travel cooking shows netflix

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

The best food and travel shows to watch right now

By James Medd

Joanna Lumley’s Home Sweet Home – Travels In My Own Land

Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has retired the infamous Patsy Stone and gone on to make a string of travel documentaries, flitting from the USA to Japan. Her 2021 series is closer to home as she drives around the UK in an Aston Martin DB5 taking in some of the country’s most popular staycation spots. Episodes include stints on Devon ’s epic moors and Cornwall’s pretty island of St Michael’s Mount, as well as in North Wales, the Peak District and her hometown, London. Available to watch on ITV Hub

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In this offshoot from his Ugly Delicious show, the preposterously busy David Chang hits the road for four hour-long adventures with comedians. He’s in Vancouver with local lad Seth Rogen, fishing and giggling, getting lost in a maze and above all revelling in the city’s Asian food emporia. Then he’s in Marrakech with Chrissy Teigen and in LA with Lena Waithe before the best of the bunch, visiting Phnom Penh with Kate McKinnon. The Saturday Night Live comic and Ghostbusters actor is charming, open and interested in everything around her as they talk Buddhism, ride helicopters and tuk-tuks, and dig surprisingly deep into the issues of a rapidly changing country. Streaming on Netflix

Conan Without Borders

This really is something different. For those outside of the USA, chat-show host Conan O’Brien is very much an unknown quantity, and this show may well be equally baffling: it’s a travel programme but directed primarily for laughs and with the reaction of a studio audience added as if it’s an in-show segment. We get Conan being tall, zany and actually pretty witty in the usual places Americans are interested in: Cuba, Korea, Mexico, Israel, Haiti and Italy. Don’t expect to get all the references but give it a go. Streaming on Netflix

Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland

Well, he’s certainly mellowed. Once the scourge of tabloid and liberal broadsheet alike, the comic has revealed more humanity as his face has been ever more hidden under a beard. He’s still sharp, as the introduction shows – ‘There comes a time in every comedian’s career when they decide to do travelogues,’ he tells us – though this is much richer than the sitcom-character-goes-to-Africa formula we’re used to. Over four episodes, each given a very loose theme, he enjoys Scotland’s camera-friendliness – the coast, moors and monumental architecture – and meets a parade of eccentric locals. His secret weapon is asking unusual questions, ensuring a wide range of subjects: one episode alone covers Mary Queen of Scots, martial arts, protests and funfairs. Be warned: contains adult content and sarcasm. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Great Railway Journeys

Want to take the train but can’t face Michael Portillo and his range of bright slacks? Now’s the time to dive into iPlayer, then, as the Tory grandee’s monopoly on rail travel falls off the rotation, leaving this multi-presenter series from 1994. Follow the lovely Michael Palin to Ireland and the awkwardly charming Clive Anderson to China, and watch ballerina Natalia Makarova take on her native Russia and the great BBC correspondent Mark Tully head to India. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Griff’s Great Australian Adventure

Despite an unpromising start – do we need a TV comic to tell us that ‘this is a big place’, or that he’s about to embark on ‘the journey of a lifetime’? – this is well worth your time. Griff Rhys Jones travels around the great southern land by train, packing a great deal into his 30-minute episodes. Along with crocs, sheep-shearing, gold-prospecting and whitewater-rafting, he joins the drag scene in Broken Hill, digs into the poetry of the Outback and hitches a ride with a Flying Doctor. Throughout, he transcends the formula by being well-informed and showing an interest in people. Streaming on ITV Hub

My Greek Odyssey

If you enjoyed the last season of The Trip but felt there was too much competitive banter and not enough Greek scenery, then this is for you. Be warned, however, that host Peter Maneas is a character beyond even the imaginings of Steve Coogan: a full-on Aussie of Hellenic extraction, he’s colourful, exuberant and generally not backward in coming forward, all to the power of 10. If you can handle that, then join him on his mission to visit every one of his homeland’s 227 inhabited islands, starting with Season 1’s tour of the Saronic and Ionian, including Hydra , Spetses , Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Included with Amazon Prime membership

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

The comedian is a divisive figure, but less so than the man he insists on calling ‘Daddy’, an old showbiz hand who’s loving his spell in the spotlight. It’ll take five minutes to decide whether you’re up for this show, but if you can take the intergenerational eager-puppy-versus-stuffed-shirt banter you do get a lot of travel for your time. In season one they hit South-east Asia to live out Whitehall’s cancelled gap year, while season two is a cultural tour of eastern Europe led by his father Michael. In both cases, hijinks ensue, locals are baffled and we’re lightly entertained. Streaming on Netflix

Dark Tourist

New Zealand journalist David Farrier looks like a geography teacher and often appears more scared than you’d expect from someone in his line of work, but he’s a curiously engaging host for this tour of unlikely, unsafe and unsavoury destinations. Usually wearing pink patterned shorts, he ventures to nuclear disaster zones, serial-killer hotspots, voodoo rituals and the dreadful, monolithic emptiness of Turkmenistan. His show is genuinely informative and remarkably un-hipster. Streaming on Netflix

Now eight seasons in, this short-haul travelogue is admirably dependable. A lot of that is down to actor-director Richard Ayoade, who can bend his deadpan wit to provide a foil to whichever fellow comedian he has in tow for that week ’s 48-hour city break (including occasional Hollywood stars such as Jon Hamm and Paul Rudd). It’s basically a comedy but, for all the eccentric hotels , drinking and quirky-museum-hunting, this show is still a reliable indicator of whether you’ll enjoy two nights or more in that week’s destination , so bring on season nine. Catch up on All 4

The Mind of a Chef

Chef-profile shows can merge into a blur of hot men in dark rooms talking about sourcing and knives, but this PBS show is in sharp focus – partly because episodes last just 23 minutes. Each of its five seasons are hosted by a different chef, from David Chang, who presents Netflix’s Ugly Delicious , to Prune author Gabrielle Hamilton, who traces a dish to its source, has a good dig and still manages to get in more travel trimmings than most of the hour-long competition. Season five’s resident Ludo Lefebvre is particularly good value – look out for his outraged attempt to reclaim Jersey for France on a lobster-fishing trip. Stream it on Netflix

The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan

Currently vying for the title of most familiar face on British TV, Ranganathan generally trades on sardonic wit but these tours of ‘the places others avoid’ break through the cynical veneer to show the thoughtful and frequently terrified everyman inside the comedy sports-quiz panellist. In the latest, second season he journeys to Zimbabwe, Mongolia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Colombia. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Around the World in 80 Gardens

Led by the soothing, earnest tones of Monty Don, this is a different and highly satisfying tour of the globe, first screened in 2008. Naturally each region’s flora and plant-husbandry tell us something about the culture and landscape, and our thoughtful and well-informed host is just the man to tell us how. Starting in Mexico and Cuba with rainforests and colonialism, he passes through the the tomb gardens of India’s Mughal emperors, the floating wonders of the Amazon, the Imperial Summer Palace of Beijing, Emperor Hadrian’s Retreat in Italy and the perfection of the Alhambra in Granada, via Bali, Bangkok and the Arctic Circle. You don’t need green fingers to enjoy this, just a love of beauty. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Somebody Feed Phil

If you don’t know Everybody Loves Raymond , the American sitcom he created – actually, even if you do – you may find Philip Rosenthal a distracting host: odd, distracted, awkward. Still, he sure loves his food and Netflix sure loves him, bankrolling 12 episodes of this foodie travelogue that takes him all over the world to Bangkok , Tel Aviv , Buenos Aires , Dublin and Mexico City (always Mexico). It’s a pretty easy ride – he walks around a bit, eats some local dishes, gets excited – but it’s fun, and you’ll like Phil. Streaming on Netflix

National Geographic Presents

Dig deep into the travel-related content from the always-reliable NatGeo. For that unique combination of brashness and culinary genius, there’s Gordon Ramsay Uncharted , where the king of the TV cooks heads for Peru, Morocco, Laos and more. The Bear Grylls-narrated Hostile Planet is a fascinating look at how animals have adapted to the most difficult conditions, from icecap to desert to ocean – highlights include a jaguar hunting crocodiles in the Amazon. Adventure fans, meanwhile, should dive into Lost Treasures of the Maya , where explorer Albert Lin hunts down lost civilization with new tech. Streaming on Disney+

CNT Editors

Olivia Morelli , CN Traveller

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s semi-improvised wander between scenically sited restaurants is a journey that bears repeating. The original six-part run through the North of England in 2010, where both idea and stars were at their freshest and there was a real edge of melancholy tod the impressions and repartee, remains the best but it’s hard to argue with Season 2’s finale in Capri, where two middle-aged men talk rubbish against one of the world’s most beautiful backdrops, and Season 3’s visit to Spain kept up the quality. This year, of course, the boys were back for a tour of Greece. Find out where Season 4 of The Trip was filmed. Stream on Amazon Prime Pictured: Adatepe Ida Blue Hotel

All Aboard! The Great Reindeer Migration

From BBC4’s ‘Slow Christmas’ series, this 2018 programme follows the Sami reindeer herds of Norway on their 160-mile trek north through Finnmark to the Arctic Circle. With no eager presenters to tell us how amazing/dangerous/unchanged it is (though all those things are true), the result is more like a visual poem or guided meditation – most of it just the jangle of the animals’ bells, traditional singing and barking dogs over aerial views and close-ups. And breathe… Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Dating from 2013 to 2018, this CNN series may just be the great legacy of the Godfather of the foodie-travel genre. The effortlessly cool and much-missed NY chef really scratches his adventurer’s itch here, starting with the just reopened Myanmar, Libya and the Congo, and throwing in local-knowledge trips to US cities as well. Regardless of the destination, though, the aim is the same: to live a more interested and interesting life. Watch and learn lessons for travel and beyond. Season 1 streaming on My5. Seasons 1-5 included with Amazon Prime membership

Floyd on France

A time capsule from a different age (1987, to be precise), this makes a pretty startling contrast to the current Netflix foodie doc. Bow-tied and boozy, the late Keith Floyd sets off from a land barely out of the boiled-mutton-and-suet dark ages and barges into the kitchens of France, then considered the world leader of haute cuisine. However misguided his confidence, his enthusiasm and astonishing ability to drink and talk are wondrous to behold as he charges through Provence, Périgord, Burgundy, Alsace, the Basque Country and Brittany. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Ugly Delicious

Momofuku chef and Vice graduate David Chang (see also The Mind of a Chef ) gets down and dirty on this show, sold under the motto ‘Food is a four-letter word’. Each episode looks hard at one home-cooking favourite, with help from guest chefs or foodies, giving American comfort food, from pizza to fried chicken, the kind of attention usually reserved for haute cuisine. Just added is Season 2, where David deals with worries about feeding his forthcoming baby, looks at ways of eating beef, investigates curry with Aziz Ansari and explores the world of kebabs. Streaming on Netflix

World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys – C5/MY5

If you’re drawn to the romance of rail travel but don’t need the usual celebrity guide, fill your boots with this six-parter. There’s a Rocky Mountain ride past lakes, rainforest and wandering bears from Vancouver to Banff, an architecture-heavy tour of northern Spain, volcanoes and sacred hunting grounds in New Zealand, plus trips through Wales, Norway and to the Matterhorn in Switzerland. It’s packed with business and all very thorough, well-researched and beautifully filmed, and the narration is in the capable hands of Bill Nighy. Streaming on My5

Salt Fat Acid Heat

Hosting this adaptation of her own book, chef Samin Nosrat proves an exuberant, natural presenter. The high-concept format – four journeys in pursuit of the four titular pillars of cooking – provides the structure, leaving Nosrat to enthuse and convince with the help of chefs from Japan , Italy , Mexico and California . And though it’s mostly kitchen-based, the show always has a strong sense of place, whether in the olive groves of Liguria, Italy , on the cable car to Japan’s Shōdoshima island or under the corrugated roofs of Oxkutzcab in Mexico. Streaming on Netflix

Huang’s World

Tattooed, perma-vested Eddie Huang is a true one-off. An attorney, restaurateur and author (of televised memoir Fresh Off The Boat ), he’s also a man with a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for food, and the most energetic host in food-travel TV. This series is excellent value; Huang is unafraid to talk to experts and locals alike and always has his nose in the action. Catch up on All4

…with Simon Reeve

While others provide entertainment, the perturbingly youthful but tremendously wise Reeve brings the information part of the BBC’s Reithian values. With his background in investigative reporting, he digs that bit deeper while retaining the Bear Grylls-meets-Brian Cox enthusiasm that ensures you always know this is about travel rather than history or politics. You’ll find a selection of his trips on BBC iPlayer, from the six-part Indian Ocean journey and three-part whistlestop tour round Australia to a one-off in Colombia . Catch up on BBC iPlayer

Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey

In this series from 1999, the doyen of British seafood has a quick look at how the rest of the world does it. He cooks shark vindaloo in Goa, tries percebes (goose barnacles) picked from the rocks in Galicia, has seabass and oysters in Chesapeake Bay and generally enthuses about grills, saucepans and fishing nets in Naples, Queensland and Thailand before heading closer to home for a fish supper in Whitby. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Arabia with Levison Wood

British Army officer Wood is an explorer in the classic mould, and solo walks are a speciality ( the Himalayas , the Nile, Central America , Russia ). This programme finds him, Bedouin-scarved and deeply tanned, touring 13 countries and 5,000 miles of the Arabian peninsula, crossing Oman ’s Empty Quarter by camel, embedding himself with troops fighting Isis in Yemen and exchanging selfies in Saudi Arabia. There’s all the derring-do and endurance you could ask for, but he’s also a sensitive and curious companion. Watch on Amazon Prime

Like this? Now read:

Where 'Call Me By Your Name' was filmed in Italy

Where is Big Little Lies filmed?

Where 'Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again' was filmed in Croatia

21 Best Food And Travel Shows On Netflix

By Aaron Pruner on May 5, 2018 at 10:48AM PDT

GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Eating food and going places: These are things we all do, or wish we could do more of. Netflix knows this, which explains the spike in food/travel programming in recent years. After all, when we're not eating food or going places, there's a good chance we're thinking about eating food or going places. The binge-watch model works wonderfully when indulging in such programming.

Whether an exciting history lesson is revealed or a new recipe is explored, Netflix has something for everyone. From the sardonic sensibilities of Anthony Bourdain to the awkward dad humor of Phil Rosenthal, here are 21 of the best food/travel shows available on Netflix right now.

21. Eat Your Words

Eat Your Words sounds like the perfect Yelp-themed revenge story. Instead of simply leaving the bad reviews untouched, the concept for the series puts contestants in the cook's shoes and challenges them to recreate the dish they didn't enjoy in the first place. What transpires is redemption on both sides--with the chefs sometimes receiving the vindication they seek, while the dissatisfied foodies sometimes prove they've got their own worthy culinary skills. After cooking up the negatively rated meal, the finished product is presented to a panel of judges--and then rated on their own Yelp-like star system.

20. Chef & My Fridge

Chef & My Fridge delivers a familiar cooking competition formula but through a South Korean reality show lens. The concept finds chefs teamed with regular people, with the goal of cooking up high-end dishes using only the ingredients contained in the guest star's fridge. Needless to say, the show's tone is lighthearted and a bit wacky, and gives American viewers insight into the country's reality food programming. Oh, and don't forget the emojis. There are lots of emojis.

19. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Unlike the majority of shows on this list, Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories tackles food-themed voyeurism in a scripted format. The 10-episode series gives a peek into Tokyo's late night scene. It follows an assortment of characters--all of them diner regulars--as they partake in an assortment of Japanese comfort food. That's only the beginning, though, as the dishes in question spark different stories--full of heart, humor, and emotion. For those unfamiliar with Japanese culture, this show offers a lovely introduction to its food and people.

18. Testing the Menu

What's most interesting about Testing the Menu is the fact that it's a New Zealand cooking show focused on Asian fusion cuisine. Chef Nick Watt travels around Auckland and its surrounding area, testing out different recipes on the general public--which may or may not be added to the menu of the various Japanese restaurants he owns. Watt's nerdy presence offers a different dynamic for those needing a break from those shows that may take themselves a bit too seriously. As appetizing as things get, the show succeeds best when it highlights New Zealand culture.

17. A Cook Abroad

If you're looking for an Anthony Bourdain-style show, but without all that Bourdain-iness, A Cook Abroad may quench your proverbial thirst. Each episode follows a different host as they traverse different parts of the world. From Sikh chef Tony Singh's trip to India to motorcycle enthusiast Dave Meyer's jaunt to Egypt to Rachel Khoo's inspiring look at Malaysia, it's easy to see the adventurous appeal of the series. There's only six episodes of the BBC 2 series--but that's surely enough to give viewers a taste of the show's unique worldly aesthetic.

16. The Wild Chef

Martin Picard is an award-winning chef that hails from Montreal. He's appeared as a guest on multiple food shows--the Canada episode of Parts Unknown comes to mind. And with The Wild Chef, he lets his adventurous food spirit free. Each episode finds the man and his sous chef Hugue Lafour hitting the road to brave the elements--hunting moose and trapping muskrats--only to create a delicious dish using what they find in the wilderness. While the show doesn't necessarily give you instructions on making these meals at home, The Wild Chef provides a survivalist angle to the food-travel show construct. And the result is quite entertaining.

15. Avec Eric

Another series that has banked on the success of the Anthony Bourdain food/travel show formula is Avec Eric--which is not surprising since Eric Ripert is one of Bourdain's closest friends. The show follows the French chef as he travels the world, showcasing cultural highlights of whatever destination he's visiting. He may lack the charisma one would expect--there's no witty sarcasm here--but his show doesn't pander either. Staying true to his Buddhist sensibilities, Ripert keeps his focus on foods and locales of an exotic nature--and he does so without any pretension or judgment, which is delightful in its own right.

14. The Big Family Cooking Showdown

What's not to love about The Big Family Cooking Showdown? The host of the show, Nadiya Hussain, used her big win in Season 6 of The Great British Baking Show to launch this new competition series. Hailing from BBC Two, Hussain is joined by co-host Zoë Ball, and the two head to the British countryside to find the area's best home cooks. Rounding out the cast are judges Roseman Shrager and Michelin Star-winning chef Giorgio Locatelli. Cut from that feel-good Mary Berry cloth, the program succeeds at scratching the British Baking Show itch.

13. The Great British Baking Show: Masterclass

For those put off by the overhaul The Great British Baking Show went through, this show may be for you. While Mary Berry hasn't returned for the new season of the food competition series, this quaint spinoff reunites her with judge Paul Hollywood for an up-close-and-personal baking education. Instead of watching contestants struggle to keep up with each culinary challenge, Berry and Hollywood bring viewers into the kitchen to show how to make some of the toughest desserts featured on the popular series. Mary Berry may be gone from The Great British Baking Show, but her presence here is a treat for old and new fans alike.

12. Zumbo's Just Desserts

With a name like Zumbo, you might expect something a bit clown-ish when tuning in to Zumbo's Just Desserts. While it’s not the circus sideshow the name implies,, the Australian series does come packed with plenty of spectacle. Each episode finds pastry chef Adriano Zumbo presenting two dessert-making challenges to a group of amateur bakers. What makes the series stand out from the pack are the out-of-this-world concoctions Zumbo whips up. Giant sugary sculptures and magical layered cakes abound in this series. Willy Wonka would be proud.

11. Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father

Jack Whitehall is pretty famous in the UK. The comedian and TV personality has earned himself a loyal following. And with his travel series, Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father, he's connected with a whole new audience. The program follows a Bourdain-like formula as Whitehall travels to South Asia, aiming to fulfill his gap year dreams. But things get interesting when he decides to bring his father and former producer and talent agent, Michael Whitehall, along for the ride. What transpires is a hilarious bonding session that plays out between a hesitant, fancy father and his brash, adventurous son.

Rotten takes an in-depth look at the different aspects of the food business--and the fraud, crimes, and tragedies that come with it. From the "Honey" episode's focus on corruption and contamination plaguing America's honey industry to the "Peanut" episode's investigation into the drastic rise of food allergies, the six-part docuseries pulls no punches. It's not your typical feel-good food show, but the series does help to shine a light on lesser known, but quite critical, aspects of the food industry. Oh, and it's produced by Zero Point Zero--the Emmy-winning company behind a handful of hit food/travel shows, including Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.

Executive produced by author Michael Pollan, Cooked breaks down the familiar food docuseries format into four parts: "Fire," "Water," "Air," and "Earth." Each episode focuses on each of the planet's powerful elements to explore just how these resources are connected to sustenance, impacting the day-to-day foods we eat. The program peels back the curtain on the cultural history of global food practices, instead of just displaying food porn for food porn's sake. Ultimately, the Alex Gibney-directed (Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, The Looming Tower) series is informative without being pretentious--highlighting different perspectives the world over on topics from sustainable crops to food prep to the simple joy of enjoying dinner with family around a table.

8. The Mind of a Chef

Anthony Bourdain put his producer hat on for PBS's Mind of a Chef. Different celebrity chefs take the helm to host the series, with the assistance of Bourdain's familiar voice-over narration style. What audiences should expect here are similar components that make other Bourdain joints a success. You've got beautiful shots of food, travel tips, a peek into a town's history, an a handful of intriguing personalities. David Chang helms the first season--each episode is about 20 minutes long--which gives viewers that lovely Anthony Bourdain feel, without all the Bourdain.

7. Ugly Delicious

Ugly Delicious takes the pretentiousness out of food programming, highlighting the importance of the ugly and delicious world of home cooking. Since David Chang disrupted the food world with his restaurant Momofuku, he's made a reputation of being one of the more vocal food personalities in the industry. As audiences have seen with his work from Vice's Munchies to Mind of a Chef, the man has interesting things to say. Chang isn't the only host of the series, though, giving a collection of unique voices a chance to shine. And that's great, especially for those out there who find his brash sensibilities an acquired taste.

6. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

From the man behind Seinfeld--the game-changing "show about nothing"--comes a simple show concept: Each episode follows the comedian as he drives some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry around the city in a classic car. Of course, they end up getting coffee, which is a selling point for any coffee fan, but the crux of the show finds Jerry chopping it up with his famous peers--from Jim Carrey to Barack Obama. It's like taking the best parts of a late night talk show on the road. And with Netflix's acquisition of the series, not only is every episode available to be viewed, it's delightfully bingeable.

5. The Great British Baking Show

In a world where loud judgmental hosts like Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain focus on the darker aspects of the culinary world, Mary Berry's The Great British Baking Show offers a different, pleasant perspective on things. As charming as it is beautiful, the show focuses on the delightful aspects of baking. And while this is a competition series, the programming formula sheds the expected reality show drama--there's no villain amongst the contestants--and focuses on the struggles and victories of the actual food-making process. It's a breath of fresh air, honestly.

4. Chef's Table

When it comes to food programming, Chef's Table stands out from the pack with its epic production value. While this show provides a very high level of food porn for the senses, each episode adds an emotional component by delving into a famous chef's backstory. Without food, we'd surely die. But watching these stories unfold--exploring just how the culinary business not only saved, but changed lives for the better--shows just how important to the culture chefs are. Making meals may not always be pretty, but this heightened docuseries cuts through the fat, exposing the passion behind the meal.

3. Chef's Table: France

Netflix one-upped itself with Chef's Table: France. Sure, Chef's Table changed the game when it comes to food porn. The cinematography alone in these episodes deserve all the awards. That said, bringing the series to France was a no-brainer. Not only do these episodes appeal to French locals, presenting the subject matter all in the country’s native tongue, the program opens things up to a global audience. Exploring these various dishes and culture is impactful here for the simple reason that French cuisine has--and continues to have--a monumental impact on food around the world. If Chef's Table dug into the stories and struggles behind the food, Chef's Table: France breaks the whole thing down to its basest id. And it'll leave your mouth watering for more.

2. Somebody Feed Phil/I'll Have What Phil's Having

Upon watching Somebody Feed Phil (The Netflix continuation of PBS's short-lived series I'll Have What Phil's Having) you instantly feel a stark difference from the grumpy host stylings that either Bourdain or Chang bring to the table. Phil Rosenthal--he's the guy who created Everybody Loves Raymond--has one goal in mind: To go to new places and try new things. As he travels around the world and puts local delicacies into his mouth, the man's joy becomes quite contagious. After all, he's not here to judge. He's here to encourage everyone to try new food. And if they like what they try, to have a little more!

