In the Footsteps of Anthony Bourdain: The World’s Must-Visit Foodie Spots | News

Anthony Bourdain spent a lifetime eating his way around the world, seeking out the dishes, restaurants and local institutions that made a destination unforgettable. With the new film Tony arriving this week, we’ve rounded up the must-visit spots that earned the original rebellious chef’s seal of approval. From Houston to Hungary, these are the places serving up bold flavours, local character and the kind of meals worth travelling for.

North America
Taste Fresh Seafood in one of Bourdain’s Favourite US Foodie Cities in Seattle
Revered by the renegade chef as having “one of the best and most interesting food scenes in America”, Seattle is a must for foodies. Follow in his footsteps at Revel, a neighbourhood favourite serving inventive Korean-inspired dishes packed with bold flavours, before getting a taste of the Pacific Northwest at Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar. With more than a century of shellfish expertise and some of the freshest seafood in the city, it’s little wonder the spot won Bourdain’s approval: “They know what they’re doing.” visitseattle.org

Discover the restaurant that won him over in Denver
Bourdain’s relationship with Denver’s food scene evolved over the years, with later visits revealing a city increasingly confident in its culinary credentials. One restaurant that helped win him over was Mizuna, chef Frank Bonanno’s acclaimed flagship, where creative fine dining and a focus on exceptional ingredients showcased a different side to the Mile High City. For travellers looking to follow in Chef Tony’s footsteps, Mizuna, home to its legendary Lobster Mac ’n’ Cheese, helped turn his early scepticism into an appreciation for Denver’s food scene. visitdenver.com

Visit Bourdain’s ‘happy place’ in San Francisco, California
San Francisco has long been a favourite of the culinary storyteller, featuring numerous times across his TV programs. Swan Oyster Depot, the century-old Polk Street seafood counter, was put on the map by Bourdain and remains a popular spot, with foodies flocking to its 18-only seat bar for freshly caught seafood. The city’s fiercely independent food scene and diverse neighbourhoods continue to thrive, with North Beach bringing a taste of the city’s Italian heritage at Cafe Zoetrope and House of Prime Rib offering a slice of old-school San Francisco, serving its namesake speciality with all the traditional trimmings. visitcalifornia.com

Re-trace the industrial roots of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh caught Bourdain’s attention in his Parts Unknown TV series in 2017, where he explored the city’s rising culinary scene while retaining its proudly blue-collar character. While the sit-down restaurants he visited have closed their doors,  Pittsburgh’s local haunts continue to operate, including Squirrel Hill Cafe where visitors can order the original burger featured in the show and Kelly’s Bar & Lounge in the walkable Shadyside for their retro atmosphere and famous kielbasa with sauerkraut, hand-rolled pierogis, and a side of “molten” mac and cheese.  VisitPITTSBURGH.com

Try the restaurant inspired by Bourdain’s Genius in Arizona
True fans can honour Chef Tony and his legacy by visiting The Ends, a Scottsdale-based restaurant inspired by his love of food and his desire to try everything to the ends of the earth. Sit in the exclusive Bourdain room and enjoy the menu filled with clean, intentional American classics, or enjoy the extensive cocktail menu in the convivial atmosphere. Alternatively, follow in Anthony’s footsteps and try a Sororan hotdog, an Arizonan classic. While his favourite spot is now closed, both Nogales Hot Dogs and Lupitas offer up phenomenal dog selections. visitarizona.com

Enjoy sea and farm to table favourites in Maine
Bourdain visited the state of Maine in an episode of his show No Reservations, and of course no trip to the Pine Tree State is complete without enjoying the state’s seafood. Stopping at J’s Oyster to enjoy steamer clams with clarified butter and mussels, Chef Tony also enjoyed some more locally known gems, such as Primo for farm to table cuisine including pea soup with ham hock and pigs ear salad. Moving inland, he enjoyed ribs and roasts at Spring Creek Bar-B-Q, a restaurant made from converted railroad cars in Monson. visitmaine.com

