In a restaurant, nothing leaves the kitchen in a server’s bare hands. Drinks go out on a round tray held flat on one palm, plates go out on a larger tray with a steady grip, and the reason is simple: one trip instead of four, and nothing tipped on the way. At home the same tray carries a pitcher of agua fresca and six glasses out to the patio, brings the chips, salsa and guacamole to the coffee table, or takes breakfast to someone who is not getting up yet.
A good serving tray is flat enough to keep glasses steady, has handles or a grip you can hold with a full load, and is made of something that suits what you put on it. This guide names eight worth buying, in stainless steel, rubber-lined plastic, acacia wood, melamine and cast metal alloy, from Service Ideas, Winco, Amazon Basics, Juliska, Wilton Armetale, Nambé, Reston Lloyd and Ironwood Gourmet.
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 serving tray to buy
The best serving tray for most homes is the Service Ideas Stainless Steel Tray with Handles: it is 20 x 12.5 inches of 18/8 stainless steel with a 16.5 x 11-inch inner surface, it has carrying handles at both ends, and it goes in the dishwasher. For carrying drinks the way servers do, pick the Winco 16-inch Easy Hold rubber-lined tray, and for a warm wooden tray on the ottoman or the breakfast table, the Amazon Basics acacia serving tray.
Five serving trays side by side
Our five standout trays, one for each kind of job. All eight are reviewed in full below.
| Serving tray | Best for | Material & size | Care (per maker) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Service Ideas Stainless Steel Tray with HandlesBest overall
|
Plates, drinks and dishes, any room | 18/8 stainless, 20 x 12.5 in | Dishwasher safe | View on Amazon |
Winco 16-inch Easy Hold Rubber-Lined TrayBest for drinks
|
Carrying glasses and pitchers | Plastic with rubber lining, 16 in round | Dishwasher safe; NSF certified | View on Amazon |
Amazon Basics Acacia Wood Serving TrayBest wooden tray
|
Ottoman, breakfast in bed | FSC-certified acacia, 17 x 12 in | Hand wash, dry at once | View on Amazon |
Juliska Berry & Thread Melamine Tray, 16-inchBest for the patio
|
Grill to table, outdoor meals | Melamine, 16 x 11 in | Dishwasher, top shelf; not for hot food | View on Amazon |
Wilton Armetale Flutes and Pearls Oval TrayBest for hot food
|
Oven-to-table platters | Aluminum-based alloy, 17.75 x 15.5 in | Hand wash; oven, grill and freezer safe | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Materials, food-safety statements and care are as given by each maker or listing.
Our picks for the best serving trays
These eight split into two groups. Carrying trays (the Service Ideas, Winco, Amazon Basics and Reston Lloyd) are built to move a load from one room to another. Serving trays and platters (the Juliska, Wilton Armetale, Nambé and Ironwood Gourmet) are as much about how the food looks on the table as about the trip there. Each pick lists its size, its handles, what its maker says about food contact, and how to clean it.
1. Service Ideas Stainless Steel Tray with Handles – Large, Handled, Dishwasher Safe
This is a plain, well-proportioned stainless tray of the kind used for room service. It is 20 by 12.5 inches overall, with an inner surface of 16.5 by 11 inches, which is room for four plates, or a pitcher and six glasses, or a full spread of botanas in small bowls.
The tray is brushed 18/8 stainless steel, the same grade used in most good flatware, and has ergonomic carrying handles at each end. A brushed finish hides fingerprints and small scratches better than polished steel. Service Ideas lists it as dishwasher safe, which matters for a tray that will carry salsa, spilled drinks and greasy chips.
Steel is slippery under glasses, so for drinks on a long walk add a thin rubber mat or a folded towel. For a short carry from the kitchen to the patio table, the raised edge and the handles are enough.
