This is less a rivalry than a fork in the road: veneer sells grain, lacquer sells colour. The best kitchens this year often use both.
Two different jobs
Veneer's entire value is real wood figure — rift oak, walnut, figured eucalyptus — under a clear finish. Lacquer's value is a perfect pigmented surface in any colour at any sheen. Neither imitates the other well: painted-over veneer wastes money, and woodgrain foil imitating veneer fools nobody at counter height.
Durability and repair
Both are durable when factory-finished. Veneer is thin — deep scratches reach glue line and repairs are specialist work. Lacquer's repairs are routine touch-ups.
Using them together
The current designer formula: lacquered perimeter in a calm colour, veneer island or tall run for warmth — or the inverse. We supply the lacquer side to match any veneer tone your millworker proposes.