Books

Andaluz Book written by Fiona Dunlop, here featuring two coversAndaluz Book written by Fiona Dunlop, here featuring a second cover design

Andaluz - a Food Journey through Southern Spain

First published in the US in November 2018 and the UK in 2019, this vivid window on the history, landscapes and food of Andalucía contains over 100 recipes plus chapters of travelogue and culinary history, altogether revealing the lasting impact of the Moors of Al-Andalus. My photos, taken over multiple trips and years, reflect the idiosyncrasies and beauty of this beguiling region. A must for anyone who knows and loves Andalucia, wants inspiration or tips for travelling there, or lusts after an authentic andaluz dish...

Fiona Dunlop does it again and brings us a region’s essence. This time it’s the turn of semolina crumbs from Almeria and Almond sponge cake from Antequera. She sums up Southern Spain—a pivotal meeting point of religions and cultures—and avoids trends and fashion. Andaluz gives the confidence to find the area’s best sun drenched dishes and cook them too.” —Yotam Ottolenghi

This book is a deep dive into the food, culture, and history of southern Spain—a region that is very close to my heart. Fiona Dunlop tells the amazing stories of the immigrants and conquerors who left their mark on the region—culinary legacies that have made Andalucía one of the most iconic food regions in the world" — José Andrés

Both cookbook and travelogue, this homage to the land of the Arabs and Berbers reveals mouth-watering and educational excursions into the region's little towns and the kitchens of local professional chefs and home cooks. A little history adds to the mix, as British author Dunlop (Mexican Modern, 2013) explains how eight centuries of Moorish rule (from the eighth to the fifteenth century) defined southern Spain’s personality, culinary and otherwise. .. Chef profiles are featured in tandem with restaurant descriptions; who could resist, for instance, a table in the middle of a bullring, or a chat with an 80-year-old preparing marinated turkey. Includes notes on regional specialties, like iberico ham and black pigs, and an annotated list of the featured restaurants. A true work of art—and love.” Booklist

Read my blog post about "the making of Andaluz"

Published by Interlink Books. Distributed by Simon & Schuster. Widely available online.

The North African Kitchen

This travel-cookbook came out as Medina Kitchen in its UK original (Mitchell Beazley / Octopus) in 2007, which you can still track down. I selected eight home cooks in Morocco, Tunisia and Libya (while under the iniquitous Gaddafi) where I accompanied them to markets, entered their kitchens, watched them cook and revealed their luscious recipes. As usual, I include plenty of snippets of history and culture about each place as well as the cooks' own stories. Packed with authentic, easy, healthy and timeless recipes plus quirky photos by Simon Wheeler, the book will transport you through this seductive region. In 2023, a hardback edition was revived in the US by Interlink Books, distributed by Simon & Schuster..

"Dunlop knocks on doors to learn more about home cooking in Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. She offers a glimpse into the gastronomic soul of North Africa with simple dishes packed full of flavour…” Tribune Magazine

"Work up an appetite with Medina Kitchen, an inspiring guide to traditional North African cuisine." Marie Claire, UK

"Delightful and beautifully illustrated book about home cooking." The Good Book Guide

"From the walled quarters of Marrakech and Fez to the cooks of Tripoli, Tunis and Carthage... Dunlop brings both the people and their recipes to life." The Independent

Simon & Schuster »

 

Real Mexican Food - a book by Fiona Dunlop

Mexican Modern / Real Mexican Food

Very popular in the U.S. (the original British title was Viva la Revolucion!), this cookbook looks at the revival of pre-hispanic food in contemporary Mexican restaurants in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, Michoacan and the Yucatan. Top chefs including Enrique Olvera, Martha Ortiz and Alejandro Ruiz contribute recipes which feature beside culinary history and anecdotes about Mexico's unique culture. Street food gets a look-in too. Photos by Jean-Blaise Hall & some by me. I also enjoyed close collaboration with the designer to create this fascinating, exotic culinary journey. It exists in UK paperback as Real Mexican Food and in a smaller, condensed version as Real Mexican (Octopus, 2013). The American edition published by Interlink Books / Simon & Schuster is called Mexican Modern. Confusing?! .

