Wooden bowls bring an element of natural beauty to any table spread or display nook. With tones ranging from cool to deep to vibrant, there's an aesthetic to suit everyone's tastes. However, it can be confusing when it comes to choosing between mango wood and oak and all the types, finishes, and styles available. You also need to check the dimensions as some bowls are sized for individual portions while others are designed to be serving receptacles.
A wooden bowl is an excellent gift for anyone, or even yourself, as it ticks both the beautiful and useful boxes. Whether you're looking for a handmade fruit bowl, a carved salad bowl, or you've got the perfect space on your shelf for a rustic, decorative ornament, there are plenty of options available. Take a look at our list below of the top 10 best wooden bowls in the UK available to buy from Amazon and John Lewis.
Quick List - Top Wooden Bowls
Paper High
Unique, Fair Trade Mango Wood Fruit Bowl From North India
Jungle Culture®
Practical Coconut Shell Bowls for Breakfast Cereal and Desserts
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Different types of carved wood have different characteristics. Some woods are very subtle in colour and pattern, whilst others feature natural, dramatic swirls of colour. If you have existing wooden surfaces in your living room or dining room, consider whether you want your bowl to match or contrast, especially if it's going to be standing directly on a wooden surface.
If you need more space to display your favourite wooden bowl or other ornaments, check out our list of the best bookcases.
Some wooden bowls are labelled wipe-clean only; for example, bamboo and mango wood bowls should not be submerged in water. These can only be used for serving or displaying dry food, which makes them ideal fruit bowls, bread bowls, crisp receptacles and wrapped sweet bowls. Wiping them with a slightly damp cloth in between uses will be sufficient, as prolonged moisture exposure can lead to severe cracking and warping.
Oak, coconut husk and acacia wood bowls are naturally water-resistant, so they can be washed in warm soapy water - just make sure you're drying them immediately afterwards. These bowls are great for serving salad, or smaller versions can be used for fruit salad, breakfast cereal or yoghurt.
For more robust platters, many of which can be thoroughly washed, see our selected list of serving dishes.
When your wooden bowl is on display, you'll no doubt be asked by admiring visitors what it's made of and where it is from. The ideal growing conditions required for mango, acacia, bamboo and coconut trees are all found overseas, so it's best to seek out reputable suppliers and buy from a brand you trust. For extra peace of mind, look for Fairtrade certification, too.
The Fairtrade Foundation and the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) work with suppliers to ensure fair pay and safe working conditions for everyone involved with the production process. Environmental sustainability is a key requirement of the Fairtrade movement, so by seeking out such items, you can be assured you are making a planet-friendly choice too.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis Levantine Print Wood Bowl | ![]() | Large Mango Wood and Enamel Bowl With a Quirky Design | |
2 | Paper High Hand Carved Polished Mango Wood Fruit Bowl | ![]() | Unique, Fair Trade Mango Wood Fruit Bowl From North India | |
3 | Jungle Culture® Set of 2 Coconut Bowls & Spoons | ![]() | Practical Coconut Shell Bowls for Breakfast Cereal and Desserts | |
4 | John Lewis Large Mango Wood Heart Bowl | ![]() | Delightful Heart-Shaped Mango Wood Snack Bowl | |
5 | John Lewis Leckford Oak Wood Salad Bowl | ![]() | Solid Oak Salad Bowl With Mesmerising Ring Patterns | |
6 | ANYDAY John Lewis Mango Wood Salad Bowl | ![]() | A Deep Fruit Bowl With a Narrow Base Made From Mango Wood | |
7 | John Lewis Scalloped Mango Wood Bowl | ![]() | Robust Mango Wood Bowl With an Unusual Scalloped Outline | |
8 | John Lewis Classic Small Oak Wood Salad Bowl | ![]() | A Pale and Natural Oak Wood Salad-Serving Bowl for a Timeless Look | |
9 | Lipper International Set of 4 Acacia Wave Bowls | ![]() | Four Individual-Portion Bowls Made From Robust Acacia Wood | |
10 | Dehaus® LARGE 30cm Stylish Handmade Bamboo Fruit Bowl | ![]() | Sleek, Black, Satin Finish Bamboo Bowl for a Sustainable Choice |
This generous 24 cm diameter mango wood bowl from John Lewis was inspired by the Levant region of the Middle East. It has a beautifully-decorated interior that features a colourful geometric pattern, whilst the outer is made up of stunning mango wood panels.
