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The foodie books every traveller with an appetite should read

By Stacey Smith

Until the hold on our physical travels has been lifted, we’ll be combining two of our greatest loves, gastronomy and adventure, and living vicariously through our favourite foodie books with a wandering spirit. Delve into offbeat stories, take inspiration from brand new recipes and allow vivid photography to provide a temporary distraction from reality. Our pages of culinary globetrotting take us to the backstreets of Tokyo , to feel the Californian sunshine on our skin, and through the French countryside in search of the very best croissants. So without further ado, allow these multi-sensory titles to transport you to far-flung destinations without even leaving your sofa.

Hungry by Jeff Gordinier, £16.99

When René Redzepi (the brains behind two-Michelin-starred restaurant Noma) decides he is moving operations to Mexico and wants you to come along for the ride, you pack your bags and go. This is the story of Noma 2.0 told by Gordinier, who was then writing for The New York Times and dealing with his own personal battles. Little did he know that by accepting Redzepi’s offer, he’d find himself on a four-year adventure with one of the world’s most famous chefs.

Midnight Chicken and Other Recipes Worth Living For by Ella Risbridger, £22

A cookbook but not quite as you know it, Midnight Chicken reminds us how restorative the simple act of making food can be, with the power to save us when we’re at our very lowest. It’s beautifully written and charmingly illustrated, and Risbridger has stuffed it full of uplifting recipes. There’s her roasted chicken, for example, or the comforting garlic and tomato soup, which she leads us through while showing us the complexities of grief and mental-health issues. The sort of cooking you’ll almost certainly want to attempt with a glass of wine in one hand.

My Last Supper by Jay Rayner, £16.99

What would be your death-row dinner? A question we’ve probably all considered but one the restaurant critic gets asked more than any other. So in an attempt to give a definitive answer, Rayner looks back at his life in characteristically witty, laugh-out-loud detail. Personal and gripping, his quest for the most treasured ingredients sees him eating oysters in Essex and searching for sourdough in San Francisco .

Be My Guest by Priya Basil, £12.99

With hospitality as we know it going through unprecedented times, it seems a particularly poignant moment to delve into Be My Guest . In this thought-provoking, warm read, Basil relates stories from her life and years spent in Kenya, India, Britain and Germany and reflects on the multifaceted nature of food and our relationships with it, examining ‘the one universal, daily activity that underpins human life’.

One More Croissant for the Road by Felicity Cloake, £14.99

Felicity Cloake (author of The Guardian ’s 'How to cook the perfect…' series) spends the summer cycling around France , stopping off at towns and villages famous for the regional dishes named after or created in them. A truly joyful read that will make you want to pack your panniers, stuff your basket with baked goods and get on the road.

Black Sea by Caroline Eden, £25

Part travelogue, part cookbook, Black Sea takes us on an adventure through Ukraine, Istanbul and Turkey, regaling us with locals’ stories and spoiling us with the region’s culinary highlights along the way. Complete with vivid photography, Eden’s book will give you a fresh perspective on this part of the world while inspiring foodie exploration with recipes for Odessan coleslaw and Black Sea börek .

Tokyo Stories by Tim Anderson, £26

To say Masterchef winner Tim Anderson lives and breathes Japanese culture would be an understatement. So who better than the chef behind Brixton’s much-loved Nanban restaurant to take us on this journey? Tokyo Stories focuses on the complexities of food in Japan’s capital, divided into chapters from ‘lower-ground floor’, in which we learn about the unexpected gastronomic treasures found in subway stations, to ‘fifth floor’, which covers modern, experimental dishes. There’ll be plenty of ingredients you’ve never heard of and many more you’ll struggle to get hold of but, really, that’s not the point.

California: Living + Eating by Eleanor Maidment, £22

We could all do with a little Cali sunshine right now, which is exactly what Maidment delivers with this collection of seasonal recipes set against a road trip of the USA state. From poké bowls to breakfast burritos, the Golden State’s fusion-food influences have already irreversibly permeated British palates for the better, and that doesn’t look set to change any time soon. For anyone who dreams of jumping in the car and hitting the highway one day, this one’s for you. Published by Hardie Grant , £22

Roxy Kavousi-Walker

Lauren Burvill

Alessia Armenise

Stacey Lastoe

Falastin: A Cookbook by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley, £28

From the co-authors behind some of our most heavily used cookbooks ( Ottolenghi: The Cookbook; Jerusalem ) comes Falastin . In it we meet the yogurt-making ladies of Bethlehem, the woman behind the impressive Palestinian seed-library project and Islam Abu Aouda, a refugee who gives cookery lessons from within her camp. Published by Penguin , £28

Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi, £14.99

To be in a position to write a memoir under the age of 30 is somewhat remarkable, but then Onwuachi has not had a typical career. This book tells of his childhood growing up in the Bronx, relates his time in rural Nigeria, sent by his mother to ‘learn respect’, and charts his seemingly overnight success as one of the USA’s most anticipated chefs, in an account on the intersectionality of race, fame and food.

Copenhagen Food by Trine Hahnemann, £25

We’ve no doubt that you’ll be booking the first flight out to Copenhagen as soon as lockdown is over after reading this personable travel-guide-come-cookbook. Hahnemann lived in the heart of our favourite Danish city for more than 40 years, and there’s no one better to show us the best bakeries, food markets and street-food gems in town. But until we can visit for ourselves, we’ll be practising some of the 70 recipes woven throughout.

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15 Books About Food & Travel That Saved Me During the Pandemic

Books about Food and Travel!

How did books about food and travel save me during the COVID pandemic? They provided me a way to escape during a challenging time and envelope myself in a world that means so much to me. Exploring interesting destinations, reading about exciting adventures, and real-life memoirs about chefs and food entrepreneurs is my passion. In addition to a personal escape, reading as much as I do helps to make me a better writer! As a brand ambassador and travel writer, the lockdown was particularly agonizing because I wasn’t planning and experiencing travel, nor was I working.

Some days were slow and relaxed, while others were depressing and sad. Most of us felt this way during the Quarantine, right? Confusion, sadness, and a longing for normality were the catalyst for my positive, uplifting reading choices.

My Book Club

I cannot continue to write about my reading life without acknowledging my online book club, Modern Mrs. Darcy . It was created several years ago by author Anne Bogel and her team. I joined on the first day, which coincided with my move to Pasadena, where I lived 50 miles from my in-person book club. The timing was perfect! The MMD Bookclub has been an exhilarating online community for me to indulge in my bookish needs and fuel my heart and soul with information to help me thrive. It was especially beneficial while living in COVID limbo. (I know, we still are living it!)

There are monthly book picks, suggested titles to accompany the selected book, a Summer Reading Guide, author chats, book discussions, online forums, zoom classes, and so much more. Yes, you too should join!

Wonderful Books About Food and Travel That I Loved!

I narrowed my long list of recent books to fifteen to keep this post more manageable, but I am always interested in talking about all books! My TBR (to be read) list is still super long, but so is my FB (finished book) list! I have been keeping a book journal since 2005. I jot down the title, author, and two sentences describing the plot/main characters and give a star rating. My memory is not what it used to be, so this list helps me keep track of what I read!

For this post, I started with ten titles in my head, but when I sat down to decide which books to write about, I kept thinking, but no, they need to know about this one … and this one… and this one! I had to stop, so fifteen it is for now. Some of them I already owned, I purchased new paper copies and I also read a lot of ebooks I purchased on my iPad,

My iPad can hold so many titles and is perfect for travel. I cannot live without it! I wrote a funny post about the time I lost it in an airport lounge. You can read about that HERE!

The titles in no particular order:

Click HERE to get to the entire list of books and see the covers!

 Kitchen Confidential – Anthony Bourdain

One of the most irreverent books I have read on the subject of restaurant kitchens and chefs. I read this book years ago and decided it was time for a re-read. Anthony Bourdain was a maverick and took us inside places we haven’t seen. In addition to his books, Anthony Bourdain traveled the world and shared his stories and adventures through his television show No Reservations . My husband and I are currently watching the new CNN Travel Show with Stanley Tucci. I like this new version, but I dearly miss Bourdain’s wit and insight.

The Kitchens of the Great Midwest – J. Ryan Stradal

This is a quirky, yet super interesting novel that follows the lives and kitchens of characters living in the Midwest. It was surprising and clever and the February main pick of Modern Mrs Darcy. Anne Bogel recently interviewed the author during a Zoom event. It was terrific.

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living – Louise Miller

This is a completely charming story of a small town in Vermont with a cast of lovely characters; add the baking and culinary adventures, and the book is perfect for me. Louise Miller is a delightful person and has just written another terrific book, called The Late Bloomers Club . Anne Bogel hosted a wonderful author chat with her too, and I was captivated!

Living in a Foreign Language  and  I Never Forget a Meal – Michael Tucke r

A reader of Adventures of Empty Nesters wrote to me and shared these books by actor Michael Tucker. You may remember him and his wife Jill Eikenberry from the popular television series LA Law. Michael writes about their adventures buying, renovating, and living in Umbria, Italy. Each of these books is a gorgeous and delicious travelogue of my favorite country. I ate them up quickly! 

But Mama Always Put Vodka in the Sangra – Julia Reed

I don’t know how I discovered this book, but her sense of humor and storytelling abilities warmed my heart and made me laugh out loud. This book covers a lot of ground and offers some great insight into her Southern roots and her worldwide travels. Loved it!

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time – Moira Hodgson

Not sure where I found this gem either, but I gobbled it up in just a few days. The author is the daughter of a British Foreign Service Officer and spent her childhood in many strange and exotic places. She discovered American food in Saigon, ate wild boar in Berlin, and learned how to prepare potatoes from her eccentric Irish grandmother. Her stories of living in Berlin just after the war blew my mind. I was spellbound, and she introduced me to new destinations and culinary adventures.

Cork Dork – Bianca Bosker

I wanted to know more about wine and found this engaging book by journalist Bianca Bosker. She didn’t know much about wine—until she discovered an alternate universe where taste reigns supreme, a world of elite sommeliers who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of flavor. 

Astounded by their fervor and seemingly superhuman sensory powers, she set out to uncover what drove their obsession and whether she, too, could become a “cork dork.” She took me inside this world of sommeliers; I learned a great deal and will never look at wine the same way again.

Mastering the Art of French Eating and The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah

I read both of these intriguing and tasty books by journalist Ann Mah. The first title was a MMD Book pick, and the second one, I searched her back titles for more! She moved to Paris with her diplomat husband, but he had to be called away to another country and so she lived alone in the City of Lights. 

It follows her Parisian discoveries as well as touches on her own passions for cooking and for eating. I followed Mastering the Art … with The Last Vintage , which I paired with Cork Dork I mentioned above.

