Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Dads are notoriously difficult to buy for, but if he loves to cook or eat or drink, you’re sure to find something on this list he’ll appreciate unwrapping this Father’s Day.
Maybe he’s already started firing up the grill and is hankering for some specialty gear. Or perhaps he has a bar cart that needs a bit of sprucing. To help you find a wide range of gifts that are sure to please any foodie dad (even if you’ve tried to get him to refer to himself a different way), we combed through our archives and pulled the most special, thoughtful, and unexpected ideas, and then organized them by price. Whatever his comfort level in the kitchen, one of these items is sure to make his day.
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He’ll be pleased to receive is this classic knife from Opinel with a sharp stainless-steel blade that folds into a wooden handle (which is quite nice to grip, for the record). It’s super-versatile, but we especially like it for cutting fruit, cheese, or other treats on a hike or at a picnic.
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Don’t let the thin profile of these tweezer tongs fool you: They’re not the tiny kind for plating micro-greens on fancy dishes. They’re somewhat of a cross between those and standard tongs — and more useful than you can imagine. They’re delicate enough to flip individual ingredients, like fried potatoes or shrimp, but with a strong-enough grip to handle larger ones, too, like chicken thighs. (They’re also great at grabbing stray bits that fall onto the stove as you’re cooking.)
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Grill presses are exceptionally useful: Dad can use them to smash burgers, sear meat, smush sandwiches, and get crispy skins on everything from potatoes to fish. This particular model is designed so that it can be stacked with more than one when he needs extra weight. Plus, the slats allow for steam to escape so food doesn’t get mushy.
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This is a real bang-for-your-buck kind of gift. The bottle looks great, but it’s so affordable compared with many other apertifs. It’s a favorite for David Lebovitz, who says it’s basically a more interesting version of Lillet with citron and quinine. I love it, too — mixed with seltzer and a squeeze of lemon, it’s a refreshing staple of my summers.
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Viski makes dependable barware — and these stainless-steel cocktail picks are no exception. The design is simple in a good way and will inspire Dad to spear olives for his martinis and cherries for his Manhattans.
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For the dad who wants to dabble in the art of sushi, Strategist contributor Eunice Byun swears by this inexpensive knife that a fisherman recommended for making it at home. It’s not a proper sushi knife, but Byun says it’s good enough to get Dad started until he wants to upgrade to a higher-end model.
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Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang swears this ACV is not like the others. “Where the supermarket kind has a kind of piercing, eye-watering acidity that flattens everything else, Katz’s apple-cider vinegar has a mellower, more rounded tang that highlights the apple flavor and sweetness in it,” she says.
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The Fluicer folds totally flat, meaning it both fits easily into kitchen drawers and offers a lot of leverage so that squeezing is effortless. It also has a built-in strainer, which keeps seeds back while funneling the juice into your receptacle of choice.
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For the dad with a silly sense of humor who likes to snack.
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This olive oil flavored with jalapeños and herbs is specifically meant for drizzling over pizza. If he makes it himself, great. If he orders in … still great.
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For the dad who cooks and cleans, How to Wash the Dishes by Peter Miller (a bookstore owner and author of a couple of cookbooks) would make a delightful and funny present. It’s an actually insightful and well-written guide to being on dish duty.
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If Dad doesn’t own a bench scraper, this is the one to get him. Like every version of the tool, it makes cooking even easy weeknight stuff more seamless. But it’s longer-lasting (and likely better for him) than plastic versions, the wood handle is attractive, and the stainless steel body is ever-so-slightly flexible so he can lift and transfer ingredients with ease.
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To help Dad up his game in the kitchen, consider giving him a small Japanese mortar for grinding spices to release their nuances and freshness. This one is a favorite of both chef Camille Becerra and Burlap & Barrel co-owner Ethan Frisch. “Part of the challenge with whole spices is that they can go everywhere if you don’t have a big one or hit it at the wrong angle,” Frisch says. “But this one is textured and meant to push the particles down in the bowl as you’re grinding. They don’t go flying.”
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Here’s another pantry recommendation from Yang, who uses this along with other soy sauce variations. “I use it for finishing stir-fries, where its saucy consistency, sweetness, and more complex flavors can be enjoyed more immediately,” she says.
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Strategist contributor Margaret Eby discovered this pan after a decade of trying to find something to replicate the effects of a grill indoors. “You can use your broiler, but the problem with broilers, particularly in the kind of rickety oven that came with my rental apartment, is that you have no idea what’s going on in there,” she says. Now she uses this pan for perfect peppers, eggplant, green beans, okra, and more — ideal for the dad who doesn’t have a grill but wishes he did.
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The newly released, extremely easy-to-use brewer from OXO resembles a cross between a French press, an espresso machine, and an AeroPress. “With a modified recipe, the coffee it makes rivals any of those methods,” says Strategist contributor Michael Hession. And apparently you can made delicious cold brew with it too.
