The Best Clay Dinnerware to Snag That Oh-So-Desirable Organic Modern Look
Looking to upgrade your dinnerware for something with a little more personality? You’ll be hard-pressed to find a set that’s quite as unique, chic and durable as pottery. In fact, it’s for this very reason that interior designers and homeowners alike are drawn to them (and, not to mention their rustic appeal dovetails with two of 2022’s biggest emerging trends, Japandi and Organic Modernism).
For interior designer Tina Ramchandani, clay dinnerware is particularly special because of its warmth, charm and ability to make a dining space feel more inviting. “Clay has come a long way,” she notes, “and although it can be made nearly perfect, you can still see the character of each piece.”
That said, while slight variations, dents and bumps in each piece are normal (and often preferred), Ramchandani suggests looking out for a few specifics to make sure you’re getting the quality you want, which does come at a price.
What to Consider When Buying Clay Dinnerware
Make sure pieces are stackable. Minor asymmetries aside, you still want your clay dinnerware to fit together well enough so that you can stack them in your cabinets, shelves or display cases.
Don’t ignore major imperfections. While small quirks in handmade pottery are to be expected, it’s important to look out for anything major that would make the pieces defective—like large bumps, dips or cracks.
Look out for glaze drips. Unless part of the design, glaze drips on the clay should not be noticeable.
Check for pitting. Piggybacking on the major imperfections bullet, any small holes underneath the glaze (pitting) should not be ignored.
The Best Clay Dinnerware We’ve Found
1. Ocean Waves Dinnerware
While this dinnerware set is obviously eye-catching, it’s more than just good looks. It’s complete with dinner plates, salad plates, small bowls and mugs, and it’s made exclusively with natural materials from Vietnam. We can’t get enough of the ocean blue set.
Pros:
Set of 16
Includes dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls, small bowls and mugs
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons:
Price
2. Obakki Albina Dinner Plate
These clay dinner plates were handmade in Oaxaca, Mexico and, while they are definitely pricey, they’re sure to make any table setting feel unique. Because of their gorgeous smoke coloring and fragile 100 percent clay material, though, they will need to be handled with extra care: hand wash only, no microwave moments, and keep the sharp knives away, too.
Pros:
Handmade
One of a kind
Cons:
Hand wash only
Plates sold individually
Price
3. Mud Australia
“Mud Australia is the first place I visit when looking for clay/ceramic pieces,” Ramchandani shared, “because to me, they were one of the first making interesting items.” Featuring all handmade porcelain and homeware, this Australian shop sells gorgeous minimalistic individual plates, bowls, mugs and more.
Pros:
Handmade
Dishwasher, microwave and oven safe
Cons:
All items sold individually
Price
4. East Fork Seven-Piece You're-All-Set Set
Accurately named the You’re-All-Set Set, this collection features seven pieces, which make for a complete place setting, including a mug, Bitty Bowl, Breakfast Bowl, Everyday Bowl, cake plate, side plate and dinner plate. An added bonus? Every piece is handmade in North Carolina, plus they come in nine different colorways.
Pros:
Handmade
Variety of color options
Set of seven pieces
Cons:
Set includes pieces for only one place setting
Price
5. Four-Piece Surface Clay Place Setting
This basic, yet elegant clay set includes all the necessities—a mug, soup bowl, salad plate and dinner plate—at a great price point With squared corners and edges and a solid, shiny surface, it gives a more modern take on rustic clay dinnerware for anyone who wants the heft of clay with the shine of glass.
Pros:
Handmade
Dishwasher, microwave and oven safe up to 250 degrees
6. Crisp Matte Black Dinner Plate
If you’re newly dabbling in clay dinnerware (or hosting) and don’t want to spend a fortune on individual pieces, this polished black dinner plate is under $9 and a great starter option. Though spending less often comes at a cost—in this case, less durability (reviews mention easy scratching)—it can be an affordable way test out the trend, particularly if you don’t see yourself using them every day. Plus, that modern matte black glaze finish stunning.
Pros:
Handmade
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Price
Cons:
Easily scratched
7. Casafina Modern Classic Ceramic Dinnerware & Serveware
What isn’t there to love about this set? It’s simultaneously classic and unique, and stacked in your pantry, they’ll create an Insta-worthy ombré cascade of neutral hues (eat your heart out, The Home Edit). If you prefer a solid set, though, this durable, handmade-in-Portugal set comes in six other colors as well, each just as lovely as the last. Oh, and if you don’t want all 12 pieces, you can buy a set of four bowls, salad plates, dinner plates or mugs separately.
Pros:
Handmade
Set of 12
Unique ombre design
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons:
Price
8. Larkin Reactive Glaze Stoneware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
This is a best-selling set at Pottery Barn for a reason, friends! Available in four versatile color options, this 16-piece set of dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls and mugs includes everything you need in a more rustic dish collection worthy of a spot in Selena Gomez’s kitchen.
