Tag Elevate

I feel blessed to live in the era of the grazing board. Nothing warms the soul quite like the sight of fruits, jams, nuts, crackers, and cured meats arranged just so. But even the most stunning cheeseboard would be nothing without the perfect serving board literally backing them up. When it comes to setting a table and displaying a spread that’s sure to wow your guests, nothing does it quite like these 11 best serving boards.

Ahead, we gathered 10 of the very best serving boards available now, from slate-black beauties to suit a modern charcuterie lover to rustic slabs that look like heirlooms. We’ve also included a few boards that could easily double as a display piece when you’re not entertaining.

How to Create a Killer Charcuterie Board

Before we dive deep into the best serving boards, we’re happy to share the charcuterie-creating wisdom we’ve garnered over the years. In need of a beginner-friendly holiday charcuterie board? We have a guide for that. We also have top-tier tips for a fall grazing board, a board that has baked Brie as its centerpiece, and for how to make a charcuterie board on a budget. Want to impress Italian relatives or in-laws? Chef Erind Halilaj, Austinite and bonafide Italiano, can help with that. Don’t worry—we have you, and your board, covered.

The Best Serving Boards of 2023 for Every Style

In addition to style, weight was another consideration (we like our boards on the heavier side), as was the quality of the material used (fancy cheese deserves the best).

Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

The Best Classic Board: Casa Zuma Gathering Board

Handmade in Seattle from oak wood, this hardworking board (available in two sizes) clocks in at one inch thick, making it supremely durable and satisfyingly heavy. When it’s not hosting a spread, it also doubles as a stylish display piece.

The Best Artistic Board: Berea College Intersections Charcuterie Board

Handmade with natural wood by crafts program students at Berea College, each board, sold exclusively at Design Within Reach, is truly a work of art. 

The Best Black Board: Crate & Barrel Tondo Ebonized Rectangle Serving Board

For modern cheese lovers, nothing ups the serving sexiness factor quite like a slate-back board made of ebonized acacia.

The Best Serving Board for Picnics: Serena & Lily Beachside Serving Board

Whitewashed mango wood, a charming dip-dye finish, and a useful leather handle allow this serving board to double as a decorative accent when it’s not at picnics on the beach.

The Best Melamine Board: Le Cadeaux Cheese Board

Le Cadeaux’s stylish dinnerware looks and feels like ceramics sourced from travels around the Mediterranean, but that’s the magic. The beautiful works are actually made of sturdy—and practically unbreakable—melamine.

The Best Reclaimed Wood Board: Casa Zuma Harvester Board

For a more patina’d look, this distinct board uses thoughtfully-sourced mango wood, an incredibly strong material that just gets better with age (and the occasional jam stain).

The Most Whimsical Board: Areaware Serving Friends Board

For a more playful approach to serving, this beech wood cutie has a small, circular indented center that’s perfect for a ramekin.

The Most Utilitarian Board: Casa Zuma Mango Wood Serving Platter

Charcuterie or not—you’ll want to have this handsome solid mango serving board forever on display. Thankfully, the platter’s raised edges make it a perfect catchall to keep on the counter.

The Best Olivewood Board: Sur La Table Italian Olivewood Slice Serving Board

This rustic board made with luxurious olivewood looks like it’s been passed down for generations.

The Best Glass Serving Board: Pottery Barn Slab Glass Cheese Board

We love how natural and earthy the recycled slab glass looks—a slick subversion of the typical wood charcuterie board. Clocking in at eight pounds, it’s a substantial piece, but it lets your food and tablescape shine.

The Best Oversized Board: Casa Zuma Large Vintage Wood Board

A great serving board is a solid background player, but Casa Zuma’s collection of oversized vintage boards command center stage. Thoughtfully collected across the European countryside (some are more than a century old), each board is a one-of-a-kind beauty with a story you’ll contribute to.

Whether you’re setting the table for morning brunch or looking for a WFH sidekick, a well-loved mug is a must. I love a mug with sentimental value, but I’ve often found that the best coffee mugs—the ones you’ll hand wash daily just to keep them in rotation—have one of two things in common: they look (and feel) great in your hands and they’re excellent at regulating temperature.

But there are a few more details that can elevate a mug from good to favorite. Durability is crucial (being dishwasher safe is a non-negotiable in our book) as is a sense of pride (supporting a sweet story or noteworthy pottery studio can make all the difference in your morning routine).

