The 31 best food gifts that’ll please every palate

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Whether the foodie in your life has a sweet tooth or a spicy side, these mouth-watering food gifts are creative and delicious.

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Giving food as a gift is a no-brainer. It’s appropriate for any occasion and can be customized depending on the person’s taste or your budget. In this gift guide, you can find everything from a make-it-yourself lobster roll kit delivered right to their door to a collection of 11 hot sauces that will knock the socks off any spicy food fan. You could also let them choose their own food gift by purchasing a gift card to a meal subscription service like Home Chef.

Food gifts let foodies explore new flavors or savor their favorite foods. From a zero-proof cocktail kit to a gourmet maple syrup sampler, here are 33 of the most delicious gifts for foodies.

The 31 best food gifts in 2022:

A set of gourmet olive oils

Williams Sonoma Infused Olive Oil Gift Set, available at Williams Sonoma, $39.95 

Olive oil is a versatile kitchen essential and this set kicks it up a notch. Any food lover will love this gift set that offers a variety of delicious flavors like truffle, garlic, orange, and basil olive oil.

Best for: The home cook

A box of yummy mochi

Mochidoki Signature Collection, available at Mochidoki, $84

Best for: The ice cream enthusiast

The mochi lover in your life will adore this assortment of ice cream treats. The collection includes 12 of Mochidoki’s most popular flavors, including matcha, passion fruit, chocolate, and strawberry. 

 

A guide to the world of honey

Book of Honey, available at Uncommon Goods, $49

Best for: The friend who eats honey with a spoon

Spread on toast or dropped into tea, the earthy sweetness of Savannah Bee Honey goes with everything. This gift set comes with five varieties and a book to explain where the honey comes from, how it was produced, and the different tasting notes.   

 

Bread to pair with their favorite brew

SoberDough Artisan Brew Bread Sampler – 6-Pack, available at SoberDough

Best for: Anyone who lost their sourdough starter

With this bread baking kit, they can have a fresh loaf imbued with their favorite beer in under an hour. Plus, the gift includes six starter doughs, so they can experiment and perfect their art.

 

Zero-proof cocktail kits

Zero-Proof Cocktail Subscription, available at Raising the Bar, from $48 a month

Best for: Any sober or sober-curious person who loves trying new things

Each Raising the Bar box is like a crash course in mixology, teaching you about flavors and techniques that you could apply to any cocktail. The box includes your zero-proof cocktail materials as well as extras like cocktail picks and pink peppercorns.  The subscription is a little pricey, but the experience of such a cohesive and jam-packed kit is worth it. 

 

Fairtrade and organic chocolate

Theo Chocolate Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Variety 12 Pack, available at Amazon, $27.48

Best for: Chocolate lovers on the hunt for a new brand

This collection of dark chocolate peanut butter cups is only the beginning of what Theo Chocolate has to offer. Theo Chocolate is creamy and has a full cocoa flavor that isn’t overshadowed by mix-ins. 

Explosively delicious and spicy chili crisp

Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp, available at Target, $14.99

Best for: Someone looking to spice up dinner

Fly by Jing is a relatively new food startup making delicious Sichuan-inspired condiments and dumplings. This is the chili crisp that first put them on the map, and it can be drizzled over everything from noodles to fried eggs. It’s not incredibly spicy, but it uses warming Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili, garlic, and more to create a complex and delicious pop of flavor.

 

An alcohol subscription that supports indie wine makers

Buzzworthy Wines 11-Pack, available at Nakedwines.com, $315.99

Best for: The amateur sommelier 

Nakedwines.com supports wine enthusiasts’ desire to bring you new blends and brands. Once a wine is approved, they can sell their wine through the website at shockingly affordable prices considering the quality. Your favorite wine snob can enjoy trendy wine from small winemakers around the country, even from the most prestigious soils of Napa Valley.

Read our review of NakedWines.com here.

 

Fundamental spices for flavorsome cooking

Fundamentals Collection, available at Burlap and Barrel, from $52.99

Best for: The chef with an alphabetized spice cabinet 

The right spices accentuate flavors and uplift flat dishes, so it’s worth it to splurge on the good ones. Burlap & Barrel sustainably sources its spices and works directly with the farmers. We used Burlap & Barrel black peppercorns to test the best pepper mills and were amazed by the freshness and complexity of the spice’s flavor. 

