There is always something good to watch on Netflix — deliciously good. If you’re the type of person who loves watching food be made and explained, there is a show out there for you. However, if you prefer cooking and baking competition shows that make you sit at the edge of your seat, there are also plenty of shows for you. Heck — there’s even a Netflix show out there for people who love to watch baking disasters (Nailed It!, we’re looking at you). So there is definitely a food and baking show out there for everyone — no matter what you like to eat or how experienced you are in the kitchen.
To help you pick what to watch next time you’re perusing Netflix and desire something tasty, we’ve done some digging to pick the 15 best food shows on Netflix right now. Whether it’s The Chef Show, Sugar Rush, or Street Food, there are plenty of options to fit your every food mood. However, we highly recommend that you watch these shows on a full stomach, or right before you’re about to dig into your own meal. Otherwise, your stomach might angrily growl at you.
1. The Great British Bake Off
If you ever want to see a baking show that doesn’t involve huge cash prizes as incentive, this is the one for you.
Premiering in 2010, The Great British Bake Off showcases contestants who compete to make the very best baked treats for judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith (and past judge Mary Berry). It’s charming, humorous (mostly thanks to earlier hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, and current hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig), and is truly for those who love to bake for the thrill of it — not for a jaw-dropping prize. Currently, the show is entering its tenth season, which means there is plenty for us to watch on Netflix.
2. The Chef Show
In between cheeky food truck-themed animations, chef Roy Choi and actor/writer/director/food lover Jon Favreau are on a quest to explore food in different locations across America.
Along the way, they are accompanied by famous chefs such as David Chang, Aaron Franklin, and Robert Rodriguez. There’s even an episode honoring the late, great food writer Jonathan Gold. As for famous faces, you’ll definitely recognize Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Holland, and Robert Downey Jr. Altogether, the show is fun and fast-paced, and is one you won’t want to miss (especially since it just premiered this year, in 2019).
3. Ugly Delicious
Chef David Chang is on a mission to find delicious food across the globe, all while breaking down cultural barriers.
Each episode explores how a single dish evolves as it’s prepared in different areas, giving viewers a look at just how diverse our food can be. The first season premiered in 2018 and included fan favorites such as the late Jonathan Gold and actor Steven Yeun. Of the show, Vulture says, “In short, this is a show that’s as much for foodies as it for people who gag on their Big Macs every time they hear the word foodie. Which is refreshing. And also: oh my God, so appetizing.”
4. Salt Fat Acid Heat
This one is based on Samin Nosrat’s book of the same name.
Salt Fat Acid Heat follows the chef and food writer as she explores four different keys to cooking: salt, fat, acid and heat. To accomplish this, the 2018 show was divided into four parts, with each one taking place in a different location so Nosrat could explore how salt, fat, acid and heat are used in different types of food across the globe. You can expect plenty of cooking ah-ha moments along the way.
5. Chef’s Table
If you can’t afford to go to fancy restaurants, this show is the next best thing.
Each episode of Chef’s Table features a professional chef who is doing amazing things in the world of food, captivating diners everywhere. With mouth-watering shots of food and eye-catching preparation techniques, this is one show you won’t want to miss. If you need to add to your restaurant bucket list — or, if you prefer to salivate over pricey food from afar — this is definitely the perfect show for you.
6. Street Food
Netflix’s Street Food is a documentary that pays homage to one of the most beloved types of cuisine: street food.
Earlier this year, the show was unveiled to showcase street food from across the globe, giving viewers a closer look at the people behind this food. “One of the things that was really important for us was that we wanted to make sure we were getting local input, and to learn from the people in each city,” show-creator Brian McGinn told Food & Wine. “Where should we be looking?” In other words, this show is more than just delicious shots of flavorful food — it’s got heart.
7. Taco Chronicles
A documentary celebrating tacos? What could be better?
This 2019 Netflix show pays attention to both the people who make and eat tacos, giving viewers a full look at all the different styles tacos can come in. Other than being the perfect Taco Tuesday show, Taco Chronicles also gives us us a look at the traditions that go into making the tacos we know, love, and can’t stop eating. Just make sure you enjoy these six episodes with a taco or two in hand.
8. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
We all miss Anthony Bourdain.
To remember the chef and his best moments, we fortunately have Parts Unknown on Netflix, which follows Bourdain as he travels around the world eating local cuisine. Most importantly, the chef does so in a respectful manner and celebrates locals’ food for exactly what it is. If you don’t currently have the budget to travel, this show is a true treat.
9. The Mind of a Chef
We have another Anthony Bourdain goldmine here.
Narrated and produced by Anthony Bourdain, this show examines what it takes for celebrity chefs to be, well, celebrity chefs. Each season — there are currently six, the first of which premiered in 2012 — follows such chefs to see what their beliefs are when it comes to the art of cooking. It is a truly immersive dive into the mind of a chef genius.
10. Sugar Rush
The premise is basically all in the title.
Sugar Rush is a baking show that features bakers racing against the clock to create some super sweet treats. And unlike The Great British Bake Off, there is a cash prize, giving competitors incentive as they get their sugar rush on. The show was first released in 2018 and recently had its second second, so if you love delicious sweets, there is plenty for you to catch up on.
11. Nailed It!
We have another $10,000 prize, folks.
With comedian Nicole Byer as the host, you know that this is going to be one funny show. That, combined with hilarious food fails, is a win in our book. Featuring home bakers who are known for having trouble in the kitchen, this show has them compete to re-create impressive baked goods that are completely out of their wheelhouse. Netflix describes the show as “part reality contest, part hot mess,” and that sounds about right.
12. The Final Table
This is one cooking competition that turns up the heat.
There will be no home cooks or bakers here. Instead, The Final Table has twelve teams of two professional chefs competing against one another to create delicious meals from a specific country. Other than embracing their competitive nature, chefs are also given the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of food around the world. And yes, the judges are just as intense — with one being a food critic and two others being people from the episode’s chosen country.
13. Cooked
This four-part documentary series is based on Michael Pollan’s book Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.
It follows the iconic food writer as he takes a look at how cooking, in all its forms, impacts the world we live in. In other words, it features Pollan attempted to cook, baking, and brew different dishes that have allowed him to better understand (and cook) the food he knows and loves. It was released in 2016, but is fortunately still on Netflix for our viewing pleasure.
14. Food, Booze and Tattoos
Take a trip to South Africa.
With writer Brett Rogers as the host, Food, Booze and Tattoos takes viewers around South Africa to discover standout food and beer — along with some amazing tattoo parlors. If you like your food shows to have a twist, then this is certainly the one for you. Even though it was released in 2015, it sounds like a great show to binge no matter what year it is.
15. The Wild Chef
And now, we have a food show for the more adventurous among us.
Chef Martin Picard certainly isn’t afraid to try new things, which is why The Wild Chef has him going around Quebec to create dishes using moose, muskrat, and other wild game. Though this isn’t something everyone is used to, it gives viewers a fascinating look at different types of cuisine (and how it’s prepared).