1. Parts Unknown

Since he brought No Reservations to The Travel Channel over a decade ago, Anthony Bourdain's punk rock panache and sardonic sense of humor cut through the TV fluff and changed the food-travel show game. Now that he's taken his brand to CNN, Parts Unknown has built upon his familiar formula. Through the six seasons available on Netflix, Parts Unknown has brought viewers a plethora of food porn, travel show stories, insight from food personalities around the world, and a multitude of deep history lessons. In other words, this is Anthony Bourdain's world--we're just living in it.

• Leave Blank

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

The 20 best cooking shows on Netflix

The big red streamer offers a vast menu of delicious fare.

The way to a person's heart is through their stomach, and you will fall in love with these food-focused series. From travelogues to practical cooking tips to culinary explorations of history and geography, Netflix has proven itself a patron of the broadcast gastronomical arts. Offering both ebullient entertainment (see: Is It Cake? ) as well as educated edible analysis (see: The Great British Baking Show and Somebody Feed Phil ) Netflix holds a special place in the hearts of home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. So, grab a plate and take a seat: it's time to chow down on EW's list of the 20 best cooking shows on Netflix.

Bake Squad (2021–present)

Bake Squad puts the spotlight on talent, and while there is an element of "competition" (the client has to choose one of the creations), it's all very good-natured. Led by a respected figure in the cooking world (author, baker, and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi) the Squad is made up of four amazingly artistic, wholly unique bakers creating awesome feats of flour, butter, and sugar. An exploding cake? Yes! A floating cake? Why not? How about a life-sized chocolate piano, or a giant chocolate dragon egg, or a supersized smash cake? Let's do this! Watching this show feels like hanging out in the kitchen at a really cool bakery, spying on all of the mind-blowingly elaborate techniques. Truly, no idea is too crazy for Bake Squad, and we love them for it.

Where to watch Bake Squad : Netflix

Cast: Christina Tosi, Maya-Camille Broussard, Ashley Holt, Gonzo Jimenez, Christophe Rull

Best Leftovers Ever! (2020)

A makeover show for leftovers? We can get behind that. Now, a show all about those bits and bobs left in your fridge from last night might not seem like the most highbrow offering on the Netflix cooking show menu, but it just might be the most important. Why? Well, as you probably know, billions of pounds of food is wasted every year in the United States alone — but not if Best Leftovers Ever can help it. Hosted by actress Jackie Tohn ( Melanie "MelRose" Rosen of GLOW ) , creativity rules here, whether you're turning dinner into breakfast, kid's meals into cocktail apps, or Mexican fare into…gnocchi? By amping up the flavor and presentation, the revolving cast of enthusiastic competitors (an assortment of real folks, from home cooks to personal chefs, battling for a $10,000 prize) really does manage to transform fridge-chilled blah to restaurant-ready yum.

Where to watch Best Leftovers Ever! : Netflix

Cast: Jackie Tohn, David So, Rosemary Shrager

Breakfast Lunch and Dinner (2019)

Noodles with Weird Barbie ( Kate McKinnon ) in Cambodia? Couscous with Chrissy Teigen in Marrakesh? Yes, please! This show is a slightly decadent and occasionally ridiculous pleasure, like traveling with a true friend. No stress, no drama, no worries about calorie counts, and no pressure to learn stuff. In fact, one of the first things Teigen says upon greeting host David Chang in her (amazing) Moroccan villa is "I shall teach you…no, I won't." And while Chang + celebrity guest + traveling to a fabulous destination while eating tons of delicious food might have been a clever way to get Netflix to pay for some glam R and R (kidding?), we don't mind one bit, because the result (four jam-packed episodes) is pure escapist fun.

Where to watch Breakfast Lunch and Dinner : Netflix

Cast: David Chang, Seth Rogen , Chrissy Teigen, Lena Waithe , Kate McKinnon

Related content: Chrissy Teigen, Kate McKinnon, more stars go on global eating tour in new Netflix food series

The Chef Show (2019–present)

We admit it: The Chef Show gives us the warm fuzzies. Effortlessly transferring the 2014 movie Chef 's look, feel, color palette, and heart from the big to the small screen, producer and star Jon Favreau connects food to friendship in every frame. Reuniting with his buddy and producing partner, Roy Choi (whose fusion taco truck, Kogi, served as Chef's inspo), this series feels like a true labor of love. Choi, a creative wizard who taught Favreau how to cook like a pro for the film (bringing him up to speed on everything from knife skills to prep to finishing touches), shares the screen with the actor on all sorts of culinary adventures, from baking bread at Tartine to assembling a giant lasagna. The Chef Show is like a food-series-meets-buddy-comedy, and the result is as irresistible as their famous grilled cheese.

Where to watch The Chef Show : Netflix

Cast: Jon Favreau, Roy Choi

Related content: Watch the Avengers assemble with Jon Favreau and Roy Choi for Netflix's The Chef Show

Chef's Table (2015–2019)

An essential staple in any foodie's streaming pantry, Chef's Table is known for stunningly shot in-depth episodes focusing on fantastic fare — and the lives of the cooks who create it. Following one chef per episode, our writer called this globe-spanning series the "gold standard" of cooking shows , "presenting gorgeous dishes and ingredients with sumptuous cinematography that makes every culinary creation look like a beautiful work of art." Chef's Table has spawned many spin-offs as well, from barbecue to French cuisine. In other words, this Netflix original series makes for perfect dinner-time viewing, whether you're eating cold pizza or a four-course meal.

Where to watch Chef's Table : Netflix

Cast: Massimo Bottura, Dan Barber, Francis Mallmann, Niki Nakayama

Related content: Pie, oh, pie! Fire up the first trailer for Chef's Table: Pizza

Flavorful Origins (2020–present)

Remember what we said about Netflix taking a serious approach to cooking shows? Exhibit A would have to be Flavorful Origins. Spanning 40 episodes across three seasons, this Chinese docuseries goes deep, y'all. And you can forget about sweet 'n sour anything; this is a crash course in authentic Chinese cuisine, though the episode names ("Gluten," "Mutton," "Cooked Chopped Entrails of Sheep," "Tofu Cake," etc.) probably gave this away. The seasons are divided by region ("Chaoshan," "Yunnan," "Gansu") and feel like traveling across China with a knowledgeable guide. A mini cooking school via quick-hit sub-15-minute episodes, this subtitled dive into the awe-inspiring varieties of the nation's food is doggedly un-commercial and a total treat.

Where to watch Flavorful Origins : Netflix

Cast: Yang Chen, Hao Chen, Vivian Lu

Fresh Fried and Crispy (2021)

Impressively bearded, irrepressibly charming, and absolutely willing to take giant bites of uber-crunchy food on camera, Daym Drops is the host with the most enthusiasm. This YouTuber turned Netflix food fanatic travels the U.S. in pursuit of the best in fried fare, sampling heart-stopping delicacies like fried mac 'n cheese, fried Oreos, and something called a "Whale Burger" (which we're not sure we even want to know about). Drops isn't just super funny, he's fearless, too. Watching him bravely bite into a deep-fried "Rocky Mountain Oyster" (if you know, you know) on the "Denver" episode is truly squirm-inducing fun.

Where to watch Fresh Fried and Crispy : Netflix

Cast: Daym Drops

The Great British Baking Show (2010–present)

Mark Bourdillon/Netflix

Despite some bumps (um, Mexican Week ?) and host swaps, everyone's favorite U.K. import is still as soothing as a warm cuppa. The politest of all cooking competitions, this program has always been a pleasant and, yes, educational venture — though that doesn't quite explain its longevity. Here's a theory: In this fractured era of individualized content and heated political discourse, it's quite lovely to agree on something, even if it's just universally deriving joy from watching bakers ice tarts beneath a crisp white tent.

From its origins on BBC to its first American spot ( PBS ) to its current home on Netflix, the show continues to highlight British culinary curiosities (Devonshire Splits, Bakewell Tarts, Maids of Honour?) along with the inherent magic of turning basic ingredients into art — and things have only gotten tastier as the series continues. Because while Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are still judges (if it ain't broke…), Matt Lucas has been replaced by beloved British morning show host Alison Hammond (known for completely disarming Harrison Ford ). P.S.: the chemistry between Hammond and cohost Noel Fielding is like a Victoria Sponge with extra cream, which is to say, perfect.

Where to watch The Great British Baking Show : Netflix

Cast: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding

Related content: The Great British Baking Show has nixed country-themed episodes for its new season: 'The world has changed'

Iron Chef: Quest For an Iron Legend (2022)

Who will win the Golden Knife? This Netflix reboot of the Food Network staple proves that Iron Chefs never die, they just get resurrected. Famed host/writer/nerd Alton Brown again takes the reins alongside Top Chef champ Kristen Kish and actor/martial artist Mark Dacascos (returning as "the Chairman") for play-by-plays, oohing and aahing as celebrity chefs face off against, uh, regular ones. And, yes, this batch of Iron Chefs is on fire: Gabriela Cámara, Curtis Stone, and Dominique Crenn bring stellar credentials from around the globe alongside legendary restaurateur/best-selling author Marcus Samuelsson and one of the OG PBS chefs, Ming Tsai. Together, they bring the noise to Kitchen Stadium once more.

Where to watch Iron Chef: The Quest For an Iron Legend : Netflix

Cast: Alton Brown, Kristen Kish, Mark Dacascos

Related content: Meet the 5 new Iron Chefs taking over Kitchen Stadium in Netflix's reboot

Is It Cake? (2022–present)

Yet another successful meme-to-series transformation (see: Nailed It! ), Is It Cake? scratches our itch for fun while serving up major eye candy…make that eye cake (which admittedly doesn't roll off the tongue as well). Edible optical illusions taken to the Nth degree, this show is an invitation to marvel at an elite force of skilled bakers pulling off the impossible: Disguising dessert as a roll of toilet paper? A shoe? A cash register with money sticking out of it? Yup, and it's all made out of cake! This is the kind of show you have to see to believe (again, the cash register , guys), and when you do see it, you won't be able to look away. Even if you start yelling something along the lines of "NO WAY!" at the screen, it's okay. We get it. With his mix of aw-shucks sincerity and a slightly sinister grin, Saturday Night Live cast member Mikey Day is the ideal host for such bizarre (yet tasty) proceedings. A third season is now streaming.

Where to watch Is It Cake? : Netflix

Cast: Mikey Day

Related content: Shocking judging fail on Netflix's Is It Cake, Too? leads to emotional elimination: 'Let's shake that off'

K Food Show (2022–present)

Divided into three "seasons" (series?) with just two or three episodes in each installment, this is an incredibly mouth-watering cooking show that we have trouble watching on an empty stomach. Each "season" focuses on a different Korean delicacy ( A Nation of Kimchi , A Nation of Banchan , and A Nation of Broth ), allocating time to fully explore each. And even though kimchi alone — with its rich history, array of techniques, and variations — is worthy of an epic four-hour feature film, these two sub-60-minute episodes will have to do. K Food Show is a beautiful travelogue of a fascinating country with some seriously incredible food, and watching it is like taking a dream vacation without ever leaving home.

Where to watch K Food Show : Netflix

Cast: Huh Young-man, Ham Yon-ji, Ryu Soo-young

Nadiya's Time to Eat (2019)

Cookbook author Nadiya Hussain, a Great British Baking Show winner, is not just a warm, friendly, creative force in the kitchen, she's also an incredibly soothing presence for new cooks. Time to Eat is the kind of show that not only makes you think, "Hey, I could do that," but "Hey, I WANT to do that," presenting a series of healthy and surprising dishes that are both mouth-watering and super cool (peanut chicken traybake and ingenious noodles in a jar are just two examples). Hussain, unlike some TV chefs (who shall not be named), never forgets that real home cooks have time-crunched lives, needing to fit meal prep somewhere between jobs, school, commutes, chores, and everything else. Parents (and all busy folks!) around the world owe her a standing ovation.

Where to watch Nadiya's Time to Eat : Netflix

Cast: Nadiya Hussain

Nailed It! (2018–present)

Part comedy, part baking show, and 100 percent unbridled silliness, Nailed It! was the first show to spring from a popular Pinterest meme: In this case, home bakers posting snaps of their extremely messed-up creations alongside their inspirations, summing up the ridiculousness of the entire Martha Stewart era in one neat moment. Not to get philosophical, but in these broken and crumbling creations, do we perhaps see…ourselves? Setting impossibly high standards, trying our best, and failing publicly? Observing DIYers attempt ridiculously complex challenges and with lackluster results isn't just funny, it's also inspiring. (We raise our flour-dusted fists in solidarity.) Because if the show was simply about laughing at people's screw-ups, it would be like biting into one of the dried-out layer cakes the contestants serve to the judges — a tough sell. Enter comedian (and non-baker) Nicole Byer (and her pal, real-life pastry genius Jacques Torres), bringing the necessary warmth needed to set the right tone. Byer's willingness to laugh without coming off as cruel is key to the show's success.

Where to watch Nailed It! : Netflix

Cast: Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres, Weston Bahr

Related content: How the producers of Nailed It! and Top Chef highlight diverse stories in Hollywood

Salt Fat Acid Heat (2018)

Host/cook/author Samin Nosrat's opening statement, "I've spent my entire life in pursuit of flavor," serves as the guiding principle for every moment that follows. Nosrat's brilliantly clear idea — breaking down cooking into four essential elements (the salt, fat, acid, and heat of the title) — is one of those masterful concepts so perfect that you wonder where it's been all your life. Understand these principles and bam , you've unlocked the secret to exceptional meals. So if you're a newbie, clueless, bored, or simply mystified about the whole "cooking" thing, you owe it to yourself to check this out.

A master at removing the intimidation factor from the kitchen, Nosrat is warm, bubbly, and encouraging throughout. Of course, this show isn't just for beginners — even the most seasoned home chefs will walk away from each lovingly shot episode with new tools, tips, and some major inspiration. One of the shining jewels in the Netflix foodie crown, we give this program (and Nosrat) all the Michelin stars.

Where to watch Salt Fat Acid Heat : Netflix

Cast: Samin Nosrat

Related content: Samin Nosrat's Salt Fat Acid Heat honors the culinary importance of grandmas

Somebody Feed Phil (2018–present)

It may not sound like much on paper — a middle-aged Hollywood producer ( Everybody Loves Raymond , among others) wanders the world, eating. But there's just something about Phil Rosenthal that makes him an ideal host. Is it his personable, big-hearted, and curious nature? Or his wide-eyed pleasure over the deliciousness of whatever he's eating? No matter the reason, the effect is life-affirming humble charm, with the show devoting a large chunk of time to local charities while showcasing Rosenthal's boundless enthusiasm for every taste, sight, and cultural tidbit from his destinations (Austin to Croatia, Seoul to London). Comedy cameos from his pals ( Ray Romano , Patton Oswalt , Allison Janney , the late Paul Reubens ) are icing on the cake along with a healthy helping of humor. A new season dropped on March 1.

Where to watch Somebody Feed Phil : Netflix

Cast: Phil Rosenthal

Related content: Bon appétit! We devoured three rounds with Somebody Feed Phil host Phil Rosenthal

Street Food (2019–2022)

If you've ever dreamed of eating your way across the world (guilty as charged), Street Food has got you covered. From O'ahu to Lima, Portland to Osaka, this show is a glorious mash-up of food and travel. Viewers can rack up (honorary) frequent-flier miles by witnessing a wild assortment of treats from the streets (vendors, markets, carts, local spots), all of it as delicious and unpretentious as it gets. Brought to you by Chef's Table masterminds Brian McGinn and David Gelb, this series also puts the spotlight on the cooks (a fascinating bunch!) and their stories.

Where to watch Street Food : Netflix

Related content: See these mouthwatering dishes from Netflix's Street Food

Sugar Rush (2018–2020)

As the title literally promises, Sugar Rush is a show about making outrageously colorful and decadent desserts in a stress-inducingly short amount of time. This pressure-cooker of a show is a nail-biting, crave-worthy mad dash to the finish line. One fun perk (besides feasting your eyes on the craziest creations this side of Wonka) is that one of the judges is our favorite inventor, Candace Nelson (creator of the Sprinkles Cupcakes vending machines, thank you very much). Silly, frantic, over-the-top, and probably not very good for you, this show will satisfy your sweetest cravings.

Where to watch Sugar Rush : Netflix

Cast: Hunter March, Candace Nelson, Adriano Zumbo

Related content: Naya Rivera will appear on Netflix's Sugar Rush

Taco Chronicles (2019–2022)

If you've ever waited in line at a taco truck, you can attest to the infinite possibilities this hand-held mini-meal holds. Bean, queso, guac? Nopales, pico, shrimp? Chorizo, carnitas, fajitas? Yes, chef! All of which is to say that tacos are an obvious subject for a docuseries. The story ideas are as endless as the recipes, and this cooking show does it all, showing off gorgeous variations of the dish from around the world while diving into the rich history. From birria to asada, puffy to pescado, no matter how much you think you know about tacos, we guarantee you will learn something new. (Like, al pastor came from…shawarma?) Originally from Mexico (where it was known as Las Crónicas del Taco ), this series has a ton of fun with the subject, including a couple of episodes narrated in Spanish by the tacos themselves , in which they (sensually?) declare things like, "take a look at me, enjoy me"?!

Where to watch Taco Chronicles : Netflix

Ugly Delicious (2018–present)

Ugly Delicious , the celebrated culinary travel show starring the charismatic food fanatic (and Momofuku founder) David Chang, brings some serious credentials to the table. Produced by Oscar -winning director Morgan Neville , this is the show to beat, combining striking photography, juicy details, comic touches, and sheer passionate energy that can't be matched. Taking on one topic per episode (tacos, pizza, Thanksgiving) and going deep, the series revels in the finer points and never fails to make us hungry. As EW's writer puts it , Ugly Delicious "uses food as a gateway for tackling misconceptions, breaking down cultural barriers, and finding common ground in shared experiences." Not only that, but season 2 reveals a nervous new-dad-to-be Chang preparing for his first child in the chef-iest way possible: learning how to make baby food.

Where to watch Ugly Delicious : Netflix

Cast: David Chang

Related content: Ugly Delicious star David Chang gains 'appreciation' for Asian American successes

Waffles and Mochi (2021–2022)

Globe-trotting puppets, delicious healthy food, and a glowing Michelle Obama ? If you don't have kids, you may have missed this little slice of happiness. But hey, it's never too late to catch up — and we highly recommend you do — because this show is 100 percent pure yum . Did we mention it also features two of the cutest cooking show hosts ever? Live from the freezer, it's Waffles (a blue furry monster with waffle ears) and Mochi (a tiny, baby-voiced pink ball)!

With a supporting cast of characters that includes a singing tomato (who sounds suspiciously like Sia), guest visits from Jack Black , Rashida Jones , Zach Galifianakis , and Gaten Matarazzo , plus celeb chefs like Samin Nosrat and José Andrés, what's not to like? And you don't have to be 6 years old to appreciate this lovely world, even though there are lots of silly touches (shout-out to Steve, a talking mop). There are plenty of old-school PBS/ Sesame Street doc-style segments, too, featuring real people telling true food tales. The stories are fascinating but simple enough for little ones, food for thought about the history of what's on their plates. Not bad for a couple of puppets!

Where to watch Waffles and Mochi : Netflix

Cast: Michelle Obama, Piotr Michael, Michelle Zamora, Russ Walko, Jonathan Kidder

Related content: Michelle Obama on her Netflix children's series Waffles and Mochi and the food that brings her comfort

Related content:

• Nicole Byer on the audition that changed her career, why filming Nailed It! season 1 'felt like a trick'
• Netflix brings back Iron Chef in a 'supersized' way
• Watch Seth Rogen attempt to cook chicken in The Chef Show clip

Related Articles

11 Cooking & Travel Shows for Foodies to Stream (PHOTOS)

The Chef Show

When you’re Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man and The Lion King , you have your choice of famous collaborators. So Favreau, inspired by his experience making the 2014 film Chef , called on L.A. superstar chef Roy Choi to teach him what it takes to make it in a restaurant kitchen.

Favreau recruits plenty of familiar faces on the way — not only America’s best chefs, but also actors like Gwyneth Paltrow, Seth Rogen and Tom Holland, bridging the worlds of cooking and entertainment. Expect a mix of food porn, learning, and straight talk from chefs.

Ugly Delicious

Momofuku’s David Chang transformed New York’s restaurant scene in the 2000s, so it’s no surprise he’s now doing the same for the cooking show. The episodes, which each focus on a single food or cuisine, take occasionally bizarre detours into history, pop culture and Chang’s own life. The first episode of the new season, for example, has him taste-testing baby food with an actual baby in preparation for his first child.

But Ugly Delicious isn’t afraid to go deep: past episodes have used food as a window into issues like the racially fraught history of soul food and the experience of Vietnamese immigrants in America.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Chef and cookbook author Samin Nosrat takes viewers around the world exploring the four elements of flavor, but the ingredient that makes this four-episode docu-series work is Nosrat herself. With a beaming smile and an unselfconscious humility, Nosrat endears herself immediately to viewers and to everyone she talks to, from a pesto-making grandmother in Liguria to a soy sauce expert in Japan.

But she doesn’t just explore; she also cooks, and makes cooking look accessible and human, embracing mistakes in the kitchen. After watching the series, you’ll want to run out and buy Nosrat’s cookbook of the same name immediately.

When and how did humans start cooking food? What will the future of eating look like? And what is gluten, anyway? Mark Bittman, one of America’s most eminent food writers, answers these questions and many more in Cooked . This four-part miniseries weaves together history, culture, science, technology and cooking into a far-reaching philosophical exploration of food and what it means to make it and eat it. Each episode is themed around one of the four classical elements: fire, water, earth and air. Prepare to think about food in an entirely new way.

Somebody Feed Phil

Somebody Feed Phil is comfort food for anyone who’s dreamed of traveling the world and sampling its tastes. Phil Rosenthal isn’t a trained chef or restaurant critic — he’s a television producer, most famous for creating Everybody Loves Raymond . Endlessly curious and amiable, Rosenthal goes from Copenhagen to Cape Town making endearingly dad-jokey remarks and beaming straight at the camera as he gamely tries new foods. And while the food looks enviable enough, the real treat is Rosenthal himself, who makes a perfect vicarious travel companion.

Street Food

If you’ve traveled the world, you probably know that a lot of the best food doesn’t come from pristine restaurant kitchens — it’s cooked right on the street by local vendors. Netflix’s Street Food wants you to know that each of those street vendors, from Delhi to Osaka, has their own story.

Some of the vendors profiled on Street Food work at stalls that have been in their families for generations; some have been able to lift their families out of poverty and send children to college thanks to the popularity of their dishes. Street food, the show tells us, is more than cheap and delicious: it’s the product of social and economic circumstances, defined by each city’s unique history.

Chef’s Table

What does it take to reach the level of the world’s top restaurants? Chef’s Table pairs beautiful shots of the world’s best food with life stories and advice from Michelin-starred chefs. Clearly, the show is doing something right: Netflix has already made six seasons, including one just focusing on pastry chefs. Standout episodes include Jeong Kwan, a practicing Buddhist nun who crafts highly coveted vegetarian cuisine, and Francis Mallman, who reinvents the traditional open-flame cooking style in Argentine Patagonia.

Restaurants on the Edge

One of Netflix’s newest offerings, Restaurants on the Edge is part travel, part design, and part cooking. The show exposes an all-too-common problem: sometimes, restaurants with the best real estate are slacking when it comes to food quality. Restaurants on the Edge brings in a team of experts — a chef, a restaurateur, and a designer — to revitalize failing restaurants in tourist hotspots and bring them and their food in touch with their local communities. Fans of Kitchen Nightmares or HGTV shows like House Hunters International will enjoy this show’s combination of uplifting stories and gorgeous views.

Taco Chronicles

The Spanish-language Taco Chronicles answers a question you might not have thought to ask: what if tacos could speak? Each of the six episodes is narrated by a different type of taco; the al pastor claims to be “the only [taco] that will never let you down,” while barbacoa says, “I spend hours in the center of the earth, pondering life’s depths.” If you can get past the unconventional concept, there are hours of straight-up food porn for the taco enthusiast: the camera pans lovingly on gleaming towers of meat roasting on a spit and steam rising from fresh tortillas on a comal .

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

The late chef, traveller and author’s 11 season CNN show is streaming on HBO Max, waiting to be explored. Get a taste of the whole world through the eyes of Anthony Bourdain, all while sitting on your couch. If your vacation plans were disrupted this summer, let him come to the rescue.

If you’ve watched one too many feel-good episode of Somebody Feed Phil or Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat , try a couple episodes of Rotten , a decidedly feel-bad docu-series that exposes the dark sides of global food production. Rotten shows you how your avocado toast might actually be lining the pockets of Mexican drug cartels and how the garlic you buy at the supermarket might have been processed by Chinese prisoners. A couple episodes might make you a more conscientious consumer, but you might want to refrain from talking about it at parties.

