25 surprising replacements for plates
Goodbye, plates
Ever wanted to eat your dinner from a flat cap or risk your fingers for a burger on a mousetrap? Well now you can, because plates are so old school. We round up some of the absurd things restaurants have served their meals on.
Slate
Here we present you with the slate – the most common alternative to a plate and one of the root causes of the anti-plate phenomenon. It all looks well and good, but just don't serve it with ice cream.
Mini shopping baskets
Why would you want your meal to be served on a plate or a slate when you could eat from two mini shopping baskets?
Washing line
Is your beef not dry enough? Just stick it on a washing line. This quirky way of serving beef is becoming increasingly popular as it helps to keep the likes of beef jerky as cured as possible.
Chopping board
Much like the slate, the chopping board was among the original anti-plate army after people latched onto the idea of serving food in a more ‘rustic’ way. It started with cheese and charcuterie and now its burgers, curries and pizza.
Oven tray
Save time and washing up by serving the food as it comes: in an oven tray. You might need to send out an oven glove with that, though.
Half a Jägermeister bottle
This restaurant has opted for something a little more decadent. What better way to serve up a tiny portion of meat and potatoes than in half a tiny Jägermeister bottle.
A jar in a bird box
Torn between the bird box and the mason jar for today’s plate alternative? Just use both.
Dog bowl
You asked for a dog’s dinner; you got it.
Frying pan
This literal serving of a fry-up has become insanely popular over the past few years. Even home stores are selling these mini frying pans for you serve your breakfast on.
Teacup
Would you like the earl grey or the potato salad today?
Treasure chest
Not quite sure this restaurant understands the meaning of ‘treasure’.
Shovel
Strangely, it’s not the first time a restaurant has served food on a shovel. A full English breakfast has been served on shovels in a number of different restaurants across the UK in an ‘artistic’ farm-to-table manner. The art seems to have got lost on this one, though.
Trowel
Continuing the horticulture theme is this restaurant, delivering your breakfast on a trowel.
A cart
If you ask for breadsticks by the cartful, you might just get it.
Picnic basket
At least this picnic basket makes it easy for you to take your sandwich away.
Mousetrap
Fingers or burger? Always the burger.
Dustbin
Hopefully this diner didn't want many chips. They look rubbish anyway.
Ceramic log
When all else fails, polish up your rock collection and serve away.
Badminton racket
Whatever you do, do not annoy a person eating food from a badminton racket.
Flat cap
Yes, this actually exists. And British folk will not be surprised to know it exists in the heart of Yorkshire, North England. Let's just hope it's never been worn.
Lego basket
We're always told not to play with our food, so this way we can play with our bowl instead.
Glass shoe
You shall go to the ball... just eat your croquettes first.
Banana leaf
Now we present you with a slightly more acceptable alternative to a plate. Serving food on a banana leaf is a South Indian tradition and is an eco-friendly way of dishing up food. The banana leaf also imparts a subtle sweet flavor to the dish.
Paper
This is acceptable too. After all, a portion of old-fashioned British chips just isn't the same if it's served on a plate.
Plant pot
But this? Not so much. The world really has gone potty. RIP plates.