There’s a game I like to play with myself whenever I walk through a home store. I pretend I’m a protagonist in a mid-aughts rom-com curating my dream registry. I wield the handheld scanner with adept expertise, leaving no KitchenAid mixer or delicately stemmed wine glass unturned. It’s a shopping spree for my future self, building a dream wishlist for my dream home. (There’s no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.) And as is true for any design junkie, more than a few modern dinnerware sets find their way onto my list.
A solid dinnerware set speaks volumes. As a late twenty-something gal, I rely upon the language of my own 16-piece Crate & Barrel set to say: this is the home of a woman who has her stuff together. (Well, at least to the extent that I can invite friends over for a warm and welcoming meal.) More than that, it helps elevate my home dining experience—a crucial element of romanticizing my everyday rhythms and rituals.
12 Unique Dinnerware Sets to Invest In
Despite its obvious, deeply functional use, dinnerware doesn’t have to be boring. High-end sets made of good quality materials can improve the overall aesthetic of your tablescape. No matter your interior design style or what kind of budget you’re working with, we have a chic and affordable dinnerware set for you. And yes, every one of them is beautiful enough to display on open shelving.
Best Overall: Casa Zuma Playa “Essentials” Dinnerware Set
Some dinnerware sets are finicky and overly formal. Instead, this set, with its kiln-fired build and earthy palette, bridges the gap between special occasion and everyday use. With its wabi-sabi design and perfectly imperfect charm, it’s our go-to for weeknight dinners as well as gatherings (where the set is known to garner plenty of compliments). Handmade in Mexico with one-of-a-kind charm, this set, as reiterated by the name, will quickly become a household essential.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, and Pasta Bowl
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Color options: Matte speckled white glaze
Best Surprisingly Durable: Hawkins New York Essential Stoneware Dinnerware
Muted pinks, grays, and cream tones add a curated calm to a table. They’re thoughtfully made with a nod to Japanese and Shaker design influences. Each piece is timeless, dishwasher safe, and scratch-resistant as well.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Pasta Bowls, Cereal Bowls, Pinch Bowls
- Care: Microwave and dishwasher safe. Oven safe up to 450º.
- Color options: Blush, Light Grey, Bone, Mustard, Olive, Sky
Best Melamine: Camp Melamine Dishes, Dinnerware & Serveware
Bring the look of classic camping enamelware to your kitchen with this forties-inspired white speckled design. Melamine doesn’t rust, is virtually unbreakable, dishwasher safe, and family-friendly.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Dessert Plate, Medium Tilt Bowl, Small Tilt Bowl, Serving Platter
- Care: Dishwasher safe. Not microwave safe.
- Color options: Black Speckle, White Speckle, Blue Speckle
Best for Minimalists: Casa Zuma Harvester “Essentials” Dinnerware Set
For those who dream of a dinnerware set that does it all, we’ve found your answer. This three-piece set is a conversation starter in and of itself. (And paired with party-ready recipes, it’s perfection.) If romanticizing your routines is top of mind, enjoy your AM avocado toast or a lunchtime grain bowl on one of these pieces. With their handmade beauty and one-of-a-kind appeal, each element is sure to spark joy, no matter what’s on the menu.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, and Pasta Bowl
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Color options: Glazed in variegated tones of grey with amber accents
Best Affordable: Threshold™ 12pc Stoneware Avesta Dinnerware Set
This simple, elegant set features a clean modern design with a glossy glazed finish. It’s casual chic and perfect for everyday meals or entertaining.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Bowl, Salad Plate
- Care: Microwave safe. Dishwasher safe.
- Color options: Black, Gray, White
Best Farmhouse Style: Sango 16pc Stoneware Kaya Dinnerware Set
The shape of this set evokes feelings of warmth and comfort, leaning into the rustic charm characteristic of the farmhouse style. Pairing durable stoneware with an accessible price, this modern dinnerware set is a must-buy.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plates, Salad Plate, Dinner Bowl, Soup Bowl
- Care: Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Color options: White, Blue
Best Bold: The Get Out Enamelware Dish Set
For the maximalists among us, you’ll love this unique set. The bold two-toned design joins a classic enamel construction, yielding pieces that’ll last you years—while upleveling every dish you serve.
- Set Includes: Plate, Bowl, Tumbler, Mug
- Care: Recommended hand wash
- Color options: Lime, Navy, Tomato, Pink
Best Character: Drift White Dinnerware Set With Reactive Glaze
Made in Portugal, each piece of this unique set boasts an organic shape and subtle crackled texture. The craftsmanship is apparent in every detail, serving as the perfect base for every delicious meal.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Pasta Bowl, Soup Bowl, Salad Plate
- Care: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
- Color options: Ivory, Green, Dark Blue
Best Timeless Design: Kaloh Stoneware Dinnerware Collection
I’m always after simple, well-made pieces that can stand the test of time (both in durability and the cycling of trends). This set fits the bill, boasting a contemporary, minimalist design that works with any home aesthetic.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Pasta Bowl, Cereal Bowl
- Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Color options: White, Anchor Gray, Charleston Gray, Celadon, Golden Oak
Best Glass: La Jolla Glass Dinnerware Collection
This set’s bright, swirled pattern brings vibrancy and color to your tabletop. I wouldn’t be afraid of using these on the daily, but they’re special enough that I also wouldn’t think twice about using them at a dinner party. Convenient, cute, and ideal for any aesthetic? That’s a win.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Bread & Butter Plate, Cereal Bowl
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Color options: White, Ink Blue, Sage, Pink, Gray, Amethyst
Best Ceramic: Mendocino Stoneware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
Made in Portugal, the rustic ceramic silhouettes are wholly unique and feature beautiful variations. It’s a functional and timeless collection.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Bowl, Mug
- Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Color options: Ivory
Best for Everyday Use: Gibson Stoneware Dinnerware Set – Service for 4
This collection was built to last. It has a chic minimalist style with clean lines and smooth surfaces. It’s perfect for a small dinner party or if you just want to indulge in a little aesthetic joy every time you pull out a plate or bowl.
- Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Bowl
- Care: Dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe
- Color options: White, Cobalt, Cool Gray, (Black and Yellow no longer available)
