Who doesn't love a good street food experience? The sights, sounds, and smells of bustling street markets are an integral part of many cultures around the world. An ultra-sensory experience, it’s not just about what you just eat - it’s a symbiotic relationship between the sizzling produce and horns blaring on the street, the smells that go beyond just food, the elbow-to-elbow crowd and so much more. From local delicacies to international favorites, street food has something for everyone. In this article, we'll take you on a journey to explore the best destinations for street food around the world.
I. Asia
Asia is a food lover's paradise, with vibrant and diverse street food scenes. Here are some of the best destinations for street food in Asia:
Thailand
What's the Scene: Bangkok is famous for its street food scene, with vendors lining the streets and alleys. The street food scene is a way of life in Thailand, and you'll find everything from stir-fried noodles to grilled meat skewers.
Dishes You Must Try: Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat or shrimp) and mango sticky rice (a sweet dessert made with sticky rice and fresh mango).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Bangkok, but some of the best places to try street food include Yaowarat Road, Khao San Road, and Victory Monument.
Hidden Gems: Wang Lang Market (an off-the-beaten-path market with a variety of street food options), Soi 38 (popular among locals for its variety of food stalls), and Ratchawat Market (known for its delicious seafood options).
Japan
What's the Scene: Tokyo is a haven for street food lovers, with small alleys packed with vendors. You'll find everything from sushi to savory pancakes.
Dishes You Must Try: Takoyaki (octopus balls) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors in many neighborhoods in Tokyo, but some of the best places to try street food include Yurakucho, Harajuku, and Shinjuku.
Hidden Gems: Ameyoko Market (a bustling market with various street food vendors), Tsukiji Outer Market (known for its fresh seafood and sushi options), and Golden Gai (a tiny alley with a variety of food stalls and bars).
India
What's the Scene: Street food is a staple of Indian cuisine, with vendors lining the streets in almost every city. In Mumbai, you'll find street vendors selling everything from spicy chaat to buttery pav bhaji.
Dishes You Must Try: Vada Pav (potato fritters in a bun) and Pav Bhaji (a spicy vegetable stew served with bread).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Mumbai, but some of the best places to try street food include Juhu Beach, Mohammed Ali Road, and Crawford Market.
Hidden Gems: Carter Road Khau Galli (a hidden street food alley with various food vendors), Ghatkopar Khau Galli (known for its vegetarian street food options), and Chor Bazaar (a flea market with a variety of street food options).
Vietnam
What's the Scene: Hanoi's Old Quarter is a foodie's paradise, with street vendors selling everything from pho to banh mi.
Dishes You Must Try: Fresh spring rolls and bun cha (grilled pork with noodles).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Hanoi, but some of the best places to try street food include Hang Buom Street, Nguyen Sieu Street, and Ly Quoc Su Street.
Hidden Gems: Tong Duy Tan Street (a hidden alley with various street food options), Ba Trieu Street (known for its delicious pho options), and the night market at Dong Xuan Center (a bustling market with various street food vendors).
II. Middle East
The Middle East has a rich culinary heritage, and street food is an integral part of the food culture. Here are some of the best destinations for street food in the Middle East:
Turkey
What's the Scene: Istanbul is a street food lover's dream, with vendors selling kebabs, lahmacun (Turkish pizza), and simit (sesame-covered bread rings).
Dishes You Must Try: Doner Kebab (spit-roasted meat) and balik ekmek (fish sandwich).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Istanbul, but some of the best places to try street food include Istiklal Avenue, Taksim Square, and the Kadikoy Market.
Hidden Gems: Kumpir Street (a hidden alley with various vendors selling stuffed baked potatoes), Mercan Kokorec (known for its grilled offal delicacies), and Beşiktaş Fish Market (a bustling market with fresh seafood and street food options).
Israel
What's the Scene: Tel Aviv's Carmel Market is a must-visit for foodies, with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to street food.
Dishes You Must Try: Shakshuka (eggs poached in tomato sauce) and falafel.
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Tel Aviv, but some of the best places to try street food include the Carmel Market, Sarona Market, and the Florentin neighborhood.
Hidden Gems: Shuk Hapishpeshim (a flea market with various street food vendors), HaTikva Market (known for its fresh produce and Middle Eastern street food options), and Herzl Street (a hidden street food alley with various vendors).
UAE
What's the Scene: Dubai is known for its luxury, but the street food scene is just as impressive. You'll find vendors selling shawarma, manakish, and other Middle Eastern delights.
Dishes You Must Try: Shawarma (meat wraps) and manakish (flatbreads with various toppings).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Dubai, but some of the best places to try street food include the Dubai Creek area, Al Rigga Road, and the Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Hidden Gems: Al Ustad Special Kabab: A hidden gem in Dubai that serves authentic Emirati street food like shish tawook (grilled chicken) and lamb kebabs and Ravi Restaurant: A popular eatery in Dubai that serves Pakistani street food like biryani and kebabs.
III. Europe
Europe has a long history of street food, with each country offering its unique culinary delights. Here are some of the best destinations for street food in Europe:
Italy
What's the Scene: Italian street food is simple but delicious. In Rome, you'll find vendors selling everything from fried rice balls to pizza by the slice.
Dishes You Must Try: Suppli (fried rice balls) and pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Rome, but some of the best places to try street food include Campo de' Fiori, Testaccio Market, and the Trastevere neighborhood.
Hidden Gems: Mercato di Torre Maura (a hidden market with various street food vendors), Piazza Vittorio Market (known for its multi-ethnic street food options), and Porta Portese Market (a flea market with various food stalls).
Spain
What's the Scene: Barcelona's La Boqueria Market is a foodie's paradise, with vendors selling all sorts of street food.