 

A pack of non-alcoholic sparkling drinks

TÖST 25.4 fl oz. Sparkling Beverage, 3-pack, available at Amazon, $35.98

Best for: The sober celebrant

Made with white tea, cranberry, and ginger, TÖST is the perfect drink for sober party-goers. It has the look of a bottle of bubbly, but without the alcohol content. We found it refreshing and very sweet, a great non-alcoholic option for a celebration. 

 

A savory and sweet gift basket

Classic Favorites Gift Basket, available at Harry & David, $79.99

Best for: The person you want to thank

Harry & David gift baskets are crowd-pleasers, thanks to their variety of gourmet treats. This basket is a true Harry & David classic, with pears, Moose Munch, cheddar, crackers, relish, chocolate-covered cherries, and chocolate truffles. You can even add a bottle of Harry & David wine to this gift. 

 

Gourmet milk and dark chocolate caramels

Gray & Smoked Salt Caramels 20-Piece Box, available at Fran’s Chocolates, $43

Best for: The salted-caramel connoisseur 

Fran’s Chocolates is one of the best online chocolate brands, and this beautiful box contains 10 dark chocolate caramels with a sprinkle of gray sea salt and 10 milk chocolate caramels with smoked sea salt. You can choose from three box and ribbon color combinations and anywhere from 10 to 160 pieces of delicious caramel. 

A mix of rich cake truffles and creatively flavored cookies

The Little Somethings Box, available at Milk Bar, $84

Best for: The fan of all things Milk Bar

The truffles and cookies are a couple of the best things you can get from New York City institution Milk Bar. There’s no shortage of variety in this gift: your lucky recipient will get six different cookies (like the famous Compost Cookie), 12 birthday cake truffles, and 12 chocolate birthday cake truffles. 

Read our review of Milk Bar here.

A cupcake filled with gummy bears

Gummy Bears in a Cupcake, available at Dylan’s Candy Bar, $28

Best for: The classic candy lover

Stepping into Dylan’s Candy Bar always reawakens our inner child. Nothing says sweet, bad-for-your-teeth fun like a bulk pack of gummy bears in 12 different flavors. 

 

Everything they need to make buttery lobster rolls

McLoons Lobster Shack Maine Lobster Roll Kit – 4 Pack, available at Goldbelly, $124.95

Best for: Anyone missing coastal summers

Not included — chips, pickles, or a gorgeous coastal view. Still, if your recipient loves lobster and lighthouse drives, they’ll be grateful for this gift. 

Read our review of Goldbelly here.

 

Premium maple syrup

Runamok Maple Organic Vermont Maple Syrup Barrel-Aged and Infused Collection, available at Amazon, $31.95

Best for: Someone with a breakfast sweet tooth

Vermont maple syrup calls to mind warmth and sweetness. Your giftee can dress up their pancakes, drinks, or baking with one of these four classic and unique flavors: Pecan wood smoked, bourbon barrel-aged, vanilla-cinnamon, and makrut lime leaf infused syrups. 

 

20. A subscription that delivers responsibly sourced meat, poultry, and seafood

Best of Crowd Cow Box, available at Crowd Cow, $150

Best for: The eco-conscious meat consumer

Crowd Cow sources its meat, poultry, and seafood directly from independent farms with ethical and environmentally friendly practices or from the wild. In addition, the service provides you with information about where your meat came from and how the animal was treated before you cook it.

Send someone an e-gift card to go towards a subscription which they can pause, change the frequency of, or cancel at any time (delivered on an automatic basis) or build a custom box for a one-time delivery.  

Read our review of Crowd Cow here.

 

21. A breakfast spread they’ll be excited to wake up for

Russ & Daughters New York Nostalgia, available at Goldbelly, $230

Best for: The New York loyalist

They can customize their breakfast with a variety of smoked and pickled fish, cream cheese, and assorted bagels. Cap it all off with a sweet treat of marble halvah or rugelach. 

 

22. An international cheese tour

Cheeses of the World Sampler, available at Murray’s Cheese, $79

Best for: Any regular at the local cheese counter

They’ll never get bored of this six-pound set that features French, Swiss, and Spanish cheeses from local farms and Murray’s own cheese caves. It should serve 5-7 people, but we’re sure it varies depending on how much your recipient loves cheese. 

