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11 Best Serving Platters and Dishes to Dress Up Any Table

Expert-approved picks for every need, budget and style.

Headshot of Annie O’SullivanBy Annie O’Sullivan
compilation of serving platters dishes and bowlspinterest icon

Although many would agree the hardest part about cooking something is making sure the end result is both delicious and pleasing to the eye, a mouthwatering meal is only as good as the serving platter or dish it's served on (or in!). Pick the wrong platter to serve up a savory steak and you'll find all the juices go spilling over the side instead of staying to let the meat marinate a bit more, or pick the wrong serving bowl and the Thanksgiving side dishes are overflowing over the side of the bowl creating more of a mess than a meal.

Our top picks:

  • 1
    Open Kitchen by Handled Platter Medium

    Best Overall Set

    Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen by Handled Platter Medium

    $128 at Williams Sonoma
    Read more
  • 2
    Porcelain Platters

    Best Value

    Sur La Table Porcelain Platters

    Read more
  • 3
    Decorative Serving Platters

    Best Mix and Match

    LAUCHUH Decorative Serving Platters

    Read more
  • 4
    Beaded Pearl Serving Tray

    Best Serving Plate

    Society Social Beaded Pearl Serving Tray

    Read more
  • 5
    Oven-to-Table Ceramic Sheet Pan with Wood Stand

    Best Oven-To-Table

    Crate and Barrel Oven-to-Table Ceramic Sheet Pan with Wood Stand

    Read more

With some research and the help of Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we compiled the best serving platters, dishes and bowls to help you serve up any meal in style — especially when it comes to entertaining others. Need some recipe inspiration? Look no further than roundups like easy Sunday dinner recipes, best one-pot meals and delicious potluck dishes.

1
Best Overall Set

Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen by Handled Platter Medium

Open Kitchen by Handled Platter Medium
1
Best Overall Set

Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen by Handled Platter Medium

$128 at Williams Sonoma
Credit: Williams Sonoma
Pros
  • Sleek design with easy-to-use handles
  • Easy-to-clean
  • Microwavable and dishwasher safe
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not ovenproof

Available to purchase as a set of three or individually in small, medium and large sizes, these sleek dishes, although expensive, are microwavable and dishwasher safe. According to the brand, they are made of glazed earthenware to prevent wear and tear long-term and the loop handles allow for easy carrying. The three platters also nest inside one another for easy storage. "These always stood out to me for being sleek, versatile, easy to use with handles [and] easy to wash." Nicole says. That said, they aren't oven safe, so make sure you don't use them as the base dish to cook anything.

2
Best Value

Sur La Table Porcelain Platters

Porcelain Platters
2
Best Value

Sur La Table Porcelain Platters

Now 24% Off
Credit: Sur La Table
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Nesting design makes for easy storage
  • Elevated rim prevents spilling
Cons
  • Some reviews say the interior glazing could be smoother

A favorite for reviewers who like to entertain or have parties, this affordable set of three includes small, medium and large porcelain serving platters for everything from apps and small desserts to side dishes, fruit and more. The nesting design not only makes it easy to stack and store all three at once, but the angled elevated rim prevents juices or other liquids from spilling over the side. Although reviewers say the glazed interior could be smoother, they praise the quality, lightweight feel that still provides support and classic design that makes them go with any other serving dishes you may already own. "These are classic, and go with all my entertaining needs," one online reviewer wrote. "They nest neatly, so only take up a small footprint in my cabinets.

3
Best Mix and Match

LAUCHUH Decorative Serving Platters

Decorative Serving Platters
3
Best Mix and Match

LAUCHUH Decorative Serving Platters

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Serving platter/serving bowl hybrid
  • Made of durable porcelain
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Thin design can make them a bit fragile

If you were hoping to find a budget-friendly set, rather than just one platter, Amazon has you covered with this set of three. Measuring 12 inches long, this decorative set, which can best be described as a mix between a serving platter and a serving bowl, are made of durable porcelain, made to withstand marks and scratches from flatware use, all available at a super affordable price. Reviewers praise the quality, elegant design and how easy they were to clean, but do say that their thin design can make them a bit fragile and to be careful when using.

