The hottest Food & Drink Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Food & Drink Topics
The Audacity. 1690 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. The book club discussed Sohla El-Waylly's cookbook 'Start Here' and how it was fun to cook together.
  2. Sohla emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'why' in learning new skills.
  3. Participants shared their cooking experiences, recipes they tried, wins, failures, and areas they want to improve.
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From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy 1611 implied HN points 05 Feb 24
  1. Food justice seeks to address inequalities in the food system beyond just access to fresh food.
  2. The food system globally and domestically employs many people but there are issues like food insecurity and corporate ownership.
  3. Bringing a food justice lens into lifestyle writing involves examining power dynamics, impacts, and possibilities in the food industry.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 417 implied HN points 26 Nov 25
  1. Ambition and boldness can open doors in America; charm and nerve often beat class or pedigree, and hard work can lead to success without privilege.
  2. Many immigrants start with almost nothing and build lives through restaurant and service work, where caring for staff creates strong loyalty and mutual respect.
  3. New York’s nonstop streets and late-night life symbolize freedom and possibility, and movies and images of the city inspire people to come and chase those opportunities.
David Lebovitz Newsletter 3184 implied HN points 21 Mar 23
  1. Whipped Labneh is a versatile spread that can be easily made at home with just a few ingredients like labneh, feta, herbs, and olive oil.
  2. The recipe offers flexibility to customize with different herbs, grilled vegetables, and toppings like radishes and black olives.
  3. You can store the whipped Labneh in the refrigerator and enjoy it as a snack, serve it with main dishes, or use it as a side for various meals.
eugyppius: a plague chronicle 251 implied HN points 25 Dec 25
  1. Spending Christmas in Dresden with cold, clear air and a cozy menu of fondue tonight and a traditional goose tomorrow, paired with a Grüner Veltliner and a Brunello di Montalcino.
  2. There was an intention to write about U.S. visa sanctions aimed at Thierry Breton and organisations like the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, Global Disinformation Index, and Hate Aid, but that political piece was put off for now.
  3. Warm holiday wishes and optimism for 2026 are sent to readers, along with an invitation for people to share what they’re up to and how things are going in their corner of the world.
Vittles 292 implied HN points 09 Dec 25
  1. London’s top restaurants range from tiny, formal tasting rooms to busy neighbourhood canteens, so you can find both haute cuisine and homestyle dishes.
  2. Specialist, immigrant-run places that focus on regional traditions are often the most memorable. They deliver deeply authentic dishes from across the world, from kaiseki and khoresh to tiffin and phở.
  3. The dining scene is constantly changing, with openings, moves and chef changes meaning recommendations can shift quickly.
David Lebovitz Newsletter 3007 implied HN points 20 Sep 23
  1. Brittany is a popular destination for its cool weather, coastline, beaches, and delicious food like seafood, crêpes, and pastries.
  2. Brittany is known for its sparkling apple cider, love of salted butter, and local specialty honeys.
  3. Reserve in advance when dining in Brittany, explore local beverages like cider and wines, and try the delicious salted butter available at markets.
a newsletter 2771 implied HN points 05 Sep 23
  1. The author is taking a break from cooking this week except for making a really nice fish dish.
  2. Cook the fish in low and slow with olive oil to get a tender and perfect texture.
  3. The fish pairs well with a punchy cucumber salad and the olive oil used to cook the fish can be reused for other dishes.
Vittles 120 implied HN points 14 Jan 26
  1. Kari debal is a spicy Portuguese–Malaysian Kristang curry built from aromatics like lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots and chilli, with a swirl of vinegar that brightens and helps preserve the dish.
  2. Traditional recipes can be adapted (for example, made vegetarian) without losing their cultural meaning, and such changes can help keep endangered traditions and family memories alive.
  3. Practical cooking tips: grind the aromatics, consider an overnight soak so tofu absorbs more flavour, boost umami with soy or liquid Maggi, and use Kashmiri chilli powder for the right red colour.
Kitchen Projects 1454 implied HN points 28 Jan 24
  1. The newsletter provides a comprehensive guide on various ways to use rhubarb in recipes like jam, compote, syrup, and even choux pastries.
  2. Tips are shared on cooking rhubarb to bring out its best flavor, including methods like poaching and roasting.
  3. Exploration of the different varieties of rhubarb is discussed, such as Yorkshire and Dutch rhubarb, and how they differ in taste and quality.
Vittles 112 implied HN points 16 Jan 26
  1. A six-month mentorship helped four emerging food writers collaborate on a joint list of six favourite London restaurants.
  2. Their recommendations showcase London’s culinary diversity—Caribbean and Colombian fusions, Korean hotpot and izakaya-style dishes—and highlight friendly, community-driven spots with bold flavours.
  3. An expanded curated map and extra recommendations are available to subscribers, and the mentorship program will open for new applicants in the spring.
Vittles 248 implied HN points 12 Dec 25
  1. A week-long series ranked the 99 best restaurants in London and today the number one spot was revealed.
  2. The choices span a wide range of places and areas — 25 of the 33 boroughs, six transport zones, 20 Michelin-starred spots, three sandwich shops, and even one location outside any London borough.
  3. A full list with links and addresses will be published on the website later, and the current write-up is behind a paywall for paid subscribers.
Vittles 256 implied HN points 10 Dec 25
  1. London’s top spots are very diverse, ranging from a Syrian booza ice cream parlour to Ivorian seafood, Jamaican jerk smokehouses, and contemporary British brasseries.
  2. Chefs focus on confident technique and big, elemental flavors — whole-animal butchery, smoke and grill, careful braises and inventive condiments show up again and again.
  3. The best places marry tradition and invention, serving comforting classics executed brilliantly alongside bold, experimental dishes that push culinary boundaries.
