Gift Ideas for Foodies
- Hungry Girl
- 13 hours ago
- 8 min read
This is a list of some of my favorite food gifts I’ve ever tried. These are things that actually taste amazing, feel special, and make people genuinely excited when they open them. From salty snacks and nostalgic desserts to gourmet pantry staples, beautiful olive oils, iconic pastries, and even full meal kits, there’s something here for every type of food lover. If you’re looking for holiday gifts that are thoughtful, delicious, and guaranteed to be appreciated, this list is the perfect place to start.
Boarderie Cheese and Charcuterie
Everything about the board feels thoughtful and high quality, from the beautiful presentation to the creative mix of cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, chocolates, and olives. It arrives completely ready to enjoy, no prep needed, and every bite tastes amazing together. The rosemary and olive oil crackers pair perfectly, and the Acacia wood serving board makes it look so elegant and festive. I love that it’s made fresh daily and ships overnight, so it feels really special when it arrives. It’s such a cute, delicious, and impressive gift idea that anyone would be excited to receive for the holidays.
This company makes the most heartwarming gift boxes that truly feel like home in a package. You can choose from different soups and cookies, and everything tastes homemade and comforting. The chicken noodle soup and chocolate chip cookies are my personal favorites because they’re both classic and delicious. Each package includes plenty of soup, soft rolls, and a keepsake ladle that’s such a thoughtful touch. It’s the perfect get well or thinking of you gift, beautifully packaged and filled with warmth, care, and comfort.
I’m not usually a tinned fish person because most cans look and smell like cat food when you open them, but Fishwife completely changed my mind. Their tinned Atlantic salmon, is smoked in small batches over beech, maple, and birch wood and hand-packed by a family cannery in Washington. When you open a can, you actually see whole pieces of fish that are clearly seasoned and full of flavor. The salmon is raised sustainably in the cold, clean waters of the Arctic Circle without antibiotics or chemicals, and Kvarøy Arctic was the first finfish farm to earn the Fair Trade USA seal. It’s rich, delicious, and perfect for tossing into pasta, rice bowls, or dips. I also love their smoked salmon with chili crisp, tuna belly, and anchovy lemon butter.
I know caviar is expensive, but it’s amazing and I love it. I don’t have it often, so when I do, it feels like a real treat. Marky’s Caviar Butter is the perfect way to enjoy that same flavor in a more approachable way. It combines rich, high-quality French butter with premium Osetra caviar, creating a smooth, creamy spread that tastes luxurious in every bite. You only need a little on a bagel, toast, or crackers to get that buttery, savory, umami flavor that makes caviar so special. It’s simple, indulgent, and feels like a small everyday luxury.
Garret Popcorn Shops
Chicago’s famous Garrett Popcorn is one of those snacks you never forget once you've tried it. The caramel flavor is my favorite because it is perfectly sweet, buttery, and crunchy without being too sticky. Each bite tastes like it has been made with care and has that deep, rich caramel flavor that feels nostalgic and comforting. They also have other delicious flavors like cheese, butter, and pecan caramel crisp. Whenever I visit Chicago, I always leave with several tins as souvenirs for friends and one for myself of course .
Ritrovo’s Truffle & Salt is a true classic. It blends Italian sea salt with real Abruzzo black truffle and a touch of truffle essence for an incredible aroma and deep, earthy flavor. When you open the container, you can actually see the little truffle bits and smell that strong, unmistakable truffle scent right away. Unlike other truffle salts that barely have any flavor, this one is rich, bold, and full of real truffle taste. It is amazing on everything from French fries and popcorn to pasta, steak, and eggs. Anyone who knows good truffles will recognize this as a superior product.
If you want to give a holiday gift that feels truly special, McLoons Lobster Shack’s Lobster Roll Kits are the perfect choice. McLoons, named the best lobster roll in all of Maine, ships nationwide so you can send someone the authentic taste of a Maine wharf without them leaving home. The kit comes with huge, sweet chunks of locally caught lobster, buttery perfectly toasted split top rolls, and their classic half and half style with warm butter and regular mayo. They are incredibly easy to assemble, unbelievably fresh, and honestly feel like such a treat. I always add a squeeze of lemon to brighten the lobster salad. For seafood lovers, homesick New Englanders, or anyone who deserves something luxurious, McLoons makes the kind of holiday gift people talk about for months.
The Hot Ones lineup is the closest you can get to recreating the full YouTube experience at home and it's one of my favorite things to do with friends. I have watched the show for years and love seeing celebrities try to keep it together while Sean Evans asks his signature thoughtful questions, but doing the challenge yourself is even more fun. I have hosted multiple Hot Ones nights where I make a batch of chicken wings, set up all ten sauces in order, and we work our way through each one just like on the show. The best part is that the sauces are genuinely delicious so it is not just a challenge, it is actually an amazing tasting experience. Picking up this season’s lineup is the perfect way to bring that same energy into your own home.
