Here Are the Best Teacups and Saucer Sets for Your Afternoon Cup

For one thing, serving tea or coffee to friends with a small pastry spread feels thoughtful, but is much easier than throwing a dinner party. Serving tea and snacks, like Jammy Dodger biscuits or tea sandwiches , is an elegant, low-commitment way to entertain, and having cups and saucers around makes it feel all the more thought-out.

If you didn’t grow up enjoying tea or coffee out of a cup and saucer set, it may feel unfamiliar. In fact, tea in the U.S. doesn’t have near the same gravitas it does in other countries, including Britain . But, once you start incorporating more tea times into your life, you’ll likely be hooked.

Made from durable bone china, the Brew to a Tea Floral Tea Cups and Saucers Set is our top pick since the six-cup set is very floral and very affordable. If you’re looking for a neutral set that’s within your budget, check out the New Anchor Eileen’s Reserve Fine China Pure White Teacup and Saucer, Set of Four .

When you hear “stackable,” you may think of those espresso sets with a little wire stacking rack included. Unfortunately, most larger cup and saucer sets do not include a stacking rack, but they do feature a design meant for easy storage, and this durable set will take up less room than similar options. Coming in black, gray, forest green, navy, white, and red, it looks like something you’d be served a latte out of in a small Copenhagen café . Although stacking sets do face more risk for chipping or breakage, this set is chip-resistant and safe in the microwave, oven, dishwasher, and freezer. The 8-ounce cups have a larger capacity than others that appear on this list, making them versatile for different drinks like coffee and hot chocolate , not just tea.

For most occasions, it is both more environmentally friendly and more sensible to use dishware that will last a while. But, maybe you’re throwing a birthday party or an afternoon tea picnic . For those occasions when it makes more sense to bring paper supplies, we recommend the Gift Boutique Disposable Tea Party Cups set, which comes with 24 teacups with handles and 12 flower petal-shaped paper saucers. We don’t love that each cup doesn’t come with a saucer, but the pattern is charming and feels appropriate for a tea theme. The cups, perhaps confusingly, don’t hold up to very hot drinks, but if you’re picnicking or throwing a party, you probably won’t be serving steaming hot tea anyway.

If you’re looking for a bulk option for teacups and saucers, we like the Elama Cafe Teacup and Saucer Set. It comes with six cups and six saucers at the lowest price on the list, meaning if you really need them in bulk, they’re still available at a reasonable price (in fact, this is less expensive per unit than most of the much larger sets we found). The design is a step up from the classic diner teacup and saucer, without being too trendy or out there, and the cups and saucers are light, yet sturdy.

The cups and saucers can be loaded into the dishwasher for quick cleaning or popped in the microwave for a speedy reheat, and they can even be put in the freezer without the risk of cracking.

This dainty but sturdy bone china set is a perfect choice for tea drinkers who want to save a few dollars without compromising on style or general quality. For an affordable, you’ll get four cups and saucers in a pure and perfectly neutral white hue that can easily fit into countless decor schemes, but with scalloped edges and contouring to give these sets some personality. These are produced from synthetic bone china that should be able to withstand a clumsy hand.

The Le Creuset cup and saucer set is no exception. Made of sturdy ceramic stoneware with a colorful enamel coating, these cups and saucers hold 7 ounces of tea and can be washed in the dishwasher and reheated in the microwave. The biggest negative involves the set’s size and price. It’s a bit pricey for just two cups and two saucers, so this option may prove prohibitive to those with a penchant for entertaining). However, these timeless pieces are an excellent investment known to last a lifetime, and Le Creuset offers a 10-year warranty to further establish this set as a worthy purchase.

It’s no surprise that Le Creuset has been a top purveyor of kitchenware for nearly a century; this brand basically defines the popular “French country” style of décor, and its products are renowned for their solid, reliable construction and attractive design.

The cast iron can make the cups hot to touch depending on what temperature the tea is steeped at , so keep that in mind before grabbing one during your first use. A nice addition to the design is the texture on the outside of the cups. Some are dimpled, others are lined. Either way, it makes the cups nicer to grip and look at.

Kiyoshi offers the cups in nine different designs, all of which are hand-painted; unfortunately, some designs may be unavailable when you go to buy them. The brand also makes a set that includes a kettle that matches the cups and saucers.

