The Best Dinner Plates for Sunday Roasts
Few dishes put a plate to the test quite like a Sunday roast. 1.28 billion roast dinners are eaten in the UK; for pubs and restaurants, that means there is still plenty of appetite for this British favourite. However, serving a great roast is not only about what comes out of the kitchen. Presentation matters too. The right large dinner plates give meat, vegetables, potatoes and Yorkshire puddings enough room. They also make service easier during a busy Sunday lunch.
From classic white dinner plates to rustic stoneware, there are plenty of options. So, which plates work best for your venue?
What size plates are best for a Sunday Roast?
A roast dinner needs more room than many other main courses. There is usually meat, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing and a Yorkshire pudding to fit on the plate. Then there is the all-important gravy. For most pubs and restaurants, 28cm to 30cm dinner plates are a good starting point. These give chefs enough room to create a generous-looking meal without overcrowding the plate.
Extra large dinner plates can also work well for generous portions and premium Sunday lunch menus. A 30cm plate gives each element more space and can make the finished dish look more considered.
White Dinner Plates: A Classic Choice for Restaurants
There is a reason white dinner plates remain common in pubs, hotels and restaurants. White crockery creates a simple backdrop for colourful food. Golden roast potatoes, green vegetables and rich gravy all stand out against a clean white surface.
The same white catering dinner plates can often be used for Sunday roasts, steaks, pies and other main courses. This makes them useful for venues with varied menus. Classic white restaurant crockery can also be easier to replace over time. Instead of changing your whole table setting, you can add replacement pieces when required.
For traditional pubs, hotels and restaurants, white plates are a safe and practical choice.
Porcelain Dinner Plates for a Professional Finish
Porcelain dinner plates are another popular option for hospitality venues. They offer a smooth, professional appearance that works across many table settings. Porcelain can suit everything from traditional pubs to contemporary restaurants.
Good-quality commercial porcelain is also designed with frequent use in mind. This matters when plates are constantly moving between the kitchen, dining area and dishwasher.
When choosing porcelain plates, look for designs intended for catering environments. Stackable options can be particularly helpful when storage space is limited. Pair your plates with matching cutlery to create a consistent table setting.
Stoneware Dinner Plates for Gastropubs
Want your Sunday roast presentation to feel slightly more modern? Stoneware dinner plates can create a warmer and more relaxed look. Their colours, textures and finishes work particularly well in gastropubs and independent restaurants.
Stoneware can also complement seasonal menus. Earthy shades look at home beside roasted vegetables, rich sauces and traditional British dishes. Rather than choosing a design simply because it looks good, think about your whole menu.
Your crockery needs to work throughout the week, not just during Sunday service. Neutral stoneware can offer a useful balance between distinctive presentation and everyday versatility.
Are Oval Plates Good for Sunday Roasts?
Round plates may be traditional, but oval dinner plates are worth considering. An oval shape provides a longer area for arranging food. Meat can sit at one end, with potatoes and vegetables arranged around it. A Yorkshire pudding can then add height without making the plate look overcrowded.
Oval plates are particularly useful if presentation is a major part of your menu. They can also help a familiar dish feel different. That can be useful for gastropubs that want to put their own spin on a traditional Sunday lunch.
How Many Dinner Plates Does a Restaurant Need?
There is no single number that works for every venue. Start with the maximum number of covers you expect during your busiest service. Then allow additional stock for plates being washed, cleared or temporarily unavailable.
Having spare plates also gives you some protection against accidental breakages. For example, a restaurant serving 80 Sunday lunch covers will need more than 80 roast dinner plates. Plates will be moving through different stages of service throughout the day.
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