14 Party Serving Dishes For Your Next Shindig posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I love throwing dinner parties, and I’ve always been of the belief that the dishes you use to display and serve the food are a big part of what makes a party great. I’ve done a lot of posts about different kinds of party dishes, but I wanted to tie them all together with a list of my favorite party serving dishes, period. Consider the items in this post my all-star lineup that I believe anyone who loves hosting parties should own in its entirety. 1. Rifle Paper Co. Round Serving Tray by [amazon link=”B09G5JCX9H” link_icon=”none” title=”Rifle Paper Co.” /] [amazon fields=”B09G5JCX9H” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Rifle Paper Co. Strawberry Fields Round Serving Tray”] This 15” diameter plate may have the distinction of my favorite party serving dish of all time in terms of aesthetics. The plate is made from lightweight birch wood, but the wood is covered with paper that has an extremely vibrant design on it that evokes springtime. The whole thing is laminated with an attractive gloss so it is safe to get wet or even put in the dishwasher. The papr layer, though, gives the piece a “down-home” look that I absolutely love and have never seen done as well in any other serving dish. 2. Serving Platter by [amazon link=”B09S6RXN1R” link_icon=”none” title=”Made In Cookware” /] [amazon fields=”B09S6RXN1R” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Serving Platter Red Rim”] This porcelain material of this 13” serving platter is vitrified, meaning it goes through a special overheating process during manufacturing. It’s also fully glazed. The combination of those two things ensure the dish will never chip. In fact, Made In provides a money-back guarantee if a chip does occur. The plate is nothing flashy – just a white dish with an orange ring around the rim – but it’s a really solid and reliable product. 3. Rustic® Outdoor Melamine Platter by Williams Sonoma Although this dish is made of melamine – a super-durable plastic – it looks better than most serving dishes of any material because of the sandy cream-colored finish and the dusty brown pattern around the edges. The material also makes it shatterproof, weatherproof, lightweight, easy to clean, and, best of all, inexpensive. 4. Silver Shell Serving Platter by Mark & Graham This seashell-shaped stainless steel bowl is perfect for oysters or other food you need to keep cold because the material insulates the cold. When you fill the bowl with ice, it won’t even begin to melt for hours. The bowl also has two indented holders for smaller glass dipping trays, which are included. As if that all weren’t enough, a free monogram of one letter is included with the price, so you can customize your party a little more. 5. Azulete Serving Platter by Williams Sonoma The blue, black, and white hand-painted design on this oval-shaped ceramic platter looks so good that it’s literally entrancing; I’ve actually seen images of the soothing yet brilliant design when I close my eyes at night or when I zone out while doing a repetitive task in the kitchen. There is a glossy finish over the design, so it’s durable and won’t fade over time. 6. Famille Rose Section Oval Platter by Williams Sonoma Porcelain is not used in serving dishes as often anymore, and I’m not sure why; it’s non-toxic, microwave-, freezer-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe, and it has a dainty, elegant look that other materials don’t. This oval-shaped platter brings porcelain back, though, and it does it in style – the Chinese-inspired design is bright, festive, and intricate. 7. Marble Rectangle Tray by Williams Sonoma This rectangular cheese and hors d’oeuvres board is simple yet elegant. The board is made from white marble with veins that make every piece unique. There is a metal handle made of brushed copper sticking up from either end of the board, making it easy to carry. The board is durable and easy to wash… plus, it looks fantastic. The stay-cool handles add to the visual appeal and provide some great utility. 8. Deviled Egg Tray by Williams Sonoma Deviled eggs are one of my favorite foods to serve at a party, because they’re dangerously addictive, relatively healthy, and very easy to make. They’re slippery, though, so serving them on a flat platter is not a great idea. This dish has 24 indentations that are perfect for holding halved deviled eggs. The platter is made from pure white porcelain. 9. Autumn Vine Serving Platter by Williams Sonoma This 15” diameter salad bowl is another pure white platter, but its look is anything but dull. It stands out from most white serving dishes because of the stainless steel around the rim. On opposite sides of the rim, copper-crafted pumpkin vines plated in nickel act as handles that are as functional as they are beautiful. 