Made from cast iron, this cup and saucer set combines style and durability, making it a great option for everyday home use or an affordable gift. The set includes two teacups that measure 4 ounces each, which is a traditional size for Japanese-style tea, and two leaf-shaped saucers.

There’s a lot to like about the set otherwise, including that the cups are safe in the dishwasher and microwave. This makes cleanup easier and gives users the option to heat up a cup of tea fast. The cups also have convenient handles to protect you from having to touch hot glass (ouch!). As far as durability—one of the biggest worries concerning glassware —customers say the set is sturdy and holds up well over time.

Simple but stylish, this glass cup and saucer set matches any décor and can accommodate a whole party of tea drinkers. There are 12 pieces in all: six cups and six saucers. The set is inspired by Turkish teaware , which is known for its tall, hourglass-shaped teacups. One possible drawback to consider is that cups have a slightly smaller capacity than average at 4.9 ounces.

The 8-ounce cups offer plenty of room for tea with milk or cream , and the saucers feature helpfully lifted rims to make cleanup a breeze. The set is dishwasher-safe but not microwave-safe. Customers say the pieces are packaged well, reducing the risk of any damage during shipping. Finally, the price is highly reasonable for the number of cups and saucers that you receive, making the set an excellent choice for tea novices and aficionados alike.

For a charming tea set that’s both structurally sound and beautifully designed, look no further than the Brew To A Tea 12-piece cup and saucer set. It comes with six bone china tea cups and six matching saucers, all of which has a timeless floral design that evokes the spirit of a tea party. Every cup and saucer is a different color, from a gentle pink to robin’s egg blue and more, so they stand out individually but match wonderfully when placed around a table.

Final Verdict

The Brew to a Tea Floral Tea Cups and Saucers Set is a traditional set made of bone china which is large enough for entertaining and has a beautiful gold rim. For a beautiful ceramic option that can be an heirloom for generations to come, the Le Creuset Cappuccino Cups and Saucers Set is a worthy investment.

What to Look for in a Teacups and Saucer Sets

Design

If you grew up in America, you’re likely used to sipping your caffeinated beverages from a mug, perhaps with a cheeky saying on the outside. As such (close your ears, British friends), a cup and saucer isn’t strictly necessary, even if you’re a big tea or coffee person. But, that just means that you get to have fun with it. Find a design that sparks joy and will make you excited to use your cup and saucer set.

Price

Your cup and saucer set should fit your budget. You can find them at under $20 for one set or over $100 and beyond. If you enjoy entertaining, think of the pricing by the number of pieces you’ll want. It’s nice to have at least two cups and two saucers, but you may want more if you plan to have friends over for tea or coffee often.

Durability

No cup and saucer set will last forever, but it’d be nice if yours lasted through as many afternoon teas as possible. Read reviews from folks on the durability, Specifically, look for reviews from people who have had the set for a while, rather than those who just got theirs and say something like “I haven’t used it yet, but it’s beautiful.”

FAQs

What’s the point of a saucer?

A saucer offers a barrier between a hot beverage and the surface you’re resting it on. Think of it as a fancy coaster: It prevents drips from reaching the table or the temperature from warping it. It’s also a very convenient place to rest a spoon or cookie. In the 18th century, though, the saucer was actually used as the drinking vessel. Pouring the hot beverage onto it cooled it down, while the cup stayed warm and waiting.

How do you drink tea using a cup and saucer?

If you’re at home, do whatever’s most comfortable. Should you be invited to high tea, the most proper method is to raise the teacup to sip from while the saucer stays on the table. If you’re more than a foot away from a table, hold the saucer in your left hand and sip from the cup using your right hand. It’s considered rude to let your eyes wander as you’re sipping your tea. Instead, stare directly into the cup.  

How do you display a teacup collection?

The most traditional way to display a teacup collection is a china cabinet. Some prefer the more modern method of floating shelves. There are also stands you can buy where the saucer is displayed vertically directly behind the upright cup.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

When writer, podcaster, and professional cheese nerd Christine Clark isn’t writing or teaching a cheese class, she’s fueling up with a cup of tea or coffee. She aspires to own a vintage wooden display cabinet for all her teaware. 

This piece was edited by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches and tests a variety of products, from teapots to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. Derek received an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University and a BA in Communications from Marist College. He has written for The Spruce Eats since 2019.