Dishes You Must Try: Churros (fried dough with chocolate sauce) and patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy sauce).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Barcelona, but some of the best places to try street food include La Boqueria Market, El Raval neighborhood, and the Gothic Quarter.
Hidden Gems: Mercat de la Concepció (a hidden market with various street food vendors), Carrer Blai (known for its pintxos bars), and Mercat de Sant Antoni (a market with a variety of street food options and fresh produce).
France
What's the Scene: Paris has plenty of street food options, from crepes to baguette sandwiches.
Dishes You Must Try: Croque-monsieur (toasted ham and cheese sandwich) and macarons (sweet meringue-based cookies).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Paris, but some of the best places to try street food include the Marais neighborhood, Rue Montorgueil, and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area.
Hidden Gems: Rue Montorgueil: Pedestrian street in Paris with food stalls selling macarons and fresh seafood and Marché des Enfants Rouges: Historic market in Paris with vendors selling Lebanese food and Moroccan specialties.
Germany
What's the Scene: Berlin's street food scene is diverse, with vendors selling everything from currywurst to döner kebab.
Dishes You Must Try: Currywurst (sausage with curry sauce) and käsespätzle (cheesy noodles).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Berlin, but some of the best places to try street food include the Markthalle Neun food hall, the Street Food Thursday event, and the Kreuzberg neighborhood.
Hidden Gems: Market hall in Berlin with street food vendors selling pizza and pierogi and Curry 36: Iconic currywurst stand in Berlin serving sausages with curry sauce.
IV. South America
South America is home to some of the most exciting and diverse street food in the world. Here are some of the best destinations for street food in South America:
Peru
What's the Scene: Lima is a foodie's paradise, with ceviche and anticuchos being popular street food dishes.
Dishes You Must Try: Ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus juice) and anticuchos (grilled skewers).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Lima, but some of the best places to try street food include the Mercado de Surquillo, the Parque Kennedy area in Miraflores, and the Cusco San Pedro Market.
Hidden Gems: Mercado de Magdalena (a hidden market with various street food vendors), Avenida Grau (known for its ceviche and seafood street food options), and Mercado de Surquillo No. 2 (a bustling market with a variety of street food options).
Brazil
What's the Scene: Rio de Janeiro is known for its churrasco, coxinha, and brigadeiro.
Dishes You Must Try: Coxinha (fried dough with chicken filling) and brigadeiro (chocolate truffles).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Rio de Janeiro, but some of the best places to try street food include the Copacabana beachfront, the Lapa neighborhood, and the Feira Nordestina de São Cristóvão.
Hidden Gems: Feira de São Cristóvão (a market with various street food vendors and live music), Tijuca Market (known for its fresh produce and street food options), and Rua do Lavradio (a hidden alley with various vendors selling traditional Brazilian street food).
Mexico
What's the Scene: Mexico City is a street food lover's dream, with tacos, quesadillas, and tamales being some of the most popular dishes.
Dishes You Must Try: Tacos al pastor (spit-roasted pork) and elote (grilled corn on the cob).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Mexico City, but some of the best places to try street food include the Mercado de la Merced, the Condesa neighborhood, and the Centro Histórico area.
Hidden Gems: Mercado de la Merced: Bustling market in Mexico City with classic street food like tacos and churros and Tepito neighborhood: Vibrant area in Mexico City with diverse street food options like birria and tortas.
Argentina
What's the Scene: Buenos Aires is a meat lover's paradise, with empanadas and choripán being popular street food options.
Dishes You Must Try: Empanadas (filled pastries) and choripán (sausage sandwiches).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Buenos Aires, but some of the best places to try street food include the San Telmo Market, the Mataderos Fair, and the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Hidden Gems: Feria de Mataderos: Market in Buenos Aires with live music and traditional street food like empanadas and asado and El Gran Paraiso: Hidden gem in Buenos Aires with authentic street food like grilled meats and milanesa.
V. Africa
Africa has a rich culinary heritage, with street food playing an important role in many countries' food cultures. Here are some of the best destinations for street food in Africa:
Morocco
What's the Scene: Marrakech's Djemaa el-Fna square is a bustling street food hub, with tagine and b'stilla being popular dishes.
Dishes You Must Try: Tagine (stews cooked in a clay pot) and b'stilla (a sweet and savory pastry).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Marrakech, but some of the best places to try street food include the Djemaa el-Fna square, the Mellah neighborhood, and the Hivernage area.
Hidden Gems: Bab Doukkala Market: Bustling market in Marrakech with traditional street food like harira and msemen and Djemaa el Fna: Vibrant square in Marrakech with food stalls serving tagine and grilled meats.
South Africa
What's the Scene: Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a great place to find street food vendors, with bunny chow and biltong being popular options.
Dishes You Must Try: Bunny chow (curry served in a hollowed-out bread loaf) and biltong (dried meat).
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Cape Town, but some of the best places to try street food include the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Neighbourgoods Market, and the Bree Street area.
Hidden Gems: Victoria Street Market: Market in Durban with famous street food dish, bunny chow and Maboneng Precinct: Trendy area in Johannesburg with food stalls serving African-style tacos and bunny chow.
Egypt
What's the Scene: Cairo's street food scene is cheap and flavorful, with koshari and falafel being must-try dishes.
Dishes You Must Try: Koshari (a carb-heavy dish with pasta, rice, and lentils) and falafel.
Where to Find Them: You can find street food vendors all over Cairo, but some of the best places to try street food include the Khan el-Khalili market, the Tahrir Square area, and the Al-Muizz Street area.
Hidden Gems: Al-Hussein Mosque: Market in Cairo with traditional street food like koshari and fuul and Felfela Restaurant: Hidden gem in Cairo with authentic street food like falafel and taameya.
