Your A to Z gift guide to buying food and drinks made in the Triangle
It’s the perfect trifecta: support a local business, pass along a thoughtful gift and eat yummy food.
Whether you want to order a North Carolina food gift online to send to an out-of-state friend, or are just looking for a new idea for a hostess gift, we’ve got you covered.
From cookies and coffee to nut butters and barbecue sauce, here’s Walter magazine’s list of where to buy dozens of delicious foods, drinks and more.
Angus Barn
Swing by the Angus Barn Country Store (9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh) to pick up their beloved pies or the cheese crock. Good news: They’re open whenever the restaurant’s open — until 10 p.m. every single night — for any last-minute shoppers. angusbarn.com
Apiopolis
This nonprofit operates bee sanctuaries all over Raleigh and sells the sweet rewards to support its mission. They don’t sell online, but you can pick up jars of honey at these Raleigh locations: 42 & Lawrence (134 E. Martin St.), Escazu (936 N. Blount St.), Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.) and Wine Authorities (211 E. Franklin St.). apiopolis.com
The Apothecary’s Kitchen
This peppermint bark — made with fair trade chocolate, a thin layer of white chocolate and organic candy canes — is made in Cary only from October through January. It’s been written about in the likes of Bon Appetit and Martha Stewart magazine. Find it online or at Sola Coffee (7705 Lead Mine Road) or Yellow Dog Bread Company (219 E. Franklin St.), both in Raleigh. the-apothecarys-kitchen.myshopify.com
Bald Man Barbeque
Based in Wake Forest, this company launched its product this year to include a Rub, Back Rub and Mop Sauce for retail. Buy them online, or look for them at NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road) or The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road), both in Raleigh. baldmanbbq.com
Bella Bean Organics
Started by chef and cookbook author Jamie DeMent, this online farmers’ market offers all local goods — from produce to pantry items — that can be shipped around the Southeast. One gift basket that’s likely perfect for someone on your list: a selection of grass-fed meats. bellabeanorganics.com
Big Spoon Roasters
Big Spoon Roasters offers more flavors of peanut, cashew and almond butter than you would have thought possible, plus jams and bars. Their gift sets online come in attractive packaging. They even offer a monthly PB&J subscription! bigspoonroasters.com
Botanist & Barrel
Ship individual bottles of cider, or up to a case at a time, from this Cedar Grove-based cidery, including popular Arkansas Black and Honey Made Me Do It lines, or buy them in-person at State of Beer (401 Hillsborough St.) or Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.), both in Raleigh. botanistandbarrel.com
The Butcher’s Market
They’re known for their meats, but the brick-and-mortar location of The Butcher’s Market in Raleigh, Cary and Holly Springs has a broad selection of pre-packaged foods to pick up to go along with your entree shopping. thebutchersmarkets.com
Butterfields Candies
This Nashville, N.C., based company offers handcrafted, old-fashioned candy in beautiful gift containers and combinations. Buy individual flavors or gift packs online. Also: it’s all dairy-free and gluten-free, but definitely not sugar-free! butterfieldscandies.com
Carolina Kettle
For the salty tooth, these potato chips come in delicious, original flavors. We’re partial to the Sir Walter Cream Cheese & Chive — in variety gift packs online or at their store (5205 Hillsborough St., Raleigh). Another reason to love this brand from 1 in 6 Snacks: It was started by an N.C. State grad, and the company donates a portion of its proceeds to food banks. carolinakettle.com
Carolina Popcorn Shoppe
With flavors from the classic (Tasty Butter, White Cheddar, Crunchy Caramel) to the exotic (Sriracha Caramel, Pickle Pop, Confetti), Carolina Popcorn offers gift bags and tins of popcorn online, or find them in stores at NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road), Gingham and Posh (5201 Hollyridge Drive) and The Wine Feed (602 Glenwood Ave.) in Raleigh. carolinapopcorn.com
Chapel Hill Toffee
This company creates its toffee from a secret family recipe and donates a portion of the proceeds to cancer research. Buy it online or find it at more than a dozen locations around the Triangle. chapelhilltoffee.com
Chaza Bros Southern Hot Sauce
Spice up someone’s night: Buy Chaza Bros signature hot sauces by the bottle, set or gallon online or look for them in-store at The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road), The Fort at 3512 (sign up at thefort3512.com or go to facebook.com/thefort3512 for details about this pop-up shop) or NOFO at the Pig (2014 Fairview Road), all in Raleigh. chazasauce.com
Crude Bitters
For your friend, the cocktail enthusiast: Order individual flavors or a sampler set of their bitters or shrubs online, or visit their pastel-pink storefront (501 E. Davie St., Raleigh) to pull together a personalized gift. crudebitters.com
Donovan’s Dish
Best known for their catering, this company offers a broad range of prepared foods to go, perfect if you want to leave a host breakfast for the next morning, or don’t have time to whip up an app for a potluck. Order online for delivery or pickup, or stop by the Market (800 W Williams St., Suite 112, Apex) to see what they have. donovansdish.com
Escazu Chocolates
Pop into the store (936 N. Blount St., Raleigh) to create a box of beautiful chocolates in your recipient’s favorite flavors or colors, or shop online for bars or gift sets for far-away friends. escazuchocolates.com
FRESH. Local Ice Cream
Yup, this ice cream is welcome in all seasons, especially with flavors like Butter Pecan and Peppermint to get you through the holidays. Pick it up at one of their locations in Raleigh (6033 Glenwood Ave.), Cary or Apex. Order ahead for ice cream cakes or specialty flavors. freshlocalicecream.com
Gingham & Posh
This store specializes in gift baskets featuring all North Carolina products and can ship locally, all over the U.S. and internationally, too. Pop in to the store (5210-B Hollyridge Drive, Raleigh) or order online. ginghamandposh.com
Ginny O’s
These. Cheese. Straws. Find them online or in person at NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road), Gingham and Posh (5201 Hollyridge Drive), the Angus Barn Country Store (9401 Glenwood Ave.) and many local grocery stores. ginnyo.com
Hail Mary Mix
These all-natural, gluten-free Bloody Mary mixes taste good with or without alcohol. Jar and gift sets are available online, or find them iat about a dozen stores in Raleigh, including Deco (19 W. Hargett St.), Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.) and NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road). hailmarybloodymarymix.com
Hampton Farms
Chocolate-covered, spicy or just plain, the peanuts from Hampton Farms are decidedly addictive. Headquartered in Severn, they offer a range of gift sets online that can ship anywhere in the U.S. hamptonfarms.com
Howling Cow Ice Cream
Howling Cow Ice Cream is made from cream from the N.C. State Dairy Farm, processed on N.C. State’s campus and marketed by students — and it’s good even in wintertime. Find it at various locations on campus, or Harris Teeter stores. howlingcow.ncsu.edu
Humdinger Juice
Give the gift of post-holiday health in the form of delicious juices. Order online or find them at Core Fitness (1105 Capital Blvd., Raleigh) or Benelux Coffee (402 Oberlin Road, Raleigh). humdingerjuice.com
La Farm Bakery
Their bread is delish — and with owner/chef Lionel Vatinet’s cookbook next to it, it’s especially liftable. La Farm can ship online orders throughout the U.S., or visit their Cary location (4248 NW Cary Parkway) to shop the wares yourself. lafarmbakery.com
Ladyfingers
This caterer offers their signature item—the Shaved Country Hall Roll—by the dozen, and ships fresh anywhere in the U.S., with reheating instructions included. To bring the ham biscuits and other delicacies to a party, drop by their brick & mortar store (627 E. Whitaker Mill Road) or one of their Gourmet To-Go purveyors around the state.ladyfingersofraleigh.com
Larry’s Coffee
Buy coffee beans by the bag in a range of flavors — from Bad Kitty to Dr. Mojo — or gift a subscription through their website to keep a friend caffeinated for months. Find them in person at various locations around Raleigh, including their dowtown Raleigh coffee shop 42 & Lawrence (143 E. Martin St.) larryscoffee.com
Melina’s Fresh Pasta
This pasta is handmade in Durham in both traditional and seasonal incarnations. Ship it to various states through Bella Bean Organics, or find it at their pasta shop (2717 Chapel Hill Road, Durham) or various locations in the Triangle, including Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.) and NOFO at the Pig (2014 Fairview Road). melinaspasta.com
Michael’s English Muffins
Head into the store (3611 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh) to pick up packs of muffins, jams or pimiento cheese for sandwiches for holiday catering (for these, order ahead) all made with local ingredients. michaelsenglishmuffins.com
Midtown Olive Oil
This gourmet food store (4441 Six Forks Road, Raleigh) carries a mix of North Carolina-made products as well as some straight from Italy, with gift basket options — including a Made in NC Basket and a Gluten-Free Basket — that can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. midtownoliveoil.com
NOFO @ The Pig
Pop into this Five Points cafe, market and gift shop (2014 Fairview Road, Raleigh) to find all things N.C., with food from many of these vendors, including cracker, nuts, pickles, condiments, beer, wine and more. nofo.com
Pelagic
Stop through this bottle shop off North Person Street to pick up beverages and packaged foods from N.C. including a selection of cheese and crackers and a broad selection from local brewers. 300 Pace St., Raleigh. pelagicbeerandwine.com
Raleigh Provisions
Raleigh Provisions in downtown Raleigh (107 E. Davie St.) sells products from dozens of local food purveyors, and they’re happy to whip up a custom gift basket in-store based on your selections and budgets. Online, they have eight pre-curated gift boxes that they can ship anywhere for you. raleighprovisions.com
Simons Says Spread This
These artisanal nut spreads, made by a husband-and-wife duo in Durham, come in unique flavors like coconut cashew butter and limoncello almond butter. Buy them online or find them at various local retailers, including NOFO at the Pig (2014 Fairview Road). simonssaysspreadthis.com
Slice Pie Co.
Slice offers whole pies, half pies, mini pies and slices in a jar in more than 20 flavors, including chocolate pecan, lemon meringue and banana cream. Ship them nationwide, or find the pies at their downtown pop-up shop (17 E. Martin St.) or at The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road). Note: If you have something specific in mind, order 48 hours ahead to make sure it’s available when you arrive, since everything is made to order. slicepiecompany.com
Slingshot Coffee
These signature cold brew and cascara coffees, made by a husband-and-wife team, can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. Find them at various local retailers, including Whole Foods, State of Beer (401 Hillsborough St.), Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.) and Yellow Dog Bread Company (219 E. Franklin St.). slingshotcoffeecompany.com
State of Beer
Visit this bottle shop in downtown Raleigh, run by the Trophy Brewing folks, for a selection of local beverages and packaged foods to bring to a party — and enjoy one of their signature sandwiches while you browse. 401 Hillsborough St. stateof.beer
Strong Arm Baking
This Granville County bakery will ship boxes of cookies anywhere in the United States, in a single flavor or a mix. strongarmbaking.com
Sugar & Spice Kitchen
This North Hills baker offers pies, cookies, pastries and their Jolly Good Jams (with flavors like Raspberry + Rose and Blood Orange + Tarragon), all made from scratch. Almost everything can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. (the pies don’t travel as well, unfortunately), and you can order online for local delivery or to pick up at their new Cheeni coffee shop inside the Poyner YMCA (227 Fayetteville St.). sugarandspicekit.com
Videri Chocolate Factory
This chocolate factory in downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District offers gift sets online that include their signature bars (hello, salted caramel!), hot chocolate mix, as well as individual bonbons. Or stop by the store at 327 W. Davie St. to grab a few bars to keep on hand as last-minute hostess gifts. viderichocolatefactory.com
Yah’s Best Products
This family businesses is known for its salsa, but also has an array of sauces, jams and condiments, including sweet potato butter, hot sweet crisp pickles and raspberry jalapeño jam. Everything can be shipped throughout the U.S. (additional charges may apply for items that aren’t shelf-stable) or you can find them every day at the State Farmers Market (1201 Agriculture St.) and The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road). yahsbest.com
Yellow Dog Bread Co.
This purveyor of all kinds of breads, scones, croissants and cookies offers seasonal treats and pies, too. You can’t order online, but you can visit the store (219 E. Franklin St.) to see what’s in stock, or call or message them on Instagram if you’d like to order ahead of time. instagram.com/yellowdogbread