"Fiona Dunlop's latest travel/cookbook showcases the dishes of 12 of Mexico's hottest nueva cocina cooks,and will put a smile on any food lover's face" House & Garden

"Plenty of recipes ranging from street food through to first class restaurant fare. An impressive and highly useful book that could only be improved if it came with a plane ticket to Mexico..." Time Out

"A captivating book" Dan Lepard, Guardian

" Travelling extensively across Mexico, she translates into recipes what she sees as the country's "baroque imagination and deep soul" and its tradition of fiery creativity...The book leaves you longing for the kick of chili in a plate of frijoles rancheros and the hot feeling of the desert sun on your face." Sunday Telegraph

Simon & Schuster »

New Tapas

This best-seller, first published in 2002 by Mitchell Beazley / Octopus, was the result of an epiphany when I discovered I could indulge my passion for Spanish tapas while being paid to write about them! Challenging solo drives across Spain led to my selection of 26 professional cooks whose tapas exemplified Spain’s nueva cocina of the late 1990s. The book soon inspired enthusiastic press coverage and became an international hit. This was much thanks to fabulous photos and close collaboration with the photographer, Jan Baldwin. The sharp design helped too, and even today, 20 years on, the book hasn't aged. A smaller, condensed version was published by Octopus in 2013 as Real Tapas. It's hard to find the original hardback (a collector's item!) but secondhand paperbacks are around and recycled copies of the U.S. edition lurk online - though with a less scintillating cover

"a very good book and a fascinating guide to some genuinely innovative cooking... New Tapas shows how they're really done, by chefs who keep the tradition lively with intelligent experimentation..." The Guardian

"a gustatory bar crawl round Spain: tapas as a vibrant part of Spanish life" Sunday Times"

"…like a gastronomic travel book with a bit of history thrown in... a slick, informed (and informative) writing style" Time Out, London

"the cutting edge of Spanish cool - an engaging and contemporary snapshot of Spanish food"
Glasgow Herald

Amazon »

In the Asian style

In a very different vein, this lavishly illustrated book explores the interior design styles and influences of South East Asia, with original photography in Bali, Singapore and Bangkok. It was fascinating to research these houses and meet their owners in a part of the world I knew and loved, having travelled there extensively throughout the 1990s. The book stands up well after all this time thanks to a serene design, illuminating text covering the evolution of Asian design as well as contemporary approaches, and superb photos by Kim Sayer. Published by New Holland Publishers.

"If you don't get an idea to lift from here for your home, it would be surprising."
Evening Standard

"threads oriental influences with practical designs for creating a Zen-like home with good feng shui..."
Sunday Telegraph

Amazon »

National Geographic Spain

National Geographic Traveller Spain, 4th edition

A classic and selective guide-book packed with information and travel tips, as well as meaty history and culture sections. Repeated updates meant many long car journeys through the ever-captivating peninsula and its islands.

Spain’s rich and fascinating culture is covered in depth, taking the reader on an inspiring journey from the lush hills of Galicia and the Basque country through Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Cordoba and Granada to the white villages of Andalucia, glorious beaches and little known nature reserves. Food, history, design, architecture, wildlife, idiosyncratic festivals - it's all there.

Amazon »

"More than a guidebook, it offers a real insight into Spain, the geography and politics of its regions. A very good read too." Amazon review
National Geographic - Portugal

National Geographic Traveller Portugal, 4th edition

Ditto to the above, although as it has been updated since the first edition by other writers, the latest edition is no longer entirely my voice. I have made many visits to Portugal, above all to Lisbon and the Alentejo, and love its easy-going nature, incredible art and design and impressive architecture - old and new. Not forgetting vastly underrated wines and superlative wild beaches. Or indeed its bacalhau! Atmospheric photos by Tino Soriano.

From the hidden alleys and grand palaces of Lisbon, Porto, Sintra and Coimbra, through remote mountains and lush valleys to the beautiful gardens of Madeira, readers will discover the secrets of the country's seven regions. Detailed sidebars focus on topics from Portugal's famous wines to the soulful music of Fado.

Available from Amazon

All my books:

Features published in:

  • BBC Travel website
  • Financial Times
  • The Guardian
  • The Observer
  • The Independent
  • Sunday Times
  • Sunday Times magazine
  • The Times
  • Sunday Telegraph
  • National Geographic Traveller
    CNN Traveller magazine
  • CNN Travel (website)
  • New Statesman
  • Four Seasons
  • Harper's Bazaar
  • House & Garden
  • How to Spend It
  • Food & Travel
  • Journeys
  • Olive
  • Jamie magazine
  • Psychologies
  • Marie Claire
  • Elle Decoration (UK, Japan, Germany)
  • Homes & Gardens (UK)
  • Interni (Italy)
  • Vogue Décoration (France)
  • Maison Française (France), Architektur + Wohnen (Germany)
  • Artline, Art International, Flash Art, Artnews, State of Art

Now you know about my books, check out my tours!

TOURS