This bowl is perfect for serving salads thanks to the practical enamel lining, but it could also make the ideal receptacle for party food. The candles around the edge of the pattern provide a playful vibe and would remain visible even if the bowl was half-filled.
Paper High's fair trade mango wood bowl is a truly eco-friendly option. The wood is only sourced from ageing mango trees that have ceased producing fruit in their later years, making this type of wood a particularly sustainable choice. Every bowl is hand-made in northern India, ensuring each piece is a unique work of art.
The bowl is a highly polished and decorative piece, yet it can be used practically, too, for storing dry items. Its extra-large diameter of 35 cm makes it ideal as a family-sized fruit bowl or simply an eye-catching ornament.
This pair of single-portion bowls are crafted from premium-quality coconuts by skilled artisans in Vietnam. Jungle Culture is a 1% for the planet company, meaning that its ethics and sustainability practices are strictly audited.
Suitable for serving both wet and dry foods and certified as food-safe according to UK and EU laws, these are a practical choice if you'd like to eat your daily breakfast cereal from a wooden bowl. The pack also includes two wooden spoons, a bamboo straw and a storage pouch, making it an excellent gift for a new homeowner.
This John Lewis bowl has been beautifully carved into a heart-shaped design from warm-toned mango wood. The bowl's natural aesthetic will also lend a cosy feeling to any room or colour scheme. It makes us feel happy just looking at it!
This heart bowl can only be wiped clean after use, making it best for dry snacks, such as crisps, sweets or plain popcorn. Or, you could use it as a fairly compact yet delightful fruit bowl. It would also make a gift to give to someone setting up a home.
Next, we have this beautiful solid oak serving bowl by John Lewis. The bowl is covered in a mesmerising and unique pattern of tree rings, and the pleasing curve of the bowl and the pale colouring makes it very easy on the eye.
The relatively shallow depth means that it is easy to scoop salad or hold crisps, popcorn and dry snacks or be used as a fruit bowl. Such a quality item of tableware will set the tone perfectly at any foodie gathering you host.
If your kitchen or dining room has limited surface space, this could be the perfect fruit bowl for you! The generous 24.5 cm diameter at the top tapers to a narrow base, so this bowl will hold plenty of fruit without taking over the countertop.
Made of solid mango wood, the grain features naturally varied horizontal stripes, resulting in a unique patchwork-type finish. However, while it is sold as a salad bowl, it's best used as a fruit bowl or to hold dry snacks, as it's wipe-clean only.
At number 7, we have this heavyweight and unusually shaped, handmade mango wood bowl with scalloped edges. At 1.7 kg, this piece feels gloriously robust, but it's best kept for dry snacks only, such as crisps or sweets, as it cannot be washed, only wiped down.
It would also make an attractive fruit bowl as it's fairly shallow, plus any rounded fruit such as apples or oranges could nestle snugly into the scalloped design. If you want something a bit smaller, John Lewis also has another option with a diameter of 15 cm.
This salad bowl made from pale oak could be an heirloom in the making if you think about it. It has a timeless look that will certainly be treasured for years to come, no matter the style of your home.
The understated elegance of this bowl comes from the pale, natural oak finish and the delicate rim. It also sits fairly low to the ground yet is perfectly in proportion. The only downside is the relatively high price tag for such a modest-sized bowl, which may put some people off.
This set of four acacia wood bowls from Lipper International are the ideal size for fruit salad, popcorn, ice cream or your morning cereal. They have a beautifully warm and rustic aesthetic and are perfect for those keen on moving away from plastic.
Each wave-shaped bowl is unique, so don't expect a set of perfectly colour-matched or precision stacking bowls, however, we feel this just adds to their charm! The wide colour variation also means they will complement any wooden serving ware you already own.
This sleek black satin bamboo bowl from Dehaus is a generous size, making it perfect for a family fruit bowl or bread basket. It's also available in grey, white and sage green colourways making it suitable for a wide range of decor.
Bamboo regrows to its adult size in 3 to 5 years, making this bowl a sustainable choice plus, the packaging it comes in is fully recyclable. As it is hand wash only, though, we'd suggest using this bowl just for dry food to avoid staining and to prolong its life.
Written and researched by Lucy Smith
No. 1: John Lewis|Levantine Print Wood Bowl
No. 2: Paper High |Hand Carved Polished Mango Wood Fruit Bowl
No. 3: Jungle Culture® |Set of 2 Coconut Bowls & Spoons
No. 4: John Lewis|Large Mango Wood Heart Bowl
No. 5: John Lewis |Leckford Oak Wood Salad Bowl
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