Boozy Jerky has one of those great origin stories that started not in a dorm or a garage but in a kitchen surrounded by good cuts of meat and stacks of craft beer. The founders came from two different corners of the jerky world and were determined not to make another copycat product, especially with the biggest jerky brand sitting in their own backyard. Instead, they created Boozy Jerky, an insanely tender and flavorful jerky that’s infused with beer, tequila, or whiskey and cooked down until it tastes almost glazed. My favorite flavors are Spicy Citrus IPA, Teriyaki Twister IPA, Garlicky pilsner, and Bourbon Whiskey, and I snack on a pack almost every day. The alcohol is fully cooked out, but the flavor stays, and everyone I have shared it with ends up loving it.
Muraglia extra virgin olive oil is such a practical and thoughtful Christmas gift. It elevates whatever dish you cook with it, and it also elevates the entire kitchen because the bottles are so pretty. The extra virgin olive oil itself is amazing, super high quality with a bright clean flavor, and the ceramic jars make it feel even more special. They come in so many different designs that you can pick one that fits the person you are gifting it to, almost like choosing a small piece of decor for their counter. It is the kind of gift people use every day and still appreciate every time they see it.
Jacobsen Sea Salt Slide Tins
Jacobsen salt tins are one of those gifts that feel fun and clever but are actually incredibly thoughtful, especially for the friend who always says “needs salt.” These little travel sliders are filled with high-quality sea salt harvested from the cold, pristine waters of the Oregon Coast, where Jacobsen Salt Co. handcrafts bright, clean, briny salt with the perfect delicate crunch. I bring mine everywhere, and I hate to admit I am definitely one of those “needs salt” friends, mostly because restaurant salt in the South is usually caked together and mixed with rice. Never settle for dusty communal salt again!
I have visited New York so many times and always saw babka everywhere, but I thought it was just another overrated pastry. On my most recent trip I gave in to the pressure and brought home a chocolate babka for my family, and it sat on my counter for almost a week before I bothered to slice it. Even after a week, a plane ride, and zero special treatment it unbelievable, flaky, buttery, and packed with quality chocolate flavor. Russ & Daughters’ Chocolate Babka is hand braided and swirled with two types of dark chocolate and a touch of coffee, and you can taste the care that comes from a family-run New York institution that has been operating since 1914. This is a great gift for chocolate lovers, but they sell cinnamon babka too if that is more your thing!
Prantl’s Bakery’s Burnt Almond Torte is truly one of the most unforgettable cakes I have ever tasted. It is made with layers of airy yellow sponge, silky custard, smooth buttercream, and a thick coating of toasted sugared almonds that give it the most incredible crunchy exterior. The inside stays soft, fluffy, and delicate, and the contrast is honestly magical. Family-run for more than half a century, Prantl’s has become a Pittsburgh institution, famous for handcrafting this dessert that is consistently recognized as one of the best cakes in America. It is the kind of cake you can eat for breakfast or dessert, and it is always a crowd pleaser.
Neuhaus has one of the most charming histories in the chocolate world, starting in 1857 when Jean Neuhaus opened a pharmacy in Brussels and began coating medicines in chocolate to make them more enjoyable. His grandson later transformed that idea into the first Belgian praline, and the family went on to invent the iconic ballotin gift box, setting the standard for fine chocolate. Today, Neuhaus still crafts its chocolates with the highest quality ingredients, and you can taste the care in every bite. Their Christmas Tree Box is a perfect example, filled with a beautiful mix of milk, dark, and white pralines in an elegant package. The chocolates are rich, smooth, and thoughtfully paired, and whenever I receive a box, it instantly becomes a nightly ritual to have one before bed.
“Not Fried Chicken” Ice Cream is one of the most fun and delicious desserts you can buy. It looks exactly like a fried chicken drumstick, but inside it is a brilliantly layered ice cream creation with waffle ice cream, a chocolate-covered cookie “bone,” and a coating of white chocolate and crushed cornflakes. It is crispy, crunchy, creamy, salty, sweet, and honestly so much fun to eat. Chef Cynthia Wong, a six-time James Beard Award finalist, makes all of her ice cream with high-quality, locally sourced dairy and eggs, and she brings this playful, nostalgic creativity to everything she makes. The cornflake crunch on the outside, the chocolate pretzel-like center, and the sweet, creamy ice cream all come together perfectly, and in person it really does look like a bucket of fried chicken.
Kermit’s Key Lime Pie is my absolute favorite key lime pie, and it comes straight from the historic Key West Bight where Kermit’s has been making the real deal since 1993. Their pies are made with fresh key lime juice, a perfectly buttery graham-cracker crust, and a rich, tart filling that hits that ideal balance of not too sweet and not too tart. The crust-to-custard ratio is perfect, and you can really taste the freshness of the key limes. Kermit Carpenter opened his shop with the goal of serving the best key lime pie in Key West, and between the classic pie and their famous key lime pie on a stick, it is clear why he succeeded.
Milk Bar’s Birthday Cake Truffles are pure nostalgia in the best way. They take all the magic of a classic funfetti birthday cake and pack it into a single, ridiculously delicious bite. Each truffle is made from their iconic rainbow-flecked vanilla birthday cake, mixed with frosting until it becomes this ultra-moist, rich, chewy center, then coated in white chocolate and rolled in their signature B’Day sand for that perfect crunchy finish. They are sweet, playful, and so nostalgic, like the boxed birthday cakes we grew up with but completely elevated. These truffles are the kind of treat that instantly makes you feel happy.
Comments