Raise your hand if you've ever frittered away 30-plus minutes browsing Netflix, unable to decide what to watch. Next time, consult this curated guide to the absolute best culinary-centric content available for streaming right now. Titles range from quirky and educational TV shows like Alton Brown's Good Eats to the jaw-droppingly beautiful documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, with a title to please any mood.
Good Eats
Few programs have better rewatch value than Alton Brown's quirky, educational, puppet-filled masterpiece Good Eats. While Netflix doesn't host the entirety of the show's 14-season run, it does offer up a collection of 25 episodes.
Watch it now [1].
Watch a clip [2].
The Mind of a Chef
Highbrow but not pretentious, The Mind of a Chef is our favorite of Netflix's food programming offerings. Seasons one (David Chang) and two (Sean Brock and April Bloomfield) are currently available.
Watch it now [3].
Watch the season 1 trailer [4].
The Layover
If you're planning a food-focused vacation, you can do no better than Anthony Bourdain [5]'s The Layover, the most pragmatic of his trio of food-centric travel shows.
Watch it now [6].
Watch the trailer [7].
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
The eye candy award has to go to Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a visually stunning documentary focused on (arguably) the best sushi restaurant in the world and its enigmatic chef.
Watch it now [8].
Watch the trailer [9].
No Reservations
While older episodes are a bit cinematically dated, No Reservations is the most compelling of Anthony Bourdain [10]'s three travel shows. Netflix doesn't host its entire nine-season run, but it does offer up a curated collection of 25 episodes.
Watch it now [11].
Watch a clip [12].
Chef
Bad news first: Chef, Jon Favreau [13]'s 2014 indie film, can be predictable and even a bit cheesy at times. That said, overall it's an enjoyable, feel-good romantic comedy centered around the restaurant industry.
Watch it now [14].
Watch the trailer [15].
Parts Unknown
The most polished of Anthony Bourdain [16]'s travel programming, Parts Unknown is absolutely worth a watch, thanks to its coverage of locales as wide-ranging as Myanmar and Detroit. Watch seasons one through three on Netflix.
Watch it now [17].
Watch the trailer [18].
Big Night
Go classic with the now nearly 20-year-old Big Night starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub as brothers and struggling restaurateurs.
Watch it now [19].
Watch the trailer [20].
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
We were a bit disappointed to find that Netflix only has the streaming rights to the second of the Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs franchise, but one is better than none! Plus, we'd argue that this sequel is even better than the ridiculously charming original film.
Watch it now [21].
Watch the trailer [22].