When I was in Copenhagen earlier this year for 3daysofdesign, it seemed that every cafe I stepped into, someone was being served a plate of dippy eggs. Could it be, I thought to myself, that the breakfast I once thought of as quite childish — though still fondly — could have somehow become... cool again?
And then I started seeing them everywhere: almost sculptural-like, pretty egg cups that became decor for your dinner (or breakfast, rather) plates. Glass, wooden, hand-crafted from ceramics; a style to suit every day of the week. They don't come part and parcel of your dinnerware sets, so it's an opportunity to have some fun.
There's no denying that hyper-specific tableware is in right now (have you met the oyster plate, yet?), so it seems absolutely plausible that we'd start investing in pretty egg cups to elevate our breakfast, both literally and figuratively. And for that, I've found nine of my favorites to shop, which I've shared below.
Like little chess pieces, these sculptural egg cups even come with a special 'egg-opening' spoon with a built-in miniature hammer. I particularly like how tall they are. Designed by Marcel Wanders for Italian maker Alessi, you'd be hard-pressed to find finer.
Love a bit of color? This funky 70s-inspired egg cup set (yes, you get all four) will add just that to your table. Made from stoneware, you don't have to worry about them toppling over on the table, and they'll look just as good styled on your shelf.
Another sweet set, these egg cups are made from glass featuring a clouded swirl of white (but are also available in black). I like how low they sit to the table, and feel they could also be used as tealight holders or as salt and pepper pinch pots on the table.
Everything Sophie Lou Jacobsen does is a work of art, even an egg cup. The designer is known for elevating the every day, this piece can hold hard-boiled eggs, a shot of your favorite tipple, cocktail picks, salt, or whatever else you want (and look good doing it).
I love a good two-in-one design, and this clever breakfast plate with its built-in egg cup is just so clever and sleek. Made from porcelain with a semi-matte glazed finish, it feels organic, but is also dishwasher safe — and that's a win-win.
Ever cracked open your hard-boiled egg, dunked your toast, only to lose most of the yummy yolk down the side of the egg? This clever ceramic egg cup catches it all for you, so you won't have to waste a thing. It also comes in a mossy green, but that's currently sold out.
Chrome and stainless accessories have absolutely capture my (and most other peoples) hearts at the moment, and this pretty egg cup from H&M looks so much more expensive than its price tag. Plus, the caviar on top... it's really selling the dream to me.
I recently spent a weekend in Biarritz on the French coast, and found some sweet timber egg cups at a small homewares store. While I can't seem to find a link online, this style from Zara Home captures the same magic. It's such an unexpected choice, and that's what elevates it.
Footed decor is just so fun. I have terracotta plant pot feet at home that look like they belong to a dragon, and I smile every time I see them. So I can only imagine this footed egg cup would have the same effect. It's also available in gold if that's more your style.
Yet another unexpected choice for an egg cup, this stone style by Danish brand Muubs has a textured exterior but smooth interior, which means it can also be used to serve other foods — salt, butter, caviar, perhaps?
Here they are: £130 hand-blown crystal egg cups. Proof that pretty egg cups can absolutely elevate your table setting. Mouth-blown by designer Alexander Kirkeby, they're off-kilter, almost fluid-like, melting into the base, and considering they're hand-made, each will be slightly unique. A work of art.
Rather than going up, these pretty egg cups feel more like dishes. Coming as a set of four, they're made from porcelain with a matte glaze, which is designed to gradually change and patina over time — rustic, yet totally refined.
So, what's the secret to elevating your breakfast spread? A pretty egg cup, of course. Oh, and setting a seven-minute timer for room-temperature eggs (it'll give you perfect oozy yolks every time).
And while breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, it's not the only one, and there are plenty of other table setting trends to discover when it comes to dressing your tabletop for lunch and dinner, too.