Why we like it
- 18/8 brushed stainless steel
- Large 16.5 x 11-inch inner surface
- Ergonomic handles at both ends
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | TRRTH2012BS |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/8 brushed stainless steel |
| Size | 20 x 12.5 in; inner 16.5 x 11 in |
| Handles | Yes, both ends |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | Not stated; stainless steel |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants one tray that carries plates, drinks and dishes and comes clean in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you mainly carry glasses on long trips; a rubber-lined tray grips better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large carrying area
- Will not break
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Glasses can slide on steel
- Food-contact status not stated
- Large to store
2. Winco 16-inch Easy Hold Rubber-Lined Tray – A Server’s Grip for Drinks
This is the round tray you see servers carry through a busy dining room, made by Winco, a restaurant supply brand. It is a lightweight plastic tray about 16 inches across with a rubber-lined surface, which Winco says gives a secure grip to prevent spills. Glasses, bottles and a pitcher stay where you put them instead of sliding to the edge.
Winco lists the tray as BPA-free, dishwasher safe and NSF certified. NSF certification is a food-equipment standard widely used in commercial kitchens, though it says nothing about how a tray feels in the hand. The round shape is designed to be carried flat on one palm, with the heaviest items in the middle, which leaves your other hand free to open the patio door.
It is not a decorative tray, and it has no handles. But for getting a round of margaritas, a jug of horchata or six beers outside in one trip, it is the right tool.
Why we like it
- Rubber-lined surface keeps glasses in place
- NSF certified, per Winco
- Light enough to carry on one hand
- BPA-free and dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | TRH-16K |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic with rubber lining |
| Size | 16 in round (15.8 in listed) |
| Handles | No; carried flat on the palm |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | NSF certified; BPA-free |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Non-slip surface | Yes, rubber-lined |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who regularly carries drinks out to a patio, pool or game-day crowd.
Skip it if you want a tray that looks good on the table; this is a working tray.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grippy surface
- Restaurant-grade certification
- Light
Cons
- No handles
- Plain black look
- Takes practice to carry one-handed
3. Amazon Basics Acacia Wood Serving Tray – Built-In Handles, Warm Wood
A wooden tray is the one that stays out on the coffee table or ottoman between uses, and Amazon Basics makes a straightforward acacia version at 17 by 12 inches. The handles are cut into the ends rather than screwed on, so there is nothing to loosen, and the wood grain varies from tray to tray.
Amazon describes it for carrying meals, drinks and snacks, breakfast in bed and entertaining. The acacia is FSC certified (FSC N004130), meaning it comes from well-managed forests, recycled materials or other controlled wood sources, according to the listing.
Wood asks for a little care. Amazon says to hand wash and towel dry immediately, and not to soak it or put it in the dishwasher, microwave or refrigerator. A wipe of food-safe oil now and then keeps acacia from drying out; our guide to cutting board oil covers what to use.
Why we like it
- Solid acacia with built-in handles
- 17 x 12 inches, room for two plates
- FSC-certified wood
- Looks good left out on an ottoman
Key specifications
| Model | TRW0340001-M |
|---|---|
| Material | Acacia wood, FSC certified |
| Size | 17 x 12 in |
| Handles | Built-in, cut into the ends |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | Not stated; sold for meals, drinks and snacks |
| Care | Hand wash, towel dry; no soaking or dishwasher |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits a living room tray for snacks and drinks, or breakfast in bed, where looks matter as much as carrying.
Skip it if you want to put your tray in the dishwasher after a messy party.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Warm, natural look
- No hardware to loosen
- FSC certified
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Needs occasional oiling
- Food-contact status not stated
4. Juliska Berry & Thread Melamine Tray, 16-inch – Unbreakable for Outdoors
Juliska’s Al Fresco collection puts its Berry & Thread pattern on melamine for outdoor use. This tray is 16 by 11 inches and 1 inch high, with the pattern of berries and thread around the rim, and Juliska says it is designed to carry dinner straight from the grill to the table.