Book Pairings

I cannot take credit for the term “book flight”; this is all Modern Mrs. Darcy. But like a wine flight, a book flight is when you pair books that would go well together and enhance your reading experience.

I created my own “book flight” with Cork Dork and The Lost Vintage . I took the metaphor to a new level by choosing books actually about wine! The Last Vintage jumps back and forth between an intriguing story from today and a gripping family saga. A woman returns to her family’s ancestral vineyard in Burgundy to study for her Master of Wine test. She uncovers a lost diary, a forgotten relative, and a secret her family has been keeping since World War II. Loved it! 

The pairing of the two books was genius (if I do say so), and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

L’appart “The Delights and Disasters of Making Paris Home”- David Lebowitz

When the author began to update his Paris apartment, the renovation adventures were piled high with problems. I love his sense of humor, and I was captivated from the first page. The book is also full of tasty recipes and colorful anecdotes. 

Paris is one of my favorite destinations, and it was fun to see it from the inside and an American’s perspective.

Travels with Charley in Search of America – John Steinbeck

You may have heard of this great writer, John Steinbeck? Lol. I have always loved his work and realized I had never read Travels with Charley . Steinbeck takes a road trip across the US with his dog Charley for three months.

Besides his prolific prose, what I loved most about this book was his need to get to know the people he met along the way. He hid the fact that he was a famous writer and just engaged each person without his notoriety getting in the way. I felt like I could get to know him as a human and found the book quite special.

Picnic in Provence – Elizabeth Bard

New Yorker Elizabeth Bard and her french husband, take a trip to Provence to a small town called Céreste, fall in love with the area, buy a home and raise their child here in rural France.

I don’t want to give too much away, but these culinary entrepreneurs create some delicious ideas, and this memoir follows their inspirational journey. I did not want the book to end!

Slow Your Roll – Meg S. Maloney

This last and final suggestion is Slow Your Roll , written by my talented UCLA sorority sister, Meg Maloney. She bravely decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. She shares her emotions, anecdotes, and inspiring commentary on the 550 mile walk across Spain. 

She enjoyed this adventure alone, successfully navigated her way, and walked 15 to 20 miles each day! I am proud of her and enamored with the entire book. I highly recommend reading this captivating story.

London Fog – My Newest Indulgence While Reading

A London Fog consists of tea, two teaspoons of Torani French Vanilla Syrup, and steamed milk. My favorite tea is Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Supreme. The ingredients are listed in my Amazon Store too !

Final Thoughts

I realize there are fifteen books here, and the list may be too long. However, that is what a TBR list is for! File the titles away for another day or another year when you want to read more books about food and travel.

I am not a book reviewer, just someone who is passionate about reading, and these titles truly saved me during a pretty rough year.

I created a special book shopping list through my Amazon Store , and as an affiliate, I earn a small commission.

Happy Reading!

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12 thoughts on “15 Books About Food & Travel That Saved Me During the Pandemic”

What a wonderful list Suzanne! More travel is ahead for us all! -Debbie

Thank you so much Debbie!

You must read My Berlin Kitchen. It’s so good!

Thank you so much! It is in my TBR kindle list! I will move it to the top!

Somehow I missed the Julia Reed book all these years. What a great title!

It was such a great book!

I realize that I also read a lot of books about food and travel (since I’ve read half of these). Nonetheless, I added 8 books to my TBR. What a fun idea / project! And, it is always fun to see Modern Mrs. Darcy bookclub mentioned. I am a member, too. Good for you for doing a blog, I just subscribed.

Hi Megan! Thanks so much for reading and for taking a moment to comment and subscribing. My blog and website is 7 years old!

Mastering the Art of French Eating is one of my favourite foodie reads too! Have you ever read any of Ruth Reichl’s books? I love Garlic and Sapphires – her memoir of being a food critic for the New York Times and having to disguise herself so that she wouldn’t receive preferential treatment at various restaurants. Girl by Sea by Penelope Green is a wonderful autobiography of an Australian girl who moves to Procida, Italy, for love and includes many delicious Italian recipes.

Hi Vani: Yes I have read all of Ruth’s books! I did like Garlic and Sapphires, I have not read Girl by Sea, thank you for the recommendation. I only wrote about 15 books, but I could write several more with 15 books each! Books about food and travel are my favorite. If you have other recommendations, I would love to know about them. Thanks again!

Just came upon your online blog and website (via Modern Miss Darcy) and signed up. In the late 60’s an 70″s, I lived in Paris, France, for 13 years and travelled a lot. I worked at LOOK magazine there and ended up married to a Frenchman (and his family) for 8 of those years. However, returned to the States in 1979, and have been remarried in St. Louis for the last 41 years. But more to the point, two travel books that were my Bibles were : WITHOUT RESERVATIONS (2000) by Alice Steinback (Pulitzer Prize writer award) and EDUCATING ALICE (2004) by Aice Steinback. Don’t miss these two books if you’re interested in experiences abroad and traveling the world. Enjoy!

Hi Melinda – Thank you so much for visiting and for sharing your story and book recommendations! I appreciate it so much.

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Food and Travel (Through Books) During a Pandemic

Jaime Herndon

Jaime Herndon finished her MFA in nonfiction writing at Columbia, after leaving a life of psychosocial oncology and maternal-child health work. She is a writer, editor, and book reviewer who drinks way too much coffee. She is a new-ish mom, so the coffee comes in extra handy. Twitter:  @IvyTarHeelJaime

View All posts by Jaime Herndon

I’ve never been a huge traveler, but in the last 5–10 years I’ve wanted to travel more. Of course, now that I have a 4-year-old, that’s changed things as well. When it wasn’t always feasible for me to travel where I wanted to (hello graduate school, paying back loans, and parenthood), I have often turned to books and travel guides, which I’ve written about before. I have a pile of Lonely Planet and Moon guides on a shelf and a bunch of other books like travelogues and anthologies related to travel sitting next to my work desk.

Especially since the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, I’ve felt the impulse to travel (or at least leave the house) more. Obviously that won’t be happening anytime soon, so I’ve had to make do with books. Not only have I found myself gravitating to books about nature, but also to books about travel and different geographical locations—and many of these also involve food or cooking. Some books I’ve read aren’t categorized as either of these but contain elements of both. I don’t know what it is, but somehow, it all works together, the food and travel. Maybe it’s because food and geography can be so intertwined with one another.

Books have allowed me to travel these last few months, if only on the page—and I’ve learned a lot not only about places and locations, but about food and cuisine as well. I have read about family traditions and recipes, foodie obsessions and deep dives into food cultures, and devoured poems about favorite meals. As a relative newbie to food writing and a complete novice in the kitchen, it’s been interesting. The interaction between food, place, memory, and story has transported me countless times. It may not be as fun (or as tasty) as actually going to these places or eating the food, but books have been a nice respite. These are some of my favorites.

American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World by Joe Berkowitz

Unlike most people, I’ve never been a huge cheese fan. Sure, I liked it well enough, but nothing major. That might have changed over the course of reading this book. The passion that Berkowitz brings to these pages could turn anyone into a cheese lover, and the descriptions of trying various kinds of cheeses made me hungry just reading them. After an innocent night out one Valentine’s Day, an encounter with cheese sent Berkowitz down the rabbit hole and on a journey of exploring the subculture of cheese and artisan cheesemaking. From France to New York City to Wisconsin, Berkowitz brings the reader along on a mouth-watering tour of the world of cheese and the people that love it.

The Carolina Table: North Carolina Writers on Food Edited by Randall Kenan

I went to school and lived in North Carolina for a time, and ever since I left nine years ago, I’ve missed it every day. The people, the geography, the food…the food. This book was a balm to my soul. Food can tell you a lot about a place, and this collection of food-related stories set all over NC and from a variety of cultures does just that, with contributors like Lee Smith, Jaki Shelton Greene, Wiley Cash, and Jill McCorkle. Randall Kenan is the editor, and his introduction to the book is a masterpiece in itself. There are stories about family conflicts, sharing Shabbat meals with friends, holiday rituals, and opining about Carolina barbecue. The recipes included in the book are an added bonus, too.

Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose by Nikki Giovanni

I’ve loved Giovanni’s poetry since reading Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day back in college, and her new one did not disappoint. Where does this book fit into this list, you might ask? These poems and short prose pieces describe living in America as a Black woman, dealing with racism and white nationalism, celebrations with her family, sexism, culinary favorites and picnics, and police brutality. These pieces explore America. She travels to Ferguson, to the courtroom with Dr. Ford, to the 1960s and Malcolm X, and to Virginia Tech—but she also writes about vegetable soup, fruit, biscuits and pancakes, and much more. To read this is to be transported. Nikki Giovanni’s writing is such that reading a poem one, two, three times is never enough—there is always more below the surface, and I love that about her. Her writing comforts and confronts, dissects and celebrates, and feels urgent and necessary right now. If you’ve read her before, this is one you need to pick up, and if you haven’t, then you’re in for a treat.

Best American Food Writing 2020 Edited by J. Kenji López-Alt and Silvia Killingsworth

I love this book because it’s the perfect combination of essays and food writing and travel, all rolled into one. These pieces deal with topics like white supremacy and “authenticity” ratings, the atmosphere in the kitchen, the cultural history of foods and appropriation, making restaurants accessible to disabled diners, disappearing supermarkets and what comes next, and much more. The tone of each piece varies, and that’s one of the things I love about these books—you never know what the next essay will entail, and in this volume, it’s a pleasant surprise for nearly every single piece. From Portland to New York to Illinois, and from Benihana to Per Se to Jeni’s ice cream, this book was a trip—in the best possible way.

The Deepest South of All: True Stories from Natchez, Mississippi by Richard Grant

Natchez, Mississippi, has the highest concentration of antebellum mansions in the south and still puts on ritual celebrations of the old south, but they also elected a gay Black man as mayor, with more than 90% of the vote. The town is eccentric, progressive, and quirky, but stubbornly holds onto racist, outdated traditions. To an outsider, this doesn’t make any sense. Grant decided to go down to Natchez to explore the town and its history, and the community he found there is reminiscent of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: a cast of unforgettable characters and a backstory worth diving into more deeply.

The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School in Paris by Kathleen Flinn

For all my ineptitude in the kitchen, I love watching the Food Network and reading about cooking. This is Flinn’s story of how she lost her corporate job at 36 and decided to use her savings to move to Paris and got a spot at Le Cordon Blue, the famous cooking school. It gives the reader an inside look at what really goes on in the kitchen, and the detail in her food writing is lush—how to prepare the food, what the food tastes like, and all the sensory details. She blends food writing with travel writing when she writes about living in Paris, and this book is a great way to escape a bit into the bustle of Paris.

