Credit:
Allrecipes / Aimee Broussard
Although I’ve spent most of my adult life working in restaurants, balancing plates and platters like they were extensions of my arms, the tableware in my own kitchen used to be anything but grown-up. When I moved into my first solo apartment, eating vessels were pretty low on the list of priorities—and consisted mainly of thrifted cereal bowls and cheap serving dishes.
Fast-forward a few years, and I suddenly find myself hosting family holidays, lunches with friends, and even the occasional casual dinner party. I’ve added not only matching plates and drinkware to my cupboard, but also coordinating sets of flatware, dedicated serving trays, and hefty ceramic bowls to elevate my table. Even better, they’re all versatile, stackable, and made using durable material that’s easy to clean.
The Allrecipes Allstars, our dedicated team of expert home cooks, also love to entertain. We sent them a handful of the best serving platters we could find to test in their own homes, where they paid special attention to attributes like design, performance, and size.
Our Top Picks
Our Top Pick:
Our Place Serving Platters at Fromourplace.com
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Most Versatile:
Le Creuset Serving Platter at Amazon
$75
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Best Value:
Pottery Barn Mason Stoneware Oval Serving Platter at Pottery Barn
$29
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Best Set:
Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Handled Platters at Williams Sonoma
$35
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Best Splurge:
Made In Serving Platter at Amazon
$99
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Our Top Pick
Our Place Serving Platters
PHOTO: Our Place
View on Fromourplace.com
Why It’s Great: Two sizes of platters offer versatility; easy to store; durable
Grain of Salt: Material is sensitive to thermal shock
These have been my go-to serving platters for over two years, and they still look like new after many meals and countless runs through the dishwasher. Although I initially bought these for special occasions, I reach for them on weeknights as well. Thanks to the simple yet versatile design and earthy hue, they’re equally suited for hosting brunch as they are for Tuesday night fish tacos.
Along with the organic colors, I also love the glazed finish featured on the durable, chip-resistant ceramic stoneware—which helps upgrade my recipes without stealing the show. They stack beautifully for easy storage in the cupboard but also look fantastic on open shelving. I recently added the matching Our Place serving bowls to my collection, and use them constantly for big salads and sides.
Allstar Aimee Broussard also used both sizes of these ceramic serving platters to entertain at home, filling them with various dishes like rice crispy treats, chicken wings, and breakfast sandwiches. Apart from receiving multiple compliments from guests, she also found the platters to be easy to pass around and thoughtfully designed with raised edges to keep food from rolling. “I love that this platter is elegant enough to be used for entertaining purposes but durable enough for repeated use,” she says.
The Details: 10.5 x 6.5 inches and 13.5 x 9 inches; stoneware; dishwasher-safe
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Aimee Broussard
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Aimee Broussard
Most Versatile
Le Creuset Serving Platter
PHOTO: Amazon
$75 at Amazon
$46 at Wayfair
$75 at Sur La Table
Why It’s Great: Simple, stylish design; oven and dishwasher-safe; functional handles
Grain of Salt: Pricey
This dishwasher-safe serving platter from Le Creuset features a simple design with cut-out handles that make it easy to hold and carry. It’s also available in a variety of colors, so you can match it with your other tableware.
Allstar Terri McHugh appreciated this platter’s versatility, noting that it worked just as well for special occasions as casual dining at home. In tests, the Le Creuset serving platter’s raised edges kept food from sliding off, and the cutout handles made it easy to serve. Although it was a bit too small to serve main dishes to her large family, it was perfect for sides. “I love the design and material,” she says. “Stoneware is my preferred style since it’s versatile and easy to clean.”
The Details: 16.25 x 11.25 inches; stoneware; dishwasher-safe
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
Best Value
Pottery Barn Mason Stoneware Oval Serving Platter
PHOTO: Pottery Barn
$29 at Pottery Barn
Why It’s Great: Budget-conscious; classic and stylish design; neutral colors
Grain of Salt: Flared edges reduce surface area
These oval serving platters from Pottery Barn are superbly stylish and won’t break the bank. According to Aimee, the classic yet simple design makes it look lovely on the table without competing with the dish. Using black serving platters can actually make food look more vibrant, but there are also three other colors available if black doesn’t match your kitchen decor. The platters also feature a sturdy weight without being too heavy to carry or pass around a table.
The only issue Aimee found was that the flared edges begin about 2 inches from the base of the platter, meaning you lose a bit of surface area. However, she only sees this as being a problem when trying to fit multiple items on the platter at once, so it’s definitely not a deal-breaker. “Its neutral color and classic design lend itself to both casual, everyday use as well as more formal entertaining at an affordable price point,” she says.
The Details: 14 x 9.5 inches; stoneware; dishwasher-safe
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Aimee Broussard
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Aimee Broussard
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Aimee Broussard
Best Set
Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Handled Platters
PHOTO: Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma
$35 at Williams Sonoma
Why It’s Great: Clean aesthetic; cut-out handles; available individually or as a set
Grain of Salt: Food may slide out of the handles
The Open Kitchen line by Williams Sonoma offers kitchen basics for a reasonable price, including this set of white serving platters with slightly curved sides and cut-out handles. Microwave- and dishwasher-safe, the earthenware set features a simple, clean finish that allows your food to really pop. Each piece is also available to purchase individually, so you can buy exactly what you need. I love that they’re made using 35 percent pre-consumer recycled clay.
