Entertaining Seasonal Summer Entertaining 16 Best Shatterproof, Durable Dish Sets for a Season of Outdoor Entertaining Look to melamine, acrylic, or bamboo dishware if you're planning any al fresco gatherings. By Rachel Sanoff Rachel Sanoff Twitter Rachel is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines and Nashia Baker Nashia Baker Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams. She has over five years of professional experience and has been a part of the Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings teams for the last 3 years. Editorial Guidelines Published on June 20, 2022 09:00AM EDT Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Courtesy of Pottery Barn Paper plates and plastic cups are staples at backyard barbecues and pool parties, but they don't always feel elevated (and they aren't necessarily eco-friendly). Thankfully, there are ways to make your summer tablescapes look more refined—and help Mother Earth in the process. "You can save the environment while upping the ante on your outdoor dining aesthetic by using melamine," says Liz Curtis, an entertaining expert and the founder of the first rent-the-table service, Table + Teaspoon. "This magical material won't shatter if you drop it on hard outdoor surfaces, and only the most discerning eye will know it's not traditional porcelain." Melamine isn't the only material to look for when shopping for durable, long-lasting outdoor tableware. "My go-to dinnerware for outdoor entertaining is made from natural materials, including bamboo or wood," shares Michiel Perry, the founder of Black Southern Belle, noting that pieces made from both mediums are sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, and shatterproof. To help you prepare for a season of outdoor entertaining, we culled several expert-approved dinnerware sets made from these sturdy materials, which are essentially unbreakable. Scratch-resistant, shatterproof, and lightweight, each selection also has a refined aesthetic. They look sleek enough for your indoor dining room table, but afford you the opportunity to entertain safely and stress-free under the stars—without sacrificing an ounce of style. Shop the Best Shatterproof Dish Sets: West Elm ″Modern Melamine″ Dinner Plate Set Harlem Toile de Jouy x Sheila Bridges Plate Set Martha Stewart 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set Williams Sonoma ″Rustic Outdoor″ Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set MoMA Bamboo Dessert Plates Fable New York Mixed Dish Set Ekobo Bamboo Lunch Set and Tray Latitude Run 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set West Elm Melamine Stone Dinnerware Cabana Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Marrakesh Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Pottery Barn Bamboo Dinnerware Collection Homemade Navy Gingham Melamine Dinner Plate Set Puebla Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Pepper and Vetiver Handmade Acacia Wood Plates Sur La Table Outdoor Melamine Set Stylish Outdoor Entertaining Essentials You'll Use All Summer Long Latitude Run 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Wayfair $32.81, wayfair.com Beautiful purples and pinks evoke summer sunsets when you set the table with this collection from Latitude Run. Shoppers will get four shatterproof melamine dinner plates, salad plates, and cereal bowls in this set. Harlem Toile de Jouy x Sheila Bridges Plate Set Courtesy of Glitterville Studios $54, glitterville.com "When entertaining, it is important to highlight my heritage," Perry says. "Sheila Bridges beautifully showcases Black culture through her Harlem Toile de Jouy design, which is why I love these bright, bold plates—which are made of melamine." Each durable plate features French Toile pastoral motifs reminiscent of those from the late 1700s. West Elm "Modern Melamine" Dinner Plate Set Courtesy of West Elm from $42, westelm.com "Considering a more playful palette this season?" Curtis says. "Designer Aaron Probyn perfectly captures summer with his neon citrus-and-grapefruit-pink-hued plates." Thanks to their light, shatterproof material and pastel colorways, these BPA-free melamine plates are perfect for al fresco dining. Martha Stewart 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Wayfair $39.99, wayfair.com Celebrate summer nights with our founder's dragonfly and floral print dinnerware set. Crafted from melamine, these dishwasher-safe pieces add color to picnic tables and allow for easy