Salt Fat Acid Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat and Wendy MacNaughton

Okay, this one might seem like a weird addition to this list but hear me out: it’s so much more than a cookbook. It’s food writing, a manual of flavor, and a jumping-off point to travel—especially when paired with the Netflix miniseries of the same name. The illustrations are delightful, and it’s fun to read. Nosrat looks at flavors around the world and how ingredients are used in different regions. Even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen, this book is a fun read and good to have around for occasional forays into the food world.

Have you been reading to escape while unable to travel?

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13 Best Travel Food Books

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The best travel food books are the ones that feed your wanderlust and culinary curiosity. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or just dreaming about it, reading about food and travel can be just as satisfying as the real thing.

From memoirs to cookbooks, these books will take you on a tasty journey to different cultures and cuisines.

So, are you ready to add some new titles to your reading menu?  I’ve put together a list of books that are sure to whet your appetite for your food travel obsession . So, grab a snack, find a cozy spot, and let’s dive into the world of foodie travel literature.

*Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission when you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I use or really like and would personally recommend to a friend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

But first, Anthony Bourdain . 

To me, any list of foodie travel books must begin with Anthony Bourdain

His extensive knowledge and passion for food and travel, combined with his storytelling abilities, inspired many to travel, taste new foods, and appreciate other cultures.

  World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

By Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever

This book written as a guide and peppered with Anthony Bourdain’s thoughts and quotes was published posthumously. A must-read for all who love food travel books, and all who miss this man’s salty outlook on the world.

“ A Cook’s Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal ”

By Anthony Bourdain

This memoir-style book details Bourdain’s travels around the world in search of the perfect meal and the stories behind the food.

Table of Contents

Travel Food Memoir

“ Heat: An Amateur’s Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany “

By Bill Buford

In this book, the author recounts his journey from a food writer to a kitchen apprentice in Italy and the lessons he learned about food and life.

American Food Culture

“ The United States of Arugula: How We Became a Gourmet Nation “

By David Kamp

This book traces the history of America’s food culture and the evolution of the gourmet food industry.

“ Roadfood ”

By Jane and Michael Stern

This comprehensive guidebook to regional American cuisine highlights the country’s best local food establishments, including diners, drive-ins, and dives. This 2017 edition is the most updated and was published as a 40th-anniversary edition.

The American South

“ The Southern Foodways Alliance Community Cookbook “

This cookbook showcases traditional Southern dishes, as well as the stories behind them, and was compiled by the Southern Foodways Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of food culture in the American South.

The Southern Foodways Alliance Guide to Cocktails

This cocktail recipe book bridges the gaps between the culture, history, and practice of drinking in the South. Nearly one hundred easy-to-follow recipes instruct the home bartender on how to create memorable drinks.

Read more about American Cocktail Culture

“ The New Nashville Chef’s Table : Extraordinary Recipes from Music City”

by Stephanie Stewart- Howard

This cookbook highlights recipes for the home cook from the city’s most celebrated eateries alongside beautiful photography. 

“ Eat Drink Delta: A Hungry Traveler’s Journey through the Soul of the South ”

By Susan Puckett and Langdon Clay

Part travel guide, part cookbook, and part photo essay. Eat Drink Delta by veteran food journalist Susan Puckett (with photographs by Delta resident Langdon Clay) reveal a region shaped by slavery, civil rights, amazing wealth, abject deprivation, the Civil War, a flood of biblical proportions, and―above all―an overarching urge to get down and party with a full table and an open bar.

Global Travel Food Books

“ Culinary Travels: Memories Made at the Table ”

By Emily Szajda

In this narrative cookbook, you will encounter healthy adaptations of traditional recipes from her travels and life abroad along with stories and takeaways on how food, the simple act of breaking bread, creates an experience. 

“ Food Journeys of a Lifetime 2nd Edition: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe”

By National Geographic

Compiled from the expert travel writers at National Geographic, Food Journeys of a Lifetime scours the globe for the world’s best dishes, markets, and restaurants that are worth traveling far and wide to savor .

“ Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide ”

By Cecily Wong, Dylan Thuras, and Atlas Obscura

A New York Times, USA Today, and national indie bestseller.

Covering all seven continents, Gastro Obscura serves up a loaded plate of incredible ingredients, food adventures, and edible wonders. Indeed a book for anyone who loves food stories.

“ The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food “

By Dan Barber

This book explores the future of food, highlighting the importance of sustainability, tradition, and flavor in our diets.

Whether you’re looking for new recipes, inspiration for your next travel food adventure, or just a good book to read, these books are sure to fill your plate. Add them to your reading list, and get ready for a culinary journey like no other. 

Do you prefer listening to audiobooks?

Listen to books anywhere, anytime—when commuting, exercising, running errands, or just washing dishes.

Why not try Audible Plus or Audible Premium Plus subscriptions from Amazon. Both plans offer a free trial period so you can take try it out first and then decide if you want it.

If you are shopping for gifts for your traveling foodie or looking to fill your reading needs when traveling then these articles will help you find what you need.

Traveling to the Sunshine State ? Here’s a list of books about Florida that you may like.

Head to New Orleans with this book list in hand.

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5 Best Food Travel Books

Help yourself to a fascinating new read.

We travel for all sorts of reasons: to experience new places, new people, and new perspectives. To see parts of the world that we might not ever see otherwise, and to enjoy different landscapes, different lifestyles, and different cultures. Of course, a big part of culture is food, and for many people, sampling cuisine from all over the world is reason enough to travel, all on its own.

While music, art, literature, and so on tend to be what people think of first when you say “culture,” food is perhaps the most important thing that links us all together. We all have to eat, and the foods we eat, the ways they are prepared, and the ways we enjoy them all shape our culture and our lives in ways that are both obvious and invisible. That’s why going on a food journey is about more than just sampling delicacies that you’ve never tasted before—it’s about experiencing a different culture in an intimate, important way, and learning more about the world around you.

So, it should come as no surprise that travelogues focused on food are all the rage. From shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Man v. Food to books enough to choke either the travel or food sections of the bookstore, we can’t get enough of learning about food from around the world. And the next best thing to going there is reading about it. These 5 food travel books do more than take you on a tour of world kitchens, though. They also take you into the history of the food itself, combining culinary ethnography with personal travelogue to create a new and fascinating combination.

8 Culinary History Books That You’ll Want to Savor

Olive Odyssey

By Julie Angus

Descended from Syrian forebears, Julie Angus decided to explore their cultural link to the olive, a fruit that has been a staple of cooking for people throughout the Mediterranean and around the world. The result is “an engaging mix of history, food travelogue, and botany lesson” ( Library Journal ) as Angus, her husband, and their 10-month-old son explore the Mediterranean to find not only the history of the olive, but what it means to people there today. They taste delicious food, take samples from ancient trees, and even travel to the isle of Crete to find what may be the oldest olive tree in the world. “It is a pleasure to try to keep up with this book,” writes the Wall Street Journal . “Like its author, it covers an enormous amount of territory.”

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The Spice Necklace

By Ann Vanderhoof

This book from the author of An Embarrassment of Mangoes follows the author and her husband as they sail around the Caribbean in their private galley, sampling the local cuisine, getting to know colorful characters, and attempting to replicate dishes in their own kitchen. From curry in Trinidad to a chocolate-tasting test at the University of the West Indies, the result is “a mouthwatering slice of Caribbean culture” ( New York Post ) that also features 71 exciting and mouth-watering recipes, each tucked into the back of the relevant chapter, in case you want to try making some of these incredible dishes in the comfort of your own home.

Drive-Thru Dreams

By Adam Chandler

Not every culinary travelogue has to cross the wide-open seas. In Drive-Thru Dreams , author Adam Chandler takes us on a cross-country trip through the history of America’s fascination with fast food. “This fun, argumentative, and frequently surprising pop history of American fast food will thrill and educate food lovers of all speeds,” according to  Publishers Weekly , as Chandler takes readers through the history of an American staple that has since spread across the world, from White Castle establishing the hamburger as the all-American fast food du jour to a viral tweet in 2017 angling for a year’s supply of chicken nuggets. Fast food is often discounted or dismissed, but in this “book to savor” ( Bookpage ), Chandler argues that it is as much a part of American culture as anything else—maybe more.

10 Cultural History Books That Explore Our Changing World

Gastro Obscura

By Cecily Wong, Dylan Thuras & Atlas Obscura

For those who aren’t already familiar with Atlas Obscura , it’s the indispensable guide to the strangest, most unlikely, and most unforgettable places in the world. From abandoned amusement parks to ancient caves, Atlas Obscura has taken readers all over the planet, both in the form of its website and various books. With  Gastro Obscura , it departs on a new journey—one into the realm of the world’s unlikeliest food cultures. “Like a great tapas meal,  Gastro Obscura is deep yet snackable, and full of surprises,” according to chef Tom Colicchio. “This is the book for anyone interested in eating, adventure and the human condition.” A  New York Times  bestseller, this unforgettable book takes readers not only to all seven continents but also across history, from Egypt’s 2,000-year-old egg ovens to a tea house situated atop China’s Mount Hua. Not everything is far away or long ago, either. In Texas, there’s a vending machine that produces full-sized pecan pies, and always another surprise or wonder waiting just around the corner. So dig in!

The Food and Folklore Reader

By Lucy Long

While most of the books on this list are quaint or charming travelogues, combining culinary history with personal memoir, sometimes we want to dig a little deeper. That’s where a book like The Food and Folklore Reader comes in. A comprehensive guide to a subject too-seldom discussed—the intersection of the food we eat and the stories we tell—this expansive work compiled by renowned folklorist and food scholar Lucy M. Long “has culled the archives of the field, using seminal works that define folklore as well as articles that explore more contemporary issues such as food insecurity and culinary tourism” ( Digest: A Journal of Foodways and Culture ). The result may be a heavier and denser read, but it’s no less fascinating for all that.

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The Best Books of 2021

This Year's Must-Reads

ARTS & CULTURE

Gift Guides

The Ten Best Books About Food of 2021

From cookbooks to a memoir to a guide to hundreds of food adventures across the globe, these new titles will leave you satisfied

Laura Kiniry

Travel Correspondent

In this year of constant flux, food has been a wonderful comfort. The ability to come together once again with our extended friends and families, and share a meal across the table, is something we’ve undoubtedly been missing. It’s also a wonderful reminder of how food helps to ease tensions and unite us. Our 10 top books about food of 2021—a range of debut author cookbooks, explorations into cultural and culinary heritage, memoirs, and more—reflect this reunion of sorts. From the dishes of Central and West African descendants to a romp through some of the planet’s oddist culinary festivals and most unusual eats, get ready to dig in.