Melamine is the right material outside: Juliska says it is BPA-free and break-resistant, so it can survive a fall onto a stone patio that would end a ceramic tray. The care instructions matter, though. It is dishwasher safe on the top shelf, but not oven, microwave or freezer safe, and Juliska says it is not suitable for hot contents. Bring grilled meat to the table on it after it has rested, or put the hot pan on a trivet and use the tray for the cold sides.
The whitewash color sits well with colorful salsas and a bowl of pico de gallo. Juliska lists it as made in China.
Why we like it
- Break-resistant, BPA-free melamine
- Embossed Berry & Thread pattern
- Dishwasher safe, top shelf
- 16 x 11 inches with a 1-inch rim
Key specifications
| Model | MA04/100 |
|---|---|
| Material | Melamine |
| Size | 16 x 11 x 1 in |
| Handles | No; raised rim |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | BPA-free; not suitable for hot contents |
| Care | Dishwasher, top shelf; not oven, microwave or freezer safe |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits outdoor dining, poolside snacks and anyone who wants a good-looking tray that can be dropped.
Skip it if you need to carry food straight off the grill or out of the oven; melamine is not for hot contents.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Break-resistant
- Designer pattern
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No hot food
- No handles
- Top-rack only
5. Wilton Armetale Flutes and Pearls Oval Tray – Oven to Table, Holds Temperature
Wilton Armetale is a metal alloy you can put in the oven, on the grill or in the freezer and then carry to the table, which makes it the tray for fajita vegetables, a platter of carnitas or a tray of warm tortillas wrapped in a cloth. This Flutes and Pearls oval is 17.75 by 15.5 inches and 1.5 inches deep, with sculpted fluting and a beaded rim.
Wilton describes Armetale as a 100% recycled, food-safe, aluminum-based alloy cast from a solid piece of metal with no coating applied. It says the metal helps hot food stay hot and cold food stay cold, and that it will not rust, break, crack or chip under normal use, with no need to polish. It is oven, stove, grill, refrigerator and freezer safe, and hand wash only. Wilton backs it with a lifetime warranty against breakage under normal use.
The listing does not describe handles, so carry it with oven mitts or a towel when it is hot, as you would a cast iron pan.
Why we like it
- Food-safe alloy with no coating, per Wilton
- Oven, grill, fridge and freezer safe
- Large 17.75 x 15.5-inch oval
- Lifetime warranty against breakage
Key specifications
| Model | 272054 |
|---|---|
| Material | Armetale aluminum-based alloy, 100% recycled |
| Size | 17.75 x 15.5 x 1.5 in |
| Handles | Not stated |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | Yes, food-safe alloy; no coating |
| Care | Hand wash only |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants to keep a hot dish warm at the table or chill a tray of shrimp cocteles before serving.
Skip it if you want a tray you can toss in the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Takes oven and grill heat
- Holds temperature
- Lifetime breakage warranty
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Gets hot to carry
- Formal pattern
6. Nambé Bella Wood Handled Tray – Metal Handles on Acacia
Nambé’s Bella tray pairs an acacia wood board with sculpted Nambé alloy handles. Designed by Cozzolino Studio, it measures 18.3 by 10 inches and 2.5 inches high, a long, narrow shape that suits a loaf of bread and a dish of butter, a row of tostadas or a cheese and charcuterie spread.
Nambé’s care page says its classic alloy is completely food safe. It also notes that the alloy retains temperature, and that acidic food left on it can stain the finish; Nambé recommends not leaving cooked, oily or acidic food on its metal pieces for more than three hours. For this tray, that mostly applies to the handles, since the serving surface is wood.
Both materials are hand wash only. Nambé says to wash with mild soap, dry immediately, keep the wood out of standing water and the dishwasher, and oil the wood now and then with mineral oil.
Why we like it
- Acacia board with sculpted alloy handles
- Nambé states its alloy is food safe
- Long 18.3-inch shape for bread and boards
- Clear care guidance from the maker
Key specifications
| Model | MT0625 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acacia wood, Nambé metal alloy handles |
| Size | 18.3 x 10 x 2.5 in |
| Handles | Yes, alloy, both ends |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | Alloy food safe (Nambé); wood not stated |
| Care | Hand wash, dry at once; oil wood periodically |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who wants a tray that looks like a centerpiece for bread, cheese or botanas.