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

The Best Coffee Mugs

Ahead, we’ve rounded up a variety of unique coffee cups that check nearly every box, from gorgeous hand-thrown ceramics to double-walled glass mugs and battery-powered beauties. Whether you’re an aesthete, an iced coffee devotee, or identify as both, there’s a go-to glass for everyone.

Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

The dining table sits at the heart of every home. Family-favorite dishes blend seamlessly with the evening’s conversation, and the tablescape—however you choose to set it—is the foundation upon which all of these flavors, stories, and connections unfold. Of course, the best dinnerware sets are a crucial piece of the puzzle. They mix function with craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal, helping your well-loved recipes shine.

With so much riding on this element of the table, it’s important to select a dinnerware set you’ll be excited to use for years to come. Whether you’re a hosting maven or save your gatherings for special occasions, you’ll find a set fit for your lifestyle and entertaining approach. From classic and clean to contemporary charm, there are options for everyone. Ahead, discover the best dinnerware sets for every style and occasion.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Why We Love It: You have all you need with this style-inclined, five-piece set. With the brand’s signature Breakfast Bowl, Everyday Bowl, Cake Plate, Side Plate, and Dinner Plate, no element is missing. While decidedly chic, the set is far from fussy. Instead, the look blends rustic elegance with a well-worn appeal. Handmade in Asheville, North Carolina, you can expect unique character and a one-of-a-kind look in each piece.

• Set Includes: Breakfast Bowl, Everyday Bowl, Cake Plate, Side Plate, and Dinner Plate
• Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Color options: Black Mountain, Blue Ridge, Eggshell, Panna Cotta, Morel, Amaro

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Why We Love It: Some dinnerware sets are finicky and overly formal. Instead, this set, with its kiln-fired build and earthy palette, bridges the gap between special occasion and everyday use. With its wabi-sabi design and perfectly imperfect charm, it’s our go-to for weeknight dinners as well as gatherings (where the set is sure to garner plenty of compliments). Handmade in Mexico with one-of-a-kind charm, this set, as reiterated by the name, will quickly become a household essential.

• Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, and Pasta Bowl
• Care: Dishwasher safe
• Color options: Matte speckled white glaze

Why We Love It: When you’re looking for an outdoor dinnerware set, the first thought is durability. Of course, you want something to stand up to the elements as well as the transfer from the kitchen to the outdoor dining table. But oftentimes, when it comes to dinnerware sets that stand up to the test, they fall short on style. Thankfully, West Elm delivers a true unicorn dinnerware collection with this affordable, high-style set. This modern take on melamine features rimmed plates to keep any potential spill contained. What’s more, with a variety of colors to choose from, you’re welcome to coordinate a bright, summery mix of hues that’ll infuse any picnic with joy. Bonus: Right now, the set’s on sale.

• Set Includes: Set of 16 includes four of each: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Pasta Bowl, and Cereal Bowl
• Care: Dishwasher safe
• Color options: Stone White, Silver Pine, Pink Grapefruit, Turquoise

Why We Love It: Enamelware evokes a certain vintage charm that’s easy to weave into any aesthetic. The colored rims and white surface are crisp and clean, letting you set a streamlined table or serving as the foundation for a more maximalist interpretation. If you’d like to take the latter route, I love the Americana feel of pairing this set with a checkered tablecloth and a scattering of bud vases filled with ranunculus. And while other enamelware sets can scratch easily, these plates, bowls, and mugs are virtually scratch-proof, letting them stay in pristine condition for years to come.

• Set Includes: Set of 16 includes four of each: Dinner Plates, Salad Plates, Cereal Bowls, and Mugs
• Care: Dishwasher and oven safe
• Color options: Blue, Black, Gray, Red

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Why We Love It: For those who dream of a dinnerware set that does it all, we’ve found your answer. This three-piece set is a conversation starter in and of itself. (And paired with party-ready recipes, it’s perfection.) If romanticizing your routines is top of mind, simply enjoy your morning avocado toast or a lunchtime grain bowl in one of these pieces. With their handmade beauty and one-of-a-kind appeal, each element is sure to spark joy, no matter what’s on the menu.

• Set Includes: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, and Pasta Bowl
• Care: Dishwasher safe
• Color options: Glazed in variegated tones of grey with amber accents

Why We Love It: When you’re entertaining larger groups, it’s important to have backup dinnerware available at your fingertips. This affordable, 12-piece set gives you plenty of bang for your buck. And where other cheaper options lack quality material and build, these pieces boast a smooth texture and modern, rimmed shape that feel far more expensive than their accessible price point. A word to the wise: stock up—these plates are every hostess’ secret weapon.

• Set Includes: Includes four of each: dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls
• Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Color options: White