Although the cutout handles are convenient, Terri reported that pasta slid around and fell through them while serving, so these platters might work better for less slippery foods. The glaze made them easy to clean, however, and the food looked great on the table against the bright white color. They also stack nicely for storage.
The Details: 12.25 x 10.75 inches, 15.75 x 11.5 inches, 18.25 x 14 inches; stoneware; dishwasher-safe
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
Best Splurge
Made In Serving Platter
PHOTO: Made In
$99 at Amazon
$99 at Madeincookware.com
Why It’s Great: Available in several colors; oven safe to 580°F; durable material
Grain of Salt: No handles
Made In’s rectangular dish earned the top spot in our 9×13 baking dishes test, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s serving platter is also a winner. They’re made in England using high alumina vitrified china, which is a type of exceptionally durable stoneware often used in restaurants. It’s also oven-safe up to an impressive 580°F, so you can even use it for reheating leftovers. There are five finishes available, including solid white and white with a colored trim.
In tests, Terri preferred this serving platter for smaller snacks and sides. It came out of the box without any imperfections on the glaze and immediately felt well-made and durable. The edges are slightly raised, but there are no handles, causing it to be a bit more awkward to hold and pass around than others. “I would recommend it to newlyweds or smaller-sized families,” she says.
The Details: 13 inches; stoneware; dishwasher-safe
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Terri McHugh
I Have Dinnerware From All Over the World—Here Are My Favorites Sets
Our Takeaway
The Our Place Serving Platters have been a staple in my kitchen for several years, but also impressed during our Allstar tests. These ceramic serving platters are also available in several attractive, earthy colors. If you need a larger serving platter set or simply prefer a soft white backdrop for your recipes, the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Handled Platters offer a clean aesthetic for a reasonable price.
How to Pick the Right Serving Platter
Material
Serving dishes come in various materials, but the most common are stoneware and other types of ceramic. I prefer ceramic serving platters because they are durable but still look beautiful on the table. There are also glass serving platters, though those are rare, as well as wood serving platters and melamine serving platters better suited for outdoor use or families with children.
Design
In terms of design, pick one that you’ll want to use all year long—not just for holidays and special occasions. Serving platters with cut-out handles, for example, are easier to carry from the kitchen to the table, while stackable platters are easier to store.
Care
The last thing you want to do after a big dinner party is dishes. Unfortunately, that’s usually part of the deal. If you have access to a dishwasher, look for a serving platter that is dishwasher-safe to make your life a little easier. Certain shapes and textures can be simpler to clean by hand, such as those with glazed surfaces or fewer nooks and crannies for food to stick.
Size
Before choosing a serving platter, consider how many people you typically cook for and the size of your household. Likewise, even though large serving platters will come in handy for the annual Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas roast, they’ll be more difficult to store if you’re short on space.
About Our Tests
Allrecipes Allstars Terri McHugh and Aimee Broussard tested each of the serving platters on this list in their own homes. While serving up their favorite recipes and passing dishes around the table, they paid special attention to the following attributes:
- Design: Does the serving platter feel durable and made to last? Are there any imperfections or chips in the glaze or finish? Does it have any features that make it easier to use? Is the platter more appropriate for casual dining, special occasions, or both?
- Performance: How does the food look on the platter? Are the pieces heavy or awkward to hold? Does the platter feel comfortable to carry from the kitchen to the table? Can you use it to pass food around the table?
- Size and Versatility: Does food fit comfortably on the platter? Is it more appropriate for smaller or larger portions of food? Does the food slide around the surface or off the edges?
- Cleanup: How easy is it to clean the serving platter? Is it dishwasher-safe?
Common Questions
Should you warm your platter in the oven before serving?
This can be a good trick to keep your food warm before serving, but it’s important to note that not all serving dishes are safe to put in the oven. If your serving platter is oven-safe, note the temperature limit first. Avoid sudden temperature changes and thermal shock by placing the platter in the oven while it preheats, and always check for cracks or chips in the material beforehand.
How many serving platters do you need?
I like to keep at least two different sizes of serving platters on hand—for example, one for the main dish and another for a side dish—along with serving bowls for salads or messy foods like mashed potatoes. There are also plenty of serving platter sets available if you want your dishes to match. Unless you have enough storage space for themed platters, which can certainly be a fun addition to the holiday table, opt for a neutral color that will go along with different types of recipes and themes.
How do you store and organize serving platters?
Keep the shape in mind when you’re choosing a serving platter, since some can be easier to store than others. If it has handles that stick out too far or an awkward shape, you might have to dedicate more storage space. I like a no-frills serving dish with a flared, slightly raised edge. If you must have handles, consider ones that are cut-out. For any especially breakable or vintage pieces, you can store them inside a stackable dinnerware protector along with the rest of your plates, bowls, and cups for special occasions.
Why Take Our Word for It?
Katherine Gallagher is an editor for Allrecipes who has been writing about food since 2017. She also worked in the restaurant industry for more than a decade, gaining knowledge about what to look for in the best kitchen gear, drinkware, and serveware.
Allrecipes Allstars Terri McHugh and Aimee Broussard tested each of the serving platters on this list, paying special attention to design, performance, size, versatility, and cleanup.
Want to know more about the Allrecipes Allstars? Learn about their favorite recipes, kitchen hacks, and product picks.
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