This holiday season, instead of the usual trending lists and fast-moving gift guides, consider something quieter. A gift that holds meaning and that lasts long after the last present has been opened.
A hand-drawn restaurant print is not just a preserved memory and a sense of place. It’s a bit of joy and calm that keeps giving each time it’s seen. A small way to let someone know, “I thought of you. I remembered what you love. So, without further ado, here are a few holiday gift ideas inspired by the places we gather, the meals we remember, and the stories we keep re-reading.
Best for: New homeowners, newlyweds, and anyone nostalgic for a place they love
There’s something powerful about seeing a place you love captured in ink. Maybe it’s the corner booth where your parents used to take you every Friday, the pizza joint that fueled your college years, or the wine bar where you had your first date.
These hand-drawn restaurant prints are a perfect way to jumpstart, or add to, a gallery wall. And, because each one is a limited edition of 365, it’s a gift that feels as one-of-a-kind as the memories attached to it.
Consider gifting a New York print to a friend who just relocated, or a Philly spot to the couple whose wedding you danced at last spring. Prints from D.C., Paris, London, and more are also available. (You can shop the full collection here).
Best for: The armchair traveler, the city lover, or the art-and-design enthusiast
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that take you somewhere — especially when they arrive wrapped and ready on a quiet winter morning. A hand-drawn restaurant book offers exactly that kind of journey. Whether it’s the café-lined boulevards of A Table in Paris or the cozy corners of A Taste of London, each hardcover collection invites readers into a city’s dining life one sketch at a time. (All the Restaurants in New York is unfortunately out of print, at present. But there’s been demand for a reprint, so I’ll keep you posted.)
They’re great gifts for travelers, artists, food lovers, or anyone who’s happiest when flipping through beautiful pages and remembering a place they've been (or dream of going).
Best for: The sentimentalist, the one with a favorite haunt, or someone who “already has everything”
If you don’t see their favorite restaurant in the collection yet, you can commission a custom piece. It’s a deeply personal way to celebrate a meaningful place. Maybe it’s the bar where they got engaged, the taco stand they can’t stop talking about, or the little Italian place they’ve been going to for 20 years.
I draw each façade in person, using pen and ink, and deliver a signed, numbered fine art print. While this process means we can't guarantee a holiday delivery, you can gift the commission by presenting a "Coming Soon" gift sheet in the meantime! It's a thoughtful keepsake they’ll hang proudly once it arrives.
Best for: Last-minute gifts, long-distance gifting, or people who like to decide “what and when” for their gift
Some people just love the freedom to choose. A gift card lets them do exactly that! Whether they’re eyeing a specific restaurant or deciding between Paris or London for their next art book, this is a thoughtful way to let them follow their own taste and timing.
Perfect for long-distance gifting, a little stocking surprise, or something to tuck away for a New Year treat. You can send it digitally or print it at home, whichever option is more convenient for you.
Whether you’re shopping ahead or wrapping things up at the eleventh hour, it’s worth pausing to think about the kind of gift that will actually mean something. A hand-drawn restaurant print, a thoughtfully chosen book, or a custom piece made just for them isn’t just another item to unwrap. It’s something personal they’ll smile at again and again, all year long.
