How To Choose A Serving Bowl

Although serving bowls aren't the most popular types of tableware, they're still significantly useful. Not a lot of thought goes into choosing serving bowls. However, each type of serving bowl serves a purpose. Some are used to serve soup while others are meant for holding other meals such as appetizers.

Serving bowls come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and materials. Here, we offer tips to help you select the right serving bowls according to your needs and kitchen/dining room theme.

Table of Contents Hide

How to pick the best material for your serving bowls?
What are the different types of serving bowls?
How to select a serving bowl's style?

How to pick the best material for your serving bowls?

Glass

Glass bowls are the most common types of serving bowls because of their versatility. You can serve anything you want in these simple yet classic designs.
They're quite fragile, but easy to clean, affordable, and can be used in the microwave and dishwasher.

Ceramic

Ceramic serving bowls are sturdier than glass, visually appealing, and can be used to serve all kinds of food.
They can be used for decorative purposes because of their distinct style.
Safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher.

Rectangular Ceramic 3-Piece Serving Bowl

Stoneware

Stoneware is durable and suitable for everyday use.
They come with unique designsand patterns and are safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher.

Earthenware

Earthenware bowls are visually striking and can brighten up a kitchen or table setting's decor.
Besides being unique and stylish, they are also durable and practical for everyday use.

Fine china

Fine china serving bowls are extremely fragile but elegant and fine-looking.
Most people choose to display their fine china bowls rather than using them regularly.
They are mostly used for very special occasions.

White and Black Porcelain China Serving Bowl

Bamboo

Bamboo is another popular material for serving bowls. This material is fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Commonly used for serving salads and need to be washed by hand.

Melamine

Melamine bowls are inexpensive and come in various colors and decorative designs.
They add character to the kitchen and dining table and are convenient for children.
Dishwasher safe but not microwave safe as they can melt.

Plastic

Plastic bowls are inexpensive and popular for storing food and serving meals such as cereals.
Aren't safe to use in the microwave.

What are the different types of serving bowls?

Whether you're serving soup, rice, appetizers, or other dishes, you'll need the right type of bowl to hold them.

Most people use soup bowls regularly. As its name implies, they are used for eating soup. Nonetheless, these bowls are also meant to serve other dishes, such as stews.
Salad bowls are large, generally made of glass or wood, and are used for presenting salads.
A rice bowl can accommodate hot food and comes with a lid to keep the rice warm.
The right tableware to serve your cereal every morning would be a cereal bowl. Most cereal bowls are large and made of ceramic, melamine, or glass.
Storage bowls come with lids and are typically used to store food in the refrigerator, but they can also be placed on your kitchen countertop for decor.
Dip bowls are convenient for serving dip and fondue because of their curved shape. They also have a sleek design which makes them a great addition to a table setting during events.
Candy bowls can easily be placed on countertops, coffee tables, and desks for your guests to enjoy. They have a neat design and are favorable for presenting candies and small snacks.
Pasta bowls have a unique design compared to other types of serving bowls. They are perfect for holding all kinds of pasta and make the dish even more visually appealing.
Decorative bowls come in all sorts of shapes and colors. They are mainly used for decorative purposes and add the visual appeal of a table setting.

How to select a serving bowl's style?

Serving bowls can enhance the meal's presentation as well as your dining area's overall aesthetic

Choose a serving bowl in a vibrant color such as red to add color to the area. You can also choose a bowl with border details to add persona while displaying the meal.
For a subtle style, go for a simple clear, or white serving bowl. These are classic and chic at the same time. White bowls are also versatile and match all decor and home styles, whether contemporary or shabby chic.
Porcelain and stoneware bowls are convenient for everyday use and typically fit well in traditional and simple homes.
A colored dining room or kitchen would go well with serving bowls in neutral colors such as beige, while a neutral-colored area would look bright with colored bowls.