All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you associate plastic dinnerware with bold neon sets for dorm rooms and cartoony kid-friendly plates, you’ll be surprised to know that modern melamine plates come in plenty of actually stylish options.
Melamine is essentially a fancy word for hard plastic: It’s an organic industrial compound created by combining melamine resin with strengthening materials. According to the FDA, melamine is food-safe as long as nothing is heated above 160°F.
Though they’re not safe for the microwave, these sturdy, lightweight plates are otherwise nearly indestructible (and often ridiculously inexpensive), making them ideal for outdoor dinners, backyard parties, poolside snacking, picnics, and any guests under the age of 10.
Below, find 13 stylish, super-sturdy dishwasher-safe melamine plates to have on hand for all your summer dining needs.
White melamine plates
Sometimes you just want a white plate that looks like a white plate, no matter the material. These white melamine plates fit the bill, whether you prefer a modern, traditional, or even handmade look.
Colorful melamine plates
Over all-white everything? Us too. These cheery melamine plates will add a pop of color to your spring and summer table—without making it look like a kids’ table.
Melamine plates with a hand-painted look
The cool blue tones on these pretty melamine plates give off a breezy vibe perfect for dining outdoors on a hot summer day. For an even more interesting look, consider mixing different blue and white patterns or opt for a more colorful (and stylishly mismatched) set of four.
Wood-Grain Dinner Plates
Faux wood-grain melamine plates have all the strength and none of the water damage potential of actual wood, so take them to the beach or lake house dock this summer.
Ebru melamine plates
For a more elegant or, dare we say, academic place setting, consider these plates from Food52: They’re emblazoned with dip-dyed motifs found on the endpapers of classic hand-bound books. The deep jewel-tone hues are the ideal backdrop for lush summery salads.
