When it comes to hosting a dinner party, the meal provided is going to be the star of the show. But don’t forget the unsung hero of the evening: the humble dinner plate. Today, tablescaping has become a multi-course event. The process involves exhibiting one’s favourite dinnerware and serveware, with a couple of tapered or scented candles flickering in the middle of the table. The dinner plate is the glue that ties all the pieces together, setting the tone for the evening. Whether they match or not no longer matters.
Whether you’re a fan of sleek minimalist design, rustic charm, or something that screams “I’m here for a good time”, the right dinner plate can make all the difference.
We’ve found the best dinner plates in New Zealand that’ll add some personality to your dining table and serve some serious style.
2025’s best dinner plates NZ
- The best maximalist dinner plates (here’s why)
- The best minimalist dinner plates (here’s why)
- The best nature-inspired dinner plates (here’s why)
1. The best maximalist dinner plates
Charlie Bears Labyrinth Plate
$119.99, at Mighty Ape
This intricate dinner plate is part of Charlie Bears’ 2024 Home Collection, created to celebrate the launch of the brand’s Labyrinth Collection. Inspired by the cover of the 2024 catalogue, the design features an ornate, maze-like pattern finished in luxurious bronze tones. A true collector’s piece, only 600 plates have been released worldwide.
Benedita Bow Stoneware Dinner Plates, Set of 4
$127.26, at Anthropologie
Serve up the motif of the moment: the bow. The bow has taken its place at the table for a while now, with no sign of slowing down. Each meal will feel like a gift to be unwrapped with these dinner plates.
Seletti Eudossia Dessert Plate
$96.93, at Farfetch
If you came across this plate in a museum, I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised. The New Zealand brand’s collection of plates reflects ancient Western and Eastern ceramic production and combines these to create something truly unique.
Red Stripe Dinner Plate
$44.00, at Kiki Bazaar
Stripes are here to make a statement. Vertical or horizontal? Set on your table or hung on your wall? Or both? Available in three colours, let your personality shine with these dinner plates.
Tropical Dinner Plates, Set of 4
$9.00, at Kmart
For a touch of island paradise at your dining table, these plates set the scene. The set of four includes two plates featuring a central shell design and two adorned with a palm tree, all in coordinating pink and green colourways. Add some wicker placemats and a carafe of mojitos, and you’ll almost feel like you’re on holiday.
Feast Serving Plate Face
$94.00 at ECC
You may be eating like Yotam Ottolenghi, thanks to his super-popular cookbooks, but now you can dine like him, too. The British-Israeli chef has joined forces with Italian artist Ivo Bisignano to design this collection of plates, bowls and serveware. Each piece is meant to invite camaraderie, ensuring every table setting is one of celebration, creativity and togetherness.
2. The best minimalist dinner plates
Luna Dinner Set
$209.00, at Freedom
For those who love organic yet clean lines and soft, muted tones, this is a dinner set for you. The glaze matte finish on the speckled clay body provides that natural feel, and due to artisanal technique, no two pieces are the same. The set includes four dinner plates, four side plates and four bowls, perfect for a three-course meal among friends.
Spice Dinner Plates
$85.00 (set of 4), at Our Place
These dinner plates are designed to hold every generous serving, making them perfect for celebratory meals. Crafted from durable, chip-resistant ceramic stoneware and finished with a glossy glaze, these pieces offer restaurant-grade quality that elevates the dining experience. Available in four colours, including terracotta, spice, char and steam.
Culinary Co Armada Dinner Plate
$6.60, at Spotlight
For an affordable yet timeless way to elevate your dinner table, this plate from Spotlight is hard to beat. Its sleek, modern design brings effortless style to everyday dining, while its sturdy construction ensures it will remain a staple in your collection for years to come.
Les Mains Dinner Plate
$119.08, at Maison Balzac
The iconic Australian brand is well known for its hand design, which they’ve used throughout numerous collections. The hand motif symbolises the work behind selecting and assembling a meal and sharing it with friends and family. This dinner plate is made of crisp porcelain and is also available in a white and beige colourway.
