Bowls
Commercial bowls cover everything from cereal bowls to serving bowls used across pubs, cafés, hotels and restaurants for starters, sharing dishes, sides and buffet service. The primary buying consideration is capacity matched to portion size — typically 10-30cl for individual bowls and 1-5 litres for sharing or serving bowls — alongside stackability for storage and vitrified porcelain or stoneware construction for chip resistance. “Commercial bowls” and “catering bowls” are the common buyer terms.
Key specifications
The bowls range runs from small individual pieces to large sharing and prep bowls: cereal and breakfast bowls around 40-55cl, dessert and dipping bowls from 5-25cl, and soup, pasta, rice and salad bowls in the 30-80cl band, up to serving bowls from 1 litre to 5 litres and beyond for buffets. Tableware bowls are usually vitrified porcelain or stoneware for chip resistance, with melamine chosen for outdoor, buffet and high-impact settings and 18/10 stainless steel for prep-side mixing bowls. Across the range the practical priorities are capacity matched to portion, a stacking lip to save back-of-house space, and full dishwasher and (for most) microwave safety for high-turnover pubs, cafés, hotels, restaurants and care-home dining.
Bowls — FAQs
What size bowl for a starter or side dish?
Starter and side bowls typically run 10-16cm diameter holding around 15-25cl, enough for soup, dips or a small salad portion without overcrowding a table setting.
Porcelain or melamine bowls for outdoor or buffet service?
Melamine is virtually unbreakable and ideal for outdoor terraces, poolside or self-service buffets; porcelain gives a premium finish for restaurant-style plated service and handles dishwasher cycling better long-term.
Are stacking bowls worth it for a small kitchen?
Yes — bowls with a stacking lip or reduced footer save significant shelf space in tight back-of-house storage and reduce chip risk versus flat-stacked designs.