Houston's Best Gourmet

Making Texas-style sauces, jellies and more—available online or in select gourmet stores.

Reviews:

• “Sending a Basket”

Tips: Virtually every item has a kick. Even the jellies are flavored with chile peppers.

The Texas Gourmet or email The Texas Gourmet

Gourmet food and wine shop known for specialty gift baskets and unique deli items since 1979.

Reviews:

• “Best lunch spot”
• “Never disappointed”
• “Best Deli around”
• “A great Rueben sandwich!”
• “Fabulous Houston Deli & Gift Shop – Highly Recommended!”

Tips: Leibman’s cheese straws are legendary around Houston. The perfect complement to a bottle of wine.

Leibman’s Wine & Fine Foods

Quirky candy creations made at this Montrose dessert shop are perfect for gift giving.

Reviews:

• “Bad Service – not worth it”
• “Hair in my cake!”
• “Chocolate chocolate and more chocolate”
• “Not Good Chocolate”
• “Houston’s Hidden Treasure”

Tips: After your ice cream, head next door to the sister store, Candylicious, for vintage candies and treats.

The Chocolate Bar or email The Chocolate Bar

Locally owned neighborhood grocery offers organic produce, worldwide gourmet treats and a fresh deli.

Tips: Home delivery available. Order online.

Rice Epicurean Markets

Galleria-adjacent sweet shop celebrating Swiss chocolate finery since 1983.

Reviews:

• “Good Idea”
• “Best Valentine’s Day Ever!”
• “YUM! Wonderful Chocolate!”
• “Love It!”

Tips: Orders can be made on the website and shipped to the Houston area or anywhere in the US. Chocolates are shipped overnight at a controlled temperature to insure they arrive intact and ready to enjoy.

Chocolate Designs

Creater and distributor of custom-made gift baskets used for birthdays, thank-yous, holidays, anniversaries and other special occasions.

Tips: Shipping takes one to three business days to the East Coast, three to five business days to the Midwest and five to seven business days to the West Coast.

Select-A-Gram

“Warehouse” is no exaggeration, and this popular booze-and-gourmet-goodies spot is almost an institution.

Reviews:

• “Best place to shop in town”
• “Great Sandwich”
• “The Den of Decadence Rules!”

Tips: Find other Spec’s locations throughout Houston.

Spec’s Liquor Warehouse

More than your average kitchen store—this is truly a food lover’s paradise.

Reviews:

• “Everything you could desire”

Sur La Table

Experienced personal chef offers casual home-cooked meals as well as event planning and gourmet catering.

Reviews:

• “Huge Success”
• “The icing on my cake”
• “Excellent Chef”
• “Chart Topper”
• “Amazing Ice Cream!”

Indulgence by Natasha

The block-long parking lot should warn you: This is no milk-and-dog-food corner shop.

Reviews:

• “Good selection, Bad traffic”
• “Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this place?”
• “A Foodie’s Paradise”
• “TOO DIE FOR SANDWICH!!”
• “Loves it”

Tips: Attend a cooking class at Central Market’s Cooking School. Stop by for a full schedule.

Central Market