Side & Salad Plates

Side and salad plates in porcelain, ceramic and glass, mostly 7 to 8 in — the second plate at a laid table.

What size is a side plate?

Seven to eight inches. Eight inches is the salad plate most dinner sets include; seven is the smaller side plate for bread, a starter or a single element served alongside a main. If you only buy one size, buy eight.

Do I actually need them?

For a seated meal with more than one course, yes — the alternative is guests eating a starter and a main off the same plate, which is where a laid table starts to come apart. For everyday eating, a side plate is the one most households skip and then miss when bread or cheese appears.

Should they match the dinner plates?

They do not have to, and a deliberate contrast often looks better than a near-match. What matters is that the side plate is visibly smaller and in the same family of material and finish. A glossy side plate against a matte dinner plate reads as a mistake rather than a choice.