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What You’ve Been Collecting: Most-Loved Hand-Drawn Restaurant Prints

John Donohue | 29 August, 2025


          
            What You’ve Been Collecting: Most-Loved Hand-Drawn Restaurant Prints

Over the months, and years, we’ve been quietly tracking what restaurants you love most. Not to spill secrets, but to better understand the emotional pull of certain places. We’re not sharing hard numbers here, but the patterns are too fascinating not to talk about. So, here’s a peek behind the curtain, the top picks, seasonal trends, and customer favorites from the past few years. 

The Most Collected Prints of the Past 3 Years 

Here are the five most-purchased hand-drawn restaurant prints, and a few thoughts on why they may have captured your hearts. 

  1. Balthazar — The Soul of SoHo 
    This one consistently tops the list. Maybe it’s the golden light on a rainy morning, the steady clatter of dishes, or the sheer New York-ness of it all. It’s a classic and so is the drawing. 
  2. Les Deux Magots — A Café Worth Writing Home About 
    Writers, thinkers, travelers — this Parisian café has drawn them all in. Our collectors seem to feel that same magnetic pull. Maybe it’s something about the green awnings and the idea of lingering for hours. 
  3. The French Laundry — A Celebration in Ink 
    Often gifted to mark big milestones — a proposal, a bucket-list meal, a retirement toast. There’s something reverent about this Yountville place, and the print seems to honor that. 
  4. Le Jules Verne — A View Worth Remembering 
    Suspended inside the Eiffel Tower, this is one of our most visually striking drawings. Purchased as a memory of travel, celebration, and the height (literally) of French dining. 
  5. Bemelmans Bar — A Manhattan Legend 
    It’s a love letter to New York elegance. From the mural-lined walls to the hum of a well-dressed crowd, Bemelmans holds the nostalgia of an era and the print captures it just right. 

The Top 3 Months of 2025 

2025 isn’t over yet. But, so far, spring and summer have taken center stage. Here’s when collectors hit “add to cart” the most and what we think might have inspired the spike. 

  1. May — Milestones and Memories 
    Anniversaries, graduations, and Mother’s Day — May is a month full of reasons to celebrate. We often see collectors choosing meaningful places to commemorate big life moments, and May tends to bring a wave of nostalgia with it. 
  2. July — Summer Travel, Captured in Ink 
    As vacations unfold and memories are made, people seem to want a visual keepsake of where they went or where they wish they were. Whether it’s a beachside seafood spot or a European café, July is always full of wanderlust. 
  3. June — Weddings, Moves, and New Beginnings 
    June is the month of fresh starts. We’ve noticed an uptick in hand-drawn restaurant prints purchased as housewarming gifts or wedding presents — personal, lasting tokens of a place that means something to the people being celebrated.

The Top 3 Months of 2024 

In contrast to the sunny months of 2025, last year’s biggest sales came as the days got shorter and the twinkle lights came out. Fall and early winter brought an entirely different kind of warmth. 

  1. December — Wrapped with Meaning 
    Prints flew off the shelves in December, and for good reason. They make for unique, thoughtful gifts and whether it’s a favorite date-night spot or a dream destination, each one carries a personal story.
  2. November — Gratitude Season 
    We saw a surge of orders just ahead of the holidays. Maybe it’s the spirit of thankfulness, or maybe it’s the desire to send something heartfelt and easy to mail to family and friends far away. 
  3. October — Cozy Vibes and a Harvest of Memories 
    October brought an earlier-than-usual jump in orders, which we chalk up to early holiday planners and the natural nesting instinct of fall. There’s something about autumn that makes people want to hold on to what matters. 

Summer 2025 Favorites

This summer’s top picks told a story of shared tables, cheesesteaks, and a whole lot of love for iconic spots. Here’s what topped the list during the sunny season:

  1. Parc (Philadelphia, PA) 
    Whether it’s the charm of Rittenhouse Square or the clatter of a perfect Parisian brunch, Parc continues to be a collector favorite. There’s just something about those red awnings and outdoor tables that captures a feeling people want to keep. 
  2. Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies (Philadelphia, PA) 
    Proof that comfort food has serious staying power. Dalessandro’s isn't fancy, but it’s full of heart and hoagies. For those who grew up nearby or made a pilgrimage for a cheesesteak, this print is a memory. 
  3. The French Laundry(Yountville, CA) 
    Tucked in the Napa Valley, this culinary legend continues to resonate. Whether someone dined there for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration or dreams of doing so one day, the print captures the magic of a place where food becomes art. 
  4. Le Diplomate (Washington, DC) 
    Elegant, bustling, and unmistakably DC, this French bistro has earned a place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. It’s no wonder it’s a summer favorite — think of it as a passport to Paris without leaving the capital.

Holiday Season 2024 Favorites 

The colder months brought a rush of gifting and nostalgia, with buyers gravitating toward hand-drawn restaurant prints that evoke warmth, tradition, and unforgettable meals. Here are the five most popular selections as the year came to a close: 

  1. 1789 Restaurant & Bar / The Tombs (Washington, D.C.) 
    A Georgetown classic, this duo was our standout favorite last holiday season. Whether you’re a Hoya, a parent, or a longtime D.C. local, the pairing of history, academia, and intimate dinners made this print a top-tier gift and keepsake. 
  2. Le Diplomate (Washington, D.C.) 
    Le Diplomate kept its crown as a repeat bestseller, this time especially popular for holiday gifting. Maybe it’s the twinkle of the bistro lights in December or the way it brings Paris to P Street, but this print resonated with romantics and food lovers alike. 
  3. The French Laundry (Yountville, CA) 
    This iconic Napa Valley destination reappeared on many wish lists, ideal for commemorating milestone moments, anniversary dinners, or as a meaningful gift for wine country travelers past and future. 
  4. Chez Janou (Paris, France) 
    Tucked near Place des Vosges, Chez Janou’s cozy charm made it a beloved holiday choice. With its jars of mousse au chocolat and bustling bar, the print became a sweet reminder of Parisian escapes and slower winter afternoons. 
  5. Balthazar (New York, NY) 
    Rounding out the list is this SoHo mainstay. For many, Balthazar is the taste of NYC during the holidays — bustling brunches, champagne-fueled dinners, and snowy sidewalks outside. A classic gift, and a collector’s favorite. 

Behind Every Print, a Memory 

These trends are more than numbers. They reflect moments, milestones, and memories. Whether you're celebrating something personal or simply savoring the atmosphere of a favorite spot, the right hand-drawn restaurant print has a way of bringing it all back. 

If one of your favorites made the list, or even if it didn’t, you can explore the full collection to find the one that speaks to you. Here’s to seeing what the rest of the year holds for art sale trends and, more importantly, for making more memories at cherished places in NY and beyond.