Buon Ricordo Italian Restaurant & Private Dining

Respectfully I'm not quite a fan of the service. The gentleman serving us felt quite condescending. Occured within minutes of sitting down. Potentially it could be put down to a cultural differences. But I did feel slightly threatened to the point where I would shy away from asking things. While the food was quite fair, I think I wasn't able to enjoy it altogether. In fairness I do think the spinach side was quite underwhelming. Also the pasta. I'll stay apathetic and indifferent if others want to try, but frankly I will not be coming back.

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Buon Riccordo in Paddington, and it was truly a memorable experience. From the moment we stepped inside, there was a sense of warmth and genuine hospitality that set the tone for the evening. We were greeted with kindness by the owner, and that same welcoming spirit flowed through every interaction with the staff. The private dining room we were in felt like a little escape—secluded, full of charm, and perfect for settling in and truly enjoying the night. The service was thoughtful and attentive without ever feeling overbearing. It allowed us to relax and savour each course at our own pace. And the food—what an experience. Each dish was beautifully balanced, refined yet full of heart. The flavours were so smooth and harmonious; every bite felt special. We enjoyed a beautifully curated three-course meal, finishing with a refreshing sorbet that rounded out the night perfectly. The attention to detail was remarkable—from the plating to the exquisite hand-painted dishes that transported me straight to a quiet laneway in Italy. It’s rare to find a place where everything—ambience, food, service, and soul—comes together so seamlessly. I can’t wait to return, and I wholeheartedly recommend Buon Ricordo to anyone looking for a truly special dining experience.

Very disappointing experience. The service was extremely arrogant and unprofessional — no sense of basic courtesy or customer care. The food was bland and forgettable, nothing special at all. Overall, a complete letdown. I will definitely not be returning, and I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a decent meal or respectful service.

Love this Restaurant...one of the best Italian in Sydney for sure. Lovely old-school room /atmosphere... menu and wine list is a delight ....great service but the highlight for sure is the food ...every dish was fantastic. A little dissapointed that I informed the team it was our 22 Anniversary with zero acknowledgement...still had a lovely night though...Highly reccomend

Went there for a birthday and even though on the booking I have mentioned that the occasion was birthday and if they could make it a bit special. they literally didn’t do anything. We ordered a dessert thinking they’d put a candle on it and bring it (as other restaurants always do) but NOTHING happened which was very disappointing. Food was alright but nothing really special. The best part was my steak which was cooked perfectly and was quite tasty. Overall the price you pay isn’t worth it.

Excellent! You can tell a great deal of love goes into every detail. The service was incredible. We were mainly taken care of by a gentleman named Terry, but the entire team were warm and welcoming.

Buon Ricordo is a special kind of place. Classic Italian done properly, elegant, full of flavour, and clearly made with care. The service was polished but personal, and the whole experience felt thoughtful from start to finish. Perfect for something a little more refined without being stiff.

It was my first time visiting Buon Ricordo but had high expectations as my partner has declared this as his favourite restaurant. I loved the eccentric decor as it almost felt like I was in the grand dining hall of some Italian aristocrat. The ambience immediately transported me to a restaurant in Palermo in the 1980s. *Don’t quote me on this as I have not been to Palermo nor was I even alive in the 1980s. And of course, the truffle egg pasta left me speechless. It has definitely converted me into a Buon Ricordo worshipper. It was probably the best way to end my trip to Sydney. Pros: Amazing service from the owner Dave who we gave all the power to choose the dishes for us. I had no doubt he would curate an amazing lunch for us as he had a very Masterchef-esque beard. Special mention to the faggotinni prawns - the sauce that came with it was absolutely divine! Sommelier Nick paired our dishes with great wines, and got us to a nice buzz which helped lessen the shock when the bill came. Terry who waited on us was attentive and had great stories to share with us in between dishes. He also put on a great display of grating the parmesan on our pasta and skilfully mixing it in, all the while maintaining a stoic face. I’m sure he has a lot of fun seeing the glint in our eyes as he does his ‘performance’ anyway. Cons: Any pasta you have after having Buon Ricordo’s truffle egg pasta will taste like gruel.

Sometimes after all those modern cuisine, one misses the comforts. Buon Ricordo delivers comfort in an elevated fashion. Not fancy but very, very good Italian. Warm and charming service, excellently executed dishes with an equally excellent wine list. Not to be missed

Buon Ricordo delivers flavour and ambience in spades! Like walking into a private club, you feel instantly welcome and like you were meant to be there. The signature dish that everyone raves about is the Fettucine Tartufo (a dish invented by the Chef/owner Armando) which has a truffle-infused-egg on top, cut & mixed at the table by your waiter with a serious dose of grated parmesan cheese & cracked pepper to finish it off. Grazie Magazine rated it as the BEST pasta in the world! Aside from this 'must try' dish, just about everything else on the menu screams flavour and as this is an Italian restaurant, the servings are decent - Italians are all about satisfaction! The prices are not for the faint-hearted but, as they say, you get what you pay for - so if you're game go for the Degustazione (your choice of 6 courses for $125) - unlike most restaurants Buon Ricordo allow you to choose your dishes from the a la carte menu or you have the option of letting the chef decide a complimentary assortment of dishes :) PS. The wines on offer are ALL fantastic, even at the cheap end. Mind you 'cheap' is a relative term and in this case, the wines are at 'restaurant prices'.

Wonderful Italian ambience (Frank S crooning in the background). Attentive service. Excellent tasting food that matched the service. Portion sizes perfectly measured--I did not have to roll out the door. It is very pricey so save up for a special occasion.

This is not a vegetarian restaurant, but its one of the top vegetarian meals I have had. We went there for my son's 21st birthday. The whole meal was superb. Very nicely presented. Fantastic staff - really there for us, very attendant, but not in your face. Nice ambience in the upstairs room - art on the walls etc. We had a wonderful evening, and its one of the best eating out experiences I have had. There was a wide range of vegetarian options, and each dish was imaginative and delicious. And it was very affordable as well! Top marks.

First went there in 1996 and the food stay at the same high level. The service is excellent and all the food is excellent. That is why this place is still around after many years.

This restaurant has been here a long time under the same owner/chef. It is expensive. The food is okay, the service can be variable. The room needs a lift and different approaches to service can be seen on different tables at times. The chef is a well known personality.