 

A charcuterie platter that includes duck, pork, and chicken

Charcuterie Gift Box for 4, available at D’Artagnan, $52.99

Best for: The food Instagrammer 

Save this delicious sampler for wine nights and summery picnics. You can trust this 35-year-old farm-to-table purveyor of sustainable, free-range meats to deliver on flavor and quality. 

 

Hot sauces ranging in heat level from “mellow” to “evil”

Fuego Box Tame to Insane Hot Sauce Box, available at Food52, $135

Best for: Someone with a high spice tolerance 

Gift this 11-bottle box of fiery sauces to that friend who goes to the Hot Sauce Expo every year and always has a new bottle of hot sauce in their grocery cart. They’ll probably want to keep a glass (or jug) of milk nearby. 

 

A colorful assortment of bite-sized treats

Classic 25-Pack Cupcake Gift Box, available at Baked by Melissa, $47

Best for: The home baker who needs a break

There’s no rule saying they can only eat one. And with 12 different flavors including PB&J, brownie batter, and chocolate chip banana, they won’t want to. 

 

A pickle subscription

Pickle of the Month Club Subscription, available at Mouth, from $47.75/month

Best for: The friend always snagging your pickles

A crunchy pickle makes nearly anything taste better, and this subscription will ensure your recipient always has one to accompany a sandwich or a salad. 

 

A fine cut of meat delivered right to their door

Filet Mignon Dinner, available at Omaha Steaks, $113.98

Best for: The novice griller

Omaha Steaks delivers vacuum-sealed premium meats with precise, easy-to-follow cooking instructions and seasoning. Meat lovers and novices alike can appreciate the ease and quality of a fresh filet delivered to their front steps.

Read our review of Omaha Steaks here.

 

Classic cocktails in gummy form

The Night in Box of Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies, available at Smith & Sinclair, $25

Best for: The low-key cocktail artist

We love making our own cocktails, but we also don’t mind creative twists like Smith & Sinclair’s cocktail gummies. They’re a fun, mess-free way to enjoy happy hour. 

 

A meal kit subscription

Gift Card, available at Home Chef, from $25

Best for: The new cook looking to learn

For budding home cooks, Home Chef offers a weekly menu full of easy-to-make recipes, along with pre-portioned ingredients and straightforward instructions. Every meal we’ve made from the service has been delicious and filling. A gift card for $65 is good for three two-serving meals. 

 

Authentic Japanese snacks

Classic Box, available at Bokksu, $137.97

Best for: Any fan of Japanese cuisine and culture

Every month feels like an adventure when they have a subscription to Bokksu, which delivers Japanese snacks, candies, and a tea pairing they can’t find in most stores. The cool snacks also come with a culture guide that explains each snack’s origins and flavors. 

Read our review of Bokksu here.

 

Toopings to up their breakfast game

Premium Preserves and Butters Box, available at Harry & David, $49.99

Best for: The avid brunch goer 

It’ll be hard to choose which topping — strawberry seedless preserves, blood orange marmalade, tart cherry butter, or lemon curd — to spread on their toast every morning. They also go well with ice cream, yogurt, and other desserts. 

 

 

A monthly delivery of cool international snacks

Yum Yum Gift Box, available at Universal Yums, from $15/month

Best for: Anyone interested in other cultures

It’s not always possible to travel, but Universal Yums’ boxes let your recipient do so through food. Past boxes have highlighted the sweet and savory snacks of Scandinavia, Brazil, France, and Indonesia. 

Read our review of Universal Yums here

 

Some of the best ice cream in the country

Humphry Slocombe Chose Your Own – 6 Pints, available at Goldbelly, $104.95

Best for: The all-year ice cream eater

Bay Area favorite Humphry Slocombe serves up interesting flavors like Matchadoodle, Toasted Sesame and Chocolate, and perennial favorite Secret Breakfast (bourbon ice cream with cornflake cookies). Your recipient will be thankful you sent over six whole pints instead of just one.

 

A trio of truffle oil

TruffleHunter Truffle Oil Selection Gift Set, available at Amazon, from $34.95

Best for: The one with a refined palette

We all have that friend who always beelines towards the truffle risotto or truffle fries on the menu. This gift set of black, white, and English truffle oils is for them. The oils come in tiny bottles too, perfect for carrying on the go to enhance any dish. 

 

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