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Iconic NYC restaurant Via Carota sells high-quality batched cocktails in stunning bottles, like this classic Negroni. All he has to do is serve it cold over ice — with an orange peel as garnish.
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If he’s a bread baker, this lame for scoring the top of loaves will make a nice upgrade to the one he has. The deep-brown walnut color of the wood and gold detailing is nice, without being over-the-top decorative.
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I’ve recommended gifting produce before. If Dad is known for his guacamole (or lives in a place where it’s hard to find good avocados), this box of stunning California Hass ones is sure to hit. They all come underripe and will soften to perfection on his countertop.
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The Spice House makes a bunch of well-curated gift boxes with its high-quality spices and blends, so peruse the other offerings if this one doesn’t strike you as his thing. This set includes the Chipotle Garlic Barbecue Blend, Bronzeville Southern Rib Rub, Brisket of Love Barbecue Rub, and Jamaican Jerk Seasoning.
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A Hydro Flask, which will keep water (or, ahem, picnic wine) cold for hours, is a favorite insulated water bottle of many discerning people (including a lot of Strategist staffers), but here’s a longer list of recommended bottles if you want to shop around a bit.
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Or consider gifting him a new travel mug so he can take his coffee with him. The MiiR Flip Traveler is a particular favorite of many coffee experts who appreciate its fantastic temperature retention, tight-fitting lid, and sleek design.
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If he camps, or even just likes enjoying his coffee outside, I like this simple set of enamel mugs from Crow Canyon. They’re classic-looking and on the bigger side.
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Here’s a nice idea for the dad who watched all of Anthony Bourdain’s shows — and needs something to read on vacation this summer.
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This sweet bottle opener comes recommended by designer Ben Kicic, who first spotted it at a friend’s house (and immediately asked about it). It “has a strong graphic element, but because of its size, it’s not too loud or overbearing,” he says. “And clearly it works as a conversation starter.”
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My love of Earlywood’s flat sautés are well documented at this point (and Andy Baraghani loves them, too). But I will say, they make an excellent gift because even if Dad is well stocked with kitchen utensils, these are probably unlike anything he already owns.
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Here’s another unusual utensil set, made up of five chef spoons from Misen. These are smaller than the average utensil, but each one is extremely useful. There’s a plating spoon, tapered at the edge for drizzling, skimming, and basting. Lift ingredients out of boiling water or fry oil with the slotted spoon. The scraper spoon looks like a stainless-steel version of a spoonula. A measuring spoon is also included, as is a serrated spoon, with just one side of the rim notched like a butter knife.
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He might also like this cutting board. It comes in five sizes, from mini to extra-large, and is made from ethylene-vinyl acetate, the material preferred by a lot of Japanese restaurants. Its rubbery feel is ideal for rocking his knife back and forth.
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If he’s a cold-brew guy, this OXO coffee maker will be a hit. He can brew a batch to last days and keep it in the fridge.
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A dad who cooks a lot should have an apron so he doesn’t accidentally splash red sauce on that shirt you gave him over the holidays. Hedley & Bennett’s come recommended by several chefs we’ve spoken to; they aren’t the cheapest, but that’s part of what makes them giftable (if Dad already has a workhorse apron, this could be the “fancy” one he throws on when cooking for guests). It has three front pockets (one at the chest and two by the hips) and the deep charcoal color will look sharp while hiding stains. You can even get it monogrammed for a small fee.
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A dad who loves to cook and camp will appreciate a propane stove, especially when a site doesn’t have designated grills. This one has two burners and wings to block the wind. If you really want to make his day, throw in a carbon-steel skillet too (our very favorite model is up above on this list).
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This gift would work for the camper and the griller dad. When he’s cooking outside in the dark, this provides a bright and focused light so he can see what he’s doing.
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This is senior writer Michael Zhao’s go-to for turning sad lunches into something truly delicious. “The touch of brown sugar amplifies the natural umami of the fish without making it sweet, and the texture isn’t nearly as oily as a tin of sardines or oil-packed tuna,” he says. “I’m not a macros tracker, but I know enough to know that 21 grams of protein in a single serving is pretty good.”
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A quality pair of kitchen shears can be used to break down a chicken, remove fins from a fish, snip herbs, and cut vegetables. (Not to mention, it’s handy to have a pair for plain old cutting open packages.) These are our very favorites, made by Wüsthof, the German brand that’s famous for its knives. “When I tested them, I loved how easy they were to pull apart and clean, and that they never separated in my hands during the toughest kitchen tasks,” says Strategist contributor Kiki Aranita. “They also have a satisfying tension when you’re snipping with them, which gives your fingers more control.”
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If beer is more his thing, consider gifting one of these pint glasses from North Drinkware, recommended by Rebecca Carey, the food and beverage director at the Viceroy Chicago hotel. “They have a blown mountain at the base, which I think make them fun and handsome,” she says. While they don’t offer landmarks from every state, there are a lot to choose from.
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If he’s always on dinner duty, he knows that presentation is part of it. Wooden salad bowls can get shockingly expensive — but this one is loved by multiple pro cooks who praise its looks and how easy it is to care for.
