15 Best Food Gifts, as Tested by Our Tastebuds (2025)

Featured in this article

• Best Panettone

  

  Courtesy of Olivieri 1882

  Olivieri 1882

  Classic Panettone

  Panettone, the famous domed Italian fruitcake bread, is a time-honored part of many people’s holiday celebrations. Sure, you can buy one for about 10 bucks at the grocery store, but it will not be a panettone like this, flown in fresh from Olivieri 1882 bakery and café in Arzignano, Italy. Handmade with sourdough and a four-day double fermentation (which makes it easier to digest for the gluten-sensitive), this traditional loaf is preservative-free and redolent with candied oranges. The Classic version also features raisins, Bourbon vanilla, and a texture unlike any panettone I’ve tried; silken, yet still satisfyingly chewy.

  If you or a giftee likes panettone, this is the award-winning Final Boss of panettone that will ruin all other brands for them forever. (“If you don’t know what you’re missing, maybe it’s best it stays that way,” my husband noted.) If they don’t like panettone, well … they’ll probably still like this one. If you’re feeling adventurous, Olivieri offers nearly 15 flavor options, from staples like Chocolate to unique finds like Limoncello, Gin, and Apricot–Salted Caramel. —Kat Merck

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping is free on orders over $149, or adds $10. You can't choose your delivery date, but some holidays allow for reservations.
  Additional Shipping Details	Ice packs are included if necessary.
  Gift Options	Gift messaging is available, in the form of a greeting card for an extra $4.

• Best Cookies

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    Photograph: Louryn Strampe

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  Last Crumb

  Core Collection

  Last Crumb's cookies are expensive. But they're so damn delicious. I love the luxe gift-box packaging and cheeky branding (for example, a 24-pack is called a DiCaprio), but I love the cookies even more. There are 12 flavors in the Core Collection, with additional flavors coming around as limited-edition offerings. They can be microwaved or heated in the oven before eating, and the individually wrapped, sealed cookies can be kept on the counter for two weeks or in the freezer for two months.

  I tried Last Crumb cookies in Everything but the Candles (a birthday cake flavor bursting with rich vanilla icing and tons of sprinkles); The Floor is Lava (a chocolate lava cake that's sweet but cocoa-forward, slightly bitter, and best enjoyed over the course of a few hours, one bite at a time); and What the Velvet, which was my favorite of the bunch. The red velvet confection was sticky, gooey, chewy, chocolatey goodness, complete with a cream cheese center that elicited noises I won't describe here. The cookies are thick and decadent, and they're made with high-quality ingredients like slow-churned Plugrà butter with an 82 percent butterfat content, premium chocolate from Barry Callebaut, and freshly ground Tahitian vanilla beans. I've eaten a lot of cookies in my life. I've never eaten a cookie like this before.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	2-day delivery and custom date delivery is $25. Overnight delivery is $40. Overnight delivery is only available if you place an order Monday-Thursday by noon Pacific time. Shipping is free on orders over $100.
  Additional Shipping Details	Cookies are not packed in a cooler box. They're baked to order and individually sealed.

• Best Brownies

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    Photograph: Louryn Strampe

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    Photograph: Louryn Strampe

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    Photograph: Louryn Strampe

  Killer Brownies

  Best Seller 8-Pack

  Killer Brownies are, in a word, scrumptious. They've got layers and layers of flavor—yes, they're sweet, but they've also got a little kick of salt; rich, nutty, toasted butter; even the floury, breadlike notes are delicious. The brownies are thick, soft, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth. They're available in a myriad of styles, including layered with buttery, salty caramel or paired with an M&M-studded blondie bar that encompasses everything good about vanilla. Depending on the option you choose, they'll arrive in a gift tin or a gift box.

  You can heat them or freeze them—mine thawed perfectly after being frozen for two weeks, though they can keep for up to a month if stored properly. The individual brownies are also massive. Each one weighs around a third of a pound. Smaller, bite-size desserts are available, too. Word to the wise: Don't look at the calorie counts. Just enjoy the brownie, preferably with a glass of milk.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping is free. Choose your delivery date during checkout.
  Additional Shipping Details	Ice packs are included if necessary.
  Gift Options	Gift options and messaging are available. Arrives in a gift box.

