Emerging evidence suggested that the enhancement of thermogenic activity in brown adipocytes or beige adipocytes is an attractive target for the management of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders, including diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Several environmental stimuli, such as cold exposure and exercise, could activate brown adipose tissue function. Moreover, several food factors have also been shown to be effective stimuli to activate thermogenic brown adipose tissue function not only in experimental animals but also humans. Here, we summarized selected food factors which could activate thermogenic functions in brown and beige adipocytes. Furthermore, we also described proposed mechanisms underlying those dietary factors to promote thermogenic brown adipose tissue function. Characterizing thermogenic dietary factors might be important to create novel nutritional intervention strategies aimed at obesity and obesity-related metabolic disease prevention and management.