A dinner set (also called a dinnerware set or tableware set) is something you use every day and bring out for every guest, so it pays to choose well. At Souk Al Ras we sell close to 40 dinner sets, from 12-piece starter sets to 123-piece porcelain sets, plus single plates, bowls, soup sets and cutlery. This guide answers the questions our customers ask most: which material, how many pieces, and how many people a set really serves.
Quick answer
- Everyday and children: melamine. Light and break-resistant, but never in the microwave.
- Everyday with microwave use: opalware (opal glass). Light, strong, white and microwave safe.
- Guests and special occasions: porcelain. The most elegant look, often with gold or silver details.
- Piece count: a 16-piece set usually serves 4 people; 26 to 35 pieces usually serves 6; 50 to 70 pieces is a full set for 6 with serving dishes, cups and saucers.
- Always check: the product title says how many persons the set is for. Use the title and the photo together to see exactly what is included.
1. Melamine, opalware or porcelain: which dinner set material is best?
There is no single best material. It depends on how you will use the set. These are the three materials our customers choose most:
| Material | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Melamine | Very light, break-resistant, many colours and Arabic-inspired patterns. Good for children, outdoor meals and big family gatherings | Not for the microwave or oven. Avoid very hot oil and sharp knives on the surface |
| Opalware (opal glass) | Light but strong, bright white, heat-resistant, usually microwave and dishwasher safe, chip and scratch resistant | Can still break if dropped on a hard floor |
| Porcelain | Smooth, non-porous and elegant. The classic choice for guests, weddings, Eid and Ramadan tables | Heavier. Sets with gold or silver rims need hand washing and no microwave |
We also sell stoneware-style ceramic plates and glass bowls and dessert plates. Check the material in each product title.
Our advice: Many families keep two sets: a melamine or opalware set for everyday meals, and a porcelain set for guests. This keeps the good set looking new for years.
2. What does the piece count actually include?
The number of pieces is the most confusing part of buying a dinner set. The count includes every plate, bowl, cup, saucer and serving dish, so a 70-piece set is not 70 plates. Here is what is typically included:
| Set size | Typically includes | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| 12 pieces | 4 dinner plates, 4 side or dessert plates, 4 bowls | 4 people (basics only) |
| 16 pieces | 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates, 4 bowls, 4 mugs | 4 people |
| 26 to 35 pieces | 6 dinner plates, 6 side plates, 6 soup bowls, plus serving dishes or a platter | 6 people |
| 48 to 58 pieces | Plates, bowls, cups and saucers for 6, plus serving pieces. Some sets add cutlery | 6 people |
| 70 pieces and more | A complete set for 6: dinner, side and soup plates, cups, saucers, serving platters, bowls and dishes | 6 people, with everything for guests |
Contents vary from set to set. Most of our dinner set titles say how many persons the set is for. Read the title and look at the photo before you order.
3. How many people should my dinner set serve?
- Couples and small families: a 12 or 16-piece set for 4 is enough for daily meals.
- Families of 5 or more: choose a set for 6, or buy two matching 16-piece sets.
- If you host often: a 50 to 70-piece set for 6 gives you serving dishes and cups in the same design. Add single plates and bowls in a matching colour when you need more.
- Big gatherings: large sets such as our 123-piece porcelain set cover a full table, including serving pieces.
4. Microwave, dishwasher and oven: what is safe?
| Microwave | Dishwasher | Oven | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine | No | Usually yes | No |
| Opalware | Usually yes | Yes | No |
| Plain porcelain | Usually yes | Usually yes | Check product |
| Porcelain with gold or silver rim | No | Hand wash recommended | No |
This is general guidance. Always follow what the product title or description says.
5. Choosing a design
White with a gold or silver rim is the most popular choice for guests, because it suits every table and every food. For everyday use, coloured sets with stripes, spirals or rings are fun and hide small marks. Arabic-inspired patterns and floral designs are popular for Ramadan and Eid tables. If you are not sure, start with white: it is the easiest to match with serving trays and new pieces later.
6. Brands we carry
Every brand we sell is original: we do not sell copies or non-original brands. Our dinner sets come from brands including El Nokhba (fine porcelain sets with gold patterns), Bianca (porcelain, made in Turkey), DELCASA (melamine and opalware, including melamine made in Malaysia), Royalford (opalware and melamine), Venice (colourful 16-piece sets for 4 and opal sets), Legend (melamine with Arabic-inspired patterns) and AVCI Home Maker (porcelain).
7. Don't forget the cutlery
A cutlery set (also called a flatware set) completes the table. What to check:
- Stainless steel grade: 18/10 stainless steel is the best for shine and rust resistance. Several of our Pilsco and Unique sets are 18/10.
- Piece count: 16 pieces covers 4 people (knife, fork, spoon and teaspoon each); 24 pieces covers 6 people; 36 to 78 piece sets include extra spoons, serving pieces or a storage box.
- Gold or silver: gold cutlery is popular for guests and occasions. Many sets come with a stand or holder.
Browse cutlery sets or single spoons, forks and table knives.
8. Completing the table
For soup, a soup set or tureen keeps soup hot on the table. For rice and kabsa, choose a kozi or rice serving dish. You can also add single plates and bowls to your set at any time. For trays, dates plates and stands, read our serving and hospitality buying guide.
9. Care tips
- Wash gold and silver-rimmed porcelain by hand with a soft sponge.
- Never put melamine in the microwave, and don't use it for cooking.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes: don't move a plate from the fridge straight into a hot oven or microwave.
- Stack plates with a paper napkin or felt between them to protect decorated surfaces.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for a dinner set: melamine, opalware or porcelain?
Melamine is the lightest and most break-resistant, and good for children and everyday use, but it is not microwave safe. Opalware is light, strong and usually microwave safe. Porcelain is the most elegant and is the usual choice for guests and occasions.
How many pieces should a dinner set have?
For 4 people, a 16-piece set (plates, side plates, bowls and mugs) is enough. For 6 people, choose 26 to 35 pieces. For a full set with cups, saucers and serving dishes, choose 50 to 70 pieces.
Does a 70-piece dinner set serve 70 people?
No. The piece count includes every item: dinner plates, side plates, soup plates, cups, saucers and serving dishes. Most 70-piece sets are for 6 people.
Can melamine plates go in the microwave?
No. Melamine should not be used in the microwave or oven. Use opalware or plain porcelain if you need to heat food in the plate.
Is opalware the same as glass?
Opalware is a strong, opaque white glass. It is lighter than porcelain and resistant to chips and scratches, and most opalware sets are microwave and dishwasher safe.
Can gold-rimmed plates go in the dishwasher?
It is better to wash them by hand. The dishwasher dulls gold and silver detailing over time, and they must never go in the microwave.
Do you deliver dinner sets across the UAE?
Yes. We deliver to all emirates in 1–2 working days, with same-day delivery available in Dubai and Sharjah for orders placed before 2 PM (arranged with our team on WhatsApp).
Shop dinner sets at Souk Al Ras
Browse all dinnerware and cutlery, or go straight to dinner sets, plates and bowls, cutlery sets and soup sets. Pay by card, cash on delivery or Tabby. Need help choosing? Message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 193 3053.
This guide was written by the Souk Al Ras team and first published on SoukAlRas.ae on 8 November 2026. © 2026 Souk Al Ras. All rights reserved.
