This set was perfect for my daughter's new apartment," one satisfied customer wrote. "The quality is very good; the price was amazing and the design fits with everything." Best Stoneware: Sango Siterra Painter's Palette Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Wayfair BUY IT: $68.90 (ORIG. $79.99); WAYFAIR.COM Stoneware is another popular material for dinnerware. It's typically a little thicker than other options and has a look that's not as delicate or refined as porcelain. It's extremely durable and tolerant to high temperatures (don't be afraid to stick it in the oven). A set like this one by Sango is a great option for those who have rustic, farmhouse decor. Featuring a beautiful palette of earthy colors (denim, rust, mushroom, and cream), this set includes service for four, with 10.75-inch dinner plates, 8-inch salad plates, 19-ounce cereal bowls, and 13-ounce berry bowls. Customers love that these plates are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, stackable, BPA-free, and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, a non-profit organization that sets the standards for food safety and sanitation to promote public health. Best for Everyday: Pfaltzgraff Trellis Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon BUY IT: $44.99 (ORIG. $54.99); AMAZON.COM If you're looking for a dinnerware set you can use every day, check out this option from Pfaltzgraff. In addition to high marks from over 3,000 satisfied Amazon customers, this set has 14-ounce mugs—a must for anyone who enjoys their morning coffee or tea. The dinnerware set with service for four also includes 11-inch dinner plates, 8-inch salad plates, and 6-inch soup or cereal bowls. The durable stoneware features a subtle scroll pattern accented by dark markings to give it an aged, worn look. It's a lovely option for anyone who prefers their plating to fit into both casual and elegant home decor styles yet still show off a little personality. Best Modern Design: Casafina Modern Classic Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Food52 Buy It: $172, food52.com Those who love clean, modern design might consider this option by Casafina. Priced at just under $200, it's one of the more expensive options on our list, but customers agree that these pieces, which are handcrafted by artisans in Portugal, are worth it. Each plate, bowl, and mug is constructed from durable stoneware and finished with a smooth, glossy glaze. They also get extra points for being microwave- and dishwasher-safe. And can we talk about the selection of swoon-worthy colors? With options in cream, blush, navy, and more, choosing your favorite will be the most difficult part of this purchase. "I've been looking for a long time and am very glad I settled on these," one customer wrote. "They're just right in weight and size, and their simplicity suits my home. The dark gray actually makes food stand out and look appetizing." Best Square Set: Better Homes & Garden Square Porcelain Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Walmart Buy It: $48.97, walmart.com When it comes to dinner plates, who says that round is your only option? Square plates can be a more efficient use of space in small kitchens and when serving starters or sides like sushi, tapas, crackers, and cheese. A square shape is also a good choice for serving larger entrees, like a big cut of steak or fish, because the food is less likely to hang off the edges. And since round plates tend to be the go-to, choosing a square dinnerware set is a little unexpected. We love this option by Better Homes & Gardens because it perfectly blends two classic elements—a white color and 100 percent porcelain material—with a more modern square design. It comes with everything you need for four people, including 10.9-inch dinner plates, 8.6-inch salad plates, and 14-ounce mugs. Customers love that these pieces are microwave- and oven-safe in temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and can go in the dishwasher for a super easy cleanup. Most Affordable: Safdie & Co. Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon Buy It: $45.10; amazon.com A beautiful dinnerware set doesn't have to break the bank. Just ask the hundreds of satisfied Amazon reviewers who purchased this 16-piece dinnerware set by Safdie & Co. Like the other options on our list, this set comes with service for four, including dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. High-quality porcelain ensures the dishes are durable and safe to put in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. Moreover, the gray and white marbled design is elegant and modern and would pair nicely with gold-colored flatware. Best Value: Mikasa Delray Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon Buy It: $410; amazon.com Whether you're looking for a dinnerware set that can serve a crowd or simply like to have backup options for pieces that might break, this 40-piece option by Mikasa is a great choice. Priced at $410, it has everything you need to serve dinner for eight, including 11-inch dinner plates, 9-inch salad plates, 6-inch cereal bowls, 4-inch fruit bowls, and 14-ounce mugs. Each piece is made of chip-resistant white bone china that's safe to put in the oven, dishwasher, microwave, and freezer. "This is our everyday china," one reviewer wrote. "It's simple, stylish, and lightweight, and it can be dressed up for more elegant affairs." Best Casual: HomeVss Stoneware Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon Buy It: $59.99; amazon.com Gather your friends and family around the table for a laid-back meal with this dinnerware set from HomeVss. It features 16 pieces (service for four people), including dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls made from sturdy stoneware that's dishwasher- and microwave-safe. It can even go from the oven to the freezer with ease. Plus, it's available in a wide range of colors to fit most styles. One customer wrote, "I have gotten so many compliments on this set. The plates are great sizes." Another happy buyer said, "Nice and heavy and very pretty. I recommend this company completely." Best for Families: Gibson Home Brist Melamine Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Amazon BUY IT: $25.99 (ORIG. $29.99); AMAZON.COM Busy families have different needs when it comes to dinnerware. Sure, you want something stylish, but you also need dinnerware that's kid-friendly. In other words, you'll need dishes that are tough enough to withstand all the elements, whether you're serving poolside snacks or having a patio picnic. That's why we love this option from Gibson Home. Unlike the other sets on our list, this one includes everything you need for a family of four, with melamine dinner plates and bowls. They're chip- and scratch-resistant and suitable for use indoors and outside. While they're quite durable, they're not microwave-safe. More than 2,600 Amazon shoppers gave the set a five-star rating. "I needed dishware that [wouldn't] break, wouldn't chip, and I wouldn't have heart failure every meal that we were going to [lose] yet another plate or bowl," one reviewer wrote. "If you have kiddos, they rock." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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