Head to these top street food cities in the world, where you’ll find authentic flavors, both sweet and savory.
If your type of travel involves seeking out new-to-you dishes and fantastic flavor combinations, you’ll find none more typical (or affordable) than those sold right on the street. Although street food stands might not get the same kind of critical acclaim as Michelin-starred restaurants, they offer up an extra dose of local culture you won’t find elsewhere.
Whether you’re seeking out savory street tacos in Mexican cities, spicy stir-fried noodle dishes in Southeast Asia, or perhaps a sweet treat you never knew existed, here are some ideas for places where you can find the best street food around the world.
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is one of the most famous street food spots for a reason.
Regularly recognized as having some of the best street food in Asia, Bangkok is a haven for foodie travelers looking for affordable, on-the-go eats. Whether you’re wandering through the Wang Lang Market, navigating the busy streets of Chinatown, or visiting Khao San Road, you’ll find stalls selling everything from pad thai to sizzling skewers of grilled meat, coconut pancakes, and more. The options can be overwhelming, so visit on a street food tour with someone who is in the know.
Insider tip: Both Chiang Mai and Phuket are some of the other best street food destinations in Thailand.
2. Oaxaca City, Mexico
Visit Mexico’s foodie capital, where Oaxacan cheese is the star.
Although Mexico City gets all the love for its taco-fueled street food scene, Oaxaca City is home to one of the most exciting street food cultures worldwide, and is often considered the culinary capital of Mexico.
On the city’s colorful streets you’ll find stands selling regional specialties, such as tlayudas (large crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, veggies, and meats) and memelas (not unlike quesadillas), both made with local cheese. Other favorite street food dishes include creamy Oaxacan ices, tamales, and grilled meats.
3. Hong Kong SAR
Venture out of your culinary comfort zone when you try street food in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a rich street food culture, offering everything from international favorites to local specialties you may not have tried before. Tuck into grilled siu mai fish dumplings, egg waffles, stinky tofu, or curry fish balls from stands on Temple Street Night Market or on the island of Cheung Chau, and you’ll come to understand this megacity and all the outside influences that have contributed to it over the years.
Related: Where To Try the Best Dim Sum in Hong Kong (and What To Order)
4. Tokyo, Japan
Get to know Japanese cuisine beyond sushi at Tokyo’s street food stands.
In Tokyo’s early days, food was sold on the street for the many business people and travelers who passed through the megacity. Later, it served as an affordable way for people to feed themselves during Japan’s post-war food shortage.
Now, you can find all kinds of snacks on Tokyo’s streets, from ningyo-yaki (bean paste–stuffed cakes) near Asakusa—which are molded to look like the nearby monuments—to crispy fried chicken and more.
5. Singapore
Singapore’s street food scene is so impressive it has UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.
Given Singapore’s interesting history shaped by multiple cultures over the years, it comes as no surprise that it boasts a diverse street food scene. In fact, its hawker culture was given UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, making Singapore easily one of the most iconic street food cities out there.
To dive into the local cuisine, head to the city-state’s open-air markets, where hawkers sell everything from rice noodle soups, such as laksa, to stir-fried noodle dishes, Hainanese chicken and rice, and more.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Eat your way through New Orleans’ multicultural street offerings.
The US may not be thought of as a top street food destination, but New Orleans has a street food culture dating back decades, to when enslaved people sold goods around the marketplace in an attempt to buy their freedom.
These days, you can find all different kinds of cuisines on the streets of New Orleans. Head to the French Quarter for some of the widest array of options, from French-inspired beignets to meaty Italian muffaletta sandwiches, and—of course—po’ boys.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Try Turkish mainstays and local specialties on the streets of Istanbul.
Though döner kebab was perfected in Germany by Turkish immigrants and has since become one of the best-known street foods in all of Europe, its origins do remain in Turkey. So it follows that one of the most popular street foods in Istanbul is the kebab, which you’ll find just about everywhere.
Head to the Spice Bazaar for dried fruits, nuts, and Turkish delight, or take an Istanbul street food tour to try dishes such as lahmacun, a beloved local flatbread that’s a bit like a pizza.
Related: 15 Traditional Turkish Foods and Drinks To Try on Your Next Trip
8. Cairo, Egypt
Discover the heart of Egyptian cuisine at markets and street food stands across Cairo.
As a city brimming with both ancient history and a buzzing modern culture, Cairo has a lot to offer curious foodies. Start at the Khan el-Khalili market, which has been around since the 14th century, for bread, pastries, and more. Then pick up street food including ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel); shawarma; or koshary—the national dish that’s made with pasta, rice, tomato, chickpeas, lentils, and spices before being topped with hot sauce and garlic vinegar.
9. Bogotá, Colombia
Dig into arepas and more on the streets of Bogotá.
In Bogotá, the restaurant scene spills onto the streets, where you’ll find enticing hot items you can pick up after a night of salsa dancing. Arepas are the most famous Colombian street food of course, but you’ll also find empanadas of all kinds, refreshing tropical fruits, crunchy chicharrones, and more.
Taste fresh fruit at the Paloquemao Market, visit the Usaquén neighborhood during their Sunday fairs, or head to La Candelaria, the historic old town, to find the best street food in the city.
10. Mumbai, India
You’ll find one of India’s most diverse street food scenes in Mumbai.
You’re likely to come across street food pretty much everywhere you go in Mumbai. What sets it apart from other must-try street food destinations in India (such as New Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai) is its variety, honoring the many immigrants and travelers who have come through the city for decades. Vada pav is one of the most classic street food items in Mumbai, a potato fried in chickpea-based batter then topped with various chutneys and served in a roll.
Related: 15 Traditional Indian Foods and Drinks To Try on Your Next Trip
11. Hanoi, Vietnam
There’s more to street food in Hanoi than banh mi.
As the area where pho is said to have originated, Hanoi has quite the reputation among foodies. And while Vietnam’s classic dishes, such as pho and banh mi, do feature heavily on the Hanoi street food scene, there’s much more to it than that.
Explore the Old Quarter and beyond to try dishes such as steamed rice paper rolls, various noodle soups (such as bun oc with snails or bun ca with fish), and try egg coffee for yourself. As far as global street food experiences go, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one more interesting than that of Hanoi.
12. Rome, Italy
Fill up on Italian classics in Rome, Italy’s street food capital.
All of Italy is known for its cuisine, so no street food travel guide would be complete without some mention of the capital city, which offers everything from pizza to gelato and more. One of the classic Rome street foods is roasted chestnuts, but you’ll also find items such as suppli, the conical cousin of arancini (stuffed rice balls), pinsa (similar to pizza but with a lighter texture), deep-fried artichokes, and more. Make sure you bring your appetite along if you opt for a Roman street food tour.
13. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Find classic Brazilian and international dishes alike on the streets of Rio.
Whether you’re sunning on Copacabana Beach or wandering through markets in Largo do Machado, you’ll find that street food is just a part of daily life in Rio de Janeiro. The city’s most famous street food dishes also represent its diverse culture.
Try the Afro-Brazilian favorite, acarjé (a bean empanada of sorts stuffed with shrimp and a savory paste), Japanese yakisoba, various flavors of popcorn, or hot dogs topped with everything from quail eggs to tomato sauce, peas, raisins, and more.
