Best Silverware Sets for Fine Dining (2023 Reviews & Guide)

Overview of the Top Products

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Top Flatware Set Reviews

How to Pick the Best Silverware Sets

— Buyer’s Guide —

Choosing a silverware set is a multifaceted experience with many factors to consider. If this is your first time buying a set on your own, read our detailed guide and learn everything you need to know before making a purchase.

Material

Sterling Silver

Traditionally, high–quality silverware was made of, well, silver. Silver flatware used to be a matter of prestige reserved for higher social classes, but not everyone can afford it, even today.

Sterling silver is actually an alloy containing a minimum of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, making it a sturdy flatware material resistant to deformation. Top flatware sets made of sterling silver are highly valuable, so the price can reach several thousands of dollars.

These heirloom quality sets are perfect for special occasions such as a fancy dinner, but they’re rather high-maintenance — they need regular polishing and careful storage. Additionally, don’t put them in the dishwasher as this will likely damage their finish.

Plated Silver

Silver-plated sets are usually the highest-quality affordable flatware since plated silver is not as expensive as sterling silver. They do require the same upkeep as sterling silver sets, but you get the glamour of having a silver flatware set without spending a fortune. Another advantage of these sets is that they’re less prone to corrosion as they’re essentially made of stainless steel and covered with a thin layer of silver.

Stainless Steel

You’ve probably noticed that all of our top–rated flatware sets are made of stainless steel. This alloy of chromium and nickel is probably the best option for an everyday flatware set as it is highly durable and low maintenance.

A good chromium and nickel ratio is how you make sure you’ve chosen the highest-quality stainless steel cutlery. The usual stainless steel grades for flatware are 18/10, 18/8, and 18/0, where the first number signifies chromium percentage, and the second is the percentage of nickel. Ideally, you should aim for 18/10 because the higher nickel content is what keeps your flatware shiny and corrosion-resistant, and avoid the lowest-grade sets without nickel.

Finally, you should know that the premium stainless steel flatware should have an indication of the grade — if there’s no such indication, you might be buying low-quality flatware that may not be stainless steel at all.

Other Materials

Although the highest–rated flatware typically uses other materials, you can also buy sets with wooden, plastic, or resin handles. These aren’t the best choices if you’re aiming for durability, as most of them get damaged in the dishwasher and are prone to quick wear and tear. On the other hand, they’re quite affordable and good for everyday use, especially if you have small children.

You can also buy a modern cutlery set that is electroplated, meaning that the metal plating takes place by means of electric current, and the usual finishes apart from silver are copper, gold, or rose gold.

Sets with PVD coating are another option — a thin layer of vaporized coating that is generally used when making colored flatware. These sets are longer lasting than electroplated ones but don’t be surprised to see the finish wearing off in both cases.

Finish

Top–rated stainless steel flatware can have a mirror finish or a satin finish. The former is polished and shiny, while the latter is a matte finish which many find more convenient for everyday use.

Mirror finishes are shinier and typical for 18/10 stainless steel grade, while the satin or “butler” finishes are matte, usually found in lower steel grades, and resemble hand-polished silver. A third possibility is the tumbled finish. You can buy very good silverware sets with this finish as the pieces have a less shiny, sometimes textured look, making them appear hand-forged.

Stamped or Forged

Stamped flatware is stamped from larger pieces of steel. In turn, forged cutlery is made by heating a single piece of steel and shaping it with a high-pressure hammer. You will recognize the difference by looking at the knife — if it’s stamped, the blade won’t be much thinner than the handle, and the knife will likely be lightweight. Chances are that the highest-quality everyday silverware will be stamped.

When it comes to forged pieces, the handle of the knife will be thicker, while the blade will be stronger and remain sharp longer, unlike stamped blades which are more prone to dulling and deformation. These pieces are also heavier than stamped ones.