Skip it if you want to carry drinks; the narrow board and wood surface are better for food.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Designer look
- Sturdy handles
- Maker care guidance
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Narrow for plates
- Alloy can stain with acidic food
7. Reston Lloyd Calypso Basics Melamine Tray – Light, Handled, Food-Safe
Reston Lloyd’s Calypso Basics tray is a thin, light melamine tray with handles at both ends, sold in bright solid colors such as indigo. It measures 18.75 by 11.5 inches including the handles, with a working surface of 15.5 by 10.25 inches and a rim three-quarters of an inch deep.
Reston Lloyd says it is made from 100% high-grade melamine, is BPA-free and food-safe, and is dishwasher safe or can be washed by hand. It is light enough to carry with a load, and the company suggests it as an ottoman tray, a vanity tray or a tray for a charcuterie spread. Smooth edges make it easy to handle.
Being melamine, it is a cold-food tray. Use it for drinks, fruit, chips and salsa, or carrying plates of tacos out to the table, rather than for a pan straight out of the oven.
Why we like it
- Stated BPA-free and food-safe
- Handles at both ends
- Dishwasher safe
- Lightweight for a full load
Key specifications
| Model | 07705M (Indigo) |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% melamine |
| Size | 18.75 x 11.5 in; surface 15.5 x 10.25 in; 0.75 in deep |
| Handles | Yes, both ends |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | Yes, BPA-free and food-safe |
| Care | Dishwasher safe or hand wash |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits everyday carrying, from snacks on the couch to drinks on the porch, in a color that adds something to the table.
Skip it if you want a heavy tray that feels substantial; this is thin and light by design.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light
- Food-safe statement
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Shallow rim
- Not for hot food
- Thin feel
8. Ironwood Gourmet XL Frederiksberg Oval Tray – Three Feet of Acacia for a Spread
For a party, sometimes the tray is the table. Ironwood Gourmet’s Frederiksberg oval is 36 inches long and 12 inches wide, made of acacia wood, with handles at the ends and a small sidewall to keep food on the tray. That is long enough for a full run of chips, salsas, guacamole and queso, or a line of tostadas, down the middle of a dining table.
Ironwood Gourmet describes it as a serving board and centerpiece and says it is easy to carry with its handles. At three feet long, it is a two-handed carry, and you will want to load it close to where it will sit. Each board’s grain and color vary.
Care is the same as any wood board: hand wash with warm soapy water and towel dry promptly, and apply butcher block or mineral oil periodically to keep the wood from drying out, according to the maker.
Why we like it
- 36 x 12 inches of acacia
- Handles and a small sidewall
- Works as a centerpiece
- Clear care instructions
Key specifications
| Model | 28177 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acacia wood |
| Size | 36 x 12 x 1.25 in |
| Handles | Yes, at the ends |
| Food-safe surface (stated) | Not stated; sold as a serving board |
| Care | Hand wash, towel dry; oil periodically |
| Non-slip surface | No |
Why we recommend it
It suits hosts who set out a long botana spread for a crowd and want it on one tray.
Skip it if storage is tight; a three-foot board needs somewhere to live.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Huge serving area
- Handles and sidewall
- Striking centerpiece
Cons
- Awkward to carry loaded
- Hand wash only
- Hard to store
How to choose a serving tray
What you carry most. Drinks need a flat, grippy surface, which is why restaurants use rubber-lined or cork-lined round trays. Plates and dishes need area and handles. Food served on the tray itself needs a surface the maker says is fit for food.
Handles or no handles. Handles let you carry with two hands at your waist, the easiest way to move a heavy load. A round tray without handles is carried flat on one palm, which takes practice but frees a hand for doors.
Size against your kitchen. Measure the shelf or cabinet where the tray will live, and the width of the doorways you will carry it through. A 20-inch tray holds a lot; it also needs somewhere to go afterwards.
