For centuries, the romantic notion of dining outside has captivated people around the world. The Parisians take their morning coffee perched at cafe tables on the sidewalks. The Malaysians slurp laksa at outdoor hawker centers, and the English flock to pubs for a pint at picnic tables. Americans are no exception. We love to dine al fresco.
While you can eat outside at many restaurants, there’s something magical about a picnic. Packing a basket full of your favorite picnic foods, cheese and wine, and then heading out into nature to find the perfect place to lay down your blanket sounds like a dream but can become a quick reality with the proper tools.
One of the most important things you need to make a picnic is a picnic basket. Such a basket should hold all your food, any utensils and plates you need as well as something to drink. It should also be easy to carry to your intended picnic spot.
If you don’t already have a viable basket at home, we’ve rounded up the 12 best picnic baskets available. Read on to discover the right choice for your next outdoor dining adventure.
1. Juvale Deluxe Double Lid Picnic Basket
BEST OVERALL
The Juvale Deluxe Double Lid Picnic Basket has everything you need to make a picnic for a group of four. The set includes four plates, cutlery, a salt and a pepper shaker, a corkscrew, four glasses and a natural wicker basket. In addition, the basket is lined with cotton for protection and features compartments for the different contents you need to carry. But, perhaps the best part of this basket, is the built-in, insulated cooler bag for keeping your food and drinks either warm or cold.
Buy: Juvale Deluxe Double Lid Picnic Basket
2. Vintiquewise Woodchip Picnic Basket
BEST VALUE
You don’t always need dozens of bells and whistles in a picnic basket. Sometimes, you just need a solid basket to fill with your own utensils and culinary creations. If that’s the case, consider the Vintiquewise Woodchip Picnic Basket. Woven from natural wood chip, this basket features strong, movable handles and a solid lid to keep bugs and other critters out of your picnic. Plus, when you’re not using this basket for transporting food, you could also use it for storage or display around the house.
3. Olli Ella Mini White & Brown Rattan Picnic Basket
BEST MINI
For small picnics or simply transporting snacks while you’re on the go, the Olli Ella Mini White & Brown Rattan Picnic Basket does the job and looks amazing at the same time. This basket is handwoven from rattan and available in several different colors. It was designed with kids in mind by the two sisters who founded Olli Ella. They use sustainable materials to create useful items from classic designs with a hint of childhood whimsy thrown in.
4. Picnic Time Blue & White Stripe Picnic Basket
MOST TRADITIONAL
If you’re looking for a picnic basket that makes you feel like you’re living out a French fairytale, the Picnic Time Blue & White Stripe Picnic Basket is the choice for you. Imagine loading up this basket with your favorite picky foods, a baguette, a bottle of wine and a picnic blanket, then throwing it over your arm as you walk through the meadow to the perfect picnic spot. The simple yet well designed basket features a split lid, so accessing all your goodies is simple, even when you’re hungry. And, it has a removable lining so that you can easily clean up any accidental spills after your picture perfect picnic.
5. Nature Gear XL Picnic Backpack
BEST BACKPACK
Carrying a picnic basket on your arm isn’t always practical, especially if you need to take a longer walk to your picnic site. For such instances, having a picnic basket, like the Nature Gearl XL Picnic Backpack which you can carry on your back, is ideal. This backpack comes with everything you need to throw a picnic for four people, including four dinnerware sets, a waterproof blanket and a wine cooler. There’s even a wooden cutting board and a bottle opener. As an added bonus, the bag is also temperature controlled thanks to a custom lining that maintains both warm and cold temperatures for longer than normal wicker baskets.
