Best Serving Platters for Parties
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Platters do more work at a party than any other dish you own. They carry the food out. They sit on the table for hours. They decide whether the spread looks generous or a bit sad.
You do not need many. Four or five good platters cover almost any party at home. The trick is having the right mix of sizes and shapes. One big piece for the main event. A few medium ones for sides and snacks. Something with height to save table space.
Here are the platters we would buy and what each one is best at.
Our top picks
Paid links. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. We chose these from specs and owner feedback, not our own testing. Photos show the type of gear, not the exact product.
Everyday sets
Best everyday setSweese 15.5 Inch White Porcelain Platters (Set of 4)Four large rectangles in plain white porcelain.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0- Best set with three sizesFamiware Stoneware Serving Platters (Set of 3)Three rectangles in three sizes from about 12.6 to 15.7 inches.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0
- Best for a roast or a turkeyDOWAN Oval Ceramic Platters (Set of 3)Three nesting ovals that are oven safe.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0
Unbreakable
- Best for outdoor and kids partiesAmazon Basics Melamine Oval Platters (Set of 6)Six 13 inch ovals in melamine.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0
Boards and stands
Best for a grazing boardBIRDROCK HOME Extra Large Acacia Board 36 InchA 36 inch acacia wood board with handles.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Jason Lander, CC BY 2.0
Best for using heightLAUCHUH 3 Tier Porcelain Serving StandA tiered stand puts cupcakes or sandwiches or fruit up in the air.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: mikecogh, CC BY-SA 2.0
In this guide
Our picks
Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0Sweese 15.5 Inch White Porcelain Platters (Set of 4)
Four large rectangles in plain white porcelain. White goes with every food and every theme. A matching set makes a buffet look planned. The rectangles also line up neatly on a long table and stack flat in a cupboard.
What to like
- Four matching large platters
- Plain white suits anything
- Stack flat to store
Watch out for
- Porcelain can chip
- Heavy when loaded
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Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0Famiware Stoneware Serving Platters (Set of 3)
Three rectangles in three sizes from about 12.6 to 15.7 inches. Different sizes are more useful than a matching stack. The big one holds the main dish and the small one holds a dip and crackers. Stoneware is dishwasher and microwave safe.
What to like
- Three useful sizes
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Wave texture adds interest
Watch out for
- Off white color is not pure white
- Stoneware is heavy
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Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0DOWAN Oval Ceramic Platters (Set of 3)
Three nesting ovals that are oven safe. The 16 inch size takes a whole roast or a small turkey. Ovals suit carved meat better than rectangles. You can warm the platter in a low oven first so the meat stays hot longer.
What to like
- Oven safe
- 16 inch size for a roast
- Nest together to store
Watch out for
- Ovals use more table space
- Ceramic can chip
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Photo: Andrea Goh, CC BY 2.0Amazon Basics Melamine Oval Platters (Set of 6)
Six 13 inch ovals in melamine. Melamine looks like china but resists breaks and cracks. That makes it the safe pick by a pool or at a kids party. It goes on the top rack of the dishwasher. Note that melamine is not for the microwave.
What to like
- Resists breaks and cracks
- Six platters in one set
- Light to carry outside
Watch out for
- Not microwave safe
- Heat safe only to 212°F
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Photo: Jason Lander, CC BY 2.0BIRDROCK HOME Extra Large Acacia Board 36 Inch
A 36 inch acacia wood board with handles. It is long enough to build a whole grazing table on. Cheese and cured meat and bread look best on wood. The handles make it easy to carry from the kitchen.
What to like
- Very long serving surface
- Handles for carrying
- Wood looks warm and rustic
Watch out for
- Hand wash and oil only
- Too long for some fridges
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Photo: mikecogh, CC BY-SA 2.0LAUCHUH 3 Tier Porcelain Serving Stand
A tiered stand puts cupcakes or sandwiches or fruit up in the air. It frees table space and makes the spread look full. The rack comes apart for storage. The bottom tier is 14 inches across.
What to like
- Saves table space
- Comes apart to store
- Porcelain looks smart
Watch out for
- Small top tier
- Hand washing is best
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| Pick | Best for | Main plus | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweese 15.5 Inch White Porcelain Platters (Set of 4) | Best everyday set | Four matching large platters | Porcelain can chip |
| Famiware Stoneware Serving Platters (Set of 3) | Best set with three sizes | Three useful sizes | Off white color is not pure white |
| DOWAN Oval Ceramic Platters (Set of 3) | Best for a roast or a turkey | Oven safe | Ovals use more table space |
| Amazon Basics Melamine Oval Platters (Set of 6) | Best for outdoor and kids parties | Resists breaks and cracks | Not microwave safe |
| BIRDROCK HOME Extra Large Acacia Board 36 Inch | Best for a grazing board | Very long serving surface | Hand wash and oil only |
| LAUCHUH 3 Tier Porcelain Serving Stand | Best for using height | Saves table space | Small top tier |
How we chose
We haven’t tested these platters in our own kitchen. We chose them from maker specs and from repeated patterns in owner feedback. We favored large sizes because small platters run empty fast at a party. We looked for sets that store flat or nest. We left out platters where owners often reported chips out of the box. Our page on how we choose products explains every step.
Which materials suit which party
Porcelain is the classic. It is smooth and white and easy to clean. Most is oven safe for warming. It can chip on a hard floor.
Stoneware is thicker and heavier. It has a handmade look. It holds heat well when you warm it first.
Melamine is the outdoor choice. It does not break when dropped. Do not microwave it or use it in the oven. Keep it for cold food and room temperature food.
Wood is for cheese and bread and charcuterie. Wash it by hand and oil it now and then. Do not soak it.
How many platters do you need
Count your dishes and add one. Most parties need one platter per dish plus a spare for refills. For finger food plan on more platters than you think. Small bites spread out across a lot of surface. Our guide to finger food for 50 guests has counts per platter.
A good starter kit looks like this.
- Two or three large rectangles for mains and sides.
- One oval for carved meat.
- One wood board for cheese.
- One tiered stand for desserts.
Keep cold food cold on a platter
Cold food should stay at 40°F or colder. On a long buffet that is hard with a flat platter. Chill the platters in the fridge before you plate. Set out small amounts and swap in a fresh platter from the fridge every hour. You can also set a platter on a tray of ice. The FDA suggests nesting cold dishes in ice for buffets.
FAQ
What size serving platter is best for a party?
Go for at least 14 inches long for main dishes. Smaller 10 to 12 inch platters work for dips and sides. A mix of sizes is more useful than a matching stack.
Are melamine platters safe?
Melamine is fine for serving cold and room temperature food. Do not heat it in the microwave or oven. Keep it out of contact with very hot food.
Can I put porcelain platters in the oven?
Many can go in a low oven to warm them. Check the maker label first. Warm platters keep carved meat hot longer.
How do I stop a wood board from smelling?
Wash it with mild soap and dry it right away. Rub in a little food safe mineral oil when it looks dry. Never put it in the dishwasher.
Related guides
- Best drink dispensers for parties to finish the table.
- Buffet setup guide for where each platter goes.
- Party serving equipment worth owning for the rest of the kit.
- Vegetarian party menu for platter friendly dishes.
Sources
- US Food and Drug Administration. Serving up safe buffets.
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Danger zone 40°F to 140°F.
- Maker listings on Amazon for sizes and materials and care.