New Native Kitchen: Celebrating Modern Recipes of the American Indian

James Bitsoie is the former executive chef at Mitsitam Native Foods Café at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, as well as a member of the Navajo Nation. In his debut cookbook , Bitsoie—along with James Beard Award–winning author James O. Fraioli—presents a wide sampling of the flavors and culinary history of the nearly 600 American Indian tribes in the U.S., with 100 contemporary interpretations of Indigenous recipes such as cherrystone clam soup and rabbit stew with corn dumplings. Bitsoie details each recipe’s distinct tribal heritage, and even includes a glossary of hyperlocal foods found on Native lands: things like acorn meal, agave nectar and cedar berries. The book also points readers toward the Indigenous vendors who sell them. “As a Navajo,” writes Bitsoie, “it is imperative that I respect the myriad ingredients cultivated by Indigenous stewards of the land, air, and water in what we now call the United States.”

From Freddie Bitsoie, the former executive chef at Mitsitam Native Foods Café at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and James Beard Award–winning author James O. Fraioli, New Native Kitchen is a celebration of Indigenous cuisine.

Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide

Ever wondered what it’s like to sip beer crafted from the fog of Chile’s Atacama Desert, or how to attend Panama's illustrious Festival of the Cheese Curl ? Then this is the book for you. “An ambitious, exciting, and zany anthology of heritage foodways,” writes Dan Barber, chef and author of The Third Plate , and he couldn’t be more spot-on . In fact, in this 448-page compilation, Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras and co-author (and AO contributor) Cecily Wong pull together some of the most unique, interesting and incredible festivals, food and drink, and culinary obscurities from around the globe, transporting the reader into parts unknown—both edible and otherwise.

The book includes more than 500 entries, including photos, illustrations and adaptations of stories first published as part of its online magazine (including my own ), along with tips on how to partake in everything from a seven-course pudding “extravaganza” in England to dining in a refurbished passenger jet just outside Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport.

Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

Created by the ever-curious minds behind Atlas Obscura, this breathtaking guide transforms our sense of what people around the world eat and drink. Covering all seven continents, Gastro Obscura serves up a loaded plate of incredible ingredients, food adventures, and edible wonders.

County Fair: Nostalgic Blue Ribbon Recipes from America’s Small Towns 

Author Liza Gershman is known for her eye-catching cookbooks , and County Fair is no exception. With a focus on recipes that have been awarded the Blue Ribbon, an award of excellence often given out at small town, county and state fairs, Gershman gathers dishes from all 50 states, as well as ample 4H and FFA livestock events. Close to 80 recipes in total highlight the types of foods that fill your stomach and make your heart light with nostalgia. We're talking items like orange lemon citrus bread, a Wisconsin State Fair winner, and triple chocolate rebel cookies, a recipe that won the Best of Show prize at the Illinois Sangamon County Fair. “I suppose I'm a bit old-fashioned,” writes Gershman, a Generation Xer, in the book’s intro, “one foot always in the time before tech and one foot embracing the modern day.” Through full-page color photos, a chapter on pantry stocking and even a brief history on fairs in the U.S., County Fair evokes a sense of small town Americana that we at Smithsonian are thoroughly smitten with, as evident by our annual round-up of Best Small Towns to Visit .

County Fair: Nostalgic Blue Ribbon Recipes from America’s Small Towns

Liza Gershman's book is a visual feast―it's jam-packed with the images, stories, and voices of the folk and tight-knit communities who celebrate this unique slice of Americana each year.

Black, White, and the Grey

In late 2014, business partners Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano opened a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, inside what had once been a once segregated Greyhound bus station. The Grey, as it’s called, quickly became one of the best new spots in the country, procuring accolades from the likes of Food & Wine , The New York Times and Esquire .

Part duel memoir, part cookbook and part history of both the restaurant and the larger issue of race relations in the South, Black, White, and the Grey tells a story of food, friendship, and healing. Bailey is a Black chef, Morisano a white entrepreneur, and what began as a working partnership between two people who didn’t really know each other morphed into a deep bond of acceptance and understanding. “ [Black, White, and the Grey] is one of the best and most honest books about business, partnership, race, class, culture, and gender I've encountered,” writes Hunter Lewis, Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine .

A recipe (many of which are Southern-style) from Bailey that is reminiscent of their friendship, compiled with easy-to-find ingredients, ends each chapter.

Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant

A story about the trials and triumphs of a Black chef from Queens, New York, and a White media entrepreneur from Staten Island who built a relationship and a restaurant in the Deep South, hoping to bridge biases and get people talking about race, gender, class, and culture.

Bress ‘n’ Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth Generation Farmer

“It is common for many Black Americans to be cut off from their personal history—a potent device of the Atlantic slave trade,” writes The Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Tiffani Rozier. “This lack of history and ancestral connection has always triggered a quiet note of shame and frustration for me, but it’s also why a new book celebrating Gullah Geechee culture resonates so strongly.” Written by chef, farmer and James Beard Award semifinalist Matthew Raiford , together with Amy Paige Condon, Bress 'n' Nyam (a phrase that means “bless and eat” in Gullah, an English-based Creole language) honors the food of Raiford’s ancestral people, the Gullah Geechee, descendants of Central and West Africa who reside along the Atlantic coastal areas of the South.

In 2010, Raiford and his sister inherited the Georgia farm that his own great-great-great grandfather—a freed slave—purchased in 1874. His book tells the story of his family history in the greater context of the Gullah Geechee through dozens of photos and more than 100 heirloom recipes. They include dishes like cowpea salad, gullah rice, and a Lowcountry boil made with crab, shrimp and sausage, all which incorporate Gullah staple foods such as Carolina Gold rice and Sea Island red peas still grown in the region.

Bress 'n' Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth-Generation Farmer

More than 100 heirloom recipes from a dynamic chef and farmer working the lands of his great-great-great grandfather.

The Secret History of Food: Strange but True Stories About the Origins of Everything We Eat

In his debut book, food and culture writer Matt Siegel delves into the sometimes hard-earned history of how certain foods came to be, and waxes on topics such as the use of honey to preserve cadavers, and the belief that drinking animal milk actually makes you “act like an animal.” Penned in a tone that’s both irreverent and humorous, The Secret History of Food explores food from every angle—historical, cultural, scientific, sexual, and of course, culinary—and includes chapters centering on topics like corn, vanilla and “A History of Swallowing” (a personal favorite). The book’s exhaustive index, featuring everything from Scotchgard fabric protector to Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, shows that Siegel has undoubtedly done his research, and then some. “Little of the information is appetizing,” writes Kirkus Reviews about Siegel’s deep dive into food’s clandestine past, “but it is never dull.”

An irreverent, surprising, and entirely entertaining look at the little-known history surrounding the foods we know and love

Provecho: 100 Vegan Mexican Recipes to Celebrate Culture and Community

It’s typical to think of carne asada tacos and tamales stuffed with chicken or pork when considering Mexican cuisine, but Edgar Castrejón is determined to change that. The first-generation Mexican American, who grew up in Oakland, California, studied plant science and horticulture with a minor in nutrition, and his debut cookbook honors traditional meat-heavy classics from Latin America while transforming them into healthier, vegan versions. “If no one told you it was vegan, you wouldn't even think twice!” writes Amazon reviewer Jessyca Dewey .

Many of the recipes are family favorites that had been passed down orally, and which Castrejón has finally gotten down on paper, though with plant-based tweaks. Provecho features 100 recipes broken up into chapters such as Antojitos (“Little Cravings”) and La Mesa Llena (“The Full Table”), with dishes like ceviche de coliflor (a cauliflower ceviche) and no-bake enchiladas with jackfruit. Most ingredients are easy to find, and many of the book’s recipes can be prepared in a half-an-hour or less.

Provecho: 100 Vegan Mexican Recipes to Celebrate Culture and Community [A Cookbook]

The definitive plant-based Mexican cookbook for a new generation, featuring 100 recipes transforming traditional dishes into vegan celebrations of family and home

Crying in H Mart: A Memoir

What began as a 2018 New Yorker essay by author Michelle Zauner—one about visiting the Korean supermarket H Mart following her mother’s death—is now a full-length memoir of the same name. Zauner is the Korean-American singer and guitarist of indie rock band Japanese Breakfast , who grew up in Eugene, Oregon. When Zauner was 25, her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She died later that same year. Written with honesty and humor, Zauner’s memoir is as much about a complex relationship between mother and daughter that ended way too soon, as it is about food and identity and how the two intertwine. The book includes many relatable moments and photos of both Zauner and her family. But it’s what happens after her mother’s passing (which comes a little over midway through the book) that’s truly revealing. “In losing her mother and cooking to bring her back to life,” writes NPR book reviewer Kristen Martin, “Zauner became herself.”

From the indie rockstar of Japanese Breakfast fame, and author of the viral 2018 New Yorker essay that shares the title of this book, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.

Jew-ish: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch

“This is a rambunctiously uplifting book, vibrantly full of warmth, joy, and deliciousness,” writes food personality Nigella Lawson about Jew-ish: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch . Indeed, author Jack Cohen knows how to engage an audience. The former food staffer at Saveur and restaurant critic for Time Out New York is a social media personality, with legions of TikTok and Instagram followers who can’t get enough of his videos on baking garlic bread and challah braiding. In his first book, Cohen offers modern takes on traditional foods from his Jewish heritage that go well beyond matzo ball soup. The 272-page text is chock-full of updated recipes like roasted tomato brisket, sabich bagel sandwiches and matzo tiramisu, many of which incorporate ingredients inspired by his husband’s Persian-Iraqi heritage. Jew-ish even includes tips on hosting a Shabbat dinner party. It’s a great intro for those of us who didn’t grow up eating Jewish foods, and offers reimagined takes for the many who did.

Jew-Ish: A Cookbook: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch

When you think of Jewish food, a few classics come to mind: chicken soup with matzo balls, challah, maybe a babka if you’re feeling adventurous. But as food writer and nice Jewish boy Jake Cohen demonstrates in this stunning debut cookbook, Jewish food can be so much more.

Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley’s Mission to Change What We Eat

Over the last several years, food products like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have taken over restaurant menus and are readily available in supermarkets. While the startups producing them intend to help address climate change and animal welfare, Technically Food ’s author Larissa Zimberoff believes the financing and investors necessary to bring these products into fruition is a double-edged sword. “The current wave of food companies claims to be mission driven,” writes Zimberoff. “But they still want to make money.”

In this investigative study, Zimberoff provides a comprehensive and accessible take on these complex subjects while examining the future of our food. She hits home the truth that plant-based doesn’t mean minimally processed; in many cases, it’s far from it. Along with chapters on algae, fungi and pea protein, Zimberoff discusses everything from vertical farms to upcycled foods, and provides predictions from experts like entrepreneur (and plant-based investor) Mark Cuban and public health advocate Marion Nestle on the future of food. Technically Food also begs the question, What exactly are we eating?

