What to Buy Hosting & Dining The 15 Best Kitchen Candles of 2023 Banish the smell of last night’s dinner from every corner of your space. By Alyssa Longobucco Updated on October 21, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy of Amazon If you've ever fried or grilled anything in a small apartment, you're likely all too familiar with the smells that can linger from last night's dinner. Sure, the aroma of Sunday sauce or a savory roast can certainly be warm and welcoming, but getting a waft of leftover fried fish, burned bits of bread, or dirty dishes in the sink can be much less appetizing. Sometimes you want to neutralize odors in your kitchen, especially if you're expecting guests or hosting a dinner party. That's where kitchen candles come in handy. Unlike other candles meant to be lit in your home's bedroom or common areas, the best kitchen candles are formulated with vegetal, earthy, and clean fragrance notes to neutralize your cooking area without overpowering the space. Not only are these kitchen candles blended to purposely recreate some of the most delicious ingredients and food memories out there, but they'll keep your kitchen smelling fresh in a way that doesn't feel like you just swallowed a dry mouthful of floral potpourri. From fresh tomato vines and clean, zesty lemon to comforting cinnamon, you'll wonder how you ever lived without these kitchen candles flickering on your stovetop. Who knows — they may just inspire the menu for your next meal, too. Our Top Picks Illume Boulangerie Jar Candle in Whipped Cream & Pear Courtesy of Anthropologie View at Anthropologie If you always crave a little something sweet after dinner, this bespoke candle from Anthropologie is for you. With notes of warm vanilla, fresh pear, whipped cream, and apple peel, this cozy flame smells like you just pulled a fresh crisp out of the oven. Plus, the crackle ceramic jar it comes in looks charmingly vintage. Price at time of publish: $22 Dianne's Custom Candle Store Vanilla Bean Odor Eliminating Candle Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Calling all accident-prone home cooks: If you can commonly be found burning your dinner or leaving ingredients out on the counter overnight, you need this odor-eliminating candle. It can wick away up to 95% of offensive odors ranging from burnt food and pungent odors (hello, fried fish!) to oil and smoke for a kitchen that will smell clean (even if it doesn't look it). Price at time of publish: $15 Lucali and Joya Brooklyn Pizzeria Candles Courtesy of Food52 View at Food52 Poured in a genius collaboration with famous Brooklyn pizza restaurant Lucali, these savory-scented candles are mindblowing because they somehow bottle the scent of an old-school, sauce-laden pizzeria. Choose from a collection of scents, ranging from Erbe E Aromi (a mixture of basil, heirloom tomato, oregano, rosemary, and thyme), Al Forno (meant to mimic the smell of an authentic brick oven), and Aglio, which smells like roasted garlic. Price at time of publish: $49 Mrs. Meyer's Basil Soy Aromatherapy Candle, 2-Pack Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Few things in this world smell better than freshly-picked basil from the garden. This basil-scented soy candle from Mrs. Meyer's has an excellent, crisp fragrance that is both refreshing and grounding, and it acts as an odor neutralizer in the kitchen. This set of candles comes in recyclable glass jars, perfect for gifting or stocking up for your own home. Price at time of publish: $19 Stonewall Kitchen Lemon Parsley Soy Candle Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon When choosing a kitchen candle, you can't go wrong with anything scented with citrus or an herb. These blends tend to be more fresh than saccharine, so they won't overwhelm whatever you're cooking up for the evening. This flame from Stonewall Kitchen combines the best of both worlds with garden-fresh notes of lemon and parsley for a scent that is just noticeable enough. Price at time of publish: $14 Dinner Party Candle Courtesy of Big Night View at Big Night BK Look no further than this soy stunner from Big Night BK for your next dinner party if you're into theming your candles to your occasion. Packed with notes of peppery arugula, basil, lemongrass, amber, and saffron, it will instantly make your guests feel welcome and eager to tuck into a delicious meal — even if it's coming from a takeout box. Price at time of publish: $42 Bottomless Mimosas Candle Courtesy of Anecdote Candles View at Anecdote Candles Were your twenties colored by long Saturday afternoons spent laughing over bottomless pitchers of mimosas and plates of soggy bacon? Then this nostalgia-laden candle is for you. Tinged with notes of fresh blood