The past few years have seen a revolution in food TV, and Netflix is on the vanguard. The streaming service has taken the old models of cooking, travel and competition shows that were formerly the domain of Food Network and Cooking Channel and turned them on their heads, revitalizing the genre with big travel budgets, top-line celebrity chefs, and innovative formats.

The result? A new golden age of cooking and food shows to make viewers not only salivate, but also ponder what’s on their plate. With new seasons of The Chef Show and Ugly Delicious just out, it’s clear Netflix has no intention of slowing down.

'Top Chef': Sample the Competition for Season 17 (PHOTOS)

Click through the gallery to see which shows are essential viewing (and streaming) for gastronomes.

Chef's Table

No reservations, anthony bourdain, david chang, mark bittman, phil rosenthal, samin nosrat.

The best cooking shows on Netflix

The best cooking shows on Netflix you should devour next.

Hungry for some great culinary entertainment? Here are our picks of the best cooking shows on Netflix . 

Netflix is one of the best streaming services precisely because it has a huge library of shows and movies to enjoy, meaning there's usually something for everyone to enjoy: a glance at our round-up of the best Netflix shows proves that. 

If you're a foodie, you'll be pleased to know that Netflix caters to you, too! Whether you love whipping up top dishes at home and want some top tips to improve your game, you want to learn about some of the world's most celebrated chefs, or you're just looking for some light entertainment, there's plenty on the menu. 

Otherwise, read on to find our picks of the best cooking shows you can find on the service. And if you were wondering, we've only excluded The Great British Baking Show because it's not available in some other regions!

The Best Cooking Shows on Netflix

The chef show.

• Number of seasons:  2 (split into four volumes)
• Approximate episodes per season:  6-8
• Average episode length:  29-33 minutes
• Find it on Netflix here

In 2014, filmmaker and actor Jon Favreau set out to make a movie about cooking ( Chef ) loosely inspired by Roy Choi and the gourmet food truck movement. Choi served as an advisor and worked closely with Favreau during production... and this collaboration eventually led to The Chef Show. 

This delightful series is all about celebrating food. The pair travel across the US (and beyond) meeting with top stars from all parts of the entertainment world and chowing down on some delicious grub, including dishes suggested by their amazing guests. 

• The best TV shows streaming this week

Is it Cake?

• Number of seasons:  2 (with a third on the way) 
• Approximate episodes per season:  8
• Average episode length:  39-46 minutes

Is It Cake? combines the infuriating viral internet meme of online bakers sculpting all kinds of things out of cake... and turns it into a silly but strangely compelling game show. 

Get the What to Watch Newsletter

The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!

Presented by Mikey Day, Is It Cake sees a group of top hyper-realistic cake artists being tasked with dreaming up incredible creations, from handbags and sewing machines to gym gear and even famous art pieces to try and fool the panel of judges to try and bag a big cash prize. 

Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend

• Number of seasons:  1
• Approximate episodes per season: 8  
• Average episode length:  46-50 minutes

Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend is the latest iteration of the classic cooking competition. Alton Brown returned to host alongside former Top Chef winner Kristen Kish and The Chairman, aka Mark Dacascos.

Like before, the Netflix iteration sees five "Iron Chefs", including Curtis Stone and Marcus Samuelsson, competing in the kitchen with challenger chefs who are looking to impress the judges and best their celebrity chef counterparts across a series of rounds featuring secret ingredients. 

The highest-scoring chef of the competition then gets to face off against all five Iron Chefs to try and bag a Golden Knife and be crowned the Iron Legend.  And if one season has you looking for second helpings, Netflix also has several regional Iron Chef spin-offs waiting to be watched, too. 

Chef's Table

• Number of seasons:  6
• Approximate episodes per season:  4-6
• Average episode length:  41-58 minutes

David Gelb’s award-winning series brings us into the lives (and kitchens!) of some of the most talented chefs from around the world. Unlike some of the other shows on this list, 

Chef’s Table isn't as much about the food itself as it is about the people who cook it. Every episode puts one particular chef in the spotlight, delving into their personal history and exploring everything that’s influenced their respective culinary journeys. 

Beautifully shot and expertly put together, Chef’s Table has been nominated for (and scooped up) plenty of awards over the years, and it’s easy to see why. 

Somebody Feed Phil

• Number of seasons:  7
• Approximate episodes per season:  5-6
• Average episode length:  44-63 minutes

Somebody Feed Phil follows Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal has been traveling the globe and sampling dishes from major cities around the world since 2018. 

Phil's passion for food is obvious, and it's part of what makes the show so much fun to watch. Plus, he also spotlights local charities and non-profits along the way, and he's met up with celebrities like Kelly Macdonald, Patton Oswalt and icons from the culinary world, too.

If you enjoy the show, you can uncover some never-before-heard stories from the first four seasons and find recipes for some of the most-requested dishes so you can replicate them at home in the companion cookbook, Somebody Feed Phil: The Book. 

Street Food

• Number of seasons:  3
• Average episode length:  29-32 minutes

Street Food zooms in on the amazing eats that you can find by the roadside in and around some of the biggest cities around the world. 

The series was dreamt up by the team behind Chef's Table and adopts a similar approach to showing off the dishes and the people who make them. You'll learn about the inspiring stories of plenty of talented street food chefs, their food's origins, and what drives them to do what they do.

To date, Netflix has served up three helpings of Street Food: the first showcased mouthwatering meals from across Asia, the second season teased us with treats from across Latin America, and the most recent brought us beloved bites from across the USA. 

Ugly Delicious

• Number of seasons:  2
• Approximate episodes per season:  4/8
• Average episode length:   45-55 minutes

Ugly Delicious is a cracking cooking series by restauranteur David Chang and Academy Award-winning documentarian, Morgan Neville. 

Essentially, Ugly Delicious is a combination of a travel and cooking show rolled into one. It follows Chang as he journeys around the world to sample foods from different cultures that are not always considered to be fancy.

Each episode of the series focuses on a particular dish of theme and sees the chef hitting up culinary hot spots to taste great food, see how they put their own spin on classic dishes, and unpack their cultural significance through frank, open, and earnest chats with talented chefs and special guests.

If Ugly Delicious leaves you hungry for more, you should also check out Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, another David Chang effort that sees the chef hitting the road with celebrity guests and checking out some of their favorite food spots.

Salt Fat Acid Heat

• Approximate episodes per season:  4
• Average episode length:  40-48 minutes

In the four-part series Salt Fat Acid Heat, food writer and chef Samin Nosrat explores these four fundamental pillars of successful cooking. 

Inspired by Nosrat’s book of the same name , each episode sees Nosrat traveling to a different region to learn about the production of these everyday kitchen elements and how each one of them is used in local cuisine to amplify and improve flavors. 

The premise might seem familiar to anyone who watches a lot of cooking shows, but the real stand-out here is Nosrat herself. She serves as a friendly and enthusiastic guide throughout, treating her guests and her ingredients with so much respect.

All of these shows (and more!) are available to stream on Netflix right now. 

• The best free streaming services

Martin is a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produces a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. 

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows , Bridgerton , Gangs of London , The Witcher , Doctor Who , and Ghosts . When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.

Why is Station 19 not new tonight, April 25?

Clipped: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about LA Clippers limited series

Why is Law & Order: SVU not new tonight, April 25?

Most Popular

• 2 How to watch Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville's Renaissance
• 3 Clipped: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about LA Clippers limited series
• 4 Below Deck Mediterranean season 9: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know
• 5 How to watch Challengers

The Best Food and Cooking Shows on Netflix Right Now

Because comfort food = comfort TV.

When it comes to relaxing content, cooking shows are the crème de la crème of easy-watching feel-good TV. Whether a host is taking you on a tour of essential culinary destinations and uncovering the hidden foodie gems of the world, teaching you the history behind a favorite food you take for granted, or competing in a high-stakes cooking contest for the grand prize, there's something about food that takes us back to our comfort zone. Whether you're looking for some feel-good foodie fun to watch on Netflix, want to do some second-hand traveling, or need some inspiration for what to cook tonight, we've got you covered with the best food and cooking shows on Netflix right now.

Looking for more nonfiction content? Check out our lists of the best food docs , overall documentaries , reality shows , and shows on Netflix , or check out the best shows to binge-watch across all genres and platforms.

Editor's note: This article was updated May 2023 to include Cooking with Paris.

RELATED: From 'Chef' to 'Ratatouille': 7 Best Movies About Food to Whet Your Appetite

Ugly Delicious (2018-present)

You’d be hard-pressed to name a celebrity chef with more cultural cache than David Chang right now, and the restauranteur and Momofuku founder brings all that heat to his personality-fueled series Ugly Delicious , which is equal parts travel food doc, culinary history, and reality hangout. Featuring a rotating lineup of familiar guests, including Danny McBride and Stephen Yeun , Chang picks up the mantle of the brash and boisterous travel food show popularized by Anthony Bourdain and travels across the world on a fascinating mission to understand the cultural and historical influences behind humanity’s favorite foods.

Whether he’s trying to understand the universal obsession with tacos, investigating how New Orleans’ obsession with tradition keeps their food scene stagnant, or in the series most powerful episode yet, processing the birth of his firstborn in an episode focused on kids’ food, Chang makes for a fascinating, perfectionist sounding board through which the audiences gets a new perspective on international cuisine. Unless you’re a food historian yourself, you’re gonna get a crash course on the foods you love, from Pizza to Curry, and with Chang’s fanatical drive to consider and uncover an endless array of context, it’s one of the most insightful, surprisingly emotional, and undeniably stellar food shows out there. Watch on Netflix

Cooking with Paris (2021)

Creator : Paris Hilton

Cast : Paris Hilton, Lele Pons, Demi Lovato

Listen, when Lil B coined the phrase “.et that boy cook,” he definitely wasn’t talking about Paris Hilton ( House of Wax ), who uses her six-episode series to showcase her beautiful kitchen and awful food. Cooking with Paris is essentially her own personal Nailed It , where she stumbles about trying to make different dishes with fun celebrity guests like Demi Lovato , Nikki Glaser, and Kim Kardashian . Though Hilton has mostly dropped her aloof, ditzy character from the early 2000s, it's almost nostalgic to watch her pick it up again for the show and give us another little taste of The Simple Life on a smaller scale. Overall, it’s a cute show to pop on when looking for something with low stakes and high entertainment value. Watch on Netflix

Easy Bake Battle (2022-present)

Cast : Antoni Porowski, Jacques Torres, Alyse Whitney, Monti Carlo

Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski hosts Easy Bake Battle , which is loosely inspired by Hasbro's iconic toy, the Easy-Bake Oven. In Easy Bake Battle , amateur cooks compete within specific parameters to create delicious foods utilizing ingenious kitchen hacks. With a unique goal of crafting easy and fast treats, Easy Bake Battle challenges the contestants, who are often home cooks, parents, or just homemakers, setting itself apart from more traditional cooking shows. Joining bubbly host Porowski are incredible expert judges like Nailed It ’s Jacques Torres , as well as Alyse Whitney and Monti Carlo . – Yael Tygiel Watch on Netflix

Snack Vs. Chef (2022-present)

Hosted by: Megan Stalter, Hari Kondabolu

A new cooking show with a twist, Snack Vs. Chef follows 12 professional chefs as they compete for $50,000. In Snack vs. Chef, these cooks are asked to make iconic snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. These recreations are graded on more than taste, consistency, and appearance, as the chefs must also ensure the signature experience like messy bright red cheese powder. In a delicious blend of Chopped meets Top Chef , Snack vs. Chef allows three contestants at a time, narrowing down the 12 until only two remain to battle it out for the grand prize. With hosts like Megan Stalter ( Hacks ) and Hari Kondabolu , Snack vs. Chef is a tasty good time. Watch on Netflix

Junior Baking Show (2011-present)

Directed by : Amanda Westwood

A spinoff of the ultra-popular The Great British Bake-Off , Junior Baking Show sees kids aged 9 to 15 compete to be crowned the champion. It’s incredible to see what these children can do, working under pressure to create gorgeous and delicious-looking treats. From cookies to cakes, pastries to puddings, Junior Baking Show is sure to make your mouth water and heart soar, as it’s impossible not to root for these talented young chefs. – Taylor Gates Watch on Netflix

Is It Cake? (2022-present)

Created by: Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz

Cast : Mikey Day, Jonny Manganello, Andrew Fuller, Loni Love

Inspired by the viral phenomenon, Is It Cake? allows skilled artists in the field of cake design to compete for money by crafting cakes that look like other things. Hosted by SNL ’s Mikey Day , and starring breakout internet sensation Jonny Manganello , Is It Cake? Is a competition game show pitting talented creators against each other with elaborate challenges such as building a replica of a sewing machine out of nothing but deliciously edible cake. With a cast of hilarious bakers, as well as famous comedian judges like Loni Love , Bobby Moynihan , and Fortune Feimster , Is It Cake is a fun and funny experience for the whole family. – Yael Tygiel Watch on Netflix

Nadiya’s Time To Eat (2019-present)

Nadiya’s Time to Eat is a joyful, colorful, and deliciously fun show perfect for stress-free watching (and for learning stress-free recipes). Starring the Season 6 winner of the Great British Baking Show, Nadiya Hassain , the show puts an emphasis on easy cooking cheats that will help home chefs cook delicious meals while still making time for the things they love; family, friends, and good times. Nadiya is bright and funny, and her love for cooking shines almost as brightly as her love for the ones she cooks for. Notable recipes include a salmon poke bowl, raspberry cheesecake croissants, and even barbecue lamb with a rhubarb glaze! — Olivia Fitzpatrick Watch on Netflix

The American Barbecue Showdown (2020-present)

If you love barbecue, you’re probably going to be addicted to The American Barbecue Showdown , and upset that there’s currently only one season of it. The show has a similar format to The Great British Baking Show where a group of contestants has a different challenge every week for two esteemed judges ( Kevin Bludso and Melissa Cookston ), and at the end of the episode, someone is sent home until the finale when one contestant is crowned the winner.

What gives Barbecue its unique flavor is that there are so many different things to do with the various meats the contestants have at their disposal as well as the different ways that cooking barbecue can go awry. While there are times when The American Barbecue Showdown gets too much into the game rather than the food (one episode has the contestants cooking up animals like raccoon and iguana), the barbecue and the sides look fantastic, and like Baking Show , the show is savvy enough to know that it’s better when contestants have a positive attitude towards each other rather than being cutthroat competitors. They know to save the cutting for the meat. – Matt Goldberg Watch on Netflix

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (2018)

Samin Nosrat won a James Beard Award for her cookbook Salt.‌ Fat. Acid. Heat. before she decided to dig even deeper with her Netflix docuseries also named Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat . Spread across four episodes, each focused on one of those titular elements, the series follows Nosrat around the world on a mission to further understand and educate about the tenants of great cooking. Nosrat got her start in the kitchen of the great Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, where she learned how chefs embraced their understanding of those core tenants to move beyond recipes to instinctual cooking. But those four components: salt, fat, acid, and heat just kept coming up, no matter which accomplished chef she was talking to. Combining elements of documentary filmmaking, education, cooking instructional, historiography, and personality-led travel adventure, Salt. Fat. Acid‌. Heat. is a killer watch for anyone who wants a holistic understanding of great cooking, and the unsung chefs behind it. Watch on Netflix

Somebody Feed Phil (2018-present)

Another absolute gem in the travel food category, Somebody Feed Phil finds comedian and Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal heading to culinary hot spots all around the world to sample the wares, mingle with the locals, and generally share his endless supply of good vibes with everyone he meets. Rosenthal isn’t a chef, he’s not a restauranteur, but he is a vocally passionate enthusiast of yummy food and good company. And it’s just that simple. Rosenthal’s is infectious, which makes joining him on his adventures an absolute joy. Whether he’s grinning from ear to ear after chowing down on a local delicacy or delighting in an especially witty verbal sparring partner, Rosenthal makes you feel like you’re part of the fun. And just try to get the jazzy theme song out of your head after your feel-good binge, I dare you. Watch on Netflix

The Chef Show (2019-present)

With beloved hits like Iron Man , Elf , and most recently, Disney’s first live-action Star Wars series, The‌ Mandalorian , Jon Favreau has established himself as a king of crowd-pleasing content, and with Netflix’s relentlessly charming cooking series The Chef Show , Favreau brings all that feel-good energy to one of the best easy-watching shows on Netflix. Re-teaming with his Chef consultant Chef Roy Choi , Favreau takes a cross-country food journey with his friend and mentor, meeting up with some of the biggest names in cuisine and entertainment alike along the way. Unfortunately, The Chef Show first went viral thanks to the moment Gwenyth Paltrow had no idea she was in Spider-Man , which doesn’t do service to how powerfully pleasant the series is in its own right. Favreau is infectiously enthusiastic, about his all-star guests, but most of all, about the food and the art of making it so damn delicious, and with one of America’s great chefs at his side, he makes for a dream companion for a streaming foodie road trip. Watch on Netflix

Zumbo's Just Desserts (2016-2020)

Zumbo’s Just Desserts may have flown under your radar, but you’re going to want to fix that because the Australian baking competition is extra in the highest order. Inspired by the over-the-top confectionary creations of Sugar Rush and MasterChef Australia familiar Adriano Zumbo , the cooking competition series pits aspiring bakers against each other in a series of themed contests. The twist is that the bottom-scoring pair of competitors square off at the end of each episode to recreate one of Zumbo’s outrageously intricate and flashy concoctions. Literally nobody is up to the task, ever, but they do their darnedest and it’s endlessly entertaining to watch them race the clock to finish a 13-layer cylindrical cake, melting hover chocolate, or whatever insanity Zumbo cooks up in each new episode.

Dropped into a Willy Wonka-style candyland of neon-drenched whimsy, the competitors are by and large charming, likable people you can’t help but root for, but Season 1 also has the advantage of showcasing one of the best cooking contest “villains” in recent memory. Well cast, edited, and arranged (and set-designed to filth) Zumbo’s Just Desserts is intentionally flamboyant and playful, from the design to the deserts themselves, to the point that it’s about two notches away from becoming an all-out parody. But that’s what makes it such an indulgent treat. Watch on Netflix

Nadiya Bakes (2020-present)

If her success as the Season 6 winner of the Great British Baking Show doesn’t make you want to learn her recipes, her joyful attitude and genuine excitement over the things she makes certainly will. Nadiya Hussain is a tidal wave of warmth and laughter in this feel-good journey through some of her favorite recipes, from mango coconut cake to a tower made out of biscuits. Each episode features a fellow baker, showing off their skills and baking prowess, and it is nearly impossible to keep your stomach from grumbling when each new recipe looks more delicious than the last. This show is the kind of feel-good watch where each episode will leave you hungry for more. — Olivia Fitzpatrick Watch on Netflix

Chef's Table (2015-2019)

If you’re a hardcore foodie or casual student of the culinary arts, you can’t do much better than Chef’s Table for an insightful look into the artistry, ethos, and often all-consuming obsession that chefs around the world bring to their trade. The series was created by Jiro Dreams of Sushi director David Gelb and much like his celebrated 2011 documentary, Chef’s Table is all about the mastery of technique and lifelong dedication behind the world’s most celebrated chefs. Each episode of the Netflix original focuses on a different chef, and whether they forged a career in the culinary arts as a path to embrace their culture or through a compulsive drive to bake the perfect loaf of bread, each story is a one-of-a-kind glimpse at what drives someone to dedicate their life to food and how some of the foremost innovators in their trade developed their style. It’s a bit more serious and contemplative than the standard food doc, but it’s educational, gorgeously composed, and like all great docs, leaves you absorbed in the personalities it profiles. ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

The Final Table (2018-present)

Netflix’s take on the elite cooking competition series à la MasterChef and Iron Chef , The Final Table is straight-up not on the level of the series from which it takes its inspiration. It is, however, an unintentionally scathing insight into a darker side of food culture and the power disparities that disenfranchise minority chefs in the culinary world, and for that, it’s a pretty fascinating watch. The set-up finds 24 celebrated chefs from around the world, adorned with various accolades from Michelin stars to regional prizes, competing to execute the perfect dish from destinations around the globe. For their “trip” to America, they must craft a Thanksgiving dinner. For Brazil, the traditional Feijoada stew. And so on, through various cuisines, from India to Japan. And what’s it all for? Where most cooking shows have cash prizes, book deals, or other career-making opportunities as a reward, the already established chefs here are competing for the nebulous honor of winding up at the “final table”.

So far, so good if a bit overfamiliar, but The Final Table is a strangely out-of-touch series, too. It sports a seemingly willfully blithe attitude towards the historical implications of the food cultures they’re exploring (the oh-so-casual glancing over slavery and sugar plantations in the Feijoada episode is a particularly insert “excuse me” gif moment, not to mention the uncomfortable ogling over Brazilian model and guest judge Alessandra Ambrosia.) And then there’s the matter of the inherently biased contests themselves, which favor the classically-trained chefs all along the way, leaving those with more regionally refined or distinct palettes and skillsets on the sidelines when they fail to execute a perfect traditional dish. There’s also the notable gender disparity in the competitors and judges alike, a general empty-woosh feeling to the absurdly massive cooking arena, and the absolute choice to pick Thanksgiving Dinner of all dishes to represent USA‌ cuisine (again, with absolutely no introspection about the complicated historical connotations of that choice.) In short, it’s a mess , but it’s a fascinating mess. Best paired with Ugly Delicious as a contrast case for how you explore international cuisine with grace, The Final Table is one of the most interesting because it is such an oddity in Netflix's lineup. ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

Million Pound Menu (2018-present)

The elevator pitch for Million Pound Menu is that it’s Netflix’s Shark Tank for chefs and aspiring restaurateurs. Basically, would-be restaurant owners and established folks looking to expand have the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of judges and would-be investors. The BBC‌ Two series makes for an entertaining watch and it certainly knows how to layer on the dramatics, making the contestants wait for an hour in an empty room for their potential investors to show up and doling out the intense music for audiences to experience the agony along with them in hyper-speed. If you’re curious about the ins and outs of running a fast-casual restaurant, there’s a decent amount of actual information tucked into the dramatics, but for the most part, Million Pound Menu leans heavily on the “competition” side of the food entertainment spectrum rather than “educational" — which is exactly what makes it such a fun binge-watch, even if like so many fast food options, you barely remember the flavor the moment it’s done. ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (2018)

Without a doubt the most unique and innovative food and cooking shows on Netflix, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell tragically only lasted one season, but what a delightful six episodes of television we were blessed with. The title host and creator of the series, McConnell earned viral fame for her phenomenally ornate, goth-influenced creations, from wondrous sugary concoctions to her equally impressive home transformations. With The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell , she took all that impressive aesthetic and infused it into a classic kitchen cooking show by way of Henson puppet sitcom, and yes it’s every bit as fun and unusual as it sounds. McConnell’s decadent, absurdly detailed deserts are all but impossible to recreate at home and the series knows it, skimping on the tutorial portion in favor of bizarre comedy beats and Tim Burton meets Dita Von Teese showmanship. From the tentacled creature in McConnell’s refrigerator to the fashionable ghost in her mirror (played by Von Teese no less,) McConnell’s home is a wonderland of weirdness. And not to be dramatic, but I would literally die for the emotionally unstable and endlessly horny reanimated roadkill, Rose. ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

Taco Chronicles (2019-present)

It’s pretty much undisputed truth that if you don’t like tacos, you probably just haven’t had the right taco yet. Heck, the great food critic Jonathan Gold basically built a brand around the belief that they’re the perfect food. But the little tortilla-shelled snacks aren’t just the height of deliciousness, they represent a vast legacy of culinary tradition and food history that traces back to various cultures.

