Everything You Need Right Now for the Perfect Picnic

Summer concerts, long weekends, first dates, holidays and family vacations. Warm weather brings lots of opportunities for picnics. And even in a time of social distancing, there are still places where you can settle in and have a wonderful meal outdoors. If you want to level up your next picnic in the park, our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has the latest on the best luxury picnic baskets and portable gourmet foods for picnicking. It’s what you need for a perfect picnic right now.

what do you need for the perfect picnic?

The simple picnics we all know and love today evolved from the luxurious and elaborate outdoor feasts once reserved for wealthy land-owners to enjoy on their estates. They were veritable banquets that sometimes went on for days and even weeks.

In Victorian times, dining alfresco in the park extended to the masses as industrialization inspired a return to nature and rustic pleasures. And while they were theoretically more relaxed affairs, picnics were still governed by their own set of rules.

There were specific expectations about what to wear. The games to play. And what food to eat. It was all spelled out in etiquette manuals of the day to illustrate one’s good breeding.

Luckily for us, our own convivial outdoor affairs do not have to be followed by group singing (especially if your friends are particularly tone deaf like mine.) And fellas can sit down when they please, without waiting for a lady’s invitation. We can also nix the collared calf’s head. Hurrah!

But in keeping with some of the genteel and charming qualities of those sylvan repasts of yore, we have some recommendations for luxurious baskets and portable gourmet foods for picnicking that will elevate your next gathering to the level of a Monet painting.

the best luxury picnic baskets

Whether you’re searching for a high-end traditional picnic basket or a more modern one with the latest technical features, here are 7 of our favorites. They’re at the top of the list for what you need for the perfect picnic.

1. Mark & Graham “Rolling Wicker Picnic Basket,” Set for 6

Topping our list of the best luxury picnic baskets is this traditionally styled willow wood wicker basket on wheels for easy maneuvering. Stocked with everything you need for a classy six-person affair, it includes ceramic plates, stainless steel utensils, and salt and pepper shakers. Plus wine glasses, a bottle opener and stopper, a wine glass holder and a water-resistant picnic blanket. There is an insulated section to keep snacks fresh; a picnic drink table; and a sleek, subtle foil monogram.  ($299)

2. Les Jardins De La Comtesse “Champs Elysees Picnic Basket,” Set for 4 

This elegant hamper is loaded with all the essentials plus a removable, insulated food bag, waterproof coated tablecloth, and a wooden board and accompanying knife for the requisite cheese plate. The interior is lined with a monogrammed hunter green lining and dark brown faux leather trims and antique brass buckles for an instantly preppy and outdoorsy mood. ($347)

3. Fortnum and Mason “Picadilly Stripe Hamper,” Set for 2

The iconic British purveyor of fine teas and food issued this new picnic basket for 2 or 4 persons in time for summer. Always a great source for the best luxury picnic baskets, Fortnum’s has done it again.

The new set comes with two robin’s egg blue stripe bone china mugs and plates, two wine glasses and two cutlery sets, a draw string bag and an insulated flask. In addition, it there are miniature salt and pepper mills, the all-essential corkscrew, and cotton napkins. We love the addition of mugs in this hamper. Perfect for morning picnics with coffee or tea before the sun gets too hot! ($349)

4. Kapitano “Leather Picnic Bag,” Set for 4

From the outside, this navy blue leather case looks like an elegant suitcase. No wicker in sight!  A stunning piece to cherish on any country trip, it is a superb example of fine craftsmanship, meticulous detailing, and elegant design. The hand-stitched wool interior is crafted to accommodate the four plates, four cups, four brass forks, and one brass bottle opener. ($2,400)

5. Vine Living “Exeter Picnic Basket,” Set for 4

This thoughtfully designed picnic basket is set on wheels with retractable 36” trolley handle. It comes with a superior complete service for 4, including a wooden cutting board, knife, waiter’s tool/corkscrew and tablecloth. We love the two separate compartments for organization. The center drawer features a large fully insulated thermal foil lined section that can accommodate hot and cold foods. ($246.99)

6. Amberley Hampers “Safari Picnic Hamper,” Set for 4

This traditionally styled wicker hamper is set apart by its deep and spacious main compartment and interior organization of wicker trays. Cups, saucers and plates are made from fine English gold edged bone china. It includes extras like tempered glass champagne flutes, genuine leather straps, airtight food storage boxes and a pure wool polo rug made with waterproof backing. ($487)

7. California Picnic “Picnic Backpack,” Set for 4

If you’ve ever sat on a lawn for longer than an hour, it can start to take its toll on your back and legs. Why ruin the fun before it even starts? Consider a backpack for equal weight distribution of all your goodies.

This one is handsome and gets great reviews for being strong and durable. Along with a complete set of serveware, utensils and wine classes, we love that this picnic backpack is beach friendly. It comes with an over-sized sand-proof and waterproof blanket. ($79.95)

the best portable gourmet foods for picnicking

Now that you’ve picked out your favorite of the best luxury picnic baskets, consider what goes inside. Though you may already have your tried and true picnic staples, these portable gourmet food items are impossible to resist for a picnic. Moreover, they’re a sure way to add more luxury and interest to your meal.

