ReviewHome & Garden
Year & Day Review: Beautiful Portuguese-Made Dinnerware at a Fair Price — With Chipping and Utensil Marks to Know About
Year & Day's semi-matte ceramics are gorgeous, well weighted and fairly priced for the quality — but some owners report chipping and gray utensil marks within a year, so handle them with care and choose colors that hide wear.
rating 7.8 / 10
7.8/10
- Best for
- Design-minded hosts who want modern, mix-and-match dinnerware and flatware that looks elevated without luxury pricing
- Price
- Around $44–$70 (sets of 4 pieces) – $200+ (full Core Sets)yearandday.com, AllModern
The shortlist
04 PRODUCTS · PRICES CHECKED AUTOMATICALLY
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Best Overall Pick The Core Set (Ceramic Dinnerware, Service for 4) $237.60
$264Yearandday -
Best for Building Gradually Big Plates & Big Bowls (Sets of 4) $70 Yearandday
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Premium / Upgrade Pick Year & Day Flatware — varies by finish $300 Yearandday
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Approach With Caution White or Very Light Colorways for Heavy Daily Use $70 Yearandday
How this works — Links to shops may earn FailleGlam a commission. It never decides what we recommend, the score, or the order. Prices are read from each shop and shown with the time we last checked. How we review →
01 Why We Reviewed Year & Day
Year & Day is a San Francisco–based tableware brand with a simple promise: make it easy to set a table you love. Its ceramics are designed in California and finished in Portugal, where the brand sources local clay, and its mix-and-match colorways — from soft Daybreak pink to deep Midnight navy — let you build a table that feels curated. The Good Trade named Year & Day its top ceramic plate pick, and on the brand's own site, pieces like the mug and serving platter average around 4.6 out of 5 across more than 250 reviews. Reviewers repeatedly praise the weight, smooth semi-matte feel, quick shipping and eco-friendly packaging.
The honest caveat: durability isn't perfect. One Year & Day customer who switched from Fiestaware said their white set was constantly chipping after just over a year, with cutlery marks leaving plates looking gray. A Thingtesting reviewer broke two plates and chipped another soon after buying. Semi-matte glazes are prone to utensil marking, and ceramics need a bit more care than tougher porcelain or stoneware.
02 Year & Day at a Glance
At a glance
- Founded
- San Francisco, California — direct-to-consumer tableware brand
- Product Category
- Ceramic dinnerware, flatware, glassware, serving pieces, table decor
- Price Range
- ~$44–$70 (sets of 4) – $200+ (Core Sets)
- Ships To
- USA
- Made In
- Ceramics finished in Portugal
- Warranty
- No formal warranty; customer service handles issues
- Return Policy
- Standard return window on unused items — check current terms
- Available At
- yearandday.com, AllModern
- Review Count
- 250+ reviews on key products (avg ~4.6); positive editorial coverage
- FailleGlam Rating
- 7.8 / 10
03 What FailleGlam Found: The Honest Breakdown
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+01
✅ Beautiful, modern design Rimless plates, deep pasta-style bowls and a semi-matte finish give tables a restaurant-quality look.
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+02
✅ Great weight and feel Reviewers describe the ceramics as the right weight — not too heavy, not too light — with a smooth finish.
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+03
✅ Mix-and-match colors Colorways like Fog, Fern, Daybreak and Midnight coordinate well for a layered table.
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+04
✅ Made in Portugal with responsible practices Local clay sourcing and recycled materials appeal to eco-minded buyers.
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+05
✅ Excellent packaging and service Buyers praise arrival speed, compostable packing materials and responsive support.
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−01
❌ Chipping reported Some owners report chips and breaks within the first year of regular use.
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−02
❌ Utensil marks Semi-matte glazes can show gray cutlery marks, especially on lighter colors.
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−03
❌ Slight irregularities Hand-finished bowls may not be perfectly round, though most buyers say it's barely noticeable.
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−04
❌ Pricier than mass-market sets Fair for the quality, but still more than big-box dinnerware.
Our readYear & Day delivers a lovely table at a fair price. Treat it like quality ceramics — not indestructible stoneware — and you'll get the best out of it.