In Taco Chronicles , you get a crash course in the varied roots of the beloved menu staple, from its roots in Mayan and Lebanese cuisine to becoming a beloved essential in Mexico, the States, and the world over. To trace the origins of the taco is to look back on centuries of immigration, adaptation, and intermingling cultures, and Taco Chronicles charts that rich history by documenting six different types of tacos; their history, regional importance, cooking methods, essential ingredients, and the chefs who lead the contemporary field. ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

Sugar Rush (2018-2020)

The Martha Stewart Show helped make baking accessible. Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes helped make it glamorous. Cake Wars and The Great British Baking Show made it competitive. And with Sugar Rush , Netflix gets in on the game with a next-level, post-Instagram, neon-lit baking competition that pits four teams of bakers against each other in a triple tournament to sugary victory. Round one is cupcakes, round two is confections, and round three serves up the most over-the-top cakes in a battle royale of edible aesthetics and showmanship. Squaring off against their opponents and the relentlessly ticking clock, the teams have to craft their sweets around sometimes nebulous concepts like “surprise” or “trending”. It’s not a particularly innovative idea for a baking competition and it’s got a whole heap of that Netflix polish to keep your eyes well-fed with visual candy, but it’s the competitors themselves who bring the innovation and it’s consistently fun to see what wild concoctions they come up within each new challenge. ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

The Great British Baking Show (2010-present)

I say this without hyperbole: The Great British Baking Show is one of the best TV shows ever made. I had seen a lot of food/cooking TV before mine eyes witnessed the glory of TGBBS , so I was primed for some dramatic editing, contestants painted as “characters,” and cutthroat competition. What makes The Great British Baking Show so good is it dispenses with the pretense and is simply just about baking. There’s no cash prize at the end, just bragging rights. Contestants tackle three different challenges each week, where they’re given a set time to complete a specific bake. But in contrast to most American competition series, these contestants openly and willingly help one another. They’re nice. So nice that you may spontaneously burst into tears once you start digging in, taken aback at the sheer and utter humanity on display. These are just normal people who love baking, coming together to whip up some savory bread or dainty tarts or extravagant cakes. It’s all just so pleasant, and this has become a go-to for me when I need a pick-me-up or a pure feel-good television show. It’s utterly unique, and in the world of cooking shows, that’s genuinely hard to find. – Adam Chitwood ​​​​​​​Watch on Netflix​​​​​​​

www.therecipe.com

Follow therecipe.com, something new, travel food tv: 10 interesting travel food tv shows you must watch.

This article features some of the best travel food TV shows that TV has to offer.

Did you have a really long day? problems at work or in your love life? Need a break from reality? Take your mind off these pressing issues and cozy up on your couch with a tasty snack to watch your favorite travel food tv shows or find a new one that is binge-worthy. Dive in with your favorite travel food TV show hosts and explore the nation's culinary culture and history. Ranging from networks like the Food Network to Netflix to the  National Geographic Channel , find interesting travel food TV shows that entertain you. Let your favorite celebrity foodies show you the ropes of how to be a well-rounded, five-star chef in your own kitchen! Here are ten interesting travel food TV series you must see!

10 Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guy Fieri (@guyfieri)

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or better known as "Triple D"  is a wildly entertaining travel food TV show. This Food Network show originated in April of 2007 and continues to air episodes on television today. Show host, Guy Fieri brings this travel food series to life with his spunky TV personality. Join him in his cross-country road trip to different hole-in-the-wall diners, drive-ins, and dives that have been doing things right in the kitchen for decades.

9 Ugly Delicious

View this post on Instagram A post shared by UglyDelicious (@uglydelicious)

The Netflix series  Ugly Delicious starring David Chang should be at the top of your must-watch list. This series was first premiered in February 2018 and has a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. This entertaining travel food TV series features a combination of travel, cooking, and history of the different places covered in each episode. Follow Chef Chang around the world on his cross-cultural hunt for the best dishes known to man.

8 Parts Unknown

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Explore Parts Unknown (@partsunknowncnn)

If you haven't seen it, then you probably should.  Parts Unknown on CNN  is an interesting travel food TV show starring host, Anthony Bourdain. This food TV series came out in April of 2013. Parts Unknown features episodes that dive deep into the culinary cultures of different groups of people. This show is so good it has won twelve Primetime Emmy Awards. Tune in to CNN and continue traveling with Bourdain to lesser-known places to find some travel food gems!

7 Street Food

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @streetfoodnetflix

Netflix has been home to the popular travel food TV series Street Food since April of 2019. It is classified as an American Documentary where show creators David Gelb and Brian McGinn take you around the world in search of delicious street food everywhere. This travel food TV series is packed with entertainment!

Related:  22 Street Food Items From All Over The World (No Amount Of Money Would Make Us Try)

6 Bizarre Foods America

If you are looking for a little more entertainment and a little less cooking skills, then Bizarre Foods America is the TV series for you! Join the Food Network and follow culinary explorer, Chef Andrew Zimmerman as he explores the bizarre foods of the culinary world in America and now parts of Canada and South America.

5 Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝙆𝙞𝙢𝙞 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙂 (@ninbufuu)

Tag along with Chef Gordon Ramsay in his hit food travel TV show Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted. There isn't a single show that Chef Ramsay stars in that isn't a huge success! Join in his search for culinary inspiration around the world. This binge-worthy food TV series can be found on the National Geographic Channel .

Related:  20 Amazing Gordon Ramsay Recipes That Foodies Need To Try

4 Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Decider.com (@deciderdotcom)

Take the time to learn about specific foods and diverse immigrant cultures around the United States with Padma on her popular Hulu docuseries Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi . Padma is widely known in the food industry for her stellar TV personality and her great taste in food. This is an interesting travel food TV show that you do not want to miss!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by FOODGOD® (@foodgod)

I'm sure you have heard of the food god, Johnathan Cheban through his association with the Kardashians but have you watched his hit travel food TV show? Foodgod  was first aired in 2018. Tune in to see what travel food topics Cheban covers in his episodes!

2 View and Chew

View this post on Instagram A post shared by View & Chew 🌇🍔 (@viewandchew)

Get ready to view and chew with well-known foodie Mike Chen on his travel food series. Join Chen in his culinary exploration in seven major cities from the comfort of your couch.  View and Chew can be found on the streaming platform Peacock . Add it to your must-see list of food travel TV shows.

1 No Reservations

View this post on Instagram A post shared by No Reservations (@noreservations)

No Reservations is another popular food travel TV show hosted by Anthony Bourdain. This show premiered in November of 2012 and focuses on Bourdain's travels as he explores wordly cultures and cuisines. Find this entertaining food travel TV series on the Travel Channel .

Next:  Competitive Cooking Shows Worth Watching

• Uncategorized

Read Next in lifestyle

10 scrumptious toppings you can put on a waffle, german cuisine: try out these 10 authentic recipes, the true difference between cornstarch, cornmeal, and corn flour, 10 soups that taste amazing in a bread bowl, making sourdough starter and how to use it: a guide, try these 10 appetizers for thanksgiving dinner, use pimento cheese in these 10 genius ways, 8 foods in tv shows we wish we had in real life, all about rice cookers and how to use them.

7 Best Food Shows on Netflix that make you want to travel

Table of Contents

Sharing is caring!

Best Food Shows on Netflix

It really all started with a visit to my brother’s place. My mom was having a visit and we exchanged things that were making her happy. “She’s a fan of Netflix,” I said. Together we often watch Spanish language shows and movies to take us away to another time and another country but we’ve also taken to food shows. Quickly we went through the Street Food: Latin America (I wrote about my visit to the Perseverancia Food Market last month). We watched food being peddled in Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Argentina. We loved it all. I told my brother about some of the best food shows on Netflix.

There was Chef’s Table, Ugly Delicious, Salt-Fat-Acid-Heat… there are so many but my latest favourite (and Lita’s too) is Somebody Feed Phil. You may know Phil Rosenthal from his Emmy Award-winning show ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ but you may not know he won a James Beard Award for his foodie travels on Somebody Feed Phil.

Somebody Feed Phil

At times cringe-worthy but mostly amusing, his child-like delight in food is addictive. You cannot wait to see what he will say about what he’s eating. Spoiler alert: it is always positive, it is always ‘the best’ he’s ever had and it is always plentiful. I’m always amazed at how much he packs away. The thing is, he genuinely savours every big bite! Nothing dainty or snobby about how he tries the food whether it’s a four-star Micheline restaurant or a street vendor. It’s all delicious to him!

I think it’s my mom’s favourite because each episode, he checks in with his elderly parents. We’ve become invested in seeing his parents The relatable factor is strong.

Episode to Watch: Season 3 ~ Montreal

Of course, this was the first episode I watched – my hometown is Montreal . I needed to gauge how authentic the show would be. Depending on where he went and what he featured, I was impressed. He went to Schartz’s and Fairmont Bagels (they made my list of Good Eats in Montreal ). He also went to

Street Food: Latin America

Episode to Watch: Colombia

The reason I loved this episode the most is because it was not about a food stall or a street, La Perseverancia Food Market is an entire restaurant stall market. You can get food from different regions in Colombia and this particular episode focuses on the woman who makes the best Ajiaco (traditional potato and chicken soup from Bogota). Having visited myself, I was familiar with this unique ‘street’ food market. It is a must-watch episode.

Ugly Delicious

Ugly Delicious tackles a style of cooking instead of a region. Celebrity Chef and owner of Momofuku, David Chang’s exploration of foods from across the globe. He has a gritty, edgy take on food and somehow always brings it back to Korean BBQ.

On his travels in Ugly Delicious, David Change is often accompanied by a posse of either celebrity chefs, food writers or artists. The conversations and points of view are always interesting. Throw in a little bit of salty language and it’s reality TV/documentary at it’s best. This is a great show to make food accessible without losing sight of his culinary status as a renowned American chef.

Episode to Watch: BBQ

The episode starts and ends with David Chang adapting Korean BBQ and making it in an American style. How does he get there? By visiting pitmasters in various southern states . It is really all about the meat, the heat, the smoke and the seasoning. He argues, more than once, that a BBQ meal should be just as expensive as fine dining because of the work involved in getting to the finish line.

I love that this BBQ episode includes Chinese Peking duck, Japanese Yakitori, and Korean BBQ (duh). It would have to be because David Chang challenges that BBQ is not exclusively an American style of cooking.

Chef’s Table

The reason you want to watch this show is to enter the world of fine dining. The best chefs in the world open their kitchens and their lives for all to see. With seven seasons under its belt, you will meet chefs from Europe, South America, and Asia.

Episode to Watch: Season 3 – Jeong Kwan

In South Korea, Buddhist nun Jeong Kwan approaches cooking as a spiritual practice. But her meals have left some of the world’s best chefs in awe. When you watch this episode, you will re-evaluate your entire existence. The serenity, simplicity and beauty is amazing and watching this master at work is inspiring. This is one of the original best food shows on Netflix

Great Canadian Baking Show

I only dream of being a great baker. Actually, that is a blatant lie. I’m glad I’m not because I would fail miserably. I’m more of a dash of this and a pinch of that and therefore not the best technique for successful baking. Baking needs to be very precise.

Watching The Great Canadian Baking Show (a franchise of the Great British Bake Off/Baking Show) has illustrated for me that, although I love a good sweet treat, I am nowhere talented enough. The joy of this show is that all of these contestants are ordinary people just like you and me. None are professional pâtissièr(e) or pastry chefs. Yet, they know how to make the most extraordinary things.

Episode to Watch: Season 1 – Hosted by Daniel Levy

The multiple Emmy award-winning Daniel Levy hosted The Great Canadian Baking Show in it’s first season and per the usual, his quibs are hilarious. His genuine interest is fun to watch and the use of puns was over the top in this episode. Lastly, the technical challenge was making Montreal Bagels (almost impossible) without a wood-burning oven.

Parts Unknown

Anthony Bourdain was the original foodie traveler. A chef who became more famous for his travel/food shows than for his stint as executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan. Parts Unknown was his fourth (and alas his last) series on Food and Travel. His writing and perspective were unique because he didn’t talk just about the food, people and culture. He often described the nitty, gritty of a place or country – taking note of political turmoil, living conditions and social issues.

Be prepared to meet everyday people as well as four-star Micheline Chefs. the way he describes food and misadventures is riveting. This show has a double-edged sword: you may be dying to visit or you may stay away from the places he eats – it’s all in your level of tolerance. No question about it this is one of the Best Food Shows on Netflix

Episode to Watch: Canada

“I will confess my partisanship upfront: I love Montreal. It is my favourite place in Canada. The people who live there are tough, crazy bastards and I admire them for it. Toronto. Vancouver. I love you but not like Montreal” Anthony Bourdain – Parts Unknown – S1 – E3 – Canada

Bon vivants, raconteurs, historians of their great white north, princes of hospitality… that is how Bourdain describes two of the top chefs of Montreal. The whole episode is one long, drawn-out story of how Montrealers , Quebecers , Canadians love the outdoors and great food. Even though this episode aired in May of 2013, it still is relevant to the food scene in Montreal. For an updated version check out Somebody Feed Phil – above.

Salt-Fat-Acid-Heat

First and foremost, it’s refreshing to see a woman at the helm of this series. Samin Nosrat is both a series and a book. She believes if you take these four elements you can make anything taste great. It teaches how all cooking from around the world is connected. Her philosophy is simple: Salt is a mineral that enhances the flavours of everything we cook. Fat which carries the flavour and provides texture. Acid ultimately balances the flavour. Heat major control to get the texture that you want.

Episode to Watch:

Fat – Each episode seems to be located in different regions and tackles the element in depth. For this element, Nosrat goes back to Italy where she spent a few years in her youth. I love that she is fluent in Italian and sought out the help of both chefs and ordinary people.

Explain the use of oil, lard, butter and even eggs as transitional elements. I learned that olive oil should have a spicy component to it after a first press and that you should use it sooner rather than later. It’s not like fine wine, it does not age well. I hope she makes more episodes as this is one of the food shows on Netflix that I really enjoy!

• 8 Unconventional Scandinavian Dramas on Netflix to watch when you want to travel
• What to watch on Netflix in Spanish & French when you’re stuck at home but want to travel
• Best Food Shows on Netflix that make you want to travel
• What to watch on Netflix when you’re stuck at home but want to travel

Margarita Ibbott

Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.

• Margarita Ibbott https://www.downshiftingpro.com/author/2margaritarogers-com/ 15 Thrilling Activities on Florida's Space Coast
• Margarita Ibbott https://www.downshiftingpro.com/author/2margaritarogers-com/ 15 Things to Do in The Saguenay Fjord Region of Quebec
• Margarita Ibbott https://www.downshiftingpro.com/author/2margaritarogers-com/ 10 Best Towns to Visit in Southern Spain
• Margarita Ibbott https://www.downshiftingpro.com/author/2margaritarogers-com/ 17 of the Best Museums in New York City

The Best Travel Shows You Can Stream Right Now

By Meredith Carey

Most of us can't be on the road 365 days a year, but that doesn't mean we have to stop exploring. With some of the best travel shows streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, we have the world at our fingertips, with episodes that take us from markets in Mexico to hawker stalls in Singapore to the farthest reaches of the Arctic, back home to BBQ joints in Charleston. Whether you'd rather follow the late Anthony Bourdain, Sir David Attenborough, David Chang, Samin Nosrat , Samantha Brown , Ewan McGregor, or the Fab Five along the way is up to you. Here, find some of our favorite travel shows available to stream right now (fictional and not), involving journeys by land, air, and sea—and lots and lots of eating.

This gallery was last published in March 2020. It has been updated with new information. All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Taste the Nation

With international travel largely on hold, there's no better time to explore our own backyard—which is exactly what host Padma Lakshmi did on her new Hulu show Taste the Nation . The show's first season, released in June, follows the Top Chef host and author as she quite literally tastes the nation , stopping at restaurants around the U.S. to sample the foods of a variety of Indigenous and immigrant groups. Expect to see some familiar faces, like comedian Ali Wong and spearfisher Kimi Werner , along the way. 

Watch now: Free with a Hulu subscription ( sign up for Hulu here )

Planet Earth and Planet Earth II

We had to wait 10 years between the debut of Planet Earth , a groundbreaking natural history show narrated by Sir David Attenborough, and its sequel Planet Earth II , but it was worth it. The first season, which focus on a specific biome and the flora and fauna that live there in each episode, spotlights smooth coated otters in Southeast Asia, Tibetan foxes, critically endangered Ethiopian ibex, and blue whales, among so many others. Our two favorite episodes, though, come from part II. In the sixth episode, the high-def cameras turn to cities to show how leopards in Mumbai, monkeys in Jodhpur, and catfish in southern France live alongside humans. And in what may be the most heart-racing episode of nature television, the islands episode of Planet Earth II follows a lone iguana racing against time—and a horde of snakes. 

Watch Planet Earth now: $3 per episode, $25 per season; amazon.com

Watch Planet Earth II now: $3 per episode, $20 per season; amazon.com

Long Way Up

Believe it or not, actor Ewan McGregor has been in the travel show business for some 16 years. It all started with Long Way Round , a 2004 series that followed McGregor and his friend Charley Boorman on a motorcycle journey from London through Europe, Asia—and then after a flight to Alaska—Canada, and the U.S. all the way to New York City. The show was followed by 2007's Long Way Down, which took the duo from Scotland to South Africa, on motorcycles once again. Now, they've turned their bikes (electric this time) towards South and Central America, with the latest iteration following the duo some 13,000 miles from Ushuaia, Argentina, on the continent's southernmost tip, to L.A. As usual, hijinks, pitfalls, and stunning scenery are all on view. Neither of the earlier shows are available to stream in the U.S. currently (though you can find them on Apple TV+ in the U.K.), but Long Way Up is an Apple TV+ original and on view for all. 

Watch now: Free with an Apple TV+ subscription ( sign up for Apple TV+ here )

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Be sure to watch this show on a full stomach, or you'll be pausing to bake focaccia or cook tahdig along with affable host and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat cookbook author Samin Nosrat. In the four-part show, Nosrat travels the world, making stops in Mexico, Japan, Italy, and her home in California, to discover the properties of each of the show's title elements. There's cheese. There's olive oil. There's miso. There are tortillas. There's salsa. And just like that we're hungry again. (FYI, she's as delightful in person as she is on screen—and joined us for a Women Who Travel podcast episode soon after the show premiered.) Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Jessica Puckett

María Casbas

CNT Editors

If you're familiar with Anthony Bourdian's The Layover, then the premise of British comedian Richard Ayoade's Travel Man will seem quite familiar. The goofy show follows the comic and primarily English celebrity friends as they galavant around cities like Helsinki, Miami, and Hong Kong over the course of 48 hours. If you're a Great British Bake Off fan, start with Ayoade's trip to Paris with original GBBO host Mel Giedroyc or the season two episode featuring current host Noel Fielding in Copenhagen . Other familiar faces include Paul Rudd in Helsinki and Bridesmaids' Chris O'Dowd in Vienna.

Somebody Feed Phil

This Netflix original follows host Phil Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond , as he eats his way through cities like Bangkok , Lisbon, Mexico City , New Orleans ,   Buenos Aires , Cape Town, and Dublin. The hyper-positive show was called "impossibly optimistic," by former Traveler editor Paul Brady, who spoke with Rosenthal before the first season's premiere in 2018. The fourth season, out October 30, takes Rosenthal from Rio de Janeiro to the Mississippi Delta and the islands of Hawaii to eat even more delicious grub.  Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Parts Unknown

You simply cannot have a list of the best travel shows and not feature the late Anthony Bourdain. In fact, he's on our list more than once. In Parts Unknown , the chef and travel personality circled the world many times over, in search of music, culture, humor, history, and—of course—really good food. Over 12 seasons (the last aired posthumously), Bourdain visited the indigenous Andes with Eric Ripert, the Sochi Winter Olympics, the Mississippi Delta, and, most famously, Hanoi with then-president Barack Obama. (That's season eight, episode two, if you want to jump right to it.) 

Watch now: $3 per episode, or $10 per season; amazon.com

Technically, Netflix's original show Connected is a science show, but that doesn't mean it isn't filled with travel. Plus, host Latif Nasser told us earlier this year that the show was built in the footsteps of Bourdain's Parts Unknown and No Reservations (with a dash of Bill Nye thrown inn). The show speaks to how the world is interconnected—like how Delaware's birds can offer clues about the Gulf's hurricane season or how sand from the Sahara impacts the Amazon. Throughout, you'll follow Nasser as he hopscotches around the world to speak with scientists to find out more. 

Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Street Food

Made by the same folks behind Chef's Table (spoiler: it's also on this list), this show moves away from formal restaurant kitchens and onto the streets, for a guide to some of the world's best curbside meals and snacks . The show's first season is all about Asia, traveling to nine different countries to meet the people behind the food, like Jay Fai from Bangkok's Raan Jay Fai , a Michelin-starred street stall serving up tom yum soup, and Truoc (pictured left), who serves a variety of snail dishes in Ho Chi Minh City . The second season, which hit Netflix in July, zeroes in on Latin America, with stops at Doña Vale's in Oaxaca for memelas and Las Chicas de las Tres food stall in Buenos Aires, run by chef Pato Rodriguez. 

Lost Cities With Albert Lin

In this National Geographic –produced show, explorer and scientist Albert Lin tracks down some of the world's most famous lost cities. We're talking buried Knights Templar caves in Israel, El Dorado in the jungles of Colombia, and ancient, forgotten island cities in Micronesia. Along the way, he speaks with archaeologists, historians, and other experts to discover the origins of the legends and, in turn, the reality of those places today. 

Watch now: Free with a Disney+ subscription ( sign up for Disney+ here )

Ugly Delicious

The second season of the David Chang –hosted Netflix series debuted in March 2020, taking viewers from Istanbul (pictured), to Tokyo , to Sydney , to… Outback Steakhouse? Along the way, he tackles balancing parenthood with restaurant life, cooks with Top Chef 's Padma Lakshmi , rubs elbows with comedians like Nick Kroll and Aziz Ansari, and gets a lesson in not calling all Indian food curries from Traveler contributor Priya Krishna . (If you want more Chang, try your hand at a recipe from his Momofuku cookbook, or watch Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner , also on Netlfix, where he joins one famous friend on a food tour of a city, like Chrissy Teigen in Marrakech.) 

Produced by Vice , this show is about the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. In it, actor Elliot Page and their film director friend Ian Daniel travel to learn about what it's like to be LGBTQ+ around the world. They meet with two-spirit Native Americans, head to ballroom scenes in New York City, and visit the gay bars of Tokyo to dive deep into the vibrant gay and queer culture. But the duo also spends time in Rio de Janeiro, Jamaica, and Ukraine, speaking with LGBTQ+ locals to learn about the discrimination and threats they face just by existing. Expect tears, both happy and sad. 

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted

Gordon Ramsey is involved, so of course this cooking and travel show is extreme. In the National Geographic –produced series, the Hell's Kitchen chef goes out of his element—and out of the kitchen—to learn cooking tips and tricks from locals in unusual locales, culminating in a cook-off of sorts to show off what he's picked up. Here, he heads to Peru's Sacred Valley to learn high altitude cooking, cooks seal with a Tlingit elder in Alaska , and learns about Berber food culture in Morocco. 

Carmen Sandiego

Many of us got our first lesson in geography from this trench coat–wearing master thief, and today's kids can too, thanks to the Netflix reboot of this animated series. This high-flying, Robin Hood–style caper takes kids (and parents) with Sandiego as she jet sets between Rio de Janeiro , Matsumoto in Japan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, and more. There are three seasons available and plenty of educational value here for mapheads—plus pretty stellar animation. This year, an interactive choose-you-own-adventure style show, called Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal, came to Netflix and provides endless entertainment as Sandiego fights off the Villains International League of Evil (V.I.L.E.), with your (kid's) help. Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

If Planet Earth and Planet Earth II weren't enough Attenborough for your liking, get your fix on Netflix, thanks to Our Planet . This docuseries, made by the creators of Planet Earth in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and narrated by Attenborough, is almost a mix of the two, taking armchair travelers from the North American grasslands and the Everglades to the Arctic tundra and deepest parts of our oceans. Once you're done with the nine 50-minute episodes, switch over to Our Planet: Behind the Scenes to see how the 600-person crew filmed the series. Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

No Reservations

If you want even more Bourdain, Hulu has you covered with No Reservations and The Layover, two of his travel shows that preceded Parts Unknown . In No Reservations, Bourdain takes us to both familiar—Maine, Prague, the Philippines—and unfamiliar—Kurdistan, Mozambique, and deep into the Amazon—corners and kitchens of our world, introducing us to new foods, cultures, and personalities over nine seasons. The Layover takes that same premise, but shortens the time line drastically, knocking down Bourdain's time to explore to just 24 to 48 hours. Both are must-sees—it's Bourdain after all. 

