Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)

A landmark documentary series in which Anthony Bourdain explores the world's most compelling and overlooked destinations through food, culture, and conversation.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown - Series Information

  • Original Title: Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
  • First Air Year: 2013
  • Last Air Year: 2018
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Documentary
  • Content Rating (US): TV-PG
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 42 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 12
  • Number of Episodes: 95
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: April 14, 2013 (United States - TV-PG), April 14, 2013 (Canada - 14+), April 14, 2013 (Germany - 12), April 14, 2013 (France - 12), April 14, 2013 (India - U), April 14, 2013 (Australia - M), April 14, 2013 (Brazil - 12), April 14, 2013 (Mexico - A), April 14, 2013 (Spain - 13)
  • Networks: CNN
  • Alternative Titles: Anthony Bourdain: Lo desconocido (UY), CNN Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown (US), Anthony Bourdain: Utan bokning (SE), Ο Anthony Bourdain σε Άγνωστα Μέρη (GR)
  • Production Companies: Zero Point Zero, CNN Original Series
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown - Plot

Bourdain travels across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor, and acerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations – including some war-torn parts of the world – and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles, and occasionally communes with an internationally lauded chef on his journeys.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a taste of Bourdain's extraordinary journeys around the world.

Get hungry, get curious, get lost.

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Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown - Cast & Crew

Main Cast

  • Anthony Bourdain
  • Eric Ripert
  • Michael Ruhlman
  • Penn Jillette
  • Oscar Goodman
  • Daniel Boulud
  • Anabel Hernández
  • Zamir Gotta
  • Dave McMillan
  • Fred Morin

Writers

  • Anthony Bourdain

Executive Producers

  • Lydia Tenaglia
  • Anthony Bourdain
  • Sandra Zweig
  • Christopher Collins

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown - FAQs

Where can you stream Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown?

Parts Unknown is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max) and through the Max Amazon Channel. You can also purchase or rent episodes on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Plex.

Why did Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown end?

The series ended tragically following Anthony Bourdain's death on June 8, 2018, while filming in Strasbourg, France. CNN cancelled the remaining episodes of Season 12 out of respect. The final season aired a tribute episode, and the show concluded after 12 seasons and 95 episodes.

What made Parts Unknown different from other travel shows?

Bourdain went far beyond typical travel television. He visited conflict zones, sat with ordinary people at street-food stalls, and used meals as a lens for politics, history, and identity. His unscripted candor and genuine curiosity gave the show a raw, literary quality rarely seen in the genre.

Did Parts Unknown win any major awards?

The series earned multiple Emmy Awards across its run, including wins for Outstanding Informational Series or Special. Bourdain himself received Peabody Awards recognizing the show's cultural and journalistic impact. It remains one of the most decorated food and travel documentary series in television history.

How many seasons does Parts Unknown have?

Parts Unknown ran for 12 seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 95 episodes. Each season typically featured eight episodes, with Bourdain exploring a different destination per episode. The final Season 12 was cut short to seven episodes following Bourdain's passing in June 2018.

What is Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown about?

Bourdain travels to remote and often overlooked corners of the world, using food and dining as a gateway into local cultures, politics, and human stories. From war-torn regions to vibrant street markets, each episode blends culinary exploration with deeply personal storytelling and sharp social observation.

What is the content rating for Parts Unknown?

Parts Unknown carries a TV-PG rating in the United States, making it broadly accessible to general audiences. Some episodes touch on mature themes including conflict, poverty, and substance use, so parental guidance is suggested for younger viewers depending on the destination being explored.

What shows are similar to Parts Unknown?

Fans of Parts Unknown often enjoy Somebody Feed Phil, which shares a warm, food-driven travel format, and A Cook's Tour, Bourdain's earlier series with a similar spirit. For broader travel documentaries with cultural depth, Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve and Charley Boorman: Ireland to Sydney by Any Means are worth exploring.

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