L.A.’s food and drink scene rivals — or even surpasses — any other city in the country. Here are some unique gifts to spread the word.

1. Burger She Wrote T-shirt

Burger She Wrote's menu T-shirt plays on the restaurant's punny name. The back of the shirt features the restaurant's full menu.

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Courtesy Burger She Wrote

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If you collect restaurant merch, or someone on your list does, start here. Burger She Wrote has won over smashburger fans who’ve frequented its Fairfax District, Sherman Oaks or newly opened Brentwood locations. Its menu T-shirt has the punny name, a nod to Angela Lansbury’s long-running TV series Murder, She Wrote, scrawled in elegant cursive across the front, plus the full menu on the back for those in the know.

Available at Burger She Wrote 

 2. Nikaido shochu

Nikaido barley shochu is the official shochu of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Courtesy Nikaido

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Ever since I visited Homareya in my hometown of Long Beach, I've been obsessed with the cold glass of shochu that the owner, Yoya Takahashi, served me. If you know someone who loves Japanese spirits, or you're looking for your next great one, I’d recommend a bottle of Nikaido shochu, made from distilled barley. And the best part is it’s low-ABV. Enjoy it over ice with a splash of sparkling water for a slightly earthy finish that keeps things interesting. Fun fact? It’s the official shochu of the L.A. Dodgers — who knew there was such a thing? But regardless, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the city with a great Japanese spirit.

Available at Japanese markets, Ralphs supermarkets and select stores

 3. Belle’s scented candle

Belle's Bagels' scented candles come in black cherry soda and matzoh ball soup.

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Courtesy Belle's Bagels

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I love an oddball collab, and this might be one of my favorites this year. Belle’s Bagels, the beloved Highland Park bagelry, teamed up with Ruby Street Candles recently on a pair of scented candles — black cherry soda and, wait for it — matzo ball soup, ’cause why not? The soup version is said to carry subtle notes of carrot, celery and dill. Both make a great host gift for anyone looking to channel the vibes of everyone’s favorite delicatessen. 

Available at Belle’s Bagels

 4. Corto olive oil set

Corto's Calabrian chili and horseradish olive oils are sold individually or as a set.

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Courtesy Corto

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If you have a home cook in your life, they’ll likely appreciate quality olive oil, and Corto makes some of the best in California. I’m already a big fan of the Calabrian chili olive oil it released a few years ago, so when I heard about this year’s horseradish version, I knew I had to try it. It’s full-bodied and bold, with just the right kick — another slam dunk for yours truly. What sets it apart from other flavored olive oils is how it's made. Rather than infusing flavor after the oil is made, Corto uses the agrumato process, crushing fresh, raw horseradish root with freshly harvested California olives and cold-extracting them at the same time. The result is surprisingly versatile, working on everything from pizzas and pastas to grilled veggies and seafood. It’s sold on its own or in a set with the Calabrian chili oil, and makes a great gift for parents, in-laws or anyone who enjoys an extra splash of flavor.

Available at Corto olive oil

 5. Sightglass coffee set

A Sightglass Coffee gift set.

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Courtesy Sightglass Coffee

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In my constant pursuit of the freshest roasted coffee with robust flavor, Sightglass Coffee entered my life. I’d been recommended it before and even bought a bag or two at my local Whole Foods. But then I learned that while they started in San Francisco in 2009, they opened a roasting and cafe space in Hollywood in 2020. I recently visited and was impressed by the scale of their roasting operation on a busy corner, which also doubles as a cafe. Equally impressive was the roast quality, with a variety of beans to choose from. Can’t pick one? Go for one of their sets, like the Holiday Cheer Set, which features their seasonal Winter Solstice, organic Bluebonnet and flagship Owl’s Howl espresso. It’s great for the coffee drinker in your life who’s looking for their next delectable pour-over or espresso shot.

Available at Sightglass Coffee 

 6. Thrifty ice cream scoop

Thrifty signature cylindrical ice cream scoop.

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Courtesy Thrifty Ice Cream

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When I visited the Thrifty ice cream factory in September, it felt like every SoCal kid's dream. Watching large vats of ice cream being mixed while smelling chocolate and malt balls was something I’ll always remember. I shared a few shots on social media, along with a video, and clearly I wasn’t alone in the nostalgic overload. People flooded my comments sharing their memories.