Try fusion the Bourdain way in Houston
When Bourdain visited Houston for Parts Unknown in 2016, he looked beyond the city’s oil and football reputation to discover one of America’s great culinary melting pots. Houston’s extraordinary diversity shines through its food scene, with 70 different cultures represented across 10,000 restaurants featuring some of its most exciting dishes born from cultural fusion. Follow the anti-tourists lead with Viet-Cajun crawfish, a mouthwatering marriage of Vietnamese flavours and Southern Cajun spice at Crawfish & Noodles in Houston’s 10-mile long Chinatown to taste the much-loved fusion for yourself. visithouston.com

Raise a glass to Chef Tony at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Anthony Bourdain’s adventures took him around the world, but Aspen held its own place in the culinary world he inhabited. Every June, the legendary Food & Wine Classic Aspen kicks off the summer season and transforms the mountain town into a playground for some of the world’s greatest chefs, winemakers and foodies. Follow in Bourdain’s footsteps and join thousands of food lovers on 18-20 June 2027 for a weekend of tastings, cooking demonstrations, seminars and celebrations, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. aspenchamber.org

Sample the world’s most diverse city, Toronto
Toronto was described by Bourdain as ‘criminally underrated’, the city’s diverse population means visitors can find a new cuisine on every block. Anthony’s recommendations for the city include Altona Kabob a middle eastern spot, Churrasqueira Bairrada for Portuguese piri piri chicken, and Edulis which is inspired by Ontario’s rural flavours and seasonal ingredients. Visitors can create their own foodie tour with Culinary Adventure Co., led by passionate locals. exploring Chinatown, Kensington Market, Little India, St Lawrence Market and many more. destinationtoronto.com

South Pacific and Asia

The authentic flavours of the South Pacific, French Polynesia
Bourdain’s journey through The Islands of Tahiti swapped postcard-perfect resorts for authentic island experiences. From horse riding in the wild Marquesas and sharing a traditional home-cooked feast, to browsing the vibrant stalls of Marché de Papeete and the iconic poisson cru, He championed the destination’s rich food culture, and embraced Tahiti’s laid-back café scene at Patachou and bustling ‘roulottes’ (food trucks) like La Roulotte, before heading to Kia Ora Sauvage, for a spearfishing adventure complete with beach barbecue featuring freshly caught fish, coconut and local delicacies. tahititourisme.uk/

Baseball, broth and world-famous Kobe beef in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Step into one of Japan’s greatest sporting traditions with a visit to Hyogo’s iconic Hanshin Koshien Stadium, where Bourdain experienced the electric atmosphere of a Hanshin Tigers baseball game. More than just a sporting venue, Koshien is the spiritual home of Japanese baseball and a window into the passion, community spirit and local culture that defines the region. Complete the experience by sampling one of the prefecture’s best-loved dishes at Takoiso restaurant, Akashiyaki, delicate octopus dumplings served in a light dashi broth, or indulge in world-famous Kobe beef at the well-loved KOJYU Restaurant. hyogo-tourism.jp

Discover the Japan Anthony fell in love with in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Anthony described Yamanaka Onsen as “unlike anyplace I’ve ever been in Japan”, discovering the onsen town through sushi master Masa Takayama and sharing a hot meal at the home of ceramic artist Haruo Konishi. Over freshly caught iwana (Japanese whitespotted char fish), Hokkaido scallops, wild Japanese boar and handmade soba, Bourdain experienced the hospitality that makes rural Japan so special. Today, luxury DMC Xperisus curates itineraries that connect guests with local artisans, craftsmanship, cuisine and hidden communities that lie beyond Japan’s well-trodden tourist trail. xperisus.com/en

Europe

Eat your way through Bourdain’s Budapest in Hungary
The punk-rock chef fell hard for Budapest, praising its beauty and a food scene built around paprika, pork and hearty Hungarian cooking. Follow in his footsteps at Belvárosi Disznótoros, where he tucked into blood sausage, braised red cabbage and pickles, or visit the iconic New York Café for goose liver terrine and rich pork trotter stew. For something less refined, Pléhcsárda served him a famously enormous schnitzel alongside venison stew. Together, they reveal the Budapest that Bourdain loved: grand, characterful and best explored with an appetite. visithungary.com