Pros:
Set of 16
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons:
Price
9. Dansk Kallan Dinnerware
We love a deal, and when it comes to clay dinnerware, it’s especially satisfying. This Dansk Kallan 16-piece set includes four of each essential item for $100: dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs. The speckled design on the otherwise white aesthetic is the cherry on top!
Pros:
Set of 16
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Price
Cons:
Pre-Order
10. Year & Day Big Plates
Leave it to Year & Day to give a timeless clay plate option that won’t go out of style next year. Their Big Plates come in a set of four ($13 per plate) and a variety of color options so you’ll never run out of uses for them. They’re also dishwasher, microwave, oven (up to 480 degrees) and freezer safe.
Pros:
Durable
Dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe up to 480 degrees
Set of four
Cons:
Plates only
11. Our Place Main Plates
The brand behind the best-selling Always Pan has also nailed it when it comes to dinnerware. Like its multi-functional pot, Our Place’s simple, functional dinner plates are designed to make life a bit easier. Each plate in the set of four (or eight) is sustainably made from recycled, virgin porcelain ceramic and are dishwasher and microwave safe. Plus, the reviews confirm that they’re beautifully crafted, lightweight and durable.
Pros:
Sustainably made
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Lightweight
Set of four
Cons:
Set does not include bowls or cups (plates only)
12. Hasamí Porcelain 220mm Plate
If a photo of dishware were to live next to the word “charming” in the dictionary, these Hasamí plates would be in it. Striking the balance between curved and clean lines, they’re perfect for everyday use with a simple and sophisticated aesthetic that’s worthy of an Instagram moment. The only downside is if you’re looking for a full set, it will cost you a pretty penny, since they’re all sold separately.
Pros:
Handmade
Each piece is unique
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons:
Plates sold individually
Dinner plate may be smaller than standard
13. 18th Street 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
Each piece in this 16-piece set was designed by New York ceramic artist, Kathy Erteman, to combine a contemporary matte black with rustic beauty, and it shows. They’ll add an effortlessly chic touch to any table, though be forewarned: Some reviewers say they’re pretty fragile.
Pros:
Dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe up to 300 degrees
Set of 16
Cons:
Fragile, according to reviews
14. Tagliaferro Ceramics Three-Piece White Matte Dinnerware Set
Should asymmetrical matte dinnerware be more your style, check out Tagliaferro Ceramics. The purposeful dents and divots in each three-piece set (which features a dinner plate, salad plate and porridge bowl) add for unique character not often found in other clay pieces.
Pros:
Handmade
Dishwasher and oven safe
three-piece set
Cons:
Plates sold individually
Four to six weeks for delivery
15. Emily Brown Ceramics Mojave Ceramic Dinnerware
You can’t go wrong with this speckled dinnerware set. Its neutral color makes it perfectly adaptable to just about any setting or occasion (and they’ll look perfect on any of your favorite placemats). Plus, each set comes with a bowl, salad plate and dinner plate, so you’ll always have the necessities on hand.
Pros:
Oven and microwave safe
Handmade
Each piece is unique
Set comes with a dinner plate, salad plate and bowl
Cons:
Hand wash recommended
16. Parachute x Jono Pandolfi Ceramic Coupe Dinnerware
The collaboration of our home design dreams: Parachute and Jono Pandolfi (another favorite of Ramchandani’s) truly made a complete minimalist collection that’s worth the splurge. One reviewer even called the set “heaven,” which checks out, since Parachute is known for its divine bedding and Pandolfi is renowned as a master ceramicist. That said, the craftsmanship will cost you—$112+ for four cereal bowls, entree plates, Alaska bowls or salad plates means you’re quickly dropping $500 or more to have a full set of dinnerware for a family of four.
Pros:
Handmade
Each piece is unique
Set of 4
Cons:
Each item type sold separately
Price
17. Skye Corewijn Crank Wave Plate
If you’re looking for something truly unique, these individually sold plates by Skye Corwijn are exceptional. Equally chic and playful, they are versatile enough that they can work well in fancy and casual tablescapes alike. They’re also available in medium and large, so you can buy each size or mix and match with other plates.
Pros:
Handmade
One of a kind
Cons:
Plates sold individually
18. Sarah Kersten 6-Inch Black Side Plate
For an elegant salad, appetizer or snack plate option, this 6-inch black piece by Sarah Kersten gives off a hint of natural sparkle when it catches the light thanks to its ever-so-subtle golden rivulet detail. It is also available in several other desirable colors, including Straw, Fig, Classic White, Dove Grey and Quail Egg.
Pros:
Handmade
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons:
Plates sold individually
19. Threshold Melamine Lancashire Dinnerware Set
While clay dinnerware is very appealing, it’s just not in the cards for some. Parents, for example, likely wouldn't want to leave their children with a fragile clay bowl. This 12-piece melamine set—dinner plates, salad plates and cereal bowls included—will give you that clay-adjacent aesthetic with much more durability (plus, it has a delightful price tag). Not to mention that it comes in terracotta, white, gray and dark blue.
Pros:
Budget-friendly
Durable
Dishwasher safe
Cons:
Not real clay
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