9 Best Sustainable Dinnerware Brands For Ceramic Plates
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We’ve researched and tested ceramic plates from our favorite sustainable brands— these are our top picks for durability, safety, sustainability, and design.
When choosing dinnerware from big-box retailers, what looks like a sturdy plate may actually be made from easily broken tempered glass or, worse, plastic. But if you’re looking to invest in your next set of plates, we recommend looking at ceramics. Not only are ceramics durable for long-term use, but they’re also made with natural clay.
What to look for when shopping for ceramics:
There are three main types of ceramics: Earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Earthenware is fired at an average of 1950 degrees Fahrenheit (1000+ degrees Celsius), resulting in a hardened look that may need an additional glaze. Stoneware is mid- to high-fired from 2200 to 2350 degrees Fahrenheit (1200 degrees Celsius) with a finished product that will be more durable and waterproof. Porcelain, firing at the highest temp (2400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1300+ degrees Celsius), is often white, shiny, and hardened in appearance. With this in mind, we’ve sourced a few brands offering sustainable ceramic plates so you can upgrade your kitchen thoughtfully.
Our Criteria:
- THOUGHTFUL DESIGN | Each of these home brands prioritizes sustainability and craftsmanship when choosing materials and design.
- DURABILITY | The below brands use the highest quality ceramic materials to ensure your plates will last against wear and tear and stay beautiful, even after many (many!) meals.
- AFFORDABILITY | Ceramic dishes and stoneware are naturally more expensive. We’ve done our best to select brands that balance craftsmanship with accessible pricing.
While you’re at it, check out our guides to recycled glassware and sustainable flatware.
1. Year & Day
Best For | Rimless dinner plates
Made In | Portugal
Price | $70/set of 4 plates
Year & Day’s four core values make this home goods brand stand out from the crowd. By bringing together a thoughtful assortment of table settings, quality materials, direct shipping and transportation, and responsible manufacturing, you’ll experience fine craftsmanship with each use. Designed in California and finished in Portugal, these ceramic dinner plates are elegant, durable and come in an array of colors that are easy on the eyes. Unsure what style of tableware suits your needs? Let Year & Day customize your perfect set with this quiz!
Customer Review | “Ordered more for back up! We love our Y&D large plates. Mixing them with other colors offered makes it fun and elegant to entertain. They wash up beautifully, serve perfectly and are made to last. I use for every day and special occasions, no need to have separate sets. Minimalist and chic. Obsessed” – Pamela B. (Read all reviews.)
2. East Fork
Best For | Locally-made functional plates
Made In | Asheville, North Carolina
Price | $192/set of 4 plates
For handmade modern ceramic plates, we’re eyeing East Fork’s kitchen collection. Made in Asheville from locally sourced clay, these ceramic plates are beloved by potters and home cooks alike. Pick up a cake, side, or dinner plate, and you’ll support this small-batch studio while creating a dish that’s even more palatable.
Our Editor’s Review | “Finished in East Fork’s signature palette of rich, earthy glazes, these pieces stack beautifully, feel substantial in hand, and bring an easy elegance to any table setting. You’ll frequently find me procuring snack plates of either size depending on appetite, and the durability of these plates gives me peace of mind – enough to let my two- and four-year-olds carry their own to the table!” – Kate Arceo, Community Manager [Read the full review.]
3. Etsy
Best For | Vintage, locally-made, & custom dinnerware
Made In | Varies by seller
Price | Varies by seller
Etsy is our go-to online marketplace for finding unique and custom ceramic dinnerware you won’t find anywhere else. One notable shop KJ Pottery, a women-owned small business, specializes in handcrafted ceramic plates made from high-quality earthenware clay. Each plate is customizable with various rim styles and glaze options, and no two are exactly alike, offering a unique touch to your dining experience. Did we mention they’re made to order, too? Support small businesses while elevating suppertime!
Customer Review | “Impeccable quality and so safely packed for the shipping. Gorgeous use of color!” – Jacklyn (Read all reviews.)
