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Dishes are one of the most used items in your kitchen, which makes buying a quality dinnerware set one of the best investments you can make for your home. The key is to choose a style that’s designed to last meal after meal, trend after trend, so you love setting your table whether it's for a weeknight dinner or a larger holiday party.
If you’re only going to buy one dinnerware set, make sure it’s a timeless style that can be dressed up for dinner guests with a touch of table décor. Think neutral hues, soft lines, and coordinating serveware. If you also plan to have a fine china set, your everyday dinnerware can be a bit more casual. Or, you may want to go for an unexpected color (that matches your décor, of course) or a unique shape or finish. No matter what material, style, or color you choose, just make sure it’s dishwasher-safe!
Here, the best dinnerware sets you can buy right now.
Best Overall: Year & Day Dinnerware Set
Year & Day
Material: Ceramic | Number of Pieces: Varies | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
If you’re looking for a minimalist design, Year & Day's ceramic dinnerware is a solid all-around pick. Available in four coastline-inspired colors and a modern semi-matte finish, the rimless design is sleek and chic, but also incredibly durable. It’s not only safe for the dishwasher, but it can be popped into the freezer, microwave, even the oven up to 480 degrees.
Better yet, you can quickly customize your dinnerware set beyond plates and bowls. Answer a few quick questions about your household and hosting habits and Year & Day will put together a complete set (including flatware, drinkware, and serveware) in the color (or colors) of your choosing. And if you want to build your own set or add a few pieces later on, you can buy dinnerware in sets of four, as well as items like serving platters, bowls, and vases individually.
Best Budget: IKEA FÄRGKLAR 24-piece Dinnerware Set
Material: Ceramic | Number of Pieces: 24 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
No one does high design at a low price like IKEA, so it’s no surprise that FÄRGKLAR is a budget-friendly favorite. Available in six soft colors with either a matte glaze or glossy finish, this incredibly affordable set was designed to be your table’s home base, meaning you can seamlessly mix and match the pieces with what you already have—even if it’s in a different finish.
With eight dinner plates, eight side plates, and eight bowls included, it’s not just the perfect starter set for a new apartment or house—it’s the secret weapon for the seasoned hostess! When service for 16 costs $100, you can smile and nod when guests compliment you on your gorgeous tablescape.
Best Splurge: Bauer Pottery Russel Wright American Modern Dinnerware
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Material: Glazed earthenware | Number of Pieces: Sets of 2, 3, or 4 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Famed industrial designer Russel Wright’s dinnerware designs have been brought back to life, proving that curvy silhouettes and rounded corners are both versatile and timeless. Wright’s line first launched in 1939 and is still one of the most widely sold American dinnerware today.
Bauer Pottery is exclusively crafting this handmade ceramic earthenware line in Southern California with a lead-free glaze and a range of eight vibrant colors. From coral to chartreuse to granite, these hues can quickly turn an ordinary dinner table into a work of art. The standout style is the lug bowl thanks to its iconic handle, but the dinner plate is as understated as it is eye-catching in any colorway.
Best Stoneware: Rigby Dinnerware Starter Set
Rigby
Material: Stoneware | Number of Pieces: 16 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Stoneware that’s substantial yet simple is a dinnerware win. Rigby's dinner plates stand out thanks to the angled plate rim, which is intended to keep food from slipping off the plate. Each piece is hand-finished (with the potential for slight irregularities in the shape and glaze that only add to the overall charm), as well as microwave-, freezer-, and oven-safe up to 450 degrees.
In addition to plates and breakfast bowls, Rigby offers an easy-to-stack pasta bowl that, being wide and shallow, is as perfect for weeknight sides as it is for spaghetti. Thoughtful design continues with the option to buy as a bundle and save, or build your own set in one or any variety of the four offered colors.
Best Ceramic: Fable Home Ceramic Dinnerware Set
Material: Stoneware | Number of Pieces: 16 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Fable Home's ceramic dinnerware is a cult favorite—even our editors are big fans. So what’s all the fuss about? With Fable Home it’s all about the thoughtful details. This stoneware line is made from locally-sourced recycled ceramics, resulting in a handmade one-of-a-kind design. Plus, each piece is fired twice to ensure ultimate durability.
It comes in a 16-piece set that includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and breakfast bowls, and you can either mix and match or choose one of four calming colors. And if you don't want to replace every piece in your cabinet, you can also purchase individual styles in sets of four, as well as serverware and drinkware.
"I'm a huge fan of Fable's dinnerware, particularly their pasta bowls! They're surprisingly durable and easy to care for, plus come in the most perfect shape. I started with the pasta bowls and had to get the plates as well."—Nicole Lund, commerce editor
Best Porcelain: Snowe 4-Piece Table Settings
Material: Limoges porcelain | Number of Pieces: 16 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
It may seem stuffy and traditional at first, but this white porcelain dinnerware set is the epitome and light and bright. In other words, it’s versatile enough to survive all the design trends and then some. And if you’ll love your dishes longer than your couch, that’s a "worth it" investment in our book.
Snowe's dinnerware is made of high quality porcelain that's been fired at high temperatures for added durability. The set of 16 comes with dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, although you can also buy each individual piece in sets of four. See for yourself with Snowe’s 60 day trial—you can serve dinner on them, wash them, stack them, and repeat until you know you’re 100 percent satisfied.
