Outdoor Dining & Melamine

Break-resistant melamine plates, bowls and dinnerware sets made for patio dining, poolside, camping and picnics. Note: melamine is not microwave or oven safe.

Most sets here serve four in 12 or 16 pieces from Gibson Home, Laurie Gates and Elama, alongside wheat straw and opal glass options. Pick a style below, or read the buying guide at the bottom of the page for sizing and care.

35 products

Outdoor Dining & Melamine buying guide

What a set includes

A 12 piece service for four typically pairs four dinner plates, four salad plates and four bowls; 16 piece sets add tumblers or an extra bowl size. Open stock plates and bowls in this lane let you extend a set or replace a lost piece without rebuying the whole service.

Melamine, wheat straw and opal glass

Melamine is the outdoor workhorse: it shrugs off drops, weighs about half of what ceramic does and rides the dishwasher. Wheat straw blends are lighter still, and opal glass looks like porcelain while staying break resistant. Keep melamine and wheat straw out of the microwave, and check the maker's guidance for opal glass.

Care that keeps colors bright

Skip abrasive scrubbers and let stubborn food soak instead. Melamine holds its finish through years of cookouts when it stays out of the oven and off the grill; stack sets flat between seasons and they are ready when the weather turns.

Common questions

Is melamine dinnerware dishwasher safe?

Yes. Melamine sets from Gibson Home, Laurie Gates and Elama are dishwasher safe, which is half the point of taking them outside. Skip the oven and microwave; heat is the one thing melamine cannot take.

How many people does a 12 piece set serve?

Four. A 12 piece service typically includes four dinner plates, four salad plates and four bowls. Sixteen piece sets serve four with extras such as tumblers or a second bowl size.

Can I microwave melamine plates?

No. Reheat food on ceramic or glass, then serve on melamine. Microwaving damages the material and can shorten the life of the plate even when it looks fine afterward.

Will melamine break if I drop it?

It is built not to. Melamine resists shattering on concrete and stone patios, which is why it is the standard for outdoor dining, poolside meals and camping tables with kids around.