• Best Tinned Fish

  

  There's a good chance every tinned fish enthusiast has heard of Fishwife, but I'd be remiss not to include it in this delicious list. These are not your grandpa's sardines. Or mackerel filets. Or juicy, smoky hunks of salmon. Fishwife gets it right, down to the smallest details, like the gorgeous packaging. (Ordering via the Fishwife website gets you the option to snag gift tins, which look absolutely adorable). The tinned fish flavors are to die for. My favorite is the Smoked Salmon with Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Oil—the spicy, slightly crunchy chili crisp complements the fish perfectly. The Sardines with Preserved Lemon are also scrumptious, with a sour bite that elevates the experience to something special—even if you're still just pairing the fish with a saltine cracker.

  Every tin has thought and care behind it, from the hand-packed albacore tuna, which is packaged at a traditional Spanish cannery, to the Cantabrian anchovies, which are sourced from an MSC-certified sustainable fishery. Fishwife even offers recipes to help you use its tinned fish in imaginative new ways. If you're shopping for someone who prefers savory over sweet, Fishwife is worth checking out.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Standard ground shipping costs $10. UPS 2nd Day Air shipping costs $19. Shipping is free on orders over $75.
  Additional Shipping Details	Most products do not require refrigeration and don't arrive in a cooler box. If refrigeration is required, ice packs will be included.
  Gift Options	Gift tins are available. Gift notes are available for an additional dollar.

• Best Caviar

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    Photograph: Louryn Strampe

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    Courtesy of Imperia Caviar

  Imperia Caviar

  Kaluga Hybrid Reserve Caviar

  I admit that I was influenced to try this by TikTok. And I regret nothing. Caviar has this aura of mystery and intrigue, and Imperia leans into this while also making caviar feel more accessible than it would if you ordered it at a restaurant with a snooty waiter peering down their nose at you. Case in point: I ate mine with crème fraîche, chives, and kettle potato chips. While wearing pajamas. In bed. And every single mouthful was fantastic, and nobody was judging me based on my ability to pronounce things or whether or not I knew how to open the tin (which I didn't until I googled it). This little container of fish eggs is sourced from river beluga, or kaluga, at sustainable fishing farms.

  It can be kept in the fridge for up to three weeks, unopened, though the company recommends consuming it within a week of purchase; It should be consumed within 48 hours once opened. You can shop add-ons, too, such as a mother-of-pearl spoon, which doesn't impart any flavors that could alter the experience. And the experience is downright fantastic. The caviar is pleasing to look at, with a dark-brown and amber hue, and the flavor is like the ocean concentrated into a tiny drop—in the very best way. The eggs are large and mild, with a buttery, nutty flavor, a salty kick, and a velvety texture that pairs well with blini. Or potato chips. You do you.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Custom delivery dates can be chosen at checkout. Flat-rate overnight shipping costs $30. Shipping is free on orders over $300.
  Additional Shipping Details	Caviar is shipped with cooling packs and a FreshTag which indicates whether or not the items stayed cool during transit.
  Gift Options	Gift sets are available. Gift messaging is available at checkout.

• Best Charcuterie Board

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    Photograph: Louryn Strampe

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  Boarderie

  Classic Cheese & Charcuterie Board

  This board is a grazer's dream come true. I will admit that after trying this board for the first time, I seriously considered forgoing groceries and just keeping a running stock of them coming. Every time I walked past my fridge, I was tempted to reach in and grab another perfect bite. The boards arrive prearranged and ready to eat—you might just have to unwrap some plastic bits and pieces from the trays. The small board serves two to three and comes with 17 hand-selected cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, chocolates, and olives; There's also a medium board that serves four to five and a large board that serves nine to 10. Gift options are available as well—you pick the board, and the recipient picks the delivery day.

  Every item on the board is yummy, but my favorites were the creamy, savory Gouda; fruity and salty blueberry Wensleydale; earthy black truffle salami; and the pairings of dried cherries and seasoned olives. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. You'll also get bamboo forks, spreaders, and tongs to help with serving everything up. This would make a fabulous gift for a hostess or your favorite charcuterie enthusiast.

  Note: Holiday boards, including Christmas, Hanukkah (no meat), and New Year's themes, are available for pre-order now.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	All orders are shipped using FedEx Priority Overnight shipping and are delivered Tuesday through Saturday. You will choose the delivery date. Shipping is free.
  Additional Shipping Details	Boards are shipped with insulated liners and ice packs.
  Gift Options	Gifting options are available (you pick the board, the recipient picks the delivery date). Gift messages are available during checkout.

