The 6 Best Dinnerware Sets You Can Buy Online (Because Food Tastes Better on a Pretty Plate)

If you’re still dining with the dinnerware you’ve owned since your first apartment, let Rigby’s modern-yet-classic dishware be your much-needed upgrade. The pieces were designed with daily use in mind, so it’s beautiful and high-quality, yes, but it also feels sturdy and built to last. Everything is dishwasher-, microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe, but since it’s also hand-finished, it doesn’t feel like a factory punchout. Each of the five styles (breakfast bowl, pasta bowl, salad plate, dinner plate and mug) is sold separately in sets of four, in colors ranging from traditional off white to dreamy mint. Buy all four for a full set or mix and match based on how often you *actually* eat salad.

Buy the bowls ($64)

This Asheville, North Carolina ceramics brand has something of a cult following, thanks to its simple, utilitarian ceramicware. Founded by the great-grandson of French modernist painter Henri Matisse, it’s known for its beloved mugs, which sell out with every new release (and are this food editor’s daily coffee vessel of choice). But don’t overlook the dinnerware, which consists of matte-finish, dishwasher- and microwave-safe plates and bowls in sizes ranging from “bitty” to big enough to feed a crowd. We like the classic five-piece dinner set because it includes all the necessities, plus the extremely versatile everyday bowl, which could probably replace all the dishes in your cabinet if you wanted. The three foundational glazes (morel, soapstone and eggshell) will take you far, but look out for frequent limited edition colors to pepper your growing collection.

Year & Day’s minimalist-chic line offers proof that you don’t need to shell out your life savings (or register for fussy China) for photogenic dinnerware. Its plates, bowls and mugs come in four colors inspired by the California coastline: Daybreak (light pink), Midnight (a dark navy), Fog (light gray) and Moon (off-white); they have a semi-matte finish and were actually designed to look good when stacked on open-shelving. They’re safe for your dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven and you can buy single pieces or customize your own set. While current circumstances mean many styles are out of stock for the time being, you can still pick up our favorite shallow bowls in Daybreak online.

The makers of our coveted Always Pan ventured into ceramics, and to no surprise, their dinnerware has the same thoughtful appeal as their cookware. Both the plates and bowls have lips that allow them to nest cozily into a neat stack, so you can squeeze them into the smallest of storage spaces with ease. And while everything is hand-painted (in shades of spice, char and steam), it’s also dishwasher- and microwave-safe. We recommend a set of four plates and four bowls, which will only set you back $95 total.

Buy the bowls ($45)

The name says it all: This affordable line will basically never go out of style, but it’s not boring either. The dishes are handmade (but still dishwasher and microwave friendly) with organic lines and a shine-free finish for a modern feel. It only comes white, but that means your food will look particularly delicious sitting on it. (Think of it as a blank palate for your next meal.) It’s also well-priced, considering you can buy four complete sets for about $130.

If your plates are at the hands of less-than-careful kids but you don’t want to settle for ug-o melamine, Fable New York makes super-sustainable and super-indestructible dinnerware. It’s made from a blend of bamboo fiber and cornstarch (with a small amount of melamine for durability) and comes in a rainbow array of colors that you can mix and match. Yep, and it’s dishwasher-safe.

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