Whether you love to explore by eating your way through a new city, use your taste buds to travel during stints at home, or a little of both, there’s no doubt that cuisine and adventure make for excellent companions. These gifts were selected with the food-focused traveler in mind – you know, the one who schedules their days around meals, coffee breaks, brewery runs, and wine-bar pit stops. Each of these culinary gift ideas rings in at $75 or less. Bon appétit!
1. Brooklyn Brew Shop’s beer-making kit
Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Breakfast stout put the Danish microbrewery on the map back in 2006, and it has won heaps of awards since. If a trip to Copenhagen isn’t possible, Brooklyn Brew Shop’s beer-making kit makes it easy to recreate the magic at home. From the all-grain ingredient mix to the gallon-size fermenter, it’s packed with everything the hops-head in your life needs to make the coffee-heavy stout from scratch.
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout beer-making kit, $48; brooklynbrewshop.com.
2. Jewish Food Society signature tote
Having an extra bag always comes in handy for market hauls or shopping binges, but one that makes a statement is even better – and the Jewish Food Society’s tote makes your affiliations clear. This nostalgic blue-font tote highlights culinary favorites, from schmaltz and shakshuka to challah and herring. L’chaim!
Jewish Food Society signature tote, $25; jewishfoodsociety.org.
3. ScreenCraft Gifts custom map coasters
As the days of traveling with only a tattered atlas as a guide fade relatively quickly, Grommet’s custom marble coasters offer a delightful analog alternative to digital maps. They commemorate a US location of your choice, while preventing those pesky coffee table rings.
Custom map coasters, $75; thegrommet.com.
4. Lord Jones Limited Edition Holiday CBD gumdrops
Holiday travel, with crowded public transport and long airport lines, can be quite stressful. These limited-edition CBD gumdrops from Lord Jones are designed to alleviate anxiety and keep you relaxed, featuring festive flavors like stone-fruit-forward sugarplum and spicy-sweet mango chili.
Lord Jones Limited Edition Holiday CBD gumdrops, $50 (available through December 31, or while supplies last); lordjones.com.
5. IceMule Jaunt backpack cooler
No outdoor excursion is complete without refreshments. IceMule’s Jaunt backpack cooler keeps your drinks icy for over 24 hours, boasting a nine-liter capacity that fits a six-pack of soda or three bottles of wine. Its waterproof exterior, welded seams, and roll-top closure eliminate leaks, while padded straps ensure comfortable carrying.
IceMule Jaunt backpack cooler, $80; amazon.com.
6. Snow Peak cutting board set
When you’re headed for a picnic or staying in an understocked Airbnb, carrying your knives safely is crucial. Snow Peak’s packable birchwood cutting board serves as a carrying case, protecting your medium carbon-steel chef’s knife or large santoku-style blade. Toss it in your bag for hassle-free travel.
Cutting board sets, from $40; snowpeak.com.
7. AeroPress Go travel coffee press
Hotel coffee often disappoints, but the AeroPress Go delivers incredible results by brewing up to three shots of espresso quickly. This versatile system allows you to create hot or cold coffee, and all components fit neatly into the lidded mug, making it perfect for camping trips or weekend getaways.
AeroPress Go travel coffee press, $32 (available in mid-November); aeropress.com.
8. Zojirushi stainless steel mug
If you’re taking coffee on the go, Zojirushi’s 16-oz stainless-steel vacuum-insulated mug keeps it hot for hours. Its safety lock lid prevents spills, and the interior is designed for easy cleaning. This mug also functions well as a water bottle, making it an essential for your day.
Zojirushi 16-oz stainless steel mug, $32; amazon.com.
9. Smoko Little B dumpling AirPod case
For the dumpling lover in your life, Smoko’s silicone earbud case combines cuteness and convenience. While it won’t boost battery life, it offers extra padding to protect AirPods against drops and bumps, safely attaching to a keychain and preventing frantic bag searches.
Little B dumpling AirPod case, $15; smokonow.com.