As our food system leaps ahead to a sterilized lab of the future, we think we know more about our food than we ever did. But because so much is happening so rapidly, we actually know less about the food we are eating. Until now.

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Laura Kiniry | READ MORE

Laura Kiniry is a San Francisco-based freelance writer specializing in food, drink, and travel. She contributes to a variety of outlets including American Way , O-The Oprah Magazine , BBC.com , and numerous AAA pubs.

Condé Nast Traveler

13 Books That Will Transport You to France

Posted: January 5, 2024 | Last updated: January 5, 2024

It's a truth universally acknowledged: Books can do wonders to frame and shape your adventures abroad. Delicious food writing might inspire a culinary course through Mexico City , or an exciting detective-noir might let you look at New York in a new light. But what about France , about whom so many songs have been sung, and plenty of poems penned? Bien sûr, beaucoup de littérature signifie beaucoup de possibilités. With that in mind, here are 12 France-related books that might inspire your next trip to the country, or simply shed light on its culture and people—a neat little reading list for someone who’s always dreaming about France (or that annoying friend who slips French into casual conversation).

While this reading list does skew so decadently French— butter and wine and oui oui baguettes ahead, naturally—that they’ll move you to book an Air France ticket as soon as possible, a fair chunk of these are also just fabulous translations of French literary tradition more broadly, and illuminate how (a few, not all) French writers understand themselves and their country. And for the American francophile, there are books by expats and others who have immigrated to France—a field so wide and storied that it may as well be a genre in and of itself: Literary minds like Baldwin and Hemingway, food queens Julia Child and M.F.K. Fisher, and brilliant folks of today like Lauren Collins and Sutanya Dacres. Allons-y , and happy reading.

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The Perfect Nanny, by Leïla Slimani translated by Sam Taylor

What it’s about: This gripping novel opens with a double murder of two children (not a spoiler, it’s literally on the first page) before going into the backstory of their bourgeois Parisian family as well as their nanny, who is under financial and mental duress. The book is less of a whodunit (the source material and the marketing copy give obvious clues) than a whydunit , and author Leïla Slimani’s slick storytelling turns this bread-and-butter thriller premise into a deeply intelligent excavation of fraught themes like class, sexism, motherhood, and moral goodness. It was the most read book in France in 2016—that year, it sold 600,000 copies and won the prestigious Prix Goncourt—so, honestly, to read it is to participate in French culture. The text is efficient and propulsive (in both Sam Taylor’s English translation and Slimani’s original French), featuring sentences that will hold you in suspense until the very last page.

You should read this when: You’re already strapped into your seat on the plane because if you read this before boarding, you may become so enthralled that you miss your flight to Paris.

The book’s opening lines: “The baby is dead. It took only a few seconds. The doctor said he didn’t suffer. The broken body, surrounded by toys, was put inside a gray bag, which they zipped shut.”

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson, translated by Molly Ringwald

What it’s about: This short novel first published in 2017 as Arrête avec tes mensonges (literally, “stop with your lies”) was published as Lie With Me in the United States in 2017, where it was called “ this year’s Call Me By Your Name . ” The comparison is to be expected: Both books feature a romance between two young men in rural Western European settings in a bygone pre-AIDS era, narrated by a cerebral adult narrator trafficking in deep nostalgia and contemplating the impact of first love. Though the premise is familiar, Philippe Besson’s language is graceful (made a joy to read in English by the talented Molly Ringwald—yes, that Molly Ringwald) and his narration is inventive. In the text, his metafictional moves involve and implicate the reader, while challenging the ways storytellers remember past events and past lives. As a reading experience, it all feels unique and—I’m not sure how else to say it—supremely French.

You should read this when: You’re on a TGV, as the French countryside speeds past outside your window, contemplating if you want to let your life similarly pass you by.

The book’s opening lines: “One day—I can say precisely when, I know the date—I find myself in the bar of a hotel lobby in a provincial city, sitting in an armchair across from a journalist, a low round table between us, being interviewed for my latest novel, which recently came out.”

The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway

What it’s about: Think of Americans writing in France, and you’re likely to come up with a handful of names, one of which would surely be Ernest Hemingway. His memoir A Moveable Feast , about his time as a struggling American journalist living in Paris in the 1920s, is perhaps the most often-cited text from the expats-in-France genre, but that was not his only book set in the country. The Garden of Eden takes place primarily along the Côte d’Azur and follows a couple who fall in love with the same woman and experiment with gender roles, presentation, and identities. This novel is an uncompleted work of Hemingway’s, published in 1986 by his literary executors, 25 years after his death. Though it’s hard to say what he ultimately intended for the story, chopped and screwed as it is, the book offers an unexpected side of the author’s oeuvre, in addition to place-writing that’s somehow both lush and sparse, making it an all the more thrilling read.

You should read this when: You’re in between research sprints on where to eat, stay, and play in the French Riviera (though we’ve done part of that for you, at least).

The book’s opening lines: “They were living at Grau du Roi then and the hotel was on a canal that ran from the walled city of Aigues Mortes straight down to the sea.”

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

What it’s about: Jump ahead a few decades to the 1950s, after Hemingway’s and Gertrude Stein’s Lost Generation of artists hit Paris, and you’ll run into James Baldwin on the streets of Saint-Germain-Des-Prés (for a while, he lived at the Hôtel Verneuil , among other auberges in the city). While in France, Baldwin wrote his memoir Notes of a Native Son , part of which examines American culture and identity from an expatriate perspective. However, the influence of his life in France is most keenly evident in his novel Giovanni’s Room , which tells the story of David, an American man in Paris grappling with his intense romantic and sexual feelings for Giovanni, an Italian bartender. It’s an ultimately, tragic story, and an early exploration of queerness, social alienation, and masculinity—groundbreaking when it was published in 1956, and a classic masterpiece of English literature today.

You should read this when: You’re craving a moody escape to Paris that leaves you heartbroken and questioning your personal morals (you know, for a bit of light reading).

The book’s opening lines: “I stand at the window of this great house in the south of France as night falls, the night which is leading me to the most terrible morning of my life. I have a drink in my hand, there is a bottle at my elbow. … I may be drunk by morning but that will not do any good. I shall take the train to Paris anyway.”

My Life in France, by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme

What it’s about: For those just starting to learn more about Julia Child (or if you’ve already devoured the HBO Max series Julia like everyone else), it’s a good idea to start from the very end. Child and her grandnephew Alex Prud’homme collaborated on this autobiography before she died in 2004, and it was published posthumously in 2006. The book is a treat for any fan of Child’s: It’s a comprehensive and authoritative look at her life, featuring some very lovely archival photographs, an extensive chronology of her rise to icon status, and a supremely detailed index cataloging every person, place, ingredient, recipe, topic, and event discussed in the book.

You should read this when: You’re beginning your very first foray into the world of Julia Child and need a primer on the woman, the myth, the legend.

The book’s opening lines: “At five-forty-five in the morning, Paul and I rousted ourselves from our warm bunk and peered out of the small porthole in our cabin aboard the SS America . Neither of us had slept very well that night, partially due to the weather and partially due to our rising excitement.”

Long Ago In France: The Years In Dijon by M.F.K. Fisher

What it’s about: All that said, if you love everything Julia Child, you must also allow M.F.K. Fisher into your life. Mary Frances Kennedy was perhaps the best American food writer—and one of the best American writers, full stop—working in the 20th century (our “poet of the appetites,” according to John Updike), having written 27 books in her long career, including the definitive English translation of Brillat-Savarin’s The Physiology of Taste . In this memoir of her three years in Dijon , Fisher recounts arriving in the capital of Burgundy in 1929 with her new husband Al and her early lessons in French culture, food, and wine, flexing her sharp and evocative prose across 176 tight pages. You’ll breeze through her writing so quickly that you’ll be glad you have over 20 more books of hers to add to your list: For more French flavors, follow up with Map of Another Town , Fisher’s memoir of her time in Provence after World War II; for a more food-forward account of the Dijon years, try The Gastronomical Me .

You should read this when: You’ve already cooked your way through Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and need a new reading or food-related project to satiate your appetites.

The book’s opening lines: “Someone shrieked harshly to come in. Madame Ollangnier darted from the kitchen, which lay just beyond the dining room, under the first rise of the staircase. She had on a filthy apron, and I could hear someone rattling pans and chopping and beating.”

Dinner for One: How Cooking in Paris Saved Me by Sutanya Dacres

What it’s about: For a more contemporary American-moves-to-Paris story pick up Dinner for One , the debut memoir of Sutanya Dacres, the host of the eponymous podcast . Reeling from the sudden expiration of her marriage to The Frenchman (“let’s call him TFM for short,” she says) for whom she moved to France, she cooks her way through healing and back to joy while rebuilding her life in her Montmartre apartment. These pages are filled with equal parts optimism and realism, hope and loss, American glee and Parisian bite. It’s an absolute must-read.

You should read this when: You’re one slightly-mean email away from snapping and absconding to France in a last-ditch effort to fall back in love with your life (and it just might work).

The book’s opening lines: “The day I reached my breaking point started out like so many others since my husband had left four months earlier—wake up, get ready, and leave my apartment as quickly as possible. Decently sized by Paris standards, the 463-square-foot apartment faced south, overlooking a shared courtyard, with double-door windows that spilled sunlight into the bedroom and living room.”

Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford

What it’s about: Did you ever read that story in The New Yorker from a few years ago, about a writer who moved to Lyon with his family and apprenticed with a baker named Bob (real name “Yves,” mais tout le monde l’appelait Bob), when it truth it was about diligence, humility, and the beauty of community-making? Did you know it was an adapted excerpt from Bill Buford’s latest memoir, published in 2020? This book chronicles his five years in the French heartland in pursuit of why we hold the culinary traditions of France in such high regard—both in our minds and our palates. Buford’s writing is passionate, endlessly curious, and meticulous (a scene of a pig’s butchering is intense, an explanation of the French visa process is illuminating), and this tome—clocking in at over 400 pages—will keep you satiated over multiple trips to Lyon, Bordeaux , Marseille , and elsewhere.

You should read this when: You’re looking to read an adventurous story, like an epic saga, but you’re also in the mood for a glimpse into the culinary world—something like “Odysseus, but in France.”

The book’s opening lines: “On a bright, chilly, autumnal afternoon in 2007, I met Michel Richard, a chef and the man who would radially change my life—and the lives of my wife, Jessica Green, and our two-year-old twins—without my quite knowing who he was, and in the confidence that, whoever he might be, he was someone I would never see again.”

