Cookbooks > Western European

Western European

Here you’ll find cookbooks featuring the cooking of France, Italy, Spain and other Western European cultures. Our collection of recommended titles is a work in progress. We’re in process of adding many more, so please check back often! And drop us a line if there’s something you’d like us to consider including. We have included links to our reviews and other coverage of the books, along with links to purchase them through our affiliates. Buying through Bookshop is a great way to support independent bookstores, as well as our work at Cooks Without Borders.

If you’d like to see all our cookbook reviews in one place, find them here.

Featured

A16 FOOD + WINE

So many delicious ideas in Nate Appleman and Shelley Lindgren's book featuring the flavors of the south of Italy as expressed in their San Francisco restaurant. The recipes are approachable and delicious. Sample a recipe.

$35 at Bookshop - buy now

$13 at Amazon - buy now

AMERICAN SFLOGLINO

Those who want to geek out on making pasta by hand — and then settling in to simmer a 7-hour ragù bolognese — will love Los Angeles superstar chef Evan Funke’s “master class in handmade pasta.”

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$23 at Amazon - buy now

AROUND MY FRENCH TABLE

Dorie Greenspan brings her charm and great taste to the table with more than 300 French recipes. She's one of the the best in the biz; her recipes work and they are outstanding. Read more.

$39 at Bookshop - buy now

$26 at Amazon - buy now

BAKING WITH DORIE

Award-winning, best-selling cookbook author Dorie Greenspan is one of the best around. Her 14th book, partly inspired by her travels and filled with must-bake recipes, encourages bakers to riff and play. Read our review.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$30 at Amazon - buy now

BOUCHON

Thomas Keller presents his elevated take on bistro food in his gorgeous 2004 classic.

$55 at Bookshop - buy now

$47 at Amazon - buy now

BUVETTE

The 2014 book from chef Jody Williams Iconic New York City restaurant one of the rare cookbooks that encourages you to slow down and take pleasure in the feel of the ingredients and delightfulness of the process.

$30 at Bookshop - buy now

$25 at Amazon - buy now

CHEZ PANISSE COOKING

Paul Bertolli's 1994 book feels as relevant as the day it was published; it makes you want to drop everything, roll up your sleeves and get cooking. Take it to the farmer's market with you and let your imagination fly. Co-written with Alice Waters. Read more.

$26 at Bookshop - buy now

$22 at Amazon - buy now

CLAUDIA RODEN'S MEDITERRANEAN

One of the revered author’s most outstanding works. Read our review.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$17 at Amazon - buy now

THE COOKING OF SOUTHWEST FRANCE

Paula Wolfert’s 1983 classic was revised in 2005 — it’s by far the best book we know of about a region that’s dear to our hearts. Duck lovers, you need this book. Try a recipe.

$20 at Amazon - buy now

COUNTRY COOKING OF FRANCE

Published in 2007, this is the magnum opus of Anne Willan, who founded France’s famed École de Cuisine La Varenne. French food lovers, you need this in your library.

$55 at Amazon - buy now

$17 Kindle version at Amazon - buy now
Also available at Apple Books

CUCINA POVERA

Giulia Scarpaleggia shares the secrets of creating maximum deliciousness from humble ingredients — an art form in her native Tuscany. Review coming soon; try a sample recipe.

$33 at Bookshop - buy now

$24 at Amazon - buy now

ESSENTIALS OF CLASSIC ITALIAN COOKING

Two of the most important titles from the immortal Marcella Hazan are collected here: The Classic Italian Cook Book and More Classic Italian Cooking, along with 50 newer recipes. Read more.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$23 at Amazon - buy now

FLOUR + WATER: PASTA

If you don't already crave pasta, you will — desperately and actionably! — once you get your hands on this beautiful book from San Francisco chef Thomas McNaughton. If you enjoy making fresh pasta, or want to learn how, you'll love this.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$22 at Amazon - buy now

FOOD OF THE ITALIAN ISLANDS

Katie Parla’s second solo cookbook takes us on a delectable gastro-tour of Sardinia, Sicily, Capri, Ischia, Venice and beyond. Read our review.