clean-up. Pepper and Vetiver Handmade Acacia Wood Plates Courtesy of Pepper + Vetiver from $39, pepperandvetiver.com Go with a wooden variety for an organic, eco-friendly touch. "I love entertaining with handmade pieces that are made of natural materials, including sweetgrass and banana leaf," Perry says. "Wood dinnerware is a great way to bring natural materials to any party for an earthy aesthetic." Williams Sonoma "Rustic Outdoor" Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Williams Sonoma from $96.99, williams-sonoma.com This terra-cotta-toned dinnerware offers the sturdy elegance of ceramic pieces while being as lightweight as disposable iterations. Elevate picnics and casual outdoor gatherings with their glazed, textured finish. Puebla Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Pottery Barn $88, potterybarn.com This dishware set is made specifically for al fresco dining, and is one of Curtis' favorite options. "Crisp white and cobalt combine to create this outdoor set up," she explains. "Add fresh lemons to transport your guests to the Amalfi Coast." One of her favorite parts of this pattern? You can turn to it during indoor and outdoor parties, since the set is also available in stoneware. MoMA Bamboo Dessert Plates Courtesy of MoMA $40, store.moma.org An exclusive creation by Canadian graphic designer Xenia Taler, these dessert plates are unbreakable (they are composed of bamboo and melamine!) and incredibly stylish thanks to the unique patterns on each piece. Ekobo Bamboo Lunch Set and Tray Courtesy of Goodee $100, goodeeworld.com "This collection of bamboo dinnerware is not only made of natural and recycled materials, but they come in fun colors and are great for small hands like my toddlers," Perry says. Complete with a simple design and crafted from eco-friendly bamboo, this Ekobo set also has a vintage aesthetic that will remind you of school lunches; it is, however, still sleek enough for dinner and drinks on the patio. Fable New York Mixed Dish Set Courtesy of Fable New York $148, fableny.com This set is made from bamboo fiber, corn starch, and BPA-free melamine. Best of all, the mix-and-match hues add vibrant energy and nuance to your summer tablescape. The set of 16 includes four cereal bowls, four low bowls, four salad plates, and four dinner plates. West Elm Melamine Stone Dinnerware Courtesy of West Elm from $28.50, westelm.com This minimalist design looks like stoneware, but is anything but: It's lightweight, durable, and perfectly practical for the great outdoors. There is natural speckling on the melamine, which offers an even more organic stoneware look. Marrakesh Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Pottery Barn $152, potterybarn.com Bring Morocco to your backyard by evoking the architecture of Marrakech through this striking black-and-sand dish set. Curtis suggests serving seasonal iced teas and pastries to complete the outdoor entertaining experience. Pottery Barn Bamboo Dinnerware Collection Courtesy of Pottery Barn from $40, potterybarn.com "When I really want the food to be the star of the show, I go to dinnerware in neutral colors, like this bamboo dinnerware collection from Pottery Barn," Perry says. "The chic collection is crafted from sustainable, durable materials and really allows the menu and decorations to shine during outdoor festivities." Homemade Navy Gingham Melamine Dinner Plate Set Courtesy of Home Depot $39.13, homedepot.com Curtis recommends a gingham printed plate set for those who are looking for a classic summer-centric style on their tabletops. These ceramic-like options are food and dishwasher safe, BPA free, and resist breaking, scratching, and chipping. Cabana Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Courtesy of Pottery Barn $118, potterybarn.com These beautiful turquoise plates won't chip when you serve dinner, and all of your guests will think they are eating off of ceramic. These are made of melamine with a decal finish. The set features four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four individual bowls. Sur La Table Outdoor Melamine Set Courtesy of Sur La Table from $5, surlatable.com There's nothing quite like having a cold, refreshing treat during hot summer days. Curtis suggests shopping this melamine set for that very reason. "Host ice cream outside with these delicious sprinkles-inspired bowls," she says. "Complete the vibe with matching spoons and this whimsical toppings tray." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit