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I feel blessed to live in the era of the grazing board. Nothing warms the soul quite like the sight of fruits, jams, nuts, crackers, and cured meats arranged just so. But even the most stunning cheeseboard would be nothing without the perfect serving board literally backing them up. When it comes to setting a table and displaying a spread that’s sure to wow your guests, nothing does it quite like these 11 best serving boards.
Ahead, we gathered 10 of the very best serving boards available now, from slate-black beauties to suit a modern charcuterie lover to rustic slabs that look like heirlooms. We’ve also included a few boards that could easily double as a display piece when you’re not entertaining.
How to Create a Killer Charcuterie Board
Before we dive deep into the best serving boards, we’re happy to share the charcuterie-creating wisdom we’ve garnered over the years. In need of a beginner-friendly holiday charcuterie board? We have a guide for that. We also have top-tier tips for a fall grazing board, a board that has baked Brie as its centerpiece, and for how to make a charcuterie board on a budget. Want to impress Italian relatives or in-laws? Chef Erind Halilaj, Austinite and bonafide Italiano, can help with that. Don’t worry—we have you, and your board, covered.
The Best Serving Boards of 2023 for Every Style
In addition to style, weight was another consideration (we like our boards on the heavier side), as was the quality of the material used (fancy cheese deserves the best).
The Best Classic Board: Casa Zuma Gathering Board
Handmade in Seattle from oak wood, this hardworking board (available in two sizes) clocks in at one inch thick, making it supremely durable and satisfyingly heavy. When it’s not hosting a spread, it also doubles as a stylish display piece.
The Best Artistic Board: Berea College Intersections Charcuterie Board
Handmade with natural wood by crafts program students at Berea College, each board, sold exclusively at Design Within Reach, is truly a work of art.
The Best Black Board: Crate & Barrel Tondo Ebonized Rectangle Serving Board
For modern cheese lovers, nothing ups the serving sexiness factor quite like a slate-back board made of ebonized acacia.
The Best Serving Board for Picnics: Serena & Lily Beachside Serving Board
Whitewashed mango wood, a charming dip-dye finish, and a useful leather handle allow this serving board to double as a decorative accent when it’s not at picnics on the beach.
The Best Melamine Board: Le Cadeaux Cheese Board
Le Cadeaux’s stylish dinnerware looks and feels like ceramics sourced from travels around the Mediterranean, but that’s the magic. The beautiful works are actually made of sturdy—and practically unbreakable—melamine.
The Best Reclaimed Wood Board: Casa Zuma Harvester Board
For a more patina’d look, this distinct board uses thoughtfully-sourced mango wood, an incredibly strong material that just gets better with age (and the occasional jam stain).
The Most Whimsical Board: Areaware Serving Friends Board
For a more playful approach to serving, this beech wood cutie has a small, circular indented center that’s perfect for a ramekin.
The Most Utilitarian Board: Casa Zuma Mango Wood Serving Platter
Charcuterie or not—you’ll want to have this handsome solid mango serving board forever on display. Thankfully, the platter’s raised edges make it a perfect catchall to keep on the counter.
The Best Olivewood Board: Sur La Table Italian Olivewood Slice Serving Board
This rustic board made with luxurious olivewood looks like it’s been passed down for generations.
The Best Glass Serving Board: Pottery Barn Slab Glass Cheese Board
We love how natural and earthy the recycled slab glass looks—a slick subversion of the typical wood charcuterie board. Clocking in at eight pounds, it’s a substantial piece, but it lets your food and tablescape shine.
The Best Oversized Board: Casa Zuma Large Vintage Wood Board
A great serving board is a solid background player, but Casa Zuma’s collection of oversized vintage boards command center stage. Thoughtfully collected across the European countryside (some are more than a century old), each board is a one-of-a-kind beauty with a story you’ll contribute to.