$28 at Amazon - buy now

$35 at Parla’s website (signed copy) - buy now

THE FOOD OF SPAIN

If you want to really understand Spanish cooking, Claudia Roden’s 2011 tour de force is the ticket. At more than 600 pages, it also makes an impressive gift. The recipes are wonderful. Try this one. Or this one.

$47 at Bookshop - buy now

$31 at Amazon - buy now

GÂTEAU: THE SURPRISING SIMPLICITY OF FRENCH CAKES

Aleksandra Crapanzano’s charming compendium speaks to people who love cakes but don’t want to fuss over them. Review coming soon - for now, try a recipe.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$19 at Amazon - buy now

LE GRAND LIVRE DE LA CUISINE FRANÇAISE

This mammoth, French-language (not translated into English) book, subtitled “Recettes Bourgeoises & Populaire,” weighs in at nearly 1,100 pages. Its author, chef Jean-François Piège, is one of France’s most accomplished and decorated. Piège offers definitive recipes for just about every French dish you can think of, and many more besides, usually with no headnote. Requires pretty serious cooking skills and pre-existing knowledge of French cuisine (along with the ability to read French.) Story and/or review coming soon.

$82 at Amazon - buy now

THE ITALIAN BAKERY

This handsome, impressive book, from the authors of The Silver Spoon, is a comprehensive collection of Italian breads, desserts and other baked goods. Lots of step-by-step instructions. Published by Phaidon. Story and/or review coming soon.

$46 at Bookshop - buy now

$40 at Amazon - buy now

LA BUVETTE

Camille Fourmont's charming little volume book offers recipes and wine notes from her Paris wine bar. Her Rose and Cumin Sablés are dreamy. Read our review.

$23 at Bookshop - buy now

$18 at Amazon - buy now

LIDIA'S MASTERING THE ART OF ITALIAN CUISINE

Lidia Bastianch’s magnum opus. If you love Italian cooking, you need this. Read our review.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$29 at Amazon - buy now

LIGURIA: THE COOKBOOK

Author Laurel Evans, who married a chap from Liguria, also fell in love with the region. Known as the Italian Riviera, it’s the birthplace of pesto — and many other delicious dishes. Story and/or review coming soon.

$41 at Bookshop - buy now

$41 at Amazon - buy now

MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING

Julia Child’s essential 2-volume set. Of course we love Julia — she taught America to cook! Here’s a sample recipe.

$51 at Amazon - buy now

THE MOZZA COOKBOOK

Nancy Silverton's L.A. restaurant is one of our faves in the country, and its flavors shine in this wonderful book. A must for budding and experienced pizzaioli.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$16 at Amazon - buy now

NIÇOISE

Subtitled “Market-Inspired Cooking from France’s Sunniest City,” Rosa Jackson’s engaging book explores the cuisine of Nice. Read our review.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$29 at Amazon - buy now

PASTA: THE SPIRIT AND CRAFT OF ITALY'S GREATEST FOOD

From James Beard Award-winning chef Missy Robbins (written with Talia Biocchi), this beautiful (and serious!) book is like an encyclopedia of the art of the Italian noodle. It’s the gift every dedicated, pasta-loving cook wants this year. Story and/or review coming soon.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$25 at Amazon - buy now

PASTA GRANNIES: COMFORT COOKING

Vicky Bennison’s tour of Italy through the cooking of the most skilled and dedicated nonnas. One of our Best New Cookbooks of 2022.

$30 at Bookshop - buy now

$27 at Amazon - buy now

VIA CAROTA

The highly anticipated cookbook from Jody Williams and Rita Sodi’s brilliant and beloved Greenwich Village restaurant is finally here! Read our review.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$26 at Amazon - buy now

WORLD FOOD PARIS

The second in James Oseland’s World Food series, this smart little book serves up favorite French dishes in the context of the city of light — with a delicious dose of culture as an essential ingredient. Oseland was the long-time Editor-in-Chief of Saveur magazine. Read our review.

$24 at Bookshop - buy now

$26 at Amazon - buy now