New York City is a cultural melting pot with a world-famous food scene, making it a treasure trove for unique gift basket items. NYC’s culinary landscape offers an incredible variety of treats, from classic bagels to artisanal sweets, and a gift basket featuring its signature food items is a guaranteed hit for any food lover. If you’re planning to assemble a New York gift basket, here are the top 10 must-have food items to include.
1. New York Bagels
No NYC gift basket would be complete without bagels, one of the city’s most iconic foods. NYC bagels are known for their dense, chewy texture and crisp exterior, which is difficult to find elsewhere. Look for classic flavors like plain, everything, sesame, and poppy seed. Pair them with a small jar of premium cream cheese or smoked salmon spread to elevate the bagel experience.
Where to Buy: Many NYC bagel shops, like Ess-a-Bagel and H&H Bagels, ship nationwide. Alternatively, you can look for local options at gourmet stores that carry frozen NYC bagels.
2. Katz’s Delicatessen Pastrami
Katz’s Deli is a Lower East Side institution famous for its pastrami on rye. This rich, smoky, and tender meat is a New York classic, loved for its melt-in-the-mouth texture. Including Katz’s Deli pastrami in your NYC gift basket will bring an authentic New York deli experience to the recipient’s table. Add a packet of rye bread and a small jar of spicy mustard to complete the deli set.
Where to Buy: Katz’s ships its pastrami directly, and you can order it online to add to your basket.
3. New York Cheesecake
Cheesecake is another signature New York dessert, and a mini version makes a delightful gift basket addition. New York cheesecake is beloved worldwide, and it has a dense, creamy filling on a graham cracker crust. You can find options in classic and modern flavors (like strawberry or chocolate swirl), making it a versatile choice for various palates.
Where to Buy: Junior’s Cheesecake is one of NYC’s best-known brands and offers smaller versions that are perfect for gift baskets.
4. Levain Bakery Cookies
These oversized cookies are famous for their gooey centers and delicious flavors, like chocolate chip walnut and dark chocolate peanut butter. Levain Bakery has become an NYC sensation with fans nationwide. Their cookies are baked to perfection, making them an indulgent treat for any gift basket.
Where to Buy: Levain Bakery offers nationwide shipping, so you can order these gourmet cookies directly from their website.
5. Murray’s Cheese
Murray’s Cheese Shop is a beloved NYC institution known for its wide selection of artisanal cheeses. A small wheel of cheese, like their creamy Brie or sharp cheddar, is a great addition to a New York-themed gift basket. Cheese pairs beautifully with other basket items, like crackers, bagels, or cured meats, creating a balanced gourmet gift.
Where to Buy: Murray’s Cheese Shop offers cheese varieties in individual sizes and ships nationwide.
6. New York Roasted Coffee Beans
Coffee culture runs deep in NYC, and no New York gift basket is complete without freshly roasted coffee beans. Many NYC roasters like Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Joe Coffee Company are known for their quality beans with rich, complex flavors. Include a small bag of whole beans or ground coffee to give the gift of a classic New York morning ritual.
Where to Buy: Stumptown, Joe Coffee, and other local roasters offer small bags of coffee beans, perfect for gift baskets.
7. Hot Honey from Mike’s Hot Honey
Hot honey, a unique blend of sweet honey and spicy chili, has become a popular NYC condiment in recent years. Mike’s Hot Honey, in particular, has taken the city by storm and is a versatile addition that pairs well with everything from pizza to cheese. A bottle of hot honey adds a touch of NYC’s culinary creativity and flair to your gift basket.
Where to Buy: Mike’s Hot Honey is available online and in specialty grocery stores nationwide.
8. Black & White Cookies
The black-and-white cookie is a true NYC classic. This half-moon cookie is soft and cake-like and topped with chocolate and vanilla icing, symbolizing the city’s cultural diversity. A pack of these iconic cookies will add a touch of nostalgia and charm to your gift basket and will surely be a hit with anyone familiar with NYC’s dessert scene.
Where to Buy: Many bakeries in NYC, like Zabar’s and William Greenberg Desserts, offer black-and-white cookies that can be shipped.
9. Pickles from The Pickle Guys
New Yorkers love their pickles, especially the tangy, crunchy, and garlicky ones from Lower East Side’s old-school pickle shops. The Pickle Guys offers a variety of pickled treats, from traditional kosher dills to pickled tomatoes and peppers. A jar of these pickles brings the flavor of an NYC deli into your basket, adding a savory and tangy complement to the other items.
Where to Buy: The Pickle Guys ship a variety of pickles, so you can mix and match to create the perfect addition to your NYC gift basket.
10. New York Style Pizza Sauce
NYC is known for its pizza, but it’s tough to include in a gift basket unless you’re shipping frozen slices. However, New York-style pizza sauce is a unique and creative way to share the flavor of NYC pizza without the logistics of shipping an actual slice. The recipient can use this sauce to make their pizza or add it to pasta for an NYC twist.
Where to Buy: Many brands now offer NYC-style pizza sauce, but if you’re looking for an authentic experience, check out Roberta’s or Di Fara’s, which both offer signature pizza sauces for sale.
Tips for Assembling Your New York-themed Gift Basket
- Choose a Versatile Basket: Pick a basket that can hold all the items securely and add a touch of NYC-inspired design, such as a subway map or skyline print, for a fun touch.
- Add Wrapping for Freshness: Items like bagels, cookies, and cheesecake may need individual wrapping to maintain freshness.
- Include a Personal Touch: Adding a handwritten note or a NYC postcard can give your basket a personal and thoughtful touch.
- Theme with Mini NYC Souvenirs: Small items like an “I ❤️ NY” mug, miniature Statue of Liberty, or a subway token can elevate your basket and create a memorable NYC-themed gift.
- Balance Savory and Sweet: New York offers a range of flavors, so balance your basket by including sweet and savory items. This variety will make the basket more exciting for recipients with different tastes.
- Consider Packaging for Travel: If you’re shipping this basket, ensure that each item is well-packaged, especially pickles and honey, which may require extra cushioning.
A New York gift basket offers a delicious experience of the city’s vibrant food culture, packed with various flavors and textures that showcase NYC’s culinary heritage. Whether you’re gifting this to someone who misses NYC or introducing a friend to the city’s famed foods, these 10 items will surely make a memorable and authentic NYC food gift. So, get creative, personalize the basket, and let these iconic New York flavors make a statement!
