The latest episode of the New Heights podcast has delivered a treasure trove of personal anecdotes from NFL superstar Travis Kelce, but it wasn’t his performance on the field that had fans buzzing this week. Instead, it was his passionate and often hilarious deep dive into his recent culinary adventures in London. For a man often teased by his brother Jason for being a “picky eater,” Travis’s recent rave review of high-end Indian cuisine suggests a sophisticated evolution of his palate.
A London Adventure
During a segment of the podcast, Jason Kelce quizzed his younger brother about his time in London. While the city is famous for its history and landmarks, for Travis, the highlights were clearly the culture and the food. He spoke glowingly about the theater scene, mentioning that he saw Noah Jupe and Sadie Sink in a production of Romeo and Juliet, describing Jupe’s performance as “fucking phenomenal”. However, it was the mention of Indian food that truly lit up the conversation.
The Gymkhana Experience
Travis revealed that he visited a renowned London restaurant called Gymkhana, an establishment he described as “fucking remarkable”. Gymkhana is famous for its upscale take on traditional Indian flavors, and it clearly left a lasting impression on the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.
“Every dish they brought out, I didn’t ask a single question. I just dove in,” Travis shared excitedly. He noted that the meal was one of the “most surprising” he had ever had, despite his initial lack of familiarity with everything on the menu. He admitted that he “didn’t really understand” what they were ordering at first, simply following the lead of the table.
The Great Spice Debate
No discussion of Indian food is complete without addressing the “heat,” and Travis didn’t hold back. He explained that the table reached a “consensus” to order on the milder side, but the spice was still potent enough to have a physical effect.
“I was fucking leaking,” Travis joked, comparing himself to a “Kelsey sitting over a bucket of chicken wings”. Despite the sweat, he raved about the flavors, specifically highlighting the “chicken butter masala” and “garlic naan” as standout items. He even gave a shout-out to his friend Kumar, whom he previously credited with making the “best Indian food,” though Gymkhana took a very close second place in his rankings.
Debunking the “Picky Eater” Label
The conversation took a turn toward Travis’s reputation as a difficult diner. He pushed back against the idea that he is uncharacteristically picky, calling the label inaccurate in his adult life. However, he did credit his brother Jason with “opening up the curiosity of eating” when they were younger.
Travis recounted a legendary story from when he was about 21 or 22 years old, “absolutely shitfaced” at a sushi restaurant called Dancing Wasabi (now Cloud9). At the time, he was skeptical of raw fish and told Jason, “Just give me the fried rice, I’ll be good”. Jason insisted he try the sushi, and after that first bite, Travis was hooked. “I can’t go more than a week without getting sushi now,” he admitted.
A New Chapter for the Kelce Palate
This shift from fried rice to high-end Indian and sushi marks a significant growth for the star athlete. Travis’s enthusiasm for trying new things—even when he doesn’t fully understand the menu—is a testament to his adventurous spirit. His recommendation for Gymkhana was so strong that he told his American audience they “need to go try it” now that there is a location in Las Vegas.
As Travis Kelce continues to dominate headlines for his life both on and off the field, these glimpses into his personal life and “unfiltered” opinions on food remind fans why he is so relatable. Whether he’s sweating over a bowl of butter chicken or reminiscing about late-night sushi, Travis Kelce remains one of the most engaging and authentic personalities in sports today.
