Best Serving Trays for Cafeteria of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

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Serving trays for cafeteria are an essential tool in any food service establishment. They provide a convenient and efficient way to transport food and beverages from the serving line to the tables. These trays are designed with durability in mind, made from high-quality materials that are resistant to stains, scratches, and cracks. With their spacious surface area, they can accommodate multiple plates, cups, and utensils, making it easier for the cafeteria staff to serve a large number of customers at once. Available in a variety of colors and designs, serving trays for cafeteria not only serve a practical purpose but also add a touch of style to the dining experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Carlisle Cafe Standard Plastic Cafeteria Tray Cover #TOP 1
Carlisle Cafe Standard Plastic Cafeteria Tray
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Yarlung 12 Pack Fast Food Tray Cover #TOP 2
Yarlung 12 Pack Fast Food Tray
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays Cover #TOP 3
Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Serving Trays for Cafeteria

Carlisle Cafe Standard Plastic Cafeteria Tray

Carlisle Cafe Standard Plastic Cafeteria Tray Cover
Carlisle FoodService Products CT101403 Cafe Standard Plastic Cafeteria/Fast Food Tray, NSF Certified, BPA Free, 14" Length x 10" Width, Black

The Carlisle Cafe Standard Plastic Cafeteria Tray is a stackable rectangular tray made of polypropylene for light weight, heat resistance, and durability. The skid-resistant surface reduces slipping, and the stacking lugs create air space for faster drying. This tray is NSF International certified for use in food handling and processing, making it a reliable option for food service.

What We Like
Lightweight and durable
Skid-resistant surface reduces slipping
Stacking lugs create air space for faster drying
#TOP 2

Yarlung 12 Pack Fast Food Tray

Ya-PlasticFoodTrays-12pc-B
Black
13.8'' L x10.5'' W
Yarlung 12 Pack Fast Food Tray Cover
Yarlung 12 Pack Fast Food Tray, 13.8 x 10.5 Inch Plastic Restaurant Serving Tray Cafeteria Tray for Coffee Table, Kitchen, Party, Black

Introducing the Yarlung Fast Food Tray, a must-have for all your serving needs. This pack includes 12 black rectangular trays, measuring 13.8'' L x 10.5'' W, perfect for carrying meals from the kitchen to any room or even outdoors. Made of durable lightweight plastic, these trays are not only heat and chemical resistant but also designed for easy self-bussing. The rounded corners make cleaning a breeze, and the scratch-resistant basket weave design ensures a skid-resistant surface, preventing accidental spills. These versatile trays are not only ideal for restaurants and kitchens but also great for gardening, painting, and even as dog or cat bowls. Upgrade your serving game with the Yarlung Fast Food Tray.

What We Like
Durable and lightweight
Easy to clean
Skid-resistant surface
#TOP 3

Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays

Multicolor
Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays Cover
Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays for Fast Food (Set of 6) 16” x 12” Multicolor Cafeteria Tray for Lunch, Restaurant, Café, Craft Service Carts

The Stock Your Home Serving Trays are designed for convenience and durability. Made from heavy-duty plastic, these trays are lightweight yet strong, perfect for carrying meals without worry. The scratch-resistant surface features a basket weave texture that provides grip, minimizing the chances of slips and spills as you move food from the kitchen to the table. With a generous 16” x 12” size, you can easily transport multiple items at once, making it ideal for busy settings. Plus, the rounded corners simplify cleaning, allowing you to wipe them down effortlessly after use.

What We Like
Durable plastic construction
Scratch-resistant surface
Large carrying capacity
Easy to clean
#TOP 4

8 Pack Plastic Nonslip Serving Tray

194425099364
Black
16 x 12 inches
8 Pack Plastic Nonslip Serving Tray Cover
Okuna Outpost 8 Pack Black Plastic Serving Trays, Nonslip Cafeteria Trays for School Lunch, Fast Food, & Restaurant (12 x 16 Inch) - Black Plastic Lunch Trays for Cafeteria - Restaurant Serving Trays

Elevate your culinary creations and transform any venue into a dining paradise with these 8 Pack Plastic Nonslip Serving Trays. Made with durable plastic, each tray measures 12 x 16 inches, perfect for presenting a wide array of tantalizing baked goods, fried foods, and chilled drinks. These trays are an ideal choice for caterers, restaurateurs, coffee houses and food festivals, and can be easily washed by hand and reused again and again.

What We Like
Durable and reusable
Sleek black design
Convenient size for holding different types of food and drinks
#TOP 5

Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray

CT141814
Blue
17.9" x 14" x 1"
Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray Cover
Carlisle FoodService Products Cafe Fast Food Cafeteria Tray with Patterned Surface for Cafeterias, Fast Food, And Dining Room, Plastic, 17.87 X 14 X 0.98 Inches, Blue

Carlisle Fast Food Tray is perfect for self-service operations like cafeterias, fast-food, and schools. Made of lightweight, shatter-resistant plastic, this tray is durable and easy to handle. Its basket weave texture adds grip and reduces the risk of slipping and spills, ensuring your food stays safe and secure. With a low replacement cost, this tray is the perfect choice for any high traffic restaurant or establishment, providing a convenient and cost-effective solution for serving your customers.