Chef's Table: BBQ

While you can watch some of world’s most extraordinary chefs (like Dominque Crenn ; Peruvian Virgilio Martínez , the owner of Lima's Central restaurant; and Swede Magnus Nilsson ) as they create impossibly complicated dishes in the original Chef's Table, we've become partial to its latest iteration, which is all about barbecue. The Netflix original docuseries follows pitmasters like Tootsie Tomanetz—the 85-year-old spitfire pictured above who minds the brisket and sausage at Snow's, outside of Austin—and Rodney Scott, known for his Low Country–style pulled pork and ribs. But the show doesn't stick to the American South. You'll head to Rosalia Chay Chuc's Yucatán home and visit the grills of Lennox Hastie in Sydney, too.  Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Travels with My Father

The first season of this Netflix original, which came out in 2017, follows British stand-up comedian Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael, across Southeast Asia, tracking the duo as they finish the gap year Jack never got to complete, just a few years late (eight, to be exact). It's everything you'd expect: a Thai full moon party and, of course, a trip to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, but the moments in between are what make the show really worth watching. Now, in the three seasons that have followed, the father-son pair have road tripped through Transylvania , visited Chernobyl , and gotten into drag with Sydney queens. Needless to say, it's a romp.  Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Set in a tiny Tokyo diner that's only open from midnight to 7 a.m., the fictional show follows the Midnight Diner's owner and clientele as they share their trials and joys, all while eating whatever the owner, called Master, dishes up. In the diner, pork miso soup is the go-to, but Master will cook visitors anything they order, as long as he's got the goods to make it. Episodes are a little over 20 minutes long, so it's the most bingeable of the bunch. Watch with subtitles and don't—seriously, don't—watch while hungry. Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Get your international fix by watching Antoni , Karamo , Jonathan , Tan , and Bobby makeover the wardrobes and lives of everyday “heroes” in Yass, Australia , and Tokyo in their Queer Eye specials. That said, we're partial to the U.S.-based seasons, where the Fab Five hits up Atlanta, Kansas City, and, most recently, Philadelphia to give new life to regular folks. Whether they're making over the sisters behind Jones Bar-B-Q in Kansas City or the small town mayor of Clarkston, Georgia, we're on board. Have tissues on hand, as you're all but guaranteed to shed a tear (who are we kidding, you'll sob). Watch now: Free with a Netflix subscription ( sign up for Netflix here )

Places to Love

For many years, Samantha Brown was the only female host on travel TV , period. And while some, albeit small, growth has been made in this regard (Nosrat and Kellee Edwards are among the new faces), Brown is still one of the few women on the go on our screens. While she made her start on the Travel Channel with Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, and Passport to China , you should really be checking out her latest show, Places to Love. Now in its third season, the show sees Brown discovering off-the-beaten-path spots in some of the world's most loved destinations as far-flung as Seoul and Auckland, and right in our backyard, like Phoenix and Dallas . 

Watch Places to Love now: Free on PBS

Watch Passport to Europe now: $2 per episode, $35 per season; amazon.com

The World According to Jeff Goldblum

Ok, so this isn't as much of a travel show as it is a “what is Jeff Goldblum curious about” show—but it doesn't mean they don't travel all over the U.S. With each episode focusing on the actor's ceaseless interest in the minutiae of one specific thing (like tattoos, or pools, or RVs, or ice cream—it really runs the gamut). Over the course of the show, Goldblum visits Hawaii , Las Vegas , NASA’s neutral buoyancy lab in Houston , and so much more. If you love Goldblum, you'll probably love this show. 

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The 17 Best Cooking Shows on Netflix

Don't watch these without snacks on hand.

If you're longing to travel , shows like Somebody Feed Phil and Ugly Delicious span the globe to unpack the world's best culinary offerings. Inspired by her bestselling cookbook, Samin Nosrat's four-part series, Salt Fat Acid Heat unpacks the primary components of cooking, and in doing so gives lessons that'll be welcome in any kitchen. If prefer a good adrenaline rush, watch high-stakes competition shows like The Final Table . Those of you who attempted to bake bread during quarantine will particularly enjoy Nailed It! or The Great British Baking Show .

And that's just the start. Below, find shows that profile renowned chefs, offer helpful tips, rehabilitate failing restaurants, and more. Our advice? Make sure you have some snacks on hand, because your stomach will growl.

Waffles + Mochi

One of the latest Netflix offerings from Barack and Michelle Obama's production company , Waffles + Mochi is a delightful kids' show that celebrates fresh ingredients...and puppets. In Waffles + Mochi , the show's titular puppets meet with some of the world's most famous chefs, like Samin Nosrat and Jose Andres, to learn about food from around the world. Michelle Obama encourages Waffles and Mochi on their journey away from the "land of frozen foods" and toward fruits and vegetables. Mrs. Obama called Waffles + Mochi a "continuation" of the work she started at the White House to encourage healthy eating .

Salt Fat Acid Heat

Samin Nosrat's cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat drew praise for its recipes and Nosrat's explanation of the four elements of cooking. She expands on each topic—salt, fat, acid, and heat—in this global docu-series, with episodes in Japan, Italy, California, and Mexico.

Chef's Table

Chef's Table profiles some of the world's leading culinary artists with mouth-watering footage. Don't watch any of Chef's Table 's 30 episodes on an empty stomach—you may be encouraged to order copious takeout or even a plane ticket to visit one of the featured chef's restaurants. Make a themed night out of it, pairing the episode about Niki Nakayama's modern Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles with sushi, or the episode about Massimo Bottura's Italian restaurant in Modena with your favorite pasta dish.

Nadiya Bakes

After winning the fifth season of The Great British Bake Off , Nadiya Hussain became a culinary celebrity in her own right. The charming cookbook author hosts this Netflix baking show. Each episode has a different focus, from savory desserts to pastries perfect for parties. But if you're anything like us, you'll skip ahead to the chocolate episode .

Somebody Feed Phil

Join Phil Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond , on a journey as he travels the world and eats really, really good food. Somebody Feed Phil 's greatest strength is the charm of its host, who is endearingly enthusiastic about every bite he takes.

Ugly Delicious

With his restaurants, Momofuku's David Chang seeks to nourish and astonish people with food. But his intention with the show Ugly Delicious is to change the way people think about food. In each episode, Chang, usually accompanied by a celebrity guest, uncovers how speciality dishes are prepared around the world.

The contestants on Nailed It aren't trying to be extraordinary—they're just trying to make cakes that don't fall apart. In Nailed It , amateur bakers attempt to form elaborate creations with only a simple recipe for guidance . Kitchen mishaps and playful jabs from host Nicole Byers and judge Jacques Torres ensue.

The Chef Show

Jon Favreau wrote and directed the movie Chef , about a—you guessed it—chef who leaves his famous restaurant to start a food truck. In this reality series, Favreau explores his love for food by cooking alongside experts like David Chang and Milk Bar's Christina Tosi, and celebrity friends like Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr.

Million Pound Menu

You'll find Million Pound Menu where Shark Tank meets cooking shows. In each episode, restauranteurs try to convince a jury of experts that their innovative restaurant or food-related ideas are worth investing in. Among the participants are a young man who runs a seafood restaurant out of his parents' kitchen, the owners of vegan Thai restaurant, and a raw cookie dough parlor. The show leads to mentorship and financial partnerships.

The Great British Baking Show

The Great British Baking Show needs no introduction. The veritable sensation of a competition series is the definition of feel-good, relaxing TV. In the show, a group of amateur bakers from the U.K. gather under a tent in the English countryside to make scones, loaves, and " puddings," an English dessert that evidently had many American viewers confused.

Street Food: Asia

Street Food: Asia proves that some of the best food in the world is not made in restaurants, but in stalls in markets and on busy streets. Each episode of Street Food is set in a different city in Asia, from Seoul, South Korea to Cebu, Philippines. The show places equal emphasis on the food and the people who make it. Watch the Latin America edition when you're done.

Best Leftovers Ever

Best Leftovers Ever celebrates the art of making something out of nothing. In the show, amateur chefs are tasked with transforming leftover foods into a meal of a completely different palate and taste profile. After watching the show, you might be inspired to experiment with yesterday's dinner.

Restaurants on the Edge

The eateries profiled in Restaurants on the Edge are all in stunning locales but are fledgling. Enter: Dennis Prescott, a chef; Nick Liberato, a restauranteur; and Karin Bohn, an interior designer. These three experts rehabilitate "restaurants on the edge" everywhere from Slovenia to Arizona. It combines the appeal of a makeover show with the mouth-watering shots of a food show.

The Final Table

The Final Table is a high-stakes cooking competition show made in the same vein as Iron Chef or Master Chef —intense music, countdowns, and all. The Final Table is structured as a global culinary experience: During each episode, teams of elite chefs create meals inspired by a specific country, and have to impress judges from that country.

Zumbo's Just Desserts

The title of this Australian baking show is self-explanatory. Zumbo's Just Desserts really only features desserts —not a savory bite in sight. Pastry chefs attempt to bake their way to a $100,000 prize, with baker Adriano Zumbo presiding over the action. Think Great British Baking Show , but instead of taking place in a tent, the action unfolds in a colorful, Wonka-inspired setting.

The Big Family Cooking Showdown

Does your family have what it takes to win a cooking show? Families' culinary skills (and bonds) are tested in this BBC cooking series. The challenges, as a result, adhere to a familial theme. In one of the episodes, competitors have to prepare a meal in their own kitchen. The finale is comprised of making enough food for a big party.

The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell

There's a good chance you won't believe your eyes while watching this baking show. Christine McConnell earned an enormous social following thanks to her gothic-themed creations, right out of a Tim Burton movie. With this Netflix show, McConnell takes us behind-the-scenes into her haunted house cakes. Unlike the other cooking shows on this list, McConnell's has a narrative: She's frequently visited by her (fictional) neighbors, each of whom appears to be aspiring Halloween monsters. The effect is bizarre, entertaining, and a wholly one-of-a-kind show, just like her creations.

Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily. 

TV & Movies

Adam Glassman Talks Style at the 2024 Oscars

This Clip of Oprah from 1990 Is Helping Us Heal

Sheryl Lee Ralph Asked to Star in “Sister Act 3”

Gayle Wears the Same Dress on CBS 12 Years Later

The Best Valentine’s Day Movies Ever

The Golden Wedding is Making Reality-TV History

Oprah and Gayle Reminisce About “The Color Purple”

Stars of The Color Purple, Past and Present

Gayle King and Anderson Cooper on WWHL

Cara Jade Myers Talks “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Oprah and Danielle Brooks on “The Color Purple”

• The Best Travel Shows on Netflix
• Why Cruises Are Surprisingly Expensive
• Words to Learn Before You Go
• The Worst People to Travel With
• Excellent TV Shows About Travel
• The Most Beautiful Countries on Earth
• Social Networks for Travelers
• Important Things in a Vacay Spot
• The Best Travel YouTubers
• Popular Spots That Kinda Suck
• Ranking the Best Luggage Brands
• Top Travel Sites for Saving Money
• Great Tour Groups for Solo Travel
• The Best Luxury Cruise Lines
• Mythological Places to Visit
• Travel Hacks and Tips to Try
• Great Countries to Travel Alone
• How to Avoid Getting Scammed on Vacation
• Budget-Friendly Hotel Chains
• Meanwhile, on TripAdvisor...
• The Top Luxury Hotel Chains
• The Best Countries to Go Hiking
• Insane Resorts Around the World
• Luxury Hotel Perks We All Love
• Hotel Hacks to Save You Money
• Ranking the Top Hotel Chains
• Best Cruise Ships for Families
• Crazy Drunk Snacks Around the World
• Maps of Public Transportation
• Travel Accounts to Follow on Instagram
• Where to Plan a Girls' Trip
• Great Photos of Dads on Vacation
• Destinations for Group Vacations
• Awesome Places to Take a Cruise
• Where to Go Hang Gliding
• Amazing Cheaper Travel Destinations
• The Most Essential Hotel Amenities

The Best Netflix Travel Shows To Watch Now

Here are the best travel shows streaming now on Netflix. Whether you're looking for exotic food destinations or planning your next vacation, this list of travel documentary series currently on Netflix is regularly updated with new and popular TV series. What are the best travel programs to watch on Netflix? 

One of the best Netflix original docuseries, Somebody Feed Phil  features Everybody Loves Raymond creator Philip Rosenthal traveling the world and trying local foods. Other good travel shows on Netflix include Ugly Delicious , Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father , Tales By Light , and Taco Chronicles.

Check out these Netflix travel shows and vote up the very best.

Somebody Feed Phil

Is Somebody Feed Phil Worth Your Time?

Street Food

Is Street Food Worth Your Time?

Dark Tourist

Is Dark Tourist Worth Your Time?

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

Is Jack Whitehall: Travel... Worth Your Time?

• # 356 of 449 on The 440+ Best Binge Worthy Shows Of All Time
• # 76 of 82 on The 75+ Best Travel TV Shows Sure To Give You The Travel Bug
• # 751 of 799 on The 700+ Best Netflix Original Series

Midnight Asia: Eat. Dance. Dream

Is Midnight Asia: Eat. Da... Worth Your Time?

The World's Most Extraordinary Homes

Is The World's Most Extra... Worth Your Time?

Ugly Delicious

Is Ugly Delicious Worth Your Time?

• # 9 of 33 on Shows You Can Almost Smell Through The TV
• # 748 of 799 on The 700+ Best Netflix Original Series
• # 69 of 109 on The 100+ Best Cooking Shows Of All Time

Down to Earth with Zac Efron

Is Down to Earth with Zac... Worth Your Time?

• # 111 of 646 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 14 of 37 on The Best Guilty Pleasure TV Shows of the Last Few Years
• # 79 of 82 on The 75+ Best Travel TV Shows Sure To Give You The Travel Bug

Taco Chronicles

Is Taco Chronicles Worth Your Time?

• # 575 of 646 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 115 of 278 on The 250+ Best Netflix Documentary Series
• # 33 of 63 on The Best Food Documentary Series

You vs. Wild

Is You vs. Wild Worth Your Time?

• # 46 of 52 on The Best 2019 Original Streaming Platform Shows
• # 61 of 62 on The Best New Adventure TV Series of the Last Few Years
• # 2 of 21 on The Best Netflix Interactive Content

Street Food: USA

Is Street Food: USA Worth Your Time?

• # 270 of 646 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 505 of 799 on The 700+ Best Netflix Original Series
• # 144 of 278 on The 250+ Best Netflix Documentary Series

Heavenly Bites: Mexico

Is Heavenly Bites: Mexico... Worth Your Time?

Tales By Light

Is Tales by Light Worth Your Time?

Is Cooked Worth Your Time?

• # 101 of 469 on The 400+ Best Documentary Miniseries, Ranked
• # 193 of 278 on The 250+ Best Netflix Documentary Series
• # 13 of 63 on The Best Food Documentary Series

Paul Hollywood's Big Continental Road Trip

Is Paul Hollywood's Big C... Worth Your Time?

Instant Hotel

Is Instant Hotel Worth Your Time?

Down to Earth With Zac Efron: Down Under

Is Down to Earth With Zac... Worth Your Time?

• # 73 of 646 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 10 of 37 on The Best Guilty Pleasure TV Shows of the Last Few Years
• # 33 of 82 on The 75+ Best Travel TV Shows Sure To Give You The Travel Bug

The Kindness Diaries

Is The Kindness Diaries Worth Your Time?

Is Stay Here Worth Your Time?

Ainori Love Wagon: Asian Journey

Is Ainori Love Wagon: Asi... Worth Your Time?

Chuck and Danny's Road Trip

Is Chuck and Danny's Road... Worth Your Time?

Extreme Engagement

Is Extreme Engagement Worth Your Time?

• # 205 of 589 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 141 of 202 on The Best New Shows That Premiered in 2019
• # 178 of 624 on The Best New Reality TV Shows of the Last Few Years
• Netflix (Streaming Service)
• Entertainment
• Documentaries
• Watchworthy
• Places/Travel

Lists for those with wanderlust.

Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Stream Now

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links to the products we earnestly love and recommend, meaning at no extra cost to you, we might make a teeny-weeny commission if you click on the link and decide to buy something. The money will be used to sustain this little cozy blog we call our virtual home.

We all love to travel. Some of us travel to gather new experiences, some to learn new things, some to try new adventures, and some just to relax and unwind. But, the fact is we can’t travel as much as we want to because of work, family, and other obligations. What do we do then? Well, we look for sources of travel inspiration . We search for inspiring travel quotes, we read travel books, or we watch travel movies, or we watch travel shows…anything that inspires our wanderlust. That’s how we escape to far-off places from the comfort of our homes. We, vicariously live out our travel dreams. Thanks to the digital world we live in today. The real game-changer in the travel TV genre has to be Netflix. It’s home to some amazing travel shows. With hundreds of travel shows to choose from on Netflix, you can see the different parts of the world without ever leaving your couch or bed. However, with so many diverse options, it can be quite overwhelming to pick the perfect travel show or documentary. We’re here to help.

Best Travel Shows on Netflix

Here’s an ultimate list of the best travel shows on Netflix recommended by travel experts for you all travelers out there to binge on. So, what are you waiting for?

Pick the travel show you want to see, and pack your bags…Ummm…grab a bag of popcorn, settle on your couch, and hit the on-button of the remote.

#1 Travels with My Father

3 seasons, 13 episodes | IMDb: 7.7/10

Sean from LivingOutLau says, “My favorite travel series on Netflix has to be Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father. “ A travel documentary comedy that follows the journey of a twenty-something-year-old son and a close to 80-year-old father, Travels With My Father is both culturally enriching and hilarious. The son, Jack Whitehall, takes his posh father, Michael Whitehall, on a popular backpacking gap-year route across Southeast Asia, where their contrasting personalities create a fun dynamic for the audience. If you ever wanted to see the results of a high-class elderly man from the UK staying in a hostel, then you must not miss the show. The father’s disconnect from many of the latest travel news and trends creates some of the hilarious moments in the show, such as when he chats up with a very nice lady who turns out to be a “ladyboy” in Thailand . Currently, there is a total of 3 seasons of Travels With My Father on Netflix. Season 1 features travel adventures in Southeast Asia, season 2 in Eastern Europe, and season 3 in the United States . Whichever season you pick, just be ready to laugh until your stomach hurts!

#2 Moving Art

3 seasons, 19 episodes | IMDb: 8.7/10

Tanayesh from Shoestring Travel asserts that Moving Art has to be one of the most relaxing shows on Netflix. I watch it to unwind with a glass of wine at the end of the day. Moving Art by Louie Schwartzberg is a documentary exclusively on nature like deserts, forests, oceans, wildlife, and many more with soothing music playing over top. The movie provides a pensive tour of witnessing the world and as it is without narration, you can actually feel the sounds of nature at large. The amazing shots which are tactfully edited with the cinematography are just breathtaking! Once you sit to watch the movie, you will absolutely be glued to it and would definitely love to watch it often. Moving Art is my all-time favorite – whether I can travel or I can’t I satisfy my desire to travel by watching this exotic nature movie. For me, it’s a spiritual experience as I watch nature’s beauty sitting at home experiencing her beauty in different ways. Not to forget this movie also heals my mind and body and gives me the utmost pleasure. This gorgeous series answered an unspoken desire to have a nature film without the spoken word. The desire is so strong that I have to watch it daily. And not one film but four! These films are meant to be enjoyed and in the end, you will have a relaxed body and a peaceful mind, and you will embrace positivity and forget all negativity. There is not an iota of mediocrity in these works. And I will be able to view them over and over. Thank you, Louis Schwartzberg. By following your bliss, you have given it to others. Lovely contribution to the planet.

#3 Our Planet

1 season, 8 episodes | IMDb: 9.3/10

Cassie from Cassie the Hag believes that Our Planet, a documentary series on Netflix, is a travel show hoping to help us connect better with our homes. Narrated by Britain’s favorite national treasure David Attenborough, the show focuses on the conservation issues we – and our planet – now face due to the dire human impact on the environment. Viewers are invited to enjoy stunning nature shots of frozen worlds to deserts, jungles to the high seas, and close-ups of animals in their natural habitats…while being gently reminded of our responsibility as global citizens. It is this perspective that makes me believe Our Planet is a must-see. Travel lovers will be inspired by the beautiful landscapes of Russia, Chile, South Georgia, Madagascar, and many more.

Although I’ve already enjoyed an amazing holiday in Indonesia , it definitely made me long to go back to see the orangutans of Sumatra and the coral reefs of Raja Ampat – known as one of the best diving regions in the world. The beauty of Earth’s natural ecosystem shines while the focus shifts to the rich but fragile biodiversity. We are reminded that South Georgia may look stunning – and the penguins are totally cute – but the melting ice caps could change Earth dramatically and doom the animals who live there. Our Planet is not all doom and gloom, mind. In Serengeti , Tanzania , we see messages of sadness and hope – both hippos crammed into small areas of the Great Ruaha River due to the human water industry – but also witness shots of wild dogs who have back from local extinction. You’ll start watching Our Planet for outdoor inspiration but leave it wanting to take better care of your home.  

#4 Dark Tourist

1 season, 8 episodes | IMDb: 7.6/10

Dave from davechant.com recommends his favorite travel show on Netflix – Dark Tourist. Dark tourism is loosely defined as travel to areas where death, disaster, or atrocity is an integral part of the experience. People have for many years been visiting Chernobyl or Auschwitz but there’s a growing desire for the macabre and sinister that coined this travel term in the early twenty-first century. In 2018 comes the Netflix documentary Dark Tourist, starring the journalist David Farrier. He’s been described as the poor man’s Louis Theroux, but there’s something amiable and naïve about his bumbling narrative and efforts to understand dark tourism that makes him watchable in a slightly Karl Pilkington way. To date, there has been 1 season with 8 episodes broadcast. Highlights include David heading to Mexico City and witnessing both an exorcism and learning about a community that worships the “death saint” and visiting the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster site in Japan (Episodes 1 and 2 respectively.) In Episode 6 he has a dilemma involving a bazooka and a cow in Cambodia and goes to a mummified corpse ritual in Indonesia . The most bizarre section has to come in the last episode where he visits a haunted house attraction in Tennessee lasting 8 hours where people are literally tortured physically and psychologically. Suffice it to say no one has made it completely through the 8 hours without issuing their safe word. Sometimes Dark Tourist is a little hit and miss – naturally, you’ll gravitate to certain “experiences” over others. However, easy watching at times this is not, and you may not love it, but you’ll find yourself mesmerized as to what’s going to happen next.

#5 Street Food

1 season, 9 episodes | IMDb: 8.0/10

Emily from Wander-Lush says, “If you’re a fan of the popular TV show Chef’s Table, you’ll be pleased to know the Netflix travel series Street Food is created by the same team.” This time around, they’re not chronicling Michelin-starred celebrity chefs – instead, they’re paying tribute to the often overlooked and unsung heroes of the street food world. Season one takes a deep dive into 9 cities in Asia, including Seoul, Delhi, and Saigon . Food is, of course, the star, but each episode also paints a picture of the location. One thing I love about this show is how succinct it is. Each 30-minute episode follows three or four individual protagonists, humanizing the food from the very beginning. From the daily rituals of a Yogyakarta dessert vendor, as she wakes up at dawn to lovingly prepare her sweet treats, to the trials and tribulations of a busy Bangkok street chef, each episode is a window onto someone’s world and is totally immersive. Beyond the food they cook, the show explores each person’s backstory, narrated by them in their native language through interviews. The women and men who star in Street Food are champions of their communities. At times, the show zooms out to illustrate how critical street food culture is to the fabric of society in their respective countries. Each episode is packed with practical tips for foodie travelers, too. I started watching it when I was planning a trip to Vietnam  and ended up pinning all the locations on Google Maps so I could visit them myself! There’s currently only one season of Street Food available on Netflix, but a second one is in the pipeline.

#6 Raja Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyan

2 seasons, 35 episodes | IMDb: 8.8/10

Even though it is a culinary show, it travels across India showcasing the history, and tradition related to the cuisine. It is said that the place, its weather, food that grows there have a very important influence in developing the cuisine of that region. The series name literally means ‘King, Kitchens and their stories’ and delves into each state’s history.

Visiting the royal palaces and their royal kitchens, and roaming the streets to understand where and how it originated keeps you engrossed. There are some interesting stories about how some ingredients originally from different countries traveled across continents and now are an integral part of Indian cuisine. India has a history that dates back centuries and it’s evident in food as well. In one of the episodes, they even shared the scripts of recipes written on leaves by the chef of a king.

A culinary trip to India would be incomplete without visiting the places where it originated. Travel is an experience not only about visiting a place but also about knowing the culture, history, and food of the area. And this series for sure will fulfill it completely. The bold voice that weaves stories through beautiful locations and aromatic cuisines is another highlight of the series.

We started watching as a family and our kids even joined us and took an equal interest. The first season had 11 episodes of 1 hour that traversed food of some major states of India like Rajasthan , Tamil Nadu , Punjab, Kashmir, Kerala , Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh. Season 2 had 24 episodes but the duration was 30 minutes.