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4
Best Serving Plate

Society Social Beaded Pearl Serving Tray

Beaded Pearl Serving Tray
4
Best Serving Plate

Society Social Beaded Pearl Serving Tray

Credit: Shop Society Social
Pros
  • Stylish and affordable
  • Dishwasher safe
Cons
  • Not recommended for microwave use

Stylish, affordable and large enough to hold most, if not all, of your favorite foods — this beaded pearl serving tray is the serving platter that does it all. The brand not only says it's great for indoor or outdoor use, but the curved pearl edge is both stylish and acts as a solid rim to prevent dripping or spilling from any liquids that might accumulate on the plate. That said, although dishwasher safe, it is not recommended for microwave use.

5
Best Oven-To-Table

Crate and Barrel Oven-to-Table Ceramic Sheet Pan with Wood Stand

Oven-to-Table Ceramic Sheet Pan with Wood Stand
5
Best Oven-To-Table

Crate and Barrel Oven-to-Table Ceramic Sheet Pan with Wood Stand

Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Transitions straight from the oven to the table for easy serving
Cons
  • Some reviews say the quality could be better

Take this white ceramic sheet pan out of the oven and put it straight to the dinner table with its convenient wood stand. The budget-friendly ceramic platter is microwave-, dishwasher- and oven-safe, and helps cut down on the number of dishes used at meal time by acting as both a baking sheet and serving dish. Reviewers say that they wish it was a bit higher quality but in the long run appreciate how easy it is to use and the very affordable price.

6
Best for Outdoor Use

Made By Design Plastic Nesting Serving Bowls

Plastic Nesting Serving Bowls
6
Best for Outdoor Use

Made By Design Plastic Nesting Serving Bowls

Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Microwave- and dishwasher-safe
  • Nesting design allows for easy storage
Cons
  • Plastic material isn't the most stylish

As much as you might love your glass dishware when you're serving something up inside, when it comes to the outdoors, it's better to opt for plastic — no risk of broken glass injuring someone should an unfortunate spill occur. Although it's not the most stylish, the microwave- and dishwasher-safe plastic material is convenient for serving everything from snacks to stews without you having to worry about them getting ruined by outside weather, or even rambunctious kids running out, breaking them. When not using, simply use the convenient nesting design to store the smaller bowls into the larger ones and store away until your next use. The best part? This set of three only costs $20!

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7
Most Unique

Our Place Gather Platters

Gather Platters
7
Most Unique

Our Place Gather Platters

Credit: Gather Platters
Pros
  • Available in five different colors
  • Chic enough to double as a centerpiece
  • Stackable for easy storage
Cons
  • Not great for large portions of food due to shallow interior

These fridge-, freezer-, microwave- and oven-friendly small and large gather platters are chic enough that they can double as a centerpiece, even when you aren't serving food. Available in five different colors, the ceramic stoneware set is coated with a glossy interior layer that's scratch-resistant as well as a satin exterior finish, and we love that they can stack on top of one another for easy storage. They are the ideal shallow platters for smaller bites like chips and dip, but for bigger dishes, you'd probably want to opt for a serving platter or dish with a deeper interior.

8
Most Versatile

Staub Rectangular Baking Dishes

Rectangular Baking Dishes
8
Most Versatile

Staub Rectangular Baking Dishes

Now 35% Off
Pros
  • Experts say they clean easily
  • Baking dishes that double as serving dishes
  • Available in three colors
Cons
  • Expensive

There's nothing more convenient than a kitchen dish that has more than one use. "These are baking pans [that] I bought to double as serving dishes," Nicole says. "[I] love them a lot." Although one of the more expensive picks on this list, this glass-porcelain scratch-free set of three with an enamel finish allows dishes to go straight from the fridge or freezer to the oven to the table. The sturdy handles allow for easy transportation, and the smaller dishes stack and store into the large one. Plus, the sleek design, which is available in three colors, makes them pair well with any kitchen decor and our experts say they are very easy to clean. "Perfectly sized with easy carrying handles and can go straight from oven to table without overpowering the decor," one online reviewer wrote.

9
Best Serving Bowls

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Wood Serve Bowls

Wood Serve Bowls
9
Best Serving Bowls

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Wood Serve Bowls

Credit: Cravings by Chrissy Teigen
Pros
  • Made from natural acacia wood
  • Unique design
Cons
  • Not super versatile

Made from natural acacia wood and coated in a special food-safe oil to ensure long-lasting quality and durability, this uniquely designed small and large bowl set is the perfect way to serve up chips, dips, salads and more. The only downside is that if you're looking for a dish that can serve up a variety of food, these bowls are not super versatile thanks to their size and shape. But if you like the look of this set, check out the larger, centerpiece bowl of constructed from the same material.