04 Best Year & Day Products Worth Considering
Year & Day's range is focused and cohesive. After reviewing buyer feedback and editorial coverage, here are the standouts — and one to approach carefully.
Year & Day
The Core Set (Ceramic Dinnerware, Service for 4)
The Core Set bundles big plates, small plates, big bowls and small bowls in one coordinated colorway. Reviewers praise its perfect sizes, smooth feel and easy washing, and the bundle discount makes it the best-value way to start. Choose a mid-tone or darker color if you want to hide utensil marks over time.
Year & Day
Big Plates & Big Bowls (Sets of 4)
If you prefer to build slowly, the big plates and deep bowls are the most versatile pieces — great for pastas, salads and stews. Buyers love mixing colors for a relaxed, curated table. If you're comparing ceramic brands, see our East Fork review for a side-by-side on durability.
Year & Day
Year & Day Flatware — varies by finish
Available in multiple finishes, the flatware completes the brand's minimalist look. It pairs beautifully with the ceramics, though heavier use of knives on semi-matte plates can increase marking.
Year & Day
White or Very Light Colorways for Heavy Daily Use
The most detailed complaint about graying cutlery marks came from a white set used daily. If your household is tough on dishes, darker colorways will age more gracefully.
05 What Buyers Are Actually Saying
A long-time collector explains why they keep ordering:
I've built my collection over several orders and I'm consistently impressed — the pieces are beautiful, durable and a joy to use every day, and customer service is always responsive.
Another buyer praises packaging and feel:
The dishes arrived fast and packed perfectly with compostable peanuts. They're pretty, well made and have a lovely light sheen.
On the concerns side, a long-time owner describes durability issues:
Our white set keeps chipping and the cutlery marks make it look gray. After decades with Fiestaware and no problems, these haven't held up for the price.
Another buyer was surprised by breakage:
I love that they're made in Portugal and simple, but I've already broken two plates and chipped another — and we're not a clumsy household.
The pattern: design, weight and service earn wide praise, while durability concerns — chipping and utensil marks — are the main complaints.
06 Year & Day vs The Competition
| Year & Day vs The Competition | Our pick Year & Day | East Fork | Our Place Plates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | ~$44–$70 per set of 4 | ~$40+ per piece | ~$50–$100 per set |
| Quality / Build | ✅ Portuguese ceramics | ✅ Handmade stoneware | ✅ Solid ceramics |
| Warranty | None | None | Limited |
| Finish | Semi-matte | Satin glazes | Glossy/matte options |
| Chip Resistance | ⚠️ Mixed reports | ✅ Stronger reputation | ✅ Good |
| Made In | Portugal | USA (North Carolina) | Varies |
| Unique Strength | Modern minimalism at fair price | Handcrafted artisan look | Coordinates with cookware |
| Best For | Modern tables on a budget | Heirloom pottery lovers | Our Place fans |
For a deeper breakdown, see our full East Fork review.
07 Is Year & Day Right For You?
Perfect For
Hosts and home cooks who want a clean, modern table with coordinated colors and a premium feel — without paying handmade-pottery prices.
Worth Considering If
You have a busy household. Choose darker colors, avoid stacking roughly, and consider buying a few backup plates.
Skip It If
You want near-indestructible everyday dishes. Durable stoneware or porcelain brands will hold up better to rough daily use.
08 FailleGlam Recommends
Year & Day
Year & Day Core Set
It's the easiest way to get the full Year & Day look at a bundle price. Pick a mid-tone or darker colorway to minimize visible utensil marks, and add extra big bowls — buyers use them constantly.
09 Year & Day — Questions We Get Asked Most
Q.01Does Year & Day dinnerware chip easily?
Some owners report chips and breaks within a year. Handle with care and avoid rough stacking.
Q.02How do I remove cutlery marks from Year & Day plates?
Gentle cleaning with a non-abrasive ceramic cleaner can help. Darker colors show marks less.
Q.03Is Year & Day dishwasher safe?
Yes, the ceramics are dishwasher safe, and some serving pieces are also oven safe.
Q.04Year & Day vs East Fork — which is better?
Year & Day for modern minimalism at a lower price. East Fork for handmade stoneware with a stronger durability reputation.
Q.05Where is Year & Day made?
The ceramics are designed in California and finished in Portugal using local clay.