Dinnerware vs Tableware: What's the Difference?
Setting up a dining table can feel more complicated than it needs to be. Dinner plates, side plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, and serving pieces all have their place, but what counts as dinnerware, and what does tableware include?
The simple answer is that dinnerware generally refers to the dishes used to serve and eat food, while tableware is a broader term that can include dinnerware, cutlery, drinkware and other table-setting pieces.
Knowing the difference makes it easier to work out what you actually need, whether you're setting up your first home, replacing old pieces or creating a dining collection you'll enjoy using.
What is Dinnerware?
Dinnerware refers mainly to the dishes used to serve food.
This can include:
- Dinner plates
- Side plates
- Bowls
- Pasta bowls
- Serving dishes
- Platters
- Specialty plates
A good dinnerware collection gives you the foundation for everyday meals, from a quick weeknight dinner to a table set for guests.
The dinnerware and crockery range includes hundreds of options from brands such as Bonna, Noritake, Villeroy and Boch, Bauscher, Revol and Royal Bone China.
What is Tableware?
Tableware is a wider category.
It can include your dinnerware as well as:
- Cutlery
- Drinkware
- Serving pieces
- Salt and pepper sets
- Tea and coffee pieces
- Other items used when serving and enjoying a meal
Think of it this way:
- Dinnerware = mainly dishes.
- Tableware = the wider collection used to set and serve the table.
That means you can have beautiful dinnerware but still need cutlery, glasses and serving pieces to complete the table.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Understanding the difference helps when you're shopping because you can build your collection around how you actually eat.
If you're starting from scratch, you might begin with:
- Dinner plates
- Side plates
- Bowls
- Cutlery
- Drinkware
Then add serving dishes, platters and specialty pieces as you need them.
You don't have to buy everything at once. Start with the pieces you'll use most often and build from there.
Choosing the Right Dinnerware for Everyday Meals
Your everyday crockery should be practical enough for regular meals while still looking good on the table.
Think About Your Plates
Dinner plates are usually the main starting point, but side plates and smaller dishes can make a setting more versatile.
For example, Villeroy and Boch currently offers options including Villeroy and Boch MetroChic Creamer and Villeroy and Boch Fre.Gar.Fleur Flat plate 26cm.
Don't Forget Bowls
Bowls are useful for much more than soup.
Depending on your cooking style, you might want:
- Soup bowls
- Pasta bowls
- Rice bowls
- Deep bowls
- Serving bowls
The current range includes dedicated pasta bowls such as the Villeroy and Boch Vapiano Pasta Bowl Set 2 pcs and NewWave Pasta Plate 28cm.
Consider a Dinnerware Set
If you're replacing several pieces at once, a crockery set can be a convenient starting point.
Current options include Noritake dinner settings for four and Villeroy and Boch sets, including the Crafted Breeze Dinner Set 4pcs and Royal Set of Plates 12pcs.
A set also makes it easier to create a coordinated look without matching individual pieces yourself.
Featured Dinnerware
- Bauscher Purity Oval Dish 160x120mm 500ml – A compact oval dish suited to serving sides, appetisers, smaller portions and individual dishes.
- Bauscher Purity Asymmetric Dish – A contemporary asymmetric design that adds visual interest while providing a practical serving option.
- Patra Round Bowl Deep 140mm Nova (3114) – A versatile deep bowl for sides, desserts, smaller dishes and everyday serving.
- Villeroy & Boch Toy's Delight Set of Plates 8pcs – A decorative plate set that brings a classic, festive touch to everyday meals and special occasions.
Complete Your Table with Cutlery
Once you've chosen your dinnerware, cutlery is the next practical step.
A coordinated set can make the whole table feel more finished, while different finishes and designs let you match your crockery's style.
The current cutlery sets collection includes Tablekraft, Villeroy and Boch and other brands, with options ranging from everyday sets to more formal designs.
For a simple setup, look for a set that includes the everyday essentials:
- Dinner forks
- Dinner knives
- Spoons
- Teaspoons
Add Drinkware for the Finishing Touch
Tableware isn't complete without something to drink from.
Depending on your routine, you might want:
- Water glasses
- Wine glasses
- Beer glasses
- Tumblers
- Coffee cups
- Tea cups
This is where your personal style can really come through. You can keep your plates simple and add interest with distinctive glassware, or choose drinkware that complements your dinnerware collection.
Don't Forget Serving Pieces
If you regularly cook for family or guests, serving pieces can make a noticeable difference.
Platters, serving bowls and smaller dishes give you somewhere to present food before it reaches everyone's plate.
The Bonna range, for example, includes flat platters, coupe dishes and other serving pieces alongside its plates and bowls.
This is a useful next purchase once you've covered your everyday dinnerware because it helps turn a basic table setting into a more complete setup.
Dinnerware vs Tableware: What Should You Buy First?
If you're building your collection gradually, start with the pieces you use every day.
For dinnerware:
- Dinner plates
- Side plates
- Bowls
- Pasta or specialty plates if needed
For wider tableware:
- Cutlery
- Drinkware
- Serving dishes
- Platters
- Tea and coffee pieces
You can then add more specialised pieces as your cooking and entertaining habits grow.
How to Keep Your Dinnerware Looking Good
Good dinnerware is made to be used, not hidden away.
A few simple habits can help keep your collection looking its best:
- Follow the manufacturer's care instructions.
- Avoid stacking delicate pieces too heavily.
- Use suitable serving utensils to reduce scratching.
- Check whether individual pieces are dishwasher or microwave safe before use.
- Store less-used serving pieces carefully.
If you've invested in a coordinated set, looking after individual pieces also makes it easier to keep the collection together for years to come.
What Else Can Complete Your Dining Setup?
Once you've covered dinnerware, cutlery and drinkware, think about the pieces that make meals easier to serve.
A few quality serving dishes and utensils can be a useful addition, particularly if you regularly host family dinners or friends.
And if you're upgrading your kitchen at the same time, cookware, kitchen knives and other everyday essentials can help bring the whole cooking and dining setup together.
Ready to Refresh Your Table?
Dinnerware and tableware aren't exactly the same, but they work together to create a table that's practical, coordinated and enjoyable to use.
Start with quality dinnerware, add the cutlery and drinkware you use every day, then build your collection with serving pieces that suit the way you entertain.
Explore the full dinnerware and tableware range and find pieces that make everyday meals feel a little more special.
