Royal Doulton's Guide to Buying Dinnerware

Choosing the right dinnerware set is all about finding the right items to match the tone of how you like to eat and entertain...

When you envision eating dinner or having a dinner party, the second thought that usually comes to mind (after the food on your plate, of course) is what kind of dinnerware set you’ll be using as the vessel for feeding your friends and family.

Choosing the right dinnerware set is all about finding the right items to match the tone of how you like to eat and entertain; whether it be formal, casual, traditional, contemporary or outdoors.

The bowls, plates, cutlery and accessories you choose as the dinnerware for your home should strike a balance between style and practicality, meaning they should not only suit the aesthetic of your home, but also the way you like to eat.

So, whether you’re choosing dinnerware that is made from bone china, porcelain or another material, we’ve put together an easy dinnerware buying guide so you can decide what you need to have as part of your dinnerware set collection. We’ve also included tips on how to look after your dinnerware properly, to ensure you enjoy it for many years to come.

Porcelain is traditionally made from kaolin - a silicate material that provides plasticity and structure - and pottery stone, which gives the ceramic its translucency and hardness. It has a non-porous surface and is fired at around 1200°C, making it highly durable and resistant to very high temperatures.

Porcelain dinnerware is typically dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe. However, pieces with metallic accents may not be suitable for microwaves, so always check the product description first.

At Royal Doulton, we have been crafting ceramics and porcelain since 1815, so you can trust the quality of our dinnerware. Most pieces across our collections are made from chip-resistant porcelain and are microwave safe and oven safe up to 100°C.

Our favourite porcelain collections include:

• 1815 – A vibrant range of durable, chip-resistant porcelain dinnerware

• Pacific – Rigorously tested porcelain designed to be durable and perfect for everyday use

Stoneware is ideal for everyday family use. Each piece is finished with a special glaze that gives it a smooth appearance and helps protect against chipping.

However, stoneware should not be exposed to extreme heat or freezing temperatures, so it’s important to handle and care for your stoneware dinner sets properly.

Like porcelain, our stoneware dinnerware is microwave safe (unless it features metallic patterns or finishes) and oven safe up to 100°C.

You can browse a wide range of stoneware dinnerware in our popular Gordon Ramsay and Tilly Ramsay collections.

What is bone china?


Bone china is a durable, lightweight, and elegant material made from china
clay, china stone, and bone ash. Traditionally regarded as one of the
highest-quality ceramics for tableware, it combines strength with a delicate
appearance. Its chip-resistant properties make it ideal for both everyday use
and special occasions.


Is bone china microwave safe?


Generally, yes—bone china is microwave safe, like the other materials covered
in this guide. However, this depends on whether the pattern or finish contains
metallic details, so it’s always best to check the product description.


If bone china dinnerware is your material of choice, we recommend exploring
collections from Wedgwood and Royal Albert. Both part of the Fiskars family,
these brands are world-leading manufacturers of bone china dinnerware and teaware, offering a wide range of beautiful patterns and exceptional quality.