Best Melamine: West Elm Modern Melamine Dinnerware Set
Material: Melamine | Number of Pieces: 12 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
For al fresco season, a melamine dinnerware set that’s lightweight and portable is essential. While you’re setting your outdoor table or picnic blanket to look fabulous, you’re also saving your regular dishware from potential doom as it’s schlepped in, out, and around the house.
Fresh colors, clean lines, and a slim rim make this West Elm set a crowd-pleaser. We love that the rim not only keeps food on the plate, but it also keeps the stack together. Plus, the bowls are designed this way too! Available in three cheerful hues, this set is perfect for summertime and beyond.
Best Square: Pottery Barn Mason Square Stoneware Dinnerware Set
Material: Stoneware | Number of Pieces: 16 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
We’ve never met a square dinnerware set we love as much as this stoneware style from Pottery Barn. The shapes are mod but the vibe is earthy, and the reactive matte glaze gives it a smooth-to-the-touch finish. For even more visual interest, the wide round bowls are designed to break up the lines in a single place setting. When it’s all together, it’s perfect harmony.
The 16-piece set is available in two colors—ivory for the traditionalists and charcoal for the more eclectic folks. It comes with dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, and each piece comes with slight variations that make it unique.
Best Scalloped: Serax Inku Scalloped Ceramic Dinnerware & Serveware
Material: Stoneware | Number of Pieces: Sets of 3 or 4 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Inspired by the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic, three-time Michelin star winner Sergio Herman designed this set to celebrate the imperfections found in nature—and to use in his Le Pristine restaurant in Antwerp, Belgium.
For a delicate tablescape without forfeiting sturdiness, this stoneware set is magic. Set your table with the whole set (available in white and smoke) or layer key pieces with complementary styles when you want to change up your table or refresh an existing dinnerware set.
Best Colorful: Anthropologie Old Havana Dinner Plates, Set of 4
Material: Stoneware | Number of Pieces: 4 | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Exclusive to Anthropologie, this set is one of the best options out there if you're looking for something colorful. On top of the durable stoneware base is a rich crackle glaze that adds luster and personality. Set your table with this beautiful collection and it really won’t matter what you serve for dinner—all eyes will be on the dishes.
Although it's only available in sets of four, you can buy it in one of four colors, ranging from traditional (white) to bold (mint and ochre). Aside from dinner plates, you can also purchase in two other plate styles, two different types of bowls, and even mugs.
Best Modern: CB2 Axel Caramel Dinnerware
Material: Stoneware | Number of Pieces: 4, with additional add-ons available | Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Unusual shapes and textures are part of what makes a dinnerware set feel modern, and there’s no shortage of special details with this set. As the name suggests, this CB2-exclusive stoneware set has a caramel reactive glaze that’s applied by hand and is responsible for that warm, matte finish that’s cool and cozy all at once.
Bringing home what you need is easy: select two different four-piece place settings or choose individual pieces, including serving trays and bowls, which can be popped into the oven (at under 250 degree temps) for short periods of time as needed.
Final Verdict
The Year & Day Dinnerware Set (view at Year & Day) is our top choice because of its hardworking, minimalist design. Each piece is sturdy yet sleek, comes in coordinating colors, and can be frozen or heated, which is a major plus when you’re cooking or cleaning up a meal. If you’re looking for a set with a fresh design that’s more affordable, we recommend the IKEA FÄRGKLAR 24-piece Dinnerware Set (view at IKEA), which is also microwave-safe and available in six soft colors, plus two modern finishes.
What to Look for in Dinnerware
Materials
“For everyday use, you want something durable,” says Kristi Forbes, Senior Vice President at 41 Madison, home of the New York Tabletop Show. “You want to make sure you’re buying quality materials that will last.” Ceramics like stoneware and porcelain are fired at very high temperatures and hardened, making them less porous and more durable overall.
“Stoneware tends to be thicker with a more earthy appearance, while porcelain is typically thinner with a more glossy appearance,” Forbes explains. But don’t buy based on look and feel alone, she warns. More and more companies are putting a fresh spin on these ceramics so you can’t always tell what a dinnerware set is made of. Check the details or label before you buy.
Care
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. “Don’t be afraid to put your dishes in the dishwasher if it’s recommended,” says Forbes. The key is being careful about loading and unloading and those times when you do hand wash. As a precaution, stack dirty dishes on the countertop after a meal to prevent damage. When serveware is piled inside the sink itself there’s less room to do the rinsing or washing and that’s when accidental clanks and chips tend to happen. “For more delicate or oddly shaped pieces, like milk and sugar servers, handwashing is always safest,” she notes. These pieces tend to move around more in the dishwasher.
Storage
There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a new dinnerware set and finding you don’t have enough cabinet space to store them. “Always check the plate dimensions before you buy and keep in mind that unconventional shapes and textures may not stack as efficiently either,” says Forbes. While open shelves may seem like a good storage solution, tucking dinnerware in cabinets prevents dust and scratches between use.
Why Trust MyDomaine?
This article was written by Taryn Mohrman, an expert in the lifestyle space who specializes in home décor, DIY, and entertaining. To write this article, Taryn consulted experts and editor opinions, choosing dinnerware sets based on their construction, ease of care, and style.
