There are certain purchases you make at the beginning of adulthood. Buying a bed frame , a washing machine and a new car are the things we usually think of defining “adulting,” but one thing people rarely discuss is dinnerware. Traditionally, many couples received a dinnerware set as a wedding gift, but with many young people putting off or skipping marriage, that means it will likely be on you to select one of the best dinnerware sets.
Owning a set of matching plates and bowls means you’ve got it together. Whether you’re hosting a huge holiday dinner or trying to impress a date, having your own dinnerware can be the difference between a classy affair and something that feels like a frat-thrown dinner party.
Perhaps you’re still using your mom’s dinnerware on loan or you never upgraded from the mishmash of dishes you had in college. Whatever the reason, now is the perfect time to get your own dinnerware set. Picking out a set that suits you is as simple as choosing the number of settings you need (usually four, six or eight) and the pattern you like most.
You may also need to think about which dishes you want in your dinnerware set, as they come with a variety of different pieces. For example, one may come with salad plates and another may come with ornate glass bowls. Here are a few of the dishes you may need to choose between:
Dinner Plates: These are the biggest plates included in the best dinnerware sets. Every set in our list includes dinner plates.
Salad Plates : These are the second largest plates that sometimes come in dinnerware sets. They are the ideal size for individual salads and side dishes.
Bread and Butter Plates : Smaller than a salad plate, these are designed to hold a slice of bread and a pat of butter. These plates only come with a select few dinnerware sets and are ideal if you host dinner parties.
Saucer : The smallest of the plates usually found in dinnerware, these plates are designed to hold your coffee, teacup and a small treat, like a chocolate or a cookie.
Glasses : Various dinnerware sets will include different types of glasses. In addition to standard drinking glasses, you’ll sometimes find smaller juice glasses, mugs and teacups.
Soup Bowl : The deepest bowl that usually comes with dinnerware sets, these are ideal for soups and your morning cereal.
Salad Bowl : Slightly smaller and shallower than a soup bowl, a salad bowl can be used to serve salads of all types, including fruit, pasta and potato.
Shallow Bowl : Similar to a salad bowl, shallow bowls tend to be slightly wider and flatter with a high edge. These are great for serving curry or other saucy dishes.
To point you in the right direction , we have found the best dinnerware sets for sale online. Whether you prefer a minimalist aesthetic, elegant dishes with sophisticated style or something more geometric and modern, you will find some great options below. Any of these dinnerware sets are sure to impress any friends, family and dates you cook for in the near future.
If you’re looking for an affordable, everyday dinnerware set, the AmazonBasics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set is for you. This 16-piece set features four types of dinnerware, including dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs to suit a table of four people. Each of the pieces features two lines of trim detailing surrounding the border of the plates and edges of the mugs and bowls. Plus, the dishes are made of durable porcelain, which is microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe.
Buy: AmazonBasics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set $39.99
Although the Mainstays 12-Piece Clear Glass Dinnerware Set is the most cost-friendly option on our round-up, it does not lack in quality nor style. The dishwasher-safe glass from which the set is made offers a unique way to present your food compared to the common ceramic alternatives. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates and four glass bowls, all of which are stackable for efficient storage.
Buy: Mainstays 12-Piece Clear Glass Dinnerware Set $25.86
The Teivio 24-Piece Dinnerware Set is ideal for outdoor dining and picnics. The set includes six pieces of each item, which are colored with their own pastel tone, such as blue, pink and green. You can choose from the multicolored option, so you can allocate a single color per person or select for all 24 pieces to be matching. This versatile dinnerware set is made from natural wheat straw, which is highly durable, making it ideal for packing into your bag and taking on a family adventure.
Buy: Teivio 24-Piece Dinnerware Set $27.49
If you have a camping trip planned anytime soon, be sure to pack the Ozark Trail 24-Piece Dinnerware Enamel Set for the best campfire dinner settings. Each of the 24 pieces is made from durable, blue enamel and is reinforced with stainless steel edges and detailing. Not only does this set include plates, bowls and mugs as you would expect, it also features cutlery to ensure you have everything you need for a great outdoor dining experience.
Buy: Ozark Trail 24-Piece Dinnerware Enamel Set $27.64
When designing your tablescape, you can go for several styles, but the most popular and traditional is light plates against a darker table and metallic decor. However, if you want to really create a dramatic tablescape, you need dark plates like these from M-MAX. The deep blue ceramic set is offset by golden accents. It includes one dinner plate, one salad plate, one bowl and one mug, creating a setting for one person. Order multiple sets to complete your table. As an added bonus, these dishes are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.