Buy: Nature Gear XL Picnic Backpack $64.90
6. VAULTSAC Picnic Basket Set
BEST BUILT-IN TABLE
Sometimes, eating off a blanket on the ground isn’t practical. The VAULTSAC Picnic Basket Set solves this problem by including a built-in table. The 15 by 11-inch bamboo table top can either be used by folding it out of the basket but leaving it attached or by driving it into the ground with the included stake. This picnic basket also comes with four ceramic plates, four stainless steel cutlery sets, four wine glasses, four napkins, a bottle opener and a picnic blanket. The table itself has cut outs for holding the included wine glasses, and there is a wine bottle holder attached to the outside of the basket.
Buy: VAULTSAC Picnic Basket Set $79.95
7. Joss & Main Picnic Basket Set
BEST SET
Escape reality on a vineyard-inspired retreat with the Joss & Main Picnic Basket Set. This willow basket features an integrated woven handle, a fully-lined interior and a roll-up silverware pouch. It also comes with two plates, two wine glasses, two cutlery sets and one stainless steel corkscrew. If you’re looking for a wedding or anniversary present, this picnic basket is a great option.
8. Freeport Park Largo Picnic Basket
BEST FOR WINE
The elegant yet classic design of the Freeport Park Largo Picnic Basket makes it ideal for picnicking anywhere you might be seen, like at a polo match, at a social event or in the park. The set includes the wicker basket, two plates, two forks, two knives, two spoons, two napkins and a waiter’s tool. In addition, the basket boasts two divided compartments at the front to hold wine or other bottled beverages. We recommend filling the basket with cheeses and fruits of your choice and grabbing a bottle of wine for a romantic date with this picnic accessory on your arm.
9. Picnic Time Pioneer Natural Wood Picnic Basket
BEST NON-WICKER
Whether you don’t like the wicker look or you prefer to picnic in adventurous settings (like the African savannah, for example), the Picnic Time Pioneer Natural Wood Picnic Basket is the ideal companion. This original Picnic Time design features a wooden frame with a canvas interior and exterior as well as a leatherette-wrapped handle. It includes two plates, two hand-blown wine glasses, two cutlery sets, two napkins, a salt and pepper set, a corkscrew, a cutting board, a cheese knife, one food storage container and a picnic blanket. In other words, it has everything you need for a cheese and wine service for two.
10. Champion Picnic Basket Set
BEST DESIGN
The design details of the Champion Picnic Basket Set make it as beautiful as it is functional. The woven willow basket boasts a cotton lining, leather straps and gorgeous, brass-finished hardware. The hinged lid is even held in place by the leather straps to prevent any accidental spillage during transportation. In addition, the basket comes with a premium picnic set of two wine glasses, two stainless steel knives, two forks, two spoons, two napkins, two porcelain plates and a corkscrew. Furthermore, the 16-by-11-inch basket can hold all of that plus your food and drink with ease.
11. Picnic at Ascot London Plaid Sussex Picnic Basket
BEST EXTRAS
Perhaps the most unique picnic basket on our list in terms of shape, the Picnic at Ascot London Plaid Sussex Picnic Basket dazzles with its dome top shape. The full reed willow basket folds open from the top of the dome to reveal a large carrying space under the sturdy top carrying handle. Inside, the basket comes with two ceramic plates, two cotton napkins, two wine glasses, two sets of flatware, a corkscrew, salt and pepper shakers, two mugs, a coffee flask and a fleece blanket. This picnic set also includes a convenient food cooler, so you don’t have to worry about the summer weather ruining your meal.
12. Highlander Picnic Basket
BEST SPLURGE
You can think of the Highlander Picnic Basket as the Swiss Army Knife of picnics. That’s because it has everything you’ll ever need to host a delightful picnic, except for the food, of course. The basket comes with four plates, four wine glasses, four cutlery sets, a cheese knife, a corkscrew, a food storage container, salt and pepper shakers, a cutting board, a wine duffel and a quilted, red tartan picnic blanket to match. The basket itself is adorned with red tartan accents, has a place to strap in all the accessories and boasts two sturdy, movable handles for convenient carrying.
Everything You Need to Plan a Romantic Picnic With Your Partner