Beyond Plates and Glasses: Fancy Tableware You’re Probably Missing
We’ve all been there with the standard dinner party setup: nice plates, wine glasses, and silverware. These pieces work because, well, they’re classics for a reason.
Most of us never really venture beyond that safe zone. There are actually tons of amazing tableware out there that could totally change how your dinner parties feel.
Let’s explore some tableware you’re probably missing—but once you see them in action, you’ll want them for your next dinner party.
From copper cutlery to slates, these pieces prove that sometimes the most memorable meals are as much about the experience as the cuisine itself.
Copper Cutlery
Silver and stainless steel will always be classics. But copper cutlery?
That’s a completely different vibe. Copper cutlery is not cold like regular silverware. It actually warms up a bit in your hands while you’re eating.
It has a warmth that makes food look richer and more inviting. It’s especially gorgeous when you’ve got it next to dark plates or those natural stone serving boards.
What makes copper truly captivating is the way it ages. You can keep it super shiny and polished if you want that restaurant look. Another option is to just let it do its thing and develop that weathered patina over time. Either way, it sets the tone: this isn’t your everyday cutlery.
Slate
If porcelain is the white canvas of the table, slate is the bold black frame. It’s raw, textured, and makes everything pop.
Chefs are absolutely obsessed with it because it just makes food look incredible. That dark, matte surface makes light-colored stuff really stand out: creamy cheese, fresh fish, colorful fruit, and delicate seafood for your sushi.
Plus, it’s not just for sushi either. Tapas, charcuterie boards, and desserts all look great when presented on a slate. Each piece of slate has its own natural personality too, which gives off that authentic, handcrafted vibe that matches really good food.
The downside? Slate needs to be sealed so it doesn’t stain. If you’re willing to put in a little extra care, slate will make even your casual dinner look like a curated tasting experience.
Table Barbecues
Think fine dining has to be all hushed tones and tiny forks? Think again.
Table barbecues are where things get fun. You’re basically bringing the grill right to your guests and letting them get in on the action. It’s like dinner and entertainment rolled into one.
Japanese yakiniku and Korean BBQ have been doing this forever, but now fancy restaurants are putting their own spin on it.
Imagine your guests grilling their own slices of Wagyu exactly how they want it. The sounds, the smells, that little bit of smoke, it hits all your senses at once.
What’s really cool about it isn’t just the novelty factor. Your guests actually become part of making their meal. They are choosing the doneness they want, getting the textures just right, and making it exactly how they like it. It feels way more personal and social than just having a plate set in front of you.
For restaurants and chefs, it’s the perfect way to show off really premium stuff. Be it that incredible Wagyu, delicate seafood, or the freshest vegetables.
Who says fine dining can’t be fun? These interactive elements prove that sophistication and playfulness aren’t mutually exclusive.
Metal Displays
Not everything on your table needs to be shiny and delicate. Sometimes the coolest stuff is all about structure and attitude. Regardless of whether it’s brushed steel, bronze, or iron, metal displays bring this raw, almost architectural vibe to your setup.
For example, tiered stands make your appetizers look like they’re on display at a museum. Angular bowls mess with symmetry in the best way. These pieces add serious height and drama, turning what could be a boring flat spread into something that feels like a performance with multiple levels.
Want to know the trick? It’s getting the balance right. You want to pair those tough metals with soft elements like linens or earthy ceramics. That contrast between rough metal and organic textures creates this sophisticated tension that makes your table look intentional.
Podiums
Some dishes are just too good for a regular plate; they need their own stage.
That’s where podiums come in. These stands have become a favorite in Michelin-starred restaurants, and for good reasons.
Want a single oyster to become the star of the show? Or that tiny appetizer or an amuse-bouche?
Try plating them on a podium. It’s basically dining as theater, designed to make you pause before the first bite.
Podiums also help with pacing. When courses come out at different heights, the table feels like a landscape instead of a flat surface. It’s artful, fun, and it makes your table look like it belongs in a design magazine.
Here are the other reasons why podiums elevate the dining experience:
- Create focus: When something’s raised up, you can't help but look at it as if it’s an instant centerpiece material.
- Add drama: Dining becomes theater, with each course presented like a performance.
- Enhance pacing: Different heights create rhythm and flow across multi-course meals.
- Support storytelling: Every dish feels like a chapter in the chef’s narrative.
- Blend form and function: Materials like marble, steel, or wood add texture while staying minimal.
- Boost presentation value: Elevated plating photographs beautifully and is perfect for social media moments.
Glass Trays
Glass trays are seriously underrated. They might not be trying to be stars like copper cutlery or slate, but they just quietly let your food do all the talking.
Their transparency makes them work with literally everything. Use them for delicate desserts layered like sculptures, seafood served on crushed ice, or even for molecular gastronomy creations that need a clean, modern stage.
You can also throw in some edible flowers or those cool smoke effects, and suddenly your glass tray is part of the whole performance.
Going for a minimal or rustic dinner theme? A good glass tray fits into any vibe you’re going for. They work with everything. It just gives you this clean, unobtrusive platform that lets your ingredients be the stars.
Perhaps most importantly, glass trays photograph like crazy. All that light and reflection create shots that solid plates just can’t match. In our social media age, that’s not exactly a small thing. They’re basically the perfect frame for your food art.
Soup Terrines
In haute cuisine today, soup terrines are being reimagined as both cookware and presentation pieces. Whether you’re doing a classic consommé, some hearty vegetable stew, or a fancy seafood bisque, it’s the perfect size and shape for communal dining.
What’s really great about soup terrines is how they create this sense of abundance and togetherness. Instead of individual bowls, everyone’s serving themselves from this beautiful centerpiece. The modern versions, usually gorgeous porcelain or stoneware, keep that old-world hospitality vibe but with clean, contemporary lines.
A good soup terrine looks amazing sitting in the middle of your table. It signals comfort, generosity, and that you actually care about the whole experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most unique tableware material?
Copper and slate are definitely standouts. They both bring this texture and depth that your regular porcelain or steel just can’t touch.
Can I mix modern and traditional tableware?
Absolutely. Actually, that’s where things get interesting. Pairing sleek copper cutlery with a classic soup terrine or throwing in some glass trays creates this balance that makes your table look thoughtfully put together.
Are table barbecues practical for home dining?
Definitely, compact table grills are made for indoor use, so you can bring that fun interactive restaurant vibe right into your own dining room.
How do you style a dinner table with podiums and displays?
Mix it up with podiums or metal stands to get some height going, throw in slate or glass pieces for contrast, and keep your linens pretty neutral so your food stays the main attraction.
Why use a soup terrine instead of individual bowls?
It turns the whole serving thing into this shared moment. Aside from this, it looks dramatic sitting there in the center and keeping everything warm.
What are table complements in fine dining?
Table complements include butter dishes, sauce boats, and salt cellars. These are the small details that complete the dining experience.
What’s the difference between a terrine and a soup terrine?
A terrine is that rectangular mold you use for making layered dishes like pâtés. A soup terrine is more like a fancy serving bowl. It’s designed to hold and present soups or stews in a really elegant way.
Achieve a Fancy Dining Experience with Catalonia Plates
At Catalonia Plates, all our fancy tableware pieces are meant to inspire something. So, the next time you’re setting the table, consider adding one of these overlooked gems into the mix. Who knows? Your dinner party might just end up feeling like a Michelin-starred evening.
