On a busy night a restaurant’s servers carry everything on trays: a round of margaritas, a stack of chips and salsa, four micheladas with their rims of chile salt. At home the trip is shorter, from the kitchen to the patio, but the problem is the same. Glasses tip, a bowl of guacamole slides, and someone has to make three trips. A tray with good handles turns that into one.
This guide is the narrower companion to our best serving trays roundup. That page covers trays for serving food on the table; this one is about trays you pick up and carry, loaded with drinks and botanas, so handles, rims and grip come first. It also recommends different trays from the main guide, so you can compare more options.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which handled tray to buy
The best serving tray with handles for most homes is the G.E.T. 16 x 12-inch Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Tray with Handles: commercial-weight steel made for hotels and restaurants, a 2-inch rim, and handles built into the tray so they cannot come loose. For a home bar, choose the Nambé Mikko Bar Tray, steel handles on an acacia wood tray. For the patio and the pool, the TP Melamine Serving Trays with Handles are light, break-resistant and go in the dishwasher.
Five handled trays side by side
Our five standout trays, one for each kind of host. All eight are reviewed in full below.
| Tray | Best for | Material & size | Handles and care | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying drinks and food every day | Hammered stainless steel, 16 x 12 x 2 in | Built-in handles; commercial weight | View on Amazon | |
Nambé Mikko Bar Tray, 19-inchBest for cocktails
|
A round of margaritas, home bar | Acacia wood and stainless steel, 19 in | Tarnish-resistant steel handles | View on Amazon |
Lipper International Acacia Curved Serving TrayBest wood tray
|
Botanas and drinks together | Acacia wood, 19 7/8 x 14 x 2.5 in | Cut-out handles; hand wash | View on Amazon |
TP Melamine Serving Trays with Handles, Set of 2Best for the patio
|
Pool, patio and carne asada | Melamine, 17 x 12 in, two trays | Built-in handles; top-rack dishwasher | View on Amazon |
| Kids carrying drinks, casual use | Polypropylene, 16.5 x 11 in | Textured non-slip surface; hand wash | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes, materials and care are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best serving trays with handles
These eight trays were chosen for carrying, not just for setting down. Each has handles that are part of the tray or fixed to it, and a rim or surface that helps keep glasses in place. They cover steel for durability, wood for warmth, melamine and acrylic for outdoors, and plastic with a grip texture for the simplest jobs. None of them is on our main serving tray page.
1. G.E.T. 16 x 12-inch Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Tray with Handles – Restaurant Weight at Home
G.E.T. sells this tray as commercial-quality serveware, not a decorative piece. The listing describes it as heavy-weight steel made for daily use in hotels, restaurants and catering, with a mirror-polished hammered finish and built-in handles on both ends.
For carrying drinks, three details matter. The handles are formed into the tray rather than screwed on, so there is nothing to work loose. The tray measures 16 by 12 inches, enough for four to six glasses or a molcajete of guacamole with a basket of chips, without being too wide to carry through a doorway. And the 2-inch overall height gives the sides a real lip, so a glass that slides stops at the edge instead of going over it.
The hammered surface also hides scratches better than a smooth mirror finish would. G.E.T. backs the tray with a one-year warranty against defects in workmanship. The listing does not say whether it is dishwasher safe; stainless steel generally washes well, but hand washing keeps a polished finish brighter.
Why we like it
- Commercial-weight steel, per G.E.T.
- Handles built into the tray
- 16 x 12-inch size with 2-inch sides
- One-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | SSTPD-1612-MP |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, mirror-polished hammered finish |
| Size | 16 x 12 in |
| Height | 2 in |
| Handles | Built in, both ends |
| Surface | Hammered steel |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants one tray that will carry drinks and food for years and still look good on a coffee table between parties.