When in French by Lauren Collins

What it’s about: Language is about connection. So what happens when, metaphorically, that gap feels too large to cross, or when there is an invisible wall between you and someone else? The delights, challenges, and intricacies of communicating with another person—these are the major themes of this memoir about learning the infamously finicky French language after moving to Europe (to Geneva , Switzerland, though the author ends up in Paris by the end of it). As evidenced by this fantastic book, Lauren Collins is a supremely intelligent and warm writer, as well as the master of kickers, those snappy and incisive sentences that close out a paragraph, or page, or chapter, whether it be about the monolingualism of American culture, why some cuts of meat in the US are unavailable at francophone butcher shops, or what it’s like to fall in love and build a family. If you’re someone committed to maintaining that year-long streak on Duolingo , consider this the book for you.

You should read this when: You’re dating/married to a French-speaker and you need the motivation to learn a new-to-you language—and the hard-to-find words to describe your love

The book’s opening lines: “I hadn’t wanted to live in Geneva. In fact, I had decisively wished not to, but there I was. … The bell rang. Newlywed and nearly speechless, I cracked open the door, a slab of oak with a beveled brass knob. Next to it, the landlord had installed a nameplate, giving the place the look less of a home than of a bilingual tax firm.”

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee

What it’s about: This epic novel consists of 576 pages dripping with pure drama, opulence, and artifice—a true opera of a story, as the protagonist and narrator known as Lilliet Berne would have it. Set in 19th-century Paris, Berne is a celebrated soprano who needs an opera written just for her, which would immortalize her in the canon. But when one is finally presented to her, she discovers she has been betrayed: It is clearly based on the true story of her life that she has kept secret. From there, Alexander Chee’s magnificent tour de force wheels between the past and present, recounting the truth of Lilliet’s origins and following her pursuit of the confidante who threatens to expose her.

You should read this when: You’re longing to be dressed in a voluminous gown of silk and taffeta, running through a Baroque palace like you’re in a glittering French perfume ad

The book’s opening lines: “When it began, it began as an opera would begin, in a palace, at a ball, in an encounter with a stranger who, you discover, has your fate in his hands. He is perhaps a demon or a god in disguise, offering you a chance at either the fulfillment of a dream or a trap for the soul. A comic element—the soprano arrives in the wrong dress—and it decides her fate.”

The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas, translated by Frank Wynne

What it’s about: Sticking to Paris in the 19th century and all its gloriously bizarre truths, this historical novel offers a fictional story based on a very real event: “le bal des folles” (literally, the ball of the mad women ), an annual gathering at the Salpêtrière Asylum, when the upper classes of the city would gawk at Salpêtrière’s wards: women cast out from society—many were sex workers, unwanted by their families, or mentally ill. In Victoria Mas’s captivating telling (rendered in crystalline English by Frank Wynne), an intelligent woman named Eugenie is handed over to Salpêtrière by her bourgeois family and meets Geneviève, a nurse who has forsaken faith for science. Their entwined narratives illuminate the double-edged life that the asylum offered Frenchwomen of that time and place: freedom under constraints.

You should read this when: You’re still longing for the fantasy of gallivanting in a grand gown, but you want the vibe to be a bit dark and Gothic, something grotesquely captivating

The book’s opening lines: “ 3 March 1885 — ‘Louise. It is time.” With one hand, Geneviève pulls back the blanket that hides the sleeping figure of the girl. Curled up in a fetal position on the narrow mattress, her mass of thick, dark hair covers the pillow and part of her face. Lips parted, Louise is snoring softly.”

The Revolt by Clara Dupont-Monod, translated by Ruth Diver

What it’s about: Going a bit back further into history, this short but intense novel about the Great Revolt of 1173–1174 and its aftermath dives deep into the psyches of the historical figures at its center: Eleanor of Aquitaine and one of her sons, Richard the Lionheart, who also serves as the book’s primary narrator. True, the titular revolt concerns English monarchs, but to tell the story of 12th-century England is to also involve the territories of Normandy and Brittany , which today belong to modern France. That aside, Clara Dupont-Monod’s novel is a fascinating exploration of Eleanor’s motivations for conspiring with her sons and attempting to overthrow her husband, Henry II of England—and wonderfully translated from the original French by Ruth Diver, to boot.

You should read this when: You’re on holiday in France with your bickering family who can’t ever agree on the vacation’s itinerary—just to remind you that, hey, it could be a whole lot worse.

The book’s opening lines: “In my mother’s eyes, I see things that overwhelm me. I see vast conquests, deserted houses, and suits of armor. She carries a range within herself that condemns me, and forces me to be a better man. This evening, she comes to us. … It is with a soft voice, full of menace, that our mother commands us to overthrow our father.”

Matrix, by Lauren Groff

What it’s about: For more novels based in this era of Anglo-Franco history, pick up a copy of Lauren Groff’s Matrix , in which Eleanor steals the spotlight by being extremely beautiful and deliciously frightening. That said, this story revolves instead around Marie de France, a 12th-century poet about whom extremely little is known—which gives Groff plenty of room for a radical reimagining of Marie's life as the prioress of a royal abbey who grows to lead and protect a community of women, awakening to the world and all its sensations. This is Groff's writing at its most electric and sensual, giving us a book for all seasons. I implore you: Read it now.

You should read this when: You’re itching to read one of the greatest American writers working today take on a historical figure and give her story a feminist and inventive spin

The book’s opening lines: “She rides out of the forest alone. Seventeen years old, in the cold March drizzle, Marie who comes from France. It is 1158 and the world bears the weariness of late Lent. Soon it will be Easter, which arrives early this year. In the fields, the seeds uncurl in the dark cold soil, ready to punch into the freer air.”

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10 Top US Cities for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts

Hawaii's capital and Maine's waterfront food hub make the list.

SARAH KARLAN/The New York Times/Redux

For the 2024 Global Tastemakers list of the Best Cities for Food and Drinks in the United States, New York retained the No. 1 spot. We’re also excited for some newcomers gaining recognition: Honolulu; Portland, Maine; and Washington, D.C., nabbed our panel's attention and have asserted their place among the finest food cities in the country. Here's the full list of where to travel and taste this year.

New York City

Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

It’s hard to find another American city that can satisfy any food craving as easily as New York. From a burrata slice at L'Industrie Pizzeria , to Pearl Pie at Superiority Burger , to dreamy drinks at Sappe , New York City possesses the uncanny ability to deftly balance classic cuisine with the latest trends. Korean fine dining restaurants have enjoyed a surge of new openings, with Meju , Coqodaq , Naro , and Nōksu leading the way.

New Orleans

Andriy Blokhin / Alamy

New Orleans dining is all about seamlessly bridging the old and the new. You’ll find classic Creole fare at stalwarts like Dooky Chase Restaurant and Brigtsen’s , while Dakar Nola , Wild South , and 2022 F&W Best New Chef Ana Castro’s highly anticipated Acamaya are contributing to the city’s modern culinary culture.

MICHELLE LITVIN/The New York Times/Redux

No matter your budget or appetite, Chicago’s wonderfully diverse food scene has you covered. Try a Filipino tasting menu at Kasama , a Cambodian fried chicken sandwich at Hermosa’s , tacos at Birrieria Zaragoza’s , or a classic Italian beef sandwich at Al’s or Johnnie’s , for a sample of the endless options.

Austin rose to the No. 4 spot from 10 on this year’s list. Home to 2023 F&W Restaurant of the Year Birdie’s as well as 2023 F&W Best New Chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, each year the city manages to find new ways to impress. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check out Rico’s guide to the best of Texas’ capital, from baguettes to ramen.

Los Angeles

LAUREN JUSTICE/The New York Times/Redux

Few cities champion boundary-pushing concepts better than Los Angeles. Crowds snake down the block at Anajak Thai for 2022 F&W Best New Chef Justin Pichetrungsi’s Thai Taco Tuesdays, while 2023 F&W Best New Chef Hannah Ziskin crafts thick pan pizzas and layer cakes at Quarter Sheets. If you’re looking for one of the city’s best wine bars for pours without pretension, The Ruby Fruit offers a smart selection of natural wines from an easy-to-miss strip mall location.

Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

Given its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Charleston is renowned for its fresh seafood and abundance of notable raw bars such as Leon’s Oyster Shop and The Ordinary . There are loads of other iconic dishes you shouldn’t pass up as well, including Bertha’s Kitchen’s okra soup, whole-hog barbecue at Rodney Scott’s , and Peninsula Grill’s coconut cake.

ALFONSO DURAN/The New York Times/Redux

Miami has always been a deeply international city, and the range of its food scene has only grown in recent years. At Maty’s in Midtown, 2023 F&W Best New Chef Valerie Chang turns out bold Peruvian plates (huancaina-smothered choclo, oxtail saltado), while MiMo’s Phuc Yea mashes up Vietnamese and Colombian flavors (think Wagyu Churrasco with lemongrass ponzu). As for who makes the best Cuban sandwich? That’s a never-ending debate, and many locals endorse Sanguich De Miami .

Washington, D.C.

Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Though Bad Saint shuttered in 2022, the trailblazing Filipino restaurant that thrust D.C.’s culinary scene into the national spotlight almost a decade ago inspired a new wave of dining in the nation’s capital that continues today. Kevin Tien’s Moon Rabbit now carries the torch for inventive and uniquely modern Vietnamese food, while charming pizza bar The Little Grand offers eclectic pizza and wine pairings. Other highlights include 2022 F&W Best New Chef Rob Rubba’s vegetable-centric Oyster Oyster as well as 2023 F&W Best New Chef Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy's new Pascual , where wood-fired Mexican fare has piqued the interest of diners from D.C. and beyond.

Portland, Maine

Quickly becoming one of the premiere culinary centers of the Northeast, Portland, Maine, offers can’t-miss dining opportunities like the wallet-friendly omakase at Izakaya Minato , sourdough Neapolitan pizza at Quanto Basta , and housemade rigatoni tossed in meat ragu and dandelion greens at Leeward . At Cocktail Mary , most evenings evolve into an impromptu dance party — one that’s inclusive, affordable, and most importantly, fun.

MICHELLE MISHINA KUNZ/The New York Times/Redux

An ideal day in Hawaii’s capital might begin with a hearty breakfast at chef Lee Anne Wong’s Koko Head Cafe before slowly making your way to Helena’s Hawaiian Food for a late lunch, where the no-frills institution sends out earthen-oven cooked Kalua Pig and Poi. Last, Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka’s MW Restaurant is a dinner destination renowned for stylish takes on Hawaiian comfort food and whimsical desserts like Michelle’s MW Candy Bar.

Plus One: Seattle

RUTH FREMSON/The New York Times/Redux

In recent years, food entrepreneurs have made their mark across the Emerald City with clever concepts including the Asian-inspired cake cafe Paper Cake Shop , “Seattle Soul” destination Communion , and trendy sister bars La Dive Queen Anne and Rich Rich . For further recommendations, 2023 F&W Best New Chef Aisha Ibrahim, fine dining institution Canlis' first female executive chef in 74 years, shares her Seattle city guide .

