“They love food. They love travel. They already have a suitcase, a passport holder, and five cookbooks. What now?”
If this sounds like you while scrolling through yet another basic gift guide, you’re not alone. Finding unique gifts for foodies and travellers isn’t always easy—especially if you’re trying to avoid something they’ll quietly re-gift next year.
Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, a Christmas gift, or just because you want to spoil someone who loves food and travel, this guide gives you a thoughtfully curated list of gifts—from culinary experience gifts to packable travel gear and everything in between.
Let’s find you a gift that’s anything but forgettable.
1. Experience Gifts for the Foodie Traveller Who Has Everything
If food is a big part of how your giftee explores the world, they’ll love a gift idea that taps into their taste for adventure—literally.
Here are a few culinary experience gifts that make unforgettable presents:
Cooking Class (In-Person or Virtual)
Give the foodie in your life a passport to flavour without leaving home. From learning how to hand-make pasta with a chef in Tuscany (virtually) to attending sushi-making classes in person, cooking classes are perfect for those who love to cook—or want to learn.
Wine or Cheese Club Subscription
A monthly box of sommelier-selected wines or artisan cheeses? Yes, please. These are great gifts that keep on giving, ideal for the traveller who loves to experience global flavours without hopping on a plane every month.
Food Tours and Travel Experiences
If you’re really looking to give a gift they’ll remember forever, consider a travel gift like a food tour. Platforms like EatWith or Airbnb Experiences offer culinary adventures in cities all over the globe. This is the perfect gift for someone who’s planning their next trip and wants to eat their way through it.
Top Pick: Buy gift cards for these experiences, so your giftee can pick their dream destination.
2. Travel-Friendly Gifts for Food-Loving Explorers
For the frequent traveller who’s always on the move, think useful gifts that support their love of both food and travel.
Packable Travel Picnic Set
A lightweight, compact kit with reusable utensils, a foldable wine glass, and a small chopping board—perfect for a cheese-and-wine moment in a Paris park or beachside in Barcelona.
Gourmet Snack Box for Suitcases
There are unique gifts for foodies that also cater to their wanderlust, like portable international snack boxes curated for travel. Think: mini packs of French madeleines, Italian truffle chips, or Japanese mochi—sized just right for a suitcase.
Stylish Travel Toiletry Kit
Not strictly food, but a quality toiletry bag is a must-have for hospitality lovers who appreciate a well-packed suitcase. Choose something compact, washable, and with space for solid shampoo bars or travel-sized skincare.
Top Pick: A packable picnic tote bag that folds flat—practical, thoughtful, and ideal for spontaneous food moments.
3. Unique Food-Themed Gifts (No More Generic Gadgets)
Instead of gifting yet another avocado slicer or novelty mug, try something truly unique that shows you know their taste.
Cookbooks That Inspire Travel
Cookbooks are classics—but go for something unique like Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, or regional guides like Tokyo Cult Recipes or Jerusalem by Ottolenghi. For the foodie traveller, these books double as travel inspiration and kitchen instruction.
Curated Gourmet Gift Boxes
A gourmet gift box with high-quality olive oils, rare spices, or global treats can feel like a mini trip in a box. You can find unique foodie gifts on platforms like Uncommon Goods, Mouth.com, or even customisable sets on Etsy.
Food & Travel Inspired Wall Art or Decor
How about a print of their favourite city with local food illustrations? Or a scratch-off world map focused on cuisine? These are thoughtful gifts that add personality to their home—and speak to their passions.
Top Pick: Combine a gift card for a cooking class with a cookbook and a mini ingredient set to make your own customised culinary experience gift.
4. Affordable Yet Thoughtful Gift Ideas
You don’t have to spend big to give something meaningful. These affordable yet clever gifts are perfect for birthdays, thank-yous, or “just because” moments.
Gift Cards with a Twist
Buy gift cards for local food markets, international grocery stores, or cooking classes. Pair with a handwritten note: “Plan a trip through your taste buds this weekend.”
Mini Spice Kit for Travellers
Some foodies don’t want to compromise on flavour, even on the road. A compact spice travel kit (think salt, pepper, chilli flakes, and za’atar in tiny containers) makes a useful gift that fits in a backpack or tote.
Monthly Box Subscription (Affordable Editions)
Try smaller snack boxes or “Taste the World” samplers that deliver a surprise selection each month. These are gifts for people who love constant variety and discovery.
Top Pick: Look for boxes under £30/month that don’t lock you into a long-term commitment.
5. Top Gift Picks by Personality
Different types of foodie travellers deserve different kinds of presents. Here’s how to pick based on their style:
✈️ The Frequent Traveller
- Lightweight coffee brewer (like AeroPress Go)
- Packable lunch tote bag
- Travel-friendly spice kit
🍽️ The Unique Foodie
- Cookbook from an underrepresented cuisine
- Rare ingredient gift box
- A cooking class in a new city
🏡 The Hospitality Lover
- Engraved cheese board
- Set of tasting spoons or olive oil flight
- Wine club subscription
🎒 The Adventurous Explorer
- Culinary travel guidebook
- Portable picnic kit
- Food gift from their dream destination
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure, go hybrid. A small physical gift + a gift card or experience gift creates a perfect combo that covers all bases.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect gift for people who love food and travel doesn’t mean choosing between practical and personal—you can do both. Whether you’re gifting a monthly box, a cooking class, or a tote bag filled with global snacks, the goal is simple: show them you get what lights them up.
You don’t need to scroll endlessly or settle for a boring gadget. Just remember:
- Tap into their passions
- Think about their lifestyle (on-the-go vs home chef)
- Mix unique with useful
- And when in doubt—buy gift cards and let them plan their own adventure
So if you’re still looking for a gift that stands out, go beyond the obvious. Give a gift that’s meaningful, practical, and delicious. Because when you love food and travel, the best gifts make every bite and every journey better.