Skip it if you want something light for children to carry; steel this heavy is a grown-up’s tray.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built to restaurant standards
- Sides stop sliding glasses
- Hammered finish hides wear
Cons
- Heavy when loaded
- Polished steel can let wet glasses slide
2. Nambé Mikko Bar Tray, 19-inch – Steel Handles on Warm Acacia
Nambé sells the Mikko as a bar tray, and it is designed for carrying cocktails, wine and glassware. The tray combines acacia wood with stainless steel, and Nambé credits the design to designer Neil Cohen. The steel handles, which Nambé calls tarnish-resistant, give a secure grip at each end.
A wood surface has an advantage over polished metal for drinks: glasses do not skate on it as easily. That makes the Mikko a good tray for bringing a round of margaritas from the kitchen counter to the patio, or for setting out tequila, limes and caballitos on a bar cart. Nambé also suggests it for appetizers and charcuterie, and between parties it works as a centerpiece on a sideboard.
The title gives the tray as 19 inches; the listing’s size field reads 11 by 11 by 2 inches, which may refer to the box or another part, so confirm the size with the photos before you buy. Nambé’s listing says the tray is food safe and meets FDA guidelines. Wood and steel together should be hand washed and dried straight away.
Why we like it
- Designed as a bar tray for drinks and glassware
- Tarnish-resistant steel handles, per Nambé
- Wood surface is less slippery than polished metal
- Food safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | MT0215 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acacia wood and stainless steel |
| Size | 19 in (title); size field reads 11 x 11 x 2 in |
| Height | Not stated clearly |
| Handles | Stainless steel, both ends |
| Surface | Acacia wood |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated; hand wash wood |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home bar or a bar cart, and anyone who serves drinks in good glassware and wants a tray to match.
Skip it if you want a tray you can put in the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handsome mix of wood and steel
- Good grip for glassware
- Doubles as a display piece
Cons
- Size information conflicts on the listing
- Hand wash only
3. Lipper International Acacia Curved Serving Tray – Deep Sides, Cut-Out Handles
Lipper International’s acacia tray is about as simple as a handled tray gets: a single curved tray with cut-out handles at each end. It is also one of the biggest here, at 19 7/8 by 14 inches, with 2.5-inch sides.
That size and depth make it a good botanas tray. A bowl of guacamole, a bowl of salsa, a pile of totopos and a few drinks fit at once, and the curved, raised sides keep things from sliding off when you carry it through a door. Lipper says the surface is slightly recessed to prevent slippage, and suggests the tray for cheeses, snacks or drinks. Cut-out handles cannot loosen or snap off, which is the weak point of many trays with attached handles.
Acacia is hand wash only, per Lipper. Because each tray is cut from natural wood, stain and grain vary a little from one to the next.
Why we like it
- Large: 19 7/8 x 14 inches
- 2.5-inch curved sides
- Recessed surface to stop slipping, per Lipper
- Cut-out handles that cannot loosen
Key specifications
| Model | 1165 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acacia wood |
| Size | 19 7/8 x 14 in |
| Height | 2.5 in |
| Handles | Cut-out, both ends |
| Surface | Slightly recessed wood |
| Dishwasher safe | No; hand wash |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who carries food and drinks out together and wants deep sides and plenty of room.
Skip it if your doorways or counters are tight; nearly 20 inches is a lot of tray.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Room for a whole round
- Deep, curved sides
- Simple one-piece build
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Large to store
4. TP Melamine Serving Trays with Handles, Set of 2 – Break-Resistant for Outdoors
Glass and ceramic do not belong by the pool, and wood does not like a hose-down. Melamine is the restaurant answer for patios, and TP’s trays are a pair of 17 by 12-inch melamine trays with built-in handles, sold in colors such as retro teal. The bright color suits a backyard table, and two trays mean one for drinks and one for food.
TP describes the trays as thicker and sturdier than plastic, resistant to chips and cracks, and BPA-free. They are light, nest for storage, and are top-rack dishwasher safe, per the listing. TP is clear that they are not oven safe, so keep them for serving rather than heating, and do not put them in the microwave either.