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Making homemade tortillas is a flex — and a downright fun project for any dad who likes to spend time in the kitchen. This press not only looks good but is engineered to allow for a range of thicknesses and sizes, and comes with custom reusable liners printed with a tortilla sizing ruler. (The brand also makes this heirloom corn masa harina that is the best you can buy in the States, according to recipe developer and cookbook author Rick Martínez.)
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Grinding whole spices fresh can have a huge impact on flavor, and the Finamill makes it easy. It comes with multiple pod attachments that click into the handle, each for different spices, which he can swap out or refill at any time. To grind, just click the button.
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If Dad is obsessed with his fancy espresso maker, he’s likely to appreciate a hand-carved wooden tamp from Saint Anthony Industries. More beautiful than the tamps that come with most machines, it is built to be barista-level precise with a heavy base and sharp edges so no granules are left behind.
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Misen’s Carbon Nonstick Frying Pan is a rare instance of true innovation in the cookware market. I’m usually wary of “hybrid” pans that claim to do it all, but this one, made from carbon steel and treated to have a nonstick surface, truly works.
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If he ever takes his knives on the go — to a vacation home, to a friend’s house to help cook — get him a handsome knife roll. This two-toned one is made by one of our favorite knife brands, in collaboration with a family-owned leather company in the Netherlands.
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If he’s the kind of cook who gets very into projects, why not let mastering pasta be his next one? The Marcato Atlas Pasta-Maker is considered one of the best nonelectric versions (an electric model is probably overkill for someone dabbling in the art anyway). As is, the machine can make lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini, but if he wants to level up, he can buy accessories that allow it to do even more.
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Yang gifted this next-level thermometer to her husband last year — and both of them love it. The tool connects to an app on your phone and uses eight sensors to give you a view of what’s happening inside your food (whether on the stove or grill), taking in data every five seconds, and can predict when it’s cooked to your preferred doneness.
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If Dad is still using his Lodge, consider an upgrade. To be clear, I love Lodge, but I also think a more expensive cast iron skillet is worth the investment.
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Zwilling’s personal-size blender is just as powerful as its larger model. It is, of course, perfect for making single-serving smoothies (which Dad can even take on the go in the same cup he used to blend). But it’s also super-handy to have around for marinades, sauces, dressings, and dips — a real versatile tool.
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If Dad’s serious about making coffee at home, then he’s going to need a serious coffee grinder. The Baratza Encore conical grinder is one of the best out there — and was recommended to us by multiple experts. It has 40 grind settings, allowing him to choose grounds for all the different kinds of brewing methods, from French press to pour-over to drip to cold brew.
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If he loves drinking cocktails but has yet to jump into making them at home, this expert-approved barware set is a solid place to start. It includes a shaker, muddler, strainer, and jigger — basically everything he could possibly need to concoct his favorite beverages.
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“I think before you can make any drink properly at home, you have to have a jigger,” says Brooks Reitz, restaurateur and founder of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. “You’re measuring small amounts of very potent ingredients and even an extra quarter ounce can make a big difference.” This one is pricey but made of pewter, which means “it’s beautiful and will last forever,” Reitz says.
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If he already has a chef’s knife he loves, a nakiri knife would make an excellent addition to his collection (especially one with such a stunning wood handle and textured steel blade). It has a straight blade shaped a bit like a small cleaver, designed to be particularly good at breaking down large vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage, as well as slicing, dicing, and chopping onions, peppers, all manner of root vegetables, and more. Still, it can be used for delicate tasks like chopping herbs, too.
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If he doesn’t, this is my current favorite. It’s sharp as hell, comfortable to hold (just look at the curve of that handle), and looks beautiful.
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He’s likely already labeling his deli containers, but instead of keeping a roll of masking tape in a drawer, he can use a dedicated dispenser. This one is really just so cool-looking — a design piece as much as a functional kitchen object. And because it’s made from cast iron, he can rip pieces of that tape off without it moving around.
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This suggestion comes in right at the $200 mark — and yes, it’s a $200 pepper mill. But before you roll your eyes, hear us out: It’s the best one on the market, favored by many professional chefs who swear the large chamber, adjustable and consistent grind size, and sleek look make it well worth the price.
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Another (and better-known) pick from Yeti is this soft cooler. You can buy it to fit eight, 12, or 18 cans, and no matter what, unlike the brand’s heavier-duty hard coolers, it’s easy to lug around.
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A quality cutting board is like a quality knife: A dad who likes to cook can never have too many. And that’s especially the case when you’re gifting him one designed for aesthetics as much as function, like this.
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Espresso makers are notoriously expensive — often upwards of $500 or even $1000. But Breville is much-loved by coffee experts for their relatively affordable and high-performing home machines. This is the cheapest in their whole line, but will still produce quality espresso (and frothed milk) if that’s your dad’s thing. If you want to go even fancier, you can check out the brand’s entire range here.
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