The 10 Best Clay Dinnerware Sets

If your home is the social hub for friends or you have a big family, then you'll love the Melange Irregular (about $108). With 36 pieces, it offers enough settings to serve 12 diners a soup, salad, and entree. The design is as endearingly imperfect as your guests.

With a lovely blue-grey hue and glossy finish, the Zohar Shaham Ceramics (appx. $72) is ideal for a rustic-chic home. It's versatile enough for a formal event or more casual meal, and its impressive handmade craftsmanship makes it a nice wedding gift.

The small bumps on the Gourmet Basics by Mikasa Verona (appx. $80) don't only lend to the funky, tribal aesthetic, they also give you a better grip on your mug or bowl while enjoying that hot soup or post-meal tea. These are definitely robust enough for daily use.

Sometimes square plates can be a nice change from the traditional round ones. Those in the Gibson Elite Tequesta (about $60) give a kitchen a more modern look, and let you push your dinnerware to the limits a bit more regarding how much food you can fit on them.

Add some cheer to your dining area with the Pfaltzgraff Malibu (about $57). The pretty teal glaze and embossed shells makes this perfect for a beach house, or anyone missing the summer months, while the weathered edges give these the look of a treasure found under the sea.

The American Atelier Roma (around $58) really makes use of this gorgeous material and features an exceptionally artistic style that is just right for a desert home. These create a visually intriguing border around your carefully-made food.

You may hesitate to cover the Better Homes and Gardens Bazaar (around $56) with food, since they are almost like artwork. Each design has been hand drawn, and the pieces feature slightly squared silhouettes that look rather sophisticated.

If you like to enjoy tea and hot chocolate as the winter months approach, the fall-inspired Pfaltzgraff Briar (about $65) is just right. The mugs can hold a substantial 13 ounces of your favorite warm beverage, and the plates bring to mind the falling leaves of autumn.

You worked hard to tackle that recipe, so your finished product deserves to be displayed on the impressive Gibson Elite Brynn (appx. $80). The contrasting edges emphasize the food each plate holds, while a moderate depth and width make the bowls good for soup or salad.

It can be hard to get everyone to slow down and enjoy a meal together these days, but the gorgeous Better Homes and Gardens Admiraware (appx. $56) might encourage it. Each piece boasts a stable base that should minimize spills, though the color isn't exactly true to the photos.