Over the past 25 years, Lonely Planet, of guidebook fame, has hoisted itself from a shoestring operation into one of the world’s largest and most successful makers of travel books.

Today, ragged backpackers from Katmandu to Cape Breton Island can be found with tattered, well-worn copies of the various volumes. But, for those less interested in the best route up the North Face, who take travel as merely a bit of movement between meals – the company has released a new series.

Called World Food, the books are presented as the ultimate guide to global gastronomy. The series, launched at the Anglia bookstore Dec. 3, already includes more than 10 volumes, ranging from Morocco to Mexico, that offer tips on the best places to eat, regional recipes, and personal stories about how travelers found their favorite places.

Indeed, this last bit is what most dramatically sets off the new series from the originals – weaving in the kind of different voices and opinions one often hears when on the road. There is also a brief language section to make ordering and getting around easier.

To evaluate the series, LifeStyle asked Lourdes Sabiras, from Barcelona, to look at a copy of World Food Spain. Here is what she thought:

"It’s really well written and I think it gives a fair perception of Spanish cuisine," she said. "I like the way it breaks the country down into regions and talks about what’s best in each area. It also made me think about my own culture. For example, I never really thought about the fact that we don’t use pepper. There’s a funny little piece about how you will always have to ask for pepper in Spanish restaurants. There are some minor flaws in the language section, but I have no real criticism. I love the pictures."

In a way, it does seem as though the book is overloaded with photographs of people, places and, of course, food. The result is a very colorful and lively publication, but the photgraphy is difficult to appreciate in a pocket sized guide. The World Food series is a tantalising glimpse of gastronomic delight, with such a rich cultural subject there is arguably a market for a similar series: Larger books suited to the couch (or kitchen) traveler.