• Best Meats

  

  Overhead view of the Allure Beauty Box, an open box with a pink interior containing a mix of cosmetic products

  Harry & David

  Fine Meats Steakhouse Club

  We have a whole guide to the best meat subscription boxes, but this option from Harry & David is our favorite for gifting. It's expensive, but my colleague Adrienne So says that her tester box still looms in her memories. She says the New York strip steaks were finely marbled and perfectly trimmed, with the ideal amount of fat to lend a crispy bite to the edges without being too fatty overall. Each box comes with aged, hand-trimmed, premium meats like filet mignon or lobster tails, and they'd make wonderful gifts for anyone with a penchant for grilling.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping cost varies based on order subtotal and delivery date, which you can choose during checkout. Shipping costs range from $9 to $26; Orders over $150 will be charged 17 percent of the subtotal for shipping.
  Additional Shipping Details	Steaks are shipped with dry ice or gel packs.
  Gift Options	Gift messaging available at checkout.

• Best Cheese

  

  Being from Wisconsin, cheese is sort of embedded into my DNA. (I'd like to think that I'm one part burrata, three parts 12-year cheddar.) Trust me when I say Curdbox is an excellent gift for your favorite cheese enthusiast. It's a monthly subscription that includes three artisan cheeses and three accompaniments. There's even a Spotify playlist, and an information card with additional details and wine pairing suggestions.

  Mine included Miticrema by Mitica, a silky, creamy sheep's milk cheese with a soft texture and a mild finish; Cana de Cabra by Mitica, a soft-ripened goat cheese with just the right amount of savory funk; and Truffle Brie by Point Reyes, a smooth and earthy brie that was equal parts complex and comforting. I also received spiced plum jam, a tiny jar of Greek honey, and a box of fig-and-honey crackers. This made a wonderful dinner for myself and my partner, who oohed and aahed at the cheeses alone and with the included pairings. Curdbox says the box is a suitable dinner for two or nibbles for nine or 10. The box is thoughtfully packaged and the cheeses carefully wrapped for preservation if your giftee isn't a Wisconsinite who would happily consume three blocks at once.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping is free. Monthly shipping dates can be found here. Shipping takes place the month after your order is placed (for example, if you order in May, your first box arrives in June.)
  Additional Shipping Details	Orders include ice packs.
  Gift Options	Gift subscriptions are available.

• Best Chocolate

  

  Photograph: Matthew Korfhage

  Richart

  Initiation Chocolate Box

  In his in-depth guide to the best chocolate delivery boxes, my colleague Matthew Korfhage says this is the best gift option. The box includes a selection of 16 filled chocolates and 16 squares of dark and milk chocolate. The filled flavors vary often, but each bite is a delight, offering a taste of something unique and curious without forcing your giftee to consume an entire bar's worth of the stuff. They'll also get a little booklet with more information about each inclusion, and the treats themselves are carefully nestled into a gift box. If you're shopping for a chocoholic, look no further.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping costs $25. Shipping is free on orders over $100.
  Additional Shipping Details	Ice packs are used for warm-weather deliveries.
  Gift Options	Arrives in a gift box. Gift messaging is available.

• Best for All Occasions

  

  Photograph: Louryn Strampe

  Letterly

  Custom Gift Trays

  Letterly's custom gift trays are ideal for event-based gifting. Choose your combination of numbers, shapes, or phrases, and then choose your filling. Options include artisan popcorn, flavored mixed nuts, dried fruit, candy, chocolate, and a few mixes of those options; there are choices for vegan and Kosher diets as well. Button the whole thing up with an optional “Thank You” or “Happy Birthday” message on the outer cardboard sleeve. The trays are plastic-wrapped for safe transport, and you can include a gift message as well.

  My mixed fruit and nut tray was filled with tasty treats, including pistachios, candied almonds, macadamia and Brazil nuts, dried kiwi, apricot, pineapples, apples, raisins … it was a smorgasbord of goodness. I think a larger tray would be a good gift to bring to a party, but I was perfectly happy to munch on the “25” I received over the course of a few days. Is it the most personal gift in the world? No. Is it perfectly acceptable for the majority of occasions where you need to give someone something? Absolutely, yes.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Gifts can be scheduled up to three months in advance. All orders ship via UPS 2-Day Air. Shipping costs between $18 and $30.
  Additional Shipping Details	Ice packs are used for warm-weather deliveries.
  Gift Options	Gift messaging is available during checkout.

