The Serveware Edit: Platters, Bowls & Boards Worth Keeping Forever
There’s a quiet magic in the right platter, bowl, or serving board. The kind that turns a simple Tuesday night dinner into a moment you savor, or a holiday feast into an effortless, elegant celebration. The pieces we reach for again and again aren’t flashy or trendy — they’re functional, timeless, and so thoughtfully designed that they feel like an extension of our daily rituals.
In this post, we’re sharing our favorite serveware — the platters, bowls, and boards that make everyday meals feel special, hosting effortless, and your table look like it was curated by someone who truly loves food and gathering. Read on to discover the pieces we can’t stop using, why they matter, and how to build a collection that lasts a lifetime.
Why Serveware Matters
Serveware often gets overlooked, but it plays a subtle, powerful role in how we experience food. A thoughtfully chosen platter can make roasted vegetables feel celebratory, while the right serving board turns a simple cheese and fruit spread into a centerpiece. When we reach for pieces that are both beautiful and functional, mealtime becomes more intentional, more enjoyable, and more memorable.
Here’s what makes a piece of serveware truly worth keeping:
Functionality: Versatility is key. A shallow bowl should work for salad, pasta, or roasted vegetables, while a platter should be just as elegant for family-style dinners as for weekend entertaining.
Durability: Look for stoneware, porcelain, and responsibly sourced wood. Pieces that can survive daily use and dishwasher cycles are ones you’ll actually reach for instead of storing away.
Non-toxic materials: Lead-free glazes and safe finishes keep your meals and your home healthy.
Timeless aesthetics: Neutral tones, organic shapes, and minimalist design ensure your serveware doesn’t feel dated next year.
Choosing serveware thoughtfully is not just about style — it’s about creating moments we remember and rituals we return to. It’s about eating with intention and hosting without stress.
Our Top Picks
We’ve rounded up our favorite serveware — pieces that balance beauty, practicality, and longevity. Each of these brands stands out for craftsmanship, thoughtful materials, and timeless design.
1. Fable Home
Crafted in Portugal with sustainable practices, Fable Home’s platters and bowls are practical, elegant, and endlessly versatile. Their neutral, matte glazes complement any table setting, making them perfect for layering during dinner parties or using solo for simple weeknight meals.
Fable pieces are built to last. Their understated design works across casual and formal occasions, and the quality ensures you’ll keep returning to the same bowl or platter for years. They’re the kind of pieces that feel like an investment in both your table and your everyday life.
2. East Fork Pottery
East Fork Pottery is our go-to for stoneware that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Dishwasher- and oven-safe, pieces like the Weeknight Serving Bowl are workhorses in the kitchen.
What we love most about East Fork is how their design manages to be minimalist without being cold. The soft curves and warm tones make every meal feel approachable, yet intentionally styled. Whether serving a casual pasta dinner or hosting a Sunday brunch, East Fork pieces perform without fuss.
3. Year & Day
California-made and sustainably produced, Year & Day pieces offer sleek forms and muted colors that fit seamlessly into everyday life. Their hand-finished details add personality without ever feeling overdone.
We love Year & Day for its balance of modernity and approachability. The bowls stack easily for storage, the platters feel weighty and substantial, and the neutral palette allows you to mix and match without worrying about clashing colors. These pieces feel curated but never precious — you can actually use them.
4. Jono Pandolfi
Restaurant-quality, handcrafted in New Jersey, Jono Pandolfi’s platters and bowls are a perfect example of professional-grade serveware designed for home life.
These pieces are ideal for hosting large groups or serving family-style meals. The understated, polished aesthetic works for any cuisine, any season, and any table setting. Jono Pandolfi’s pieces prove that well-made serveware doesn’t need to scream “designer” to feel special — it just needs to work beautifully, every time.
5. Heath Ceramics
Heath Ceramics epitomizes functional artistry. Their stoneware platters and bowls are minimalist, neutral, and incredibly durable. Made in California, each piece reflects thoughtful craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Heath pieces are timeless. They don’t rely on trendy colors or flashy shapes — instead, their elegance lies in simplicity and usability. These platters and bowls are the ones you’ll pull out daily, for everything from breakfast eggs to holiday spreads. Their versatility and understated beauty make them true forever pieces.
Tips for Curating Your Serveware Collection
Building a serveware collection that you actually use requires intention. Here are some strategies:
Mix textures and shapes: Combine stoneware, porcelain, and wooden boards to create visual depth on your table.
Prioritize versatility: Choose pieces that serve multiple purposes — a large platter for both roasted veggies and charcuterie, a shallow bowl for salad or pasta.
Think seasonal and timeless: Invest in neutral pieces for year-round use, and consider one or two statement items for holidays or entertaining.
Layer for effortless style: Stack bowls and platters atop a simple linen napkin or wooden board to create an inviting, curated table without overthinking it.
Consider practicality: Make sure your pieces stack, fit in your dishwasher, and are durable enough to withstand daily life. Functional beauty ensures your serveware is used, not stored away.
Beyond Aesthetics: Functional Beauty
The best serveware isn’t just visually appealing — it’s intuitive to use. Consider:
Rim width and depth: Platters with wide rims prevent spills when passing dishes around the table.
Shape and size versatility: Pieces that can handle a wide range of meals, from small appetizers to hearty main dishes, maximize your investment.
Oven- and microwave-safe options: Practical serveware ensures weekday meals are simple and stress-free, not a juggling act of transferring from pan to plate.
When serveware functions beautifully, every meal becomes more fluid, more intentional, and more enjoyable. These are pieces that seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing both everyday moments and special occasions.
Wrapping Up
Serveware may feel like a small detail, but it profoundly shapes the way we experience food and connection. The right platters, bowls, and boards aren’t just tools — they’re invitations to slow down, savor, and celebrate meals big and small.
Whether it’s a casual weekday dinner, a Sunday brunch with friends, or a holiday feast, these pieces will become reliable favorites — blending practicality, beauty, and timeless elegance.
What We’re Loving Right Now:
Fable Home’s neutral matte platters for effortless layering.
East Fork Weeknight Serving Bowl — durable, dishwasher-safe, and timeless.
Heath Ceramics’ minimalist platters and bowls — understated, elegant, and built to last.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
As always, What We’re Loving Right Now only recommends products we genuinely use, adore, and would gift to our own best friends. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission — the kind that helps us keep sharing the things we truly love (and never the ones we don’t).