Celebrating a special occasion? See our best afternoon teas review, including classic establishments like The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, The Shard and more
Treat yourself and a loved one to special afternoon tea in the capital city with our top afternoon tea in London recommendations. Find everything from classic British menus to more unique options and servings for kids. There's no better way to celebrate a birthday, holiday or special occasion. Having been fortunate to sample a wide selection of London's afternoon teas over the past few years, I have rounded up some of the capital's best offerings. This list takes into consideration the price against the service, quality of food and drink and atmosphere. Discover even more teas with the best afternoon teas in the UK for cities around England and Wales, or the best kids afternoon teas in London. For more travel ideas, see the best luxury family hotels in the UK. and the best rooftop bars in London. To make your own dishes at home, see our afternoon tea recipes for all things scones and sandwiches. Top tips for going to an afternoon tea: Come relatively hungry - afternoon teas are most often a sizeable helping and so you'll need a good appetite to tackle the three tiers of sandwiches, scones and pâtisserie. Ask for a doggy bag - if you are defeated by the sheer quantity of food on offer, but simply can't face the thought of missing out on the rest, fear not as most establishments will very happily box up your remaining treats to enjoy later (or the next day!). Experiment with your tea choice - it may feel safe to opt for your normal English Breakfast brew, but there's often so many wonderful tea varieties on offer, why not try something a bit different? Often there will be a member of staff on hand to talk through the tea menu so I often ask them for recommendations. Start savoury, then finish sweet - traditionally, the order of afternoon tea will begin with savoury finger sandwiches, before moving on to the sweet scones and then pâtisserie. Of course, it is up to you, but I recommend going for the savoury options first to keep your palate balanced, rather than getting an early sugar rush. If you want to keep the tea more affordable, then avoid upgrading to the champagne option as this can often add an additional £10-£30 per glass to your price per head. Equally if you want to splash out for a special occasion, then go for it! Sponsored by LW Theatres Experience a showstopping afternoon tea at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Calling all West End buffs: did you know that you can enjoy the delights of a traditional afternoon tea inside one of London's most iconic theatres? Don't miss your chance to tuck into a unique themed menu at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where you can feast on savoury treats on an original stage floor and a sweet selection literally unveiled from behind a plush red curtain, plus a wide variety of teas, champagne and signature cocktails. Prices start from £68 per person and you can find out more at lwtheatres.co.uk. Best afternoon teas in London at a glance Best for timeless luxury: Ritz afternoon tea, from £95 per person Best for luxury surroundings: The Georgian, Harrods, from £82 per person Best for a modern afternoon tea: Lily Vanilli at the Four Seasons Hotel London Tower Bridge, from £65 per person Best casual tea with a view: Duck & Waffle afternoon tea, from £55pp Best for a sweet tooth: Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea, from £84 per person Best for exceptional service: The Dorchester afternoon tea, from £95 per person Best for a generous selection: The Goring afternoon tea, from £65 per person Best for an Asian-inspired tea: Mr Ma's tea at The Academy, from £39 per person Best for champagne lovers: Elizabethan afternoon tea, from £85 per person Best for a botanical setting: The Teahouse at Petersham Nurseries, from £65 per person Best for a unique theme: The Parlour at Great Scotland Yard Hotel, from £65 per person Best for Japanese flavours: Nobu Hotel afternoon tea, from £75 per person Best for trend-led pâtisseries: The Biltmore, from £80 per person Best for big flavours and colours: The Rosewood, from £80 per person Best hidden gem: The Stafford, from £78 per person Best for airy ambience: The Landmark London, from £79 per person Best contemporary atmosphere: Sushisamba, £65 per person Best for whimsy: Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard, from £70 per person Best value afternoon tea with a view: oblix at The Shard, from £65 per person Best for central location: The Stage at The Londoner, from £59 per person Best for theatre fans: The Grand Saloon at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, from £59 per person Best for a royal day out: Conrad London, St James, from £63 per person Best for a family day out: Sweetshop afternoon tea at Chesterfield Hotel, from £65 per person Best for riverside views: The Bingham Riverside, from £42 per person Best for 1920's elegance: The Beaumont Hotel afternoon tea, from £70 per person Best for kids: One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea, from £55 per child, £75 per adult Best for stunning views: Ting at the Shangri-La Hotel afternoon tea, from £78 per person Best for Halloween fans: Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel, from £40 per person Best afternoon teas in London 2026 The Ritz afternoon tea At a glance… Price: £95 per person/£73 per child Best for: timeless luxury Contact details: The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR View the menu Afternoon tea at The Ritz is one of the most timeless experiences in London for a reason. Attention to detail and fantastic service make this afternoon tea well worth the splurge. Step into the glamorous Palm Court salon to admire their mirrored surfaces, gold detailing and leafy palms. The luxurious atmosphere is complete with a live pianist and harpist alongside a choir singing traditional carols. The food is traditional with classic British flavours and generous servings; savoury sandwiches include Scottish smoked salmon, breast of chicken with chestnut and sage, cheddar cheese with chutney, and more. Fresh plain and fruit scones come with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and the pastries and cakes, which are the real stars of the show, have delicate details and stunning finishes. On visiting during the festive season, I enjoyed a selection of gold-leaf topped choux buns, chocolate and chestnut pastries and cranberry and meringue topped cakes. There are 18 luxury teas to choose from, including everything from passion fruit and orange to chocolate mint rooibos and more. I chose the classic Ritz Royal English – a breakfast tea with a blend of Golden Kenyan, Assam and Orange Pekoe. Consider upgrading with a glass of champagne for £23 for a well balanced Barons de Rothschild, 'Réserve Ritz', Brut NV. Overall, the service is a fantastic option for a special occasion with friendly and attentive staff and a gorgeous ambiance. The Ritz is a proud member of the Leading Hotels of the World. The Georgian, Harrods At a glance… Price: £82 per person Best for: elevated sandwich fillings and a jam trolley Contact details: The Georgian, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL View the menu The Georgian is one of the prettiest tea rooms in London. First opened in 1911 and famous for ‘thés dansants’ during the 20s, this plush and opulent space is a brilliant mix of comfort and sparkle. You can choose to sit in the middle of it all and enjoy watching the room, or tuck yourself away in a private-feeling booth and set yourself to the task in hand. The afternoon tea menu (a vegan version is also available) starts with the sandwiches. Familiar flavours with a luxury twist may include cucumber & minted soft cheese, poached and smoked salmon or duck a l’orange. Savouries on my visit included a cheese tart with a light, crisp shell and sweet caramelised onion addition, and a deeply savoury mini toastie made with celeriac. One of my highlights from this experience was the scone course being accompanied with a jam trolley – you can try all the flavours (pear & vanilla or blackberry & blackcurrant, for example), each served onto a saucer, as well as clotted cream. Pastries also run the gamut of flavours, including pistachio (in the form of a religieuse), chocolate (a perfect-looking slice of gateau coated in chocolate with a cherry on top) and seasonal fruit (blackberry tart with lime curd). The good news is that you can get a doggy bag to take what you can’t eat home (I strongly counsel against trying to eat two scones pre-pastries). The extensive tea menu allows you to try more than one variety, and you can of course opt for a glass of champagne (at an additional cost) if you prefer. Tea at the Georgian will leave you feeling looked after and quite full. Book at lunchtime and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea At a glance... Price: from £84 per person Best for: traditionalists and lovers of classic, charming service Contact details: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER View the menu The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason has to be one of the top locations for a classic afternoon tea. Service is seamless without being stuffy, and I found the waiting staff charming, relaxed and exceptionally well informed – with 92 teas on offer, they need to know their stuff. The sweet pâtisserie treats are an art form in their own right, and the lobster scone with cream cheese and caviar topping makes the savoury selection a must-try, especially if you’re sharing. Fortnum & Mason is a classic afternoon tea experience with an ever-evolving menu that’s subtly inventive. The care that goes into every aspect of the creation and presentation of the dishes, as well as the knowledge and charm of the staff make this a truly special experience. The Dorchester At a glance… Price: £95 per person Best for: Impeccable service and a long and luxurious experience Contact details: The Dorchester, 52 Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA View the menu Afternoon tea at The Dorchester is served in the grand but welcoming Promenade, the hotel’s central dining space. The room is large and bright, with art deco features, huge floral arrangements and live piano music at set times during the afternoon. Service is attentive and unhurried, with staff regularly offering additional sandwiches and pastries and refills of tea so my dining partner and I felt like we could take our time to soak up the atmosphere. The menu follows a traditional afternoon tea format, beginning with a selection of finger sandwiches. Fillings typically include smoked salmon with cream cheese, cucumber, egg mayonnaise with truffle, coronation chicken and roast beef with horseradish and they are beautifully presented. Warm plain and fruit scones are served with strawberry jam and clotted cream in silver dishes, followed by a selection of beautiful pastries and cakes which are almost too pretty to eat. I was treated to a winter menu selection of chocolate and orange marmalade yule log, almond mousse with sour cherry compote and almond sponge and tropical tart with coconut Chantilly, pineapple and almond sponge. Teas are available from a wide-ranging list, covering black, green, white and herbal options, as well as single-estate and blended teas. Coffee is also available on request. For those who prefer something stronger, afternoon tea can be taken with a glass of champagne or sparkling wine, with several options available by the glass or bottle. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are offered and mirror the main menu closely, rather than feeling like a simplified alternative. Children are also welcome, with a dedicated children’s afternoon tea that includes smaller sandwiches, sweet treats designed for younger tastes and limitless hot chocolate. Festive afternoon tea by Lily Vanilli, Four Seasons Tower Bridge At a glance… Price: £65 per person Best for: a modern Christmas afternoon tea in a grand setting Contact details: Four Seasons Hotel London Tower Bridge, 10 Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4AJ View the menu Best for a modern afternoon tea A classic Christmas afternoon tea gets a luxury modern twist with the festive menu from Lily Vanilli at the Four Seasons Hotel London Tower Bridge. Settle into a cosy booth in the grand Rotunda Bar setting (complete with towering Christmas tree) for a special festive treat. There’s not a finger sandwich in sight – the savouries include light parmesan gougères, confit potatoes topped with smoked salmon and roe, and gildas with fiery pickled chilli. There are mince pies too – filled with melting cheese, cabbage and roast potatoes. Classic scones remain, served with the prettiest swirl of clotted cream I’ve ever seen and a blackberry compote so delicious that I scraped the bowl clean. The highlights of the sweet course for me was the sticky toffee madeleines: served in a glamorous silver coupe, with toffee sauce poured tableside for extra drama. Crisp chocolate crumble scattered over the top helps balance the buttery sweetness. After all of this, along with mini lemon tarts, you might not even have room for the piece de resistance that is a mini chocolate salted caramel cake, adorned with gold baubles and decorated in Lily Vanilli’s signature style with rich, buttery icing. If you can’t slice into it there and then, the team will box it up for you to take home and savour later. Duck & Waffle afternoon tea At a glance… Price: £55 per person Best for: a relaxed afternoon tea with an impressive view Contact details: Duck & Waffle, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY View the menu Best casual tea with a view Duck & Waffle is known for its 24-hour operations and views over London – and now you can have afternoon tea 40 floors above the city. You’ll want to nab a window table on the right hand side of the room for views of the Gherkin and Tower Bridge – go for a slightly later sitting to time your tea for golden hour and watch the sunset. Before the main tea arrives, a starter of ‘egg and soldiers’ is served – in reality, a warm watercress purée and the butteriest brioche soldiers for dipping. Next, the main event arrives; we loved the presentation arriving on a three-tiered stand which is revealed under a giant painted egg. The savouries are a mixture of styles: classic sandwiches (coronation chicken, smoked salmon), a cubano (a toasted sandwich filled with ham, melted cheeses and pickles) and my favourite, a take on the namesake duck and waffle, switched up for afternoon tea. A flat melba toast waffle is topped with well-seasoned duck rillette and a swirl of egg yolk purée for a rich savoury bite. The sweet course has something for everyone – a Jaffa cake macaron with an orange filling was a highlight for me, as was a sticky toffee waffle topped with caramel Chantilly cream. Warm fruit scones with generous amounts of strawberry jam and clotted cream complete the feast. The 24/7 nature of Duck & Waffle means you might be surrounded by people having lunch or dinner while you’re on your tea which might not be for everyone. Despite it’s impressive setting, both the atmosphere and service are low-key (we put our tea order through a few times, and don't expect refills of tea or extra sandwiches here), but this is reflected in the more affordable price than many other teas on this list. The Goring afternoon tea At a glance... Price: from £65 per person/£70 with a glass of Bollinger champagne Best for: sumptuous surroundings and attentive service Contact details: The Goring, 15 Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW View the menu For anyone in search of a quintessentially traditional English afternoon tea, The Goring tops the list. Aside from the replenishable plates of fresh sandwiches, light scones and perfectly presented pâtisserie, the true standout feature is without a doubt the service. You won’t have to lift a finger in your opulent surroundings, not even to pour yourself a cup of The Goring’s very own blend. My friend and I certainly felt like ladies of leisure on our visit. The heavily draped lounge could easily feel oppressive, but there’s a relaxed atmosphere and a nice buzz without being intrusive. Between sips of Earl Grey and chunks of bite-sized scones with dollops of homemade raspberry jam, take a moment to spot the sheep secreted in the room (the iconic symbol of The Goring). The crowning glory of the tea is undoubtedly the pastry plate – delicate macarons, squidgy cakes and light choux bites are on offer for hungry patrons. Save some space, as you’ll be wanting to replenish this selection to your heart’s content. Elizabethan afternoon tea at InterContinental London Park Lane At a glance... Price: from £85 per person/£106 with unlimited Veuve Clicquot champagne Best for: champagne lovers who appreciate a royal setting Contact details: InterContinental London, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY View the menu The Crown and Saber Afternoon Tea is inspired by royal traditions, but the atmosphere is relaxed yet luxurious. Plush seating, huge windows overlooking Hyde Park and warm yet well-paced service all add to the ambience. A highlight has to be the free-flowing champagne, not only is it bottomless but they sabre open the first bottle at your table using a sword for extra flourish. I was impressed by how beautifully presented and well thought through everything was, from the impeccably presented golden crown perched on top of a rhubarb mousse to the caviar-topped smoked salmon sandwiches. The savoury dishes are delicate but generous, from the classic coronation chicken sandwich to a delicately sliced roast beef served in a miniature Yorkshire pudding. The scones arrived warm – both plain and fruit – and are seriously good: fluffy, light and served with clotted cream, jam and a very moreish Earl Grey cream which provided a welcome variation to the classic offering. Then there’s the pâtisserie, which feels like a mini dessert tasting menu. Each little cake or tart is like a tiny edible sculpture – with mousses, jellies, sponges and pralines all making an appearance. If you can’t make it through the pâtisseries then these will be lovingly boxed up for you to take away and have at home. Mr Ma's afternoon tea at The Academy Hotel At a glance... Price: from £38 per person/£49 with a glass of bubbles Best for: for an Asian influence on a traditional afternoon tea Contact details: The Academy, 21 Gower Street, Fitzrovia, WC1E 6HG View the menu Head to The Academy, a boutique hotel in Bloomsbury, for an afternoon tea that feels pleasingly tucked away from the capital’s clamour. Central enough to be convenient yet just far enough from the tourist hustle and bustle, it’s an ideal bolthole for a leisurely catch-up. Served in a softly lit room dressed in plush dark-green hues and relaxing lounge music, that instantly soothes and allows you to fully relax and unwind. Nab a window table and you’ll look out onto the leafy patio garden – an extension of the room’s lush palette – where, in warmer months, tea can be taken alfresco. Leaning into Bloomsbury’s literary heritage, The Academy nods to Lao She’s novel Mr Ma and Son, weaving subtle Asian inflections through a quintessentially English format. The savoury tier keeps to tradition with neatly cut finger sandwiches: we enjoyed chicken salad, egg mayonnaise with tomato and smoked salmon with cream cheese – classic combinations executed with care. Scones arrive as they should: light, warm and paired with strawberry jam and generous pots of clotted cream. But it’s the sweet course where the East-meets-West theme comes into its own. A bamboo basket reveals delicately flaky egg tarts and sesame-studded jian dui dough balls, while a separate platter offers an assortment of jewel-like petit fours and macarons. The tea list spans the dependable to the fragrant, from robust English breakfast to floral darjeeling, ensuring there’s a brew to suit every pace of afternoon. The Teahouse at Petersham Nurseries At a glance... Price: from £65 per person/£70 with a glass of prosecco Best for: a botanical setting with seasonal treats Contact details: Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Richmond, TW10 7AB View the menu Down a narrow lane on the outskirts of Richmond, nestled between the water meadows of the Thames and grand houses, you'll find Petersham Nurseries. Each step through the network of charming greenhouses feels like a magical discovery with bulbs, pots, garden ornaments and more on offer. The afternoon tea is housed in a quiet corner, away from the hustle and bustle of the main restaurant, where every detail seems considered without being fussy, down to a blanket to keep your knees warm. Food is served on a uniquely botanical cake stand which doubles as a vase for fresh flowers. The menu changes seasonally – on my visit, the first course included smoked herb trout with cream cheese on a slice of brioche and a still-warm savoury muffin which struck the perfect balance between sweet and savoury. Scones arrived piping hot in a delicate basket accompanied by cream and strawberry jam. For sweets, my stars of the show were a delicate Eton mess choux bun and a chocolate and mocha love heart which appeared to be a real crowd-pleaser. The Parlour afternoon tea at Great Scotland Yard Hotel At a glance... Price: from £65 per person/£75 with a glass of champagne Best for: seasonal offerings and event themed experiences Contact details: The Parlour, 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN View the menu For those seeking an afternoon tea experience steeped in storytelling and that’s slightly off the beaten path, Great Scotland Yard Hotel has launched Chapter Three of their series of Afternoon Tea Chronicles: The 40 Elephants Gang. Guests can expect a touch of the theatrical with each course – delicious savoury bites like Montgomery cheddar Yorkshire pudding and Clarence Court egg truffle mayo on pain de mie are served on a glass tray emitting smoking dry ice revealing various paraphernalia related to the Forty Elephants gang including handcuffs and pearls. For tea, I opted for the Traditional Iron Buddha (Tieguanyin). An oolong tea, the rich notes of roasted nuts and baked fruit is the perfect accompaniment to freshly baked plain and raisin scones with Cornish clotted cream and homemade blueberry and raspberry jam. The final sweet course is by far the most ornate. Be it ‘The Rembrandt Hat’, an almond, blueberry and lavender praline choux designed to resemble a feathered hat, or a coffee mousse and whisky entremet created in the style of a pocket watch, each sweet treat combines whimsy with intricate details and innovative flavours. Nobu Hotel London Portman Square afternoon tea At a glance... Price: from £75 per person Best for: Japanese-inspired flavours Contact details: Nobu Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG View the menu Settle into the upscale lounge at Nobu Hotel in Portman Square for afternoon tea. The relaxing ambiance is the perfect setting for a luxurious tea, right off the busy streets of Oxford Circus. The friendly service and calming atmosphere make this trendy hotel approachable and a great place to celebrate a special occasion. The menu combines contemporary Japanese flavours with traditional afternoon tea classics. The tea selection offers many unique options, like lychee & rose noir and Kabuse sencha. The selection of sushi cups showcase exquisite cuts of high quality salmon and yellowtail. Canapés and savoury options include crispy fried chicken, mushroom Matsuhisa tacos and beef tataki buns with wasabi sauce. The snow crab roll with jalapeño dressing is my personal favourite, showing off the freshest of ingredients. The fluffy scones are served with Cornish clotted cream, raspberry mint jam and a tart yuzu curd. The delectable sweets are visually stunning and full of creative flavours. Stand outs for me included a miso chocolate caramel tart, Fuji apple shiso mirin pillow and a beautiful Hojicha cheesecake. Overall, this service is outstanding and full of unique treats for a one-of-a-kind experience. The Biltmore At a glance… Price: from £80 per person/£95 with a glass of Nyetimber sparkling wine Best for: trend-led pâtisseries and elevated service Contact details: The Biltmore, 44 Grosvenor Sq, London W1K 2HP The Biltmore Mayfair marries opulence and relaxation with meticulous details across all areas, particularly the service. The staff are incredibly attentive without being overbearing: sharing knowledgeable insights into the food and tasting notes of the sparkling wine and the new varieties of JING teas. Nothing is rushed. The new menu “A Tale of Two Cities: London Meets Dubai” is a tribute to their sister hotel in Dubai, blending Middle Eastern flavours and trending tastes with the beloved British tradition of afternoon tea. You can choose from their traditional or vegetarian option, but they do cater to different dietary requirements. The experience starts with sandwiches including truffle egg mayo on a brioche bun, a focaccia stuffed with grilled summer vegetables, and our favourite, a blue lobster summer roll topped with salmon roe. You also receive three savoury tart bites – all delightfully crisp with distinct fillings. The scone course includes three golden varieties which all arrive warm – cranberry and orange, white chocolate and lemon, and the traditional plain scone. These are served with Dorset clotted cream, homemade strawberry jam and local British honeycomb – definitely try this on top of the white chocolate and lemon scone! The star of the show is the final pâtisserie course, with incredibly delicate presentation. For me, the standouts were the pistachio Dubai chocolate cake and “The Palm Purse” – an almond and lime frangipane with strawberry gel and vanilla ganache in the shape of a luxury handbag. If you are looking for a luxury yet trendy afternoon tea, then their new menu is for you. Rosewood At a glance... Price: from £80 per person (£97 with a cocktail, £106 with champagne) Best for: big flavours and colours – a richer alternative to traditional tea Contact details: Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London View the menu With its dramatic ceiling, Rosewood’s light-filled Mirror Room is a glamorous spot in which to enjoy its 'Masterful Art' afternoon tea which is themed around the city's vibrant arts scene and seasonal exhibitions showcasing British artists. My mother and I attended the David Hockney-inspired tea, with famous works such as 'The Splash' and 'The Arrival of Spring' reimagined as a series of showstopping sponges and pâtisserie. The tea is served in three courses: sandwiches first, with some richer savouries including truffle egg mayo with confit tomatoes on onion brioche; two types of scone and two mini pastries resembling art by David Hockney (filled with blueberry) and Picasso (complete with lobster telephone); and a final course of colourful, glossy cakes inspired by art including a Banksy’s 'Girl with the Balloon', Andy Warhol’s 'Soup Can' and more from Vincent Van Gogh and Japanese sculptor Yayoi Kusama. Tea comes from the prestigious French tea importer Mariage Frères, and it's an expansive selection that features some rare varieties. The Stafford At a glance... Price: £78 per person/from £92 with a glass of champagne Best for: hidden gem in London, quiet luxury Contact details: The Stafford London, 16-18 St James's Place, SW1 1NJ Tucked down a quiet street just outside St James’s Park, The Stafford is a luxury hidden gem to discover. This five-star hotel relaunched their afternoon tea experience and it's a very welcome addition to the London afternoon tea scene. You'll be warmly welcomed into the cosy restaurant (bonus points for extremely comfortable chairs!) and service is faultlessly friendly throughout. My dining companion and I took the waiter’s recommendations on tea choices to begin and weren’t disappointed – the Stafford signature blends offer classic options, while the stunning white apricot fusion tea was deliciously fruity and jammy. Champagne is served from an ornate champagne trolley before the star of the show, the special cake trolley, is wheeled out for you to admire and choose from. Take your pick of ornate pâtisserie from the trolley and they'll be brought back to you on a classic afternoon tea stand. Sandwiches were fresh and varied with the decadent addition of a truffled egg brioche bun. Along with classic fruit and plain scones, I also particularly enjoyed a warm mini cheese scone, served with sour cream and chives. From the pâtisserie picks, the vanilla and raspberry ‘white mousse’ was memorable, and the fresh raspberry and elderflower macaron was a standout. The Landmark London At a glance... Price: £79 per person/from £89 with a glass of champagne Best for: airy ambience, classic pâtisserie with a twist Contact details: The Landmark London, 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ Located in the heart of Marylebone, The Landmark London offers a special afternoon tea with classic British dishes and flavours. The eight-storey glass atrium is adorned with leafy palm trees and full of airy sunlight for a unique setting to take tea. Service is friendly and attentive, with a live pianist for added ambience. There's a wide range of teas on offer, from classic English breakfast to our server's recommendation: a fruity mango black tea. The current afternoon tea menu has been curated by pastry chefs Mauro and Daniel, winners of Bake Off The Professionals 2023. To start, sandwiches are traditional, with smoked Scottish salmon, truffle egg mayonnaise, classic cucumber and coronation chicken on walnut bread – with trays of extras if you want seconds. Scones were a highlight of the tea: alongside classic plain are memorable candied apricot and marzipan scones, studded with sweet melting chunks of marzipan. Both are served warm with clotted cream, jam and the special addition of a rich hazelnut chocolate ganache. The luxurious desserts take classics such as pavlova and chocolate swiss roll and elevate them with expert flair – my favourite was the white chocolate and yuzu cheesecake filled with a spiced pear compote. This would be a great offering for those looking for a classic afternoon tea with top-notch service. Sushisamba At a glance... Price: £65 per person with a glass of champagne Best for: non-traditionalists who prefer Japanese savouries to sandwiches Contact details: Sushisamba, 35 The Mkt, London WC2E 8RF View the menu High above the famous Covent Garden piazza, this glass-ceilinged space has a lively, jungle-like vibe due to a living ceiling canopy and oversized plants. My friend and I tried both the signature tea – with luxurious ingredients including lobster and wagyu beef in sliders and mini tacos and caviar topped tuna – and the vegetarian alternative, all presented on elegant three tiered ‘trees’. Cakes fuse Asian flavours with British classics, such as the Japanese Pandan custard tart and Battenburg with yuzu – and a separate final serving of traditional scones. Choose from five Canton teas, which can be topped up, and three champagnes. Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard At a glance… Price: £70 per person/£90 with a glass of champagne/£55 for under 12s Best for: whimsical bites and literary luxury Contact details: Aqua Shard, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY Get transported to Neverland with magical views, as if you're Peter Pan flying over the rooftops of London. Children and adults alike will love the nostalgic treats and artistic touches included in this afternoon tea. From the custom crafted ship that holds the food, to the story behind each component (the cod brandade is in the shape of a hook, as Peter calls him a ‘codfish’, for example), everything is meticulously designed and pure magic. There are two main tea choices – I opted for the 'darling tea', which had delicious floral notes, whilst my companion went for the 'adventure tea', made from black tea with citrus, mango and ginger. The perfectly cut sandwiches were light, soft and fluffy, with flavoursome fillings of chicken, bacon and mustard, along with the standout truffle egg mayo (more vegetarian options are available). The next course, after a fresh round of specially designed plates with Peter Pan characters on them, was freshly baked scones served with delicious apple jam and coconut clotted cream. The magic continued into the desserts. The ‘Peter’s secret never tree entrance’ is particularly noteworthy – a soft chocolate sponge with chocolate mousse, ganache and raspberry jam. Like the waitress spraying the Tinkerbell biscuit with edible gold glitter, the thought behind each element brought so much joy. From start to finish, this afternoon tea is a display of enchanting storybook delicacies in a stunning, picturesque setting. oblix at The Shard At a glance... Price: £59 per person/£65 with a glass of champagne Best for: good value tea with stunning view Contact details: oblix East, Level 32, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY View the menu If you want brilliant views of London, then the 32nd floor of the Shard is a good place to start. Instead of buying a ticket up the Shard to see the view (which can cost approx £30 by itself), head to Oblix in the Shard instead and treat yourself to a special afternoon tea complete with those panoramic views. I visited in December, where the menu had been given a light festive makeover but many of the classics are on the menu all year round. The tea kicks off with a plate of sandwiches including a standout buttery brioche roll filled with egg mayo and topped with a generous amount of truffle. I also had a classic coronation chicken, smoked salmon, an avocado tartlet and impressive mini lobster roll. Scones were served warm with a perfect raspberry jam and sticky fresh honeycomb – although controversially also with whipped cream instead of clotted cream. Pâtisserie consisted of delicate but familiar favourites – I particularly enjoyed this course, with five treats including a nutty macaron, highly caramelised apple tart tatin and rich chocolate hazelnut ball. If you go for the rosé package, unlimited wine and a cocktail are included along with your pick of tea from the short tea menu. The Stage at The Londoner At a glance... Price: from £59 per person/£75 with a glass of champagne/£80 with a glass of rosé champagne Best for: central location Contact details: The Londoner, 38 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7DX, United Kingdom View the menu If you’re doing some central London shopping, The Stage afternoon tea is handily located right on the corner of Leicester Square. The tea is held in what is essentially the hotel lobby – there’s a buzzy atmosphere (especially when the live pianist is playing), although it can get chilly in winter if you’re sat too near the front door. A surprise palate cleanser of elderflower sorbet drizzled with honey is delicate and refreshing. Sandwiches arrive playfully cut into tiny squares instead of fingers and served in three tiers – a chicken sandwich on basil bread was a standout highlight (plus you’re offered seconds if you’re still hungry). Warm scones are light, fluffy and the perfect size, served with a unique floral and citrusy bergamot curd as well as strawberry jam. In a twist from other afternoon teas I’ve tried, for the pâtisserie course you head up to a cabinet to pick two larger pâtisserie items to finish off your feast. I visited near Christmas, so a ‘Joyeux Noel’ of chocolate cake, cream and boozy cherries was a perfect festive treat. The Grand Saloon, Theatre Royal Drury Lane At a glance... Price: from £59 per person/£69 with a glass of champagne/£28 for children Best for: theatre fans, visiting around a show Contact details: The Lane, Catherine St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF View the menu If you’re in London to see a show, an afternoon tea beforehand is an extra special treat. The Lane at Theatre Royal is ideally situated for this – set right in the theatre building in Covent Garden. The tea takes place in a beautiful grand room with a large central bar, stunning high ceilings and marble panels on the wall, all in a teal and pale pink colour scheme. Friendly and skilled staff expertly pour tea and champagne. The brand new immersive tea is inspired by the theatrical setting – divided into two sweet and savoury acts, plus a grand finale, with not a sandwich in sight but a range of creative sweet and savoury treats to enjoy, alongside the essential scones. As a regular theatregoer, I found this themed tea especially charming. Set within the magnificent Grand Saloon, you cannot help but be drawn into the rich history of this world-renowned establishment. Attention to detail is evident in touches such as tea-sets embellished with characters from the theatre's plays and the opening 'act' being served on an original piece of stage flooring. The food was exquisite, with my highlight being the generous slice of seasonal strawberry layer cake. InfiniTEA Royal afternoon tea at the Conrad London St. James At a glance... Price: from £62 per person/£97 with limitless Bollinger champagne Best for: champagne fans celebrating a special occasion Contact details: Conrad London St. James, 22–28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH View the menu For those after a sophisticated, modern take on the classic afternoon tea, the Conrad London St. James delivers with a royal twist. The hotel is currently working in collaboration with cake maker Fiona Cairns, who crafted the Royal Wedding cake for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Afternoon tea is served in the bright and elegant Orchard Room, where impressive flower displays are in abundance and the atmosphere is serene despite the central location. We were treated to plates of dainty finger sandwiches first, filled with traditional combinations of smoked salmon with herb mayonnaise and capers, and coronation chicken. The scones, nestled in a warm linen cloth, were feather-light and served with rich clotted cream, tangy lemon curd and homemade strawberry jam. We were kindly offered another round, yet found ourselves wishing to save some room for the next course. Then comes the pastry selection: a perfectly presented carousel of miniature indulgences. My personal favourite was the sweet yet floral gilded honey & orange blossom cake, with other sweets including lemon fondant fancies and classic Victoria sponge. Service was warm and attentive, and the champagne and tea are regularly and generously topped up, making for a luxurious and relaxing experience. The champagne option comes with limitless Bollinger and is perfect for celebrating a special occasion. Sweetshop afternoon tea at Chesterfield Hotel At a glance… Price: from £65 per person/£75 with glass of Lanson Champagne/£39 per child Best for: a family day out Contact details: The Chesterfield Hotel, Mayfair, London W1J 5EB View the menu If you’re looking for a magical afternoon tea for a special occasion that will inspire the imagination and excite the palate of both adults and children, then the Chesterfield is for you. Set in a grand, Georgian hotel on a smart Mayfair street, the service is exceptional from the moment you step into their large marble hallway. Once you’re seated and have been talked through the extensive range of teas, your experience will start with a dramatic smoking pink lemonade topped with a flying saucer, you’ll then move onto a selection of beautifully presented finger sandwiches, my favourites were the Scottish smoked salmon with chive cream cheese and roast chicken with mustard mayonnaise and nibbed almonds. Accompanying the sandwiches are endless fluffy scones, Drumstick macaroons, strawberry liquorice allsorts cheesecake, blue raspberry & bubblegum Battenberg, giant 'jazzle' lollipops, coca cola slice and a decadent take on a Reece’s peanut butter cup. When it’s time to leave you’ll be escorted to a traditional sweet shop stand where you can select a bag of your favourite pick and mix sweets to take home, any treats you couldn’t quite finish will be beautifully boxed up for you to take away too. The Bingham Riverside afternoon tea At a glance… Price: £42 per person/from £58 with a glass of champagne Best for: Picturesque views Contact details: The Bingham, Richmond, London, Tw10 6UT View the menu Set along the banks of the Thames in the heart of Richmond, The Bingham offers an afternoon tea experience that is as refined as its picturesque surroundings. Stepping into the elegant Georgian townhouse, you’re welcomed into a space that blends classic Georgian charm with modern sophistication – think soft velvet seating, marbled tables, statement flower arrangements and sweeping river views through floor-to-ceiling windows. In the warmer months, I can imagine the terrace would be a perfect spot to linger over tea while watching rowers glide by on the Thames. The afternoon tea itself felt like a celebration of British tradition with a contemporary twist. I began with a selection of delicate finger sandwiches featuring classic flavours — smoked salmon with lemon and dill, and free-range egg mayonnaise elevated with truffle and chives among them. Warm, freshly baked scones followed, served with generous portions of clotted cream and homemade fruit preserves. For me, it was the pâtisserie selection that truly stood out: pistachio macaroons, miniature chocolate brownies, chestnut profiteroles and coffee & walnut cupcakes that were as beautiful as they were delicious. As a tea lover, I appreciated the carefully curated selection, which ranged from classic Earl Grey and Assam to more adventurous herbal infusions. For those looking to elevate the experience further, a glass of champagne is available for an additional £16 – a tempting addition to an already indulgent afternoon. The Beaumont hotel afternoon tea At a glance… Price: £70 per person/from £86 with a glass of champagne Best for: 1920’s decadence Contact details: The Beaumont, Brown Heart Gardens, Mayfair, London, W1K 6TF View the menu Afternoon tea at The Beaumont hotel is served in the aptly-named Gatsby room, which is home to a grand baby piano, a hidden door posing as a bookshelf and plenty of oil paintings to gaze at and soft furnishings to relax on. The menu has a transatlantic twist in true Gatsby fashion, you’ll find sandwiches filled with devilled egg mayonnaise, chicken caesar salad and beef pastrami (Reuben-style), which are replenished as much as you’d like. I could have happily finished off several rounds, but tried to leave some room for the following courses. A round of freshly baked scones and homemade strawberry jam is sure to satisfy all classic afternoon tea enthusiasts. As a lover of all things sweet, I was particularly won over by the exquisite pastry selection, comprising a fudgy chocolate brownie, caramelised apple, fig tart and pear choux, not to mention a selection of perfectly fluffy homemade marshmallows. The afternoon tea here is a very generous affair with faultless service, so it’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. The Beaumont's drinks menu boasts an extensive range of rare and seasonal teas, or you can opt for one of the cleverly paired cocktails (non-alcoholic versions also available). One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea At a glance... Price: from £55 per child under 12/£75 per adult/£90 for champagne afternoon tea Best for: a whimsical treat for both big and little kids Contact details: One Aldwych, 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ View the menu The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea at One Aldwych starts with a magical opener – a chocolate, whisky & cherry cocktail complete with dry ice smoke and poured from a glass teapot. There’s also a non-alcoholic version so everyone can enjoy the drama. My friend and I opted for the chocolate tea (it seemed only right) which had a delicious cocoa aroma. Three finger sandwiches, a savoury scone served with bacon jam, and a warm quiche went down nicely alongside our drinks. The attentive staff offered to refill the savoury plate, but we were saving space for the main event. Scones arrived in baskets; they were okay, but not as light and buttery as I had hoped. However, as a vehicle for lemon curd, blackberry jam and clotted cream, they did the job. Everyone around the room was busily snapping photos of their sweets displays, and when ours arrived, I could see why. It’s a sweet tooth’s dream: rainbow layers of bubblegum-flavoured panna cotta, mysteriously flavoured candy floss and honeycomb cake pops take centre stage, but our favourite was a chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake and fruit purée. A bottle of chocolate milk washes it all down. This makes for a special afternoon that kids will remember forever, or an excuse not to act your age – whatever your reason for visiting, it’s a sweet treat not to be missed. Ting at the Shangri-La Hotel afternoon tea At a glance... Price: from £78 per person/from £88 with a glass of champagne Best for: wonderful views, tourists, treat for friends Contact details: Ting, Level 35, Shangri-La Hotel, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU View the menu I visited Ting in the run up to the Royal Jubilee. The team of thoughtful pastry chefs and mixologists created recipes using the royal celebrations as inspiration; the platinum fizz cocktail combines strawberries, pineapple and lemon juice and is the perfect way to start a luxurious afternoon. Savoury bites included miniature duck pancakes, chicken liver parfait and a selection of imaginative finger sandwiches. The themes here are taken very seriously, and there is excellent attention to detail, but never at the expense of flavour. The selection of cakes I tried were beautifully balanced in terms of sweetness, sharpness and richness (which made it even easier to try the whole range!). The chocolate & raspberry shard is served in a cloud of dry ice and is the final show-piece to your experience. This is a generous afternoon tea and the waiting staff were extremely knowledgeable about their extensive list of teas on offer. Some could even predict instinctively which ones I would enjoy – with great success! Go for the views, stay for the scones. Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel At a glance… Price: £40 per person/£20 for children Best for: A family treat or fans of Halloween Contact details: Georgian House hotel, Pimlico, London SW1. View the menu This fun and imaginative afternoon tea is one that’ll delight kids and adults alike – I persuaded a friend to channel her innermost witch and join me on this bewitching teatime experience. Upon entering the smart Georgian house hotel, we were led down to the basement where our spooky dining destination awaited. From the outset, there were plenty of theatrical surprises — overflowing cauldrons, salmon sandwiches dramatically served from a smoking box, bubbling cocktails and mocktails, and golden chocolate wizard hats that immediately set the tone. The afternoon tea was served in a gothic looking bird cage and is a very generous affair. We worked our way through a variety of delicate savoury treats, from tiny tarts to a selection of both open and closed sandwiches. Freshly baked eye of newt scones were served with curdled cream and crushed strawberries after which a fresh bird cage was brought out with an abundance of sweet treats. My ultimate highlight had to be the web topped passion fruit jelly which almost looked too good to eat, but we just about managed it. The staff were attentive, relaxed and fun and there’s plenty of quirky decorations and spooky music for an authentically ghostly experience. There is also the option of a vegan version as well as bottomless prosecco for an extra £20. Afternoon tea recipes, tips and advice Best kids afternoon tea in London Best afternoon teas outside of London Easiest ever afternoon tea menu plan Afternoon tea recipes with a twist 10 scone recipes you’ll fall in love with Enjoy this? Check out more of our London recommendations: Best rooftop bars in London Best brunch in London Best vegan restaurants in London Cheap eats in London Best foodie walking tours in London London's top queer food and drink destinations Best London pubs What's your favourite afternoon tea in London? Leave a comment below...
Best Easter eggs to buy 2026, taste tested
Looking for the best Easter eggs to buy this year? Discover our top picks to buy and send by post, including vegan options and kids' Easter eggs
Celebrate Easter Sunday (5 April 2026) with these showstopping Easter eggs. Whether you’re scrambling for a last-minute gift, sending an egg to a loved one or just looking for an alternative to supermarket offerings, we have some great eggs to choose from. From familiar brands such as Lindt and Hotel Chocolat to luxurious options like Chococo, there's an Easter egg for everyone. You can also order Easter eggs online, with brilliant vegan, free-from, kids' and Fairtrade options available. Find choices for every budget, from luxury eggs to gifts under £10 for an Easter egg delivery to remember. If you're in need of any more guidance for a fun Easter Sunday, find out how to throw an Easter egg hunt or check out our indulgent Easter brunch recipes for an excellent start to the day. For more treats to send by post, see our top letterbox-friendly gifts. We've also rounded up the best supermarket Easter eggs and supermarket hot cross buns to try, to complete your Easter feast. Jump to: Best vegan Easter eggs to buy Best Easter eggs to buy 2026 Chococo 50/50 half-milk, half-dark Easter egg Available from Chococo (£50) Rating: 5/5 This impressive egg is one of the most generous we tried, at a hefty 500g of chocolate. It looks impressive as soon as you lift it out the box (all plastic-free packaging, too), hand decorated by Chococo's resident chocolate artist and bedazzled in glitter. The egg is made of two halves – one side is 47% Colombia origin milk chocolate and the other is signature 72% Ecuador origin dark chocolate. The distinction between the two is actually relatively subtle but the chocolate has great snap and a satisfying mixture of textures, from delicate thin shards to thick and chunky pieces. Crack open the egg to reveal a selection of truffles inside including salted caramels, almond clusters and honeycomb bites. Available from: Chococo (£50) Hotel Chocolat Extra-Thick Milk to Caramel Easter egg Available from Hotel Chocolat (£34.95) Rating: 5/5 The ultimate treat for chocolate lovers, Hotel Chocolat has something for everyone. These luxury Easter eggs are full of unique flavours. We particularly love the decadent Extra Thick range – hearty chocolate eggs full of a selection of truffles, all set in gorgeous tin packaging. We tried the extra-thick milk-to-caramel egg made of half 40% milk chocolate and half caramel milk. Inside it's full of a mixture of truffles, pralines and caramels. If milk chocolate isn’t for you, try their dark chocolate (£34.95) or tipsy truffles (£34.95) versions for a more indulgent Easter egg delivery. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£34.95) Rave Coffee coffee-infused blonde chocolate Easter egg Available from Rave Coffee (£27.95) Rating: 5/5 We look forward to the Rave Coffee Easter egg every year (we wish they did chocolate all year round), and for 2026 it's been given a nutty upgrade. The generous 300g egg is made up of a thick layer of creamy caramelised white chocolate infused with Rave's coffee beans. There is heavy coffee flavour throughout, which balances the sweet chocolate and is rich and complex with notes of caramel and butter. The new twist for this year is a generous layer of crunchy hazelnut pieces inside for some extra crunch to balance the smooth chocolate. The chocolate is super-creamy and melts well on the tongue. Lovers of good coffee will enjoy this, and we kept going back for more. The actual Easter egg here has limited decoration, but the fully recyclable packaging is fun, plus 1% of all Rave sales is donated to environmental causes. Available from: Rave Coffee (£27.95) Coco Chemistry millionaire’s caramel Easter egg Available from Coco Chemistry (£30) Rating: 5/5 This was a big hit with our tasting team. Two layers of creamy milk chocolate are sandwiched with a gooey salted caramel layer in the middle. It's sweet, decadent and rich without veering into sickly as the caramel has a good layer of salt and a hint of bitterness to balance. Buttery shortbread biscuit pieces throughout add pleasing crunch. Available from: Coco Chemistry (£30) Selfridges The Malt Ball blonde chocolate egg Available from Selfridges (£24.99) Rating: 5/5 Another irresistible option for fans of trending blonde chocolate. Selfridges introduced its malt balls at Christmas in 2025 and has used them here to generously stud the front of a rich, creamy blonde chocolate egg. The large balls have an intense malt flavour (whisper it – stronger than a Malteser) while the smaller ones add lots of crunch. Together they balance out the thick blonde chocolate well. The fun idea and neon pink packaging make this a great option for an Easter egg gift. It is available in a salted caramel milk chocolate version, too. Available from: Selfridges (£24.99) Hotel Chocolat Nibbly Egg – milk to caramel Available from Hotel Chocolat (£22.95) Rating: 5/5 We are big fans of Hotel Chocolat's unique caramel-milk chocolate. There is a nice level of salt and the caramel chocolate has lovely tang, with good length on the palate. Little pieces of caramel add subtle crunch without being gritty. The egg also comes with six 'tiddly eggs' – caramel truffles with a caramel ganache filling, which are rich and filled with a decadent caramel cream. The Nibbly Egg is available in dark, white chocolate or vegan varieties, too. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£22.95) Pump Street cookie chip 60% dark milk chocolate Easter egg Available from Pump Street Chocolate (£38) Rating: 4.5/5 Another Easter egg at the luxury end of the price spectrum, the quality of the craft chocolate shines through here, plus there's luxury presentation in the smart box. The hand-poured chocolate is super thin with great snap. The dark milk 60% chocolate is well balanced and will appeal to many, being not too bitter but not too sweet. Fine nuggets of homemade chocolate chip cookie pieces are studded throughout with a pleasing salty note. Available from: Pump Street Bakery (£38) Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscoff Easter egg Available from Cadbury Gifts Direct (£15), Selfridges (£18.99), Sainsbury's (£15.50), Tesco (£15) Rating: 4.5/5 Sometimes, you just can't resist a classic Dairy Milk egg at Easter. This generous new Cadbury Easter egg (a giant 368g, perfect for sharing) is studded with crunchy Biscoff pieces for an extra boost of flavour and crunch, plus it comes with eight Biscoff-filled Dairy Milk chunks. It's sure to be a popular launch. Available from: Cadbury Gifts Direct (£15) Selfridges (£18.99) Sainsbury's (£15.50) Tesco (£15) Lindt popcorn chocolate Easter egg Available from Lindt (£16) Rating: 4.5/5 Discover a lesser-known Lindt flavour this Easter with this popcorn egg offering. The classic Lindt egg and iconic bunny are both studded with caramelised popcorn pieces which deliver an impressively strong popcorn flavour and pleasing hint of salt to cut though the milk chocolate sweetness. Plus, there are popcorn-filled truffles at the base. Available from: Lindt (£16) Tony's Chocolonely milk caramel sea salt Easter egg Available from Tesco (£13), Waitrose (£11), Sainsbury's (£13.50), Selfridges (£18.99) Rating: 4.5/5 Tony's Chocolonely is always a popular choice and we were impressed by this Easter egg. Of the many flavours Tony's do, we're always fans of the milk caramel sea salt, with the perfect salty edge and added crunch from the caramel pieces. Plus, the egg comes with six mini eggs in a range of Tony's other flavours – from white choc raspberry popping candy to dark chocolate and almond. Available from: Tesco (£13) Waitrose (£11) Sainsbury's (£13.50) Selfridges (£18.99) Cutter & Squidge billionaire filled Easter egg Available from Cutter & Squidge (£32.99) Rating: 4/5 This over-the-top egg is probably the most decadent one we try each year. Some Easter eggs may feel hard to share, but this indulgent number can certainly feed a crowd. The half chocolate shell is filled with a thick layer of salted caramel sauce (our personal highlight), shortbread pieces and a towering mound of creamy whipped chocolate ganache. To top it all off, it’s finished with chunks of buttery fudge, more chocolate eggs and crispy chocolate pearls. A very rich, very sweet showstopper that would make a fun alternative Easter dessert. Available from: Cutter & Squidge (£32.99) Chococo pistachio and raspberry milk chocolate Easter egg Available from Chococo (£16.50) Rating: 4/5 This smaller egg from Chococo is a great way to get a luxury Easter egg without a £30 price tag. Chococo has a great variety of Easter eggs on offer this year, with this pistachio and raspberry egg available in both milk or dark chocolate, and as a 175g egg or giant 400g version. It is studded with freeze-dried raspberries for a hint of fruitiness and crushed pieces of salted pistachios, in creamy 47% milk chocolate. Available from: Chococo (£16.50) Guylian extra large Easter egg Available from Sainsbury’s (£16), Morrisons (£14), Waitrose (£14) Rating: 4/5 A box of Guylian is a favourite for many at Christmas, but now you can indulge at Easter too with this new Guylian Easter egg. The large egg itself is thick creamy milk chocolate with a pretty seahorse detail on each side - we kept coming back for more. Underneath you’ll get six hazelnut praline seahorse chocolates for the classic Guylian fix. Available from: Sainsbury’s (£16) Morrisons (£14) Waitrose (£14) MELT California dreaming Easter egg Available from MELT (£74.99) Rating: 4/5 Both the biggest and most expensive Easter egg we tried, coming in at a hefty 800g and nearly £75 - this is a true commitment to Easter chocolate. We love the unique design that shows off three different flavours in chunky slabs, each mixed with different additions including popcorn, caramel, peanuts and pretzels. Our favourite is the blonde chocolate: deeply caramelised and rich, studded with toasted pecans for added nutty depth. Available from: MELT (£74.99) The Newt honeycomb crunch milk chocolate egg Available from The Newt (£26.95) Rating: 4/5 This prettily packaged Easter egg from The Newt would make a great gift. The egg itself is a generous size (230g), plus it comes with a bonus 80g honeycomb-studded chocolate bar too – all handmade in Somerset. The creamy (and impressively thick) milk chocolate egg is studded with mini pieces of honeycomb for crunch throughout. Available from: The Newt (£26.95) Eataly white chocolate mini egg with pistachio and salted almond Available from Eataly (£12.90) Rating: 4/5 A chic option for a smaller egg (a diminutive 65g), this still packs a punch of flavour. The white chocolate is thick and creamy, and the inside is generously layered with vibrant chunks of pistachio and salted almond that add plenty of crunch. There's also an option for a dark chocolate egg studded with freeze-dried raspberry pieces, if you'd prefer. Available from: Eataly (£12.90) Fairfields Farm x Temprd milk chocolate potato crisp-filled egg pieces Available from Temprd (£8.50) Rating: 4/5 One of the quirkiest Easter egg options we’ve tried this year! Chunky half-egg shaped pieces of chocolate are studded with thick, generous sized pieces of Fairfields Farm crisps. The crisps add satisfying crunch with only a subtle hint of salt, dominated by creamy milk chocolate. Available from: Temprd (£8.50) Venchi Salted Dark Egg Available from Venchi (£24) Rating: 4/5 A lot of Easter eggs can be on the sweet side. If you prefer dark chocolate and are after something simple, this luxury option from Venchi could be for you. The 59% chocolate tastes impressively dark without being bitter, and is studded with crunchy caramel pieces. The egg has a chic embossed design on the chocolate and comes in a smart tin. It’s worth noting that for the price, it is a smaller egg (150g) than many others we tried. Available from: Venchi (£24) Montezumas strawberry cheesecake white chocolate egg Available from Whole Foods Market (in-store), Montezumas (£15) Rating: 4/5 The popularity of blonde chocolate means there aren’t as many straight up white chocolate eggs this year. This Montezumas offering was a hit with the white chocolate fans who taste tested it – undeniably sweet, but with juicy fruitiness from the strawberry and a creamy depth. The biscuit element is only in the form of flavouring (we would have loved some biscuit pieces to give crunch), but the strawberry comes from freeze-dried pieces that add a pleasing slight chew. Available from: Whole Foods Market (in-store) Montezumas (£15) Terry's Chocolate Orange Marble Egg Available from Sainsbury's (£14), Morrisons (£15) Rating: 4/5 This brand new release from Terry’s this year is sure to please chocolate orange fans. The