Tinned Seafood

These salty snacks come straight from the sea and are a classic Mediterranean snack perfect for inclusion in one of the best luxury picnic baskets.

Though Americans normally think of Chicken of the Sea tuna, versions from Portugal, Spain, and France are prized as much for their locally caught fish—notably anchovies, sardines, and tuna—as for their colorful tins.

Other European delicacies include firm chunks of mackerel from Latvia; roasted sprats from Ukraine; and cod liver from Norway, which often comes labeled “by special royal permission of King Oscar.”

new york sources

At New York’s Hudson Yards, tinned fish is sold at retail and at the bar at chef José Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain. Maiden Lane in the East Village also boasts a delightful and eclectic assortment of fine European tinned seafood at their bar and for retail online: anchovies with garlic and chili, octopus in paprika oil, scallops with tomato, cockles in brine.

online sources

Donostia Foods has premium canned tunas that are line-caught in the waters of the Bay of Biscay and prepared in Basque Country. Their Cantabrian anchovies from the waters of northern Spain are wild-caught via sustainable fishing techniques and delivered fresh to the factory, presalted, cured in a “salmuera” brine of water, fat, and sea salt.

Amazon also carries Jose Gourmet tinned fishes which come highly recommended by Bon Appetit.

Pâté and Mousse

If tinned fish isn’t your thing, another source of delectable protein are pâtés and mousses. These cooked meats are spreadable, making them a simple and no-fuss way to add some substance to your picnic.

D’Artagnan’s Mousse Truffée is made form free-range chicken and turkey livers and scented with intense and earthy black truffles.

Chef Daniel Boulud offers a trio of signature French pâtés: Pâté de Canard aux Figues (Duck pâté with Figs), Pâté de Grand-Mère – (Country-style pâté made of pork, chicken liver, onions, parsley, garlic) and Mousse de Foie Gras – (Duck liver mousse).

Finally, consider Bloc de Foie Gras de Canard. Famed French brand Les Trois Petits Cochons created this sublime bloc of pure Foie Gras and Sauternes wine for their 25th anniversary. It’s a classic.

Jams and Spreads

Also on the list of what you need for perfect picnic? Nothing elicits oohs and ahhh like an eclectic assortment of sweet and savory spreads with quirky combinations that make your guests want to try a bit of everything. On bread, with cheese or crudites, they are a must-have.

Some of our favorite savory portable gourmet foods for picnics include:

Fortnum’s Picadilly Piccalilli which seemingly combines everything in our vegetable drawer- fresh cauliflower, onion, gherkin, carrot & green beans.

Love almonds and olives? This unique paste from Oliviers and Co., combines the frank flavor of green olive paste with a delicate sweetness of almonds.

And, butter. So many kinds; so little time. This is technically a year-long butter subscription from Georgia’s Banner Butters. Made from grass-fed, hormone-free cows, the butters have a higher content of butterfat than most butters. And everyone knows that more fat equals more flavor. Flavors for the spring include Sea-Salt, Lavender, Roasted Garlic, and Lemon Chive.

Those with a sweet tooth will love these portable gourmet foods for a picnic:

V Smiley Preserves Cherry Rosehip Hibiscus Honey Jam that is a perfectly balanced, not-too-sweet cherry jam with a gentle herbal profile.

Move over Nutella- this is our new favorite sweet nut spread combining the subtle taste of pistachio with chocolate. Drizzled on brioche or smothered on a piece of toast- it’s all good.

Bring some Southeast Asian flavor to your picnic with Hey Boo’s Coconut Jam, made by slowly cooking eggs, sugar and coconut milk to creamy, spreadable perfection.

Instant Coffee

Wine, champagne, spritzers and juices are a no-brainer when it comes to a picnic. But sometimes, especially if you’re picnicking with small children in the middle of the afternoon, serving some coffee will make you every parent’s hero. Java is on the list of what you need for the perfect picnic in some cases. Luckily, there are great portable gourmet foods for picnics in the instant coffee aisle.

Waka Coffee sources only 100% Arabica beans, which are commonly used in coffee shops, to provide the best taste. Beans are freeze dried to best preserve the coffee’s aroma and depth of flavor resulting in a well balanced, smooth bodied coffee with notes of citrus.

Mount Hagen is consistently rated as one of the best organic instant coffees and the only one that is certified as fair trade. It has a mild, smooth flavor without bitterness or too much acidity.

Starbucks needs no introduction and if you’re addicted to their coffee, the VIA ready brew is predictable and reliably consistent to the taste of a coffee from the store. It also contains more than twice the caffeine of most instant coffees.

Finally, Treeline Coffee Roasters packs high-quality, hand-picked and carefully sourced seasonal coffee. It uses a single-use pour-over brew-in-bag system so there is a little more set-up involved but the taste is worth it.

Everything You Need for the Perfect Picnic

That’s what you need for perfect picnic, dear reader, including the gourmet food. The great outdoors are calling! There’s no better time to enjoy a picnic. Bon Appetit!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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