Podcasts & Books

The Best Cookbooks Of All Time

By Sophie Oddo
3rd Aug 2022

Whether you consider yourself a master chef or a budding apprentice in the kitchen, a good collection of cookbooks—reliable, inspiring or aspirational—is absolutely indispensable for any modern home cook. 

Yes, the internet is stacked with millions of recipes—but cookbooks offer so much more than just a procedure. You'll be swept up into a philosophy, a mood and a tonne of inspirational imagery to fire up even the most unwilling of kitchen apprentices. 

From Aussie classics to new-world thinking from some of our city's best chefs, and some of the most iconic international bestsellers—we've rounded up 19 of the best cookbooks of all time. 

The Whole Fish, Josh Niland

PRICE: $40.75

Receiving a slew of accolades, this award-winning cookbook has changed the way we think about cooking with fish. Covering off everything from sourcing and butchering to dry ageing and curing, Niland challenges everything we thought we knew about fish. With Yotam Ottolenghi voting this book as one of his all-time favourites, you know it’s going to be life-changing. Shop it here.

best cookbooks

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Samin Nostrat

PRICE: $40.75

Understanding the science behind your avo toast might help you truly master the art of cooking. Samin Nosrat takes an ambitious new approach to cooking and dissects the universal experience of preparing food into four simple components; Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Inspired by the four-part cooking doc-series, Samin Nosrat takes her teaching from the screen to the page. Learn how to balance flavours and control textures by altering these four elements. Sending chefs kisses to spatial learners, the cookbook is filled with colourfully, designed infographics and illustrations.

An Unapologetic Cookbook, Josh Weissman

PRICE: $24

Youtube legend Josh Weissman has turned his Michelin Star experience into a book. Weissman’s videos have racked up millions of views, featuring cooking tips served with a side of cheeky flare. An Unapologetic Cookbook is no different, filled with irreverent jokes, Weissman’s iconic sass and masterful cooking techniques. From nut butter and the perfect soft-boil egg to hours-long mojo-braised pulled pork and cinnamon scrolls, Weissman teaches there is no excuse for an underwhelming dish.

Brunch In Melbourne, OnePlate

PRICE: $59.95

Despite only being published in 2020, there's no denying this book has had a serious impact. Not only is this book packed with over130 recipes from100 of Melbourne's most iconic restaurants and cafes—but it's also packed with heart and purpose, with all profits from this cookbook going directly to support some of OnePlate’s life-changing sustainable food projects. A cookbook that lets you brunch like a Melburnian and gives children in developing countries a kickstart in life through growing their own food? It's no wonder this is on our must-have list. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

East, Meera Sodha  

PRICE: $32.80

Vegans, vegetarians, or those looking to cut some meat out of their diet, this one is for you. Food writer and columnist Meera Sodha started exploring the world of vegan food in 2017 when veganism was only just starting to leave the realm of alternative living and health food crazes. Faced with bland, unappetising food, Meera sought to inject the vegan scene with strong, punchy flavours.

To do this, she explored Asian culinary spaces throughout India, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan which had naturally developed vegan alternatives in cooking. East may be one the best cookbooks for vegetarians and vegans out there and is the perfect resource to spice up your cooking repertoire.

best cookbooks of all time

Warndu Mai (Good Food), Rebecca Sullivan and Damien Coulthard

PRICE: $34.45

Australian native ingredients—like Kakadu plum, pepperberry and finger lime—have recently stepped into the culinary spotlight, led by innovative chefs like Jock Zonfrillo of South Australia's Orana restaurant. Like Orana, Warndu Mai will show you why these glorious ingredients should be mainstay treasures for any Australian kitchen. The compendium features 80 easy-to-cook recipes, and a forward written by Yuin man Bruce Pasco, author of another must-read—Dark Emu.

Warndu Mai, which translates to "good food" in author Coulthard's Adnyamathanha language, will encourage you to create things like wattleseed brownies, emu egg sponge cake, bunya nut pesto, strawberry gum pavlova and kangaroo carpaccio, all the while learning about Australia's own unique, wonderful flavours. Shop it here

best cookbooks of all time

New Classics, Donna Hay

PRICE: $37.75

New Classics is Donna Hay’s biggest and best cookbook yet, compiling Donna’s all-time favourites. The book contains family classics along with some new delights. Brace yourself for everything from beef and ale pies to dulce de leche, mac n' cheese and macarons, all written in Donna’s trademark simple, clear and easy style. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Jerusalem, Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi

PRICE: $47.87

At the heart of Ottolenghi and Tamimi’s food is their home city, Jerusalem, with their cookbook including 100 of their inspired, accessible recipes within the cultural and religious melting pot of this diverse city.  Jerusalem's culinary influence draws from Muslim, Jewish, Arab, Christian and Armenian communities, you can expect everything from soups, meat and fish, vegetables and salads, pulses and grains, cakes and desserts. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Momofuku, David Chang & Peter Meehan

PRICE: $56.01

Written alongside New York Times food critic Peter Meehan, Momofuku is bursting with David Chang’s most ingeniously creative recipes. Prepare yourself for a buzzing fusion of Korean slash Asian and Western cuisine, described by Chang himself as "Bad pseudo-fusion cuisine". Full of vibrance and clear, insightful writing and loved by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Martha Stewart, you know you’re in for a treat. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Essentials Of Classic Italian Cooking, Marcelle Hazan

