Year after year, Philadelphia proves itself to be one of the most vibrant food cities in the country. And it’s not just reflected in the city’s restaurants, whether it be nationally recognized Thai restaurant Kalaya or BLT master Middle Child. Philly is home to talented artists and makers who package the city’s food culture into giftable jawns any non-Philadelphian will love, from a T-shirt that says “I love cured meats” to a trio of spices from one of the city’s best restaurants. Rather than let you search for the perfect gift for the gourmand in your life, Eater rounded up some of the best food gifts that define what it means to eat and drink in Philly.
Philly Prosciutto T-Shirt from The Deli Collective
Do you love the Phillies and prosciutto? Of course you do (you’re browsing the Eater Philly holiday gift guide). This T-shirt from the Deli Collective combines the iconic Phillies aesthetic from the ‘80s with a touch of Italian flair. Gift it to a Phillies fan ahead of the 2025 season so they can walk into Citizens Bank Park in style.
Logo T-Shirt from Get a Gato
If you know someone who loves cats, chances are they’ve been to South Philly’s Get a Gato, where visitors can enjoy Colombian snacks — think cheesy almojabanas, guava-and-cheese hand pies, or chicken empanadas – and espresso drinks before heading into the cat adoption lounge in the back. This T-shirt features a handsome tuxedo cat that might just inspire a person to adopt a furry friend of their own.
XL Yowie Tote from Yowie
A visit to Yowie is worth it for the hotel store alone. There, you’ll find a variety of gifts for art and design enthusiasts. Oversized and made with un-dyed cotton, it’s stylishly efficient. That said, don’t overlook the XL Yowie tote. It can fit everything from a work laptop to your groceries.
Glass Strawberry from Antolini Glass Co.
Gemma Hollister and Tate Newfield, the duo behind Antolini Glass Co., craft all kinds of glass fruit in their studio in Kensington. While they make and sell blueberry ornaments and banandelabras, the strawberry is their pride and joy (and one of the most intricate objects they make). This gem-like beauty would look great on anybody’s desk or bookcase.
Waffle Candle from Gourmet Candle
Sure, you can buy the gourmand in your life a vanilla-scented candle. But why not truly impress them with a candle that looks and smells like a waffle? On this candle, a soy wax pat of butter sits between two wicks; the smell evokes warm maple syrup on Sunday mornings. Emerald Hill’s line of gourmet candles are deliciously enticing and fit for any holiday dinner table.
Melrose Diner Ornament from Sidewalk Press
Illustrator and designer Sarah Beahm pays homage to the Melrose Diner, a South Philly icon, with an ornament-sized replica of the sign. You can hang it on your tree and then pack it up after the holidays — or hang it on your wall all year long because diners are forever.
Fruit Bowl Art Print from Manuela Guillén
Art prints are perfect for every room, but Manuela Guillén’s fruit bowl would look especially good in somebody’s kitchen. Each print is custom made and signed for a personal touch. Seriously, these prints look ripe enough to eat.
Honeysuckle Blends from Burlap and Barrel
Chefs Cybille St. Aude-Tate and Omar Tate’s Honeysuckle Provisions is a stellar neighborhood restaurant and market offering everything from destination-worthy breakfast sandwiches to tasting menus that celebrate Black life and foodways. Burlap and Barrel’s collaboration with the West Philly restaurant features a trio of super-flavorful Afrocentric blends: Two Elders Creole Seasoning, All-Seeing Eye Sweet Potato Pie, and Dynamism Hibiscus Ginger Sugar.
Sunday Gravy Coffee from Herman’s Coffee
Herman’s take on classic Italian-style espresso is their Sunday Gravy coffee. Now that is a true South Philly cup of coffee – one that pays homage to the neighborhood’s rich Italian heritage.
Butter Dish from Keene Pottery
Designed to accommodate a ¼-pound stick of butter, Jess Keene’s cheerful rainbow butter dish — a vessel worthy of Kerrygold and fancy French butters — is guaranteed to add a little bit of sunshine to your kitchen.
“Characters” Rolling Papers from Middle Child
What’s better than plain old rolling papers? Middle Child-branded rolling papers. This beloved hotspot has made an eclectic name for itself that’s now entered the stoned section.
Snoopy Pizza Tray from Three Potato Four
Three Potato Four, a product and graphic design studio located in Media, specializes in vintage-inspired gifts. Think felt pennants, hotel key tags, and more. Their Snoopy pizza tray is fitting for a fresh slice or as an instant conversation.
Kalaya’s Southern Thai Kitchen from Nok Suntaranon and Natalie Jesionka
One meal at Kalaya will inspire any person to add chef-owner Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s cookbook to their collection. In Kalaya’s Southern Thai Kitchen, the James Beard Award-winning chef guides home cooks with easy-to-follow instructions and beginner-friendly tips to bring a piece of Thailand into their kitchens. This is the perfect place to start learning how to cook tasty pad Thai and flavorful curries.
Gift Card from Mural City Cellars
Nicholas Ducos and Francesca Galarus’s winery got off the ground in 2020 and has since found a permanent home at Frankford Avenue and Berks Streets. Mural City Cellars is a culmination of their years of expertise. A gift card for the wine lover in your life would give them access to bottles across Mural City Cellars’ lines, including more limited production and experimental bottles, the wine club, and monthly themed wine classes.