TP backs the set with a one-year warranty and what it calls a lifetime break and chip resistant guarantee. For a carne asada, one tray can carry the meat from the grill and the other the tortillas, salsas and limes.
Why we like it
- Two 17 x 12-inch trays
- Break- and chip-resistant melamine, per TP
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- One-year warranty plus break guarantee
Key specifications
| Model | TPV-ST001 |
|---|---|
| Material | Melamine, BPA-free per TP |
| Size | 17 x 12 in (set of 2) |
| Height | Not stated |
| Handles | Built in |
| Surface | Smooth melamine |
| Dishwasher safe | Top rack; not oven safe |
| Warranty | 1 year, plus lifetime break and chip guarantee |
Why we recommend it
It suits outdoor entertaining: pools, patios and backyard parties where something will get dropped.
Skip it if you need a tray for hot dishes straight from the oven.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light and break-resistant
- Dishwasher safe
- Two trays in the set
Cons
- Not for oven or microwave
- Rim height not stated
5. Godinger 16-inch Stainless Steel Serving Tray with Handles – Long and Narrow for a Row of Glasses
Godinger’s tray is long and narrow, about 16.3 by 8.6 inches, in mirror-polished stainless steel with straight raised sides and square corners. The end walls rise into tabs with slot cut-outs that serve as handles. Godinger describes it as a tray for carrying drinks, a coffee service, breakfast or appetizers from the kitchen to the table.
The narrow shape is its strength. A row of four or five glasses, or a bottle of tequila with a line of caballitos, fits neatly, and the tray slips onto a bar cart shelf or a narrow counter where a wide tray would hang over. For carrying, the shape keeps the weight close to your body, which is easier on the wrists than a wide tray.
The handles stand about 2 inches high, per the listing. Godinger also sells an 11-inch version for smaller jobs. Polished steel shows fingerprints, so expect to wipe it down before setting it out.
Why we like it
- Narrow 16.3 x 8.6-inch shape for a row of glasses
- Raised sides with square corners
- Handle tabs with cut-outs at each end
- Fits a bar cart shelf
Key specifications
| Model | 51480 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, mirror polished |
| Size | About 16.3 x 8.6 in |
| Height | About 2 in at the handles |
| Handles | Raised end tabs with slot cut-outs |
| Surface | Smooth polished steel |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a bar cart or a narrow counter, and anyone who carries drinks in a line rather than a crowd.
Skip it if you need room for food too; it is narrow by design.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Space-saving shape
- Clean, modern look
- Two sizes available
Cons
- Shows fingerprints
- Smooth steel lets glasses slide
6. Joy&Grace Bamboo Serving Tray with Handles – Light Enough for Anyone
Joy&Grace’s tray is solid bamboo, 16.8 by 12.5 inches, with wide handles at each end and low sides about 1.9 inches high. Joy&Grace stresses that it has no fiberboard fillers, which matters: many cheap “wood” trays are pressed board under a veneer and swell when they get wet.
Bamboo is light, so this is the tray to hand to a teenager carrying aguas frescas out to the yard, or to use for breakfast in bed. Joy&Grace describes the surface as well sanded and smooth to avoid splinters, and says the tray is sturdy enough for full meals or drinks.
Care is simple: wipe it with a damp cloth or rinse it, and towel it dry or let it air dry, per the listing. As with any bamboo, keep it out of the dishwasher and do not leave it standing in water.
Why we like it
- Solid bamboo, no fiberboard, per listing
- Wide handles for an easy grip
- Light to carry
- 16.8 x 12.5-inch surface
Key specifications
| Model | model-g-162 |
|---|---|
| Material | Bamboo |
| Size | 16.8 x 12.5 in |
| Height | 1.9 in |
| Handles | Wide, both ends |
| Surface | Sanded bamboo |
| Dishwasher safe | No; wipe or rinse |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants a light, natural-looking tray for everyday carrying, including children helping with a party.