Hot or cold. Melamine trays from Juliska and Reston Lloyd are for cold or room-temperature food; Juliska says plainly that its tray is not suitable for hot contents. For hot food, choose a metal that its maker says can go in the oven, such as Wilton Armetale.
Care. Stainless steel, the Winco tray and melamine go in the dishwasher. Wood, Armetale and Nambé alloy are hand wash only. If the tray will come back from a party sticky with salsa and lime, that matters.
Carrying drinks and botanas to the patio: a server’s habits
A few habits from a dining room make any tray safer to carry at home.
- Load the heaviest items in the center. Put the pitcher in the middle and the glasses around it, so the tray balances over your hand or between the handles.
- Keep tall glasses away from the edge. They tip first. Margarita and coupe glasses are the least stable; our guide to the best cocktail glasses covers steadier shapes for outdoor drinks.
- Add grip if the tray has none. A damp bar towel or a thin rubber mat on a steel or wooden tray stops glasses from sliding.
- Carry dips in one piece. A chip and dip bowl is one item to balance instead of three.
- Bring the butter and bread on the same trip. A covered dish travels better than an open plate; see the best butter dish for options.
Setting up for a bigger crowd? Our taco bar supplies guide covers the rest of the buffet, and aguas frescas explains the drinks that fill those pitchers.
How we picked these eight serving trays
We looked at carrying trays, ottoman trays, handled trays and serving platters from Service Ideas, Winco, Cambro, Carlisle, Thunder Group, Cal-Mil, Mikasa, Lenox, Godinger, Juliska, Fortessa, Libbey, Umbra, Nambé, Wilton Armetale, Le Creuset, Ironwood Gourmet, Teakhaus, Thirstystone and Amazon Basics, and kept only those showing as in stock on Amazon when we checked. Specifications come from the Amazon listings; Nambé’s food-safety and care statements come from its own care page. We describe food-contact claims only as each maker states them.
Most Cambro and Carlisle bar trays and several Vollrath and Thunder Group trays showed limited stock, the Umbra trays on Amazon were bath and jewelry trays, Teakhaus’s in-stock tray was an 8-inch square, and the Cal-Mil listings gave too little information, so they are not included. We did not read Wirecutter, America’s Test Kitchen or Serious Eats coverage of serving trays for this guide, and we have not used these trays ourselves.
Serving tray questions, answered
What is the best quality serving tray material?
For a tray that lasts, stainless steel or a cast alloy like Wilton Armetale, which will not break. Wood is the warmest-looking but needs hand washing and oil. Melamine is the best choice outdoors because it is break-resistant, but it is for cold food.
What is the best serving tray for the kitchen?
One that goes in the dishwasher and is large enough to carry several plates: the Service Ideas stainless tray, with a 16.5 x 11-inch inner surface and handles at both ends.
How do restaurants carry drinks without spilling?
On a round tray with a non-slip surface, such as the rubber-lined Winco, carried flat on the palm with the heaviest items in the center.
Can you put hot food on a serving tray?
Only if the maker says so. Wilton says Armetale is oven and grill safe; Juliska says its melamine tray is not suitable for hot contents. When in doubt, put the hot pan on a trivet and carry the tray separately.
What size serving tray do I need?
About 16 inches round for a round of drinks, 17 x 12 inches for breakfast for two, and 20 inches or more for four plates. For a party spread, a long board like the 36-inch Ironwood Gourmet.
The serving tray to start with
For the food itself, see the best serving platters, and for a hot buffet, the best chafing dish.
More specific guides: the best serving trays with handles and the best serving platters for parties.
Related guide: Best paper plates.
Buy the Service Ideas stainless tray if you want one tray for everything, the Winco rubber-lined tray if most trips involve drinks, or the Amazon Basics acacia tray for the living room. Then load it the way a server would: heavy in the middle, tall glasses inside. If you would rather we carry the food to the table, see the menu or call to order.