Outstanding restaurants express their commitment to artistry through flavor, technique, and presentation. Every element on the table is a deliberate choice that adds or takes away from a restaurant’s narrative, down to the texture of the tablecloth or the transparency of a wine glass. Yet, no choice makes more of a mark than the vessel that presents and frames the food.
Tabletop design is a direct extension of the kitchen’s philosophy. When the dish and the plate align, the presentation communicates just as much about your brand as the menu.
A Partnership for Sustainable Stoneware
Commercial dinnerware must deliver serious durability for restaurant environments while meeting growing expectations for responsible sourcing. To achieve this, Portuguese stoneware design company Costa Nova partnered with the University of Aveiro to develop Ecogres, a sustainable clay.
Costa Nova created this reinvented raw material by collecting, recycling, and reusing clays and glazes from its own operations, as well as incorporating waste materials from adjacent industries. Their successful collaboration reduces the need for natural resources and keeps usable material out of landfills. Furthermore, Ecogres is produced in one of the world’s most advanced energy-efficient industrial facilities.
The outcome is a ceramic body that meets high sustainability standards without compromising on durability. Its strong bond between clay and glaze helps resist chipping, scratching, and even thermal shock.
Dinnerware Lines Built on Conscience and Commercial Quality
Operators seeking beautiful, durable, and sustainable dinnerware have their pic of the crop with three collections that truly reinforce this messaging. Introducing Scotia, Arenito, and Marrakesh, three of Costa Nova’s collections made from earth-friendly Ecogres.
Scotia
Mood: High Performance, Sustainable
Best for: Casual Dining, Café, Tapas, Bar
Made in: Portugal
“Scotia” references Scottish yellowware, a tradition dating back to the late 18th century. Traditional Scottish yellowware has a distinctive buff to golden-yellow clay body, which brought a welcoming warmth to utilitarian kitchen ceramics.
Scotia mimics the look of traditional Scottish ceramics by using a variant of the new Ecogres clay. The collection features soft pastels and a highly resistant glossy glaze, offering a contemporary take on a timeless aesthetic. Moreover, Scotia’s textured surface adds a handmade, tactile experience.
Scotia is perfectly suited for operators whose menus are built with comforting cuisine, rustic elements, and a desire to blend historical warmth with ethical sourcing.
Arenito
Mood: Artisanal, Bespoke, Sustainable
Best for: Casual Dining, Buffet, Café
Made in: Portugal
The Arenito collection combines an artisanal aesthetic with commercial performance, making it the definition of versatile durability. Made exclusively from Ecogres, Arenito features an interior matte glaze while retaining its unglazed surface on the underside. It’s the small details that effortlessly impart a handcrafted, bespoke feel to the collection.
Available in six soothing colors, Arenito adds visual interest to diverse table settings. Its practicality is highlighted by perfectly sized vessels designed to accommodate a range of modern dishes. Arenito’s reliability pairs well with its tactile, artisanal design, making it an excellent choice for casual dining, cafes, and operators running diverse menus.
Marrakesh
Mood: Distinctive, Plant-Forward
Best for: Fine Dining, Buffet, Casual
Made in: Portugal
Inspired by the enchantment of the Majorelle Gardens and the vibrancy of Moroccan markets, the Marrakesh collection is a distinct design statement by French floral artist Christian Tortu.
Marrakesh creates an impactful food presentation through its unique forms, such as floral and leaf-shaped pieces. The distinctive interplay of speckled glazes and sandy, unglazed textures invites the diner on a sensory journey before the first bite. Covered bowls are also included, securing guest satisfaction by helping to keep food warm longer. This collection is ideal for fine dining or buffet settings where atmosphere and a dramatic tabletop are essential components of the guest experience.
Manufacturing Excellence Beyond the Material
As previously mentioned, Costa Nova’s commitment to responsible sourcing extends beyond Ecogres. Their production facilities in Portugal that produce these collections operate with a focus on reducing ecological impact, including a single-fired production process that saves energy and reduces emissions. Furthermore, the heat from the kilns is reused for other equipment, and water is carefully treated and reused for either internal cleaning or to be reintroduced into the production process.
Serving With Intent
The choice of tableware is now a choice of values. By selecting collections built upon the Ecogres foundation, operators choose to serve with intent, aligning their high-quality stoneware with a verifiable commitment to the environment. The result is a tabletop that is as thoughtfully produced as the dishes it presents.
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Partnered With 
COSTA NOVA – Inspiration and style for your table
The love of life, family, friends, and healthy food has inspired
COSTA NOVA to create fine stoneware collections that combine quality and design with the best ceramic craftsmanship.
The brand produces innovative and sustainable stoneware made from the finest natural resources in Portugal, and complements it with flatware, glassware, and table linen collections – all exclusively designed and made in Europe.
COSTA NOVA was born in a small Portuguese fishing village, near the Atlantic Ocean. Nowadays, carrying Portugal’s name and heritage worldwide, the brand is present across the 5 continents, in prestigious department stores, boutiques, hotels, and renowned restaurants.