Global Tastemakers is a celebration of the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. We asked more than 180 food and travel journalists to vote on their favorites, including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. We then entrusted those results to an expert panel of judges to determine each category's winners. In many categories, we've included a Plus One, hand-selected by our expert panel, to shout out more culinary destinations we don't want our readers to miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers .

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Meet the 'Seed Detective' who travels the world's farms to understand local food cultures

A rare chilli in northern India provides the ‘Seed Detective’ with inspiration for a book about remarkable vegetables and where to find them. 

The sun was rising through the dusty haze of a city waking up with a collective hangover: the result of a day of kite flying followed by beer and a night sky filled with ascending lanterns. Jaipur had been celebrating Makar Sankranti, the Hindu festival marking the sun crossing the Tropic of Cancer on 14 January, which coincides with its International Kite Festival. But now, with the party over, I began a journey that was to set me on a literary adventure I’d never expected to take.  

I’ve been growing crops pretty much my whole life and, ever since a chance encounter with a particularly wonderful pepper in Donetsk during the dying days of the Soviet Union, I’ve sought out delicious heritage vegetables that are part of local food cultures worldwide. And after seeing the incredible diversity of local fruits and vegetables crowding Rajasthan’s markets, I wanted to meet farmers growing the crops fundamental to regional cuisine.

Accompanied by my guide, Narendra Chitawa, we drove to the village of Begas, an hour west of Jaipur. The farms in this region form a patchwork of small fields — in winter, green with barley and mustard crops just coming into flower, others standing empty after the millet harvest. Giant stacks of straw the size of mud huts stood by stately neem trees. Alongside a bumpy track, rows of vegetables, including tomatoes, grew under billowing lengths of fleece as a protection against frost.  

The statuesque young horticulturalist Shankar Sharma — co-owner of the 15-acre farm with his sisters — came to meet us. Everywhere, marigolds were in full flower, woven among the courgettes, mingling with the tomatoes. An important source of Shankar’s income, they’re picked daily and sold in the local market. But it was the tomatoes that most interested me, and one variety especially, called abhilash. Shankar was especially fond of abhilash and thought it was the most tasty when cooked in a masala, and he’d been saving its seeds for many years. Naturally, I wondered if I could grow this variety at home. Would the fruits ripen late into the season when temperatures were low, just like they were that morning?  

Much of Rajasthan receives less than 500mm of rain a year, and the challenges facing farmers in the semi-arid areas near Jaipur are considerable. Winter, when farmers are busiest, is always dry. This means that the seeds farmers save have been selected and bred to flourish in a very challenging climate. Rajasthanis are passionate about their local vegetables, which locals describe as ‘desi’, and the visceral connection that everyone I met has with the crops they grow set me wondering if tales of the vegetables of Rajasthan belonged in a book. But it was to be a humble chilli that proved the catalyst for The Seed Detective .

My journey through Rajasthan took me to several wonderful cities, and it was in Bikaner that a group of university plant scientists told me that one of Rajasthan’s most culturally important vegetables, the mathania chilli, had disappeared from cultivation. Farmers had chosen to grow modern varieties promising greater yields, resulting in accidental cross-pollination, which had changed mathania’s appearance and taste. Prized for its fruity, gently spicy qualities, the chilli had been a fundamental part of Rajasthani cuisine for hundreds of years. Now, the original was believed lost. But I wasn’t convinced.

It was once again time to take a bumpy ride in the back of an old Jeep, a good hour’s drive north of the great fortress city of Jodhpur. I knew that any survivors would have to be grown in isolation, and luck was on my side.

This is a beautiful part of the world; rolling hills sparse in vegetation contain small fields lined by drystone walls. Within this neatly managed landscape, all manner of local crop varieties grow. At a small enclosure of beautiful Rajasthani sheep next to a homestead of three whitewashed, round cob buildings, the farmer, Ashi Devi, had a small pile of just-harvested chillies in one corner. Could these be the famous mathania I was looking for?

My guide, Pritam Singh, suggested we taste and see — quickly assuring me that what we were now savouring was indeed the real thing. And it was then that I knew that I had to tell him not only the story of the mathania chilli, but also where so many of my favourite vegetables had come from. The story of vegetables that began as wild indigenous plants to become much-loved cultivated crops — their journeys from untamed parent to domesticated child.

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How to spend a perfect weekend in Moscow

Feb 11, 2020 • 5 min read

Moscow enjoyed the status of capital for most of Russia’s history, except for a relatively brief period (about two hundred years), when the Tsar and the government relocated to St Petersburg . But the Bolsheviks moved the capital back to Moscow in 1918, and today it’s an extremely diverse city. It can easily take a couple of weeks to see all of its sights, but if you've only got a weekend to explore, here's how to have two perfect days in Moscow.

Start your weekend in Moscow by acquainting yourself with top-notch Russian cuisine at Grand Cafe Dr Zhivago . Located on the first floor of the historical hotel National and overlooking the Kremlin, it’s definitely one of the best breakfast spots in the city. Try millet porridge with crawfish, pearl barley porridge with oxtail or traditional cottage cheese with raisins and candied fruit.

Set aside at least half a day for Russian capital’s major attractions: the Red Square and the Kremlin . To reach the Kremlin, cross the street from Dr Zhivago and walk through the Alexander Garden to the main entrance at the Kutafya Tower . Check out all the cathedrals, including Archangel cathedral with all the tsars’ tombs and Uspensky cathedral with medieval icons. Pause to look at the famous Tsar Bell and climb Ivan the Great Bell Tower to enjoy some great views.

Exit and walk to the Red Square through the Alexander Garden, where, if lucky, you can see the change of guard. If you’re feeling hungry, stop by the food court at Okhotny Ryad shopping complex to pick up a snack.

The Red square is dominated by four buildings of equal historical importance: the Kremlin's most famous Spasskaya (Saviour) Tower , with a clock and fourteen bells that chime national anthem four times a day (6am, noon, 6pm, midnight), St Basil's Cathedral , Moscow's best-known symbol with its multi-colored domes, Lenin’s Mausoleum , the resting place of the leader of the 1917 October revolution, and GUM , Moscow's oldest department store, topped with a glass roof, designed by one of Russia's most celebrated architects, Vladimir Shukhov. 

A guide to shopping in Moscow

Right behind the St Basil’s it is the relatively new Zaryadye Park , designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, famous for its work on the High Line in New York City. Zaryadye showcases flora from all the climate zones of Russia, which is the largest country in the world. The floating bridge at the edge of the park is one of the biggest selfie magnets in Moscow, providing spectacular views of the river and the city skyline as the background. 

Another Zaryadye attraction is a glass pavilion that hosts restaurant Voskhod  (Sunrise) – a perfect spot for your lunch or early dinner. Voskhod focuses on dishes from all fifteen former Soviet Union republics and its inside looks like a Soviet-made spaceship with great views of the Moscow river. Try Azeri home-made pasta or trout from Lake Sevan in Armenia.

After all that walking and exploring you need some quality downtime and what better way to spend it than relaxing for a couple of hours at the famous Sanduny  traditional Russian hot bath. Make sure to get a massage with birch sticks!

You might still have time to go to Winzavod Center – a creative cluster with galleries housed at a former wine factory. Galleries like XL , pop/off/art and Ovcharenko always have something on, most likely a cutting-edge Russian contemporary art exhibition. Finish the evening hanging out at one of the best Moscow bars – try socialites’ paradise Noor Electro , co-joined with one of Moscow’s avant-garde theatres or Powerhouse Moscow , located in a 19th-century mansion, which is famous for live indie and jazz band performances. Both serve great food, too. 

Power up for a busy day ahead at one of Moscow’s trendiest coffee/breakfast spots,   Nude . Located in the upscale, well-heeled neighborhood of Patriarch’s Ponds, Nude offers a wide range of breakfast dishes, including scrambled eggs, toast, porridge and banana bread. Book ahead as it might be busy on a weekend morning.

After checking out the Patriarch's Ponds, which features prominently in Mikhail Bulgakov’s perennial novel The Master and Margarita , devote the rest of the morning and early afternoon to exploring Moscow’s best museums. Depending on your tastes, pick one of the following: Tretyakov Gallery for traditional Russian art, from medieval icons to the early 20th century;  New Tretyakov for 20th century and contemporary art as well as great temporary exhibitions;  Pushkin Museum for one of the greatest collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art in the world; and the Garage Museum for some eye-opening modern-art exhibitions. 

Whichever museum or gallery you choose, be sure to go to LavkaLavka for lunch, certainly one of the best places to try new Russian cuisine, which is a contemporary reading of centuries-old recipes. It’s one of the few places to try polugar , which is, allegedly, what Russians called vodka in the 19th century. 

When you talk about Russian culture, literary giants usually pop into mind: the likes of Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Anton Chekhov. There are plenty of literary museums in Moscow, but if you had to pick one, visit Tolstoy Estate Museum , located just opposite the headquarters of Yandex, the Russian equivalent of Google. Every little detail has been restored just the way it looked when Tolstoy lived here in the 1880s–90s. 

Leave some time for exploring the Moscow Metro : every station is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Our favorites include Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya and Kievskaya. Later, unwind at one of dozens of Moscow’s craft beer places . Try  Jawsspot , named after one of the leading breweries in Russia, Jaws from the Urals region, which also serves decent pizza and salads.  

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Why food markets in Moscow are having a moment    Russia for first-timers: dos and don’ts    Russia's best drinks and where to try them   

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10 of the best new cookbooks in 2024

Serious cooking inspo ahead.

Updated March 29, 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

1. "The Noom Kitchen" by Noom

Release date: january 2, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "The Noom Kitchen"

2. "Tiffy Cooks" by Tiffy Chen

Release date: february 27, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Tiffy Cooks"

The cookbook features 88 total recipes, all designed to help you bring Taiwanese street food to the table.

3. "Hot Sheet" by Olga Massov and Sanaë Lemoine

Release date: march 5, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Hot Sheet"

More than 100 flavor-packed recipes—spanning from breakfast to dinner (plus appetizers and desserts)—are dedicated to helping you get the most out of the humble sheet pan. Cauliflower steaks with parsley-shallot sauce, paella with chorizo and peas, and labneh cheesecake bars with berry compote are just a handful on the mouthwatering meals featured.

4. "Make More with Less" by Kitty Coles

Release date: march 8, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Make More with Less"

Each chapter focuses on a core ingredient (that you likely already have in your fridge or pantry) that can be used to create multiple different flavor-packed meals.