• Best Holiday Gift

  

  Milk Bar

  Gingerbread Cookie Truffles

  Milk Bar's desserts are always good, but something about these Gingerbread Cookie Truffles just checked every box for me. They're packaged well and delicious, with a satisfying chew that's packed full of gingerbread flavor. They're very rich—I was fine with just one—which means a dozen are perfect for holiday parties (or sampling over the course of several days). They look appetizing, too. Many other flavors are available (including a Cider Donut one, which I'm very curious about).

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping costs between $15 and $65, depending on speed. Shipping is free on orders over $100.
  Additional Shipping Details	Orders are shipped with ice packs.
  Gift Options	Gift messaging is available during checkout.

• Best Gift for No Guesswork

  

  Gifting food can be difficult, but Sugarwish makes it really easy. You pick the snack category, from candy and cookies to nuts and chips (or a variety), and purchase a gift card for that amount. Sugarwish will contact your recipient, who will get to pick out whatever snacks they want to receive. Maybe you wouldn't peg your giftee as someone who likes dill pickle cashews or black licorice, but they'll be able to select their favorites without the need for you to guess what snacks suit their fancy. Everything arrives in a perfectly presentable gift box, and best of all, your recipient is guaranteed to like it.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping is included in the gift box price.
  Additional Shipping Details	Orders are shipped in packaging according to the contents.
  Gift Options	Gift messaging is available during checkout.

• Best Ice Cream

  

  Graeter's

  Holiday Ice Cream Bundle

  Graeter's French pot ice cream is creamy, luscious, and thick. I tried its holiday flavors, which were all excellent. Peppermint Stick was like Christmas morning in a pint, Spirited Eggnog was sweet and spicy, and Toffee Chip felt like I was sinking my teeth into sticky candy without having to floss immediately afterward. All told, six pints come in the bundle, and they would have lasted me a long time had my family members not immediately wolfed them down. But I can't blame them, because this stuff is good.

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping costs between $10 and $50.
  Additional Shipping Details	Orders are shipped with ice packs. Graeter's guarantees that ice cream will arrive frozen.
  Gift Options	Gift messaging is available during checkout.

• Best Pasta

  

  Rubirosa

  Pasta Sampler and Marinara Sauce Set

  Though perhaps best known for its thin-crust “tie-dye” pizza, Italian restaurant Rubirosa in Nolita is exactly the kind of old-school, family-owned red sauce joint NYC is famous for. Even though it’s been in business since 1960, it still attracts celebrity fans like Meghan Markle and Harry Styles. It also, to this day, makes its own pasta and marinara sauce, which it sells in its shop.

  If someone on your gift list is a fanatic for either pasta or New York City—or both—they will love this set. It includes a trio of Rubirosa’s dried pastas in a holiday-popcorn-style tin (lumache, which is the restaurant’s signature shape; fusilli; and reginetti), as well as three jars of the classic Marinara, made with plum and pear tomatoes. The pasta shapes are ridged to hold more of the sauce, which my family confirms is the best jarred sauce we’ve ever had. —Kat Merck

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping is free.
  Additional Shipping Details	N/A
  Gift Options	Gift messaging is available during checkout.

• Best Marmalade

  

  Courtesy of Marmalade Grove

  Created when Ukrainian-born farmer Peter Karpushin ended up with too many pixie tangerines on his Ojai, California, citrus farm during the pandemic, Marmalade Grove is now a full-spectrum citrus virtuoso. The company not only sells a large lineup of gourmet marmalades (cara cara and hibiscus tea, meyer lemon and honey, ruby valencia and apricot, grapefruit and agave), it ships fresh fruit straight from its groves.

  These perfectly giftable jars of marmalade not only look great, they’re some of the best spreads that I, a lifelong marmalade lover, have ever had, tasting fully of the whole fruit and not just bitter rind. A boxed set would make a great present in and of itself, but one jar paired with tea or a fresh loaf of artisanal bread would make a great holiday hosting gift. Marmalade on toast is not the most of filling breakfasts, but I have now tried them all and I actually think I might buy another box to divide up for gifts. —Kat Merck

  Shipping Speeds and Costs	Shipping is free on orders over $35 or with Amazon Prime.
  Additional Shipping Details	N/A
  Gift Options	Gift options are available during checkout.