Buy: M-MAX Ceramic Dinnerware Set $15.99
Dinnerware sets don’t have to be fancy. Millennials have given up on the polished silver and fine china used by Baby Boomers in favor of practical, durable and easy-to-clean dishes. Courtesy of Food52, these matching dishes and bowls come in a variety of pastel colors perfect for the millennial kitchen. Even better, each of the dishes is crafted from sustainable bamboo fiber and non-GMO corn starch. They’re also BPA-free and are super dishwasher friendly. Finally, this eco-friendly dinnerware is affordable. You can get a set of four plates, four salad plates, four salad bowls and four low bowls for about $150, which is a steal compared to most fancy dinnerware sets.
Buy: Fable Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware $38.00
The Thyme & Table 12-Piece Dinnerware Set is an everyday statement set of stoneware. Complete with four dinner plates, four salad plates and four bowls, this set is focused on presenting your meals in style. All items showcase the same black and white medallion pattern, which blends well with a modern interior design style. They’re also all temperature safe, so they can be used in the microwave or freezer.
Buy: Thyme & Table 12-Piece Dinnerware Set $49.96
The Gianna’s Home 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set has the unique distinction of being the only plastic dinnerware set on our list. These incredibly lightweight dishes can be used indoors or outdoors thanks to their plastic melamine construction, but they look attractive enough to serve as your main dinnerware, too. This set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates and four bowls, and it can be paired with the company’s polished flatware for a complete dinner service.
The Gibson Soho Lounge 16-Piece Dinnerware Set is a stylish choice. It includes four plates, four bowls and four mugs for dressing your table. All of the items in the set are entirely covered with a modern grey tone which delivers a contemporary and appealing feel to the set. Furthermore, the slightly squared edges give the plates a slightly alternative appearance without impacting their usability.
Buy: Gibson Soho Lounge 16-Piece Dinnerware Set $56.34
The turquoise color of the Elama Embossed Stoneware Dinnerware Set makes it an outstanding addition to any dinner party. The decorative pattern around the edges of the mugs and borders of the plates adds a detailed accent to any minimalistic environment. The set includes 16 pieces of dinnerware, namely two styles of plates, mugs and bowls. All of the pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe in spite of their delicate appearance.
Buy: Elama Embossed Stoneware Dinnerware Set $51.99
If you need a cheap dinnerware set for a group but don’t want to spend a lot of money to get it, consider the AmazonBasics 18-Piece Square Dinnerware Set. These lightweight yet durable dishes are made to blend into your existing kitchenware with their white and black modern design. The set includes six dinner plates, six salad plates and six bowls to feed a sizeable group.
If you’re looking for your first dinnerware set, then don’t overthink it! The AmazonBasics 18-Piece Dinnerware Set offers an affordable and attractive set that has everything you need to serve dinner for six. While the royal blue color is pictured below, you can choose from a variety of colors with this set. For just $60, you’ll receive six dinner plates, six salad plates and six bowls. These dishes are both microwave and dishwasher-friendly.
Buy: AmazonBasics 18-Piece Dinnerware Set $59.99
Blue-and-white is a classic color combination for kitchens, whether we’re talking about the tile beneath your feet or the dishes in your cupboard. However, the Abner 16-Piece Dinnerware Set takes that color scheme and remixes it with bold patterns. This affordable set comes with enough plates and bowls to serve four people at once. Not only is this set resistant to chips, but it’s safe for both the dishwasher and the microwave.
Buy: Abner 16-Piece Dinnerware Set $80.99
If you’re looking for something a little less ordinary, why not pick up a set of glass dinnerware? The Duralex French Glass Dinnerware set is made in France where it is very popular among starter households. The dishes themselves are extremely sturdy, and the glass-making process used ensures they are impact and chip-resistant, too. Plus, the dishes are available in three different colors, and they stack together nicely for storing. Each 12-piece dinnerware set includes four salad plates, four dinner plates and four soup bowls.
Buy: Duralex French Glass Dinnerware $70.00
Stand out from the crowd with the Elama’s Mystic Waves 16-Piece Dinnerware Set. This set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls and four mugs in a lightly textured, aquamarine and brown pattern. The plates each feature a unique shape that’s not quite round, while the mugs have rivets that run along each edge. In addition, the plates and mugs boast a high-gloss finish that’s really eye-catching, while the bowls sport a matte finish that’s delightful in hand.
Buy: Elama’s Mystic Waves 16-Piece Dinnerware Set $75.00
Whether your kitchen is full of warm tones and you want a dinnerware set to match, or you want a dinnerware set specifically for Thanksgiving and the holidays, the Gibson Elite Casa Estebana 16-Piece Dinnerware Set fits the bill. These microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe dishes come in beige with a gold and red patterning around the edge. They also boast a reactive glaze finish for an extra touch of class. This set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls and four mugs.
This top-rated dinnerware set from SPY favorite Corelle includes enough plates, bowls and side dishes for an eight-person dinner party. While other dinnerware sets feature more lively prints and colors, a white dinnerware set is sophisticated and attractive in its own way. And for under $120, this affordable dinnerware set offers an incredible value to young people still acquiring kitchen essentials.