What We Like
Lightweight
Shatter-resistant
Basket weave texture for grip
#TOP 6

Carlisle FoodService Products CT121614 Café Standard Cafeteria / Fast Food Tray, Blue

Carlisle FoodService Products CT121614 Café Standard Cafeteria / Fast Food Tray, Blue Cover
Carlisle FoodService Products CT121614 Café Standard Cafeteria / Fast Food Tray, 12" x 16", Blue

The Carlisle Cafeteria Tray is a durable and affordable option designed for use in busy food service environments. Its textured surface prevents slipping and sliding, making it easy to carry food and drinks. The tray is BPA-free and NSF listed for safety and quality assurance. Its versatility makes it perfect for use in fast food, cafeterias, and other food service operations. This tray is a great value for your money, providing a long-lasting solution for your food service needs.

What We Like
Durable construction
Textured surface
Affordable option
#TOP 7

Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray

CFS-NCT1418-01
Black
17.9" x 14" x 1"
Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray Cover
Carlisle CT141803 Cafe 14" x 18" Black Standard Plastic Fast Food Tray

The Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray is a lightweight, shatter-resistant tray that is perfect for self-service operations like cafeterias, fast-food and schools. The basket weave texture adds grip and reduces the risk of slipping and spills. With a low replacement cost, this tray is a great choice for any high traffic restaurant or establishment.

What We Like
Lightweight and shatter-resistant
Basket weave texture adds grip and reduces spills
Low replacement cost
#TOP 8

Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays

Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays Cover
Stock Your Home Large Plastic Serving Trays for Fast Food (Set of 12) 10x14” Blue Colored Cafeteria Tray for Lunch, Restaurant, Café, Craft Service Carts

The Stock Your Home Serving Trays are designed for heavy use in busy environments like cafes and diners. Made from sturdy plastic, these trays are lightweight yet durable, making them easy to carry. Their textured surface helps prevent slips, ensuring your meals stay secure as you transport them. You’ll appreciate the generous 10x14” size, which allows you to carry multiple items at once, from meals to drinks. Plus, the rounded corners make cleaning a breeze, so you can quickly wipe them down after use.

What We Like
Durable and lightweight
Slip-resistant texture
Large carrying capacity
Easy to clean

Lyellfe 8 Pack Fast Food Serving Tray

Ly-ServingTray-WheatStrawRec-8P
Lyellfe 8 Pack Fast Food Serving Tray Cover
Lyellfe 8 Pack Fast Food Serving Tray, 15 by 10-Inch Wheat Straw Cafeteria Tray, Colorful Restaurant Serving Trays, Rectangular Serving Platter for Party, Home, School, Restaurant

The Lyellfe 8 Pack Fast Food Serving Tray comes in a package of 8 rectangular snack trays in assorted colors, each measuring 15''L x 10''W. These BPA-free wheat straw fiber trays are durable with strong load-bearing capacity, easily carrying heavy dishes from kitchen to table. Their smooth surface is easy to clean by hand or in a dishwasher. They are perfect for carrying hot plates of steamy food, juice, snacks, desserts or any other delicacies, making them great for delis, casual restaurants, canteens, food shops, coffee shops, bars and catered events.

What We Like
Durable and strong load-bearing capacity
Easy to clean by hand or in a dishwasher
BPA-free wheat straw fiber material
#TOP 10

Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray, 14" x 18", Red

CT1418-05
17.9" x 14" x 1"
Carlisle Cafe Plastic Fast Food Tray, 14" x 18", Red Cover
Carlisle FoodService Products Cafe Fast Food Cafeteria Tray with Patterned Surface for Cafeterias, Fast Food, And Dining Room, Plastic, 17.87 X 14 X 0.98 Inches, Red

Introducing the Carlisle Fast Food Tray - an ideal addition to any self-service operation like cafeterias, fast-food chains, and schools. Made of lightweight, shatter-resistant plastic, this tray is designed to withstand high traffic and frequent use. The basket weave texture adds grip, reducing the risk of slipping and spills. With a low replacement cost, these trays are the perfect choice for any establishment looking for a durable and cost-effective solution. Whether you're serving up a quick meal or need a reliable way to transport food, the Carlisle Fast Food Tray is a convenient and practical choice.

What We Like
Durable
Cost-effective
Non-slip texture
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are waiter trays called?

Safetray is a brand name for a retractable finger receiver incorporated into the underside of a round wait staff tray to assist in handling the tray when carrying food and drinks for service in the hospitality industry.

2. What are cafeteria trays made of?

The polystyrene used in traditional lunch trays is a petroleum-based plastic that won't break down for hundreds of years. When the trays end up in landfills — and 225 million of them do every year — they leeches pollutants into the water and air, according to the group.

Editor's Notes

During our serving tray for cafeteria research, we found 24 serving tray for cafeteria products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 52,258 customer reviews through our big data system to write the serving trays for cafeteria list. We found that most customers choose serving trays for cafeteria with an average price of $16.45.

The serving trays for cafeteria are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of serving trays for cafeteria, including Carlisle FoodService Products, yarlung, Stock Your Home, Okuna Outpost, Lyellfe. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.