If your love for travel is rivaled only by your passion for food, then this one’s for you. There’s nothing quite like exploring a new destination through its cuisine—sampling street food from bustling markets, dining at tucked-away restaurants locals swear by, or picking up cooking techniques from grandmas who guard family recipes as if they were national treasures. How do you get straight to the heart of a place’s food culture? By turning to the best travel food guides out there.

This guide is your introduction to the most drool-worthy books, apps, and resources crafted for food-loving travelers. From classics that introduced us to culinary adventures to modern tools tailored to digital wanderers, these travel food guides will have you savoring every moment of your trip.

1. Anthony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential” and “A Cook’s Tour”

For many foodies, the late Anthony Bourdain was a gateway to exploring global cuisine. While not traditional food travel guides, his works are a mix of memoir, cultural exploration, and foodie wanderlust that will inspire your journeys.

Why It’s Great

  • Storytelling with Flavor. Bourdain’s gritty, humorous, and deeply honest tales of his travels give an authentic glimpse into food cultures worldwide.
  • A Feast of Ideas. From Tokyo sushi counters to the street food of Saigon, “A Cook’s Tour” is packed with ideas on where and what to eat.

Recommended For: Travelers craving insight into the connection between food, culture, and storytelling.

How to Use It: Read “A Cook’s Tour” before your next trip to Southeast Asia or Europe to get a taste of the regions through Bourdain’s eyes, and then find modern equivalents of the spots he wrote about.

2. “The Food Traveler’s Handbook” by Jodi Ettenberg

Jodi Ettenberg turned her love of travel and food into a career, and her book is perfect for foodies who want to immerse themselves in culinary exploration without fear of getting “unplugged” from their familiar diets.

Why It’s Great

  • Practical Advice. The book is filled with tips on how to find authentic, safe, and delicious local food while avoiding common traveler pitfalls.
  • Food for Every Budget. From street vendors to fine dining, it caters to every price point.

Recommended For: Adventurous eaters ready to try unfamiliar cuisines and seek out authentic street food.

How to Use It: Pack it for trips to offbeat destinations (like smaller Asian or Latin American towns) where you want a mix of practical and adventurous eating advice.

3. “Where Chefs Eat” by Joe Warwick

Think of this as a food lover’s treasure map. Written by Joe Warwick and backed by renowned chefs worldwide, this guide takes you to Michelin-grade meals and humble local favorites alike.

Why It’s Great

  • Chef-Approved Dining. Find out where the best chefs eat when they’re not working—both fine dining and hole-in-the-wall joints.
  • Insider Recommendations. Each recommendation covers why the chef loves the spot, giving you the feel of a personal referral.

Recommended For: Serious foodies who plan their trips around where to eat, not what to see.

How to Use It: Search for meal stops in advance and snag early reservations for the most popular spots in the guide.

Top Picks From the Guide

  • Locals-only eateries in Japan's smaller cities.
  • Late-night bites in New York City recommended by global culinary stars.

4. “Culinaria” Series

The heavyweight “Culinaria” series dives deep into the food culture of individual countries and regions, including Spain, Southeast Asia, and Italy. This isn’t just a travel guide—it’s an encyclopedia of food, complete with lush visuals.

Why It’s Great

  • Cultural Insights. Each book unpacks the history, techniques, and traditions behind a region’s food.
  • Mouthwatering Photography. Full-page spreads of dishes, markets, and chefs in their element will leave you hungry for more.

Recommended For: Food historians and travelers wanting to go beyond tasting food to understanding its roots.

How to Use It: Choose a region-specific volume to learn what dishes and ingredients are specialties, then use that knowledge to craft your culinary itinerary.

Best Picks in the Series

  • “Culinaria Spain” for those conquering tapas bars.
  • “Culinaria Southeast Asia” for foodies headed to Thailand, Malaysia, or Vietnam.

5. Apps for Digital Foodies

Sometimes your best food travel guide is as close as your smartphone. A few apps take the guesswork out of your culinary adventures without sacrificing authenticity.

Top Contenders

  • Eater’s City Guides - Eater’s app offers expertly curated lists of the must-try restaurants in cities worldwide. If you’re not sure where to start in Tokyo or Paris, this app points you to hot spots loved by locals and critics alike.
  • EatWith - This app connects travelers with local foodies who offer home-cooked meals, cooking classes, or food tours. It’s an incredible way to experience the cuisine and culture of a destination.
  • Foodspotting - A visual feast, this app lets you browse photos of dishes at local restaurants, so you can pick a meal based on what looks most appetizing—and it always delivers.

Recommended For: Tech-savvy foodies looking to eat like locals while traveling.

How to Use It: Have the apps downloaded and operational before you reach your destination to save time and avoid connectivity issues.

6. Regional Food Guides for Food-Centric Trips

Sometimes the best insights come from guides dedicated to just one region’s food offerings. Regional food guides allow you to zero in on flavor-filled trips.

Notable Regional Guides

  • “Tokyo, New York, London - A World of Food,” by Timeout
  • This cool series outlines top restaurant and market picks in foodie capitals, along with tips on cultural food etiquette.
  • “Tasting Paris” by Clotilde Dusoulier
  • A love letter to the city’s patisseries, bistros, and coffee spots, it feels like exploring Paris with a foodie best friend.

Recommended For: Travelers with a single destination in mind—or those obsessed with the culinary legend of a specific location.

How to Use It: Collect inspiration for must-visit restaurants and then enjoy the slower dining experience as you savor your way through these cities.

7. "The Michelin Red Guides"

While Michelin stars symbolize fine dining, their guidebooks (or apps) feature both starred restaurants and more casual spots worth seeking out.

Why It’s Great

  • Historic Prestige. Michelin has set dining standards for over a century, and its recommendations are trusted.
  • Wide Reach. Locations cover foodie hubs across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond.

Recommended For: Luxury-loving foodies who aren’t afraid to splurge on high-end meals.

Pro Tip: Download the app to keep updated on the latest additions and restaurant reviews.

At the end of the day, the best way to explore a destination’s food isn’t always written in a guide. Use these guides and resources to narrow down your options, but leave wiggle room for spontaneity. Ask locals, follow your nose through the alleyway, and never underestimate the charm of a surprise discovery.