Skip it if you want deep sides; the rim is low.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Solid bamboo
- Comfortable handles
Cons
- Low sides
- Not dishwasher safe
7. Moonlit Pond Clear Acrylic Serving Tray with Gold Handles – Sealed Corners for Spills
Moonlit Pond’s tray is a clear acrylic box tray, 12 by 16 inches with 2-inch sides, with gold-tone handles mounted on the outside. Clear acrylic looks light on a table and lets a colorful tray of drinks, jamaica, horchata and tamarindo side by side, show through.
For carrying drinks, the useful feature is the sealed corners. Moonlit Pond describes the tray as leak-proof, with fully sealed corners, so if a glass tips the spill stays in the tray instead of running down your shirt. The outside-mounted handles leave the whole inner surface free for glasses.
Acrylic does not shatter like glass, which suits patios. Moonlit Pond says the acrylic passed TÜV Rheinland physical and chemical testing; that is the maker’s claim. The listing does not give care instructions; as with all acrylic, wash it by hand with a soft cloth, since abrasives and very hot water can cloud or scratch it.
Why we like it
- Sealed corners hold spills, per listing
- 2-inch sides on a 12 x 16-inch tray
- Handles mounted outside the tray
- Shatter-resistant acrylic
Key specifications
| Model | Plat-001 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acrylic with gold-tone handles |
| Size | 12 x 16 in |
| Height | 2 in |
| Handles | Curved, mounted outside |
| Surface | Smooth clear acrylic |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | Replacement or refund for transit damage |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone carrying full glasses who wants spills to stay in the tray, and who likes a clear, modern look.
Skip it if you want something that hides scratches; clear acrylic shows them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Spill-containing box shape
- Will not shatter
- Light and clear
Cons
- Scratches with rough cleaning
- No care instructions on listing
8. Armrouns Non-Skid Serving Tray with Handles, 16 x 11-inch – Textured So Glasses Stay Put
Restaurant servers carry drinks on trays with a non-slip surface for a reason: a wet glass on a smooth tray slides. Armrouns’ plain black tray borrows that idea. It is heavy-duty polypropylene, 16.5 by 11 inches, with a textured surface that Armrouns says gives extra grip and hides scratches, and a rim about 1.2 inches high to stop things sliding off.
It is the least decorative tray here and the most practical for carrying cold, sweating glasses of agua fresca or beer. The plastic will not shatter, and the trays stack, per the listing, so a few can live in a cupboard for parties. Armrouns pitches it for restaurants and cafes as well as homes.
The listing says to hand wash it with soapy water and gives no dishwasher rating. Our main tray guide has a commercial rubber-lined tray if you want a stronger grip; this is the simpler, lighter version.
Why we like it
- Textured non-slip surface, per listing
- 1.2-inch rim
- Durable polypropylene, will not shatter
- Stackable
Key specifications
| Model | STWH-B |
|---|---|
| Material | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Size | 16.5 x 11 in |
| Height | About 1.2 in rim |
| Handles | Built in, both ends |
| Surface | Textured non-slip |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated; hand wash per listing |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who carries a lot of cold drinks and wants a tray that grips, without worrying about scratches.
Skip it if the tray will be on display; it is purely practical.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grippy surface
- Light and tough
- Stacks for storage
Cons
- Plain look
- Hand wash
How to choose a serving tray with handles
Check how the handles attach. Handles formed into the tray (G.E.T., TP, Armrouns) or cut out of it (Lipper, Godinger) cannot loosen. Handles screwed or riveted on (Nambé, Moonlit Pond) give a more comfortable grip but are the part to inspect over the years.
Look at the rim. For drinks, sides matter more than anything else. A rim of 1.5 to 2.5 inches stops a sliding glass; a flat board with handles does not. The Lipper (2.5 inches), G.E.T. (2 inches) and Moonlit Pond (2 inches) have the most.
Think about the surface. Wet glasses slide on polished steel and smooth plastic. Wood, a textured surface like the Armrouns, or a rubber-lined tray grips better. Our main serving tray guide includes a rubber-lined server’s tray if grip is your priority.