Buy: Corelle 24-Piece White Dinnerware Set $79.00
Add a quirky wave of color to your dining table with the Euro Ceramica Zanzibar Dinnerware Set. This ornate, multicolored set of dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs take inspiration from Spanish culture and design. The result is a high-quality set of vibrant ceramic dinnerware, which is ideal for brightening up your daily mealtime or saving for your next dinner party when you’re looking to wow your guests.
Buy: Euro Ceramica Zanzibar Dinnerware Set $66.72
While this 16-piece dinnerware set is more appropriate for a double date than a full dinner party, it comes with plenty of handsome plates and bowls for your kitchen cupboard. With attractive neutral colors, these affordable plates will blend in with any kitchen. This particular set comes with four dinner plates, four bowls, four mugs and four salad plates. If you’re looking for the best dinnerware under $100, this is the set you’ve been looking for.
Buy: Dansk Kisco Dinnerware (Set of 16) $100.00
You’ve watched Gordon Ramsey verbally abuse chefs with incredible results on TV. Now bring his attention to detail and perfection to your dining room table with the Royal Doulton Exclusively for Gordon Ramsay Maze 16-Piece Dinnerware Set. These simple white dishes with concentric rings really allow food to take center stage. Furthermore, each piece in this set is chip-resistant and dishwasher-safe, and the set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four cereal bowls and four mugs.
Buy: Royal Doulton X Gordon Ramsey Maze 16-Piece Set $100.00
If you want to ensure your dishes are unique and no one else around has the same set, get the NoraPotteryArt Handmade Dinnerware Set. This hand-crafted ceramic set includes one dinner plate, one salad plate and one small bowl. Each set is made to order with your choice of lead-free paint and glaze. Do keep in mind that this dinnerware set takes three to four weeks to ship, so if you need to host a dinner party next week, this probably isn’t the right choice for you.
Buy: NoraPotteryArt Handmade Dinnerware Set $102.00
This large dinner set from Stone Lain is quite affordable for a 32-piece set and comes in a green and cream color scheme that will match most dinner table color schemes. The two-tone dishes have speckle in them as well for a balance between trendy and classic with an artful design along with a durable construction that’s dishwasher and microwave safe. This set covers all of your home essentials with eight large round dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and earthy 12 oz cups. Use them in your kitchen, dining room or in an outdoor setting as they’ll fit in all settings.
Buy: Stone Lain 32-Piece Stoneware Round Dinnerware Set $107.28
If Bed, Bath & Beyond is your first stop whenever you need basic home goods, then you’ll appreciate this 16-piece dinnerware set from the home goods retailer. With each set comes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls and four mugs, all of which are microwave and dishwasher safe. Customers can choose from almost a dozen different color options to better match their home decor, and this set is the definition of “simple yet chic.”
Buy: Noritake Colorwave Square 16-Piece Dinnerware Set $159.99
For a dinnerware set that includes just about everything you need for dining and one that you can eat off every day of the week, look no further than the Five Two Stoneware Dinnerware. Designed and made by food experts Food52, this set is chip-resistant, subtly textured and microwave and dishwasher safe. It’s also neutrally toned, so you can mix and match these dishes with your existing set or add colorful mugs and glass without an issue. Each set comes with four dinner plates, four starburst salad plates and four shallow bowls.
Buy: Food52 Five Two Stoneware Dinnerware $199.00
West Elm has a reputation for chic and modern home decor, and we love this elegant West Elm Reactive Stoneware Dinnerware 20-Piece Se t. While this striking pattern might look delicate, these dishes are perfectly safe for both the microwave and dishwasher. Unlike your mom’s fancy serving plates, you don’t have to wash these by hand. This set is made in Portugal and has a distinctive glaze that makes each piece unique.
Buy: West Elm Reactive Stoneware Dinnerware Set $234.00
Simply put: we freaking love these dishes. Plus, you can buy this 18-piece dinnerware set for under $100 via Amazon Prime. Corelle made a splash on the dinnerware scene a few decades ago but has remained popular thanks to the company’s uniquely durable dishes. This set combines Corelle’s signature durability with a trendy terrazzo design that is sure to impress your guests. This oven-safe and microwave-safe set includes six dinner plates, six salad plates, and six soup/salad bowls.
One of our E-Commerce Editors, Taylor Galla, was sent a sample set of this elegant tabletop set from Made In and was very impressed. The plates, silverware and bowls all felt very high-quality and yet the simple design really lets the food take center stage. All of the plateware is glazed so you don’t need to worry about messy stains setting in. What’s more, the glaze also protects the plates from scratches when being stacked on top of one another. All the dishes went through the dishwasher multiple times without any problems, and the silverware felt well-weighted and sturdy in hand.
Buy: Made In Tabletop Set $479.00
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