What is the difference between a serving tray and a platter?
It’s a subtle difference, but one worth knowing - especially if you like to entertain. A serving tray is designed with function at its core. It often features raised edges and handles to carry food or drinks from kitchen to table with ease. It’s your helping hand during coffee mornings, barbecues, or evenings in with a film and a takeaway. A platter, on the other hand, is all about presentation. Think generous surfaces, sometimes with no sides at all, made to display charcuterie, canapés or roasts in the middle of the table. It’s the host’s secret weapon when you want everything to look as good as it tastes.
At Rinkit, we stock both - in wood, glass, ceramic and even metal - because different occasions call for different pieces. And if you’re not sure which you need? Honestly, there’s no harm in having one of each.
What makes a good serving tray?
It comes down to a mix of practicality and personality. A good serving tray should be easy to carry - that means sturdy construction and thoughtful grip points, whether that’s built-in handles or cut-out sides. It also needs a surface that’s either smooth for cleaning or textural enough to stop cups and crockery sliding about. And then there’s style. A tray that suits your home, your table or your mood can turn a simple gesture - like carrying breakfast through to the garden - into a little ritual you genuinely enjoy.
Some people lean towards wooden trays for their warmth and natural grain, others like mirrored or metal styles for a more glamorous feel. And then there are trays with inlaid patterns or colourful finishes that bring a burst of joy to tea time. However you use it, the right tray makes everything feel more considered.
Elevate every occasion - big or small
Whether you’re plating up a roast for Sunday lunch or ferrying cocktails out to the patio, a quality serving tray or platter adds a layer of ease and elegance. It’s one of those home pieces that feels endlessly useful - the kind of thing you’ll reach for again and again. From sleek slate platters to vintage-inspired handled trays, our collection brings both form and function to your table.