Plate

Choosing a plate for a restaurant or café is a strategic decision – it influences food presentation, table setting aesthetics and the overall guest experience. Professional plates differ from household porcelain in their greater thickness, impact resistance, glaze durability against scratching and ability to withstand high-temperature dishwasher programmes. BHS offers professional plates for the HoReCa sector across Europe.

Types and sizes of plates

Dinner plates – the standard serving platform for main courses. A 27–29 cm diameter is the standard for à la carte restaurants, 25–26 cm for buffets and canteens. Deep plates – for soup, pasta, bisque and serving liquid dishes. Deep plates with a contemporary profile are also used in chef’s restaurants for serving meat dishes with sauce. Dessert and breakfast plates – 21–23 cm in diameter, suitable for sweet dishes, cheeses, cakes and fruit. Salad plates. Special plates – pizza plates with a larger diameter, oval fish plates, mini plates for tasting menus. BHS offers plate series for various formats.

Materials and porcelain styles

White porcelain is the classic standard – it visually enhances the colours of food and allows the dish to become the main focus of the table setting. Black porcelain provides a dramatic contrast, popular in modern and Scandinavian-style restaurants where food colours stand out against a dark background. Cream and sand-toned tableware creates a warm atmosphere, popular in cafés and bistros with a homely feel. Glazed and decorated plates offer a unique table setting for themed restaurants. Textured relief plates add a visual effect without extra decoration. BHS offers various style series.

HACCP and plate maintenance

Professional porcelain plates are designed for high-temperature dishwasher programmes – it is important that the glaze and decoration are thermally and chemically resistant. Plates with cracked or chipped glaze should be removed from circulation as they can harbour bacteria and pose safety risks. Plates should be stored in stacks with protective paper or silicone separators between them to prevent chipping. Black porcelain plates may show white marks from cutlery contact – regular cleaning preserves their appearance.

HoReCa usage scenarios

In fine dining restaurants – wide-rimmed design plates with a milky white glaze, where the large empty space allows chefs to create artistic food presentations. In modern bistros – black porcelain with a rough texture in Scandinavian aesthetics. In hotel breakfast buffets – a large assortment in one series (dinner, dessert, salad plates) for efficient self-service. In self-service canteens – durable mid-price range plates that meet thick-walled construction standards and dishwasher requirements. BHS helps choose the optimal plate series for each HoReCa format.

Frequently asked questions

What thickness of porcelain plate is recommended for restaurants with high plate turnover? Professional porcelain with a thickness of 7–10 mm is more impact-resistant compared to decorative 4–5 mm porcelain. For restaurants with high turnover, series with a vitrified porcelain designation are recommended – this ensures higher density and durability.

Are black porcelain plates durable in a dishwasher? Yes, high-quality black porcelain is suitable for dishwashers. The durability of black glaze against chemical detergents is higher in professional models. It is recommended to use neutral pH dishwashing detergents.

Why choose BHS?

BHS – Baltic HoReCa Solutions supplies professional equipment for restaurants, cafés, hotels and canteens: more than 20,000 products from many manufacturers. Our specialists help you choose the right equipment and spare parts for your kitchen or bar.

Delivery

We deliver across the European Union. Delivery time and cost depend on the order volume and destination — contact the BHS team for an exact price and lead time.