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10
Most Stylish

Fable Serving Ceramics Set

Serving Ceramics Set
10
Most Stylish

Fable Serving Ceramics Set

Now 62% Off
Pros
  • Trendy, handmade, earthy look
  • Great assortment
  • Dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Ceramic material can be prone to scratching

This expensive set is on our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab director's wish list! The eight-piece set, which includes an oval serving platter, three nested serving bowls and four additional small bowls, has a "handmade, earthy" design that Nicole says "is very on trend right now." The entire set is dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe, and although the semi-matte material can be prone to some light marks or scratching from flatware, it can easily be cleaned with a scouring powder and the brand's special brush (sold separately).

11
Best Large Platter

Pottery Barn Mason Modern Melamine Handled Serving Platter

Mason Modern Melamine Handled Serving Platter
11
Best Large Platter

Pottery Barn Mason Modern Melamine Handled Serving Platter

Now 10% Off
Pros
  • Handles make for easy carrying
  • Has a modern, trendy design
  • Large space allows you to hold a lot on it
Cons
  • Not recommended for microwave use

Looking for a serving platter that can hold it all, rather than a couple of smaller ones? This serving platter, which can be ordered individually in medium or large, as a joint set, is made of melamine that, according to the brand, is ultra-durable and designed in a matte finish with handles for easy carrying. "I love how modern these are plus the large surface area and handles," Nicole says. Although dishwasher safe, these serving platters are not microwave friendly.

What are things to consider when shopping for serving platters and dishes?

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You might not realize it, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when shopping for the right serving platters or serving dishes. Nicole shares the important things to consider:

✔️ Material: "There’s a wide variety of materials that can be used," says Nicole. You should consider where you'll be using it (indoor vs. outdoor) before picking a material, since you may want to pick something more durable if you're planning on using it outdoors on a patio or deck. Here's Nicole's breakdown:

  • Stoneware is sturdy but can chip; it’s typically easy to clean and can often be used in the oven as well.
  • Glass is perceived to be pretty and high quality, but it may be prone to shattering.
  • Plastic is lightweight and easy to clean, but prone to staining and is easy to scratch.
  • Wood is gorgeous and lighter weight than some other materials aside from plastic and easy to clean, but it's not dishwasher safe.

✔️ Size: "I love having an assortment of sizes," says Nicole. "Large, flat dishes are great for meat and smaller ones are great for veggies." She says to opt for some bowls in different sizes for salads, sides, grains or anything that needs to be scooped.

✔️ Design features: Consider if you want handles for easier carrying, and if it's a dealbreaker for you if your serving dishes have them. Rims are also a consideration: "Rimmed serving platters help keep drippings in the dish and prevent from spilling," says Nicole, but they may make storage a bit more clumsy. Think about if you'd prefer your serving ware to nest or stack when you put them away and make sure your preferred set can accomplish that.

✔️ Versatility: What will you be serving? Do you want something just for serving or something that you can cook a dish in and then move from the oven to the table for easy serving? If the latter, make sure that the dish can fit easily in your oven and looks nice enough to work as a centerpiece.

✔️ Price: Our experts and research indicate you can expect to pay up to $130 or as low as $20 for serving plates and dishes. That said, you can always find options both more expensive or less expensive than this range, depending on what you're looking for. Consider your budget first and foremost.

✔️ Color: Ask yourself if you have a classic style or a more eccentric one. White and black help food pop, but "also consider how you want each piece to match each other and your go-to everyday dishes," Nicole says. "[It] might be fun to stick to neutrals, or pops of colors, textures, patterns, etc."

✔️ Care: If you don't want to hand wash bulky serving ware, consider dishwasher safe options. And if you plan to use them in the oven or microwave, make sure they can handle those cooking methods!

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    Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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    As an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, Annie O'Sullivan has written comprehensive product reviews about everything from the best shoes for nurses to the best evaporative coolers, relying on her own in-depth research as well as insights from experts and consumers. For this story, she consulted Nic0le Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, who shared her favorites based on versatility, weight, durability and how easy they were to clean. Annie also did her own research and used customer reviews to finish rounding out the list.

    Headshot of Annie O’Sullivan
    Annie O’Sullivan
    Assistant Editor

    Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.

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