The best dinner sets for all budgets and occasions

If you love hosting dinner parties for friends or cooking three-course meals with your family, then it's worth investing in a dinner set to take your table game to the next level.

Not only do they add pizzaz and elegance to your cooking skills, they're practical too.

Not all dinner sets are made equal, however. A formal set typically includes a dinner plate, bread plate, soup bowl and even a tea cup and saucer.

A traditional dinner set, which is great for getting the basics, contains a dinner plate, salad plate and bowl.

Or you can have some fun and mix and match pieces of individual cookware, indulging in a unique, handpicked dinner set full of different colours, patterns and purposes.

Either way, we've got you covered in our round-up which spans high and low budgets.

Not sure where to start? Here's our guide to the best dinner sets to shop now.

The best dinner sets for all budgets

12 Piece Stackable Dinner Set | £39.50 from Marks & Spencer

This affordable 12-piece set is perfect for larger families. Designed in a classic white style, they can be dressed up with colourful napkins and are safe in the dishwasher and microwave. Made from durable stoneware, this set contains four dinner plates, four side plates and four cereal bowls.

Amalfi White 12 Piece Dinner Set | £50 from Dunelm

Also reasonably priced is this set from Dunelm. Comprised of four dinner plates, four side plates and four cereal bowls, they're versatile and durable – perfect for every type of meal. For added style points, they're designed with organic edges and a reactive glaze, but best of all are dishwasher safe.

Set the Table | £200 from Our Place

With this stylish 20-piece set you'll be kitted out to perfect your hosting over Christmas, birthdays and impromptu dinner parties. Whether you're serving noodle, pies, soups or deserts there's a piece of cookware in this collection, all ceramic with a glossy interior that's scratch-resistant.

John Lewis ANYDAY Artisan Stoneware Dinnerware Set, 12 Piece | £50 from John Lewis

We're big fans of John Lewis' affordable own brand Anyday and this stoneware set is next on our shopping list. While there's many colours to choose from, this blue design is perfect if you're keen to stray from the typical minimalist white and add a dash of colour to your dining table.

Denby Halo Coupe Dinnerware Set, 12 Piece | £194 from John Lewis

Denby is one of the most reputable cookware brands and this luxurious blue and black set is a design lover's dream. Crafted from high quality clay, impress your guests with the dinner plates, small plates and cereal/soup bowls.

Laura Ashley Blueprint Collectables Bone China Breakfast Set, 12-Piece | £139 from John Lewis

This 12-piece set, inspired by the Dutch city of Delft, features a range of beautiful blue prints across four plates, bowls and mugs. Made from bone china, they're safe for popping in the dishwasher or when reheating food in the microwave.

Berwick Blue Ceramic 12 Piece Dinnerware Set | £145 from Oliver Bonas

Experiment with colour with this sophisticated set from Oliver Bonas. Made up of dinner plates, side plates and bowls, each have a saturated pink and blue hue with a reactive glaze. Keep them for formal occasions or upgrade your everyday cookware – either way, they're super stylish.

Belleek Home Grafton Porcelain China Dinnerware - Set of 4 | £34.99 from Wayfair

This would make a lovely gift for a new homeowner. Comprised of four pasta bowls, eating from these has a restaurant feel, they're made from a scratch-resistant porcelain are are easily stackable in smaller cupboards.

Soho Home Castelo Dinner Plates Set of Four | £150 from Liberty London

Colourful and classy, this four-piece set is as chic as you would expect from Soho Home. Bringing a touch of Italy to your dinner table, they're inspired by the designs of Cecconi's, a popular Italian restaurant. All the floral detailing is hand painted with a rustic colour palette and are the easiest way to add flair to mealtimes.

Painted floral tableware | £12.99-£49.99 from Zara Home

Embrace the imperfect but vibrant style of these floral plates from Zara Home. Build your set with an earthenware dinner plate and a serving tray, in as many quantities as you like to decorate your dining table. We love the bright colours and uneven edges which add a unique quality.

Set of 4 Floresta Floral Porcelain Dinner Plates | £30 from La Redoute

Bring the outdoors to your dinner table with this floral porcelain four-piece design. Inspired by the Mediterranean, they're dishwasher- and microwave-safe and are a simple way to add some colour to your kitchen.

Set of 4 Old Havana Dinner Plates | £72 from Anthropologie

This mint green set made in Portugal and perfect for impressing guests with your tablescaping skills. Dishwasher and microwave safe, they're made from a durable stoneware and will come in handy at complimenting your latest dish.

Multicoloured Printed Porcelain Dinner Plate - Set of 6 | £24 from Maisons Du Monde

We can't get enough of this eclectic design from Maisons Du Monde. Also available across soup dishes, side plates, dessert plates and a fruit bowl, they're fun, playful and perfect for a maximalist. Made from porcelain with a glossy finish, they're durable too.