9 Best Ceramic Plates For Sustainable Dinnerware (2024)
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
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 | $64/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. Our Place
Best For | Restaurant-grade plates
Made In | Manufactured by artisans & partners in the US, Thailand, China, India, Morocco & Mexico
Price | $80/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.)
3. Emerson Creek Pottery
Best For | Functional art
Made In | Bedford, Virginia
Price | Starting at $316/set of 4 plates
Emerson Creek Pottery’s handmade stoneware plates will grab everyone’s attention at the dinner table. Crafted by artisans from start to finish at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, these stunning dinner plates serve as both a medium for food creations and pieces of art. No two plates are the same, as Emerson’s craftspeople take meticulous care in formining, glazing, hand-painting and firing each stoneware plate. Besides being chip-resistant, microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe, all plates are lead- and cadmium-free so you can feel good keeping your home healthy and non-toxic. With collective 5 star ratings across Emerson’s dinnerware and other pottery goods, it’s safe to say we’ll be adding this one to our shopping list!
Customer Review | “Beautiful set. I love the look and the practicality for every day use. Being dishwasher safe makes it perfect for everyday use.” – Kathie (Read all reviews.)
Save 15% off when you use code GOODTRADE15 at checkout.
The Good Trade Partner
4. GOODEE
Best For | Global, artisan-crafted styles
Made In | Japan, Egypt
Price | Starting at $100/set of 4 plates
GOODEE is one of our favorite marketplaces for ethically-sourced and artisan-made ceramic dinnerware pieces. 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!
Customer Review | “I purchased four plates to fill a gap in my tableware—I used to own two dessert plates of this size but sadly broke one, and wanted to have nice plates to show off cakes and treats on when friends come over. The palace 160 is a good size for little bites, and it’s beautifully crafted. The plate does have an eggshell-like textured surface and not a glossy one, so take that into account if you’re sensitive to the sound of utensils on certain types of surfaces. Overall, I’m very pleased with this purchase and they’ve been complimented a lot already!” – Vanessa T. (Read all reviews.)
5. 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.)
6. Material
Best For | One-of-a-kind, imperfect plates
Made In | South Korea
Price | $200/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 to come. Hand-finished and made from natural Korean soil, these plates elevate your tabletop, adding a special touch to your daily meals. Besides its focus on quality kitchenware, Material is also committed to giving back to organizations that combat food insecurity for underserved groups.
Customer Review | “These are such beautiful pieces. I’m thrilled with every piece I’ve purchased. You won’t regret purchasing them” – Catherine D. (Read all reviews.)
7. 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 out of Asheville using 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 an even more palatable dish.
Customer Review | “I just purchased 8 plates in lamb’s ear. My 5 year old son dropped one yesterday from about 3 feet to the hardwood floor. The plate came out unscathed. The plates seem to be durable and they are beautiful! I’m phasing out the old and in with the new!” – Melissa J. (Read all reviews.)
8. Lulu and Georgia
Best For | Variety of styles
Made In | Portugal
Price | Starting at $98/set of 4 plates
Lulu and Georgia is known for its curated home goods, and we’re honing in on their artisan-made stoneware and ceramic plates. These plates, designed by various artists and crafted by artisans — are either imported or made in Portugal — and blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Each piece reflects the brand’s dedication to quality and style, perfect for elevating any dining experience.
Customer Review | “Fantastic customer experience, lulu and Georgia is a responsive and flexible company to work with.” – Amy M. (Read all reviews.)
9. Hawkins New York
Best For | Affordables plates
Made In | China
Price | $58/set of 4 plates
For sustainable ceramics that are as sturdy as they are stylish, Hawkins New York’s Dinnerware collection, found on Food52, is our go-to. The Hawkins team has spent years working with worldwide artisans to craft quality home goods at affordable price points. And these plates are a testament to the team’s values: Made in China, highly functional, and beautifully designed, starting at $58 for a set of 4.
Customer Review | “So beautiful and looks like restaurant quality! Already received so many compliments” – Sarah R. (Read all reviews.)
Featured image by Year & Day
