Serving trays
Whether you’re shuttling food to a potluck or having friends over for dinner, serving trays help present appealing snacks and beverages in style. Assemble an assortment of appetizers on the tray and transport them from the kitchen to the table with ease.
Your guests will be amazed with your artfully displayed desserts, fruits, cheeses and other delicious offerings. Trays are available in a large variety of sizes, shapes and materials. Pick the one that fits your entertaining goals.
Considerations when choosing a serving tray
Types of serving trays
Platter: All platters are trays, but not all trays are platters. A platter is a form of a tray, generally without handles. Trays transport food, while platters are used to serve food.
Lazy Susan: Soaring to popularity in the 1970’s, lazy Susans are an underrated serving tray for entertaining. With 360-degree access, your hungry guests need not reach over other food or each other.
Tea tray: Tea serving trays are most often made of metal or wood and are shallower than a traditional tray. They’re used primarily for tea but can also be used to serve other foods or beverages.
Rattan or natural fiber: Rattan or natural fiber trays aren’t meant to be washed, so you shouldn’t place food directly on them. The trays are more appropriate for serving drinks, carrying silverware or a warm loaf of bread wrapped in a towel.
Handles
Trays can either be carried by their handles or by placing your palm underneath the center for balance. It’s up to you and what you intend to serve to decide whether or not you’d prefer a handle. Keep in mind that some handles are for purely aesthetic purposes.
Matching accessories
Trays may be part of a larger set including cups, bowls, and other serveware. They may even include matching dinnerware like plates, glasses or cups. Displaying an entire matching set can really elevate your dinner party.
Size
If you’re looking to entertain a large crowd, the bigger the serveware, the better. Perhaps a large lazy Susan-style tray or a tiered set of appetizer plates would be best. If you’re planning to serve fruit at your next neighborhood barbecue, a 14-inch tray might be a great choice.
Ease of cleaning
Taking care of your trays ensures they’ll last for many parties to come. Hand washing is recommended for materials that can withstand water. For wood, clean the surface with warm soapy water, dry and occasionally wipe down with wood oil to maintain the wood’s integrity. Never put a wooden tray in the dishwasher. For metal, use a soft, non-scratch sponge or cloth and make sure to dry the tray well so it doesn’t rust.
Materials
Metal: Brass, copper and stainless steel are commonly used metals for serving trays. Depending on the thickness, the weight can vary from super light to quite heavy.
Porcelain: Porcelain and bone china are very delicate materials, so take extra care with any porcelain trays. Bone china is slightly more durable due to its bone ash content, and it’s also a little lighter than porcelain.
Melamine: This non-breakable material is perfect for entertaining outdoors or at a pool party, where glass is a safety issue. Melamine trays come in a variety of different patterns and colors.
Wood: Wooden trays are very popular. Woods such as acacia, bamboo, oak, walnut and cherry multitask as serving trays, platters or more commonly, for charcuterie.
Crystal: Crystal trays are rare but beautiful. They require special cleaning with warm water, vinegar and a microfiber cloth to remain spotless.
Best serving trays for entertaining
Best of the best
Rickby Lazy Susan Turntable: available at Amazon
Our take: Dual-functioning acacia wood lazy Susan turntable with marble plate.
What we like: This eye-catching lazy Susan has a removable marble insert, transforming it into two trays. Swiveling the dish allows your guests to reach whatever they like without having to reach over the entire table. You can even place it in your cabinet for spices, dishes, pots or pans.
What we dislike: Some reviewers had issues removing the marble plate from the wooden tray.
Sleekest style
Godinger Silver Art Co. Marcus Chip and Dip Tray: available at Wayfair
Our take: Absolutely stunning hammered copper chip-and-dip tray measuring just over 13 inches in diameter.
What we like: This gorgeous and vibrant copper and stainless steel chip bowl will take your breath away. Its simple yet sophisticated look is sure to lend class to any party.
What we dislike: Due to its copper material, it may become warm in the sun.
Best bang for your buck
Celebrate Americana Together Galvanized Metal Serving Tray: available at Kohl’s
Our take: Galvanized cast iron tray with wooden handles and an American flag design measuring approximately 19 x 15 inches, perfectly sized for a cookout.
What we like: This patriotic serving tray has cute star cutouts and runs under $25. Just in time for July 4th, this tray would be great for BBQs and picnics.
What we dislike: Remember not to place anything in the tray that could fall out of the star cutouts.
Best for larger groups
Stonarc 3-Tier Serving Tray: available at Amazon
Our take: Professional looking three-tier serving tray with three large plates and three small dipping bowls.
What we like: This stand would look incredible on a table at a party and can accommodate multiple appetizers or desserts. The dishes are also dishwasher-safe and the stand can be wiped down.
What we dislike: Some reviewers mentioned the metal stand is a bit wobbly.
Best for outdoor entertaining
Birch Lane Dicarlo 2-Piece Heavy Weight Melamine Platter Set: available at Wayfair
Our take: A round and oval pair of beautiful melamine platters, part of a larger set including cups, plates, bowls, etc.
What we like: Virtually unbreakable with vivid colors and a striking pattern, these platters are also a breeze to clean as they’re dishwasher-safe.
What we dislike: Neither platter is microwave-safe, so be sure to avoid reheating food.
Stefanie Hammond is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
