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9 best melamine picnicware pieces for dining alfresco in style

Make your spread look as good as it tastes with reusable crockery that’s made to last

Ali Howard
Monday 22 June 2020 05:15 EDT
We tested a variety of sets and items – from high-end and design led to the affordable and family friendly
We tested a variety of sets and items – from high-end and design led to the affordable and family friendly (iStock/The Independent)

Now picnics are fully back on the agenda, and with temperatures rising, we’re likely to find ourselves eating outside more than inside.

Whether our picnic excursion extends to a well-known beauty spot, or the limits of our own back garden, it’s worth being prepared with a stylish dining set designed for alfresco eating.

Melamine (largely dishwasher friendly, but not suitable for the microwave) is a food safe material that is so tough it claims to be virtually unbreakable.

It is a form of plastic, but unlike the cheap single-use variety, it’s arguably more environmentally friendly thanks to its longevity and durability – these picnic-ready pieces can be brought out and enjoyed year after year.

We put a variety of melamine tableware to the test, from the high-end and design led to the affordable and family friendly, all of which give their ceramic counterparts a run for their money.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

The verdict: Melamine picnicware

Lakeland’s Hana garden melamine dining set won us over for its pretty watercolour florals. Offering four place settings, the 12-piece set is a good mid-priced buy that’s guaranteed to brighten up your alfresco experience. We also loved Made’s marvo melamine tiffin box for its fun design and clever functionality – a snip at just £15.

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