Size it to your doorways and your arms. A tray around 16 by 12 inches carries four to six drinks and fits through a standard door. Bigger trays hold more but get heavy; narrow trays like the Godinger are easier on the wrists.
Choose the material for where it goes. Melamine, acrylic and polypropylene for the pool and patio; wood and bamboo for indoors and hand washing; stainless steel for a tray that lasts. For painted or glazed ceramic trays, look for a maker’s lead-free statement; we did not include any here.
Carrying drinks and botanas to the patio
A few habits from restaurant service make any tray easier to carry.
- Heaviest in the middle. Put the pitcher or the tallest glasses in the center of the tray and lighter things around them, so the tray balances.
- Drinks and food on separate trays. A molcajete of guacamole and a basket of chips shift as you walk; glasses do not like being knocked. Two trips with two trays beat one spill.
- Dry the bottoms. Cold glasses of agua fresca or beer sweat. A cloth napkin on the tray soaks it up and adds grip.
- Keep a landing spot. A cleared side table or a bar cart on the patio gives you somewhere to set the tray down before you hand out drinks.
For the food side of the party, our taco bar supplies guide covers the full spread, and an electric chafing dish keeps fillings hot while the trays do the carrying. For platters that stay on the table, see our best serving platters.
How we picked these eight handled trays
We looked at handled trays from G.E.T., Nambé, Godinger, Lipper International, Mikasa, Umbra, mDesign, Kate and Laurel, Reed & Barton, Le Creuset, Cambro, Creative Co-Op and many smaller sellers, and kept only those showing as in stock on Amazon when we checked. We left out every tray already on our main serving tray page (including the Service Ideas steel tray, the Winco rubber-lined tray, Nambé’s Bella tray and the Amazon Basics acacia tray) so this page adds new choices.
Some names are missing for a reason. Umbra’s Bellwood line in stock was organizers and a lazy Susan rather than a handled serving tray; mDesign’s hammered steel tray set showed limited stock; Mikasa’s in-stock trays were platters without handles; the Reed & Barton silverplate tray is sold “for decorative use”; the Kate and Laurel Lipton tray is painted MDF; Le Creuset’s enamel tray has no lead statement in its listing; and Cambro’s handled trays were limited or sold by the case. Specifications come from the Amazon listings; where a listing leaves something out, we say “Not stated.” We did not read Wirecutter or America’s Test Kitchen coverage for this page, and we have not used these trays ourselves.
Handled tray questions, answered
What is the best serving tray with handles?
For most homes, the G.E.T. 16 x 12-inch heavy-duty stainless steel tray: built for restaurants, with built-in handles and real sides. For a bar, the Nambé Mikko; for outdoors, the TP melamine pair.
What size serving tray do I need for drinks?
About 16 by 12 inches carries four to six glasses comfortably. A long, narrow tray like the 16 x 8.6-inch Godinger holds a row of glasses; a 20-inch tray like the Lipper holds drinks and snacks together.
How do I keep glasses from sliding on a tray?
Choose a tray with sides and a grippy surface (wood, textured plastic or rubber-lined), carry it with the heaviest glasses in the middle, and set a cloth napkin under sweating glasses.
Is melamine safe for serving trays?
Melamine trays are made for serving, not cooking. TP, for example, lists its trays as dishwasher safe but not oven safe. Use them for carrying and serving food, and keep them out of the oven and microwave.
Which tray material is best outdoors?
Melamine, acrylic and polypropylene do not shatter and handle a quick rinse. Wood and bamboo can go outside for a party but should not be left in sun or rain.
The tray to carry first
Buy the G.E.T. stainless tray if you want one tray that does everything for years, the Nambé Mikko for a home bar, or the TP melamine pair for the patio. For more trays to set on the table, go back to our best serving trays guide. And when you would rather someone else carried the margaritas, see our drinks or call to order.