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For sides, salads and big roast dinners.
Every home needs at least one serving platter. How else are you going to show off your signature dish the way it deserves?
These versatile pieces have a wealth of uses throughout the kitchen, dining room and beyond; both functional (those desserts won't serve themselves) and aesthetically pleasing: a big centrepiece in the middle of the table is always a talking point at parties.
Very big plates (those over 35cm in length or diameter) will probably end up reserved for larger events where you're serving up a turkey with all the trimmings or a similarly impressive showstopper. But keeping one or two medium-sized dishes (25-35cm in length/diameter) in your crockery arsenal can be handy for day-to-day meals.
Piling your culinary masterpiece onto a platter not only makes for a prettier tablescape, but it can also encourage everyone to sit and eat together, rather than taking their plate to the sofa.
Obviously, you can dish up anything you like on a serving platter. Big salads, pasta and rice dishes work well as sharing-style plates, or you can use one for meats or fish and a second for sides.
If you want to try your hand at making a TikTok-style charcuterie board, you'll definitely need one, and wooden options also work especially well as cheeseboards.
In fact, a lot of the serving platters we've featured here don't need to be limited to your kitchen. Smaller options designed for sides also work well as trinket dishes, candle holders and key trays, so you can repurpose them for your bedroom, hallway and bathroom, rather than resigning them to a drawer when not in use.
We've rounded up our favourite serving platters on the high street to buy now and love forever — whether they're used for big family breakfasts, Christmas dinners at home, or just to decorate your coffee table.
This large floral plate is a great option for serving cakes or canapés to your guests, and would be ideal for an afternoon tea celebration. There are matching bowls and plates available, but it's also suitable for a permanent place in your decor; a home for your keys, jewellery or other bits and bobs.
This muted, rustic option has come to Soho Home straight from an artisan workshop near Florence, so you know you're getting something authentic without having to squeeze any ceramics into your suitcase.
Inspired by waves and gently rippling water, this beautiful piece will make a wow-factor centrepiece for your dining table. It'd work well as a dish for dainty canapés and desserts, but we don't think we could bear to keep this in a cupboard when not in use; it's a clear decorative piece in its own right for a deserving cabinet or shelf.
Don't put anything richly spiced or coloured on this as it will stain the marble, but if you want a smart cheeseboard or have been trying your hand at styling a pretty charcuterie, this will be ideal. If not, it can be used in the bathroom to hold a candle and your essentials or corral jewellery and hair accessories on your dressing table.
Serving up olives, hummus and breads on boards makes proceedings at dinner parties feel a little more elegant. This mini acacia wood platter is a great size for your mezze and can be hung on the wall afterwards, adding a little rustic charm to your kitchen when not in use.
This cheery octopus has been painstakingly hand-sponged onto BlissHome's vibrant serving platter, which is striking with blue and white colouring. That's just as well, as this is one of our largest finds — it'll make a lovely statement centrepiece at big family get-togethers.
For something that's going to work with all schemes, some quality white crockery will never let you down. Pearly edges make this handmade Portuguese serving platter a little more interesting to the eye, and there are matching items available.
This is the largest platter in our round up, so if you've got a big bash coming up, this pretty piece is for you. It'll fit a roast chicken or beef joint in the centre with space to spare for veg and potatoes.
Marble and mango wood is a combination we like. These pretty boards come in two sizes so you can serve up antipasti and breads on one with a side of cheese and grapes on the other. You could also use them as chopping boards, although we think they may be a little too smart for that!
This iconic dish is best used for roasting, but it's also great for serving up your finest creations straight from the oven. In one of Le Creuset's latest colourways, Rhone, this rich red wine hue is not only on-trend right now but also a safe bet for the future: this deep berry red isn't going anywhere.
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