If the dads in your life are anything like the dads in our lives, they can be notoriously difficult to shop for. But one thing that should make any dad happy: good food. Because there’s no one way to be a dad (other than cracking groan-inducing puns), we’ve pulled gifts for dads who like to host, like to cook, or just like to eat. Hopefully, they’ll help you find a gift that will make things in your father’s life a little tastier. No neckties or whiskey stones, we promise.
Some of our favorite Father’s Day gifts
For the dad who’s always fiddling with the backyard firepit: Le Creuset Alpine Collection Cast Iron Cookware
Whether your dad is constantly smoking out the neighborhood with bonfires or a camping enthusiast who likes to keep things rustic, Le Creuset’s new rectangular griddle from its Alpine Collection of outdoor cookware can turn a firepit into a flattop. Its black enameled finish means there’s no seasoning to do here, but it’s still safe for metal tools and easy to clean (in fact, Le Creuset says it’s even dishwasher-safe, though we still hand-wash our enameled cast iron). A smaller square griddle, grill pan, Dutch oven, and skillet are also available to keep your campfire chef fully kitted out.
For the dad whose 2020 sourdough starter is still going strong: Baking Steel Original
If dad is the baker of the family, then a baking steel like our favorite, the Baking Steel Original, can help take his breads, pizzas, and pastries to another level. The even heat distribution and flat surface mean crispier crusts and more overall consistency, yielding professional results from his oven or grill). Plus, the more he experiments with it, the more delicious carbs for you. Win-win.
For the dad who’s never spent more than $9 on a bottle of wine: Winc Wine Club Gift Card
There’s nothing wrong with bargain hunting, but if you try to cheap out on wine too often, it’s bound to bring some subpar bottles into the house. If your dad could use a little palate-expanding encouragement, Winc’s wine club offers both subscriptions and single shipments along with a quiz to help curate the perfect collection of new labels and varietals to try.
For the dad who’s suddenly shouting “Corner!” every time he crosses through the kitchen: Bon Appétit “Yes, Chef” Hat
No matter if dad is the king of the kitchen or simply the obedient sous-chef, this smart-looking, adjustable green ball cap says it all.
For the dad who’s trying to cut back on booze a bit: St. Agrestis Negroni Fountain
The makers of the bottled nonalcoholic Phony Negroni offer this bulk version that contains 20 servings of the classic bitter-and-bright beverage without any ABV. Dad can pop it in the fridge and pour a premixed glass anytime.
For the dad who cooks like he’s on a reality cooking competition: Middleton Echo Chef’s Knife
We have a lot of recommendations for great chef’s knives, but this one designed by bladesmith Quintin Middleton at South Carolina’s Middleton Made Knives stands on its own as a great giftable option. It’s versatile and comfortable, with a rockable blade and finger notch, plus it’s got a stunning birch veneer handle (available in three colors) and is a bit less expensive than some of the other excellent, showy knives we’ve tried.
For the dad who kicks back with a cocktail: Zephyr Crystal Lowball Tumblers
Don’t let dad pour his finest scotch into that Garfield glass you got at a fast-food joint in the ’90s. These lowball glasses give a fashionable look to an old-fashioned or a splash of any spirit. Besides having a fluted texture for a satisfying grip, they’re also stackable and dishwasher-safe for easy storage and cleaning.
For the dad who commutes with his coffee: Brümate Müv Travel Mug
We’ve tested a lot of travel mugs, and Brümate’s recently redesigned Müv collection is one of our top picks. It’s large without looking clunky, it has a handle that doesn’t impede cupholder compatibility, it’s virtually leakproof, and it’s totally dishwasher-safe (in most colors/finishes). Oh yeah, it also keeps coffee hot (or iced beverages cold) for hours.
For the dad who can’t help making a mess: White Bark Workwear Apron
This simple, functional apron is a favorite of our Test Kitchen because of its durable and comfortable cotton-and-hemp blend fabric, lightweight feel, and crossbody straps that don’t put strain on the neck. It has plenty of pockets for pens and other items, plus it’s available in dozens of colors and has the option for custom embroidery (for a fee) too.
For the dad who thinks your coffee order is too extravagant: Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker
You may never convert dad to your preferred coffee preparation method or fancy foam-topped drink, but you might just open his eyes to better coffee with our pick for the best drip coffee maker out there from Fellow. Whether brewing a single cup or a whole carafe, this machine’s intuitive controls and pour-over-like functionality provide high quality while remaining as simple as that decade-old machine he got on sale at a big-box store.
For the dad whose preference for rare red meat makes you (and his doctor) nervous: Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Immersion Circulator
Breville’s Joule immersion circulator opens up the world of sous vide cooking in a super approachable way thanks to its app, which guides users through all the settings necessary for perfectly rare results—or whatever doneness is requested. If that’s too much tech, then at least consider a good meat thermometer. We can’t say whether the amount of red meat your dad eats is healthy, but at least it’ll be cooked properly.
For the dad who collects cooking gadgets like they’re comic books: Männkitchen Pepper Cannon
Why have a measly pepper “mill” when you can blast your entrée with a pepper cannon? But seriously, this pepper grinder topped our list for good reason. It’s got a wide range from super fine powdery grains to cracked peppercorns and has impressive output with fewer twists. It’s also manual, which might not seem like a “feature,” but who needs more weird-size batteries or fiddly USB cables lying around?
For the dad who likes to play party host: West Elm Deco Wood and Brass Handle Tray
If your dad constantly walks around his own parties saying “can I freshen that drink up for you?” this elegant yet rustic wood serving tray will help highlight his generous hospitality.
For the dad who’s never met a cheeseboard he didn’t like: Murray’s Cheese Explorer’s Club
Choose from a 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription to send your dad an array of curated cheeses from around the world selected by the experts at New York’s beloved Murray’s Cheese. For the pasta-loving papas out there, they also offer a dedicated mac and cheese subscription too.
For the dad entering his Hot Grill Summer era: Weber Grill Gloves
Just because your dad can use his bare fingers to flip a bone-in pork chop on the grill doesn’t mean he should. A pair of these top-tested grill gloves from Weber will keep his hands safe from blazing hot barbecues in the summer and warm while stoking coals in the winter.
For the dad who likes bit of food for thought: Change the Recipe by Chef José Andrés
There may not be anyone in the world who has done more in the last decade to showcase the humanitarian power of food than renowned chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés. In his latest book, Andrés shares lessons and anecdotes from throughout his life using food to connect with and make change in the world.
