Buon Ricordo plates are one of the most charming traditions of Italian culinary culture. Created by the Unione Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo, each plate was produced for a specific restaurant and given to guests who ordered the restaurant's signature dish.
Hand-painted in Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast, these ceramic plates capture the flavors, stories, and regional pride of Italy's kitchens. Every illustration represents a dish and a place, from seaside seafood restaurants to countryside trattorias.
Below is a selection from our newest collection.
Ristorante Il Burchiello – Mira-Oriago (Venice)
This plate features a traditional Venetian boat with a bright blue sail surrounded by fish and red flowers. It celebrates the dish Pasticcio alla Burchiello Frutti di Mare, a seafood specialty inspired by the lagoon near Venice.
La Contea – Neive (Piedmont)
A rustic composition of vegetables and a carafe of Barbaresco wine, reflecting the culinary traditions of Piedmont. The dish Sott paletta ed Bocin is written in local dialect, adding to the regional authenticity.
Ristorante da Delfina – Artimino (Tuscany)
Three playful rabbits stand in the grass before a warm terracotta building. The plate represents Coniglio con olive e pinoli, a classic Tuscan rabbit dish with olives and pine nuts.
Ristorante al Clubino – Cremona
A cheerful chef tosses ingredients such as rice, curry, and cream into the air, illustrating the restaurant's famous Risotto Gabry.
Touring Club Italiano – Sicilia (1989)
This special commemorative plate created for the Buon Ricordo association features a stylized Sicilian head crowned with lemons, a beautiful symbol of the island's culinary heritage.
Ristorante Po – Piacenza
A warm orange building overlooks a table set with wine and dishes. The plate celebrates Anguilla del Po in Umido, a traditional eel dish from the Po River region.
Taverna Artisti A. Berti – Revere
At the center stands an elegant peacock with its feathers fully spread, representing Pavone alla Mantagna, a historic dish associated with festive banquets.
Trattoria dall'Amelia – Mestre
A small blue fishing boat rides the Adriatic waves, accompanied by a tiny yellow octopus. The dish Spiedini dell'Adriatico reflects the seafood traditions of the region.
Ristorante da Valentino – Caorso
Sacks of flour, tomatoes, beans, and bread symbolize rustic Italian cooking. The plate honors Pisarei e Fasò, a beloved pasta and bean dish from Emilia-Romagna.
All plates from these collections are available in our shop while the vintage pieces last.
About Buon Ricordo Plates
Buon Ricordo plates are among the most beloved collectibles in Italian culinary culture. Since the 1960s, restaurants that belong to the Unione Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo have commissioned hand-painted ceramic plates to celebrate their signature dishes. Each plate is produced in Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast, a town famous for its centuries-old ceramic tradition. When guests ordered the restaurant’s special dish, they received the illustrated plate as a souvenir, a “good memory” (buon ricordo) of the meal. Today these plates are highly sought after by collectors of Italian restaurant memorabilia, vintage Italian ceramics, and culinary history, with each design representing a specific restaurant, region, and recipe from Italy.