Nine serving plates to spice up summer lunches, BBQs and dinners

Whatever the weather, a pretty platter can enliven even the dullest of summer fiestas.

What is it about buying a serving dish that makes you feel like a fully functional adult? Whether you’re actually planning to host a dinner party or barbecue, or simply use it to elevate a Friday night pizza, a beautiful dish is a must-have.

It’ll probably move with you from house to house too, so it’s worth investing in one you really love (and won’t chip or break that easily). Plus, this time of year is the ideal time to pick one up, as the days lengthen and temperatures rise, shops are full of zingy plates for barbecued delights.

From colourful, playful designs to sleek textural patterns, we’ve selected a few pieces to get your table summer-ready.

Sharing Plates

There’s nothing quite as nice as light bites and nibbles with good company in the summertime. Sharing boards and serving plates are a great way to appear both effortless and creative.

Whether it’s for wine and cheese on the couch or antipasti al fresco, this handmade board is perfect for the ideal host this summer.

Candy Stripe White Resin & Olive Wood Long Serving Board, €38.33, Lois Illustrations on Etsy

Zaire Agate Cheese Board, £68.00 Anthropologie

Illuminate your dishes with these quirky fruit dishes from Urban Outfitters. Perfect for fruit platters in the sun.

Fruit plate, €16 Urban Outfitters

Plate Ryumon, €55.95, Urban nature culture

There’s nothing better than adding a dash of colour or texture to thrill your guests and dazzle your dining. Even the blandest of meals will look gourmet with these colourful dishes.

Rosseau Large Rectangular Tray, Emma J. Shipley. €35.00 Article 

Swish Platter, €59.00 Article

Textural trenchers

Whether you’re feeding the family or having friends over for nibbles and chats, we all know presentation can make a meal.

Inspired by a  bird’s eye view of the Irish landscape, Amanda Murphy creates beautiful ceramics to make your dinner gallery-worthy.

Landscape plate, €48.00-95.00 Amanda Murphy Ceramics

For the rustic menus that need no dressing up we have –

Amongst the plethora of Irish talent, Louise Browne creates these delicate designs in Oughterard, Co. Galway.

Rectangle Meadow Mix Impressed Platter- Pink, €40.00 Living Ginger Designs

Dmitrovic Woodworks Epoxy resin walnut wood river hand turned plate, €91.00 Etsy

We know that a plate can’t really take away the rain and drizzle of the Irish summer. Yet we think that these platters will give your dishes that holiday glow that the Irish summer often falls short of. Happy dining!

Featured image: Composite Agate Cheese Board €80.00. Anthropologie

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