In Houston, the holidays taste a little sweeter, and a lot more delicious. Every year, the city’s most beloved chefs, makers, and restaurants roll out limited-edition treats and thoughtfully crafted gift sets that celebrate the flavors that make Houston such an incredible place to eat. This season is no exception. From spice-packed pantry staples and award-winning cookbooks to artisan chocolates, festive cookie boxes, and boozy indulgences, Houston’s culinary creatives have assembled gifts guaranteed to thrill every food lover on your list.
Whether you’re shopping for the home cook who never misses a chance to perfect their enchiladas, the chocoholic with a taste for luxury, or the friend who considers ice cream a year-round lifestyle, this guide rounds up the city’s most crave-worthy holiday offerings.
Even better? Several of these items are part of DiningOut’s holiday giveaways. Head to Instagram for the chance to bring home some of Houston’s most delicious gifts of the season.
Spices, Oils, and Sauces from Craft Pita
Craft Pita, the beloved Lebanese eatery from mother-son duo Raffi and Claudia Nasr, has an array of spices and condiments available to gift this holiday season. Pre-packaged in house, the line up includes Craft Pita’s Lebanese olive oil for $22 made with hand-picked, cold-pressed olives from the mountains of El Koura, Lebanon; Craft Pita’s homemade hot sauce for $12 cooked up with a combination of Aleppo, jalapeno, and serrano peppers with a touch of Texas honey; the Craft Pita spices for $32, which include za’atar blend, Mediterranean sea salt, kafta seasoning, falafel seasoning, and shawarma seasoning; and Craft Pita’s pomegranate vinaigrette for $12, made with Lebanese pomegranate molasses. All can be purchased in the restaurant or online, with nationwide shipping available. craftpita.com
Ready-To-Pour Cocktail Bottles from the Marigold Club
The bar team at the Marigold Club has made it easy to bring the magic of its majestic bar home for the holidays with a series of ready to pour 750ml bottled cocktails for $60 each. Designed to live in the freezer, each bottle serves eight cocktails in varieties like the Marigold Martini and the Old Fashioned. themarigoldclub.com
Season’s Greetings Gift Set from Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
Sylvia Casarez, aka the “Enchilada Queen”, has curated a well-stocked gift set fit for the home cook. In lieu of a basket, a rectangular baking pan, suitable for cooking enchiladas in, is stocked with the full signature collection of Sylvia’s sauces: Chili Gravy, Salsa Verde, and Red Salsa. The set is complemented with a decorative border tea towel and ‘The Enchilada Queen Cookbook’, Casaez’s award-winning book that won top honors in its category at the International Latino Book Awards. The gift set is $65, and can be purchased online or by calling either Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen location. www.sylviasenchiladas.com
Box of Pralines from Brennan’s of Houston
Any warm-blooded Houstonian knows that one of the best parts of dining at Brennan’s is enjoying the New Orleans-style soft pralines pralines on your way out. Die-hard praline fans can order a box for $24.99 to keep at their own front door this holiday season. Orders may be placed online or by phone for pick-up at the restaurant. brennansofhouston.com
Hugo Ortega’s Holiday Gift Box
Hugo Ortega’s Holiday Gift Box is packed with goodies fit for the food- (and drink-) obsessed foodie. Each box contains a personalized copy of Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook, named by Saveur magazine as one of six essential Mexican cookbooks; a 9-ounce tablet of chef Hugo’s housemade chocolate with which to make Hugo’s Mexican hot chocolate or mole; one molinillo, a traditional Mexican turned wood whisk, used to mix and froth hot beverages; and two Hugo’s mugs. Fans of Ortega’s Downtown restaurant, Xochi, can score the same gift box with Xochi mugs swapped in for the same price. The cost for each gift set is $65, and orders can be placed online, via phone, or in person. Boxes are available to purchase in person at Hugo’s and Xochi on a first come, first-served basis, but 24-advance notice is recommended.
Chocolate Gift Boxes from Case Chocolates
CASE Chocolates, the Houston-based chocolate shop known for making its confections by the Swiss art of starch casting that gives its chocolates a delicate, sculpted form, is making available two gift boxes this holiday season. The Taste of CASE is a 16-pack, featuring a curated assortment of chocolates infused with bourbon, mezcal, tequila and more for $62. For the chocolate connoisseur, the Rare Whiskey Collection is a six-piece box for $100, presented in the brand’s signature cacao pod gift box and infused with exceptional spirits including Eagle Rare 17, William Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, Thomas H. Handy, Sazerac 18 and Old Rip Van Winkle. Boxes can be ordered online. casechocolates.com
Holiday Cookie Box from Relish Restaurant & Bar
Relish Restaurant & Bar is making spirits bright with its holiday cookie gift box, an assortment of 22 made-from-scratch cookies in varieties like snickerdoodle, sugar, gingerbread men, chocolate crinkle, and peanut butter blossom. The cookies are packed into a white box with a satin ribbon, fixed with a gift tag. Boxes are $55 and can be pre-ordered online for pick-up beginning Monday, December 1. relishhouston.com
Lick & Be Merry Gift Set from Lick Honest Ice Creams
Lick Honest Ice Creams, the Texas-based farm-to-cone brand known for its small-batch flavors, is offering a limited-edition Lick & Be Merry gift set for $35. The bundle includes two pints of any ice cream (including seasonal and everyday flavors); one jar of scratch-made candied pecans; one jar of hot cocoa mix; and one Lick-branded “But first, ICE CREAM” mug, packed in a Lick-branded bag with a card. The set is available at all Lick scoop shops through the holiday season. ilikelick.com
Cozy Essentials from Sixty Vines
Sixty Vines has launched a holiday collection featuring cozy essentials inspired by vineyard living. Among the offerings are a rosemary candle for $28, rosemary diffuser for $39, tote bag for $45, and sweatshirt for $55. Merch is available in person at all Sixty Vines locations, with candles available for purchase online. sixtyvines.com
Chocolate Gift Boxes from Mayahuel
Chef Luis Robledo Richards of Mayahuel is making his handcrafted chocolates available in boxes of six for $23 and 12 for $41 this holiday season. The artisan chocolates can be purchased at the restaurant throughout the month of December. mayahuelrestaurant.com
Spiked Sugar Skull Cocoa Bombas from Mexican Sugar
Mexican Sugar’s hand-painted spiked sugar skull cocoa bombas are the perfect stocking stuffer for the “naughty” or “nice” 21-and-up boys and girls on your holiday list. The flavor bombs blend Mexican coffee, Licor 43 Horchata, and toasted marshmallow to create an edible work of art. The cocoa bombas are $16 each and can be purchased in person at the restaurant. mexicansugarcocina.com
Farm Fresh Goods and Experiences from Hope Farms
Shop for a cause at Hope Farms online store, with all purchases of benefiting the mission of Recipe for Success Foundation. Beyond tangible items like farm-fresh floral arrangements, produce (both fresh and pickled), and organic spa and bath products, the digital marketplace features experiences fit for all ages, including farm tour experiences and cooking classes. recipe4success.org/programs/hope-farms.html
Bourbon-Lovers Kit from Whiskey Cake
The Whiskey Cake Bourbon-Lovers kit offers a thoughtful touch to a boozy gift. Along with a 375 ml of bourbon, the kit includes a $50 gift card to Whiskey Cake and a signature candle. Purchases can be made in person at any Whiskey Cake location. whiskeycake.com