Snaxshot 279 implied HN points 21 Jul 24
  1. DMT gummies are a new trend, blending the medicinal aspects of psychedelics with common candy forms.
  2. There’s a rising interest in food items like ramen for babies and unique snacks, showcasing innovative food culture.
  3. Plant-based items and performance drinks are gaining popularity, changing how people view nutrition and health.
Vittles 30 implied HN points 17 Feb 26
  1. Liverpool is home to Europe’s oldest Chinese community, with a historic Chinatown that developed around the docks from the 1880s and grew further after postwar migration from Hong Kong.
  2. The traditional Chinatown is quiet most of the year and only really buzzes at Lunar New Year, but new student-driven mini‑Chinatowns, hot pot clusters, and market trials are helping spread and revive Chinese life across the city.
  3. The local food scene is diverse: you’ll find old-school dim sum and fusion takeaways famous for ‘salt and pepper’ dishes, alongside newer Malaysian and Vietnamese spots, food courts like eJoy, and regional restaurants serving Sichuan, Chongqing and other specialties.
The Analog Family 519 implied HN points 15 May 24
  1. Cookbooks create a personal cooking experience that online recipes often lack. They help make meals that feel familiar and bring back memories.
  2. Using cookbooks can improve cooking skills because you become more confident with recipes you repeat. It's like practice makes perfect in the kitchen.
  3. Cooking from a cookbook feels more organized and comforting. It’s easier to find and remember recipes in a physical book than searching through countless online ones.
Vittles 236 implied HN points 12 Dec 25
  1. London’s food scene is hugely diverse and always changing, mixing modern British, European and many global cuisines to give the city its character.
  2. The Vittles 99 is a personal, carefully curated ranking that covers everything from fine dining to neighbourhood spots, ordered by how excited the compiler would be to eat there and built from thousands of meals and two years of revisiting favourites.
  3. Despite pressures like high rents and rising costs, the restaurants that stand out are those committed to their own food and identity, showing how people and community define great dining in London.
Evil Witches Newsletter 1395 implied HN points 17 Jan 24
  1. Wedding registry items can last a long time and be useful in daily life.
  2. Certain household items like towels, cookware, and utensils remain durable and functional over many years.
  3. Choosing practical, durable items like All Clad pans and bamboo utensils can pay off in the long run.
The Rotten Apple 94 implied HN points 26 Jan 26
  1. A new analysis of 795 food fraud cases shows many fraud incidents also create real food safety risks, so food fraud should be treated as a food safety issue, not just an authenticity problem.
  2. Although 98% of food samples meet pesticide MRLs, the remaining 2% clusters around specific commodities, origins and substances and causes most border rejections and reputational damage; companies must move MRL compliance upstream with supplier guarantees, targeted testing and tighter procurement controls.
  3. The infant formula cereulide problem may be linked to a recent change in ARA-enriched oil production using microalgae and a Bacillus licheniformis protease, highlighting that process changes can introduce unexpected toxin risks and need fast, thorough investigation.
Chris Arnade Walks the World 1410 implied HN points 26 Jun 25
  1. McDonald's serves as a community center in many places, offering people a safe space to relax, eat, and connect. It's not just about the food; it's about the social environment too.
  2. Gary He's book, 'McAtlas', reveals that McDonald's adapts to local cultures around the world. Each McDonald's has its own unique menu items that reflect the local tastes and customs.
  3. The impact of McDonald's goes beyond fast food; it represents a blend of global and local cultures. People around the world see McDonald's as a symbol of Americana while still making it their own.
Londonist: Time Machine 539 implied HN points 01 May 24
  1. London had its first vegetarian restaurant as early as 1879, way before the trend of vegetarianism became popular in the 1960s.
  2. The Alpha Food Reform Restaurant reflected eccentric health beliefs of its founders, Dr. Thomas Low Nichols and Mary Sargeant Gove Nichols, who also promoted questionable health practices like using water baths for curing diseases.
  3. The success of London's first vegetarian restaurant led to the rise of many more vegetarian restaurants across the city, marking the start of a sustained movement that continues today with a growing number of vegan and vegetarian eateries.
Madhur’s Writings 28 implied HN points 10 Feb 26
  1. Ultra-processed foods are generally worse for your health, so focus on ingredient quality and processing level rather than just fat, protein, or carb numbers.
  2. The Food Realness checker helps you quickly assess products by snapping a photo or scanning a barcode to identify ingredients and show how processed a product is.
  3. The tool is free and in beta, with plans to suggest healthier alternatives and a request for user feedback or bug reports to improve it.
The Department of Salad: Official Bulletin 2299 implied HN points 25 Sep 23
  1. Barry Enderwick is known for his obsession with sandwiches, showcasing vintage and modern sandwiches on various platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
  2. Enderwick's sandwich videos are short, sweet, and rated, often adding modern elements to vintage recipes for today's tastes.
  3. Despite his multi-platform presence, Enderwick remains humble, not selling anything, but aiming to provide a positive, uplifting 'video snack' for his audience.
Vittles 213 implied HN points 11 Dec 25
  1. Ikoyi delivers bold, inventive food that layers tiny, perfume-like flavours and giant ingredients into thrilling, highly technical dishes; it’s expensive but stands out as a pinnacle of virtuoso cooking in London.
  2. Kaieteur Kitchen (Faye Gomes) offers reliably excellent, comforting Guyanese food where even a regular meal feels special; the pepper pot is a legendary highlight and the cooking’s quality feels permanent even through venue hiccups.
  3. St. John Bread and Wine applies a simple, nose-to-tail philosophy to a flexible menu with many perfect routes to a great meal, serving timeless, intensely memorable dishes whether you’re dining alone or with others.