A specialty food is a food that is typically considered as a "unique and high-value food item made in small quantities from high-quality ingredients". Consumers typically pay higher prices for specialty foods, and may perceive them as having various benefits compared to non-specialty foods.

Compared to staple foods, specialty foods may have higher prices due to more expensive ingredients and labor. Some food stores specialize in or predominantly purvey specialty foods. Several organizations exist that promote specialty foods and its purveyors.

There is no standard definition for "specialty food".

Foods that have been described as specialty foods include:

Some specialty foods may be ethnic specialties.

Foods that have been described as specialty foods as per not precisely corresponding to other food categories include:

In China, specialty foods have been described as having "important roles in the food culture..." Some Chinese recipes may be footnoted with a statement that ingredients may only be available in specialty food stores and Chinese markets.

In the United States, specialty foods and their purveyors are regulated by both federal and state agencies.