Choosing The Right Size Of Crockery Plates

 

You need plates that suit the type of cuisine, presentation style and even portion size of your menu. If you are in the catering business, you know how big of an impact plates can have.

Plates also need to suit a specific purpose: most large plates will not be suitable for starters because the food will look lost in a sea of empty space. Equally, a 6-inch plate will not serve a great main course unless you severely restrict portion sizes. Also, what is a proper dinner plate size is the most common question since it seems that there is a different standard for these nowadays.

So today on our menu: bite-sized guides for all plate sizes that will make you hungry for more. 

 

 

 

Show all our wide range of plates

 

 

Which Size Of Plates Should I Buy?

As such, it's essential to identify the specific purposes which your plate needs to fulfill and then consider the best size to meet those needs. 

As a general rule, sizes follow the pattern set out by our plate size guide below, there are a number of other concerns that you need to take into account when choosing different types of plate.

AGC is here to help you make that perfect table setting. The one that will inspire the appetite of your guest and let them enjoy an aesthetically pleasing setting as well. 

• Dinner plates
• Saucers
• Lunch plates
• Side plates
• Bread and butter plates
• Soup plates
• Desert plates
• Appetiser plates
• Charger plates
• Serving platters/Serving Trays
• Salad plates

Q: Why is choosing the right size of crockery important for meal presentation?

A: Choosing the right size of crockery is essential for meal presentation as it affects how portions appear, enhances the aesthetic appeal of the dish, and ensures that the food is served in a practical and appealing manner.

Dinner Plate Size: A Short Guide For Dinner Plates

Dinner plates are always a focal point of your setting.

Traditionally, a standard dinner plate has a diameter of 250mm (10 inches). In recent years, however, increasing numbers of restaurants have chosen to use larger 280mm or 300mm (11 or 12-inch) plates.

These frequently have wider lips in order to give the same well size as standard plates, but give a wider and more decorative frame. 

This not only better frames the food, but also creates the illusion of a bigger serving, useful when looking at ingredient costs and managing 'cost per cover.

Larger dinner plates are also available for use in carveries, or for the most generous portion sizes.

Saucer Plate 

Most saucers are between 140-165mm in diameter (5½-6½ inches), although this size is generally dictated by your choice of cup or mug.

Often a specific saucer is manufactured to suit a specific cup; the good size will be set to snugly fit the foot of the cup so that the cup doesn't slide around when carried. But they are not just there to add a pop of colour to your table setting, they can be used as miniature plates for small cakes or treats. 

It's essential to check which saucers are suitable for your cups/mugs. Will you be placing biscuits, teaspoons and sugars on your saucer? Try to pick a cup and saucer that will suit your requirements, but also make sure that your saucers suit the size of your other plates.

Lunch Plate Size

Lunch plates typically range in size from 9 to 10 inches. Some lunch plates are even larger, up to 12 inches. The size of your lunch plate will depend on the size of your table and the amount of food you plan to serve. Lunch and dinner plate sizes are similar, they are almost interchangeable. 

Side Plate Size

Side plates are extremely useful and decorative, they can add different colours and textures and turn your ordinary setting into something extraordinary. Although they are called side plates, they can steal the show.

Side plates are generally 140-175mm (6-7 inches in size) and can be used for everything from serving bread before the meal to placing napkins hygienically above the table surface.

Although many restaurants do not use side plates frequently, some diners prefer to use one and many commonly ask for a side plate in order to share food or serve small amounts to children.

If your back-of-house space is limited and you do not use side plates as part of your table setting, starter plates can be used for this purpose. Although typically slightly larger, a seven-inch starter plate will make an excellent compromise between a side and a starter plate.

Bread And Butter Plate

Bread and butter plates are…well, bread and butter of every breakfast table setting. They are not-so-distant cousins of side plates and add even more style options to your table decor. Their size can vary from 6 to 7 inches (15-18 centimeters).

Soup Plate

Soup plates are another essential for every table setting. Creamy and rich soups are something we can’t imagine our lunch without. It is also essential to make a clear distinction between soup plates and soup bowls. 

Soup plates are used in formal events.  Soup plates are mostly 9 to 10 inches in diameter. The rim of the soup plates is approximately 1 to 2 inches wide and 1 ½ inch deep.

Dessert Plate

Dessert plates are typically between 200-250mm (8-10 inches) in size although sometimes certain desserts suit other sizes. Given that most crème brulée is prepared in a 75mm (3 inches) ramekin, it can be challenging to fill or decorate the rest of a 200mm (8 inch) plate. 

Some restaurants, therefore, choose to utilise smaller plates, such as their starter plates, when serving rich, pre-bowled desserts such as crème brulée or panna cotta.

The Appetiser Plates

An appetiser plate is usually the smallest plate on the dining table and is used to serve appetisers and amuse-bouches. These plates are typically four to five inches in diameter and used to display a single, ornate and petite item.

Appetiser plates can also be used as auxiliary plates for disposing of fish bones or teabags due to their small and discreet size. Many restaurants simply use starter plates for either of these purposes.

Charger Plates

Charger plates are typically up to 350mm (14 inches) in diameter and are designed to sit beneath the plate on which food is served. Most chargers are mainly decorative and are not designed to come into contact with food. 

So what is the purpose of charger plates? Well, they are here to take the heat…literally. Charger plates are placed directly underneath the dinnerware. Chargers keep your meal warm while protecting table damage from hot plates and bowls.  

Whilst large dinner plates can double as chargers, it is important to ensure a suitable difference in size between your dinner plate and charger, along with the ability to lift and remove dinner plates easily during service.

Salad Plates

Traditionally, salad plates are between 8 and 10 inches in diameter. They are similar to desert plates but we bet that these guys can offer you some healthier versions of foods. 

Salad plates are usually placed on the table as a side dish for your dinner or before the main course. 

Serving Platters and Serving Trays

Platters are typically the largest crockery items in many restaurants' tableware collections and are used for everything from central service to sharing platters and eating challenges.

Serving platters can be anything from 400 to 500mm in diameter, although storing such large items can be extremely challenging in commercial kitchens, meaning many serving platters are rectangular or oval in order to be easily stored.

Food for Thought…

Have You thought About The Lip Of Your Plate?

The lip is the extended raised outer edge of a plate and can be decorated or patterned in order to make a plate more visually attractive.

Some plates may also have wider rims in order to frame smaller portions of food. This means that when considering the total diameter of your plate, you also need to consider the size of the lip and whether this will affect your food's presentation.

You can also have a very small lip (typically called a 'narrow rim') or no lip at all (typically called a 'coupe' plate), creating a smaller-sized plate that retains a good-sized serving area. This is useful in compact dining spaces where table space is at a premium.

How To Serve A Starter

Starters are generally served on 175-200mm (7-8 inch) plates and the size helps build height into the presentation of relatively small quantities of food. 

Starters often feature central meat or fish items, along with a garnish or accompaniment which should provide contrasting colour and texture, as well as improve the overall presentation. Use your plate size as a guide for the best way to plate your starter.

Starter plates may also be used as salad plates, although designated crescent salad plates are designed to fit snugly close to the dinner plate. Increasing numbers of modern restaurants are also choosing to serve side salads in cups or bowls.

What Is The Well Of A Plate?

The well of a plate or bowl is the central flat surface on which food is served. Plates with a wider lip will therefore have a narrower well, so it's important to get the right balance between well and lip size.

If you want a larger lip size on the main dinner plate, this could mean that the total diameter may need to be bigger than on a standard plate.

FAQs

What Size Plate Should I Use?

When it comes to plate sizes, the options can be overwhelming. But don't worry, we're here to help! Here's a quick guide to choosing the right size plate for your needs.

• If you're looking for a general all-purpose plate, go with a dinner plate that measures about 10-12 inches in diameter.
• For smaller appetites or side dishes, opt for a salad plate that measures around 8 inches in diameter.
• If you're serving up desserts or other small bites, choose a dessert plate that measures about 6 inches in diameter.
• And finally, if you need a really large plate for serving family-style meals or buffet items, choose a charger or service plate that measures about 13 inches in diameter.

What Is A Good Size Dinner Plate?

A dinner plate should be large enough to fit a reasonable amount of food, but not so large that it looks like too much. It should also be the right size for the table and chairs you have.

The average dinner plate is about 10 inches in diameter. But there are many different sizes available, from small plates that are just 6 inches across to large plates that are 12 inches or more.

If you're not sure what size to get, it's always best to err on the side of getting a larger plate. That way, if you have a lot of food, you won't have to worry about it overflowing. And if you don't have much food, you can just put less on your plate and not feel like you're wasting anything.

What Are The Different Sizes Of Plates?

There are a variety of plate sizes available on the market, from small side plates to large dinner plates. Below is a guide to the different sizes of plates that are available:

• Small side plates: These plates are typically used for appetizers or snacks. They are usually around 6-7 inches in diameter.
• Dinner plates: Dinner plates are larger than small side plates, and are typically 9-10 inches in diameter. They can be used for main course meals or salads.
• Chargers: Chargers are larger than dinner plates, and are typically 12-13 inches in diameter. They are often used as decorative pieces, or for serving multiple dishes at once.

What Dinnerware Measures 12 In Diameter?

12 inches in diameter are the perfect size for entrees, side dishes, and appetizers. Plus, they're large enough to accommodate a full meal, but not so large that they're cumbersome to eat from.

So if you're looking for dinnerware that's just right, look for plates that measure 12 inches in diameter. You won't be disappointed.