Bulk Appetizer Plates

Restaurant Appetizer Plates: What You Need to Know

Appetizer plates are small, lightweight pieces of dinnerware served with appetizers, shared plates, or complimentary starters. Most operators prefer a uniform aesthetic across their dinnerware, so these small appetizer plates are often subtle and unobtrusive. Given that a table may have as many as 12 of these at a time, extreme designs can quickly overpower a table setting.

These plates can be made of many different materials, but melamine, ceramic, and porcelain are the most common. Each material has its pros and cons, which we'll discuss here. You also should consider how you'll use these plates and how to fit them into your existing decor.

Common Questions About Appetizer Plates

What materials are appetizer plates made of?

Melamine, ceramic, and porcelain are the most common materials used in manufacturing starter plates. Melamine is a type of plastic, while ceramic and porcelain are different types of stoneware, with ceramic being a catchall term for non-porcelain stoneware.

Melamine appetizer plates are the most common type in use today. This plastic variant is durable, economical, and can be shaped and colored to match any style, which is why so many restaurateurs opt for it. Melamine appetizer plates are lightweight, so servers can bring many items to a table without being overburdened or risking a spill. On the other hand, such light weight can be seen as lesser quality if you serve it on a table full of heavy stoneware or fine porcelain. Melamine plates cannot be used in a microwave, but they are commercial dishwasher safe.

Ceramic appetizer plates are the next step up in terms of perceived quality. These plates fit well in upscale dining establishments, as well as farm-to-table or other traditional styles. Ceramics can be made at different grades, so not all ceramic plates are dishwasher safe. We recommend consulting the product specification page before making a purchase if you want to ensure your new plates can be washed in your dishwasher.

Porcelain plates are the highest tier of appetizer plate. These fit in best at fine dining and upscale restaurants, where they're accompanied by other porcelain or high-quality dinnerware. Porcelain is a fully vitrified ceramic type, meaning it doesn't absorb flavors or stains. Most porcelain plates are dishwasher and microwave safe, so they're easy to integrate into existing service routines as long as your business can invest in this top-tier material.

How can I maintain small appetizer plates?

Dinnerware always needs to be replaced, as a busy restaurant eventually will scrape, chip, or break the plates in use. Proper maintenance can keep your plates in use as long as possible, maximizing your return on investment. Melamine plates shouldn't be used in a microwave, though they are safe in both high- and low-temp commercial dishwashers. Ceramic and porcelain usually are safe in both microwaves and dishwashers, but double checking is important. Operators can find appetizer plate sets with edge-chip warranties to ensure plates will be replaced without increasing your investment if they chip. KaTom doesn't administer the warranties, though, so you'll need to check the manufacturer's information to learn exactly what it will cover.