The 22 Best Valentine’s Gifts of 2026

Various gift items including a stand mixer a striped mug with saucer a mini hot pot and chili snacks — Serious Eats

By day, I’m an editor here at Serious Eats. I test kitchen equipment and find the best sales on cooking stuff we love. But by night, I moonlight as a romance novelist. So to say I’m excited about Valentine’s Day is an understatement. I wait all year for this! And this year, I’ve curated the perfect Valentine’s Day gift guide for food lovers. I called in help from my colleagues, who all have excellent taste. Together, we found 22 sweet, spicy, sassy, and silly V-Day gifts. But no judgment if you want to keep these goodies all to yourself—self-love is love, too, babe.

Unique Wine Glasses: Big Night Wine Glasses
A Valentine’s-Ready Cookbook: Hot Date Cookbook
High-End Caviar: Marky’s Essential Caviar Tasting Set
A Pretty Pink Apron: Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron
A Candle That Smells Like Cookies: Mornings at Levain Candle
A Valentine’s Themed Charcuterie Board: Boarderie Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
The Ultimate Chocolate Bonbon: Milk Bar Truffles
The Stand Mixer All Bakers Want:KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

A Cookbook All About Chocolate

Chocolate Lover

Credit: Amazon

$10 at Amazon View on Booksamillion.com View on Barnesandnoble.com

This is a Valentine's-appropriate cookbook that's enjoyable all year. Recipe developer and author Michele Song has created the ultimate collection of chocolate recipes, including cookies, pies, and doughnuts. The Twice-Baked Chocolate Tahini Blackberry Cake is the book's greatest hit. It's gloriously fudgy and would make for a perfect Valentine’s dessert.

Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
The Ultimate Chocolate Bonbon

Milk Bar The Double Truffle

Credit: Milk Bar

View on Milkbarstore.com

“Are sweets for Valentine's Day basic? Sure. But c'mon, cake truffles are just so dang good,” says senior editor Grace Kelly. “I'd love my husband even more if he gifted them to me this year (hint, hint!). The birthday cake and chocolate chip cookie flavors are sweet and satisfying, but I'm also eyeing these limited-edition red velvet cheesecake truffles.”
A Pretty Pink Apron

Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron

Credit: Hedley & Bennett

View on Hedleyandbennett.com

Our team loves this comfy apron that slips on over your head—no tying required. Grace named it a winner in her review of the best aprons, and she's not the only one who recommends it: Hedley & Bennett is beloved by pro chefs and bakers the world over. The pretty, pink rhubarb color is perfect for V-Day.
A Valentine's Day-Themed Charcuterie Board

Boarderie Valentine's Classic Cheese & Charcuterie Board

Credit: Boarderie

View on Boarderie.com

Boarderie delivers hand-crafted, pre-arranged charcuterie boards, and they are stunning. (I ordered one over the holidays, and my family still talks about it.) This one is designed to celebrate Valentine's Day, with special touches like cheese cut in the shape of Xs and Os and strawberry shortcake bites. The large board is big enough for a Palentine's party, and the small size is perfect for an intimate dinner for two.
A Candle That Smells Like Cookies

Levain Bakery Mornings at Levain Candle

Credit: Levain Bakery

View on Levainbakery.com

“This candle truly smells like you just walked into Levain Bakery,” says associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. “It's buttery, sugary, and vanilla-y—a downright delightful scent to bathe your kitchen (or any room) in.”

Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Chocolates for the True Romantic

Dandelion Chocolate Love Letters Collection

Credit: Dandelion Chocolate

View on Dandelionchocolate.com

“If you want to go beyond a box of chocolates this Valentine's Day, consider this gorgeous, thoughtful gift from Dandelion Chocolates. It's a collection of bonbons (including pâte de fruit, truffles, and chocolates) paired with letters from a real-life historical couple: Napoleon and Joséphine, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, and John Keats and Fanny Brawne. The set includes tasting notes and quotes, so you and your lover can luxuriate in the fiery, rich intensity of Napoleon and Josephine's love, revel in the bright passion of John Keats and Fanny Brawne, and marvel at the subtlety and depth of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett.” — Grace

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
The Best Nonalcoholic Bottled Cocktail for Sharing

Ghia Le Fizz

Credit: Ghia

$46 at Amazon View on Drinkghia.com View on Thezeroproof.com

“Forget sparkling cider. If you don't drink (or you want a bubbly toast without the morning headache), get this,” says writer Ashlee Redger. “Ghia has become a staff-favorite here at Serious Eats, and its Le Fizz is my personal favorite booze-free celebratory sipper. Its mild sweetness is well-balanced with gentle, smoky notes of lapsang souchong tea and pleasantly bitter gentian root. Add a bottle of the Ghia Original Apéritif to your order for nightcap-worthy nonalcoholic cocktails.”

Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger
Unique Wine Glasses

Big Night Wine Glasses

Credit: Big Night

View on Bignightbk.com

“I've been talking about these wine glasses for years. They're the perfect size for a weeknight pour.” — Riddley

Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
A Salty Chocolate Bar

Raaka Pink Sea Salt Organic Dark Chocolate

Credit: Amazon

$23 at Amazon $7 at Raakachocolate.com $8 at Fkliving.com

I named this one of the best chocolate bars you can buy. It just so happens to be perfect for Valentine's Day, too. With a generous sprinkle of pink salt, this 71% dark chocolate bar is all dressed up for the holiday's festivities. Plus, the packaging is so pretty, you won't need to wrap it.

