Started in 2011 by Nathan Williams and some friends, the Kinfolk series has been one of the leaders of the pack in successful small print publications.  Known for throwing amazing gatherings around the world, this magazine has a well-rounded lifestyle approach that includes delicious and simplistic recipes alongside gorgeous travel inspiration.  With a major emphasis on creativity, community building and entrepreneurship, these guys are setting a top-notch standard for those seeking a beautifully curated, culturally diverse life. We especially love their traveling dinner series acrsoss the globe. 

If ever there existed a magazine to tear out every single page from and frame, this is the one.  Self-described as a recipe-driven food magazine dedicated to the many aspects of gathering, this journal works with the cream of the crop photographers and stylists to develop content that is as drop-dead gorgeous as it is approachable.  While most of the writing is based around food and recipes, there’s an undeniably human story to each piece.  Bonus:  As if the eye candy wasn’t enough to reel you in, Gather fully understands the need for killer playlists at a dinner party and regularly adds to their Spotify collection (just follow @gatherjournal or check out the mixtapes on their website).

Mostly recipes, art and literature fill the pages of this seasonal menu booklet. Each issue takes on a primary focus and builds out from there: case in point, the Meat Issue featured stories on butchers and poultry farms while highlighting recipes that included braised beef and sides of fried rice. Diner Journal really puts the focus on the community that raises the food we eat, interviewing farmers and the like.  Famed restaurateur Andrew Tarlow of Marlow & Sons is behind this publication.

Think of Lucky Peach as the grunge rock band of indie food magazines.  Theirs is a no-frills approach to food and travel.  Think everything from essays on the ethical dilemma of consuming seal in Newfoundland to the history of tartar sauce.  And if that sounds absolutely insane, there are the totally normative interviews with big deal chefs like John Besh and features by Michael Pollan.  In the Atlas section, you’ll find reviews of late night grub spots, chef faves and specialty restaurants all over the world. 

Cereal is mostly a collection of first-person narratives on traveling.  Think of it as a photo essay for travelers with some really genuine writing thrown in the mix.  With a very particular branding approach that preaches minimalism and an overwhelming sense of calm, we’re most likely to reference these magazines when researching a particular area and in need of design-oriented recommendations for restaurants, venues or shops.

The Gourmand is a blend of food meets art, as only the English could pull off in a way that’s edgy and chic.  Photography, illustrations, paintings and musings all come together in this somewhat hilarious take on what it means to live with both food and art obsessions.  Titles include gems like, “You Are Beautiful, But You Smell of Bacon,” and “Body Shots: Rehabilitating Nature’s Vessel,” so they might not necessarily teach you how to be a great host in this magazine, but you’ll certainly soak up some great stories to tell over dinner.

Home décor, travel, food and wine, entertaining, and artwork are just a few of the topics this design-centric magazine touches on. Anthology Magazine is a great go-to for features on event planners and designers, travel essays and dinner party inspiration. The writing, mostly by the founders, is clear and concise, and ties seamlessly with the top-notch photography they select. Theirs is a kind of feminine outlook on what’s modern and fresh, with a notably California thumbprint on style. This is the last year they will be printing the magazine, so you may have to scroll through the beautiful pages of coveted past issues, andwe highly reccmmend that you do just that. 

The Toast crew is really big on getting out and meeting people and they throw some of the best events in the UK, gathering their readers, followers and community.  They are, first and foremost, an event planning company. The magazine launched following Toast Festival in 2012 in an effort to explore, discuss and celebrate modern gastronomy.  The print magazine is essentially a who’s who of the food world, with detailed explorations into modern food culture.  Think of this less as tabletop inspiration and more as a peek at happenings in the food and beverage industry around the world.

Geraldine Magazine is a stunning new print publication shaking things up in the wedding world. You can find this gorgeous glossy in stores like Anthropologie and Barnes & Noble. Chock full of styling tips and tutorials,
"Geraldine is a wedding publication that serves as an inspiration for couples who want to create a refined and intimate event." 

Fool Magazine is a Swedish publication that is a bit harder to get your hands on, but it is every bit worth the struggle.  You can also get the online version if you’re feeling particularly easy-route.  The tagline for this magazine reads, “food insanity brilliance and love,” of which it lives up to its complete potential.  More male-oriented than most lifestyle magazines, the philosophy behind the editorial content is to have fun and glorify food culture.  The photography is stunning and creative while the content is eclectic and interesting, focused mostly on telling the stories behind food-based experiences.  Think of this as a fashion magazine for foodies, filled with inspiration and information.

Last, but certainly not least is Life & Thyme. Disrupting the food world with creative culinary storytelling through videography, Life & Thyme has recently expanded to print. We have met Antonio, the man behind the magazine a few times, and he is one to keep an eye on as he brings new stories and a new angle to the stories behind the food. Celebrating culture, gatherings and highlighting the stories of famous chefs as well as the man who delivers the strawberries to hotels, we are in love with this fresh perspective.