marble orange swirl throughout a thick layer of milk chocolate tastes just like the classic Terry's orange – a whole one of which is included in the box alongside the egg, too. Available from: Sainsbury's (£14) Morrisons (£15) Lindt Crispy Biscuit milk chocolate egg Available from Lindt (£13) Rating: 4/5 This Easter egg comes complete with a Lindt bunny, both studded with crispy biscuit pieces. Familiar creamy Swiss Lindt chocolate gets extra texture and crunch from the biscuit pieces, without much extra sweetness. Bonus points for the sweet orange polka dot collar on the bunny too. If you prefer something nutty, we also tried the Lindt pistachio and hazelnut Easter eggs. Available from: Lindt (£13) Coco Chemistry caramel mocha egg Available from Coco Chemistry (£30) Rating: 4/5 We're big fans of a coffee Easter egg at Good Food, and this one doesn't disappoint. A unique two-sided design, the generous 300g is made up of one half of creamy milk chocolate and one of caramelised blonde chocolate. Both halves are mixed with ground coffee beans for an intense coffee flavour that balances perfectly with the sweet chocolate. The coffee is not super finely ground, meaning it does give some gritty crunch throughout, which may be divisive. Available from: Coco Chemistry (£30) M&Ms Crispy Bunny Easter egg Available from Sainsbury's (£4.50) Who can resist an M&Ms Easter egg? This bargain egg is a crowdpleaser for kids and adults alike – an Easter egg of smooth, creamy milk chocolate along with two crispy bunnies studded with mini M&Ms (you can buy these individually too for Easter treats all weekend). A solid choice for a last minute Easter egg purchase or prize in an Easter egg hunt. Available from: Sainsbury's (£4.50) Snickers extra large Easter egg Available from Sainsbury's (£6.50) For the person who can never resist a Snickers from the corner shop or vending machine, this extra large Easter egg is the one to buy. The sweet milk chocolate egg is sure to be cracked into straight away, with two Snickers bars completing the treat. Available from: Sainsbury's (£6.50) Farm Shop dark chocolate egg with cinder toffee Available from Farm Shop (from £12) Rating: 4/5 This egg is studded with tiny, chewy pieces of cinder toffee (also known as honeycomb) made using Farm Shop’s own honey. The simple dark chocolate makes a good contrast to the sweet honeycomb. Plus, the egg comes complete with a bag of chocolate-covered honeycomb pieces, perfect for sharing. It comes in two sizes, too, depending how much chocolate you are in need of... Available from: Farm Shop (from £12) Best vegan Easter eggs to buy Cox & Co aleppo chilli & cherry egg Available from Cox & Co (£15) Rating: 4.5/5 In a sea of familiar Easter flavours, this egg stands out for an unusual choice. There's a strong cherry aroma as soon as you open up the egg. On the palate, there is an initial strong cherry fruitiness which pleasingly doesn’t taste too artificial or excessively sweet. After this, the chilli heat gently builds for a pleasant warmth, balanced by the 60% single-origin Colombian rich dark chocolate. It is a surprisingly moreish combination. It is suitable for vegans and is in all plastic-free packaging, with traceable cocoa sourcing for sustainability. Available from: Cox & Co (£15) Love Cocoa Maldon sea salt dark chocolate Easter egg Available from Love Cocoa (£15.95) Rating: 4.5/5 This vegan-friendly egg is based on one of Love Cocoa’s best-selling chocolate bars, combining single-origin dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt. The glossy chocolate has a good snap and fruity notes for a well-rounded flavour, and uses British sea salt to cut through the richness of the chocolate. Plus, we love that the packaging is all plastic-free. Available from: Love Cocoa (£15.95) More Easter gift reviews Best gift ideas for chocolate lovers Best chocolate subscriptions and clubs Best chocolate hampers This review of the best Easter eggs to buy was last updated in February 2026. What's your favourite Easter egg? Leave a comment below...
It’s not just about eggs: the best Easter treats to buy this year
From hot cross buns and simnel cake to hampers and truffles, these treats prove there's more to Easter than chocolate eggs...
Easter treats don’t have to begin and end with chocolate eggs. If you're not a chocoholic, there's still plenty out there for you to try. Think sticky, spice-laced hot cross buns, slices of fruity simnel cake and hampers packed with sweet and savoury treats to share (or not!). Whether you’re building the ultimate Easter spread, planning an Easter egg hunt or looking for something a little bit different for gifting, these picks bring all the fun without the foil-wrapped overload. Consider this your guide to the tastiest, most tempting seasonal treats that aren’t Easter eggs – but might just outshine them. If you are looking for a classic egg, check out our round-up of the best Easter eggs to buy for all our favourites from Hotel Chocolat, Lindt and more. Best Easter treats to buy 2026 M&S luxury fruited hot cross buns Available from Ocado (£2.50/pack of four), M&S The Easter season doesn't start until you've had your first hot cross bun (and just like mince pies at Christmas, we like to start early to make the most of their time on the shelves!). These are one of our favourite supermarket hot cross buns: a classic, super-squidgy bun studded with plenty of juicy fruit. Available from: Ocado (£2.50/pack of four) M&S Cadbury Easter favourites pouch Available from Cadbury Gifts Direct (£8), Ocado (£6.50), Tesco (£5.75) If you’re planning an Easter egg hunt this year, you need this selection of Easter favourites from Cadbury. Inside, you’ll find tiny bags of Mini Eggs (with a surprisingly generous amount inside each), plus classic Creme Eggs and solid chocolate eggs. They're all perfect for hiding around the house – just don’t forget where you stashed them! Available from: Cadbury Gifts Direct (£8) Ocado (£6.50) Tesco (£5.75) Snowdonia Cheese Co cheese and chocolate tasting basket Available from Snowdonia Cheese Co (£48) Here’s a way to end the chocolate versus cheese debate: have both! This sharing basket pairs four Snowdonia cheeses with four single-estate Willie’s Cacao chocolate bars – keeping both chocolate and cheese lovers happy this Easter. Available from: Snowdonia Cheese Co (£48) The Newt hot cross buns Available from The Newt (£5.95/pack of four) If you're looking for an alternative to supermarket hot cross buns, these are the ticket, as they're made in small batches in Somerset. They're on the breadier side, which is ideal for traditionalists who find some shop-bought buns too sweet or squidgy. They toast nicely, staying soft instead of crisping on top. Available from: The Newt (£5.95/pack of four) Lola's Easter mini cupcakes box Available from Lola's Cupcakes (£27/12 mini cupcakes) This box of 12 mini cupcakes is just the thing if you're hosting an Easter party. Six vanilla and six chocolate cupcakes are decorated with smooth swirls of colourful icing (there's definitely a high ratio of icing to cake, so one for icing lovers!) and decorations including cornflake clusters (our favourite) and mini eggs. There are full-size cupcakes too, if you don't want to share... Available from: Lola's Cupcakes (£27/12 mini cupcakes) Gail’s tote bag Available from Gail's (£15, in store) Not all Easter gifts on 0ur wish list are edible! Next time you’re in Gail’s for coffee or pastries, pick up one of its new, limited-edition hot cross bun-themed tote bags, too. Available in a range of pastel colours and embroidered with the words of the classic nursery rhyme, they're the prettiest way to transport Easter hauls. Available from: Gail's (£15, in store) Waitrose No.1 simnel cake Available from Waitrose (£15) The simnel cake is a classic Easter centrepiece, and a must-have for marzipan lovers. Winner of the best simnel cake in our 2026 Easter Supermarket Awards, this Waitrose option has a pretty design and smart fluted marzipan edge, which is evenly toasted. It's a generous size, and has a good spice level and lovely texture. The marzipan also delivers a good depth of almond flavour. Available from: Waitrose (£15) Honey & Co hot cross buns Available from Honey & Co (£3.90, in store) This is another gourmet hot cross bun to seek out this Easter. Usually, we’re adamant that a hot cross bun should be toasted and (heavily) buttered, but these Honey & Co buns impressed enough that we’d eat them just as they are. They’re lightly spiced with cardamom and mahleb (far from your usual flavours), have a sticky glaze and are studded with extra-juicy pieces of candied peel and sour cherries. Available from: Honey & Co (£3.90, in store) Ask Mummy & Daddy jelly carrots Available from Not on the High Street (£3.29) Have a break from all that Easter chocolate and try these fun sweets instead – they're soft and squidgy with moreish tang, and are even vegan-friendly. Add to Easter baskets or enjoy them as part of the Easter egg hunt share tub that's filled with marshmallows, mini eggs and sour sweets. Available from: Not on the High Street (£3.29) Well & Truly Easter truffles Available from Ocado (£6), Sainsbury's (£6), Well & Truly (£5.99) Another vegan-friendly gem we've discovered this Easter, these indulgent truffles are made with oat milk chocolate and have silky Piedmont hazelnut paste centres. They're also gluten-free and made with ethically sourced, single-origin Fino de Aroma cocoa for an Easter treat you can feel good about. Available from: Ocado (£6) Sainsbury's (£6) Well & Truly (£7.99) More Easter gift reviews Best gift ideas for chocolate lovers Best chocolate subscriptions and clubs Best chocolate hampers
The best hampers to buy in 2026 – chocolate, pasta, cheese and more
Gift hampers are an extra-special present at any time of year. Discover our favourite hampers to buy, stuffed with everything from chocolate to cheese, gourmet ingredients and pasta
There’s something so exciting about receiving a hamper as a gift – opening it up and rummaging inside to unearth not one, but a whole host of goodies, all selected to complement each other. A carefully chosen hamper makes a great gift or treat to share with your family for birthdays, weddings or any special occasion all year round when you want to truly treat someone. Show some love and send an extra-special gift hamper to the foodie in your life. We have plenty of fantastic options perfect for foodies, from indulgent chocolate and cheese to top-quality wine and global delicacies. We’ve picked some of the best hampers from our favourite foodie stores with options for home cooks, budding chefs, and everyone who loves to celebrate with great food. For more gift guides (including the best chocolate gifts, best coffee gifts and best cheese gifts), visit our reviews section to find more buyer's guides. Best hampers at a glance Best chocolate hamper: The British Hamper Company Divinely Decadent Chocolate Hamper, £79.97 Best hamper for farm-to-table luxury: The Flavours of Oldstead food hamper, £190 Best hamper to bring as a guest: Fitzbillies The Cambridge hamper, £90 Best Spanish hamper: hampers.com Spanish Tapas Food & Wine Hamper, £84 Best for Mediterranean food lovers: Odysea Classic Greek Hamper, £55 Best hamper for a pasta lover: Lina Stores La Pasta Hamper, £55 Best for trying new ingredients: Lebnani The Luxe Beirut Box, £49 Best hamper for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine: Poon's London heritage gift hamper, £70 Best cheese hamper: Paxton & Whitfield The Clarence cheese and wine hamper, £100 Best build your own hamper: Guzzl hampers, from £40 Best chocolate hamper: The Best of Lindt Collection hamper, £108.50 Best hampers to buy for foodies in 2026 The British Hamper Company Divinely Decadent Chocolate Hamper Available from The British Hamper Company (£79.97) Best chocolate hamper This is our new favourite pick for a hamper for a sweet tooth. It's filled with a variety of chocolate treats in all forms – from a trio of mini bars to chocolate-dipped almonds, truffles and drinking chocolate. Our favourite was the smart box of dark chocolate mint creams. The signature British Hamper Company packaging is chic throughout, with the hamper arriving in a smart reusable navy box and everything inside in matching speckled tins or boxes – lots of which you could easily reuse, too. Perfect for a Valentines's Day gift or special treat to indulge a chocolate lover. Available from The British Hamper Company (£79.97) The Flavours of Oldstead food hamper Available from Made in Oldstead (£190) Best hamper for farm-to-table luxury The Made in Oldstead Flavours of Oldstead food hamper brings Michelin-starred dining into your home, curated with ingredients, finished dishes, and drinks from Tommy Banks’ Yorkshire farm and kitchen garden. Featuring 23 artisanal delights, this hamper is a celebration of the very best of local produce. Highlights include the rich beef shin ragu, the umami-packed beer and brown sugar-glazed ham, and the fragrant spruce and lemon verbena salmon. The cicely hot chocolate is a divine twist on the familiar with its notes of aniseed from the sweet cicely. Beautifully curated and deeply rooted in Yorkshire’s culinary heritage, this hamper is a real celebration of farm-to-table excellence, ideal for feasting all year round. Available from: Made in Oldstead (£190) Fitzbillies The Cambridge Hamper Available from Fitzbillies (£90) Best hamper to bring as a guest The Fitzbillies Cambridge Hamper offers a delicious array of treats. Fitzbillies’ Chelsea buns are a standout — decadent, sticky and even more irresistible when warmed and drizzled with their treacly syrup. The hamper also features a moist vanilla and raspberry cake in a collectible tin, ideal for sharing. Plus, there are six macarons in assorted flavours, buttery shortbreads (plain and chocolate chip) and crunchy chocolate honeycomb, alongside loose-leaf English breakfast tea, sweet raspberry jam and zesty marmalade. This hamper offers a cosy twist on a festive gift, making it a wonderful choice for those after something a little less traditional. Available from: Fitzbillies (£90) Spanish Tapas Food & Wine Hamper Available from hampers.com (£84) Best Spanish hamper Channel a sunny Spanish holiday with this wicker hamper filled with treats to recreate a tapas feast at home. Alongside a standout bottle of garnacha are a range of savoury snacks to pair with your drink, from familiar brands like Torres crisps and Perello olives to new discoveries to try. Chorizo lovers will be happy with both crisp chorizo thins and a mild chorizo horseshoe that is perfect for cooking. The surprising highlight for us was the rosemary and sea salt regañás crackers – the ultimate moreish salty snack. We couldn't put the bag down! Available from: hampers.com (£84) Odysea Classic Greek Hamper Available from Odysea (£55) Best for Mediterranean food lovers Bring the sunshine home with Odysea’s celebration of classic Greek flavours. This thoughtfully curated hamper captures the essence of the Mediterranean diet — rich olive oil, tangy vine leaves and sweet, floral honey. Inside, you’ll find PDO Kalamata extra virgin olive oil, plump Kalamata and Halkidiki olives, delicate balsamic vinegar from Messinia and hearty gigantes baked beans. Two varieties of raw honey (Spring Blossom and Pine & Fir Tree) add natural sweetness, while a reusable cotton tote completes the gift. Balanced, vibrant and full of Greek character, it’s a great choice for anyone dreaming of warmer days and relaxed feasting. Available from: Odysea (£55) Lina Stores La Pasta Hamper Available from Lina Stores (£55) Best hamper for a pasta lover The Lina Stores signature green and white packaging never fails to make us smile and this hamper makes the prettiest gift for any pasta lover. Arriving in a sturdy Lina Stores tote, dig inside and you'll find elevated Italian store-cupboard staples that will make everyday cooking feel extra special. There are three pretty boxes of pasta plus a selection of tomato sauces, artichoke pesto and cime de rapa so you can build the ultimate bowl of pasta, hassle free. Available from: Lina Stores (£55) Lebnani The Luxe Beirut Box Available from Lebnani (£49) This is a great gift option for a keen foodie, coming in at under £50. Whether they're a seasoned chef or a keen newbie, the Lebnani hamper has everything they need to explore Lebanese cuisine and try some new ingredients. There's generous jars of sumac and za'atar, a big tub of tahini (perfect for making hummus), fragrant rosewater and orange blossom water and more. Available from: Lebnani (£49) Poon's London heritage gift hamper Available from Poon's (£70) Best hamper for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine The Poon’s hamper celebrates Chinese culinary heritage in a striking box, featuring the brand's signature artwork. Inside, you’ll find all four of Poon’s iconic sauces, including vibrant chilli vinegar dressing and smoky black bean-infused extraordinary chilli oil, plus its premium soy and umami-packed WO sauces. Accompanied by jasmine rice and noodles, the hamper also includes Poon’s wind-dried meats: mildly sweet lap cheong, duck liver sausage and richly flavoured Chinese bacon for enhancing stir-fries and rice dishes. Ideal for lovers of artisanal, authentic Chinese flavours. Available from: Poons (£70) Paxton & Whitfield The Clarence cheese and wine hamper Available from Paxton & Whitfield (£100) Best cheese hamper If you love an evening of cheese, wine and all the accompaniments, this is the hamper for you. It has three cheeses: a well-balanced and nutty hard goat’s cheese from Devon, an artisanal blue stilton with a deep, savoury flavour, and a smoked cheddar with complex, rich notes. To pair with these, a cheeseboard selection of biscuits, fruit preserve made with forged damson and crab apple, vibrant and spicy piccalilli, an impressively wrapped ball of baked figs, and an unusual yet incredibly moreish pear and vanilla confit spread are included. Enjoy the bottle of merlot with beautiful notes of soft plum and cassis on the nose and a deep garnet colour, and buttery, crumbly Scottish shortbread. Check out our full round up of the 25 best cheese hampers to buy. Available from: Paxton & Whitfield (£100) Guzzl hampers Available from Guzzl (£40) Best build your own hamper At Guzzl, flexibility is the name of the game. Y0u can build your own hamper and fill it with a range of contents so that the selection perfectly suits your lucky recipient. Choose an eco hamper box or different sizes of wicker baskets, then fill with all sorts of goodies from the site selection, from spirits and wine to confectionery, jams, chutney, pasta, vinegars, chilli sauces and much more. If you don't have time for this, there are pre-made hampers to choose from too: we tried the 'Chocolate In My Face' hamper, filled with a selection of artisan chocolate bars, chocolate spread, hot chocolate and truffles. We particularly liked that every item inside came wrapped in bright red tissue paper, making the unboxing feel extra special. Available from: Guzzl (£40) The best of Lindt collection hamper Available from Lindt (£108.50) Best chocolate hamper The best of Lindt collection hamper is a chocolate lover's dream, brimming with Lindt's finest creations. This generously filled hamper includes a varied assortment of Lindt’s best-selling chocolates and indulgent boxes, perfect for sharing. The highlight is the customisable 650g pick-and-mix selection, which works out to be around 52 Lindor truffles: select from the brand's favourites, or choose unique flavours not often seen in shops, like pistachio, Irish cream, matcha and popcorn. Alongside three boxes of classic Lindor truffles, you’ll find an array of Lindt chocolate bars and a decadent dark chocolate spread. Beautifully presented, this hamper offers a truly indulgent experience, making it the ultimate gift for those who can never resist the offer of some chocolate. Available from: Lindt (£108.50) More foodie gift guides Best advent calendars Best Easter eggs to buy Best chocolate hampers Best cheese hampers Best gifts for foodies Best cookbooks Best gin to give as a gift Best letterbox-friendly gifts Best Thanksgiving gifts Hotel Chocolat Black Friday deals Hamper inspiration How to make a homemade hamper
8 of the best new food & drink buys to try in March, tried and tested
A fruity new gin, lunch time shortcut and sweet treat to try this month...