#7 Ugly Delicious

2 seasons, 12 episodes | IMDb: 7.8/10

Daisy from Oman Travel Guides thinks, that for those that love to travel, one of the best (and only) things to do during this period of self-isolation is to travel vicariously through others.

One such way to do so is by learning different cultures and customs through a good Netflix series. And what better series is there than a cooking show produced by award-winning chef David Chang? (Hint: Almost none.) Ugly Delicious is a Netflix show that follows David and a few of his colleagues around the world in a quest to better understand various dishes and meals. It explores the local history and culture through dish-specific travels. It is both informative and humorous, which is great for those who are looking for something more light-hearted but educational. Each episode dives into the specifics of a dish and explores its variations in different countries, as well as how it evolved with the cultural specificities of the region. Be it the concept of fried chicken, pizza, or tacos, David Chang is able to capture the intricacy and complexity that is often overlooked by others. He and his team have traveled to Japan, Naples, and more to further research the numerous factors that contribute to a dish that is similar in concept, but different in taste. Ugly Delicious is an excellent show in that it not only looks at the food but also brings to light critical sociocultural issues that are found within each dish. It does a beautiful job of connecting the dots between different cuisines and people and makes us think more carefully about the various elements behind the things we consume each day.

#8 Somebody Feed Phil

2 seasons, 12 episodes | IMDb: 8.1/10

Veronika from Travel Geekery says, “When it comes to  traveling at home , or rather just inducing that travel feeling, travel food shows are a great option, even though you cannot eat what the people on your TV screen do. I’ve enjoyed watching both seasons of Somebody Feed Phil and am looking forward to season 3 coming out at the end of May 2020.” Philip Rosenthal , the “Phil” in the show, is a well-known name in the US Entertainment Industry. He produced the popular sitcom ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ in the ’90s. It went on for 9 seasons! So nowadays in his current show, which he produces and stars in, Phil travels the world in search of the delicious. And man, does he like food! From New Orleans to Bangkok, Phil seeks out local foodie spots from both expats and locals and stuffs himself till full. The most unique feature of the show is how funny, or rather goofy, Phil is. He is a comical character, makes amusing or embarrassing jokes, dances, sings… He really puts himself out there. He also hasn’t hesitated to bring the whole family into the TV Show. He skypes his parents in every episode, updating them on his whereabouts and the local food. His brother is the cameraman and sometimes interacts with Phil. His wife and kids once joined him for a big part of an episode in Copenhagen . The lighthearted travel/food documentary serves as a great inspiration for future trips. We knew what delicious things to expect in Ho Chi Minh City after watching Phil’s show. We even rewatched it once there to make sure we didn’t miss out on any of the local specialties.

#9 Tales by Light

3 seasons, 15 episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10

Jeff from Life Of Y recalls, “When I was growing up, I dreamed of becoming a travel photographer. What could be better than traveling the world and doing what you love the most? Sometimes we forget why we fell in love with a particular passion or hobby. Maybe jobs, bills, and other things get in the way. Then, one day, something comes along from the professionals you had admired as a child…” Tales By Light is a visually stunning documentary series created by National Geographic and Canon Australia . The show follows professional photographers as they explore various lands, pushing the limits of their abilities, in an attempt to show us our world in ways we’ve never seen before. Each episode is a visual journey as the photographers tell us their vision of the perfect image and what the project means to them. From marine photography in Papua New Guinea to photographing religious festivals in the Himalayas, we experience every joy and every challenging moment through their eyes! Nearly everybody thinks they can be a photographer, or an Instagrammer, these days but this show will make you think long and hard about what it really takes to be in the profession. It will also make you want to take your photography, and even your traveling and adventuring, to a whole new level. The great thing about Tales By Light is that it’s not aimed at just photographers. Anyone with an interest in travel, nature, culture, or even just life, in general, will enjoy this. I highly recommend this show, not just for the spectacular cinematography, but as a great source of inspiration as well.

#10 The Kindness Diaries

2 seasons, 26 episodes | IMDb: 8.1/10

Lara from Both Feet On The Road feels The Kindness Diaries is an incredibly inspiring documentary travel show on Netflix. I absolutely love this series and I recommend every travel lover to watch it. But what makes this travel show so inspiring? The series follows a man named Leon Logothetis (former broker) who travels the world with no money. In season one he travels with a vintage motorcycle and completely depends on the kindness of strangers for fuel, a place to sleep, and eat! In season two he starts in Alaska with a vintage Beetle and drives all the way to the tip of Argentina , still solely relying on people’s kindness. Unfortunately, season 1 is no longer available on Netflix, but season 2 still is. In return for people’s kindness, Leon helps them realize their dreams. For example, by paying for education and a home for a homeless man, paying for healthcare, helping stray dogs, or building schools. Each time a stranger offers him a place to sleep or eat, he offers them something in return. Before you watch, I have to give you a heads-up. The first time I watched the show I thought it was scripted and perhaps a bit over the top. But I urge you to keep watching, It’s not fake and the more you watch it, the better it gets. Even if it’s partly scripted, the kindness of strangers is real and from the heart. It’s heartwarming to see how far he gets and how helpful humankind can be. If you have ever lost all trust in our kind, you should watch this show! Leon’s goal is to show the world the power of human connection and that’s exactly the power of this show. And of course, the fact that you get to travel around the world virtually.

#11 Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

1 season, 4 episodes | IMDb: 6.7/10

Lee from The Travel Scribes elucidates, If you like Ugly Delicious, you’ll love David Chang’s later foray into food and travel: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. This four-part limited series is a frothy, definitely, funny take on celebrity interviews as each episode sees Chang hang out with one of his famous buddies in different cities around the world, literally eating his way through the three square meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The series is interesting in that you don’t only explore the gastronomic culture and best eats of the city in question, but you get under the skin of these famous personalities while taking in the sights and sounds of the country. Almost a fusion of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and Anthony Bourdain-esque shows it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves food and famous people, in that order. Take, for example, the first episode. Actor and funnyman Seth Rogen takes Chang through his paces in Vancouver, Canada . It’s Rogen’s hometown so he easily showcases the best it has to offer: everything from Chinese-inspired dim sum to sugary doughnuts as they laugh the day away. Episode two changes pace as model and Twitter royalty, Chrissy Teigen , leads him through the maze-like warren of Marrakesh as they feast on lamb tagines, while the third installment has Chang in Los Angeles as Lena Waithe from  Master of None  plies him with potatoes, crayfish, and even the food of a retro bowling alley. Topped off with episode four, featuring comedian Kate McKinnon in Phnom Penh, Cambodia , where the two explore the city together as first-time visitors. As diverse as it is dynamic, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner is an exploration of different cultures and destinations through the universal language of food. Undoubtedly binge-watching (and eating) fodder to whet your travel appetite!

#12 Conan Without Borders

1 season, 6 episodes

Based on the adventures of Conan O’Brien , a late-night talk show, Conan Without Borders is a fresh take on travel, cultures, and people. For this show, Conan traveled to a myriad of locations including Cuba, Israel, Haiti, Korea, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and Germany . The stuff he does in one country has nothing to do with another country, which keeps the content in mint condition. For instance, while in Japan, Conan decided to rent a fake family once he heard about Japan’s crisis of loneliness, and the service to rent families. In Germany, he visited the nude beaches and met up with a dominatrix. In Cuba, he did a rum tour. In South Korea, he joined The Wonder Girls, Korean pop star J.Y. Park, and TWICE for a K-POP music video. For Ghana, Conan joined comedian Sam Richardson and met the locals to observe the Year of Return, a commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade, and learned the local customs and language. In Haiti, he made fun of President Trump with locals. What I love the most about Conan Without Borders is the way he brings in his far-flung humor to make a fool of himself. In all these countries where he doesn’t speak their language, he still manages to make people laugh and keep it fun. But once you start looking beyond the humor, you also see his sensitive side when he is talking to people about turmoil, genocides, and economic issues- without ever making a joke.  Deb from The Visa Project has been following the show since it started and she recommends it to anyone. It’s different from most travel shows you have ever seen.

#13 Outlander

6 seasons, 68 episodes | IMDb: 8.4/10

Outlander combines drama, romance, and a sense of wanderlust all in one. From the opening theme song to the stunning images of Scotland , viewers are transported to another land (and another time). The show is based on a multi-part book series by American author Diana Gabaldon, and incredibly, the story-telling and visuals do the novel justice. While the start of the show lands viewers after the end of World War II, much of the action throughout the series takes place in the late 1700s Scotland and, in later seasons, France and the Americas . Outlander has a great mix of adventure and anticipation for what happens next coupled with actual historical events. I learned a ton about Scottish history while watching the show, as I was checking facts about events and people while I watched. The emotion brought forth by the telling of these events brings to life historically significant periods of time, including the Battle of Culloden. Not only this, but the sense of longing, loss, love, anger, and any emotion you can imagine is also portrayed beautifully by its main actors. Outlander even inspired Christa from Expedition Wildlife to  travel to the Scottish Highlands  to visit some of the featured sites! Incredibly, Scottish family names from the show can be seen on memorial stones placed in the Culloden Battlefield Memorial site, and the hills of Glencoe featured in many scenes can be explored. Now, whenever I hear that opening song, I think of Scotland and its magical lands.

#14 Carmen Sandiego

2 seasons, 19 episodes | IMDb: 7.9/10

Tiffany from Mommy And Me Travels loves finding travel shows to inspire children to get excited about traveling.  She says, our family’s absolute favorite on Netflix is Carman Sandiego.  The show uses a catchphrase of ‘Where in the World is Carman Sandiego?’. My kids love trying to guess where Carman will end up before it is revealed in each episode.  This show is about a strong female lead, Carman, and how she uses her expert-acquired skills of theft to steal back items from her rivals before the items can be used against the world. Carman is not alone in her adventures. An expert team joins her along the way and in her ear is her sidekick ‘Player.’ The player guides Carman through all of the obstacles that she will encounter as she makes her way through cities.  Make discovering the world with Carman a weekly activity for you and your family.

#15 Master of None

2 seasons, 20 episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10

Megan from Peter Pan Traveler says, “One of my favorite travel shows on Netflix is Master of None season 2. Not only is it a great travel show by making you want to pack your bag and move to Italy , but it can also help to mend a broken heart.” The main character is faced with an unfortunate break-up. Rather than being sad and depressed about his situation, he decides to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning how to make fresh pasta in Italy.  This show is not only great for travelers, foodies, or anyone going through a break-up, but it is also a great encouragement to get out there and follow your dreams. It will make you want to book a one-way ticket to Italy and eat your heart out. It is a great travel show to watch while you plan your next trip. Also great for anyone learning or wanting to learn Italian, as a part of the show is filmed in Italian.  Out of all the great travel shows Netflix has to offer this is by far one of my favorites. There is something just so unique and funny about it that makes you want to watch it over and over again.

#16 Roman Empire

3 seasons, 15 episodes | IMDb: 6.9/10

Matt of It’s All in Italy has watched an amazing 3 part documentary series on Netflix called the ‘Roman Empire’ which he absolutely loved. Roman Empire is a historical drama about events in Ancient Rome . The 3 part series centers not just on Rome but takes you to various parts of the Roman Republic, which later became the Roman Empire, including places like Gaul (modern-day France), Greece, and Egypt. Each of the 3 documentary series focuses on an important figure in Ancient Roman History including Emperor Commodus, Julius Caesar, and Emperor Caligula, and offers a fascinating insight into their character and the challenges they faced up to and during their rule as Emperor. It’s an intriguing series for not just history buffs, but for anyone who has traveled to or is  planning on traveling to Italy  as it puts the city of Rome and the country of Italy in an entirely new light. It will inspire you to visit historical sites in Rome and perhaps further afield to the Island of Capri, which was the home of Emperor Tiberius prior to being succeeded by Emperor Caligula. You’re sure to experience a range of emotions as you watch the series as you’re exposed to the savagery and opulence of the life and times of leaders and Emperors in Ancient Rome. It’s 5 stars from me 🙂

So, how many of these travel shows on Netflix have you watched? Which one would you want to add to your Netflix queue? Is your favorite travel show included in the list? If not, tell us about it in the comments section.

Save the Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Pinterest

Sharing is nice 🙂 If you have liked our post please share it with your friends and family and feel free to  subscribe  to our mailing list or you can also follow our stories on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  Pinterest , and  Twitter .

Anjali Chawla

1 thought on “Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Stream Now”

Such a great list and some on there that I haven’t watched yet.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

© 2024 Travel Melodies. All Rights Reserved.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Travel Sisters

Best travel shows to watch right now (on tv, netflix, amazon prime & other streaming services).

by The Travel Sisters | Oct 20, 2020 | Travel Inspiration | 3 comments

And if you are looking for more travel related things to watch, here is a list of the best travel movies of all time .

Related:  Best Credit Cards to Use for Streaming Services

Best Travel Shows and Series

Best Travel Shows on Netflix

The following travel shows and series are available on Netflix only.

Ugly Delicious

Recommended by Stephanie from Explore More Clean Less

Ugly Delicious is a relatively new food focused travel show that follows celebrity chef David Chang, founder of Momofuku, as he explores both across the United States and internationally. The episodes are loose and casual, showing Chang investigating the history of different regional cuisines and food rivalries. His guests range widely including other chefs, writers, actors, and artists, but they tend to share similar air time to the restaurant owners and people off the street. The focus blurs between culture and personal, feeling like you’re the fly on a wall while interesting people who love food hang out and chat about it. There’s no way to watch it and not be itching to travel to a new region and try some of the foods they highlight!

Travels With My Father

Recommended by Lee from The Travel Scribes

From the moment they touchdown in Bangkok, Thailand and make their way to the famous Khao San Road, the Netflix series Travels with my Father  will capture your heart, and tickle your funny bone.

Chronicling the experiences of British father and son duo, Jack and Michael Whitehall, this laugh a minute series not only showcases some of the globe’s most famous destinations but features the offbeat, slightly sarcastic relationship between Jack, a 30-something comedian still longing for his backpacker days and Michael, his elderly ever-suffering dad. The drama (and the giggles) are mostly driven by the vastly different travel styles of the two: Jack, the singlet and loud shorts-wearing millennial who is most comfortable in questionable hostels and eating street food and Michael, a slightly uptight luxury traveller who insists on wearing his ‘Sunday best’ on the streets of Southeast Asia and checking into five star hotels.

The show, now in its third season, sees the unlikely pair traverse the globe with jaunts in South East Asia, Europe and, more recently, a tour of the USA. This is must-watch viewing for anyone who loves British comedy and travel, in each measure.

Somebody Feed Phil

Recommended by Amber from Food And Drink Destinations

From the creator of the hit comedy series, Everyone Loves Raymond, comes the Netflix food travel series, Somebody Feed Phil. Following the culinary journeys of Phil Rosenthal, Somebody Feed Phil presents food travel from the “average” travelers perspective. Phil is by no means a food professional like Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmern. Phil is an easy going family man who just happens to LOVE food. Over 2 seasons and 12 episodes, Phil with his mall crew, including his brother, travel to some of the best food destinations around the world. Phil’s childlike enthusiasm for each new destination, cuisine and culinary experience is priceless. His inquisitive nature and ability to connect with people makes Somebody Feed Phil a one of a kind culinary travel show. For those interested in traveling for food, Somebody Feed Phil attempts to alleviate the fear of trying the local food. It’s certainly worth watching. Netflix has also previously announced a season 3 with episodes scheduled to air sometime in 2020.

Dark Tourist

Recommended by Martha from Quirky Globetrotter

Nowadays, travel is often painted as an Instagrammable pastime. Yet, there is a surge of tourists who are looking for quite the opposite and want to see the not-so-glamorous parts of the world. We’re not talking off the beaten path. We’re talking more about what happens behind closed doors and what rumors try to speculate. The trend of traveling and diving into the taboo and unknown comes to life in the Netflix show, “ Dark Tourist .”

Whether it’s visiting radioactive nuclear sites or learning about gruesome assassinations, it’s the sense of forbiddenness or coveted secrets that these tourists ache for. Have you ever wondered why people are so enthralled by serial killer documentaries? The same thrill takes place in these destinations. (Don’t worry, there’s a Jeffrey Dahmer tour for you true crime aficionados.) Dark tourism profits off exposing the occult or veiled history of these locales.

Recommended by Laura from What’s Hot?

Our Planet is one of David Attenborough’s latest documentary series and was made directly for Netflix. Like all his other series, this one is beautifully shot, highly informative and well-loved by all the family. What sets One Planet apart from some of the others however is the focus upon how human life and global warming are destroying these natural havens. Attenborough takes us to some of the most beautiful and peaceful places on Earth before showing us the tragic consequences that have left other, similar areas barren wastelands.

Alternating between land and sea, you’ll go to the desert, the depths of the ocean, the jungles and the coast. This is an important one for avid travellers because it will jointly inspires us to travel more of the world’s secluded locations but also to do so in a way which doesn’t disturb our planet.

Emily in Paris

Recommended by Matilda

Emily in Paris is about a young American woman who lands a job in a Parisian marketing firm. The show was created by the same person as Sex and The City and has a similar vibe only instead of New York heavily features Paris. It is fun, somewhat campy and an easy watch. While I wouldn’t recommend it as an entirely accurate portrayal of French culture, the scenery is absolutely beautiful and reminds me why Paris is one of my all-time favorite cities.

Best Travel Shows on TV, Amazon Prime Video and Other Streaming Services

The following travel shows and series are available on TV, Amazon Prime Video and/or various streaming services (such as Hulu).

Related:  Best Credit Cards to Use For Amazon Purchases

An Idiot Abroad

Recommended by Haley Plotkin, Ready Set Jet Set

An Idiot Abroad is a hysterical British travel docu-series following Karl Pilkington, a man that one could call an “idiot savant”. What everyone has to know about Karl is, he really does not like to travel. Knowing this, his friends Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who one may know as famous British comedic actors, send Karl on epic adventures all across the world, with some twists and pranks along the way. These are the kind of trips that most people would kill for, but to Karl, he’d rather be home with a cup of tea. One of the highlights of the show is the Karl-isms along the way, such as: “The Great Pyramid is overrated. It’s a bad design. The lounge is going to be huge, but the bedroom is going to be tiny.” This is really not your typical travel show, and that’s what makes it a must-watch!

Where to Watch: This show is a few years old, so it is not currently airing anywhere in the US (it was created for Sky TV in the UK). In the US, you can buy it digitally on platforms such as Amazon Prime , Vudu , and iTunes .

The Layover

Recommended by Paula Morgan from Expert Abroad

The Layover was just one of the many travel shows that featured everyone’s favourite food traveller Anthony Bourdain. It aired for three seasons between 2011-2013 and after watching the very first episode on a 48-hour visit to New York it will likely change the way you travel forever.

No longer will you book the fastest trip to your destination. A stopover is not viewed as a hardship it is now something to embrace. The series covered 20 cities and racing against the clock Bourdain showed the audience the best things to eat, see and do, usually with a knowledgeable local as his sidekick.

The pace at times seems a little exhausting and you may not manage to cover as much in your 24 hours as the pro’s do but they make it easy for you to pick a few things for your next visit.

The team covered almost all of the main transit hubs across Asia, Europe and the USA including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and NYC. Next time you find a cheap flight because of a long stopover check the series list and start making some plans.

Where to Watch: You can watch The Layover on Amazon Prime or The Travel Channel . Some episodes are also on YouTube .

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Recommended by Arrianne Guzman from Travel Habeat

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown is a travel and food show featuring an amazing chef exploring destinations less traveled by. As it inspires you to explore off-the-beaten paths, you’ll delve into intricate cultures, rich history, and beautiful people. You’d realize that a dish is more than what goes in a plate, it’s about tradition, heritage, and way of living. Catch Anthony tries a delectable Filipino dish called sisig and a scrumptious dessert fondly named “halo-halo” while grasping how the Philippines spend an extended Christmas season. Unravel with him the complicated past of Koreatown in Los Angeles and see what it was like to grow up Korean American. Or maybe you’d agree with him how a salad of fermented tea leaves can taste good in Myanmar.

Where to Watch: An original CNN series, it is available in digital media platforms including Amazon Prime , iTunes, and Vudu .

Expedition Unknown

Recommended by Albi from Ginger Around the Globe

Expedition Unknown is a TV show that will sparkle the heart of every traveler, who loves history. Josh Gates will take you around the globe and at the same time, you will see him and other archeologists, solving ancient mysteries. You will get to know about Kruger treasure, where is the tomb of last Inka king and more Indiana Jones mysteries like this. So you will see all kinds of places and at the same time, know their history and local culture. It is very informative, fun and wanderlusty.

Where to Watch: You can watch the show on the Discovery Channel or on the Travel Channel . If you prefer streaming services, you can also find the show on Hulu or Amazon Prime Video .

Rick Steves Travel Series

Recommended by Noel Morata from Travel Photo Discovery

One of my favorite travel shows that turned me onto traveling was watching the PBS travel programs with Rick Steve’s. Primarily focused on travels in Europe, Rick Steve’s showcased an amazing series of places to visit around Europe and each lovely country. He initially visits a destination and hops around with a local expert to show the highlights, enjoy some local food and drink and see some cultural treasures along with connecting with locals, merchants and everyday people. It makes it so fascinating to watch his programs and really shows audiences the connection with people, place, culture and food makes traveling to Europe so wonderful and fun. Rick Steve’s has created a lot of guide books about individual countries that you can purchase or just watch his TV series on PBS for inspiration for planning a trip to a specific country in Europe that has always been on your bucklist of places to visit. So if you are looking for inspiration about a particular country with all the bells and whistles of what makes each area so unique and special, check out any of his programs on TV. You’ll be hooked and wanting to binge watch all of his programs in a row.

Where to Watch: On TV at PBS and Amazon Prime Video

Booze Traveler

Recommended by Megan Starr

One of the best shows to watch for those that love combining travel with beverages and food is Booze Traveler, a show by The Travel Channel that showcases a host traveling around the world in search for special alcoholic drinks in countries that he visits. I actually helped with a couple of the episodes back in the day (Lithuania and Armenia ) and it really brought to light how many unique drinks exist in every place that you travel! They travel across the globe from Hawaii to Armenia to Nepal and beyond. It is a really refreshing show!

Where to Watch: The best way to watch Booze Traveler is to catch reruns on-demand from The Travel Channel in the US. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video .

Recommended by Coni from Experiencing the Globe

Three Canadian friends decide to leave the Great White North behind and explore the world. They pack a bag, say goodbye to friends and family, and off they go. The initial plan is to spend a year traveling, but it quickly transforms into three whole years.

They spend a month in India, another in Japan, another in New Zealand. As they start feeling more comfortable on the road, the push their own boundaries and head to tougher destinations, like Libya and North Korea. They explore Greenland during winter, meet ancient tribes in Papua New Guinea and travel across the different scientific bases of Antarctica .

It’s impossible not to get inspired with the tons of wanderlust Departure sends our way.

Where to Watch: Available on Apple iTunes and Hoopla .

James May: Our Man in Japan

Recommended by Emma from Emma Jane Explores

Top Gear’s James May might seem like a strange choice for a travel show host, but the bumbling Englishman is an endearing host as he takes viewers on a comprehensive trip around Japan from North to South. Always happy to throw himself into any bizarre situation, Our Man in Japan sees May participate in all sorts of activities from dog sledding in Hokkaido to painting Mount Fuji with a renowned Japanese artist. Streaming on Amazon Prime, Our Man in Japan covers a whole lot of unique quirks that make the country a must-travel destination for all kinds of traveller types. Whether you’re a first timer to Japan or a serial visitor, Our Man in Japan will make you all kinds of eager to get back over to the land of the rising sun soon.

Where to Watch: You can watch on Amazon Prime Video only.

Planet Earth

Recommended by Roshni from The Wanderlust Within

The award-winning, BBC documentary series, Planet Earth was first shown in 2006. It took four years to film, using 71 cameramen in 64 different countries. The series was the most expensive nature documentary series ever commissioned by the BBC and the first to be filmed in high definition. The 11 episode series is narrated by David Attenborough and celebrates the natural world in a way you’ve never seen it before. Each episode features a different biome or habitat on Earth and lasts 50 minutes plus an extra 10 minutes of behind the scenes footage showing the challenges of filming the episode.

Ten years after the first series, Planet Earth II was released showing how animals meet the challenges of surviving in the most iconic habitats on earth. A third sequel is planned to air in 2022.

Where to Watch: All 11 episodes of Planet Earth , and all 6 episodes of Planet Earth II are available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.