Types

There are three main types of flatware sets:

• Place settings — usually found in settings of three to five pieces per person. A basic silverware set will typically have five-piece settings, which include a dinner and salad fork, a tablespoon and a teaspoon, and one dinner knife. You can find individual place settings or buy them in sets of four, six, or eight.
• Disposable sets — disposable flatware is a must when ordering delivery, but it typically includes single-use plastic pieces, which are not exactly eco-friendly. Luckily, many restaurants offer utensils made of biodegradable materials.
• Reusable sets — these are the best silverware sets for use on the go or to take with you on a trip. They can be made of bamboo, lightweight stainless steel, or reusable plastic, and they can even come in neat carrying cases for easy packing.

Quantity

You can buy your flatware in the form of box sets or open stock purchases.

Box sets are actually packs of 4, 8, 12, or more settings. For instance, if you’re buying a simple silverware set with 5 place settings, it will have 20 pieces. Larger box sets of 45 or 65 pieces can also include serving utensils.

Open stock purchases mean that you can buy individual pieces or settings if, for example, you’re afraid that your 20-piece set isn’t enough. Retailers keep additional cutlery in stock, so you can always expand your set if you need it.

Maintenance

Stainless steel sets make the most popular flatware because they’re low-maintenance. You can either hand-wash them or put them in the dishwasher. Don’t use steel wool or brushes because they can scratch your cutlery and cause corrosion and rust. If you have food leftovers stuck on your flatware, try soaking it or removing the food stain with the abrasive side of a sponge. Also, be careful how you wash colored sets, as rough cleaners can chip or peel off the finish.

Even the prime-quality stainless flatware sets are not fully stain-free — you might see spots caused by hard water, so you’ll want to dry the cutlery right after washing by buffing it with a soft cloth. Avoid using bleach, as it can also leave stains. Finally, you might want to avoid citrus-based detergents with some materials, and don’t wash cutlery made of different metals together in the dishwasher as the interaction of the metals might cause discoloration and pitting.

FAQ

What is the best grade of stainless steel for flatware?

The best grade in quality stainless steel flatware is 18/10. This grade depicts the chromium and nickel ratio. High chromium value keeps your utensils tough and sturdy, while nickel makes them resistant to corrosion and determines their shine level.

What is the most durable stainless steel flatware?

The most durable sets are made of high-quality steel grade, are easy to take care of, and retain their surface qualities for a long time. While most of the sets on our list are durable, the Citterio 98 cutlery set and the Zwilling Opus (Polished) 45-pc flatware set probably stand out in this regard.

What is the difference between 18/0 and 18/10 flatware?

The main difference is in the nickel content, denominated by the second number in 18/0 and 18/10. The usual recommendation is to stay away from flatware with no nickel, as it will likely corrode and deteriorate very soon. On the other hand, high nickel content guarantees the durability of the flatware surface.

What is the best brand of silverware to buy?

Zwilling easily tops the chart by producing cutlery of unsurpassed quality. It offers durable sets made of premium materials, which is why Zwilling knives are widely used by reputable culinary masters and found in top-quality knife sets.

Other top silverware brands on our list are the Dutch Amefa, which is a long-time supplier of restaurants and hotels, as well as the Italian Alessi, a family-owned manufacturer with a rich tradition in cutlery craftsmanship.

What is the best kind of silverware to buy?

When buying the right silverware set, you should aim for high quality, functionality, and durability. You should also be able to easily take care of it without going through the trouble of polishing or washing it by hand after every use.

Just about every flatware set review will tell you that you’re looking for an 18/10 stainless steel set, with utensils that are hefty enough to fit comfortably in your hand and that have a quality finish resistant to corrosion and scratching. Of course, you should also find the appropriate design for the intended purpose.

Finishing Thoughts

We sincerely hope our reviews of the best silverware sets out there have given you some guidance on what to look for when buying a set. Silverware is not only supposed to be functional, it also needs to be pleasing to the eye, so try to find a sophisticated set that will delight your dinner guests.