5. "Cooking in Real Life" by Lidey Heuck

Release date: march 12, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Cooking in Real Life"

The author also includes suggestions on how to make the meals ahead of time, portion them for larger parties, enjoy them best as leftovers, and substitute with other ingredients.

6. "Zaytinya" by José Andrés with Michael Costa

Release date: march 19, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Zaytinya"

Sharing the same name as the chef's ultra popular D.C. restaurant, the cookbook, which Andrés co-created with Zaytinya's head chef, Michael Costa, is made up of 150 recipes inspired by the Mediterranean dishes served at the namesake restaurant. (Think: fried mussels, grilled kebabs, and warm, fluffy pita.)

7. "Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends" by Benny Blanco

Release date: april 30, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Open Wide"

Inside, you'll find Blanco's cooking insights, guide to entertaining, and his ideal dinner party menus, which include recipes like Lose Your Mind lobster rolls, "I Might Go Vegetarian" veggie sandwiches, and chicken cutlets with honey, peppers, and parm.

8. "Simply Jamie: Celebrate the Joy of Food" by Jamie Oliver

Release date: september 26, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Simply Jamie"

Broken down into five chapters covering Midweek Meals, Weekend Wins, Trusty Traybakes, Cupboard Love, and Perfect Puds, the upcoming cookbook is designed to help you fit delicious meals into a busy week, with recipes like Batch-It-Up Bolognese, gochujang chicken noodle traybake, spicy paneer & veg squash bake, and more.

9. "Pass the Plate" By Carolina Gelen

Release date: september 24, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "Pass the Plate"

Food influencer Carolina Gelen has been behind many viral cooking techniques, from 'spiral hotdogs' to 'vodka butter', and now, the TikTok foodie is ready to put her cooking secrets in print.

10. "The Cookbook" by Martha Stewart

Release date: october 22, 2024.

Best new cookbooks of 2024: "The Cookbook"

Alongside the recipes, Stewart will include never-before-seen pictures and autobiographical information about her culinary legacy. The forthcoming cookbook, entitled, "Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen," is slated for release this fall.

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My family’s from the Greek island of longevity, where people often live to 100: The 12 foods we always eat

On Ikaria, the Greek island where people "forget to die," as one centenarian told longevity expert Dan Buettner , is one of a handful of Blue Zones around the globe where people live an inordinately long time. 

In 2009, Greek physicians and researchers found that 13% of Ikarians in their study were over 80, compared to about 1.5% of the global population and about 4% in North America and Europe. People on the island were 10 times more likely to live to 100 than Americans .

I have deep family roots on Ikaria, and for almost two decades, I've been running a cooking school out of the kitchen and garden of my village home. My pantry is culled from the traditions of the Mediterranean: chock-full of all the things that have long given food its flavor in this part of the world.

Here's what's in an Ikaria-inspired pantry:

Beans and legumes

These are among the seminal ingredients of the Ikarian way of eating. Adding them to your everyday meal plan is proven to increase longevity and can help you phase meat out of your diet. Try:

• Broad beans (aka, fava beans)
• Gigantes (giant beans)

I couldn't imagine my life or kitchen without garlic! It's the ultimate flavor-packing, health - providing natural ingredient. There's a virtual pharmacopeia of goodness in every clove.

Modern-day Ikarians swear by it. My daughter makes a preventive infusion of raw garlic, mountain or sage tea, ginger, and honey, which she consumes when the temperature drops or she feels a cold coming on — advice taken from our friend, Yiorgos Stenos, 91.

Garlic makes almost everything taste better. It sweetens up as it softens and cooks, lending an almost caramelized flavor to so many different foods.

Whole grains are an integral part of the Ikaria diet. Here are a few different types to keep on hand:

• Pasta, especially whole wheat pasta and gluten-free, high-protein, bean-based pastas, such as chickpea and lentil pastas

On Ikaria, myriad herbs grow wild and most of us can grow a few pots of fresh herbs at home, even if it's just on the windowsill. I use herbs with abandon in many of my recipes.

Most families have a cupboard packed with dried herbs, the therapeutic qualities of which are contained in the knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Basic dried herbs include: 

Nuts are an important ingredient in many of my plant-based recipes and traditionally are an important ingredient in Greek regional cooking. They grow abundantly throughout the country.

Here are a few of the most popular — and healthiest:

• Sesame seeds and tahini

Olives have been a staple in the Greek diet since prehistoric times, and they're one of the many preserves I always keep stocked.

In Greece, they're traditionally eaten on their own or in salads. I love to pair them with pantry staples like beans or pasta and other grains.

Olive oil is the defining food of the Mediterranean diet and an absolute must in the pantry. 

Many of the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet, and, by extension, the Ikaria diet, are attributed to the health properties of olive oil . I only use extra virgin oil, which simply means the oil is unrefined.

On Ikaria, many people, myself included, use sea salt that collects in the small natural salt basins that have formed along the island's rocky coastline over eons. It tastes better than regular table salt, which comes from mines and is heavily processed.  

This is one of my personal favorites. Consuming honey daily is one of the longevity secrets of the islanders. Honey is antibacterial , rich in antioxidants including flavonoids , and — unlike white sugar or artificial sweeteners — helps the body to regulate blood sugar levels . Many people here eat a spoonful every morning. 

You can add a liberal drizzle to your tea or a breakfast smoothie bowl, or whisk it into dressings.

Dried fruits

Figs and raisins are two dried fruits I always have on hand to use in all sorts of savory dishes, especially in salads and rice dishes.

Yogurt is a fermented food that has been part of the culinary tapestry of the Eastern Mediterranean for thousands of years. The traditional yogurt on Ikaria is produced with goat's milk and has a delicious sour flavor and creamy texture.

If goat's milk yogurt isn't to your liking, you might prefer the Greek yogurt commonly found in American supermarkets, which is similarly rich in probiotics.

Feta and similar cheeses

Almost all the cheese Ikarians make and eat is produced with goat's milk or sheep's milk, like feta. Much of it is naturally fermented.

Over the years of teaching mostly Americans who come to my classes, I've had many guests who are lactose intolerant but are able to enjoy the island's traditional goat's milk cheeses and even a glass or two of fresh goat's milk without a problem.

Diane Kochilas is the host and co-executive producer of " My Greek Table ," runs the Glorious Greek Cooking School on her native island Ikaria, and is the author of 18 books on Greek cuisine, including most recently, " The Ikaria Way: 100 Delicious Plant-Based Recipes Inspired by My Homeland, the Greek Island of Longevity ."

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From " The Ikaria Way: 100 Delicious Plant-Based Recipes Inspired By My Homeland, the Greek Island of Longevity ," by Diane Kochilas, Copyright © 2024 by the author, and reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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The 14 Best Travel Wraps for All Your Jet-Setting Needs

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Our top picks for the best travel wraps in 2024

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Best Travel Wrap Cape

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To find the right style for you, consider your personal preferences. Still run hot despite the A/C blasting? Choose a breathable linen or jersey cotton version, which can also double as a beach cover-up when your carry-on space is limited. If softness if your main concern, opt for a pure cashmere pick. And if you rely on accessories to zhuzh up your travel loungewear, go for a style in a fun or unexpected color.

No matter your needs or travel destination , we scoured customer reviews and did the research to find the best travel wraps ahead. Not only are they compact enough to fit inside a standard travel purse , but they're also surprisingly versatile, so you'll get tons of use out of them.

Pure Mongolian cashmere for under $100? Quince's ultra-cozy wrap is a steal if we ever saw one, done in a plush 12-gauge knit and offered in 10 versatile colors.

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This gorgeous cashmere piece could easily be styled as a shawl, scarf, or added lightweight layer draped underneath a coat. You can even get it monogrammed for an especially great gift idea .

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White + Warren's cashmere number is a best-seller for a reason. It's both relatively lightweight and warm enough to fully wrap yourself in. It also comes in the prettiest colors, from this butter yellow hue to a vivid coral, in case neutrals aren't your thing.

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If you want something with a little more structure than a blanket scarf, go the cape route. Cuyana makes our favorite version, made from alpaca and available in three easy-to-style neutrals.

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This polyester-cotton blend style is both cozy and breathable for year-round wear. Even better, its under-$20 price tag means you can easily grab it in multiple colors for a variety of occasions.

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Not everyone wants to bundle up in cashmere in the middle of the summer. Banana Republic's oversized wrap comes in a luxe linen material sourced from Italy. Bonus points if you make it work overtime as a coverup, so you have one less thing to pack.

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Behold: a nifty travel wrap with pockets, which not only offer extra storage, but can also serve as little hand-warmers. The predominately wool blend is toasty, so if you run particularly cold, you'll love this style.

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If you're seeking something wispy that will also work for temperate spring weddings, try Naked Cashmere's Karlie wrap. Made in a 7-gauge knit, this elegant style is lighter than most of its counterparts. Additionally, its pretty pastel color options make it even more apropos for the warm-weather season.

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For the person who wants to be fully cocooned, this luxe option is extra, extra long. It's made almost entirely of Tencel modal, which not only helps create the most beautiful drape but is also super soft, sturdy and sustainable. Because of its length, this silhouette can be styled in infinite ways.

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Frank & Eileen Aude Travel Scarf

Jersey cotton is buttery soft and more breathable than heavier knits, making it a solid choice if you tend to overheat on flights. At 90 inches long, this scarf done in the material is plenty roomy—plus, it's machine-washable.

Material: 100% Jersey Cotton

Dimensions: 90 " x 44"

Athleta Pranayama Restore Wrap

If you're not one for scarves, Athleta's best-selling wrap has sleeves and even thumbholes to keep it in place. Though it's technically designed as a breathable pre- and post-workout layer, we think it makes a great travel-ready option, too.

Material: 97% TENCEL™ Modal, 3% Spandex

Sizes available: XXS - 3X

Extreme Cashmere Wrap, Pillow, and Eye Mask Set

Go ahead and revamp all your flight essentials with this luxurious cashmere set, which includes a wrap, neck pillow, and eye mask. Yes, it is pricey, but take the plunge and you'll never have to invest in another travel kit again.

Material: 88% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Dimensions: 51.2" x 78.7"

Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf

Anyone with sensitive skin may want to steer clear of synthetic materials or traditionally rougher fabrics like wool. Instead, try this oatmeal-colored shawl, which is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and is fully hypoallergenic.

Material: 100% Organic Cotton

Dimensions: 28" x 78"

Barefoot Dreams Bouclé Blanket Scarf

When it comes to peak coziness, you can't beat a bouclé scarf. Made by the purveyors of one of our favorite robes , this plush ribbed option will basically make you feel like you're swathed in a cozy throw blanket.

Material: 100% Polyester

Dimensions: 27” x 80”

Elly Leavitt is a fashion and luxury commerce editor at Hearst covering fashion, design, and more across multiple brands. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe's. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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