6 of America's Top Edible Souvenirs | International Traveller

Forget the Big Apple keychain and try these souvenirs of the edible kind.

Sure, “I Love NYC" t-shirts are cool, but have you tried coming home from the United States with a suitcase full of food? If you steer clear of fresh products like meat, fish and fruit, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, farmers markets are your oyster, so to speak, when it comes to edible gifts.

Put these essential items on your shopping list – they’re all customs-approved, just make sure you fill in your returning passenger form honestly (unless you want to end up on Border Patrol). These examples do lean heavily towards east and west coast entry points, but thanks to the wonder of the internet, you’ll surely find a local version wherever you’re at.

New York-style bagels

Australia has many an excellent bagel baker. However, there’s just something about a New York-style bagel that was boiled on home turf. And yes, you can bring bread into Australia if it’s for personal consumption and shelf stable – just watch out for seeds! Cult delicatessen Russ & Daughters has dine-in and takeaway sites in Manhattan, and they deliver city-wide, too.

close-up shot of Russ and Dauters' bagel and bialy — Bagel and bialy would make the perfect pair for brunch. (Image: Russ and Daughters)

If you’re on the West Coast, check out Gjusta in Santa Monica, the bakery arm of mod-Californian eatery Gjelina (also soon to open in NYC) or Belle’s Bagels in Highland Park.

a pile of Gjusta bagels — A stack of Gjusta bagels is the answer to your bread cravings. (Image: Bobbi Lin)

Rancho Gordo’s spice concoctions

In 20 years, Rancho Gordo has grown from humble farmers market stall to America’s largest dried bean retailer (the waiting list for its subscription-based ‘bean club’ is 40,000 names long.) That’s not a problem for us – you can’t bring dried beans into Australia anyway, but you can carry home a few pocket-sized jars of spices to give taco night a kick.

a bowl of Rancho Gordo's chili powder — Spice up your dishes with Rancho Gordo’s chile powder.

New Mexican Chile Powder is made for chilli con carne, while the Stardust Dipping Powder is a hoot on popcorn. The brand is now so ubiquitous you can buy it from most upmarket independent grocery stores.

a jar of Rancho Gordo's New Mexican chile powder — Don’t miss out on the New Mexican Chile Powder.

Flamin’ hot sauce

Hot sauce is the pocket-sized gift that keeps on giving. California’s top seller is Sriracha (where it’s made), but you’ll find 1,000 more options at Light My Fire in Hollywood’s Original Farmers Market. In New York, head straight to Heatonist, which sells hundreds of bottles from independent brands across the US.

a display of bottled products at Heatonist — Get only the best hot sauce from Heatonist.

Down south is where the action is really at. Scoop up house made bottles direct from barbecue restaurants. Top picks include North Carolina’s tangy vinegar and ketchup-based “dip" and Kansas’ sweet, thick, tomatoey hot sauce.

Lexington barbecue sauces on the table — Taste the sweet and spicy goodness of barbecue with an extra dip on the side.

Mac and Cheese in packet perfection

There’s nothing like coming home from a holiday and recreating all the delicious meals you had on your travels to keep those memories alive. Mac and cheese is one of the few “American" dishes that’s better when it comes out of a packet.

a bowl of mac and cheese — Nothing beats the classic American blend of Mac and Cheese.

Skip the lurid orange Kraft brand and pick up a few boxes of Annie’s Homegrown. Not only is it widely available across the US and made with real cheese, but it also comes in elbow or shell shapes with organic and gluten free options.

a box of Annie's Homegrown vegan mac beside a bowl of mac and cheese — Prepare your cheesy favourites with Annie’s Homegrown vegan mac.

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Sweet treats you can’t get in Australia

To the Australian palate, American “candy" tastes weird. As-seen-on-TV icons such as Hershey’s Bars, Twinkies and Junior Mints are packed with emulsifiers, the sugar content is sky high and they’re also available here, which takes the shine off somewhat.

a chocolate bar in silver foil — Get ready to obsess over this decadent treat.

Instead, look for small batch and fair-trade producers such as Brooklyn-based Raaka, Portland’s Woodblock or San Francisco’s Dandelion Chocolate, who specialise in single origin bars spiked with seasonal flavours. All three ship nationwide and offer in-store experiences such as chocolate making classes and factory tours.

a row of dandelion chocolate bars on marble table — Chocolate bars never fail to make someone happy.

Chilli crisp

When COVID-19 hit, restaurants needed a way to survive restrictions on in-person dining. While most leaned on takeaway and prep-at-home meal kits, others went all in on merch. Nowhere is this more evident than the rise of chilli crisp – chilli oil, but with more “bits".

These branded jars look set to outlive this pandemic. Top players include New York’s Nom Wah Tea Parlour and Xi’an Famous Foods (both also released cookbooks), along with RiceBox in LA.

a jar of Xi'an Famous Foods chili oil on white background — Xi’an Famous Foods got the hots for chili.

Not travelling anytime soon? Australian restaurants did this too! Check out Colab Pantry’s epic selection of condiments, including Chotto Motto’s cult-status Crispy Chilli Oil.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

6 edible souvenirs you can actually bring home from the USA