Specialty Plates

Specialty Commercial Plates: What You Need to Know

Our specialty plates category holds a variety of unique dishes that don't fit neatly anywhere else. You'll find creative, strange, and wonderfully interesting dinnerware here to spark your imagination and liven up your table setting. With these distinct plates, you're free to go a little wild and create intriguing visual displays with your favorite menu items.

These plates come in an even wider variety of materials and styles than mainstream plates do, so we'll go over the most common materials so you know what to expect from your new plate. Shaped plates provide interesting backgrounds that improve the aesthetic of your menu items, and bright colors can liven up a subtle spread.

Common Questions About Specialty Plates

What materials are these plates made of?

Material can be the factor that differentiates a specialty plate from a mundane plate. From stairstep wooden plates to aluminum with a brushed zebra design, specialty restaurant plates can be made of a variety of materials. Melamine, ceramic, aluminum, and natural wood or bamboo are among the most popular.

Melamine is used to make many unique plates because it can be shaped and colored in interesting ways. This type of plastic is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean, making it a dinnerware favorite among restaurateurs. You can find melamine plates in all sorts of designs, including floral borders, bright accents, and artistic renditions of fish, plants, or other subjects. Melamine is also great for making unique shapes. We carry melamine plates in the shape of boats for use with any maritime foods, and we also carry plates shaped and patterned to resemble leaves. Even delicate shapes, such as the leaves, will be safe for use in a commercial dishwasher. These features make melamine a great choice for many establishments – however, it does not have the same weight and texture as stoneware.

Ceramic is more expensive than melamine, but it brings a handmade, classy feel to your establishment. Ceramic cannot be shaped in the same creative ways melamine can, so there are fewer options in this category. Large ceramic pieces are either heavy or fragile, and you'll need to handle them with care regardless.

Metals such as aluminum are popular for specialty commercial plates as their shine and texture make for engaging displays that contrast well with popular menu items. Depending on the finish of a metallic plate, you may or may not be able to clean it in a commercial dishwasher. Consult the product specifications page for the plate to determine how best to clean it.

How should I choose a specialty plate?

The first thing to consider is how you want to use your plate. Is there a specific menu item that you want to present in a unique way, or do you want to use it as part of a front-of-house display? If the plate will be purely for display, you don't have to worry about functionality and can choose any plate that catches your eye. If your customers will be eating off the plate, you'll have to consider its texture, ensure it fits on your tables, and be able to completely sanitize it.

Next you'll need to determine how many plates you'll need. If you're serving a popular item on them, you'll want multiple plates available at any given time. We sell many specialty plates in sets of one or two dozen, either of which would be a cost-effective solution. Again, if you plan on using the plates as a display, you may only need one or two of them, which can save you money while still creating an eye-catching culinary showcase.