Boston’s Best Food & Drink Holiday Experience Gift Guide

It’s the time of year to get to gifting! Thinking about what to get for who, and making sure it all comes in time takes its own planner. Want to make things a little easier on yourself this year? Consider giving the gift of an experience. It’s a unique and fun gift to both give and receive, and you can buy it online and have it ready immediately. No tracking and waiting for packages to be delivered!

Giving the gift of an experience is a great idea for everyone on your list – especially those who don’t need anymore “stuff.” It’s also a really fun and special gift that gives recipients the opportunity to make great memories – which is the best gift you can give! Check out our list of some of the best Boston food & drink experiences to gift this holiday season.

Cooking Class at Stir Boston

Photo Credit: Stir Boston

This South End neighborhood cookbook store and demonstration kitchen is an inviting space to eat, drink, and learn in. The experienced instructors offer classes and events of all kinds, featuring food from all over the world. You’ll find things on the calendar from Hands On Pasta Making to Battle of the Cookbooks: Julia Child vs Yotam Ottolenghi and so much more. This is perfect for your food-lover friend!

Dinner at The Table at Season To Taste

Photo Credit: Cambridge Table

Give someone the gift of a lovely, seasonal four-course tasting menu at The Table at Season To Taste. This intimate 20-seat restaurant has an open kitchen so dining there is an all-encompassing experience of the senses, from the incredible food to eat to watching and smelling and hearing it all happening. This is a wonderful gift to give!

Food Tour with Bites of Boston Food Tours

For a truly amazing experience to gift, give someone the gift of a Bites of Boston Food Tour! Let them explore unique neighborhoods in Boston while tasting some of the best bites and sips the city has to offer. Guests will also learn about the neighborhood and its proprietors, as well as discover some of its hidden gems. This is great for anyone who likes adventure, enjoys history, and, of course, loves to eat! It’s also great to gift to a couple or a family so they can enjoy this experience together.

Oyster Shucking Class at B & G Oysters 

Photo Credit: B & G Oysters

For those people who really like to get their hands dirty, give the gift of one of B & G Oysters’ Shucking Classes. Lessons for two include: Two B&G branded oyster knives to use during the lesson and take home, step-by-step instruction on a few practice oysters, a dozen oysters to shuck and enjoy, and two glasses of Champagne. Another perfect gift for that couple who loves to do things together and make memories!

Cocktail Class at The Boston Shaker

Photo Credit: The Boston Shaker

For your fellow mixologist, or want-to-be mixologist, give the gift of a Cocktail Technique Class at The Boston Shaker. These are a ton of fun and there’s booze involved, so need we say more? This is great way to shake up your gifting game *wink*!

Meal or Cocktails at Cafe ArtScience 

Photo Credit: Cafe ArtScience

For your science-y friend, give the gift of a meal or cocktails at Cafe ArtScience. This modern cafe and culture lab is serving things up with a dash of science. Expect to see foams and gels and smoke coming out on your dish and in your cup. They’ve been called a “laboratory of food and drink” by the Boston Globe and they definitely live up to that name. Talk about a unique experience to gift!

Afternoon Tea at the Boston Public Library

Photo Credit: @cup_keki

For someone who has a sweet tooth and is keen on elegance, give the gift of afternoon tea at The Courtyard Restaurant in the Boston Public Library. Give someone a lovely afternoon of tea and pastries served on three-tiered trays on white tablecloths. A beautiful gift to give to someone who loves special experiences and taking photos. Everything is so photogenic!

Dinner Theater at Mystery Cafe

Photo Credit: Mystery Cafe

For a truly interactive gift, give the gift of a murder mystery dinner theater show. Mystery Cafe hosts Mansion Mystery Clue-themed dinner shows, where you’re right there in the middle of the action, among other fun events. This gift is packed with great fun and is definitely more unique than a pair of socks!