The 12 best dessert plates - finish off your hosting in style

The 12 best dessert plates help to cap the evening with a serving of something truly stylish, offering not just a sweet treat but a visual one, too

white and pink dessert plates
(Image credit: Target, Our Place, cb2)

Dessert plates are an elegant way to present your favorite sweet treats at the end of a meal. Yet, whether you use a plate or a dessert bowl will depend on the type of dessert you're serving. 

Anything sliced, like a piece of apple pie, pavlova or cheesecake will look best served on a dessert plate, as it will retain its shape, and allow space for a drizzle of cream or sauce. 

The best dinnerware sets usually contain dessert plates. However, if you want to buy extra, or something special, we've scoured the best home decor stores for a round up of the best dessert plates so you can serve sweet treats with style. 

Best bold dessert plates

Best elegant dessert plates

Best rustic dessert plates

Best simple dessert plates

What is the best size for a dessert plate?

Dessert plates in dinnerware sets are often interchangeable with salad or side plates. Formal dining rules have relaxed but there are guidelines based on practicalities.

'Traditionally a 8"-9" diameter is considered a good size for dessert plates,' says Louise Rosie, Head of Design at Wedgwood . 'However, people are becoming increasingly inventive in their use of tableware and a variety of sizes and shapes are now acceptable.'

Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites


A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written  for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.