Paris Croissant Plate
$41.95, at The Iconic
I love a plate that reveals the details the more you eat. Featuring an exquisite illustration of a flakey, buttery croissant, fresh out of the oven, you’ll be asking for seconds as soon as you’ve finished your déjeuner. Crafted from porcelain, these plates are durable enough for everyday use.
Tierra Dinner Plate
$19.95, at Freedom
Are you going for relaxed beachy chic or a simple country vibe? Whatever it is, the Tierra Dinner Plate is ready for all occasions. Its perfectly imperfect surface appears one-of-a-kind, adding texture and depth to your home.
Stoneware Dinner Plate
$43.00, at Le Creuset
Le Creuset will always be here to brighten up your kitchen. And when we say always, we mean always. Their products are known for their longevity, so grandkids will be bringing these out at their future dinner parties. Crafted to perfection from specialist clays, strong, durable, and a pop of colour, what more could you want?
Roman Large Plate (Set of 4)
$136.00, at Acme
For those not looking for a bold statement, yet happy to dip their toes in the world of colour, this Kawakawa green is the best first step. Also available in a milk-white, mix and match them to set a standout table.
Akira Dinner Plate
$39.99, at Nood
This stylish sage green brings a warm and natural vibe to the table. Pair with other pieces in the range for a cohesive look, or pair it with neutrals to lean into the organic colour palette.
Halo Dinner Plate
$44.00, at Citta
The Halo collection at Città brings understated elegance to the table. With gentle curves, a flared lip that creates its signature “halo” rim, and a matte glaze that adds depth, these dinner plates feel perfectly at home in any setting. Hand-finished in a family-owned pottery in Portugal, the versatile range is designed to be mixed, matched, and enjoyed every day.
3. The best dinner plates inspired by nature
Capri 2.0 Blue Dinner Plate
$47.03, at The Iconic
You may not be dining on the Italian Riviera, but serving a generous portion of pasta puttanesca on these gorgeous plates is almost the next best thing. The design of these plates is hand-drawn, elevating your tablescape.
Armidale Round Plate
$29.95, at Freedom
This solid acacia wood design is sure to make a statement at your dinner table. The natural beauty brings a rustic flair, perfect for everyday or special occasions. Due to its durability and aesthetic, you’ll want to have it on display at all times, so double it as a fruit bowl or serving platter.
Mushroom Ceramic Plate
$48.55, at Anthropologie
Bring nature to the table, not only with fresh fruit and vegetables, but also with your ceramics. The Terrain collection, available at Anthropologie, features reproductions of illustrations by Anna Maria Hussey, created in the 1840s. Hussey, an acquaintance of Charles Darwin and an avid fungi enthusiast, captured the intricate beauty of mushrooms in her work. Each plate is ceramic, and both microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
Avignon Dinner Plate
$21.95, at Bed Bath N’ Table
The Avignon dinner range from Bed Bath N’ Table evokes the romantic charm of the French countryside. Its timeless green botanical design would look just as chic in your grandma’s cottage as it would in a five-star restaurant. Complete the set with the Avignon side plates, bowls and tea cups.
Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plate
$69.00, at Homestead
These iconic Bordello Pinheiro cabbage plates are ones to treasure for years. Whether they sit on the table as dinner plates, are used to serve your fresh salads, or are hung on the wall, these hand-painted cabbage plates are a must-have in any homewares collection.
An alternative to dinner: How to create a decorative plate wall
If your dinner plates are simply too beautiful to eat off, why not create a decorative plate wall? There are two primary methods for attaching plates to the wall. The first option is the Safe N Sure Invisible Plate Hanger Disc. This is a large sticker that attaches to the back of the plate and allows you to hang it from a wall hook. The second is the Safe N Sure Spring Hanger, which has an adjustable spring-loaded rack that can fit a range of plate sizes.
No matter which method you choose, make sure you get a plate holder that is appropriate for the weight and diameter of the plate – accidents can happen!
Where should I hang decorative plates in my house?
There are no rules. Your kitchen is the obvious choice but try above a door frame, your home office, your stairwell or your bathroom – wherever you find the wall space. You can easily switch them out with your dining plates as they’re so easy to hang.
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