Food is such a connector, and when the table is set, there’s always great expectations of food, conversations, and more! How and with what the table is set often gives an indication of how the meal is going to go. Just like how certain types of bowls are great for ramen, plates for pasta, and the like, desi khana is accompanied well by desi tableware, and if you’re looking for brands that nail the desi vibe in one way or another, here’s our pick!
Top 7 Brands That Nail The Desi-Modern Table Look
P-Tal
Brass utensils and tableware is synonymous with the Indian kitchen and dining aesthetic. P-Tal is a brand that really embraces this. A lot of their range will remind you of your grandmother’s kitchen, or that of your family home. The name stands for Punjabi Thathera Art Legacy, and the artisans involved make beautiful, nostalgic, inherently Indian tableware by beating brass and copper sheets into shape. Their bowls, coasters and plates will look pretty on your tabletop. Our fav offering? Their water dispenser.
Tilt
Tilt Lifestyle is by, for, and inspired by India in all their decor options. Seamlessly blending modern design elements with a distinctively Indian aesthetic, we would like to point you to their dinner and serveware options. You can choose to buy full dinner sets from their copper collection (individual pieces also), or something from their crockery collection. Their crockery currently features Indian motifs on them on a plain background. Think pops of red gulmohar, purple hyacinths, or brilliant blue peacocks.
Label Wabi Sabi
Technically Halfway Home doesn’t do tableware, but we can’t help but include it here because their table mats, and runners are gorgeous. Not being shy to use florals, find bright Chintz style patterns with everything from blooming marigolds to creepers with songbirds on them. The bougainvillea also features on these. The tablemats are available in rectangle and circle shapes, while the runners are available with regular as well as V-ends.
Newbasics
Newbasics features the most of basic Indian tableware - earthenware. No frills, fuss, or fancy designs involved here. You get basic clay and earth to eat off, but suitable for modern living. So you can sip on your chai from a kulhad that is both microwave and dishwasher safe, don’t worry. Apart from that they have Thali style plates (with two and three sections), faluda glasses, chalice like glasses, bowls, plates, and even meal sets consisting of a plate, three bowls, a glass, and a spoon. Prices start at INR 349.
Thenga
Another inherently Indian, sustainable, and versatile material is the coconut. Not only can you eat it and use it for skincare purposes, you can also use it to make pretty much anything these days. Thenga uses it for making dining and serving utensils. Of course, they have a range of bowls in various depths made from coconut shells. They also have a limited but cute range of cutlery - namely spoons, forks and ladles.
Kadam Haat
Kadam Haat works with artisans across West Bengal, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir, so their products have the cultural stamp on them. Be it the Sabai Grass (from Orissa and WB) roti box that catches your eye, or any of the bamboo products (trays, and baskets for fruit or bread), it’s an earthy and unique style of art. Our favourite product by them is the handmade Shikara (this is a type of boat in Kashmir) style fruit bowl made of wicker.
Need traditional (heirloom) kitchenware to match your table? Go here. And if you're looking to match the rest of your home too, we got your back!
