Anthony Bourdain’s favorite restaurants (and what they tell us about the chef)

“It was never my intention to be a reporter, a critic, an advocate,” Anthony Bourdain stated in 2012. This quote introduces readers to World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, his last book, published posthumously. “I am a storyteller,” the quote continues. “I go to places, I come back. I tell you how the places make me feel.” This way of working and living turned him into a revered figure in the world of travel and culinary exploration. Now, five years after his passing, he remains an influence on how people travel and what they eat.

World Travel was conceived as an “atlas of the world as seen through his eyes” with his writing partner Laurie Woolever. The chef wanted to share his thoughts on some of the world’s most interesting places, and he had a meeting with the author to outline the plans for a book, where he mentioned some of the places he wanted to include. This was before he passed away on June 8, 2018. After his death, Woolever recruited Bourdain’s friends, family members, and colleagues to contribute their thoughts and memories about the places they had experienced with him. Additionally, she incorporated quotes from his acclaimed TV programs like No Reservations, The Layover, and Parts Unknown, as well as several essays he had written, to complete his vision. The book was published in 2021 and serves as a guide to the places he admired.

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cuba, France, Ireland, Mexico, Kenya, Laos, Morocco, and Taiwan are just a few of the countries Bourdain visited where he discovered special and unforgettable restaurants or street food locales. The book provides a comprehensive list of hundreds of places the chef approved and what he said about them reveals a whole lot about him, like his interest in human rights, his taste for diversity and the way he interacted with people. Here, we have selected just a few that you can visit in the U.S. or the next time you go on vacation:

In-N-Out Burger, U.S.

Bourdain called In-N-Out Burger "the only American chain worth a damn" and praised their french fries and shakes, also pointing out that the company "treat their employees like human beings".
Locations throughout Southern California and beyond

Tacos Villa Corona, California, U.S.

For Bourdain Los Angeles' Mexican food scene was superior to New York's stating that LA is a Taco Town. "Maria and Felicia Florez churn out tacos and burritos from a closet-size kitchen". Authentic and unique.
3185 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Northern China Eatery, Atlanta, Georgia

"Dumplings, good dumplings [...] Put that right at the top of your list", said the chef about this Chinese place in Doraville, along the Buford Highway.
5141 Buford Highway, Doraville, GA 30304

Ricobene's, Chicago, Illinois

"It's a thing of beauty -and tasty", he said about the breaded fried steak sandwich in Ricobene's menu. A complex dish that he tried after being invited by Chicago musician and producer Steve Albini.
252 West 26th Street, Chicago, IL 60616

Duly's Place, Detroit, Michigan

"It seems like a simple thing", Bourdain said about Detroit's famous "Coney", a hot dog that "when done right, is symphonic". A good version of the hot dog is part of Duly's place menu along with other classic items.
5458 West Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209

Frank's Deli & Restaurant, New Jersey

The best Italian submarine sandwich according to Bourdain can be enjoyed at Frank's Deli in Asbury Park. "Good is good forever: great music, great songs and a classic Jersey sandwich."
1406 Main Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Katz's Delicatessen, New York, NY

"That most quintessential of New York establishments remains defiantly the same". It's hand-sliced pastrami was one of Bourdain's go-to options on this classic establishment where you can also have a really good cream soda.
205 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002

Keens Steakhouse, New York, NY

Founded in 1885 and known for its dry-aged Prime Steak. Bourdain said "you can't do any better or more authentic than Keens" when discussing steakhouses. This is one of the last of its kind in Manhattan.
72 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018

Bistrot Paul Bert, Paris, France

If you're travelling to France and want to try a classic French bistro, Bistrot Paul Bert "is one of the best", according to Bourdain, who highlights how the place sticks to its traditions (it's unchanged-by-time) with an old-school touch.
18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris

Le Dôme, Paris, France

"If there's two things you do in Paris, this would be one", said Anthony Bourdain of this classic restaurant in the Montparnasse district, in which visitors will find the best shellfish in the french capital.
108 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris

Fu Chun Xiaolong, Jing'an District, Shanghai

From this place in Shanghai, Bourdain highlighted the Xiao long bao, which he described as "pillows of happiness that will scald your tounge and throat if you don't know what you're doing." If you're travelling to Shanghai, they alone are worth the trip, he said.
650 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

Joy Hing's Roasted Meat

When talking about the best food city in the world, Bourdain said that no one can say you're wrong if you say Hong Kong. Joy Hing's Roasted Meat is a barbecue place that's more than a 100 years old, being a classic choice.
Chong Hing Building, 265–267 Hennessy Road, Chai Hu, Hong Kong

Cantina La Mascota, Mexico City

The real Mexican experience can be found in this Cantina which offers drinks and free snacks like carnitas: "tender, juicy stewed and pulled pork, loaded onto a warm tortilla". And yes, breakfast starts with tequila.
Mesones 20, Centro Histórico, 06010

Fonda Margarita, Mexico City

Founded in 1948, Fonda Margarita is the essential place for a good breakfast in Mexico with the "heady aroma of what is unmistakably home cooking". It's one of the best places to try some Mexican traditional food.
Adolfo Prieto 1364B, Tlacoquemecatl de Valle, Mexico City

Central de Abastos, Oaxaca, Mexico

Central de Abastos is a classic Mexican market where vendors sell different types of food like fruit and vegetables, but visitors can also find delicious barbacoa tacos, tlayudas and much more.
Juárez Maza, 68090 Oaxaca

Sukiyabashi Jiro, Tokyo, Japan

With three Michelin Stars, Sukiyabashi Jiro is another recommendation. The chef stated that he had the "best sushi of my life", and warns visitors to only use their fingers when they eat.
4-2-15 Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tsukamoto Sogyo Building B 1st Floor, Tokyo

Pizzeria Pellone, Naples, Italy

"Pizzeria Pellone is by Naepolitan general consensus, an excellent example of industry standard and even one of the very best at making this, pizza margherita, classic minimalist." There's no better way to try Pizza from Naples.
Via Nazionale 93, 80143 Naples

Quimet & Quimet, Barcelona, Spain

The documentarian confessed that, if he lived across the street from this place, he'd quit his job and spend hours in there until his money was gone. It's a four-generations-old tapas bar where you can find other traditional local food like montaditos or cipriones.
Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona

Los Talas del Entrerriano, Buenos Aires, Argentina

A traditional Argentinian parrilla lunch is served in this casual restaurant where flames cook ribs, steaks, sausages and more. "Meat is king in fire, and we shall go hard in honoring the flame", he said.
Avenida Brigadier Juan Manuel de Rosas 1391, Jose Leon Suarez, Buenos Aires

Mercado del Puerto, Montevideo, Uruguay

Erected in 1868, the Mercado del Puerto (Market of the Port) gives visitors a true carnivorous fest with parrillas cooking thousands of cuts of meat and entrails. It's an obligatory destination for all tourists and food enthusiasts.
Rambla 25 de Agosto de 1825, 228, 11000 Montevideo

Kesar da Dhaba, Punjab, India

Four generations of the same family have served in this place since 1916. Dhabas are small locales that are usually situated next to gas stations and they are open 24 hours. Some of them are vegetarian, but this type of food is for all kinds of people.
Anant Seth Wala Church, Passian Shastri Market, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab 143006

The Chop House, Dublin, Ireland

Bourdain said of his visit to this restaurant: "The best fucking meal I've ever eaten in Dublin". Known as a gastro-pub, its menu has French-influenced cuisine mixed with a pub vibe.
2 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, Seoul, South Korea

Another obligatory market for travellers. This is the largest market in Seoul and it's open 24 hours a day selling the best seafood, which can be cooked for you or cleaned and sliced.
674 Nodeul-ro, Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition