Gift Guide: The Best Foodie Gifts Made in Pittsburgh

PHOTO COURTESY ARTIE’S HOT SAUCE

“People who love to eat are always the best people,” Julia Child once said. Pittsburgh has long taken that sentiment seriously, cultivating a community of food makers who value flavor and craft.

The region’s small-batch makers also rise to the occasion with sauces, salts, chocolates, spirits and snacks that make holiday gifting feel both easy and thoughtful. From widely loved pickles and punchy spice blends to beautifully packaged chocolates and locally distilled rum, each one delivers big flavor with a strong sense of place.

If you are shopping local, or just shopping last-minute, these Pittsburgh-made picks offer a simple, delicious way to give your loved ones a gift that will actually be enjoyed.

PHOTO COURTESY ARTIE’S HOT SAUCE

Artie’s Hot Sauce

Pittsburgh native Arthur “Artie” Pitt brings the same creative energy that once fueled an indie music career to this small-batch hot sauce line, now a favorite among local heat seekers.

Standouts include Pizza Shop, a tangy banana-pepper ode to neighborhood slice joints; Fiery Jerk, built on Scotch bonnet heat; Lemon Fire, bright and citrusy; Arbol Insanity, smoky and chile-forward; and Honey Sting, a sweet-heat sauce that somehow works on everything from chicken to roasted vegetables. It is an easy gift for the friend who puts hot sauce on absolutely everything.

Where to buy: Order directly on the Artie’s Hot Sauce website, with local delivery available in the Pittsburgh area. Bottles also pop up at select restaurants, shops and markets around the city, depending on the season.

Pittsburgh Popcorn Company

This is popcorn that understands the assignment. Pittsburgh Popcorn Company’s popcorn is freshly popped all day, ridiculously snackable and sold in fun flavors such as Candy Cane Gingerbread and Spicy Bacon Cheddar. Whether you are shipping a tin to friends out of state or grabbing a few flavored bags as stocking stuffers, Pittsburgh Popcorn Company delivers fresh, generously portioned popcorn in flavors that please everyone.

Where to buy: Available at several local Pittsburgh Popcorn Company shops, including the Strip District, Oakland, Ross Park Mall, Monroeville Mall and Bethel Park. Order tins and gift packs online on the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company website.

PHOTO COURTESY STEEL CITY SALT CO.

Steel City Salt Co.

Founded by Pittsburgh native John Tarallo, Steel City Salt Co. has grown from a humble folding table in the Strip District into a Millvale staple known for some of the city’s most inventive small-batch seasonings. Inspired by his Sicilian grandfather’s pantry and a childhood spent around Italian cooks, Tarallo now hand-blends more than 100 salts with his wife, Candy, that are each designed to transform a dish with just a pinch.

Highlights include the flagship Black & Gold Blend with activated charcoal, garlic and sea salt; the garlicky Pierogi Salt; smoky favorites Hickory Smoked Sea Salt; citrus-forward blends; Jordanian-inspired za’atar salts and chile-driven options infused with ghost pepper, habanero or sriracha.

Whether your recipient cooks every night, or just loves a good finishing flourish, these salts reward a light hand and elevate even the simplest meals.

Where to buy: Shop the full lineup at Salt HQ (206 Grant Ave., Millvale) or order online at the Steel City Salt Co. website. Seasonal Strip District setups may also be available.

The Chocolate Moose

A Squirrel Hill staple for anyone with a serious sweet tooth, The Chocolate Moose offers classic truffles, artisan chocolate bars and beautifully packaged gift boxes. From 32-piece truffle assortments to mint lentils, chocolate-covered pretzels and seasonal specials, the shop’s offerings are cozy, local and gift-ready. This is the kind of chocolate you are happy to give and even happier to eat.

Where to buy: In person at the shop’s location at 5830 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. The shop does not currently offer online ordering, so stopping by is the best way to shop.

Oakmont Olive Oil Company

A bottle of oil or vinegar might sound simple, but the offerings from Oakmont Olive Oil Company bring real personality to the kitchen. The olive oils range from bright citrus and herbal infusions to smoky and spicy profiles, while their balsamic vinegars include fruit-forward and aged varieties.

A standout is the Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar, a glossy, truffle-like pour that tastes rich and decadent without being cloying. Drizzle it over strawberries or vanilla ice cream, splash it into a cocktail or serve it with hunks of crusty baguette.

Where to buy: Visit the shop at 640 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont or call 412-689-1358 to place an order. Online ordering is limited, so in-store pickup is recommended.

JOHN PATTERSON, CO-FOUNDER OF PITTSBURGH PICKLE CO. | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Pittsburgh Pickle Co.

Based just outside the city in Verona, this family-run maker produces bold, crunchy pickles with a strong local point of view. The lineup ranges from the salty-sweet Pittsburgh Style to spicy Brimstone, classic Original Dill and deli-leaning We The Pickle.

Widely available around the city, and easy to grab at the last minute, a single jar or a three-pack makes a fun, briny gift that pairs perfectly with sandwiches, cocktails or a charcuterie board.

Where to buy: Available online at Pittsburgh Pickle Co’s website and at grocery and specialty stores throughout the region.

MAGGIE’S FARM RUM | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Maggie’s Farm Rum

Maggie’s Farm Rum was founded by Tim Russell, who recognized an opportunity in Pennsylvania’s spirits scene after craft distilling was legalized in 2011. In 2013, he opened Maggie’s Farm in the Strip District, producing the state’s first commercially available craft rum since Prohibition.

Today, the distillery has built a national reputation for rum with real depth, fermented from raw cane sugar and distilled in small batches. The lineup covers a lot of ground, from a clean, elegant White Rum that shines in daiquiris to a richer Dark Rum with warmth and body. There is also a cult-favorite Pineapple Rum that brings just enough tropical brightness to winter cocktails, along with a Coffee Liqueur made with locally roasted cold brew that’s perfect for after-dinner drinks.

Where to buy: Purchase bottles at the Strip District Barrelhouse (3212A Smallman St.) or at the South Hills distillery location. Select products are also available through the Maggie’s Farm Rum website and Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores.