Welcome to day two of our local gift guides! If you missed our guide for the experience junkie, we’ll wait here while you catch up 😉
We love shopping for people who love food. There are so many options! And they don’t have to love cooking for you to find some amazing gifts that they’ll be able to enjoy. Plus, you can find gifts for the foodie at any price point…from just a couple dollars to, well, more than that.
Gourmet Ingredients
We love to gift items that people might not buy for themselves, and sometimes that means a fancy balsamic vinegar from Oil and Vinegar, or a specialty salt from Steel City Salt Company. Maybe it’s bourbon barrel aged maple syrup from Paul Family Farms. Even Miller’s Banana Pepper Mustard is a fun treat! It’s especially easy to find gourmet ingredients if you go to any holiday market, or even just walking around any Pittsburgh neighborhood!
Coffee or Tea
Because who doesn’t love a hot beverage in the morning?? If you’re buying coffee, buy it as close to when you’re giving the gift as possible, or store it in the freezer to maximize freshness. You can also consider coffee or tea accessories – like a French press, cold brew pot, or loose-leaf tea ball. Make it a gift basket by including a mug and some biscotti, too!
Coffee Passport
Another gift we can’t get enough of for the coffee-lover in our lives is a Coffee Passport. For just $20, they get to visit 10 coffee shops around the city and pick one drink off the special Coffee Passport menu. The coffee shops are listed for each passport, and they’re valid for a 6-month time span (listed on the website). There is always one non-coffee drink on each special menu, so buy two for your favorite caffeinated couple.
Salty Pork Bits
What exactly is Salty Pork Bits? It’s a charcuterie of the month club from Chef Justin Severino. Quantities are limited, so make sure you check out their Winter Gift Box or the monthly subscription options. If you visit the website to see what’s in each box…well, just be prepared to start drooling. They’re also hosting a popup location on Smallman Street on weekends in December if you’d rather pick out a few items in person.
DiAnoia’s Pasta Dinner Subscription Box
Ok, so this is technically sold out already. BUT. You should keep it on your radar in case they DiAnoia’s decide to offer more pasta dinner subscriptions. Or you can always gift it when they open it up next, so your giftee has something to look forward to! Each box gets you pasta, sauce, bread, wine, and cookies, and we’re in love.
Basket of Pittsburgh
If you wanted to put together the best care package for someone who moved from Pittsburgh but ran out of time (or if you just want an easier option!) then check out Basket of Pittsburgh. There are baskets at every price-point for everyone on your list. We love all of their Pittsburgh baskets! Plus many of the baskets include more than just food, which makes for a very well-rounded gift.
A Food Tour
We mentioned the food tour idea in our experiences gift guide, but it’s also a great idea for the foodie in your life! Burgh Bits and Bites will take you around your choice of 8 Pittsburgh neighborhoods, filling you in on the history of the neighborhood while filling your stomach. You can book a private tour if you have a group of 12 or more. They also offer custom tours.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.