Samantha Brown: Places to Love

Recommended by Francesca Makana of Homeroomtravel

Samantha Brown has been an icon in the travel world for my entire life. Back in the day, she was best known for her Passport series . Present-day she hosts Samantha Brown: Places to Love. In this show, Brown showcases some lesser-known destinations, like the Texas Hill Country, and covers things to do in that area. Although she does still cover larger, well-known cities, such as Shanghai, she will not just list the main tourist sites. Instead, she interacts with the locals and finds unique things to do in that location.

Where to Watch: Viewers can catch Places to Love on PBS and select episodes on the PBS website .

Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure

Recommended by Emily from Wander-Lush

There are few parts of the world that inspire wanderlust more than Central Asia. In this 2018 miniseries, British actress and supermodel, Joanna Lumley (you may recognize her from the 1990s comedy sitcom Absolutely Fabulous) retraces parts of the fabled Silk Road trading route from the perspective of a tourist.

Over four episodes, she travels from Venice to Uzbekistan via Iran, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, visiting caravanserais, fire temples and bazaars along the way. This series brings to life the cross-pollination of ideas and influences that characterizes this part of the world where East intersects with West.

Lumley’s dry British humor and insatiable curiosity make her a terrific host. Even if you’re never considered visiting Central Asia and the Caucasus before, this series will inspire you to follow the footsteps of Marco Polo on one of the most epic overland journeys of all time.

Where to Watch: Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure is currently available to stream via Amazon Prime UK . Some episodes are also on YouTube .

Recommended by Ruby from A Journey We Love

Travel Man is a 30 minute British TV show hosted by Richard Ayoade shown on Channel 4 (UK). Each week, he travels with someone for a quick getaway (48-72 hours) and breaks down tourist sites, what to eat, facts about the city and banters around with his co-presenter for the week. For people living abroad, you can watch some of the shows on Channel 4’s website, and there are also full episodes available on Travel Man’s official YouTube channel . What makes the show interesting is that the host, Richard Ayoade, is not a big traveler nor is he a big fan of trying new things. It makes for a great perspective on how to plan quick weekend getaways for those who are planning trips with people who don’t like to travel and how to make it interesting for them. It also makes the series very funny because watching the host’s reactions and monologues is absolutely priceless.

Where to Watch: For people living abroad, you can watch some of the shows on Channel 4’s website, and there are also full episodes available on Travel Man’s official YouTube channel . You can also find episodes on Amazon Prime Video .

The Amazing Race

Recommended by us

The Amazing Race is our favorite travel show and we have been watching it from the beginning. The American reality competition show has aired 32 seasons on CBS since its premiere in 2001. If you enjoy the drama of reality competition shows and are also a travel lover then you will love The Amazing Race . Each season takes place in a few different countries and in total The Amazing Race has visited over 90 different countries and six continents. Teams of two people (usually couples, friends, or family members) race around the world, solving clues and completing tasks and challenges along the way. Relationships are tested and there are sometimes arguments between teammates and with other teams. The last team to finish each leg is eliminated until three teams race to the finish line in order to win $1 million. Fun fact: We actually applied to be on the show as a sisters team (more than ten years ago and long before we started this blog) but alas we were not chosen!

Where to Watch: You can stream old seasons of the Amazing Race on CBS All Access , Amazon Prime Video and various streaming services such as Hulu .

Did your favorite travel show or series make the list?

Some good recommendations on this list for sure. James May also has some other travel shows that can be found on Netflix, Youtube, etc. Although it’s a Vlog and not a true TV show I would add Kara and Nate’s Vlog show from Youtube. They have visited over a 100 countries and it’s one of the best. If you’ve never watched them, just start with their first show and binge watch it through to today.

Thanks for the suggestion. Will check them out!

I’ll recommend a few new ones. AppleTV has “Long Way Up” from the “Long Way Down” and “Long Way Around” fame. Actor Ewan McGregor and his friend, Charley Boorman from the tip of South America to Los Angeles on electric Harley Davidson motorcycles. I pretty much hate AppleTV+ but this show is so very good. You might check out Max&Lee on Youtube which has recently continued on with Max&Occy. This is one of many Vanlife travel vlogs but it’s better than most. Start at the beginning with Max & Lee and work your way forward for good binge-watching. I will also add in a bonus travel vlog from YouTube and that is Sergio & Rhoda in Isreal. This couple travels around Isreal and shows details about various historical sites with a local flair. Very interesting for those that enjoy this region.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent posts.

• Chase Freedom Flex 2024 2nd Quarter 5% Bonus Categories
• Discover 5% Cashback Calendar 2024: Categories That Earn 5% Cash Back
• Chase Freedom Calendar 2024 Categories That Earn 5% Cash Back
• All Southwest Airlines International Flight Destinations
• Chase Freedom Flex 2024 2nd Quarter 5% Bonus Categories – Activate Now!

Follow us on Facebook

Pin It on Pinterest

Love and Road

The 20 Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Watch in 2024

Some of our links are affiliated, we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product. This will have no extra cost for you. For further info please refer to our Privacy Policy

Whether you’ve been missing the thrill of traveling or are currently feeling inspired to pick the destination for your next adventure, travel shows can help. Netflix has no shortage of cool travel documentaries and shows, but we’ve decided to pick 20 of the best travel shows on Netflix.

If you’re traveling right now, or if some of these shows are not available in your country, use a VPN to access them without any restrictions. To play the shows, open up your VPN app and select a server located in a different state. If the show is available in your country, but you’re currently traveling internationally, choose the server of your home country to enjoy the show. 

Now let me tell you why these Netflix travel shows are worth watching and don’t blame me if you get hooked on some (or all) of them.

The best travel shows on Netflix

Before we start, let me tell you that this list is in no particular order. It’s up to you to choose the one you want to watch first, but we recommend watching them all. At home, traveling for a holiday, or at a new destination, these Netflix travel shows and documentaries will set you in the mood for discovering new places, tasting exotic food, maybe even cycling, driving, or just staying at home until you finish all the seasons. Lol 

The list is divided into travel shows or documentaries focused on nature, food, dark tourism, cycling and cars, photography, family travels, and specific destinations. Enjoy it!

NordVPN has great deals! Check them out here!

The best travel and nature Netflix shows 

Arguably one of the most famous travel documentaries on Netflix, Our Planet takes you on a world tour of earth’s fascinating creatures. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough and filmed in Ultra High Definition, this show takes you to over 50 countries and perfectly captures the wonders of the earth. 

Our Planet is the perfect Netflix travel show to give you some new ideas for your bucket list. Trust us!

Untamed Romania

While most seasoned travelers deeply appreciate Romania’s natural beauty, it is still overlooked in the mainstream media. Untamed Romania is a feature-length film celebrating the country’s immaculate wildlife.

Untamed Romania is one of the best Netflix travel documentaries for those who love nature and want to discover a new destination to travel to.

The best travel and food Netflix shows 

Down to Earth

Down to Earth documentary follows Zac Efron, the actor, and wellness expert Darin Olien as they explore healthy and sustainable practices across different cultures. This documentary showcases the diversity and creativity seen across the globe to make the most of one’s resources.

It’s intriguing and can be inspiring, not only about travel but how we think of sustainability and health. 

Street Food Asia

Sometimes the most accessible way to connect to a different culture is food. Asian food holds a special place in the world regarding street food and is probably one of the most universally beloved cuisines today. Street Food Asia takes you on a food journey across Asia and Southeast Asia’s best food cities, including Bangkok, Delhi, Osaka, and Singapore.

Street Food Asia is one of our fave travel shows on Netflix. We love Asia and Asian delights you can only find from street vendors. If you have never visited this part of the world, watch this show, and it will open your mind to a new world of flavors, aromas, and ways of life. If you are craving an Asia trip, watch it and plan international travel soon. 

Also, read our guides and articles about Asian destinations as they have many travel and food recommendations. Read our guides about Thailand , Vietnam , Indonesia , Malaysia , The Philippines , China , Taiwan, India , and Cambodia .

Ugly Delicious

Ugly Delicious is another food travel show where a star chef David Chang is looking for the world’s most satisfying grub with his buddies. Despite being a professional chef, Chang isn’t pretentious with his picks and takes us on a cross-cultural food trip filled with laughter.

Another great travel and food show on Netflix about food culture.

Somebody Feed Phil

In this series, we follow the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal, as he explores world cuisines and meets the locals. Phil’s upbeat attitude is probably one of the best parts of the Somebody Feed Phil travel show together with a lot of food scenes that will help your plan your future trip to incredible destinations including Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On this Netflix travel show, you will visit cities like Bangkok , spend days in Mexico City , see Lisbon , and many more. Well-known travel destinations are pictured with flavors and a local touch.

High on The Hog: Culinary Journey From Africa to America

This show explores African American soul food and its long journey from Africa to North America. It has been dubbed the most engaging history of African American cuisine. It traces the process of cultivating, harvesting, cooking, and serving the food that enslaved Africans brought with them to the States.

This Netflix cultural travel and food show will take you on a true gastronomic journey. 

Restaurants on the Edge

As you might be able to guess from the name of the show, these hour-long episodes take us to restaurants that are located in some of the most stunning locations in the world but are struggling with their menus and dishes. They are located on the edge of the world but are also on the edge of closing down.

This travel show on Netflix pictures unique locations and a bit of drama, as you can expect. 

Netflix shows about travel, cycling and cars

Biking Borders

This one is for lovers of slow traveling and less-known countries. Two friends go on a 15,000 km bicycle journey worldwide, including the Balkans, Central Asia, and other countries, to build a school in Guatemala.

Rob and I love cycling, so this Netflix travel documentary series is tremendously appealing to us. Biking Borders is also an excellent travel inspiration for those who dream of traveling by bike or going on a cycling holiday. And if this is you, read our article about cycling on Taiwan’s East Coast and cycling in Spain .

Pedal the World

This is another Netflix travel documentary that portrays a world tour on wheels, but this time our protagonist visits 22 countries during his year-long journey, searching for the meaning in life and discovering something new in each country.

Pedal the World is an inspiring and realistic epic road trip that might give you ideas of how you want to spend your life and what really matters. 

Paul Hollywood’s Big Continental Road Trip

Paul Hollywood studies the ties between popular cars in Europe and their local culture and identity as an actor and a baker. In this short but educational Netflix documentary , Hollywood will visit France, Germany, and Italy.

This isn’t your Netflix show if you are looking for food and baking goods. But if you like cars, speed, a bit of history and traveling in Europe, you will enjoy the ride. 

Netflix travel shows about a specific destination

Katla  

This travel series focuses on Iceland, specifically the volcano Katla , which began constantly erupting just recently. The show has eight episodes and does a wonderful job portraying Iceland’s breathtaking beauty . Katla serves as a great reminder of all that we still don’t know about the earth. 

This Netflix travel show is a powerful trigger for wanderlust, and it will make you want to book a trip to Iceland as soon as possible. 

Magic Andes

A documentary following five characters from the Andes, South America’s breathtaking mountains. It is a fascinating series that highlights real people living in communities located under the mountains and paints a nuanced picture of the region of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia .

After watching Magic Andes read our Peru travel guides , and for sure, you will want to visit South América. If you are worried about safety, then read our guide to the safest countries in South America , and you will be surprised. 

Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World

This documentary focuses on Guatemala’s rich landscape and culture, the territory where 2000 years ago, the fascinating Mayan civilization collapsed. The Mayan influence is still all over Guatemala and Central America, and this documentary does an amazing job of connecting the dots between the past and the present.

Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World is an inspiring Netflix travel documentary that will add interesting facts to your travel knowledge, and it might make you want to explore more of Latin America. 

Zulu Man in Japan

Starring South African rapper Nasty C, this Netflix travel documentary focuses on Japanese culture. The film takes place in Tokyo, where Nasty C explores the city’s go-to places, culture, sounds, and much more.

Zulu Man in Japan was released in 2019. It’s a 44-minute episode, perfect for those days that you want to have just a little dose of wanderlust knowing that you won’t be addicted to long travel series. 

The best Netflix travel show for unusual tourists

Dark Tourist

Filmed by journalist David Farrier, the author of the 2016 hit documentary Tickled, Dark Tourist takes a different approach to tourism. Farrier travels to places associated with death or tragedies that have turned these destinations into tourist attractions. You can expect anything from haunted places, nuclear lakes, and unusual and weird destinations. Those spots might not be on your travel bucket list, but it is interesting to know that they exist so you can avoid them on your next holiday. 

It’s one of the most-watched travel shows on Netflix, so it’s worth trying.

Netflix show for photography and travel lovers

Tales by Light

Created by Abraham Joffe, this show embraces the art of travel photography and film and the people behind them. This is an Australian documentary/reality travel series on Netflix that follows photographers around the globe as they chase that perfect shot.

This Netflix travel documentary is a good match for those who love photography and travel. It’s perfect for inspiring you to travel and photograph more. 

The best Netflix show about traveling with family

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

A comedian Jack Whitehall and his uptight father, Michael Whitehall, travel across the world together. The show starts with Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, with the second season focusing on Eastern Europe. The third season explores the American West, the fourth features Australia, and the fifth is all about the United Kingdom, their homeland. On this last season expect everything from dining with Gordon Ramsay to searching for the Loch Ness monster.

A great Netflix travel show for those thinking of traveling with family. It also sparkes a reflection of our relationships with parents and how travel can be a good way to get together or break apart.

Netflix show that combines travel and design

Cabins in the Wild

This show takes place in Wales and follows engineer Dick Strawbridge and craftsman Will Hardie as they inspect eight unique cabins built for a pop-up hotel in Wales. Their final goal is to construct a cabin of their own.

If you like the British Tv series, chances are you will love Cabins in the Wild as well. If you like architecture and construction shows too. This type of Netflix show combines different elements, from traveling to design, making you want to have a cabin in the wild just for you. 

We end our list of the 20 best Netflix travel shows here. Drop us a comment if you have watched any of them or if you have any other good travel series to recommend. 

Love these Netflix travel shows and documentary ideas? Pin it for later!

4 thoughts on “The 20 Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Watch in 2024”

I’m so glad you mentioned The Latchkees! I’ve been obsessed with their adventures since I saw their episode on Netflix. It’s amazing how they make travel look so effortless and fun. I’m definitely adding some of the other shows on your list to my queue 😍

Such a great show!

I can’t believe I never knew about some of these shows! The Travel Diaries is definitely going on my watchlist. 😍

Glad you enjoyed it!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• South Africa
• Philippines
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Solomon Islands
• Itineraries
• About Travel2Next
• Hotel Reviews
• Travel2Next TV
• Travel Shop

• 25 Travel Shows On Netflix

- This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure.

With international travel curtailed, watching travel shows on Netflix inspire us to dream, and there’s a huge list of excellent shows to remind us that is a world out there waiting. Netflix has some of the best content to keep our travel bug fed, from food to travel and nature. The best Netflix travel shows allow you to explore the world from our living rooms, experience new cultures, destinations and food without leaving the comfort of your chair or sofa. 

Watching travel shows will educate you about other countries and their people while introducing you to places you may have never considered visiting before. In addition, watching a travel show on Netflix can often prove just how easy it is to get around the world, and nothing is off-limits as long as you plan well. Watching a travel show on Netflix can be either inspirational or educational, with valuable information to prepare for a trip abroad as well as helpful information on a variety of topics including health and safety, how to pack, what to take and do’s and don’ts in different countries or even on cruises.

Travel shows are fun to watch as the producers often go to great lengths to make them entertaining for anyone interested in the destinations featured. So please sit back and enjoy incredible landscapes filmed with professional equipment by professionals who know what they’re doing. You’ll learn lots and soak up amazing sights and discover new places to travel abroad with the help of today’s technology.

• 17 Nordic Noir Shows On Netflix
• 20 German Shows On Netflix
• 27 Spanish Shows On Netflix
• 12 Italian Shows On Netflix
• 20 Movies About Greece
• 17 Australia Shows On Netflix
• 45 Australian Movies On Netflix
• 26 French Shows On Netflix
• 15 Italian Movies On Netflix
• 20 Danish Shows On Netflix

Travel Shows on Netflix

Watch any show on netflix from anywhere in the world.

Can’t find a show on Netflix? You can watch your favourite Netflix shows and series by using a VPN. We’re offering our readers some great deals on low-cost VPNs to try.

• NordVPN allows you to connect to 2380+ servers in 56+ countries and offers military-grade encryption and top security.
• AtlasVPN is a cheap VPN provider that allows you to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more on unlimited devices.
• Streamlocator is a plug and play streaming hub that provides access to 40+ popular streaming services worldwide, including shows in eight Netflix countries.

1- Magical Andes

2- down to earth with zac efron, 3- zulu man in japan, 4- tales by light, 5- dark tourist, 6- jack whitehall: travels with my father, 7- guatemala: heart of the mayan world, 8- untamed romania, 9- street food asia, 10- somebody feed phil, 11- salt fat acid heat, 12- chef’s table, 13- ugly delicious, 14- high on the hog, 15- expedition happiness, 16- paul holywood’s big continental road trip, 17- pedal the world, 18- biking borders, 19- the kindness diaries, 20- magical land of oz, 21- planet earth i and ii, 22- cabins in the wild, 23- the world’s most amazing vacation rentals, 24- instant hotel, 25- travel man, top travel shows on netflix.

If you love exploring the mountains and people living in between them, this Netflix travel documentary will appeal to your sense of adventure.

Travel to Tierra del Fuego in Argentina’s southern tip, a region with abundant wildlife that thrives on its temperate climate because of its isolation from other continents’ animals.

The terrain ranges from diverse forests with giant trees like Patagonian Cypress, Andean Beech tree or Southern Chilean Myrtle to white-sand beaches washed by turquoise waves as seen in Ushuaia where Magellan landed 400 years ago and named it “Great Land.”

Discover Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost point on Earth in Argentin a, and Torres del Paine Park, one of South America’s most beautiful places.

Follow the Andes through Mendoza up into Bolivia, where you’ll find Uyuni – a large salt flat that holds more than 11 billion tons of sediments left by ancient lakes from 15 million years ago.

Nearby La Paz offers an aerial tram ride for views like no other as it takes off over 2,600 meters above sea level with breathtaking panoramas of The Bolivian Plateau stretching out before you below.

If this isn’t enough adventure in South America , there are the mysteries of Machu Picchu to discover.

Released in: 2019

Down to Earth with Zac Efron is a Netflix travel documentary that follows the journeys of American actor, producer and singer-songwriter Zac Efron.

His travels to France, London , Sardinia, Iceland, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and Peru cover the serious issue of sustainable ways in a light and easily digestible tone.

Together with wellness expert Darin Olien, Zac searches for the secrets to long life and good health.

The series also addresses attaining a higher level of eco-consciousness, with a good dose of thrills.

Zac explores the birthplace of eco-tourism in Costa Rica and learns how a county is obtaining power from 100% renewable sources.

Another interesting activity is exploring London’s clean eating, green walls and urban beekeeping.

From Calais to Paris and Lourdes in France , the theme of water is another fascinating subject to explore through this travel series.

Released: 10 July 2020

The Zulu Man in Japan is a documentary exploring Japanese culture and is a 48-minute visual experience.

The travel documentary is a collaboration between the award-winning Durbanite and some of Japan’s coolest musicians, including JP The Wavey, Ricky and Yoshi.

Zulu Man explores Japan’s food, culture, life and public transport in this contemporary cultural travel show that fans will love.

Released: 25 September 2020

Tales by Light is an Australian documentary reality television series that originally aired on National Geographic.

It follows several professional photographers worldwide as they capture images that tell a story through their eyes, and behind every powerful image lies a tale worth telling.

The photographers in Tales by Light push the limits of their craft and convey a sense of places and cultures through their art.

Each episode is focused on a different photographer, and the themes focus on protecting beautiful places and cultures around the wider world.

Released: 24 May 2015 and available on Netflix 11 November 2016

From a haunted forest to a nuclear lake and other places where death and tragedy occurred, if quirky and macabre travel spots attract you, make sure you watch Dark Tourist on Netflix.

The series visits Medellin and delves into the legacy of Pablo Escobar and on to Mexico City, where the followers of Santa Muerte spill their secrets.

In Japan, explore Tomioka, which was evacuated during the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a robot hotel, death worshipping cult and a suicide hotspot.

Explore murder locations in Milwaukee, where Jeffrey Dahmer did gruesome deeds, go on tours that investigate the assassination of JFK, meet vampires in New Orleans and take a tour of the Manson murders.

Dark tourism may not be mainstream but it’s an interesting show.

Released: 20 July 2018

Travels with My Father is a series that follows comedian Jack Whitehall and his father across southeast Asia.

Father and son start off by exploring Vietnam , Cambodia and Thailand and move to Eastern Europe in the second series, while the third series is in the American West and the fourth series discovers Australia.

It’s a must-see for Jack Whitehall fams as this travel documentary series is a funny and heartwarming take on life.

Released: 22 September 2017

This documentary explores the rich landscape and culture of Guatemala, featuring the mysteries of ancient Mayan cities.

Guatemala is the heart of the 2000-year-old Mayan civilisation, which mysteriously collapsed.

This Netflix travel series starts in Petén, which has over 50 Mayan archaeological sites.

Maya culture continues to influence contemporary Guatemala, where four million people speak 24 Maya languages and traditions like weaving and counting the days in the Maya calendar still exist.

Watch this show on Netflix, and you’ll be itching to visit Guatemala’s museums, archaeological sites and towns.

Released: 11 December 2019

Untamed Romania is a feature-length film that celebrates the natural beauty of Romania , featuring its wildlife.

The show is narrated by Victor Rebengiuc and was produced through 12 months of his travels around the country.

From the Danube Delta to the Făgăraș mountains, this beautiful travel diary showcases the different seasons in Romania and is a must-see for nature lovers.

If you’re interested in exploring Romania, this series is worth watching.

Released: 18 March 2018.

Food Travel Documentaries on Netflix

Some of the best travel shows are to do with food.

Street Food Asia is a relatable show on Netflix that takes viewers into the kitchens in the backstreets of Asia’s best food cities.

From Bangkok to Singapore, Delhi to Osaka , the American Netflix documentary by David Gelb and Brian McGinn will take you on an exciting exploration of popular dishes.

The show splices in archival footage with interviews and follows street cooks and how street food has played a part in the culture of each country.

It’s one of the best travel documentary series to discover Asian delights.

Released: 26 April 2019

This Netflix original follows the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond worldwide, visiting cities like Dublin, Bangkok, Mexico City, New Orleans, Buenos Aires and Cape Town.

The fourth season goes from Rio de Janeiro to the Mississippi Delta to Hawaii.

Experiences include eating street food in Chinatown and exploring Bangkok’s floating market.

From slurping pho in Saigon and drinking Vietnamese coffee to eating shakshuka and visiting a synagogue-themed hummus shop in Tel Aviv, readers go on a fascinating discovery of delicious recipes

Released: 12 January 2018.

New York Times Magazine columnist Samin Nosrat is the brainchild behind the docuseries, based on the award-winning book.

Salt Fat Acid Heat explores the ingredients at the heart of dishes around the world.

From olive oil and cheese in Italy to soy and miso in Japan, watching this travel show on Netflix is a great way for foodies to experience the world.

Released: 2018

Another famous travel show on Netflix is Chef’s Table, which follows the best chefs in the world, an episode at a time.

From the tranquillity of rural Sweden to the mountains of Peru and temples in South Korea , watching this chef show is a fantastic way to explore the world through its food culture.

Each episode follows a different chef and features each chef’s philosophies to cooking.

Released: 26 April 2015

Awards: 2018 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program and many other awards since 2015.

Another popular chef show follows award-winning chef David Chang on a culinary journey of the popular hotspots.

Accompanied by a bevy of interesting characters, including artists, writers, activists and famous chefs, they use food to break down cultural barriers.

From top-notch kitchens to local eateries, the show is a showcase of food in some of the globe’s best foodie cities, including Copenhagen, Tokyo and Houston.

Released: 23 February 2018.

African-American soul food is the star of High on the Hog, a travel show on Netflix based on the eponymous book.

A culmination of years of work showcases the history of African American cuisine, tracing the journey from cultivating and harvesting to processing and cooking.

It’s a celebration of food that African slaves brought to America, including blackeyed peas, watermelon and okra.

This is one of the best travel shows to help you delve into this aspect of America’s history.

Released: 26 May 2021.

Road Trip Travel Shows On Netflix

Expedition Happiness follows a young German couple, Felix and Mogli, who take off on a road journey in a refurbished school bus.

