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By Erika Owen and Rachel Fletcher
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As much as we’re all clinging to our youth, the cold hard truth is, if you’re out here looking for dinnerware sets, you’ve transitioned into a fully grown adult. That level of maturity comes with the expectation of having a few domestic things in order, like a fresh set of bath towels that haven’t been with you since your college days, bed sheets without holes and stains, or a mattress that’s not on the floor—who doesn’t love a bed frame?! Once you finally graduate to this stage in life, your kitchen should have a full set of matching dinnerware that can be proudly displayed right next to your color-coordinated cookware sets.
We’re not talking about cobbling together a collection in different colors and sizes spanning appetizer to platters, amassed over many moves with many different roommates. Nor do we suggest laying out random pieces of bone china from a relative; these are fully grown-up dinnerware sets that’ll last you a lifetime. If you were under the impression that proper place settings are something you’d receive as a gift for your wedding, anniversary, or starter home, think again.
From matte, minimalist tableware and everyday dinnerware to hand-painted porcelain dinnerware sets that doubles as home decor, check out our top picks below.
Our Place is known for its bold color palettes and trendy, minimalist designs—so go all in on an entire matching set. Your dining table will thank you. This 20-piece set includes full-size plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, dessert plates, and cereal bowls. And not only do all of the pieces look really good, but there’s a special little design hack you’re going to love (we do): The plates act as little lids for the bowls when you store them. Chef’s kiss.
A more earthy option from Our Place (their original set in fact), the 12-piece tabletop set is just about the essentials. Four plates, four bowls, four glasses. Though the plates are hand painted and the glasses made of recycled materials, there’s still no need to hand-wash or treat with kid gloves.
While they may look delicate, Material’s dining sets, made in partnership with Soil Baker, are solidly crafted with natural Korean soil and feel rugged despite being lightweight. We’ve waxed poetic about Material’s cookware and cutting boards in the past, and we’re pleased to report that the company’s dishes more than live up to expectations.
Fortessa Tableware Solutions Textured Glass Dinnerware
There’s something playful, sexy, and serious about this transparent dishware. It’s a hard balance to achieve, but the gently hammered texture goes a long way. Available in three colors—clear, pink, and a caramel-y ginger root—this glass is durable, thanks to its thick construction. You can toss these right in the dishwasher without worry too, which is always a plus. Each set includes a dinner plate, salad plate, pasta bowl, and soup bowl.
Hawkins New York Ceramic Dinnerware
For those who embrace imperfection, there’s this organic-inspired dinnerware collection from Hawkins New York, which features a slightly asymmetric design for that made-by-hand look. The price listed is for a 12-piece dinnerware set with pasta bowls, but other configurations are available.
Another cookware brand gone tabletop, Made In is preparing for dining domination. Available with place settings for four, the plate-ware is made in England and Italy and designed to be restaurant-quality. Not only are they chip-resistant, the brand offers a one-year no-chip guarantee if it doesn’t live up to your dinnertime demands. It’s an elevated take on simple white dinnerware with a twist and is surely nice enough for special occasions or everyday use.
Staub Ceramic Dinnerware 12-pc Set - White
Staub has a cult following, and we get it—the iconic cookware brand makes some durable (and shabby chic) stuff. So it makes sense that this cereal bowl set pulls the right nostalgia strings. You can go all in and buy matching plates, if matchy-matchy is your vibe.
Stone Lain Lauren Stoneware Dinnerware Set, 16-Piece Service for 4, Green
Sometimes a simple whisper of color can make all the difference on your dinner table. This nearly-sage green set and its ribbed texture will accommodate all of your last-minute dinner guests with full dinnerware setups for four people (16 pieces total). Plus, they’re dishwasher safe and attractive enough to work as serving pieces.
West Elm La Jolla Cereal Bowl Set
The texture on these cereal bowls from West Elm is surprising—in a fantastic way. The swirls give off an elevated stoneware vibe despite being made of glass. The set of four bowls is available in six colors: ink blue, pink, white, amethyst, gray, and sage. Plus you can build a full set as there are also dinner plates, salad plates, salad bowls, and chargers available from the same collection.
Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plates, Set of 4
In case you hadn’t heard, cabbage-ware is always having a moment. This particular set is inspired by the ceramic art of Portuguese ceramist Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro. It’s a little bit cheeky, a little bit “on-the-nose”—plates shaped like food, we’re so here for it! But the best part is that you could outfit an entire tablescape with vegetable dinnerware and it wouldn’t ruin the vibe.
Made in Asheville, North Carolina, East Fork’s earthenware set has a down-to-earth vibe in refined silhouettes. There’s something special about the colors the potters are able to achieve; they’re rich in a way that feels like they came directly from the center of the earth. We’re into this mossy green, a collaboration with Momofuku. The exposed rims are a nice texture not only to look at but also to grip when you’re transporting everything from the kitchen to the table.
Another brand that’s thought of it all is Leeway Home, founded in March 2021 by Lyle Maltz and Sam Dumas, which offers several packages that’ll set you up for any mealtime situation. The 44-piece Full Way includes four settings with the full stackable monty: flatware, mugs, dinner and salad plates, as well as bowls and—perhaps most importantly—elegant stemmed wine glasses. The stoneware dishes are available in solid earth tones or, for a fun twist, with colorful striped rims. And, if you’d like to check them out in person, the product line is available at Bloomingdale’s.
Another DTC dinnerware company, Rigby, takes the guesswork out of building a collection by offering solid basics in sets of four. Rigby’s designs are made in Portugal and have a substantial weight to them, perfect for the clumsy diner. Prices start from $44 for a set of four mini bowls and top out at $60 for a set of four dinner plates.
Stone by Mercer Project Hekonda Debossed 16-Piece Dinnerware Set Stoneware
There is something beautifully organic (and luxe) about these stoneware dishes. They may not be the easiest pieces to stack, but it’s a small price to pay for the role this set will play at your next dinner party—they’re the perfect conversation starter. Made with reactive glaze, each plate, mug, and bowl has a very slight pattern differentiations, making them all the more special.
Swoon 4-Piece Dinnerware Set with Soup Bowl
Decorated with a dusty reactive glaze, this stoneware dinnerware set was designed by New York–based ceramicist Tracie Hervy and inspired by prehistoric vessels. The matte finish adds a bit of style, but the focus is on function—they are super easy to stack, which is an underrated quality in our opinion. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, this four-piece set is also oven-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
The rich, earthy finish of this set caught our eye—each piece has its own unique color thanks to a reactive glaze. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, you can purchase each piece separately to build up your own custom dinnerware set that’s handmade in Portugal. Honestly, it’s kind of the perfect anchor for your tableware: The color is neutral enough that it won’t fight to be the centerpiece and it won’t fall victim to the ever-changing trend cycle. And once you’ve got the adult appropriate dinnerware set? Move on to fancy-feeling glassware (hellllllo, coupe glasses!).
If subtle pops of color are your thing, this set from Crate & Barrel should catch your eye. A delicate ribbon of color tops every bowl, anchored with a rich, creamy porcelain. Also available with a black strip, these bowls are dishwasher-, oven-, and microwave-safe and can be purchased alongside other dinnerware essentials with the same design.
Never underestimate the power of some cute little plates. They’re great for snacks, slices of pie, or those leftovers that will just look sad and lonely on a dinner-size plate. Talk about versatility! These melamine plates, in particular, are iconic—you’ll spot Heller dinnerware in your coolest friends’ cabinets. Plus we love the rainbow of colors. You can pair these plates with other pieces from the collection for a full table setting.
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