Bread Plates

Commercial Bread Plates: What You Need to Know

Bread and butter plates are used to serve any item shared between all guests at a given table, with bread being a very common choice. These little plates are usually stationed on a table before guests even sit down, becoming a permanent fixture of your guests' first impression of the meal, so finding the right aesthetic is important. Restaurant bread plates come in various styles, colors, and materials, so you can find a set that adds to your existing decor.

Melamine is one of the most common choices for all dinnerware, including bread plates, but stoneware – such as ceramic and porcelain – is also very popular. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, but choosing the right one can elevate the aesthetic of your dining room.

Common Questions About Bread Plates

What materials are bread plates made of?

Bread and butter plates are made of many different materials, but the most common are melamine, ceramic, and porcelain. Operators should choose a material based on the way they want customers to perceive their meals, with casual establishments leaning towards melamine and ceramic, while fine dining establishments opt for porcelain.

Melamine is a type of plastic that has become incredibly popular in foodservice for its durability, versatility, and low cost. Melamine bread plates can be any color, shape, or style and withstand high-volume use for a long time. Like every other material, eventually it chips, breaks, or otherwise degrades, but melamine provides a great return on investment compared to some other options. Commercial bread plates get a lot of use because many establishments use them for every customer that sits down, so choosing a material that lasts is vital. However, melamine might not be the best choice for upscale dining. Melamine does not have the same weightiness as stoneware and doesn't present the same level of sophistication to your guests. It also cannot be used in a microwave.

Stoneware, which includes ceramics and porcelain, is a step up from melamine on the classiness scale. Midscale and fine dining establishments will want to look at these more traditional plates as a way to improve their guests' perceptions of the table settings. If your guests observe high-quality settings, they'll be content with higher prices, which can generate more revenue overall. Porcelain is a fully vitrified ceramic, which means it doesn't absorb liquids or stains over the course of use. Porcelain bread plates are white, semi-translucent, and among the more expensive materials, so most casual establishments will want a cheaper type of plate.

How can I sanitize my bread plates?

If you use a three-compartment sink for warewashing, almost all commercial bread plates will fit right in with your existing process. However, if you use a commercial dishwasher, you'll want to verify your new plates won't be damaged by the heat or chemicals. Most of our plates are safe to use in a commercial dishwasher, but you should consult the product specifications page for the pieces you're considering to make sure.