Who doesn’t love cookbooks? We collect cookbooks from around the world and regularly recommend international titles to anyone who wants to expand their home cooking or find the perfect gift. Below are our top picks for international cookbooks that bring global flavors and travel inspiration into your kitchen.
Exploring new cuisines is one of the best parts of travel. The cookbooks here cover classic and modern dishes from Europe, Asia, Latin America and beyond, making it easy to recreate memorable meals from your favorite destinations.
The 15 Best International Cookbooks
If you want to cook dishes from Venice, Paris, Rome, Jerusalem, Lisbon and more, this curated list highlights our favorite international cookbooks. It wasn’t easy to narrow the list—there are many excellent books—but these selections stand out for their recipes, photography and cultural context.
A Table in Venice: Recipes from My Home
By Skye McAlpine
From the author of the Venetian food blog From My Dining Table, this book offers intimate, regional recipes inspired by a lifetime in Venice. The collection blends approachable everyday dishes with classic Venetian flavors, perfect for anyone who wants to replicate the city’s light, seafood-forward cuisine at home.
Smörgåsbord: The Art of Swedish Breads and Savory Treats
By Johanna Kindvall
Illustrated and inviting, this book showcases Swedish small plates, breads and savory snacks ideal for entertaining. Johanna Kindvall’s aesthetic and recipes make it simple to bring hyggelig Scandinavian style to holiday spreads, casual gatherings and everyday snacking.
Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break
By Johanna Kindvall
Fika celebrates the Swedish ritual of coffee and cake. This book focuses on pastries, breads and other treats that pair beautifully with coffee—perfect for bakers and hosts who appreciate the cozy, communal side of Scandinavian food culture.
Burma Superstar
By Desmond Tan and Kate Leahy
Combining Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian influences, Burmese cuisine is fragrant, bold and balanced. This cookbook from the San Francisco restaurant Burma Superstar includes signature dishes such as tea leaf salad and rich, spice-forward mains that are both nourishing and exciting.
Lisbon: Recipes from Portugal’s Beautiful Southern Region
By Rebecca Seal
Move beyond the expected cod and custard tarts with recipes that capture Lisbon’s coastal and urban flavors. Alongside tempting recipes, this book features evocative photography of Lisbon’s streets, beaches and architecture to inspire both cooking and travel.
Andina: The Heart of Peruvian Food
By Martin Morales
Andina highlights the cuisine of the Andes with recipes rooted in Peruvian ingredients and traditions. Expect wholesome preparations featuring native produce, grains and spices—this is a great pick for cooks curious about Peruvian flavors and healthy, vibrant meals.
Jerusalem
By Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
Ottolenghi and Tamimi’s Jerusalem blends Middle Eastern flavors with inventive vegetarian dishes and indulgent desserts. Beautifully photographed and rich in flavor combinations, this book is a modern classic for anyone who loves lively, vegetable-forward cooking.
Bangkok: Recipes and Stories
By Leela Punyaratabandhu
This book captures the vibrant street food and home-cooked traditions of Bangkok, from satay and noodle soups to family recipes passed through generations. The photography and storytelling transport you to Thailand’s capital, delivering authentic, accessible Thai recipes.
Corsica: The Recipes
By Nicolas Stromboni
Corsican cuisine blends French and Italian influences with island-grown ingredients and rustic techniques. With 80 recipes and stories about the island, this book is ideal for cooks who want to explore lesser-known Mediterranean flavors and regional specialties.
I Heart Rome: Recipes & Stories from the Eternal City
By Maria Pasquale
Maria Pasquale’s celebration of Roman cuisine highlights local favorites and Jewish-Roman specialties like fried snacks and vegetable-forward dishes. It’s a welcoming guide to Rome’s food traditions—perfect for lovers of rustic pasta, cheeses and regional street foods.
My Paris Kitchen
By David Lebovitz
David Lebovitz combines French classics with modern Parisian dishes in a friendly, accessible way. From Coq au Vin to creative small plates, this book is excellent for home cooks who want reliable recipes with personality and clear technique.
French Country Cooking: Meals and Moments from a Village in the Vineyards
By Mimi Thorisson
Mimi Thorisson’s elegant yet homely approach to French country cooking emphasizes seasonal ingredients and convivial meals. The book is filled with rich, comforting recipes and beautiful rural photography that captures life in the French countryside.
Sri Lanka: The Cookbook
By Prakash K. Sivanathan and Niranjala M. Ellawalla
With 100 authentic recipes, this cookbook showcases Sri Lanka’s bold flavors and diverse influences—from spice blends to coastal seafood preparations. The photography and clear instructions make it an excellent introduction to island cuisine.
Green Kitchen Travels
By David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl
This vegetarian-focused travel cookbook gathers inspired, wholesome recipes from around the world. Expect dishes like Sri Lankan vegetable curry and creative desserts, plus vegan and gluten-free options—paired with striking travel and food photography.
In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Grandmas Around the World
By Gabriele Galimberti
In Her Kitchen is a collection of intimate stories and traditional recipes from grandmothers across many countries. It’s a tender, culturally rich cookbook that preserves family recipes and offers simple, authentic dishes to try at home.
We hope you enjoyed our selection of the 15 best international cookbooks!
Have a favorite international cookbook that didn’t make this list? Share your recommendation in the comments. These books are great for building a diverse cookbook collection or gifting to the traveler and foodie in your life.
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