The calendar pointing toward the holidays also means that cheese board season is here. The platters function as a key part of any festive gathering, serving as the meeting point for people to nibble and mingle before they take a seat. But it’s much more than a way to display finger foods. Often situated in a central location at a party, a cheese board works as a decorative design piece, and when done well, can even be a conversation starter. In fact, some boards themselves read as a still life, even after half the Brie is gone.

The most unique cheese boards combine material and shape, offering something distinct and memorable to house the bites (or function as a surface for slicing a baguette). Designers are creating beautiful centerpieces by carving wood into soft, stonelike forms or cutting marble into asymmetrical ovals. Ahead, find seven cheese boards to invest in now, each one pretty enough to steal the spotlight at any event.

Our Top Picks


Best Matching Set: Cheese Board Set of 3 by Sarah Sherman Samuel

3 Cheese Boards in stone and wood.

Cheese Board (Set of 3) by Sarah Sherman Samuel

  • Material: Marble, acacia wood
  • Colors: Brown, gray, black
  • Care Instructions: Hand-wash with mild soap and water. Towel-dry with soft cloth. Marble Cheeseboards: Avoid using with oils and citric fruits. For serving only, do not use as a cutting board.

Sarah Sherman Samuel is known for blending character with clean modern lines in her interiors, and her cheese board trio for Lulu and Georgia brings that same sensibility to the table. The set includes two marble boards and one made of acacia, allowing you to layer textures; situating soft cheeses on cool stone and bread on wood. The three sizes allow you to extend your spread down a long table for a crowd or cuddle everything close on the counter.

Best Sculptural: Ferm Living Cairn Cutting Boards (Set of 3)

Set of three assorted grained ash wood cutting boards. Logo embossed at base.

Ferm Living Cairn Cutting Board Set

  • Material: Solid FSC-certified ash with a carbonized finish
  • Colors: Dark brown, oak
  • Care Instructions: Hand-wash with dish soap on both sides.

These amorphous-shaped boards by Danish brand Ferm Living are inspired by cairns, the stacks of stones that hikers leave as markers on the trail. Each is carved from solid ash that’s certified by the FSC—a third-party organization that confirms responsible sourcing of wood—and is given a carbonized finish that turns the wood a deep espresso shade. When you’re not using the boards to display cheese, you can stack them on a counter where they’ll look like a sculptural piece.

Best Pattern: CB2 Tara Tortoise Serving Board

Ceramic cutting board with a tortoise style glaze.

CB2 Tara Tortoise Ceramic Serving Board

  • Material: Stoneware with reactive glaze
  • Colors: One
  • Care Instructions: N/A. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

For a more artful approach to your cheese board, check out this tortoiseshell option from CB2. Portuguese artisans hand-finish each piece in a reactive glaze, so no two boards come out identical. The amber and chocolate swirls highlight both white cheeses and green accoutrements, such as green grapes and Granny Smith apples, for an especially striking display. And at roughly 10 by 18 inches, the long board runs neatly down the center of a table.

Best Scalloped: Serena & Lily Wave Serving Board

Wooden cutting board with wavy edge.

Serena & Lily Wave Serving Board

  • Material: Teak
  • Colors: One
  • Care Instructions: Hand-wash only.

Serena & Lily has made this wave shape its signature, commonly appearing on its crested mirrors and nightstands, and this board brings that coastal edge to the table. The scalloped surface is the relaxed, beach-house counterpoint to the more architectural boards on this list. At 18 inches, the small size suits a cozy night in for two, while the large, 30-inch board option has room to house a full spread with all the accoutrements.

Best Marble: CB2 Pave Oval Red Marble Serving Tray

Oval Red Marble Serving Tray.

CB2 Pave Oval Red Marble Serving Tray

  • Material: Solid red marble with a polished finish
  • Colors: One
  • Care Instructions: Hand-wash.

Red marble has been having a moment, showing up on bathroom vanities and living room floors. This tray is a low-lift way to incorporate the material in your space. Cut from deep red stone into a sleek oval with a thick rim, the color of this CB2 cheese board is inherently festive but will look elevated and at home in your kitchen year-round. Because it’s solid marble, the veining and color will vary from tray to tray.

Best Oversized: Anthropologie Romie Wood Cheese Board

Wood cheese board with a decorative edge.

Anthropologie Romie Wood Cheese Board

  • Material: Acacia wood
  • Colors: One
  • Care Instructions: Hand-wash only. This item is not dishwasher, oven, or microwave safe

At 13 by 18.5 inches, the generously sized Romie has room for the full spread, with space for several cheeses, cured meats, a cluster of grapes, and a stack of crackers that won’t slide off the edge. Its classic oval shape is made from acacia that’s stained a deep chocolate, bringing out the grain and hiding knife marks. It’s an Anthropologie exclusive and a beautiful board to reach for when you’re feeding more than a few people.

Best Hidden Feature: Nambe Cheese Block With Knife and Spreader

Circular wooden cutting board with curved serving utensils built in.

Nambe Cheese Block With Knife and Spreader

  • Material: Acacia wood, 18/10 stainless steel
  • Colors: One
  • Care Instructions: Hand-wash, dry immediately.

The artist Neil Cohen designed this 15-inch acacia block for the New Mexico–based brand Nambe, and the piece’s best feature is hidden in plain sight. The wood is carved with nooks that hold the knife and spreader flush with the surface, so the tools stay with the board instead of getting lost in a drawer, which is a pretty great feature. The clean shape is modern, making it an easy hostess gift.