March brings a wave of new spring food and drink discovers to try, and our expert editors have been busy putting the latest products through their paces. From clever cooking shortcuts and storecupboard staples to sweet treats and standout drinks, we’ve tasted a range of new releases to see which are truly worth adding to your basket. Here are eight of the best new food and drink buys to try this month – all tried and tested by the Good Food team. Good Food recommends for March Tarsier Spirit raspberry and lychee gin For a sweet sip Inspired by the fruit groves of Vietnam, this is a unique addition to the flavoured gins on the market. Sweet, fragrant lychee is balanced by tart raspberries and citrus peel for a refreshing finish. Available from: Master of Malt (£34.99) Tarsier (£38) Counter Culture citrus yuzu kombucha soda For kombucha sceptics We couldn’t get enough of this tangy soda – it will convert anyone nervous about trying kombucha. It’s fresh, zesty and instantly refreshing. The rhubarb and hibiscus flavour is next on our list to try…Check out our round-up of the best kombucha for more to try. Available from: Counter Culture (£21.95/12 x 330ml) IMPOSSIBREW Triple Hopped IPA For a hangover-free tipple This 0.5% ABV hazy IPA contains three times the hops for a boozy feel without the alcohol. It’s a smooth, creamy quaff that’s bursting with stone fruit and vanilla notes. Available from: Impossibrew (£34/10 x 440ml) Freja cooking bone broth For wholesome cooking Everyone’s talking about the health benefits of bone broth, but if you don't have hours on end to make your own, these pouches from Freja are perfect for everyday use. Versatile enough to make rich stocks, soups, gravies and stews. Available from: Waitrose (from £2.80) Ocado (from £3.50) SpiceBox black dal For a quick meal SpiceBox has taken care of the 30-hour cooking process for this creamy dal, so all you need to do is heat and eat. Made with organic whole urad beans, it’s a high-fibre meal that's perfect for a quick working from home lunch. Available from: Sainsbury's (£5) Slow Sauce Organic Oat Miso For an umami boost This sweet, savoury, punchy oat miso from Banchory, Aberdeenshire has been slowly barrel-aged in Scottish oak casks for 3 months. Slather it on toast, stir through porridge, dress salads, glaze veg, or even simply sip hot in the morning. Available from: Slow Sauce (£10/200g) Food Thoughts 70% dark chocolate buttons For better bakes These luxurious 70% dark chocolate buttons are a bakers dream. With a deep, smooth flavour and the perfect balance of sweet and bitter. Add to brownies, cakes and cookies... or eat straight from the pot with your afternoon cuppa! Available from: Amazon (£19.99/750g) Alterego cottage cheese For UPF-free snacks Made from just four ingredients - milk, cream, live cultures and sea salt - this cottage cheese is decadently creamy and UPF-free. Available from: Sainsbury's (£1.85/200g)
Master Italian cookery with our selection of the best Italian cookbooks to teach you perfect pizza, pasta and much more
Looking to perfect your homemade pizza game? Love pasta but need some inspiration beyond pesto and carbonara? We've chosen our favourite Italian cookbooks to help you master this ever popular cuisine and bring a taste of the Mediterranean into your own kitchen. From books specialising in pasta, pizza or Italian desserts (enjoy top-notch gelato all year round), to books filled with anecdotes, history and stories of Italian culture, we've got a cookbook for everyone. These also make the perfect gift for friends or family who love an Italian holiday, with books spanning the length and breadth of the country, including a deep dive into Sicilian cuisine. Plus, there are books by some of our favourite Italian restaurants to help you recreate iconic dishes at home. For more cookbook inspiration, check out our cookbooks hub for all our reviews, including the best Indian cookbooks, best baking cookbooks, the best cookbooks for kids and the best vegan cookbooks. Best Italian cookbooks at a glance Best for pizza: Pizza Napoli by James Elliot, Thom Elliot and Dave Brown, £19.03 Best vegetarian Italian cookbook: Verdura by Theo Randall, £12.85 Best evocative Italian cookbook: For the Love of Lemons by Letitia Clark, £17.14 Best pasta cookbook for beginners: Pasta for the People by Imogen Royall, £16.39 Best for regional Italian cooking: Mangia by Maria Pasquale, £21.66 Best Italian cookbook for a good read: Amaretto, Apple Cake and Artichokes by Anna Del Conte, £14.75 Best for pasta: An A-Z of Pasta by Rachel Roddy, £19.65 Best Italian cookbook for desserts: La Vita è Dolce by Letitia Clark, £20.97 Best Sicilian cookbook: Sicilia by Ben Tish, £21.75 Best for storecupboard cooking: The Italian Deli Cookbook by Theo Randall, £18.35 Best Italian cookery bible: The Italian Cookery Course by Katie Caldesi, £32.35 Best for added extras: Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking by Vicky Bennison, £12.33 Best celebrity Italian book: Jamie Cooks Italy by Jamie Oliver, £11.99 Best for gifting: Big Mamma Cucina Popolare, £23.49 Best Italian cookbooks to buy 2026 Pizza Napoli by Thom Elliot, James Elliot and Dave Brown Available from Amazon (£19.03), Waterstones (£25) Best for pizza Thom and James, founders of successful restaurant chain Pizza Pilgrims, discovered their passion for pizza by setting off on a ‘pizza pilgrimage’ in 2011. They spent six weeks travelling Italy learning everything there is to know about pizzas from expert pizzaioli before returning home and opening Pizza Pilgrims in 2012. In this, their latest book, they've returned to Naples to explore what makes this vibrant city the home of good pizza. The fun, colourful book is an entertaining read packed with stories, introductions to legendary pizza chefs to know, and of course, pizza recipes and inspiration. The Naples focus means there's also a deep dive into local specialities of the city beyond pizza, from fritto misto to meatballs. It's guaranteed to make you want to get the pizza oven out and get experimenting. Available from: Amazon (£19.03) Waterstones (£25) Foyles (£25) Verdura by Theo Randall Available from Amazon (£12.85), Waterstones (£28) Best vegetarian Italian cookbook 10 vegetables, 100 Italian recipes is the promise of Theo Randall’s latest cookbook. No more plain sides of veg plonked on the edge of your plate – this book celebrates fresh produce as the heart of the meal and will inevitably inspire you to eat more veg. Recipes lean towards dinner party worthy dinners (the green mushroom lasagne is an autumn must-make), but there are some simpler midweek ideas too, covering soups, frittatas and of course, pasta dishes. Available from: Amazon (£12.85) Waterstones (£28) For the Love of Lemons by Letitia Clark Available from Amazon (£17.14), Waterstones (£28) Best evocative Italian cookbook Celebrate the humble lemon in this book that feels like a ray of sunshine. The fragrant zest, tart juice and even the acidic flesh of lemons are all put to use in every recipe, covering both sweet and savoury. The sun-drenched book, interspersed with essays about the many uses of this vibrant citrus fruit, will have you rushing to the kitchen to rustle up lemon-marinated olives with feta; creamy lemon linguine; chicken, honey and preserved lemon tagine; or a luxurious lemon tiramisu. Available from: Amazon (£17.14) Waterstones (£28) Pasta for the People by Imogen Royall Available from Amazon (£16.39), Waterstones (£20) Best pasta cookbook for beginners Husband and wife duo Imogen and Matt founded Northern Pasta Co in 2022, introducing their pioneering, sustainable spelt pasta. Now they have written their first cookbook, giving you all the inspiration you need to make the most out of their pasta, with recipes from celebrated chefs including Max La Manna and Olia Hercules. Chapters are divided by time and occasion, from Quick & Joyful to Alfresco Feasts; lots of the recipes would be great for easy entertaining. Simple ideas in the book, such as cherry tomato rigatoni or harissa puttanesca, are perfect for beginner cooks. We liked some of the quirkier ideas too – the 'everything bagel' salmon fusilli, and the whipped feta and roasted carrots pasta salad are on our wish list to make. Available from: Amazon (£16.39) Waterstones (£20) Mangia by Maria Pasquale Available from Amazon (£21.66), Waterstones (£26) Best for regional Italian cooking This is a great book for armchair travel – part cookbook, part travel guide. Eat your way around Italy’s 20 regions and learn more about the food history, culinary experiences and top dishes to try, plus drinks to pair them with. On the recipe front, you’ll find risottos, stews, soups, desserts and, of course, lots of fabulous pasta dishes – stuffed agnolotti are top of my list to try. Available from: Amazon (£21.66) Waterstones (£26) Amaretto, Apple Cake and Artichokes by Anna Del Conte Available from Amazon (£14.75), Waterstones (£18.99) Best for a good read Anna Del Conte is a doyenne of Italian cooking and food writing. First published in 2006, this soon became a classic. Combining recipes along with anecdotes and stories from Anna’s life in Italy and London, it’s a book to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy time with. Each chapter is devoted to a different ingredient and recipes vary from basics to sections exploring traditional historical and regional recipes (Roman Late Supper, anyone?) for a truly evocative read. Available from: Amazon (£14.75) Waterstones (£18.99) Latest Deals An A-Z of Pasta by Rachel Roddy Available from Amazon (£19.65), Waterstones (£25) Best for pasta Stuck in a pesto pasta rut? This A-Z of pasta will help expand your horizons. Rachel Roddy brings together short essays on the culture, history and shapes of pasta across Italy to make you a pasta aficionado in no time and learn the context of what you’re cooking. The 120 recipes cover the classics such as ragu and carbonara so you can make them the authentic way, as well as new shapes (think scialetielli, capelli d’angelo and more) and how to match pastas and sauces. Available from: Amazon (£19.65) Waterstones (£25) Sicilia by Ben Tish Available from Amazon (£21.75), Waterstones (£26) Best Sicilian cookbook Chef and restaurateur Ben Tish explores the diverse food of Sicily with its Arab, French, Greek and Spanish influences. The book starts with breads stuffed with delicious combinations like sausage and fennel and cauliflower and pine nuts, before moving onto fritti (deep-fried snacks), vegetables, meat, fish and sweets. But it’s the pasta and rice chapter we’re most excited about, packed with tempting options to make midweek cooking feel like a holiday. Available from: Amazon (£21.75) Waterstones (£26) The Italian Deli Cookbook by Theo Randall Available from Amazon (£18.35), Waterstones (£28) Best for storecupboard cooking If you’re making the same risottos and pasta dishes over and over, then this book is for you. Theo Randall shows how you can use a few good Italian deli staples (all available in supermarkets) – dried pasta, olives, cured meats, mozzarella – to make an array of easy, tempting dishes, from spaghetti with sweet onion, courgette and basil to sausage and radicchio risotto. Available from: Amazon (£18.35) Waterstones (£28) La Vita è Dolce by Letitia Clark Available from Amazon (£20.97), Waterstones (£28) Best for desserts Italian food isn’t just all about pizza and pasta. This beautifully designed book has over 80 sweet Italian dessert recipes by trained pastry chef Letitia Clark, covering everything from biscuits, tarts and cakes to gelato and gifting ideas. It’s ideal for the keen baker looking to try something new, or the dinner party host in search of the perfect ending to an Italian feast. Detailed recipe introductions provide context to the recipes, from a sunny citrus and Campari upside-down cake to classic cannoli, cantucci, peach sorbet and much more. Available from: Amazon (£20.97) Waterstones (£28) The Italian Cookery Course by Katie Caldesi Available from Amazon (£32.35), Waterstones (£40) Best Italian cookery bible If you only buy one Italian cookbook, this is the bible you need. A weighty 500 page tome, this is a tour of food across Italy’s 20 regions, showcasing classics and lesser-known traditional recipes to help you develop the skills of Italian cooking. It’s stuffed with 400 recipes and plenty of practical tips and secrets along with in-depth masterclasses on technique to fill you with confidence next time you cook. Available from: Amazon (£30.82) Waterstones (£40) Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking by Vicky Bennison Available from Amazon (£12.33), Waterstones (£22) Best for added extras If you haven’t discovered the Pasta Grannies yet, you’re missing out. Pasta Grannies originated as a YouTube channel (now with more 1m subscribers), finding and filming Italian nonnas who still make pasta by hand, a rapidly disappearing tradition. Comfort Cooking is the follow up to the hugely successful first book, this time featuring 60 recipes from Italian grandmothers focusing not just on comforting pasta but pizza, pies and pastries too. Plus, every recipe is accompanied by a scannable QR code that takes you to a video watching the grandmothers make these recipes in their kitchens themselves. Available from: Amazon (£12.33) Waterstones (£22) Jamie Cooks Italy by Jamie Oliver Available from Amazon (£11.99), Waterstones (£26) Best celebrity Italian book Jamie Oliver fans won't be able to resist this ultimate guide to Italian cooking. Jamie takes us on a culinary adventure with his mentor and friend Gennaro Contaldo, and shares the recipes they learn from the nonnas – the real masters of pasta, who cook their treasured family recipes passed down through the generations. Available from: Amazon (£11.99) Waterstones (£26) Big Mamma Cucina Popolare Available from Amazon (£23.49), Waterstones (£29.95) Best for gifting If you’ve ever been to one of the Big Mamma restaurants (there’s currently Circolo Polopare, Ave Mario, Gloria, Carlotta and Barbarella in London, plus a Manchester branch) then you know they offer a guaranteed fun time. This continues into their book with a bold, colourful design and more than 120 recipes. There are quirky twists on classics and vibrant new ideas for entertaining alongside some of the familiar restaurant dishes: think a Daft Punch cocktail, Egg Sheeran poached eggs and much more. The perfect for gift for anyone who’s a fan of the restaurants and wants to have some fun in the kitchen. Available from: Amazon (£23.49) Waterstones (£29.95) Related reviews Best baking books Best vegetarian cookbooks Best vegan cookbooks Best drinks and cocktail books Best family cookbooks Best budget cookbooks Best keto cookbooks Best air fryer cookbooks Best slow cooker cookbooks
Interested in trying out Gousto? Read on for our review of the recipe subscription box, covering the quality of the ingredients, the recipes and delivery experience as well as value for money.
Gousto is one of the original recipe box providers and its offering is accomplished. There are over 175 recipes on offer at any one time, with the menu rotating each week, including recipes to suit plenty of different dietary requirements. This is the ideal choice for busy professionals who don't have time to shop, and want something quick, easy and tasty. It's also good for people who want to try cooking new dishes and need some inspiration. There are lots of different recipe styles to choose from (such as Double Protein, Quick & Easy, Everyday Favourites or Premium) and you can filter by dietaries too so you can create what suits you, such as vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-free recipe boxes. We tested out a box for a week to decide our verdict... Best overall recipe box Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Wide choice of recipes and dietary options Flexible subscription Option to have recipe boxes for one Cons: Ingredients in the box aren't divided by recipe – can be complicated to work out what you need each day Some unusual ingredient quantities – either extremely generous or quite minimal When our Gousto box arrived, the ingredients were all intact and felt good quality. Unlike some other recipe boxes, the ingredients inside weren't divided by recipe, meaning it was quite tricky to work out what ingredients were required each day. You need a careful eye to divide it all up, and some plastic packaging was still present on ingredients, such as mini sachets of vinegar. Our recipe box served four people, but you can also get options for one, two, three or five people (with either two, three, four or five recipes per box). The first recipe we tested was Moroccan-style meatballs with bulgur wheat grain bowl, one of Gousto's high-protein recipes. The meatballs were easy to make, with a quick sauce. It's great to get a chance to use a more unusual spice such as baharat without needing to buy a whole jar that you might not use again. There was a huge amount of bulgur wheat for two people compared to the amount of sauce, but it's good to see portion sizes are generous. We also made a roasted red pepper orzo with goat's cheese. This was a quick and easy crowdpleasing midweek meal that we can see becoming a staple. Again, the ingredient quantities were slightly off – only nine cherry tomatoes between two (we added more), but a very generous whole log of goat's cheese to crumble on top. The variety on offer from Gousto is its biggest appeal. You'll never run out of recipes to try, and it's a great way to try new things. If you're a regular customer, the Gousto app makes ordering and saving your favourite meals easy. The packaging could see some slight improvements, and you may need to be flexible with the quantities to expect. Read about how to sign up for the Gousto recipe box
The best gifts to buy for foodies – food, drink, gadgets, homewares and more
The definitive guide to the best gifts for foodies, from home kits, gadgets and homeware, to edible and alcoholic presents
Looking for a food- or drink-oriented gift? Look no further. We've compiled some of the very best presents for the budding chefs, passionate foodies and kitchen gadget lovers in your life. For a dose of gift magic, why not treat others or yourself to homeware too, from kitchen accessories and cookware to unique handmade tableware. These are the ultimate foodie gifts to give to someone special this year, whether you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift or any special occasion. From gourmet food gifts that tickle the tastebuds, to your favourite food lover's top tipple, there are plenty of gifts to choose from, so treat those you love or even yourself – why not brighten up your own kitchen cupboards? There are indulgent sweet treats, special bottles for a home bar, useful gadgets, gorgeous homeware ideas, and so much more. Browse the list for gift inspiration and then check out our guides for much more, including the best hampers, best wine gifts or best gifts for cocktail lovers. You can also check out coffee table books on our sister brand olive magazine. Jump to section: Best food gifts Best drink gifts Best gadgets and kit gifts Best home and kitchen gifts Best food gifts MELT orange slices dipped in dark chocolate Available from MELT (£22.99) This is the box of chocolates we would want to receive for Valentine's Day this year: juicy confit orange slices dipped in 70 per cent dark chocolate, scattered with cocoa nibs for a little finishing crunch. Available from: MELT (£22.99) Sylt Great Taste pickling starter pack Available from Not on the High Street (£26.99) Homemade pickles have never been easier. You only need to add fruit or veg to these jars of seasonally spiced liquor. The interesting flavours include Scotch Bonnet & Lemon or Dill & Mustard. Available from: Not on the High Street (£26.99) Cookies & cream malt balls Available from Selfridges (£9.99) A fancy edition of a favourite, these malt balls are coated in white chocolate and crunchy cookie pieces with an impressively deeply malty crunchy centre. Available from: Selfridges (£9.99) The Real Cure British charcuterie signature hamper Available from Not on The High Street (£45) Celebrate artisan British produce with a hamper packed with salamis, coppa and venison pepperoni. The spicy Dorset chorizo is our favourite. Available from: Not on The High Street (£45) Fitzbillies Chelsea buns Available from Fitzbillies (£24 for 6-pack) Cambridge-based bakery Fitzbillies has been making these iconic buns since 1920 and this subscription sees six buns delivered to the lucky recipient's door, complete with sticky bun syrup. Perfect for a decadent breakfast in bed. Available from: Fitzbillies (£24) Venchi London mini book Available from Venchi (£19.50) This adorable tin, tied up with a ribbon, is a great mini luxury chocolate gift that will become a keepsake long after the chocolate is gone. Inside are six of Venchi's signature Chocoviar chocolates in assorted flavours. The ultimate luxurious sweet treat. Available from: Venchi (£19.50) Yiayia and Friends olive oil Available from Fenwick (£40) Beautifully designed bottles encase equally beautiful tasting fresh and flavourful Greek olive oil. Whether you’re opting for the original extra virgin olive oil option or one of Yiayia’s infused offerings (choose from lemon, basil, chilli, truffle and garlic), these lovingly produced oils are sure to make the perfect gift. Available from: Fenwick (£35) Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea for two Available from Virgin Experience Days (£140 for 2) This afternoon tea is something special. Head to Fortnum & Mason for an elegant afternoon tea in a salon opened by HM The Queen, featuring luxurious finger sandwiches, warm scones with velvety lemon curd, and seasonal patisseries. Enjoy a variety of teas including the famous smoky Earl Grey and champagne highlights like a light Brut rosé and Fortnum’s Brut sparkling from Cornwall. Available from: Virgin Experience Days (£140) Cutter & Squidge letterbox brownies Available from Cutter & Squidge (from £19.99) Who is ever going to say no to a box of brownies? Choose from a gift box of 12 or 24 in a range of flavours and with boxes for any occasion, and receive pre-cut, fudgy brownies delivered straight through the door. Available from: Cutter & Squidge (from £19.99) Summerdown ultimate mint chocolate collection Available from Summerdown (£9.99) Who says selection boxes are just for Christmas? Ideal for sharing in front of some TV at any time of year, this is the ultimate selection box for a mint chocolate fan. Available from: Summerdown (£9.99) Spice Pots Curry Night kit Available from Not on the High Street (£21.95) Spice Pots have made curry night simple with four clever dried spice blends (korma, bhuna, tandoori masala and Goan) plus recipes to make you a curry pro in no time. Available from: Not on the High Street (£21.95) Imp & Maker Italian Food Lovers hamper Available from Imp & Maker (£59) Full to the brim with Italian essentials, this hamper from Imp and Maker makes the perfect gift for the person in your life who is obsessed with all things Italy. There’s everything you’d need to accompany an afternoon aperitivo, from cured meats and cheese, to Perello olives and cannoli. Plus, almost everything you need to make a punchy arrabbiata with spaghetti. Mangia bene! Available from: Imp & Maker (£59) HydroHerb gift set Available from HydroHerb (£60, set of 3) If you're buying a gift for someone green-thumbed, a herb kit from HydroHerb is a fabulous choice. Pick your choice of herbs, there are 12 to choose from, and receive three, full-sized kits. Eco-friendly in design, the HydroHerb kit is crafted from a recycled wine bottle and has hand-smoothed edges for safety. Perfect for those short on space, this easy-to-maintain kit ensures fresh herbs for up to two years with organic hydroponic fluid plus spare parts for maintenance. Available from: HydroHerb (£60, set of 3) Trulli Ulivi olive oil Available from Trulli Ulivi (£22.50) Produced in Puglia, this peppery olive oil is just the thing for drizzling over roast veg or dipping bread. Available from: Trulli Ulivi (£22.50) Happy Cocoa Club Discovery Bundle Available from Happy Cocoa Club (£12.99) This time of year is the ultimate cosy season and that means one thing: it's hot chocolate time. This lovely starter bundle contains a trio of hot chocolates of different strengths, ideal for the whole family to enjoy. There's also two mini spice mixes if you want to add extra flavour to your hot choc. Cream and marshmallows on top are a must! Available from: Happy Cocoa Club (£12.99) Dishpatch delivery Available from Dishpatch (menus from £48) Why not give a foodie the gift of a restaurant-worthy meal in their own home? Dishpatch offer a range of meal kits from iconic chefs including Michel Roux, Rick Stein, Andi Oliver and Sabrina Ghayour. Whether you want a taste of Mexico with a taco party from El Pastor, the ultimate gourmet 'picky tea' with a meze delivery from Bubala or a three-course Cornish seafood feast from Rick Stein, there's a menu and cuisine for everyone and a great way to celebrate a special occasion or a fuss-free date night in. All the cooking is done for you, with the most minimal prep needed – our Cafe Murano three-course meal simply required opening several pots and popping a gnocchi traybake in the oven to warm through. Available from: Dishpatch (menus from £48) Best drink gifts Whispering Angel & Hotel Chocolat macarons gift set Available from Laithwaites (£39 with free delivery) If you know someone who likes to keep up with the latest food and drink trends, you know they'll have seen this rosé plastered all over social media feeds the last couple of summers: Whispering Angel, a Côtes de Provence rosé is a delicious easy sipper and pairs with salted caramel macarons from the experts in all things cocoa at Hotel Chocolat. To make it extra special, these items are bundled in a keepsake "Just For You" engraved wooden box. Available from: Laithwaites (£39 with free delivery) Portofino Gin Available from Master of Malt (£43.50), The Whisky Exchange (£43.50) Here’s a pretty addition to someone’s bar cart collection. This Mediterranean-inspired gin contains 21 botanicals including lavender, rosemary and sage. Available from: Master of Malt (£43.50) The Whisky Exchange (£43.50) Mijenta reposado tequila Available from Harvey Nichols (£60), Master of Malt (£60.49), Selfridges (£67.99) Newly B-corp certified, this extra special artisan tequila is carbon-neutral, made in small batches and aged for six months for a complex final spirit. Read our round-up of the best tequilas to buy for more top-quality options. Available from: Harvey Nichols (£60) Master of Malt (£60.49) Selfridges (£67.99) Avallen calvados Available from Ocado (£37.50), The Whisky Exchange (£39.75), Master of Malt (£35.75) Every bottle of this floral, fruity calvados removes 2.73kg of CO2 from the atmosphere (as the apple trees absorb it), for a sustainable, quality spirit choice. Available from: Ocado (£37.50) The Whisky Exchange (£38.75) Master of Malt (£35.75) Orangino gin liqueur Available from English Spirit (£26) This would be a welcome addition to a cocktail lover’s drinks cabinet – a splash of English orange liqueur adds a citrussy kick to a glass of fizz. Available from: English Spirit (£26) Lockdown Liquor agave cocktail gift set Available from Lockdown Liquor (£45) Mezcal takes centre stage in this set, with a smoky mezcal picante, mezcal negroni (for a twist on the Italian classic) and a classic passion fruit margarita. Available from: Lockdown Liquor (£45) Best gadget and kit gifts Ninja Crispi Available from Amazon (£129.99), John Lewis & Partners (£149), Ninja (£149.99), Currys (£149.99), Argos (£149.99) Splash out with this latest release from air fryer stalwarts Ninja – a clever four-in-one model that can air-fry, roast, reheat and keep warm. Its glass base allows you to keep an eye on progress. We gave it a 4.5/5 when our experts tested it. Available from: Amazon (£129.99) John Lewis & Partners (£149) Ninja (£149.99) Currys (£149.99) Argos (£149.99) Jamie Oliver proper pie dish Available from John Lewis (£30), Dunelm (£30), Robert Dyas (£29.99) Pretty in pink, this stoneware dish will make a pie look even more tempting – and it makes a lovely serving dish too. Available from: John Lewis (£30) Dunelm (£30) Robert Dyas (£29.99) Smeg mini milk frother Available from Smeg (£99.95), Selfridges (£100) Available in a rainbow of colours to match any kitchen, this sleek mini frother will become an essential for a coffee and matcha fan. Available from: Smeg (£99.95) Selfridges (£100) Addison Ross bow tie corkscrew Available from Addison Ross (£35) Get ready to pop bottles in style with this sleek colourful corkscrew which comes in a range of colourways – the ideal gift for wine lovers with an eye for design. Available from: Addison Ross (£35) Our Place Mini Always Pan and Mini Perfect Pot Available from Our Place, Mini Always Pan (£100), Mini Perfect Pot (£110) Following on from their ever popular Always collection and the Instagram-famous Always Pan, Our Place launched the multifunctional Mini Pot and Mini Pan for cooking smaller quantities, reheating leftovers and simmering sauces. They have a non-stick, non-toxic coating and are compatible with all hob types. Available from: Our Place, Mini Always Pan (£100), Mini Perfect Pot (£110) Kuhn Rikon Black Star iron skillet pan Available from Kuhn Rikon (£139.97) Chosen as our ‘best lightweight skillet pan’ in testing, this innovative spun iron skillet can go straight from hob to oven. A versatile investment built to last. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£139.97) MEATER Pro thermometer Available from John Lewis (£129), Amazon (£103) Help someone take their Sunday roast up a notch with this sleek wireless thermometer for perfect results every time. Available from: John Lewis (£129) Amazon (£103) Cuisinart ice cream and gelato professional ICE100 Latest Deals Earning a five-star rating from our reviews team, this is the ultimate gift for ice cream fans, producing silky smooth gelato, ice cream and sorbet at the push of a button. Read more in our test of the best ice cream makers review. Available from: Lakeland (£299.99) Uashmama beverage chiller Available from Uashmama (from £30) Made of innovative and sustainable washable paper, this wine chiller stores flat in the freezer and comes in 10 colours. Available from: Uashmama (from £30) Smeg non-stick frying pan Latest Deals Choose between red, cream or black finishes on this non-stick frying pan, available in three sizes and ovenproof for versatility. Latest Deals Netherton Foundry spun iron focaccia pan Available from Sous Chef (£79) Focaccia has been all over our social feeds this year. This pan-for-life will be well received by a home baker and is also great for roast potatoes. Available from: Sous Chef (£79) Falcon Enamelware decorative cake tin Available from Falcon Enamelware (£34) Bake impressive cakes to share or set grand jellies in this chic white enamel tin. Available from: Falcon Enamelware (£34) Best home and kitchen gifts Eleanor Bowmer star glass tumblers Available from La Redoute (£34, set of 4) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/10/Pure-Table-Top-ELEANOR-BOWMER-FOR-PURE-TABLE-TOP-FABULOUSLY-FESTIVE-SET-OF-4-GLASS-TUMBLERS-40-8817296-copy-2261725.jpg" width="3898" height="2599" alt="Pure Table Top, ELEANOR BOWMER FOR PURE TABLE TOP FABULOUSLY FESTIVE SET OF 4 GLASS TUMBLERS, £40, 8817296 copy" title="Pure Table Top, ELEANOR BOWMER FOR PURE TABLE TOP FABULOUSLY FESTIVE SET OF 4 GLASS TUMBLERS, £40, 8817296 copy" /> A colourful quartet of glasses adorned with hand-painted stars to brighten up someone’s tablescape. Available from: La Redoute (£34, set of 4) Rolfe & Willis Sounds bone china mug collection Available from Not on the High Street (£50, set of 4) With patterns inspired by sounds, these colourful mugs will liven up any coffee morning. Available from: Not on the High Street (£50, set of 4) Neesh Home chilli crisp tea towel Available from Sous Chef (£14.99) A pop art tea towel for the person who adds chilli crisp to everything. Available from: Sous Chef (£14.99) Wick Guru buttery croissant candle Available from WickGuru (from £35), Not on the High Street (from £19) A friend will thank you for the scent of warm, fresh croissants with no baking required. This soy wax candle is handmade in the UK. Available from: WickGuru (from £35) Not on the High Street (from £19) LSA bowl set and paddle £50 Available from LSA International (£50) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/10/Paddle-Pop-Bowl-Set-Ash-Paddle-L40cm-White-Tarn-Blue50-www.lsa-international.com-2-copy-350b945.jpg" width="2000" height="1333" alt="Paddle Pop Bowl Set & Ash Paddle L40cm, White Tarn Blue,_50, www.lsa-international.com (2) copy" title="Paddle Pop Bowl Set & Ash Paddle L40cm, White Tarn Blue,_50, www.lsa-international.com (2) copy" /> Drinks and nibbles get an upgrade with this smart bowl trio and serving board, ready to fill with olives, crisps, nuts or whatever your heart desires. Available from: LSA International (£50) Le Creuset Stoneware Camembert baker Latest Deals Serve up a melting Camembert in style with this glossy stoneware dish that gives perfectly gooey cheese every time. Latest Deals ‘Make mine an espresso’ print Available from Lyonette Designs (from £12) Must-have kitchen art for anyone who considers an espresso martini their go-to cocktail, plus 10 per cent of all sales are donated to a children’s charity. Available from: Lyonette Designs (from £12) So’home speckled cake stand Available from La Redoute (£34.99) Chic monochrome speckles won’t steal the limelight from the cake or tart a keen baker chooses to display on this simple cake stand. Available from: La Redoute (£34.99) Meri Meri gold star taper candles Available from Meri Meri (£18) Here’s a great way for your favourite host to make every dinner party sparkle. Available from: Meri Meri (£18) More gift inspiration... 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Best recipe subscription boxes to try in 2026: Gousto, HelloFresh and more, tried and tested by experts
Thinking of signing up for a recipe box subscription that delivers meal kits direct to your door? We put popular brands to the test to see whether they're a match for traditional home cooking.
Recipe subscription services – the concept of ingredients, individually portioned up for cooking meals at home and delivered straight to your door complete with detailed recipe cards– have boomed in recent years. They are certainly a convenient way to make evening meals without the hassle of planning recipes and visiting the supermarket. It's a step up from ready-meals as the food is prepared by hand, but it cuts out the legwork of cooking from scratch. However, they can be an expensive way to cook, especially if you like to hunt for reduced ingredients or shop at inexpensive local markets, plus there is no shortage of inspiration for easy recipes online if you're stuck in a food rut. There are also environmental pitfalls to using these services – they sometimes come with excessive packaging that can't be recycled. If you're thinking of signing up to a recipe delivery service, bear in mind the value for money, convenience factor and any limitations, especially the terms around cancelling a subscription. It's also worth considering any dietary requirements you have (some recipe boxes are more flexible than others) and how many people you want to serve. For solo cooks, few brands offer recipe boxes for one, but many offer meals for two if you're happy to have leftovers the next day. We tested and scored popular brands to help you make your decision. For more, visit our reviews section and find more than 400 practical buyer's guides offering unbiased advice on what foodie products and services are worth spending money on, including the best meal delivery services for when you don't want to cook at all, the best healthy meal box subscriptions and the best veg boxes to order to your door. We also have thousands of simple recipes for everyday mealtime inspiration. Best recipe boxes at a glance Best overall recipe box: Gousto, from £10.25 for two meals Best recipe box for diverse recipe ranges: HelloFresh, meals from £1.62 per person Best healthy recipe box: Mindful Chef, from £6.79 per portion Best for accessible healthy meals: Green Chef, from £22.50 for 3 meals est recipe box for pasta: Pasta Evangelists, from £6.50 for one meal Best letterbox-friendly recipe box service: SimplyCook, first box is free, just pay £1 postage Best organic recipe box: Riverford, from £7.50 for one meal Best recipe box for adventurous cooks: The Cookaway, from £35 to serve two Best for indecisive cooks: Nonna Tonda, from £5.83 for one meal Best for video learning: Chefs for Foodies, from £14.95 per box Jump to: The best recipe boxes to order to your door in 2026 Are recipe boxes worth it? What to consider when choosing a recipe subscription box How we tested recipe boxes The best recipe boxes to order to your door in 2026 Gousto recipe box Sign up for the Gousto recipe box here Best overall recipe box Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Wide choice of recipes and dietary options Flexible subscription Option to have recipe boxes for one Cons: Ingredients in the box aren't divided by recipe – can be complicated to work out what you need each day Some unusual ingredient quantities – either extremely generous or quite minimal Gousto is one of the original recipe box providers and its offering is accomplished. There are over 175 recipes on offer at any one time, with the menu rotating each week, including recipes to suit plenty of different dietary requirements. This is the ideal choice for busy professionals who don't have time to shop, and want something quick, easy and tasty. It's also good for people who want to try cooking new dishes and need some inspiration. There are lots of different recipe styles to choose from (such as Double Protein, Quick & Easy, Everyday Favourites or Premium) and you can filter by dietaries too so you can create what suits you, such as vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-free recipe boxes. When our Gousto box arrived, the ingredients were all intact and felt good quality. Unlike some other recipe boxes, the ingredients inside weren't divided by recipe, meaning it was quite tricky to work out what ingredients were required each day. You need a careful eye to divide it all up, and some plastic packaging was still present on ingredients, such as mini sachets of vinegar. Our recipe box served four people, but you can also get options for one, two, three or five people (with either two, three, four or five recipes per box). The first recipe we tested was Moroccan-style meatballs with bulgur wheat grain bowl, one of Gousto's high-protein recipes. The meatballs were easy to make, with a quick sauce. It's great to get a chance to use a more unusual spice such as baharat without needing to buy a whole jar that you might not use again. There was a huge amount of bulgur wheat for two people compared to the amount of sauce, but it's good to see portion sizes are generous. We also made a roasted red pepper orzo with goat's cheese. This was a quick and easy crowd-pleasing midweek meal that we can see becoming a staple. Again, the ingredient quantities were slightly off – only nine cherry tomatoes between two (we added more), but a very generous whole log of goat's cheese to crumble on top. The variety on offer from Gousto is its biggest appeal. You'll never run out of recipes to try, and it's a great way to try new things. If you're a regular customer, the Gousto app makes ordering and saving your favourite meals easy. The packaging could see some slight improvements, and you may need to be flexible with the quantities to expect. Read about how to sign up for the Gousto recipe box HelloFresh recipe box Sign up for the HelloFresh recipe box here Best recipe box for diverse recipe ranges Score: 4/5 Pros: Different recipe ranges for every need Speedy recipe options from 20 minutes Can deliver when you're out Cons: Some packaging tricky to open Low vegetable levels Optimistic suggested cooking times HelloFresh is another of the leading recipe box brands and remains a strong all-rounder. The dishes on offer are adventurous and bold, drawing on interesting flavour combinations from around the world, with plenty of choice and varied ranges designed for different needs, from family-friendly meals to calorie-smart healthy options. Weekly menus are available up to six weeks in advance. You can choose whether to get from two to five recipes per week, and whether to serve two, three or four people. HelloFresh will take your first selection as your custom plan, but you can change this week to week. Ingredients are, true to the name, fresh and mainly high quality, and ingredients for each different recipe are clearly marked in paper bags. Plastic use is relatively minimal but not completely eliminated, with some elements tricky to open compared to more familiar supermarket packaging. The first recipe I made was a Tuscan-inspired pulled chicken stew, which was straightforward to pull together and worked very well as a one-pot meal with very little washing-up. I'd make this again, even without reordering the box. The method was easy to follow, the kitchen smelled fantastic while it cooked, and the end result was excellent: a creamy, flavourful sauce with crunchy ciabatta for dipping. Although the recipe card suggested a 25–30 minute cook time, this felt slightly optimistic given steps such as frying for eight minutes and baking for 25, plus preparation in between. The portions of vegetables felt a little stingy, with just a few cherry tomatoes and 4og of spinach between two – I’d have happily added more if we’d had them to hand. Serving it with extra broccoli helped boost the veg count. I also made a sausage and roast potato traybake. The sausages were a slight letdown, with a lower meat content (75% pork) and a less premium feel than you might get from some rival recipe boxes. However, HelloFresh does excel at thoughtful finishing touches: generous herbs on the roast potatoes, a honey glaze over the sausages and a punchy harissa mayo all helped elevate the recipe and were easy extra elements I wouldn't have thought to add myself. This felt like exactly what I'd use HelloFresh for: interesting new cooking inspiration and techniques when you're in a rut, clever use of ingredients across different elements of the meal, plus the ability to make varied dishes packed with flavour throughout the week without having to have a fully stocked cupboard – and no waste at the end of the week. Overall, HelloFresh delivers reliable, tasty meals with minimal effort and plenty of flavour, even if ingredient quality and packaging could be improved. Read about how to sign up for the HelloFresh recipe box Mindful Chef recipe box Sign up for the Mindful Chef recipe box from £6.79 per portion Best healthy recipe box Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Inventive recipes with no refined carbs or sugars Ethically sourced protein Range of serving sizes available Wide recipe choice Cons: Some plastic packaging Mindful Chef is a health-focused B-corp certified food box delivery service, first launched in 2015. Each of the recipes are designed to be nutritious, gluten-free and low-carb, and all use ethically sourced ingredients from small UK farms and producers. Each week, there’s a rotating menu of 28 recipes to choose from, with lots of vegan and vegetarian options, and menus showing up to a month ahead. You can choose 2-5 recipes per box, and choose a box for one, two or four people. Recipes are helpfully labelled with different health perks, such as being high in protein, low in saturated fat or containing lots of plant foods. We tested Mindful Chef over a week. The delivery mentioned that 85% of packaging is recyclable from home or the supermarket; there is still some plastic packaging throughout, such as for mini pots of oil or wrapping meat. In the main box, ingredients for each recipe came in a clearly labelled brown paper bag (with meat and fish in a separate chilled compartment) – you could pop each bag in the fridge and just take out the right recipe each night. Interestingly, instead of the familiar recipe cards that often come with these boxes, Mindful Chef include a book of all the recipes currently on rotation. We were very impressed with the quality of the produce – fresh herbs, giant, glossy red peppers. The dishes are innovative and use different flavour pairings, so it's good for people who want some inspiration in discovering new dishes that are still healthy. The recipes we tried were delicious and well portioned. A Thai-style basa with coconut rice and stir-fried veg was a highlight, combining three different flavour-packed elements in ways we wouldn’t have thought to do at home. A warming Mexican-style beef shakshuka was given a fresh lift with a coriander and avocado salsa. Testing the box in winter, it was great to discover hearty, filling meals that didn’t rely on big portions of carbs and were still healthy. Read about how to sign up for the Mindful Chef recipe box Green Chef Sign up for the Green Chef recipe box here Best for accessible healthy meals Score: 4.5/5 Pros: A variety of dietary options covered Makes healthy eating easy and accessible Wide recipe choice Add-ons available, eg tofu, vegan burgers Fully recyclable packaging Cons: Lots of washing-up midweek from some recipes If you want to incorporate healthier meals into your routine but you're unsure where to start, Green Chef is a great option. There are eight ranges to explore – vegetarian, vegan, keto, high protein, calorie conscious, lower carb, pescatarian and flexitarian – all of which have been vetted by a qualified nutritionist. Even though the meals are categorises as 'healthy', you never get the impression you're missing out or eating 'diet food'; recipes still feel indulgent and easily accessible. Menus are updated weekly and you can view all the recipes up to three weeks ahead, with boxes available for two or four people and a maximum of five recipes per box. We tried a selection of veggie dishes, including colourful vegetable gyoza peanut noodles, topped with mushrooms and pea pods, and gochujang-glazed paneer with zesty rice, peas and peanuts. We also enjoyed the mozzarella-topped pesto gnocchi with plum tomatoes and rocket, which felt like comfort food without being too heavy. The recipes we sampled involved a bit of prep, but nothing too complicated, and we appreciated the level of detail on the recipe cards. The packaging, which was made up from a fully recyclable cardboard cool box, also impressed us and was easy to dispose of. Read about how to sign up for the Green Chef recipe box Pasta Evangelists Sign up to Pasta Evangelists here Best recipe box for pasta Score: 4/5 Pros: Quick and easy to prepare Generous portions Good for cooking for one Cons: Dishes don't rotate very regularly Smaller range of dishes than other recipe subscriptions Can get expensive if ordered often Billing itself as the first fresh pasta recipe box, Pasta Evangelists deliver fresh pasta to your door, complete with quality sauces and garnishes. There are 10 pasta recipes to choose from each week, plus sauces, a couple of side dishes and dessert options. You can can view the choices up to two weeks in advance if you’re planning ahead, although choices don’t change much. You can add as many recipes as you'd like to your basket – handy for filling up the freezer. Recipes serve one or two, but you could add extra portions if you'd like to serve more people. Dishes are priced individually, at around £7-10 per single portion, with slight savings if you order a double portion to serve two. The standard portion is for one, which is great if you're only cooking for yourself. We tested three recipes from Pasta Evangelists. Our delivery was left on the front step as we weren’t in, which was easy. One of our pet peeves with recipe subscription boxes is the amount of packaging, but this came in a compact box with gel packs to keep ingredients cool. Each order comes in its own paper bag, with instructions on the outside, and pasta, sauce and any toppings or additional ingredients in pouches inside. There is some plastic packaging at this stage and there aren’t instructions on whether it can be recycled. We were pleased to note that our three pastas could be kept in the fridge for 3-8 days, so you’ve got time to spread them over the week. Instructions on the bag also accommodate cooking from frozen. Unlike some other recipe boxes, there is minimal cooking involved here as a lot is done for you. Meals are ready in minutes – simply cooking the pasta and reheating or melting sauces. We were eating carbonara less than 5 minutes after opening the fridge. It was super-rich and a very generous portion. We were impressed by the quality of the finished recipes; they live up to the ‘restaurant-quality’ claim. Pasta Evangelists would be good for a hearty work-from-home lunch where you can have a hot meal with minimal thought, or for storing in the freezer for easy midweek shortcuts. Read about how to sign up to Pasta Evangelists Riverford recipe box Sign up for the Riverford recipe box here Best organic recipe box Score: 3.75/5 Pros: Good quality organic ingredients Easy recipes to follow Generous portions Creative recipes Guest chefs Cons: Small recipe selection Often had leftover ingredients Expensive Riverford Organic’s recipe box puts seasonal produce at the heart of its colourful menu, with 13 recipes available each week across plant-based, vegetarian and meat categories. You can order as many as you like, with each recipe serving two or four people and prices starting from £7.50 per person. We tried one recipe from each category. For the meat option, we cooked a Mexican chicken, corn and tomatillo salad. We were excited to try tomatillos, a tricky ingredient to find in the UK, and the salad was full of flavour. It was the favourite of the three, though we felt it could have been taken further. The recipe suggested serving the corn raw or blanching it, but charring would have added more depth. We were also left with part-used ingredients, like half a courgette, one tomatillo and some chipotle paste. The vegetarian option was a courgette and spinach gnocchi carbonara. It was hearty and veg-packed, though not particularly memorable. Again, we ended up with leftovers including lemon, half a pot of cream and an egg white. The vegan choice, a Sri Lankan-style French bean curry, was vibrant and full of spice, but left us with three-quarters of a tin of coconut milk unused. The quality of the organic produce is undeniable and the recipes are straightforward to follow. Each dish felt nourishing and satisfying thanks to the abundance of fresh vegetables. The main drawback is waste: leftover ingredients cropped up in several recipes. There’s also less choice compared with some competitors, and Riverford’s once-a-week delivery policy may not suit those who need more flexibility. That said, the policy reflects the company’s commitment to reducing food miles. Riverford stands out for its ethics and quality, but the higher price and occasional inconvenience may not work for everyone. If you value organic ingredients and enjoy cooking with seasonal veg, it’s a strong option. Read about how to sign up for the Riverford recipe box SimplyCook recipe box Sign up to the SimplyCook recipe subscription box here Best letterbox-friendly recipe box service Score: 4/5 Pros: Fits through letterbox Long shelf life Covers wide range of cuisines Cons: Majority of ingredients must be purchased separately Read our full SimplyCook review SimplyCook is a unique service in that, unlike other recipe boxes, it's letterbox-sized. Each delivery contains four 'recipe kits' – dry ingredients in pots, to which you add your own fresh ingredients. The recipe list features a good mixture of cuisines, satisfying hot meals such as stews, curries and bowl food. It's a great option if there are cuisines you've not cooked before and are keen to try out before you commit to filling your storecupboard with new ingredients. The recipes are customisable, because the box is just recipe cards, pastes and seasonings. All of the other ingredients you buy yourself from the shops and suppliers you like/have access to. There are optional garnishes and additional serving suggestions too, should you want to customise further. You can filter by dietary requirements of vegan