10. Toluca Teak Tray by Williams Sonoma This is a more rustic-looking version of the “marble rectangle tray” I mentioned above. The board is made from a dark teak with slight variances because of its hand-crafted nature. The vertical handles coming from either end are forged from dark iron. The result is a dish that looks great at barbecues and other casual outdoor get-togethers. 11. Streamline Metal Serveware, Party Bucket, Metal/Wood, Dark Bronze, Oval by West Elm These bronze ice buckets serve the same function as an ice cooler when it comes to keeping food or drinks cold, but they look so much nicer. Both the oval- and rectangle-shaped models sit upon thin steel legs and have large capacities. The bright wood covers for both models split into two pieces so that you can remove one half and use the other half as a small table on top of the ice bucket. Both models look elegant and provide solid functionality. 12. Modular 5-Piece Square Serving Set by Crate & Barrel This set contains one medium-large square-shaped dish and four smaller square-shaped dishes that fit into it. The dishes are all made of porcelain. The set is minimalist, durable, convenient, and versatile, and I’d say it’s a must-have for anyone who throws a lot of dinner parties. 13. Sicily Outdoor Melamine Serving Bowl by Williams Sonoma This 13” diameter bowl has a capacity of 3.25 quarts. It’s made of melamine painted with a bright and colorful design, so it’s as durable and lightweight as it is attractive. It’s also cheap, and, although I wouldn’t make it the centerpiece of a dinner party, it’s a great utility serving dish to have in case the need pops up. 14. Oven to Table Serving Bowl with Trivet by Crate & Barrel The white bowl, which holds 3.85 quarts, is simplistic but durable, boasting a stoneware build that is dishwasher-, freezer-, and oven-safe. Since you will be heating it up or cooling it down so much, the acaciawood trivet that comes with it is especially useful for protecting tables or countertops and preventing heat or cold loss. How to Choose a Party Serving Dish If you’d rather look for your own party serving dishes rather than follow my recommendations, I urge you to at least pay attention to the four factors mentioned below before handing over any money. Aesthetic Looks are probably the most important aspect of party serving dishes, because they’re meant to entice a bunch of party-goers! Hand painted designs and vibrant colors are always a big hit, although pure white pieces can work too as long as they have an interesting design. Finding pieces with elegant curves or bold style choices is a great way to up your party’s “wow” factor. Durability Dinner parties are generally not the most gentle environments, especially after the wine starts flowing. Because of that, it’s very important to buy dishes that won’t shatter if someone breathes on them too hard. Any porcelain or glass dishes should come with some mention of durability from the manufacturer. Ease of Cleaning You’ll probably end up with piles and piles of filthy dishes after a party, and it’s a huge time-saver if they’re all dishwasher-safe. A few authentic hand-painted dishes are nice because they look impressive, but more than a handful of them will make the cleanup process a lot more of a pain. Price If you’re throwing a lot of parties, some of your serving dishes are going to break after a while. Price is always a factor for most of us, but it’s especially important when buying party serving dishes because you’re more than likely going to need to replace some of them after a while. Serving Dish FAQ Finally, let’s answer some of the most commonly-asked questions about party serving dishes. How many serving dishes do I need? A good rule of thumb for how much of each kind of dish you need is one large serving platter plus 1 large serving platter and bowl for every 5 people eating at the party, rounded up. So, for example, if you have 14 people at the party then you should have 3 large serving bowls (14 rounded up to 15, then 15/3=3) and 4 large serving platters (1+3).For a more formal dinner party, follow the dishware set inclusions listed below. What are the proper serving dishes and their uses? A full set of dishware includes:• An extra-large serving platter for a roast or other main course.• A medium-large serving platter for grilled fish.• A deep salad bowl for salad or fruit.• A shallow bowl (almost a plate with high edges) for rolls or vegetables.• A small bowl for nuts or candies.• A sauceboat for, you guessed it, sauce.• A large pitcher for drinks.• A teapot for tea or coffee.• A covered bowl for sugar or another condiment.I’d recommend setting the table with one set for every eight dinner party guests, rounded up. For example, a party of 15 guests would necessitate two of these sets. Serving Class and a Bit of Sass Don’t underestimate how important good quality dishware is to the dinner party experience, both for you and for your guests. And if you have any favorite party serving dishes that are not mentioned here, please reach out and let me know in the comments section!