orange, bergamot, and grapefruit, it's a zesty and energetic candle to burn during your new Saturday morning breakfast routine consisting of pancakes for the kids and lots of coffee for you. Price at time of publish: $26 Kobo Wild Tomato Vine Plant the Box Candle Courtesy of Food52 View at Food52 These vibrant candles are a scented treat and a snack all in one! The produce-inspired scent smells as close to real tomato vines as we've ever experienced in a candle, but that isn't the only feature to write home about. Each of the candles in this collection comes in a biodegradable, seed-infused package that lets you grow the plant the candle is based on for a sensory experience that comes full circle. Price at time of publish: $30 Mala The Brand Cereal Candle Courtesy of Nordstrom View at Nordstrom As an adult, you may be strictly a granola and yogurt type of person, but we're willing to bet you still have a soft spot for the sugary cereals of your youth. Pay tribute to the sweetness of your favorite boxed brands with this Cereal candle from Mala. It has citrus and berry notes for a surprisingly sophisticated take on the childhood breakfast staple. Price at time of publish: $32 Apotheke Tomato Tarragon Jar Candle Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Do you still talk about your honeymoon to Tuscany all these years later? Invest in this Apotheke candle for your kitchen to help complete la dolce vita daydream. It's made from the highest-quality perfume-grade essential oils available and scented with notes of fresh-picked tomatoes, tarragon, and orange zest for a blend inspired by the Tuscan countryside. Price at time of publish: $42 Sweet Water Decor Farmhouse Kitchen Candle Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon What do you see when you picture tucking into a cozy, soul-warming meal? If you imagine a time-worn farmhouse kitchen, you're not alone. This eponymous candle is meant to evoke just that feeling, with cozy notes of apple, bourbon, cinnamon, maple, and vanilla. Light it as you wind down during the evening and work your way through a sink full of dishes to turn the chore into a calming, meditative moment. Price at time of publish: $20 Homesick Candle Grandma's Kitchen Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon For many of us, some of our most formative food moments happened in our grandparent's kitchen. If you have fond memories of making pierogi with Granny or sneaking bites of Nanny's cobbler, this candle will make your heart swell. Meant to capture that sweet-and-sentimental moment in time, it's scented with yummy apple cinnamon, clove, and, of course, butter (because you know Grandma always used the real deal). Price at time of publish: $38 Light On Me Candles Fresh Baked Bread Candle Courtesy of Etsy View at Etsy I think we can all agree there's just something about the smell of freshly baked bread that gets stomachs rumbling. If you love a good carb-laden feast but aren't the type to knead up some sourdough on the weekends, this candle will help you cheat your way to boulangerie status in no time. Price at time of publish: $16 Hazel Candle Co. Morning Brew Soy Candle Courtesy of Etsy View at Etsy Get your java kick in more ways than one each morning with this coffee-scented candle from Hazel Candle Co. This kitchen candle has a comforting-yet-invigorating scent that will jumpstart your day with notes of fresh ground coffee, hazelnut, and cocoa (and topped with real coffee beans!). Price at time of publish: $34 Green Market Candle Courtesy of Keap BK View at Keap BK The traditions we create around food are part of the allure of cooking and spending time in the kitchen. If your weekend isn't complete without a trip to the local farmer's market, this coconut wax candle would be a fitting tribute to your favorite habit. Verdant notes of basil, mint, cucumber and cilantro combine in a recycled vessel for a candle that lives up to its green reputation. Price at time of publish: $55 Boho Time Clean Kitchen Candle Courtesy of Etsy View at Etsy Even if you didn't have the time to wipe down the countertops or run the dishwasher, you can still fake the feel of a freshly-cleaned kitchen with help from this minimalistic candle. It's packed with clean-feeling scents like lemon and lime, which will easily disguise any unsavory smells lingering around after dinner. Who knows, it may even inspire you to deep clean your space. Maybe. Price at time of publish: $21 Our Expertise Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and food stylist living in New York. When she's not diving into the latest in food and home decor, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and son. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit