The one thing hindering our enjoyment of the summer holidays is the prospect of finding parking in over-crowded shopping malls and rushing to get the last of that item on the shelf. Luckily, there’s an alternative: shopping online. These days, you can get everything from artisan food and chocolate to flowers, cookbooks and kitchen tools on the internet. Not sure where to look? Not to worry; here 45 online stores where you’ll find all kinds of foodie gifts. Best order soon – deadlines are ticking away fast.

Countrywide

Kitchen tools

The Baking Tin
Specialist baking ingredients, bulk chocolate, baking accessories, ready-made icing and decorations.

Banks
Cookware, bakeware, chefs’ clothing, crockery, cutlery, knives, cooking appliances and gadgets.

Chefs Warehouse
Kitchen equipment, ingredients and miscellaneous foodie goods.

Italian Lifestyle
Coffee and tea, coffee machines and other coffee gadgets, as well as other kitchen accessories. The new Sanelli Professional knives are now in stock and make the perfect foodie gift.

Le Creuset
Get the beautiful classic cookware, crockery and other kitchen tools delivered to your door.

Yuppiechef
Premium cookware, tools, knives, appliances, bakeware, bar and wine supplies, coffee and tea accessories, cookbooks and tableware are all available through Yuppiechef and delivery is free of charge anywhere within South Africa.

Gift ideas

2 Give
Snack and gourmet hampers.

BiltongSA
Baskets made to order from a selection of biltong, droëwors, snacks, and biltong accessories.

Checkers
Wine and platters for catering services made to order.

Main Ingredient
Gourmet foods, ingredients and fine wines.

Nomu
Cooking and baking ingredients like stocks, various rubs, grinders and hot chocolate.

Not the mall.co.za
Get everyday stuff like tea and coffee as well as tableware, barware and cutlery.

Olives South Africa
Table olives, olive oil and related food products, nuts, olive oil-based body care products, gift boxes and olive-based health supplements.

Padstal.com
Artisanal products made by small producers in the Langeveld Valley, such as chutneys and chillies, balsamic, dried fruit and nuts, honey, jams, jellies, and olive products. Deliveries are made all over South Africa, from Cape Town to Messina.

Send Gifts Home
Make up your own gift hamper from a selection of coffee, wine, whiskey, biltong and more.

UK Emporium
Groceries imported from the UK such as HobNob biscuits and Minstrels.

Cookbooks

Kalahari
Thousands of books on all topics, including a variety of cookbooks.

Loot
A vast selection of books related to food and drink.

Deli Diletto
Bulk deli products including various fruits in preserve and brands like Eat Art, Feast de Renaissance, Khoisan Salt, Rozendal Vinegars, Ukuva iAfrika, Chaloner and more.

Flowers

Flowers on Kensington
Bunches of flowers, plants, baskets and gift hampers.

Petals and Twigs
Blooms, arrangements, gift hampers and wedding flowers.

Teleflorist
Bunches, baskets, vases and plants, delivered countrywide and abroad.

Sweet stuff

Bake by Gabriella
A wide range of specialized baked goods such as macaroons, tarts and gourmet cupcakes, as well as wheat and gluten-free goodies.

The Chocolate Tier
Buy chocolate truffles, gift baskets and hampers, chocolate fountains, decadent dessert tables and chocolate experiences online.

zChocolat.com
Fine French chocolates, beautifully packaged according to your specifications and delivered via DHL.

Tea and coffee

Kupa Coffee
Good quality coffee and exotic teas.

Peacock Tea and Coffee
A variety of flavoured and plain teas and coffees, and coffee accessories from several different brands.

Wine

Cyber Cellar
Wine, mixed cases and gift vouchers.

GetWine
Labelled and unlabelled bottles, imported and local offerings, mixed cases, vouchers, whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum and gifts. You can even order your own personalised label.

WineWeb
Kosher wine, organic wine, alcohol-free drinks and brandy.

Eco-friendly/health-conscious

Faithful to Nature
Organic food, growing seeds, supplements, and much more delivered to you.

Fresh Earth
Organic, eco-friendly, health-focused food and groceries, supplements and remedies. Also get wellness advice and healthy eating plans.

Greenlove
Organic, all-natural, additive-free food and groceries, body care, home care and home accessories. Product ranges include skin care products, aromatherapy oils, mother and baby products, natural home-care products, organic foods and even organic coffee.

Rawlicious
Raw superfoods such as organic raw goji berries, raw cacao powder, organic maca powder, hemp seeds and more, as well as supplements, equipment and books on raw food and superfoods.

Wellness Warehouse
Organic food products, supplements, baby food and more.

Johannesburg

Cupcake Boutique
Cupcakes in every flavour from decadent favourites like Lindt, Ferrero Rocher and Black Forest to custom-made cupcakes to suit your occasion.

Deli Fresh
Get local, international and artisanal foods delivered to your door.

Geldhof Chocolatier
Made with a closely-guarded recipe, these Belgian chocolates are smooth, rich and made with good quality ingredients. Choose from truffles, ganache logs and hot chocolate spoons.

Sharp Edge
Everything you might need to chop, slice, cut, peel and mash in the kitchen, delivered to your door.

Cape Town

Ethical Co-op
Ethically and organically-grown produce and other organic products are delivered on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Fine Food
Selected producers of fine food and beverages in the Western Cape.

The Rose Café
Buy long-stemmed roses in single stems or bunches made up to your specifications.

eBooze
Wine (including some organic wines), beer, cider and other alcoholic beverages delivered to your door within an hour. There's also a handy gift card system if you're treating someone.

Winelands

Okasie
Order the favourites plus exotic blooms like gardenias, celosias, hydrangeas and dahlias grown by the owners themselves.

Garden Route

Your Green Box
Turn your living space into an “eco-friendlier” environment. Browse through a variety of organic goods, green cleaning products and environmentally-friendly toiletries.

By Kelly Pluke

Photographs: Katharine Jacobs, Yuppiechef, Voxtheory, Le Creuset, Padstal.com, Le Creuset, Padstal.com, aSIMULAtor and Mike_Fleming.