The 25 Best Gifts for Foodies
We've all got a foodie in our lives. They describe favorite meals with tears in their eyes, were onto sous vide back in 2005, get their kicks from grocery shopping and love asking the chef to surprise them at any semi-secret, off-the-beaten-path eatery they can find. Whether it's a friend, relative, significant other or coworker, an abundance of choices may leave you scratching your head when an occasion for gift-giving approaches. What are some of the best gifts for foodies, whether they love cooking, eating or both?
From hands-on culinary experiences to handy gadgets and more, here’s a sparkly lineup of gifts for foodies that will go to great use in anyone's culinary collection. And — hint, hint — you might just find something for yourself, too!
Jump to Section
- Best Experience Gifts for Foodies
- Best Gourmet Foodie Gifts
- Best Serving Gifts for Foodies
- Best Food Prep Gifts for Foodies
- Best Subscription Boxes for Foodies
- Best Custom Gifts for Foodies
Best Experience Gifts for Foodies
1. Cooking Classes
One of the best gifts for foodies isn’t necessarily something tangible, especially for the foodie in your life who already has "everything." The perfect present just may be an experience gift. Whether the recipient has a new culinary obsession, is looking to discover the secret recipe for a favorite dish or wants to learn to cook like a chef, there are culinary classes that run the gourmet gamut, making them ideal gifts for foodies. Classes are led by top-rated local chefs and welcome all tastes, skill levels and dietary preferences. There are cooking classes in NYC, cooking classes in Denver and beyond. Browse the cooking classes near you and pick your favorite!
- Price: $59+
2. Online Cooking Classes
If the foodie you're gifting loves tinkering around their own kitchen, give them the opportunity to join a world-class chef revolutionizing cooking at home with live online cooking classes. Professional chefs offer classes from around the country — and around the globe — that anyone can tune into. During a live-streaming virtual class, attendees can follow along with step-by-step coaching on their favorite dish (or one they've always wanted to try). From online healthy cooking classes to online French cooking classes, chefs offer cooking tips while also fielding questions, turning anyone's kitchen into a culinary classroom. If you're looking for some unique gifts for foodies, online cooking classes fit the bill.
- Price: $29+
3. Private Chef Experiences
Treat the gastronome in your life to a fine-dining culinary experience crafted by professional private chefs. This is one of the best gifts for foodies who love to eat more than they love to cook. Private chef experiences are a perfect way to elevate any date night or dinner party with gourmet fare, from Italian to Spanish to French and beyond. They can choose the cuisine, date and time, and a local chef will source the finest ingredients and bring kitchen equipment to their place to prepare an incredible meal with cleanup provided at the end. There are private chefs in Houston, private chefs in Orlando and beyond. Browse the selection of private chefs near you to see all available menus. Private chef experiences are unforgettable gifts for foodies sure to create a lasting memory.
- Price: $59+
4. Online Mixology Classes
Foodies also love a good cocktail pairing. If you're looking for some gift ideas for foodies that aren't so on the nose, give them the opportunity to master the art of cocktail making from home with online mixology classes! Under the guidance of a professional mixologist, they'll learn all about the history of certain cocktails while receiving expert advice on stirring and shaking, flavor combinations, pouring technique, selecting tools and equipment, and more.
- Price: $25+
5. Virtual Wine Tasting
If your favorite foodie is a self-proclaimed wine snob, a virtual wine tasting is an ideal gift to indulge their interests. Taught live by some of the best sommeliers and chefs in the industry, virtual wine tastings bring the refined elegance of a wine tasting experience to your home kitchen. Your recipient will get the chance to sip and sample wines from around the world, learning all about each selection's distinct flavor profile, grape variety and history. They'll also get to learn about gourmet food pairings that complement each wine.
- Price: $29+
6. Food Tours
Treat that adventurous foodie in your life to a cultural and culinary exploration of their city’s tastiest nook and crannies. By combining sweet and savory food tastings with fascinating stories, local culture, history and architecture, a food tour creates the perfect recipe for one of those one-of-a-kind gifts for foodies. Take a look at the schedule for food tours in Chicago, food tours in NYC or other food tours near you today!
- Price: $59+
Best Gourmet Foodie Gifts
7. Gourmet Pasta Machine
Give the gift of fresh pasta any time their heart desires! If your foodie friend loves indulging at the best Italian restaurants in town, they'll love the chance to bring that culinary magic home to their own kitchen. The Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine is durable, easy to use and perfect for both novices and experienced cooks alike. With 10 settings to choose from, you can crank out everything from thick lasagna noodles to paper-thin ravioli sheets with ease. If you need a gift for foodies that ticks the homemade Italian food box, pasta making tools are sure to be a hit.
via Mercato
8. Indoor Smoker
For fans of smoked foods, the Nordic Ware Kettle Smoker brings the fun indoors. This compact bullet-shaped smoker sits on a countertop or tabletop for convenient use. It’s small enough to stash away in a cabinet or closet when not in use for easy storage, too. Your favorite foodie can add complexity and character to any meal by infusing meats, fish and vegetables with incredible smoky flavor. Tote it outside and use it on the grill as a handy add-on to your BBQ set-up, or use it on your stovetop for delicious results all year round. It’s the perfect grilling gift for creating smoked salmon to complete a charcuterie arrangement or ham for the holiday table.
9. Espresso Maker
The coffee lovers in your life will undoubtedly feel their hearts race when they open this gourmet coffee maker, even before the caffeine hits their bloodstream! The Fino Stovetop Espresso Maker provides a compact and affordable espresso maker that delivers bold flavored espresso without taking up a ton of counter space. The vintage styling of this great gift for coffee lovers adds charm to the cooktop, and the European-made blend of aluminum and stainless steel provides a safe and dependable espresso-making experience every time. It’s a gourmet foodie gift that brings robust coffee to any kitchen, and even transports for travel, where good coffee is always a necessity!
10. Sous Vide Starter Set
One of the best gifts for foodies is also one of the best well-kept secrets of professional chefs. The Zwilling Fresh & Save Sous Vide Starter Set makes it easier than ever for home cooks to prepare perfectly cooked food. Sous vide cooking is the process of vacuum-sealing raw food in plastic pouches and cooking it slowly in a temperature-controlled water bath. The vacuum packaging seals all the natural juices, flavors and seasonings into whatever you’re cooking. The temperature control means the food will never overcook. Translation: The recipient will be able to cook chicken breast so tender they can cut it with a fork and scrambled eggs the consistency of fine custard. Of all the gifts for foodies on this list, a sous vide set will have all future dinner guests asking your friend, "What's your secret?"
Best Serving Gifts for Foodies
11. Cheese Knife Set
Any foodie knows a cheese plate is fundamental to the success of a party or gathering. When done right, a cheese plate is the centerpiece of the hors d’oeuvres table, a captivating conversation piece and a creative masterpiece. And to properly pull off a gourmet cheese plate, you'll need a set of specialty knives designed for slicing their way through a variety of cheeses. A gift for foodies such as the Zwilling 3-Pc Cheese Knife Set is both a tool and a statement piece for anyone plating a mighty spread of cheeses and accouterments.
12. Marble Serving Board
With the True Elegance Rectangular Marble Cheeseboard, you’ll be giving your favorite foodie the gift of stylish serving to make their entertaining occasions even more special. The cool marble cutting board makes a cutting and serving surface that’s eye-catching and easy to keep clean. If your recipient is caught up in the charcuterie board trend, this gourmet foodie gift provides the perfect platform for elegant displays of cheese, cold cuts, crackers and fresh fruit. And for presenting an artful array of small bites or tempting desserts, the rounded edge and low profile make easy work of slicing, serving and scooping.
13. Milk Frother
Lovers of elegant coffee recipes will enjoy receiving the Aerolatte Milk Frother With Stand, one of the best food gifts for helping budding baristas turn their home brew into café-style creations. This rechargeable whipper is battery-operated for cord-free convenience and rests in its stylish charging port when not in use. Available in several attractive colors, it’s a sleek and artful addition to any home coffee station. The powerful whisk makes fluffy foam out of any milk from traditional to alternative, giving your favorite foodie the chance to try out their latte art skills or to simply enjoy a light and luscious coffee-topping treat.
14. Fondue Set
Fondue is a fun throw-back trend for fashionable foodies to get in on. Give the Greenlife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Fondue Party Set and set them on their way! This trendy cooker features a removable plug for easy clean-up and comes in vivacious red and nostalgic seafoam green to add a colorful splash to any party. Easy-grip handles make it safe and simple to handle, while eight forks and a slick nesting lid allow non-slip cooking and dipping. It’s one of the best fondue pots on the market, perfect for cheeses, chocolates, broths and just about any other meltable ingredients that make the menu. Guests can gather 'round and chat as they dip, making this set a perfect choice for the home social scene.
15. Baking Dish Set
The trio of vessels in the Staub 3-Pc Mixed Baking Dish Set gives foodies an array of ceramic cookware to enhance their delicious creations. The 9”x13” rectangular baking dish will accommodate everything from lasagna to cakes, while the 11” oval is a perfect size and shape for side dishes and small casseroles. And with its fancy fluted edge, the 9” pie dish is a winsome choice for pot pies, quiche and desserts. This best bakeware set comes with a glossy finish and handles, and each piece can transition instantly from cooking to serving. Go with classic white for a timeless look or choose from a selection of colorful exteriors for food gift ideas that will add panache to any table.
Best Food Prep Gifts for Foodies
16. Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens are a versatile kitchen essential that will serve any foodie for years to come. Look for one made with cast iron that is easy to care for, such as the Finex Cast Iron Dutch Oven - 5 Qt. Perfect for family-sized one-pot dinners, roasts and more — there are even the best Dutch ovens for bread — a large Dutch oven would make one of the most useful gifts for foodies who love to feed a crowd! Pro tip: This would also make one of the best Christmas gifts for foodies.
17. Sushi Making Kit
Looking for some gifts for foodies that step outside of the normal gadgets? Making sushi at home is relatively simple with the right equipment, ingredients and most importantly, practice, practice, practice. With items like bamboo rolling mats, rice paddles, rice spreads, cutting tools and sauce dishes, the foodie in your life can start making sashimi, nigiri, rolls and more at home. A specialized kit like the Global Grub DIY Sushi Kit comes with sushi rice, nori, wasabi powder, sesame seeds and more. There are many options for best sushi making kit on the market!
