8 Anthony Bourdain Books Ranked- what should you read first?

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Somehow Anthony Bourdain still found the time to write novels despite hustling in hot, brutal kitchens in the ’90s. He didn’t have the obligations and distractions of book tours, shows, and public appearances prior to Kitchen Confidential blowing up in 2000. This gave him much more time to write. He was known to write in the mornings before heading to work, often longhand. He had a self-imposed structure and didn’t wait for “inspiration”. If you’re now inspired to read a Bourdain book but not sure which first, this guide will help.

1. Kitchen Confidential (2000)

The book that made Bourdain famous. Really, it’s one of those I didn’t know I needed this until now if you just heard of Kitchen Confidential and then got a taste of its raw honesty. A part confessional memoir, part restaurant exposé, Tony recounts his wild early years in the kitchen with a mix of humor, brutal honesty, and poetic profanity.

If you want to understand the man, his philosophy, and how he shaped food culture in the early 2000s, this Bloomsbury title is the one you want to start with.

Why read it: It’s iconic, hilarious, and a gritty love letter to restaurant life.
Best quote: “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”

*First edition, first printings (for the nerds, this is the number line ’10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1′ on the copyright page) of Kitchen Confidential have sold for more than $400 (unknown how many first printings were made by Bloomsbury).

2. Medium Raw (2010)

A decade after Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain returned with a sequel of sorts. Medium Raw still carries his signature sharpness, but it’s more introspective. He’s older, a father, and starting to see the food world differently. There’s a clear evolution here—from punk rock line cook to global thinker. Get it if you already love Tony and want a more reflective, mature voice.

Why read it: A deeper look into his post-fame life, plus thoughtful commentary on chefs, food trends, and authenticity.
Best quote: “I’m not looking for a utopia. I’m looking for the truth.”

3. A Cook’s Tour (2001)

A Cook’s Tour is where Bourdain starts transforming from kitchen rat to cultural explorer, trying new foods and confronting different ways of life, clothed or unclothed! This title is worthy if you’re a travel lover, adventurer, or just a fan of the Parts Unknown vibe.

This companion book to his early travel show of the same name is a whirlwind tour through Vietnam, Morocco, Russia, Cambodia, and more.

Why read it: Combines his culinary curiosity with raw travel writing. Early evidence of the globetrotting philosopher he would become.
Best quote: “I wanted adventures. I wanted to go up the Nung River to the heart of darkness.”

4. No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach (2007)

Best for: Visual learners, fans of the TV series, coffee table browsers.

Unlike his other books, No Reservations is a photo-heavy companion piece to the show. It offers behind-the-scenes snapshots, commentary, and bits of travel narrative. Not a deep read, but a beauty.

Why read it: A fun, fast read with personality and great visuals.
Best quote: “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. But that’s okay.”

5. Les Halles Cookbook (2004)

While Les Halles is French cuisine for the home cook, don’t mistake this for just a cookbook. Yes, it has fantastic bistro-style recipes, but it’s also filled with Bourdain’s wit, instructive, and no-nonsense voice. He gives *chef’s kiss* culinary advice, rants against shortcuts, and tells you exactly how not to screw up a steak.

Why read it: It’s part culinary bible, part culinary memoir.
Best quote: “You need a good knife. Everything else is a waste of space.”

6. Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical (2001)

If you’re a history buff or Bourdain completist, pick up a copy.

This offbeat historical biography explores the life of Mary Mallon, aka “Typhoid Mary.” Bourdain sympathizes with this misunderstood figure while weaving in themes of scapegoating, fear, and morality. It’s more academic than his usual fare, but still rich in attitude.

Why read it: A unique mix of culinary history and social commentary.
Best quote: “We fear what we do not understand—and we hate what we fear.”

7. Bone in the Throat (1995)

His first ever novel is best for fans of food, noir crime, and gritty fiction.

Before he was a household name, Bourdain wrote fiction. Bone in the Throat is a mob-meets-kitchen crime novel set in New York’s Little Italy. It’s dark, funny, and filled with characters only Bourdain could invent. It’s like The Sopranos meets Kitchen Confidential.
Best quote: “Some people learn by reading, some by observing, and some just have to piss on the electric fence for themselves.”

8. The Bobby Gold Stories (2003)

This one’s for readers who like fast-paced, hardboiled novellas. It’s a short crime novel about a mob enforcer turned reluctant romantic. It reads more like pulp fiction than food writing, but it’s classic Bourdain: dark humor, tough guys, kitchen scenes, and moral ambiguity.

Why read it: A fast, gritty read with Bourdain’s voice embedded in every line.
Best quote: “Kitchen life is coarse, sometimes cruel, often chaotic—but never, ever boring.”

Where Should You Start?

Whether you’re here for the food, the philosophy, or the profanity, Anthony Bourdain’s books each have their own character.

*The Nasty Bits missed this list, but I haven’t read much of that one (yet).

Which Bourdain book has stuck with you the most? Let me know in the comments.

Bourdain signing No Reservations– under a CC BY 2.0 license (no changes made)