The BEST episodes of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations season 5

Every episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations season 5!

Join best-selling author and professional chef Anthony Bourdain as he travels the world seeking the ultimate dining experience. He will hit locales from the well known to those off the beaten path, from New Jersey to Iceland and points in between. Along his journey, the adventuring Bourdain will share his no holds barred experience of the food and customs that flavor the different cultures of the world in a way that only he can.

Last Updated: 2/16/2024Network: Travel ChannelStatus: Ended
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Disappearing Manhattan
star
9.05
61 votes

#1 - Disappearing Manhattan

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/23/2009

Tony teams up with some notable guests and visits some of the oldest, most classic, and undoubtedly-NYC restaurants. Unfortunately, these cornerstones rich with culture and diversity struggle against the changing landscape of the new Manhattan.

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Philippines
star
8.88
103 votes

#2 - Philippines

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/16/2009

Anthony Bourdain visits Manila, the second-largest and most well-known city in the Philippines. He'll meet up with travel author and foodie Claude Tayag for some traditional Pampangan seafood. Later on, Tony pairs up with Augusto, runner-up for the "No Reservations" FAN-atic Special casting call, in Cebu City.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Azores
star
8.64
150 votes

#3 - Azores

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/26/2009

Having worked in kitchens alongside many generations of Azorean Portuguese immigrants, Tony decides it’s time to find out more about their motherland and explore the culture that molded so much of New England’s heritage. He hops from one island to the next while on the archipelago, dining on potatoes, pork, sausage, cabbage, shellfish, Portuguese soup and washing it all down with Gin and Tonics. From the hot springs in Furnas on Sao Miguel to one of the most remote locations in the world on Sao Jorge, and onto the beautiful wine making region of Pico, Tony experiences the best of Azores.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Burning Questions
star
8.44
43 votes

#4 - Burning Questions

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 8/31/2009

Based on the results of an online poll, Tony answers the Top 10 viewer queries in Burning Questions. You’ll be surprised, terrified, disgusted and thoroughly entertained!

Watch Now:Amazon
Sri Lanka
star
8.43
84 votes

#5 - Sri Lanka

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/2/2009

Sri Lankan cuisine has been influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Indian, Arab, Malay and Moors. Tony experiences this cuisine in Colombo and the surrounding area.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Australia
star
8.42
57 votes

#6 - Australia

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/20/2009

Melbourne is Australia's second-most populated city and its cultural capital. It's a real melting pot, and Tony is off to discover what makes the Melbourne area so special. Luckily, many of Tony's friends live in Melbourne, and they take him to sample the city's many different cuisines.

Watch Now:Amazon
Vietnam: There's No Place Like Home
star
8.11
66 votes

#7 - Vietnam: There's No Place Like Home

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/9/2009

Anthony decides to move to the country for a year to write the perfect Vietnam book. Along with a local chef and realtor we explore the country and what Anthony can expect as a full time resident.

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New York Outer Boroughs
star
8.01
82 votes

#8 - New York Outer Boroughs

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 9/7/2009

Tony Bourdain knows the jungles of Malaysia and the streets of London better than he knows what's just outside his hometown of Manhattan, so he enlists the help of some locals to explore New York’s other 4 boroughs. Tony will travel to Queens with chefs Chris Cheung and David Chang; he’ll explore Staten Island with David Johansen, lead singer of the New York Dolls; and check Brooklyn and the Bronx with his friend Famous Fat Dave.

Washington D.C.
star
7.97
118 votes

#9 - Washington D.C.

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/19/2009

Tony Bourdain is in Washington D.C. to explore this city of contrasts - democrat vs. republican, affluent vs. poor, visible vs. invisible, black vs. white.

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San Francisco
star
7.95
83 votes

#10 - San Francisco

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 8/10/2009

San Francisco is a city of districts, each one with its own quirks and flavors. Chinatown is a bustling neighborhood with delicious restaurants around every turn. The Fisherman’s Wharf area houses a popular farmer’s market filled with fresh produce, beautiful flowers and organic foods. One of Tony’s stops is Red’s Java House, where the cheeseburgers are hot, the chili cheese fries are even hotter and the beer is cold. Tony can’t go wrong in a city so interesting, dynamic and complex.

Watch Now:Amazon
Food Porn
star
7.90
120 votes

#11 - Food Porn

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/6/2009

Tony presents a XXX selection of all that's lip-smacking and luscious in the world. For hardcore viewers only.

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Montana
star
7.88
85 votes

#12 - Montana

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/24/2009

The Rocky Mountains are an outdoorsman’s paradise, and ranchers are a large part of Montana’s culture. Tony visits the Metcalf family, fourth-generation ranchers, to gain some insight into what it means to call Montana home. Tony goes fly-fishing with local and jack-of-all trades, Dan Lahren. Later in the evening, Tony joins a manly conversation about meats, old-time tough guys like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, and right vs. wrong. Good all-American food, all-American men and America’s beautiful land.

Watch Now:Amazon
Thailand
star
7.75
92 votes

#13 - Thailand

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 8/17/2009

Blending influences from India, China, Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia, Thai cuisine uses 5 fundamental flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. In an effort to experience each of these tastes, Tony explores bustling Bangkok and its local street foods. As soon as the crew arrives in Bangkok, they find themselves in the center of a political upheaval. Amid the protests, violence and uncertainty, Tony and the crew make a point of discovering the elements that make Thailand magical.

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Sardinia
star
7.75
118 votes

#14 - Sardinia

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/14/2009

Tony visits Sardinia, his wife's homeland, and learns what it means to be Sardinian as he gives himself over to the Busia family for a week. From the craggy mountainous landscape to the exotic cuisine and age-old traditions, Tony learns that Sardinia really is it's own country with a strong island mentality and an even stronger personality.

Watch Now:Amazon
Venice
star
7.74
99 votes

#15 - Venice

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/12/2009

Tony's mission, on this trip, is to step away from the Venice of tourists and into the Venice of Venetians. Venice is an extraordinary city filled with ancient monuments, sprawling palazzos, quaint cafes, and vibrant markets.

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Chicago
star
7.68
127 votes

#16 - Chicago

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/2/2009

Anthony heads to Chicago where he examines the cuisine and culture which the windy city has to offer.

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Chile
star
7.66
86 votes

#17 - Chile

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/13/2009

Inspired by its natural diversity, Chile's cuisine consists of beef, pork, seafood, fruits and vegetables. While in Chile, Tony visits Santiago; a small town in the Curico Valley; Patagonia; and the Chilean coast.

Watch Now:Amazon
Rust Belt
star
7.59
83 votes

#18 - Rust Belt

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/27/2009

In the bleak, cold winter, Tony meets up with his good friend Zamir and the two travel to the heart of America's Rust Belt with stops in Baltimore, Detroit and Buffalo. After visiting this misunderstood region, Tony realizes that it's not just home to auto factories and cold weather, but it's also full of kind people and delicious food.

Watch Now:Amazon
On the Street
star
7.51
78 votes

#19 - On the Street

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 8/3/2009

This behind-the-scenes look at No Reservations reveals a common thread throughout all No Reservations episodes – street food. Oftentimes, Tony says the most enjoyable and authentic food in a country or village is sold by merchants from carts in outdoor markets or roadside stands. From local variations on the hot dog to unidentifiable fried meats, from sautéed insects to steaming bowls of noodles, these culinary treats are what keep Tony going on the road.

Watch Now:Amazon
Mexico
star
7.34
68 votes

#20 - Mexico

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/5/2009

Anthony Bourdain discovers the beauty behind the street food of Mexico.

Watch Now:Apple TV