18. Pizza Making Equipment
The good news is that anyone with basic cooking skills can make great homemade pizza. The bad news is that most of the essential tools needed to make it are not typically found in one’s kitchen. You’ll want to consider a few essential pizza making tools as you brainstorm some smart gifts for foodies: Mrs. Anderson's Baking Pastry Dough Scraper for working the dough, Fante's Pizza Peel for easily transporting pies, Fante's Pizza 13" Stone for a crispy crust and an Ateco Stainless Steel Pizza Cutter for easy slicing. There are options to fit any budget, which should give any of the equipment for pizza making a top spot on your list of gift ideas for foodies. As an added bonus: More pizza making equipment for them = more invites to pizza night for you.
- Price: $12+
19. Grill Pan
With the Staub 10" Round Double Handle Pure Grill, foodies can turn their stovetop into a full-service grill no matter the weather. The interior surface is classic cast iron, providing a generous space for steaks, fish filets and more. Browning and braising are a cinch with this workhorse, and the cheerful enamel exterior adds color and charm to any kitchen collection. The Staub name carries a legacy of quality, which makes this one of the best grill pans and best food gifts for the serious foodie looking to add long-lasting pieces to their cookware collection.
20. Cookie Press
Give the baker in your life the Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker Cookie Press, a modern take on a nostalgic tool. They’ll create dozens of buttery cookies quickly and easily, in a variety of charming shapes. This handy tool takes rolling and cutting out of the cookie equation and brings in the rich flavor and crisp texture of traditional European-style butter cookies. There are 20 decorative discs included, perfect for producing traditional shapes found in popular tinned butter cookie collections. This cookie tool is a must-have for churning out holiday treats in short order and easy enough for kids to use, too.
21. Air Fryer
Is an air fryer healthy? There's no doubt, air fryers top the list of food gift ideas for gourmets looking to cook in a healthier way. The NuWave Brio 7.25 Qt Air Fryer provides a deep basket for making generous servings of delicious recipes that fry without oil. It’s a new way to think about food preparation, with an eye on creating lighter versions of your favorite fare. There are six presets for proper preparation of the most popular dishes, and the easy-to-use LED screen lets you control timing and temperature up to 400°F. The drawer and circulation tray are both dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up. It’s an invitation to try a whole new world of air-fried recipes!
Best Subscription Boxes for Foodies
22. Snack Box
If you’re shopping for fans of novel noshes, try a snack box subscription from Snack Crate. This modern take on the best foodie gift baskets lets you choose the country of origin for a global snack sampler of sweet and savory treats. Crates include up to 20 snacks, plus fun goodies like music playlists and fun facts about the contents. There’s free shipping worldwide, and each crate purchased enters the recipient a chance to win a trip around the world. Talk about a delicious gift for snack-loving foodies!
- Price: $9.99+
23. Meat Box
Butcher Box offers one of the best subscription boxes for foodies with a taste for gourmet meats. Customize a package of high-quality cuts ranging from grass-fed beef to wild-sourced seafood to be sent directly to your friends or family. Mixed boxes include an array of meats, while specialty boxes can include a mix of beef, pork and chicken. Free shipping brings the goods directly to your recipient, and with a wide range of options, you can choose the box that best suits your foodie for a fun and adventurous experience. They’ll have a gift they can look forward to time and time again!
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Price: $99 to $306 per month
24. Cheese Box
If your foodie has a taste for cheese, take them beyond the deli aisle at the grocery store and into the wild world of gourmet cheeses with a monthly cheese subscription box from Mouth. These tasty collections let your favorite foodie sample incredible hand-made selections thoughtfully crafted by artisan cheese makers. It’s a savory grab bag of gourmet cheeses of all sorts and styles, from raw cheddar to creamy goat cheese and everything in between. Everything is sourced throughout the U.S., making this the best foodie gift basket of domestic cheeses around. Sign up online and you can be the one to introduce your foodie to their new favorite spread, schmear or slice.
- Price: $76 to $80 per month
Best Custom Gifts for Foodies
25. Foodie Gift Card
Your food-loving friends and family can choose their own gourmet foodie gifts when you present them with a foodie gift card. Recipients can shop for their own cutlery, appliances and more, not to mention an exciting array of hands-on or virtual classes, tastings and tours. Gift cards are available in any amount over $10, and they never expire. It’s like giving gourmets the keys to the culinary kingdom!
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Price: $10+
Finding a great present for the self-proclaimed food lover in your life doesn't have to be a guessing game. Even if you aren't sure of their favorite type of dish to cook or prepare, the items on this list cover a diverse range of tastes, skill levels and cooking styles. Whether you need inspiration for some birthday, anniversary or Christmas gifts for foodies, or you're just looking to get a special someone a token of your appreciation, this list can be your perfect starting point.
Need more ideas for some useful gifts for foodies? Check out other experiences on Cozymeal or browse the Cozymeal Shop.
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