or vegetarian, but not gluten-free or dairy free. The portions are generous (kits serve 2-4 people) and the finished dishes very flavoursome. We also noted that it feels like a lot of thought has gone into using as little packaging as possible, with minimal excess. We liked that you’re not tied to it if your plans change. The sachets have a long shelf-life, so there's no pressure to cook the recipes within a limited time frame. Read about how to sign up to the SimplyCook recipe subscription box The Cookaway Order a The Cookaway box here Best for adventurous cooks Score: 4/5 Pros: Interesting recipes to choose from 95% of packaging is recyclable Good quality ingredients Can choose halal meat Cons: Expensive Read our full The Cookaway review. The Cookaway is the recipe box to choose when you're getting bored of your own cooking repertoire and want to try something new. Based around menus from eight different cuisines, there are over 55 menus to choose from, designed by expert chefs that specialise in Malaysian, Pakistani, Spanish, Indian and more cuisines. There is no subscription method here, you simply choose a recipe you want to cook – most come as a main and accompaniment in one box, and others may even have more dishes if you're choosing a meze or tapas-style feast. You can choose to serve 2 or 4 people. Our delivery was in a compact cardboard box and packaging didn't feel excessive. Recipes will introduce you to new ingredients and learn more about different global cuisines than the cliche dishes we may know. They also host free cook-alongs to join as you make your dish. It is expensive, so works best as a one-off treat or cooking experience to do as a couple and enjoy, rather than a shortcut for midweek cooking. Read more about how to order The Cookaway box. Nonna Tonda Sign up to a Nonna Tonda pasta subscription here Best for indecisive cooks Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Quick and easy to prepare, no cooking skills required Fresh and high-quality ingredients Great results Cons: Gets expensive if ordered often Limited dietary filters No recipe choice Read our full review of Nonna Tonda If you get overwhelmed by choice, Nonna Tonda is the pasta delivery service for you. A hybrid of a meal delivery service and a recipe subscription box, Nonna Tonda delivers two pasta dishes a week. The choice is whether to go meat or vegetarian or a combo – there’s only two of each on the menu. Just boil the pasta, reheat the sauce, and dinner is served. You can also add an antipasti selection to your order, which changes weekly. Portions serve two, four or six – you could have leftovers the next day if you're cooking for one. We were impressed by how compact our delivery was, deceptively containing two pastas to serve two, and two antipasti selections in a cardboard box. Each pasta, cheese and sauce comes in a sleek cardboard box, so it's clear which elements go together. A lot of the packaging is recyclable and reusable – we kept the resealable bags that our ciabatta and pasta came in to use again. Finished recipes were impressive, and we'd definitely be tempted to order more as a treat for busy weeks. Sign up to a Nonna Tonda pasta subscription Chefs For Foodies Try out a Chefs for Foodies recipe box here Best for video learning Score: 4/5 Pros: Chef-led video to watch Complex recipes made simple Learn a new skill Cons: Lots of plastic packaging No physical recipe card Read our full Chefs for Foodies review Chefs for Foodies describes itself as 'recipe kits by award-winning chefs'. It's not a recipe subscription box – it's more like a restaurant meal kit, so you just pick one recipe you want to try at a time. Chefs and restaurateurs share their skills and expertise in signature recipes, whether that's a chicken tikka masala from the head chef of an Indian restaurant, pizza kits from Italian masters of pizza dough, or classic recipes such as beef wellington from MasterChef winners. There was more range when we tested the kit, but currently on offer are pizza, pasta or dessert recipes. We tested the chicken tikka masala, and appreciated the breakdown of step-by-step results and delivery of complex spices that would be tricky to source on our own. The amount of plastic packaging was disappointing, but Chefs for Foodies has told us that they're working on it. Try out a Chefs for Foodies recipe box Are recipe boxes worth it? The decision over whether a recipe subscription box suits you will depend on your lifestyle and what you’re hoping to get out of them. For busy weekdays or when you’re trying to reset your routine (recipe boxes often see a spike in demand after Christmas), recipe subscription boxes can take the stress out of meal planning and grocery shopping. You don't need to find time to go food shopping as everything arrives measured and ready to go, which saves time and reduces waste. On the plus side, they introduce variety and can help you learn new cooking skills, with clear recipes and fresh ingredients delivered to your door. Some services such as Gousto or HelloFresh offer hundreds of recipes a week to choose from, so you can break out of your traditional recipe rotation. Others, such as Pasta Evangelists and Nonna Tonda, are essentially delivering fully cooked meals with minimal cooking at all – good for busy weeks when you'll be home late. But they’re not perfect for everyone: the cost per meal is usually higher than shopping yourself, and the packaging can feel excessive. If you love choosing your own ingredients or eat very specific diets, the pre-selected meals might feel restrictive. Ultimately, they’re worth it for some, especially when life gets hectic, but less so if cost and control are your top priorities. What to consider when choosing a recipe box There are lots of recipe subscriptions to choose from, and finding the right one for you means thinking about a few things: How much cooking do you want to do? Some boxes will deliver elaborate recipes that can be great weekend projects or ideal for keen cooks, whereas others deliver you fully prepared meals that you essentially just reheat. Do you have specific dietary restrictions? Not all subscriptions can cater to all requirements, so check that there are enough dishes on offer that you want to eat. How many people are you cooking for? Not all boxes offer deliveries for one (Gousto and Pasta Evangelists do), and most only go up to servings for four people. Consider ingredients – for example, Riverford could be a suitable choice if eating organically is important to you. Flexibility – if your schedule is regularly changing, make sure you check that the recipe box you sign up to is equally flexible. Lots of schemes let you opt in and out for different days and cancel when you need, whereas others have strict delivery days you have to adhere to. How we tested recipe box subscriptions Members of the Good Food digital and cookery teams each tested a week of each recipe box subscription. There were several key criteria that teams based their verdict on: Range of recipes: was there plenty to choose from, and did recipes rotate regularly if you were going to repeatedly buy? Were all dietary options covered? Was it possible to scale recipes up or down to serve different family sizes? Ease of cooking: we looked for clear instructions (photos and obvious step-by-step methods were a bonus), accurate suggested cooking times and clear ways to distribute ingredients between elements and steps. Quality of the ingredients: some of the recipe boxes provided organic ingredients, but regardless we were looking for ethically sourced, fresh, high-quality ingredients. Packaging: with small quantities of ingredients individually sent, packaging can quickly add up. We looked for packaging to be sustainable, with minimal plastic where possible. Quality of the finished recipes: the all-important cooking results! After accurately following the recipes, we wanted delicious meals that we would want to cook again. Portion size and whether the meals were balanced were other consider. Value for money: how does the subscription compare to cooking from scratch? Would it be practical to regularly get a recipe delivery, or would it be more of a one-off purchase? Related reviews Best meal delivery services Best healthy recipe boxes tried and tested Best meat delivery boxes tried and tested Best veg boxes Best chocolate subscriptions Best baking subscriptions Are you signed up to a recipe delivery service? We'd love to hear about your experiences. Leave a comment below... This review was last updated in January 2026.
17 best gifts for wine lovers who have everything
From wine tools and accessories, to the perfect glasses and cheeses to pair with drinks, discover some top gifts to give wine lovers right here
The gift of a bottle when it’s a known favourite is a fail-safe option to give wine lovers. Of course, there are occasions when you may need a more creative approach to buying a wine gift. Perhaps they already have a collection or taste that’s beyond the realms of an achievable gift budget, or maybe you just want something to lighten what can sometimes seem like an exceedingly serious world of wine. Beneath the wine world’s serious carapace is a simple quest for flavour, and you don’t need to be an expert to join in it. If you find yourself stuck for ideas, we’ve brought together a collection of wine gifts that strike the balance of being both tasteful and practical. From centrepiece bottle holders and nifty glass-top sulphate filters, to wine-chilling gadgets that’ll save you going backwards and forwards to the fridge, we have options to suit all budgets. Want more inspiration? Check out over 400 unbiased expert buyer’s guides in our reviews section, including the best cocktail gifts, and gift ideas for cheese fans and coffee enthusiasts. The best wine gifts to buy wine lovers in 2025 Laithwaites Beautifully Bite-sized Wine & Snacks Hamper Available from Laithwaites (£38) This is a lovely way to give a special wine hamper without breaking the bank. Inside the traditional wicker basket you'll find three miniature bottles of excellent wines that are sure to impress: a prosecco, sauvignon blanc and Merlot to suit all tastes. The rest of the hamper is filled with snacks to go with the drinks, including truffle crisps and Perello olives. Available from: Laithwaites (£38) Whispering Angel & Hotel Chocolat macarons gift set Available from Laithwaites (£39 with free delivery) A simple yet sweet gift for the rosé lover in your life: Whispering Angel, a Côtes de Provence rosé that has seen huge success on social media these past couple of years (for good reason, it's a delicious easy sipper!), paired with salted caramel macarons from the experts in all things cocoa at Hotel Chocolat. To make it extra special, these items are bundled in a keepsake "Just For You" engraved wooden box. Available from: Laithwaites (£39 with free delivery) Prosecco & Hotel Chocolat macarons gift set Available from Laithwaites (£29.99 with free delivery) Celebrate with sparkle and gift this set to someone who needs a pick-me-up. Alessandro Galicci Prosecco is dry and crisp, and pairs beautifully with the salted caramel macarons from Hotel Chocolat. Plus, these items are packaged in an engraved wooden box with a "Just For You" message. Available from: Laithwaites (£29.99 with free delivery) Dibor vintage embossed wine goblets Available from Dibor (£28) These are a cheerful choice for long dinners, and would add colour to anyone’s glass collection. On a practical note, different coloured glasses also make it easier during dinner parties to distinguish what drink belongs to which person. Available from: Dibor (£28) M&S red wine and nibbles gift box Available from M&S (£35) What better gift for a wine lover than a bottle of the good stuff itself? This gift set from M&S comes in a smart wooden box with a bottle of Argentinian malbec, plus moreish rosemary smoked nuts and cheesy Cornish cruncher biscuits to pair with the wine. For a sweeter tooth, a red wine and chocolate gift box is also available. Available from: M&S (£35) Martell wine bottle holder Available from Anthropologie (£48) We love the delicate gold detailing and smart white marble base of this wine bottle holder, with space for two bottles. It makes an elegant statement to display good bottles of wine (perhaps one red, one white) and is handcrafted from iron and white marble. Available from: Anthropologie (£48) Addison Ross bow tie corkscrew Available from Addison Ross (£35) Be opening bottles in style with a fun bow-tie style corkscrew. Available in a range of duo colourways, from aqua and lilac to watermelon pink and cherry red, there's a style to brighten up any drinks party. It's ergonomic to hold so practical as well as pretty. Available from: Addison Ross (£35) Le Creuset wine cooler sleeve Available from John Lewis (£28), Amazon (£21.99), Harts of Stur (£22.40) Le Creuset claims that when stored in the freezer, its WA-126 cooler sleeve will chill a bottle from room temperature in 20 minutes. If the wine was chilled to start, this should keep it cold for hours. This could be a great addition to a backpack for picnic adventures, al fresco eating with friends, or simply on the side table in the living room. Available in black, burgundy, cerise, shell pink and volcanic orange. undefined Wine-Opoly board game Available from Amazon (£24.99) Wine-opoly is the board game that wine lovers will be playing this Christmas. As you travel round the board, you collect wine, build wineries and avoid getting hit with unexpected import taxes – the perfect way for any wine enthusiast to spend the afternoon. There's also a beer version, Brew-opoly, to try! Available from: Amazon (£24.99) Wine Christmas crackers Available from Virgin Wines (from £29.99) For a grown-up Christmas table treat, lay out these luxury wine Christmas crackers. Each cracker contains a 187ml bottle of wine with a lucky dip of three red and three white to open and enjoy with Christmas lunch. They'd also make great adult stocking fillers for a wine lover. Available from: Virgin Wines (from £29.99) Moleskine passion wine journal Available from John Lewis (£30) For those who like to savour every aroma, a wine journal becomes an archive of every bottle that has stirred the senses. Think of it as a diary – somewhere to record the grape, year, place and what it was paired with. A wine journal is a great gift for those who like to jot down tasting notes, are building their own collection, or associate memories with the drink they had at the time. Available from: John Lewis (£30) Personalised grapevine gift set Available from Not on the High Street (£68) For a wine lover who has everything, a pair of vines could be the perfect gift. British brand The Gluttonous Gardener selected two particular varieties, one white and one red, because of their ability to thrive in the UK’s fickle climate. They can even be grown in large pots. Just personalise the wooden crate with a name or personal message. Available from: Not on the High Street (£68) Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker Available from Amazon (£7.09), Waterstones (£10.99) What’s the big deal about wine? When professional journalist and self-proclaimed amateur drinker Bianca Bosker discovers the world of elite sommeliers, she dives headfirst into the life where taste reigns supreme. Cork Dork is a witty retelling of her fervour-fuelled adventure that takes the reader from underground tastings to a Neuroscientists fMRI machine in her pursuit of the answer to that question. Available from: Amazon (£7.09) Waterstones (£10.99) LSA International Mia recycled wine glasses Available from LSA International (£45) With a thin fluted finish, these wine glasses are made from recycled glass from disused bottles. They are all mouth-blown and have a blue tinge finish. There's even biodegradable organic inks on the box to ensure the circle of recycling can continue. Available from: LSA International (£45) undefined undefined Ullo wine purifier Available from Amazon (£89.99) undefined The Ullo contains four filters that help purify wine by removing sulfites and residual sediment. The former is a preservative widely used in winemaking that can cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive. This little gadget simply sits on top of a glass, and also has an optional ‘aerate’ function for enhancing the flavour of reds. Available from: Amazon (£89.99) undefined Conundrum 1-litre decanter Available from Wayfair (£32.99) The swirling design of this glass decanter has two practical functions. The first is to oxygenate your bottle of red as it’s poured in and out, and the second is to give you purchase on the decanter as you pour its contents into glasses. The result is a glass of red that should have an enhanced bouquet. Available from: Wayfair (£32.99) Vintage wine poster print Available from Etsy (from £15.04) This vintage French liquor poster has been retouched and reborn into the kind of print that would sit quite happily in a variety of interiors. Sizes vary, and there’s the option to purchase it framed and ready for hanging. Available from: Etsy (from £15.04) Valley wine cooler Available from Nordic Nest (£39.90) This is a little bit of the outdoors, inside. Carved from natural stone, the textured exterior remains untouched while the inside has been carved and polished to hold a bottle. Filled with ice, the stone’s density maintains the cooled temperature for hours. Available from: Nordic Nest (£39.90) Personalised picnic table wine carrier Available from Uncommon Goods (£166) Some things taste better when eaten al fresco with friends. For wine lovers who enjoy the great outdoors, this nifty wine gift transforms from a food caddy to a low picnic table, and can be engraved to make it more personal – great for days when you’re not straying too far from the car or kitchen. Available from: Uncommon Goods (£166) More on wine and gifting Best advent calendars The best places to buy wine online How to match wine with pork How to match wine with chicken How to match wine with pasta Wine and food matching: a simple infographic guide Best wine glasses Best rosé wine Best Pinot Noir Best red wines for cooking Best cava deals Best wine for Christmas This page was last updated in October 2025.