4. Our Place
Best For | Restaurant-grade plates
Made In | Manufactured by artisans & partners in the US, Thailand, China, India, Morocco & Mexico
Price | $85/set of 4 plates
Hand-glazed and crafted thoughtfully with ceramic stoneware made from the earth, Our Place has us swooning over its collection of full plates! If you’re short on space, these plates stack beautifully in conjunction with the brand’s other tableware options, Both oven and dishwasher safe, you’ll be going back for these dishes, again and again.
Customer Review | “The dinner plates are sturdy and a beautiful addition to our table top.” – Charles K. (Read all reviews.)
5. Material
Best For | One-of-a-kind, imperfect plates
Made In | South Korea
Price | $240/set of 4 plates
For Material’s co-founders Eunice and Dave, food and community have always been a powerful medium for carrying on their Korean and Vietnamese traditions. With this inspiration in mind, Material’s ceramic plates are tasteful, timeless, and crafted to last for generations. Hand-finished and made from natural Korean soil, these plates elevate your tabletop and add a special touch to your daily meals. Besides its focus on quality kitchenware, Material is also committed to supporting organizations that combat food insecurity among underserved groups.
6. GOODEE
Best For | Global, artisan-crafted styles
Made In | Japan, Egypt
Price | Starting at $196/set of 4 plates
GOODEE is one of our favorite marketplaces for ethically sourced, artisan-made ceramic dinnerware. GOODEE works with companies that share their ethics and values, like heritage craft production and community engagement initiatives, so you know you’ll be getting high-quality one-of-a-kind pieces that give back to local artisans and their surrounding communities. Here you’ll find brands like 1616/Arita Japan and Malaika that handcraft their luxurious dinnerware using porcelain and Egyptian clay (and it’s all dishwasher and microwave-safe). Bring a taste of sophistication to the dinner table!
7. Jenni Kayne
Best For | Chic dinner plates
Made In | Portugal
Price | Starting at $140/set of 4 plates
These stoneware plates from Jenni Kayne are the kind you’ll reach for every single day — durable enough for regular meals but stylish enough to dress up any dinner party. Handcrafted in Portugal, each piece has its own subtle color variations, giving your table a unique, collected feel. Plus, they’re microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe, making them as practical as they are beautiful.
Customer Review | “Beautiful, durable plates that look great on our table and hold up well for everyday use. We’re very happy with this purchase.” – Anne G. (Read all reviews.)
8. Pass the Plate
Best For | Vintage & secondhand dinner plates
Made In | Varies by seller
Price | Varies by seller
Heath Ceramics has partnered with Treet to create their Pass the Plate secondhand marketplace, where you can snag pre-loved dinnerware in great shape. From affordable everyday plates to rare vintage Heath finds, every piece is verified to be in excellent or good condition. It’s a great place to discover beautiful ceramics while also reducing your environmental impact!
9. Made In
Best For | Chip-free dinner plates
Made In | England
Price | Starting at $109/set of 4 plates
Made In‘s dinner plates deliver serious restaurant-level quality but are designed for everyday life at home. Made in Stoke-on-Trent, England (the historic home of the world’s best plateware) they’re crafted from high-alumina vitrified china, which makes them incredibly durable, beautifully smooth, and impressively resistant to chips, stains, and scratches. They’re fully glazed top to bottom, so they stack neatly without scuffing, and they’re tough enough for the oven (up to 580°F), dishwasher, microwave, and freezer. Even better, they’re third-party tested to be free from PFAS, lead, cadmium, BPA, and other harmful materials!
Customer Review | “I love the Made-in table ware. We started with the Entree bowls, and then added the side bowls, and most recently we added the Dinner Plates. We love the look and the durability of this tableware. It is chip resistant and scratch proof. We currently have service for 8, and we will continue to add to our collection.” – Rie (Read all reviews.)
Featured image by Year & Day