From Alaska to Mexico, this travel show is about the couple’s search for happiness.

They leave city life in Berlin to feed their souls with their mountain dog.

Various setbacks make this show a riveting watch, and the characters are real people who have fears and hopes.

From worrying about whether soldiers have framed them by planting drugs under their bus to drinking tequila with a drug dealer, you’ll want to know whether they do find happiness in their travels.

Released: 4 May 2017.

Baker and actor Paul Hollywood, a fan of sleek sports cars, discovers how popular cars in Europe are connected with culture and identity.

In Paul Hollywood’s Big Continental Road Trip, Paul visits France , Italy and Germany to drive popular cars such as the £2 million Italian Huayra, a 2CV in France and a German VW Kombi Camper Van.

Released: 28 May 2017

Follow a young millennial as he bicycles around the globe through 22 countries, searching for the meaning in life.

The 20,000 km journey is a year-long bicycle tour through multiple countries, visiting some of the most famous landmarks around the world.

From Germany to Turkey to South east Asia to New Zealand and the USA, Felix Starck has an adventure like no other, documenting his personal experience.

It’s a bucket list journey for cycling fans to watch.

Released: 29 October 2015

Some of the best travel shows are about exploring places while doing something good for humanity.

A 15,000 km bicycle tour around the world raising funds to build a school in Guatemala is a worthy cause to follow.

Follow the adventures of Max and Nono from Berlin to Beijing and be inspired by their Beijing to Berlin.

Released: 2019

The Kindness Diaries is a social experiment that puts the spotlight on generosity and selflessness.

Leon Logothetis goes on a road tour to find compassion from strangers.

This unique travel show is one of the best travel documentaries for an uplifting watch that brings hope in a world where greed is rampant.

Released: 21 February 2017

Nature Travel Shows On Netflix

Discover the magic of Australia while watching the Magical Land of Oz.

Australia is a beautiful country with many natural surprises, from the wild ocean to the highest peaks, from tropical savannahs to lush rainforests.

From wild numbats to giant cuttlefish, there is a myriad of wild creatures to meet.

Barry Humphries is the narrator of this popular show that reveals the challenges animals face in this land of extremes.

Released in: 17 February 2019

Sir David Attenborough narrates both Planet Earth and its sequel.

Both are the best travel shows for lovers of nature to devour.

From learning about flora and fauna to South east Asia’s smooth-coated otters, from Tibetan foxes to endangered Ethiopian ibex, leopards in Mumbai, Jaipur’s monkeys and Southern France’s catfish, these two nature travel documentaries on Netflix are sure to delight.

Released in: 2006 and 2016

Two men follow a competition to create a portable hotel in the wilderness consisting of eight cabins, each with its style and décor.

Competition rounds are based on themes, such as the battle of the dragon where a cabin built to look like the eye of the dragon competes against one that looks like a dragon’s claw.

Cabin designs are creative and watching the show will inspire you to pack your bags and head out into the wilderness.

A luxurious cabin inspired by a Welsh coal pit fights it out with a contemporary slate cabin. Other fantastic creations are a cabin inspired by the legend of King Arthur and a double-storey tepee.

Released: 2017

The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals helps viewers discover unique vacation rentals covering a wide range of budgets.

The show highlights unique options such as a treehouse in Atlanta, a cabin in Hawaii with its own waterfall and a snake-shaped apartment in Mexico City.

There are plenty of luxury escapes to swoon over and some amazing experiences, such as waking up in a bed of marshmallow pillows in a room that costs $15,000 a night and sleeping in a bamboo pod in Bali.

From a private Bahamas island to the Yellow Ferry, which is the oldest surviving wooden ferry on the West Coast, to a cave in the Ozark Mountains, this travel show will wow you with a world of delightful accommodation choices.

Released: 2021

Instant Hotel is a reality show where teams of Australian homeowners stay in one another’s rentals and rate their experiences.

Each team and a judge scores each other based on a set of criteria including the property, location, attractions, value and a good night’s sleep.

The highest-scoring team moves to the Grand Final, and the prizes are impressive, such as $100,000 in cash and a stay at a Californian Instant Hotel.

Released: 7 November 2017

Travel Man follows the comic and his British celebrity guests as they explore cities like Hong Kong, Helsinki and Miami.

Fancy spending 48 hours in Athens with Dawn French or 48 hours in Florence with Rebel Wilson, or 48 hours in Istanbul with Adam Hills?

The programme a 48-hour itinerary in a format that moves fast with plenty of tips and a dash of humour.

The two-times nominated BAFTA show also won Best Factual Programme three years in a row at the RTS Midlands awards.

You can watch Travel Man on Amazon Prime.

Released: 30 March 2015

Plan Your Trip

Rent A Car – Find the best car rental rates at Discover Cars . They compare car hire companies to provide you with the best deal right now.

Find A Hotel – If you’re curious about this article and are looking for somewhere to stay, take a look at these amazing hotels .

Editor's Picks

101 travel quotes – inspiring the journey, 60 luxury escapes for your bucket list, 25 australian landmarks, what's hot, 20 fairytale castles in wales.

Eric Deggans

Conan O'Brien dresses as a Viking in Norway. Conaco/Max hide caption

Conan O'Brien dresses as a Viking in Norway.

To be honest, when I first heard Conan O'Brien was ending his TV talk show in 2021, I assumed news that he might turn to variety shows and online programs to continue his career was some combination of face-saving and wishful thinking.

But after watching the four episodes of his new Max series Conan O'Brien Must Go , it's now obvious — even to a thickheaded critic like me — that leaving late night TV really was liberating for O'Brien. He's leveraged his unique sensibility into several different podcasts, a deal with Sirius XM , specials featuring other stand-up comics and now this travel series for Max — which resembles jokey specials he did for cable channel TBS back in the day.

And as the late night TV genre crumbles under sagging viewership and the decline of traditional media, O'Brien's renaissance also provides an example for the future — where fertile comedy minds and talented performers can spread their work over a much larger canvas.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Is conan o'brien the best 'hot ones' guest ever discuss., learning a lesson from 'hot ones'.

O'Brien already made a splash recently with his brilliantly maniacal appearance on the interview-while-eating-hot-wings show Hot Ones , slobbering over hot sauces while claiming, as he was checked over by a fake doctor, that "I'm fine! I'm perfectly f*****g fine!"

This is the place where O'Brien shines — he's called it "this strange phantom intersection between smart and stupid" — and it's on full, freakish, super silly display in every episode of Conan O'Brien Must Go .

The conceit of the show is pretty simple. O'Brien heads overseas to visit average folks in Norway, Argentina, Thailand and Ireland who had once Zoomed in to speak with him on the podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan . Sometimes the visits seem like a surprise — he catches one aspiring Norwegian rapper in shorts and Crocs after popping up on his doorstep — and others seem a bit more planned, including his visit to a radio show with about four listeners in Buenos Aires.

Each episode begins with a solemn monologue which sounds like it is delivered by the film world's most eccentric voice, German filmmaker and actor Werner Herzog (he's not credited in the show and when asked, a publicist at Max shared a quote from O'Brien: "I can neither confirm nor deny the voice in question.")

The torturous accent by "Herzog" makes every line sound absurdly hilarious, describing O'Brien as "the defiler ... with dull, tiny eyes ... the eyes of a crudely painted doll ... he scavenges in distant lands, uninvited, fueled by a bottomless hunger for recognition and the occasional selfie."

Now that's smart. And oh so stupid.

A funhouse mirror version of a travel show

O'Brien performs onstage with a fan in Norway Conaco/Max hide caption

O'Brien performs onstage with a fan in Norway

Fans of O'Brien's Conan Without Borders specials on TBS already know what his style is when he tackles a travel show — throwing himself into outrageous reactions and situations while working his quirky brand of improvised conversations with hapless bystanders.

In the Max series Conan O'Brien Must Go , that includes O'Brien offering screechy vocals onstage during a performance of a Norwegian emo/rap band. Or asking provocative questions of a couple therapist/sex expert. Or getting beat up in a "fight" with a 10-year-old boy in a bar.

It's all an excuse for O'Brien to unleash his energetic wit, taste for silly absurdity and skill at drawing laughs from sympathetic — if often befuddled — strangers. Whether you enjoy this special will depend on how you feel about O'Brien's style, which can feel a bit like the world's best class clown doing everything possible to make you crack a smile.

(Rent a family in Norway so they can say goodbye when he gets on a SeaCraft? Check. Get local artists to paint a mural of O'Brien, a soccer star and The Pope on the side of a building in Argentina? Double check.)

'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend' Is A Joke Name For A Podcast — Sort Of

But what amazes in a larger sense is how O'Brien has turned his sensibility into a comedy brand to fuel work on many different platforms. And, at age 60, with more than 30 years as a comedy star, he's been released from the shackles of any genre to shine wherever he chooses — whether it's an episode of Hot Ones or a streaming service which sometimes looks like a collision between True Detective and 90 Day Fiancé .

Leaving late night TV as late night left him

I'm old enough that I started covering TV not long after O'Brien made his first move from the shadows of life as a comedy writer – he worked on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons — to succeed David Letterman in 1993 as host of NBC's show Late Night (now hosted by Seth Meyers). Back then, NBC gave O'Brien years to figure out the show, honing his smartly serious comedy in a way that would inspire then-teenage fans like Seth Rogen and Bill Hader .

O'Brien left NBC after a disastrous deal where the network tried to make him host of its venerated late night program The Tonight Show and also keep its former host Jay Leno at the network. He moved to a late night show on TBS in 2010, but even then, there was a sense that his creativity was a bit hemmed in by the format.

After 28 Quirky Years, Conan O'Brien Is Leaving Late Night

By the time he left his TBS show Conan for good, it seemed O'Brien was already caught in a trend which would hobble other late night shows — as young viewers consumed his content online and ratings on cable dropped.

Now, with a podcast and digital media company worth many millions and growing status as a TV comedy legend still willing to do almost anything for a laugh, O'Brien is proving there is a successful life beyond late night.

Particularly, if you have the talent to play the fool while leaving little doubt you're also the smartest person in the room.

Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cookery Show Begins Filming Today—But Not Where You’d Expect It to Be Shot

The Sussexes are having a busy week this week, shooting both of their his-and-her Netflix shows and rolling out the first product offering for Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.

Over the weekend, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in Florida, where Harry was spotted filming for his new Netflix show about polo , announced last week. And, just as production is underway for that series, Meghan’s Netflix series about cookery—which is, like polo is for Harry, a hobby and passion of hers—begins filming today, The Daily Mail reports.

Meghan joined Harry at polo this past weekend in Florida, as cameras captured the event for his new Netflix show.

In his column for the outlet, Richard Eden wrote that cameras go up for the show on April 16 (today)—but added that “viewers hoping that it will give them a glimpse into Meghan’s enviable lifestyle are going to be left sorely disappointed,” he wrote, adding that the show “will not be filmed at the home she shares with Prince Harry.” The as-of-yet untitled show—which will “celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship,” according to Netflix—“is to be shot at another property in their expensive California neighborhood,” Eden added, citing a source that told him “Netflix has rented a house in Montecito for filming.”

Meghan is having a busy week, launching her first product offering for American Riviera Orchard and starting filming for her new Netflix cookery show.

Over the years—and especially during the pandemic—followers have gotten glimpses inside the walls of Harry and Meghan’s Spanish Revival-style mansion in Montecito, which they moved into in 2020. The home boasts, according to Eden, “nine bedrooms and 19 bathrooms. It also has a gym, bar, five-car garage, and other amenities.”

Today is a big day for Meghan: in addition to her new show’s production beginning, the first product offering from her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, was announced. The Netflix cookery show ties into the brand, and to Harry and Meghan’s apparent new strategy to focus on individual projects, a la cookery for Meghan, polo for Harry. Going forward, Eden wrote that future projects for the couple will “reflect their differing professional interests and talents and are the result of significant thought about their future direction and careers,” his column read. A source Eden cited claimed “They are both working on their own things. They are fully supportive of each other’s concepts and ideas, but they are different from one another—they have different meanings.” 

Harry and Meghan, seen here over the weekend, are supportive of one another as they pursue separate projects that reflect their individual interests.

Harry and Meghan inked a reported $100 million deal with Netflix back in 2020; it is set to expire in 2025 (no word yet on whether it will be renewed). In addition to their six-part docuseries Harry & Meghan , released in 2022—which still holds the record for the most viewing time of any Netflix documentary in its debut week, amassing a whopping 81.55 million hours—Harry and Meghan have also released the documentary series Live to Lead and Heart of Invictus , about Harry’s beloved Invictus Games . The Sussexes also paid a hefty sum for the film rights to Carley Fortune’s novel Meet Me at the Lake , and these two new his-and-her shows will mark the couple’s fourth and fifth offerings with the streaming giant.

Meghan's new cookery show reflects a longtime love of cooking; Meghan will executive produce the series, which doesn't have a name or a release date as of yet.

Meghan will serve as an executive producer on her show, which will be directed by Michael Steed, who worked on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown . Meghan’s showrunner is Leah Harison, who was a producer on Selena Gomez’s HBO cooking show Selena + Chef .

For his part, Harry’s show will be “shot primarily at the U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, at The USPA National Polo Center," according to Deadline , which added that "the series will explore the world of the sport, which is known primarily for its aesthetic and social scene.” The publication also said that “It will pull the curtain back on the grit and passion of the sport, capturing players and all it takes to compete at the highest level.”

Stay In The Know

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

No release dates have been announced as of yet for either show.

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of  Podcast Royal , a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts  I’d Rather Be Reading , which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more. 

“They will most certainly be commemorating it somehow.”

By Rachel Burchfield Published 24 April 24

She just wore a tennis set anyone can shop.

By Julia Gray Published 24 April 24

Turns out, the “Bad Blood” singer was a tortured poet at a very young age.

By Danielle Campoamor Published 24 April 24

There’s a reason for the holdup.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 23 April 24

McCarthy once starred in the duchess' 40th birthday video.

By Iris Goldsztajn Published 23 April 24

Filming for both shows—about polo and cookery—began this month.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 22 April 24

Everything having to do with the lifestyle brand seems personal to the Duchess of Sussex.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 17 April 24

Fifty samples were sent out in the company’s first limited edition run of the item.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 16 April 24

She's worried he'll get hurt again.

By Iris Goldsztajn Published 16 April 24

The castle in the Scottish Highlands, independent of a potential Sussex visit, is undergoing a major change starting this summer.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 11 April 24

One show focuses on one of Meghan’s primary hobbies, while the other goes behind the curtain of one of Harry’s foremost passions.

• Contact Future's experts
• Advertise Online
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy

Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

A first-timer's guide to Atrani

Apr 25, 2024 • 6 min read

Atrani, on Italy's Amalfi Coast, is attracting new interest from tourists thanks to the new Netflix series Ripley © Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Atrani on Italy's Amalfi Coast is attracting new interest as a filming location in the Netflix series Ripley.

And it's easy to see why. The pocket-sized town is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy .

Once a power to rival its mighty neighbor Amalfi , today Atrani, a UNESCO World Heritage site, takes home the award for smallest municipality in Italy. This enchanting beach town nestled between two mountains is perhaps the one town on the Amalfi Coast that has stayed most true to its original medieval structure. You can still walk through the original alleyways, courtyards, archways and the recognizable scalinatelle (little stairways) that make Atrani look like a Neapolitan nativity scene come to life.

Like all villages on the Amalfi Coast, Atrani has long been a tourist destination due to the natural beauty of its location and landscape. Now, tourist interest in the town is rising even more because of the Netflix series Ripley , starring Andrew Scott, set in Atrani. 

Explore more of the Amalfi Coast with our guide to the region's best experiences

When should I go to Atrani?

Because of its location and mild weather, the perfect time to visit Atrani is in late spring/early summer (April to June) or late summer/early fall (September to October). The tourist season usually soft-launches around Easter and explodes in mid-July. To engage in more sustainable tourism, try to avoid visiting in August, when Atrani is undoubtedly busiest and most crowded. 

During the summer months, the Amalfi Coast welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors; this tourist gold rush benefits the local economy, but it’s important to also note the negative impact that overtourism has had. Some towns, including Atrani, have become physically and economically inaccessible at times because of how crowded they are, with prices skyrocketing due to all establishments being filled to the brink. That’s not even counting the irreparable damages to the environment and to the marine ecosystem. 

Atrani has mostly stayed out of mainstream attention for a very simple reason: it’s blessed by its size. With 0.2 sq km (0.07 sq miles) surface, the town has no space to physically house too many tourists. At any rate, it is advisable to travel to Atrani in low season. 

How much time should I spend in Atrani?

Most tourists make Atrani a half-day stop on their Amalfi Coast trip. If you are staying elsewhere on the Amalfi Coast, take advantage of how close Atrani is to Amalfi and pop in for a quick visit after you’ve been to Amalfi. You’ll notice the different vibe right away: after spending a day in Amalfi, Atrani is the perfect place to escape the chaos while still enjoying the same otherworldly natural beauty of the coast. 

You could walk every inch of Atrani in half a day, if you wanted to. How long to stay largely depends on your resources and what activities you want to pursue here. If you want to immerse yourself, relax and truly appreciate the town and what it has to offer, you should spend at least a night in Atrani.

How to get in and around Atrani?

Atrani is so close to Amalfi that you can reach Atrani from Amalfi on foot in less than 15 minutes. By car or bus, it takes only a couple of minutes with no traffic. If taking the public bus SITA during high season, be prepared to queue before you can climb aboard, and don’t expect a seat as buses are often very crowded. Tickets (€1.30) must be purchased before climbing on board; the main stop in Amalfi has a ticket machine and various physical stores that sell tickets nearby. 

There are no train stations close to Atrani, but there are white cabs that can take you to and from towns on the Amalfi Coast. A tip: always ask for an estimate of the fare before you climb aboard a cab, as the amount might be more than you expect. 

Be careful if you’re driving privately, as Atrani has little parking space and traffic is heavily limited. Everywhere on the Amalfi Coast, non residents’ cars can only circulate on alternate days based on license plate numbers, so look into this further if you’re thinking of renting a car to visit Atrani. Through the town hall-sponsored KCity app , you can check if there’s space to park. Car parking usually costs €3 per hour in summer. 

If you only intend to visit Atrani for a few hours, another way of reaching it is by walking a scenic path from Ravello, that starts by the church of Santa Maria del Gradillo. Trek for an hour and a half among fragrant lemon trees, ancient stairways, and breathtaking views, until you pass Atrani’s cemetery and the church of San Michele Fuori Le Mura (“outside the walls”) and finally arrive in the main square Piazzetta Umberto I.

Exploring more of the Amalfi Coast? Here's our guide to getting around

Top things to do in Atrani

Everything there is to see in Atrani can be reached on foot. It’s impossible to get lost in such a cozy town, so travel without a map and let Atrani surprise you. Walking around, you can still find traces of its ancient and glorious origins in its architecture. You’ll stumble upon churches that have stood here for almost a thousand years, like the beautiful Santa Maria Maddalena, San Salvatore de Birecto and Santa Maria Penitente. 

A classic activity, especially for families , is to spend the morning at the seaside and take a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Atrani’s sandy beach is small – only 130m (426ft) long – and you must reserve and pay for your spot in advance. On average, two chairs and an umbrella cost €30, and can be occupied by a max of 5 people, of which at least 2 must be children. Pets are not allowed on the beach, except for service dogs. 

Don’t underestimate the beauty of Atrani’s beach at night. Come dusk, you might see lampare , fishers' boats, sailing into the night – with their tiny lamps illuminating the darkness, they create an image out of a painting or a fairy tale.

In the morning, if you are not able to get a spot on the beach but you still want to bathe in Atrani’s crystalline waters, you could consider either renting a boat or joining a tour to visit the enchanted hidden corner that the coast has to offer from the sea.

A unique thing to do in Atrani is to prepare their signature dish (sarchiapone) with the locals. Every year on July 22, Atranesi eat sarchiapone to celebrate their Patron Saint. The basis of the dish is a lean, elongated, green variety of pumpkin typical of the hills of the Amalfi Coast. The green pumpkin is carved out of its flesh, which is cooked with onion and minced meat, which will later stuff the sarchiapone before it goes in the oven, along with a filling of ricotta, mozzarella, salami, hard-boiled egg, parmesan, ham… the ingredients can vary, depending on what each Atranese family likes in their sarchiapone . If you don’t happen to be in Atrani on July 22, you can surely ask a local establishment for a private cooking class to make sarchiapone . 

No matter when you go in Atrani, one of your meals should be in a restaurant by the beach – like Le Palme or Savò – and you should order a typical seafood dish like scialatielli ai frutti di mare ; you’ll be able to see, taste and smell the sea that’s right in front of you.

Explore related stories

Budget Travel

Mar 26, 2024 • 6 min read

While on the rise in recent years, Puglia is still a relatively undiscovered destination for foreign visitors. Italians, though, have known for a very long…

Mar 22, 2024 • 7 min read

Mar 18, 2024 • 7 min read

Mar 8, 2024 • 6 min read

Mar 1, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 28, 2024 • 5 min read

Nov 19, 2023 • 11 min read

Nov 17, 2023 • 10 min read

Mar 16, 2023 • 7 min read

Oct 19, 2022 • 9 min read

site categories

Rtl deutschland strikes long-term german films pact with wiedemann & berg film and leonine studios, meghan, the duchess of sussex, & prince harry launching two non-fiction series at netflix featuring cooking, gardening & professional polo.

By Peter White

Peter White

Executive Editor, Television

More Stories By Peter

• A&E Exec Brad Holcman To Exit After More Than A Decade
• Village Roadshow Extends First-Look Deal With Kevin Garnett’s Content Cartel
• Former Discovery+ Docs Chief Igal Svet Joins Lionsgate’s Blackfin

EXCLUSIVE : Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry are cooking up two new projects with Netflix .

Deadline can reveal that the pair have two non-fiction projects in production at the streamer. They form part of the overall deal that she and her husband, Harry, The Duke of Sussex, signed with the company in 2020 via their Archewell Productions banner.

The first series will see The Duchess, otherwise known as Meghan Markle , celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.

Related Stories

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Working On Scripted Series, Two Unscripted Shows & A Movie At Netflix

Meghan Markle: Her TV & Film Career In Photos

Selena + Chef’s Leah Hariton will serve as showrunner with Michael Steed, who has helmed episodes of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown , directing.

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and Chanel Pysnik will exec produce for Archewell Productions alongside Hariton and Aaron Saidman and Eli Holzman for IPC.

It comes after Meghan launched her new business venture American Riviera Orchard.

The second series follows the world of professional polo. Shot primarily at the U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, at The USPA National Polo Center, the series will explore the world of the sport, which is known primarily for its aesthetic and social scene. It will pull the curtain back on the grit and passion of the sport, capturing players and all it takes to compete at the highest level. Prince Harry has been known as a keen polo player and is often photographed playing internationally.

The series will be produced by Boardwalk Pictures, the production company behind series such as Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? and Sex, Love & Goop.

Miloš Balać, who has worked on FX’s hit docuseries Welcome to Wrexham , will serve as showrunner.

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will exec produce alongside Pysnik for Archewell Productions, with Andrew Fried, Sarina Roma, and Dane Lillegard exec producing for Boardwalk Pictures and Balać and Ian Samplin also exec producing.

It is the pair’s latest projects at Netflix; the  Harry & Meghan  docuseries from the couple launched in December 2022 with six episodes. They also made  Live To Lead, an interview series featuring the likes of Greta Thunberg and Gloria Steinem, and Harry’s  Heart of Invictus  documentary series launched last year

Netflix content chief Bela Bajaria recently said that they have a “bunch” of projects in development including a movie and a scripted series.

Bajaria didn’t disclose what any of these projects were but last year the duo, who run Archewell Productions,  acquired the screen rights to Carley Fortune’s  Meet Me At The Lake  novel  to turn into a movie. It tells the story of a couple who meet in their thirties, and deals with themes of childhood trauma, including losing a parent in a car crash, mental health challenges and post-natal depression.

All of this comes after Deadline revealed in February that Meghan signed a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media, the company behind  Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus . The move will see her launch a new podcast series and Lemonada will also distribute her previous Spotify series  Archetypes   to all podcast platforms.

Must Read Stories

Skydance still in pole position for paramount; sony & apollo waiting in wings.

Adam Scott To Direct K. Brown, Beetz, Daddario; Chris Pratt Pic; More

Bollywood’s relationship with narendra modi’s bjp in spotlight, new line in lead for josh gad’s chris farley pic starring paul walter hauser.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Read More About:

42 comments.

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.