The Best Salt and Pepper Shakers (for Every Type of Design Aesthetic)
Jazz up your tablescape with colorful Le Creuset mills, tinned fish-shaped shakers, and more grinders and pinch pots to impress
When it comes to ever-present table accoutrements that make an impression, salt and pepper shakers are where we can really let our personality and preferences shine. These Memphis Design-style salt and pepper mills were whimsical additions to the dinner table at my parents’ house, and I blame this salt cellar episode of Frasier for driving my obsession with the idea of owning a tiny little pinch pot with an equally tiny spoon.
We reach for my salt and pepper shakers at nearly every meal, so it only makes sense that such a frequently used item should beget a design that’s not just efficient, but cool. Imagine pulling up for dinner at your friend’s house, and they greet you with this lemon wedge juicer and chic salt server:
Of course, the way you store and serve your salt and pepper varies according to your spice specifications. There are grinders, cellars, shakers, and combination sets; there are folks who shop for functionality, and folks who want to dazzle guests with a pair of salt and pepper shakers shaped like rabbits. I’m a big proponent of letting kitsch options add some ambiance to your breakfast nook or dinner party in lieu of, say, towering flowers and candles that block guests’ views (it’s all about cutting a low profile, decor-wise). But if you want to crank your workhorse Peugeot pepper mill like Jacques Pepin reincarnate, that’s cool too.
Below, I have rounded up the coolest salt and pepper vessels that the internet can offer — starting with an explainer on figuring out which shakers, pots, and grinders are perfect for you.
Salt and Pepper Grinders vs. Shakers and Pinch Pots
While some of us like our salt and pepper freshly ground, others prefer a quick shake or even a few pinches. Much of this comes down to personal preference, and is enacted via the kind of salt and pepper you’re using. Cooks who favor convenience and pre-ground salt and pepper will reach for shakers, while those who want a fresh, often coarser grind will opt for grinders or mills (many of which have adjustable settings for varying degrees of coarseness). Pinch pots or salt cellars, on the other hand, are ideal for finishing salts (like the popular varieties by Jacobsen or Maldon, beloved for their flaky, pyramid-shaped crystals).
The Best Salt and Pepper Mills and Grinders
The chicest set on a budget
Equal parts romantic and practical
You’re a Le Creuset collector
An elegant grinder and shaker combo set
You’re all about the chrome dishware trend
You’re into Japandi design
The Best Salt and Pepper Shakers
For the proud tinned fish folks
You have tried every Sfoglini shape
You have a MoMA Design Store membership
You used to play with your food (a lot)
The Best Salt and Pepper Pinch Pots and Cellars
The pinch pot with a lid that’s impossible to lose
You’ve seen Dune several times
You want ‘The Brutalist’ to win Best Picture