PRICE: $52.75

Hailed as one of the most important, consulted and enjoyed Italian cookbooks of all time, Essentials of Italian Cooking is a culinary bible for anyone looking to master the art that is Italian cooking. Combining The Classic Italian Cook Book and More Classic Italian Cooking in a single, hefty volume with new entries and 50 new recipes, this cookbook is an essential manual for cooks of all levels of expertise with an accessible and comprehensive guide to ingredients and techniques. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Mastering The Art Of French Cooking, Julia Child

PRICE: $82.65

Featuring 524 delicious French recipes, this New York Times bestseller has something for everyone, from seasoned experts to keen learners. Mastering The Art Of French Cooking breaks down the classic foods of France into a logical sequence of themes and variations and includes over 100 instructive illustrations, making for clear and detailed reading. Even if you haven't seen Julie & Julia, this is a must-own. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

The Joy Of Cooking, Irma S Rombauer

PRICE: $43.75

The perfect combination of classic recipes, new dishes and indispensable reference information for the modern home cook, there’s no denying this is an essential and trusted guide. Prepare your tastebuds for banana bread Cockaigne, chocolate chip cookies and southern cornbread as well as new favourites like chana masala, beef rendang, Megan’s seeded olive oil granola and smoked pork shoulder. Including a new chapter on streamlined cooking, explaining how to economise time, money and ingredients to avoid waste, there’s no doubting this book's versatility and usefulness. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Larousse Gastronomique, Kriminalhauptkommissar Oskar Lindt

PRICE: $137.70

A household essential for any keen cook, Larousse Gastronomique is the world's classic culinary reference book. Containing over 900 new colour and black and white photographs, this book is not just pretty to look at, it is also an essential addition to any kitchen as an invaluable source of information for every enthusiastic cook. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, Pamela Clark

PRICE: $13.50

The list would not be complete without the addition of The Australian Women's Weekly's Children's Birthday Cake Book. First published in1980, more than half a million copies have been sold—with parents all over Australia keen to have a crack at replicating the whimsical cakes within. Whether it’s the swimming pool, the rocket or the train, you’re sure to notice some classics from your own childhood. Nostalgic, delicious, iconic. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Simple, Ottolenghi 

PRICE: $36.99

We know we’ve already included a Yotam Ottolenghi classic in this list but his 2018 cookbook, Simple, combines all of the punchy flavours he’s known for with really simple (if you will), easy-to-execute recipes. This is his most accessible recipe book for the home cook, factoring in timing, ingredient availability, and the number of dirty dishes piling up. This attention to the practicalities of home cooking, paired with the amazing feats of flavour combination Ottolenghi is known for, makes Simple one of the best cookbooks of all time. Shop it here.best cookbooks of all time

Maggie’s Harvest, Maggie Beer

PRICE: $125.00

Compiling over 350 of Maggie Beer's signature recipes along with detailed descriptions of her favourite ingredients and accompanying stories of memorable meals with family and friends, this cookbook is an Australian classic. Divided into four chapters based on the season, the format effortlessly showcases Maggie’s philosophy of using only the freshest and best seasonal produce. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

The Cook’s Companion, Stephanie Alexander 

PRICE: $170.38

Selling over 500,000 copies since its publication in 1996, it's no wonder The Cook’s Companion has established itself as the kitchen "bible". The latest revision includes two new chapters, two expanded chapters, 70 new recipes and a complete revision of the text to reflect a modern-day marketplace. Jam-packed with invaluable information about ingredients, cooking techniques and kitchen equipment, along with inspiration, advice and encouragement and close to 1000 fail-safe recipes, this book is worth every penny. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Ostro, Julia Busuttil Nishimura

PRICE: $32.25

Julia Busuttill Nishimura is a renowned cook, food-writer and culinary Queen of Melbourne, who draws on her Maltese upbringing to create recipes that champion European flavours. There’s a tactility to Julia’s recipes, as she includes instructions on how to make ingredients like pasta from scratch, demystifying this often intimidating process. For her, cooking is all about taking your time and enjoying the experience of creating simple yet indulgent classics, transporting you to a simpler time and a simpler place—namely, the Italian coastline. Ostro is being re-released this year, with extra recipes and stunning new pictures, making it one of the best cookbooks 2022 has to offer. Shop it here.

best cookbooks of all time

Dessert Person, Claire Saffitz

PRICE: $42.25

Youtube sensation turned New York Times bestseller Claire Saffitz has created a home baking master file. Claire was trained as a French pastry chef, but then expanded her creativity and experimentation at Bon Appetit. Whether you’re a novice or a baking aficionado, Dessert Person is one of the best dessert cookbooks to come out of the last year. Claire’s recipes range from quick and easy baked goods enhanced with some truly surprising flavour combos, to extensive and complex enriched doughs and cakes. However tricky, Claire is with you all the way, with a book full of detailed instructions, baking hacks and failsafe techniques necessary to navigate the toughest of baking challenges. Shop it here.best cookbooks of all time
To further upgrade your cooking, check out the best kitchen knives over here. 

Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, so we get revenue from your purchase.

Design credit: Kate Mason

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.