When in Morocco, one might visit the El Badi Palace, walk the grounds of the Koutoubia Mosque or enjoy a meal of dates and chebakia at … McDonald’s?

       For some, dining at McDonald’s has become part of the fun of traveling abroad. With distinctive locations — a “ski-through” restaurant in Sweden, a decommissioned Douglas DC-3 aircraft in New Zealand — and vastly different menus, the chain has adapted to a host of cultures, drawing in locals and tourists alike.

       Across TikTok, YouTube and Reddit, travelers have marveled at the options: poutine in Canada, jamón Ibérico sandwiches in Spain, fried chicken in Malaysia, macarons in France and McSpaghetti in the Philippines, to name a few.

       Though some seasoned travelers may look down on dining at McDonald’s in Paris or Bangkok, the brand’s fans say it’s worth seeing how the chain adapts to local cultures. It has become an entry point into an unfamiliar cuisine or a way to mix the comforts of home with something new.

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       Clockwise from top left, McDonald’s locations in Istanbul; Tokyo; Melbourne, Australia; and Kuwait City. Credit...Gary He/McAtlas

       That’s how Gary He, a photographer based in Brooklyn, sees it. He recently released “McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches,” a 420-page self-published book of photos documenting the global McDonald’s experience.

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