One specific recollection for many was the cylindrical ice cream scoop, which may have been the defining part of the Thrifty Rite Aid ice cream experience. Given that the drugstores have all closed, post-bankruptcy, you may think that experience is no more — but in fact, that signature scoop is available for sale. That’s right: you can buy a scoop, arm yourself with a pint or two of Thrifty ice cream (now available at local grocery stores) and re-create your ice cream counter memories with friends and family, just like the good old days.

Available at Thrifty Ice Cream Shop 

7. Shakey’s cap

A retro Shakey's Pizza Parlor cap.

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Courtesy Shakey's Pizza Parlor

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After visiting the Thrifty Ice Cream plant in El Monte, I had lunch at Shakey’s Pizza in Pico Rivera. (The two iconic L.A. brands had announced a collaboration.) Much to my surprise and delight, the pizzeria is decked out in ’80s and ’90s pop culture memorabilia. It’s one of two locations, along with Culver City, to get the look as part of a rebrand led by John Tilley, the company’s creative visionary. It’s exactly the kind of aesthetic that will forever appeal to my elder millennial heart. So, what better way to show your love for Shakey’s Bunch of Lunch than a cool retro hat that lets you live out all your pizza parlor dreams? Just don’t forget the Mojo potatoes.

 Available at Shakey’s Pizza

8. A Cozy Kitchen cookbook

"A Cozy Kitchen Cookbook" by Adrianna Adarme organizes its recipes by mood.

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Courtesy Ten Speed Press

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Adrianna Adarme won over many readers, including me, when she started her L.A.-based blog, A Cozy Kitchen, as an escape from a boring corporate job.

Her new cookbook, with the same name, is here, and I couldn’t be happier. For starters, it’s organized by mood, with chapters like Quick to the Table, When We Need a Reset, and Hot Days, Cool Plates.

I’ve always loved how Adarme draws on her Peruvian and Colombian heritage to create approachable recipes, like lomo saltado with ají verde and aguadito (Peruvian chicken soup). The baking section covers a lot of ground too, from a marbled Basque cheesecake to chocolate alfajores.

It’s perfect for the home cook in your life who loves to make comfort food without too much work, whatever mood they’re in.

Available at Now Serving and other bookstores. 

9. Simply Donabe + TOIRO classic donabe

"Simply Donabe" by Naoko Takei Moore.

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Courtesy TOIRO

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Before this year, I knew very little about donabe, the Japanese clay-pot cooking technique, beyond seeing a few celebrity chefs use it. That changed when LAist hosted Naoko Takei Moore, aka Mrs. Donabe, as part of our Cookbook Live series in October. She was born in Tokyo and has spent the last two decades in L.A., spreading the gospel of donabe to Angelenos.

Her new cookbook, Simply Donabe ($40), is perfect for anyone who’s donabe-curious, showing you how to make perfect hot pot, rice, soups and stew — even the occasional oven bake. If you really want to impress, pair it with a Classic-style All-Purpose Donabe from her West Hollywood store, TOIRO, which Takei Moore calls “a great starter donabe and also something to cherish for many years.” It comes in amber (Ame-Yu) or white (Shiro-Yu) and three sizes. Just note that it works on gas stoves only, not electric or induction.

Available at TOIRO

10. Tomat sweatshirt

Tomat's crewneck sweatshirt features a single-line tomato design by artist Mercedes Tabish.

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Courtesy Tomat

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With temperatures finally starting to dip, it’s time to bust out the cozy layers. What better way to do that than with a beautiful crewneck sweatshirt from Tomat in Westchester, a modern Californian-with-a-hint-of-British restaurant. A Portland-based artist and childhood friend of co-owner Natalie Dial, designed it, and L.A.’s White Bark Workwear screen-printed it. The center graphic represents the journey from seed to garden to table, emphasizing the restaurant’s commitment to fresh, seasonal cooking. It's the perfect garb for your next visit to Tomat’s rooftop bar.

Available in store or online at Tomat