Photo courtesy of Tom Dixon.
Give the well-traveled gourmand in your life a gift they'll be talking about long after holiday festivities are over. Whether its a fashionable cookbook to flip through, a worldly bottle of booze to converse over, or a treat inspired by a far-away land, there's something on our expertly curated list for every demanding foodie on yours.
Give your foodie the gift of a home-cooked meal (or cooking class) the next time they hit the road: The Airbnb for culinary experiences connects travelers to real home cooks in 35 countries around the world. (Available in any amount.)
A small-batch bourbon that’s done more traveling than you have: The oaky, tangy, briny dark spirit is aged at sea on a literal trip around the world. ($85)
Speaking of bar carts, this mouth-blown, hand-painted, au courant copper decanter and drinking glass set will pair smoothly with whatever worldly whiskey (or seafaring bourbon) you or your friend is pouring.
Cherry Bombe’s ode to cooking features more than 100 recipes from chefs of all stripes, with a particular focus on women tastemakers from around the world. Let it be known: It will also look great on a bookshelf. ($24)
Give the gift of sesame: Coffee, peanut butter, chocolate orange, and white chocolate pecan halva bring home a sweet touch of the Middle East. ($35)
From Japan’s premiere tea purveyor, five green varietals for matcha fiends looking to go to the next level. ($53)
The eye-catching collection of comfort food recipes from Norwegian-born tastemaker Marie Forsberg will transport you to the English countryside, where the author currently resides. ($23)
The cherry on top of a great Mediterranean dinner party: Lebanese-inspired olive oils that work on bread, yogurt, fish, and savory items of all kinds. ($27)
An updated New England tote that transforms into a backpack and fits all your daily necessities, whether you’re picnicking on Nantucket or not. ($266)
A vintage-inspired wine carrier made from premium American leather straps onto bike frames for your wino friend who’s always on the move. ($65)
DTLA’s legendary food hall spills the beans on 85+ global recipes that draw crowds from around the world. Skip the lines and cook famous recipes like The Egg Slut from the comfort of your kitchen. ($18)
A beautifully simple centuries-old Japanese staple helps you make the most of your global pantry. (from $22)
A subscription to the Oregon club gets your favorite oenophile hand-picked wines from small producers (under 10,000 cases per year) rather than bulk wines that have been relabeled, which is what most clubs ship out. (from $45)
For the eco-conscious baker: A sustainable superfood made from the otherwise discarded pulp of coffee beans works as a flour alternative in cookies, cakes, and sweet treats of all kinds.
Simple, sharp, and spicy recipes from LA’s trailblazing Thai joint make ambitious dinner party ideas totally approachable. ($23)
A smokey spirit made extra smooth using sonification technology by a family-run distillery in Zacatecas, because good mezcal doesn’t just hail from Oaxaca. ($43)
Pretend you’re in Sicily with pasta and olive oil from Trapani, marinated anchovies from Scalia, heirloom tomato sauce from Campania, and bottarga from Sardegna. The only thing missing is a glass of nero d’avola and some arancini. ($65)
Fuggedabout portion control with these visual guides to the old-school diners, doughnut shops, and by-the-slice pizza joints of New York City. ($21)
Award-winning chef Andy Ricker shines a light on the largely unknown subset of Thai drinking food with 50 spicy, sour recipes including instant noodle salad, classic fried peanuts with makrut lime leaves, garlic, and chiles, and sour northern Thai village soup. ($22)
We have so many more ideas for gifts that give back, the best travel books of the year, essentials for frequent flyers, gadgets and inspiration for adventure travelers, and unique finds for armchair travelers.
We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.