Serious Eats / Rochelle Bilow
Fun Candles

Big Night Beeswax Asparagus Tapers

Credit: Big Night

View on Bignightbk.com

Having a date night at home? Set the scene with these perky asparagus tapers. They're handmade by beekeepers in California and look strikingly realistic.
High-End Caviar

Marky's Essential Caviar Tasting Set

Credit: Marky's

View on Markys.com

“Why not impress your date with a fancy caviar set? This one includes four mini jars—three caviars and one paddlefish roe—plus blinis, crème fraîche, a mother-of-pearl spoon, and a tin opener key. All you need is a bottle of Champagne, and you're set with a tasting experience for two.” — Ashlee

Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger
A Set for At-Home Hot Pot

Fly By Jing The Hot Pot Starter Set

Credit: Fly by Jing

$130 at Flybyjing.com

Is it getting steamy in here, or is that just the hot pot? I love Fly by Jing's condiments—like the spicy Chili Crisp—so I was thrilled to see it has launched a hot pot set. It comes with a fire engine-red electric hot pot appliance and a packet of seasoning to flavor the base of your next cooking adventure...perhaps with your sweetie this Valentine's Day?
An Editor-Loved Coffee Subscription

Trade Coffee Gift Subscription

Credit: Trade

View on Drinktrade.com

“A Trade subscription remains one of the best gifts I've received. I was able to enjoy free coffee for months, which made many, many mornings much better (and I have a 6-month-old baby, so this is saying a lot!). Once, when I wasn't a fan of the coffee beans Trade sent me, its customer service credited my account, so I was able to choose new beans, free of charge.” — Riddley

Serious Eats
A Lovely Coffee Mug

Daily Stripe Stoneware Espresso Cup & Saucer

Credit: Anthropologie

$24 at Anthropologie

“I just got two of these cups and love their playful stripes and large, looped handles. There's just something about a cup on a saucer, you know? It's fancier! It's more fun! The saucer perfectly accommodates a homemade biscotti, too. (I'm talking from experience, of course.)” — Riddley

Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Rose-Scented Lip Balm

Glossier Balm Dotcom

Credit: Glossier

$16 at Sephora

Not to be too cheeky, but this gift practically screams, "Kiss me." It slides on smoothly and nourishes for hours. And the flavor? It reminds me of rose cookies, not grandma's perfume.
Chocolate Sardines!

Fishwife Valentine's Day Gift Pack

Credit: Fishwife

View on Eatfishwife.com

This gift set isn’t for everyone, but it is perfect for tinned fish-lovers. It includes Fishwife’s greatest hits, like Albacore Tuna with Spanish Lemon. And it comes with chocolate-shaped sardines!
A Cookbook for Your Next Hot Date

Hot Date!

Credit: Amazon

$35
$25 at Amazon View on Barnesandnoble.com View on Bookshop.org

The design of this cookbook is so fun: hot pink, bright, and majorly flirty. The recipes—all of which feature dates—are creative and luscious. I'm calling this the best Valentine's present for a significant other who loves to help in the kitchen.
Chic Coupes

Maison Balzac Black Bow Coupes

Credit: Maison Balzac

View on Maisonbalzac.com

“Cin cin to your love with these chic (and am I allowed to say, sexy?) martini glasses, each decorated with black bows. They have staying power past Valentine's Day, too.” — Grace
A Different Kind of Hot Sauce

Sauz Hot Honey Marinara

Credit: Amazon

$25
$23 at Amazon

This gift falls under the "acts of service" category. It may be weird to gift your Valentine a jar of tomato sauce, but what about presenting them with a homemade pasta dinner, topped with this spicy-sweet hot honey marinara? That's next-level.
A Storage Box for Cherished Recipes

Ironwood Gourmet Acacia Wood Recipe Box with Divider Tabs

Credit: Amazon

$23 at Amazon

“My husband got me this recipe box last year for Valentine's Day. It's not too big, comes with dividers, and has a slot on top that props up a recipe card.” — Riddley
A Heart-Shaped Panettone

San Valentino Strawberry And Dark Chocolate

Credit: San Valentino

View on Olivieri1882.com

"After trying Olivieri's panettone this past Christmas, I became a convert: It was nothing like the stale hunks sold in the grocery stores. And the brand's Valentine's Day panettone is just as glorious: Moist, tender, and with bits of chocolate, candied strawberries, and a pink glaze, it's like a strawberry donut was transformed into an elegant heart-shaped loaf. If you love someone who loves all things Italian and carby, well, I think you know what to get them. " — Grace

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
The Stand Mixer All Bakers Want

KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in Red

Credit: Amazon

$399 at Amazon View on Kitchenaid.com

One of the very best stand mixers you can buy? In the passion red color? Gift of the century for the serious baker in your life.

Serious Eats

Why We’re the Experts

Rochelle Bilow is an editor at Serious Eats. She’s reviewed hundreds of kitchen tools for the site and began testing cooking gear in 2021.
Rochelle is also a romance novelist; her books feature couples who work in the food industry.
Rochelle also included gift ideas from her (stylish and cool) colleagues.

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