Of all the traveler profiles, there is one who decides his next destination based on only one thing: food! And it is that the foodie traveler knows that discovering the street food of the world is probably one of the best ways to discover a culture, right?
Has it not happened to you that you are walking through a new city and, suddenly, you come across a market, a square with food trucks or a street full of street stalls that tempt your palate with delicious smells and sounds?
Yes to us! Therefore, in this article we have compiled our 10 favorite cities with the best street food in the world. We promise that we will take you to explore irresistible flavors in different corners of the planet. Join us!
Part of the magic of street food is walking and the aromas of the food decide where and what we will eat. In addition, seeing the cook prepare these delicacies in front of our eyes is a great plus! Keep reading to find out in which cities the best street food in the world awaits you.
1. Sydney
What can you expect from food in a cosmopolitan city like Sydney? A truly irresistible explosion of flavours, textures and origins. Sydney, Australia’s largest and most famous city, doesn’t just shine for its Opera House or incredible study abroad opportunities.
In fact, the food is one of its strong points. A strong South East Asian influence, with that European twist, and of course, local ingredients create delicious street versions of Australian staples: kangaroo skewers, crabs, fish, meat pies and, for dessert, lamingtons.
Best of all, Sydney street stalls work to high standards of safety and cleanliness! Therefore, you can eat as much as you want without worrying about anything. You can find the best street stalls on the Sydney Food Trucks app.
Do you want to try one of the best street food in the world? CatEight Course Application has shared some opportunities that will allow you to study in this city and taste its different food. Take a look!
2. New York
And speaking of cosmopolitan cities, New York has a place of honor on our list. Food carts in Midtown, Little Italy, Chinatown, and Manhattan (just to name a few) have become mandatory stops for foodies.
In the Big Apple you will find Latin, Italian, Asian, Greek, Portuguese food and, basically, a dish from every corner of the planet! Here you live a real melting pot, that’s why New York has to be one of the street food paradises in the world.
3. Mexico City
Could we make a post about the cities with the best street food in the world without talking about Mexico City? Of course not! In addition to being ideally priced for those traveling on a shoestring, Mexico City’s street food stalls offer delicacies made with local ingredients: corn, beans, and chili peppers.
In addition to the esquites, elotes, gorditas and burritos, we cannot stop talking about the typical dishes of the city: tamale tortas, tacos al pastor, suaderos or tlacoyos with green sauce. With so much delicious food, in CDMX it can be easy to gain a few kilos, so try to keep fit while you travel!
Where are the best street food stalls in Mexico City? It is enough to walk down any street or go to the subway stations to begin to perceive the smell of fried food. If it is full of office workers, surely you have found a good place!
4. Barcelona
Barcelona is one of those cities where, inevitably, you will be trying bites of irresistible street food at a good price. As it is a modern city, here you can find everything from hamburgers, cheese fries, international cuisine and, of course, the star of the city: seafood.
If you want to explore all the flavor of Barcelona, follow this advice: go to Eat Street Barcelona! This is the first street food festival in Barcelona. There you will find countless food trucks with an endless offer.
And if you want to explore, you can go through the streets of the center or through markets such as La Boquería or Sant Antoni to discover small places with the best street food in Barcelona.
5. Istanbul
The capital of Turkey is another of the cities with the best street food in the world, as it is the bridge that connects two continents and diverse cultures, the gastronomy of Istanbul has gained popularity for the colors, aromas and flavors of its food.
In the districts of Karaköy, Ortakoy and Taksim there are options for all tastes and budgets. Have you seen the ice cream tricks that Turkish vendors do? Well, this is not the only experience you will have here.
In these markets you can try the traditional simit (a mixture of bagel and pretzel), kumpir (baked potatoes with toppings), fish sandwiches and doner kebab in pita bread.
6. Bangkok
Do you want to taste the intense and exotic flavors that come from the other side of the world? Then your ideal destination will be Bangkok. In the food of the Thai capital, rice, noodles, pork and chicken stand out, and of course, spices!
Walking around the city, especially in the Sao Ching-cha and Sukhumvit districts, will have your stomach crying out for a bite of the dishes of one of the cities with the best street food in the world.
Walk down a couple of streets and you will surely come across a typical pad thai (sautéed rice noodles with vegetables). Do you fancy something sweet? A sticky rice mango (rice with coconut milk and bits of mango) will satisfy your sweet tooth. In Bangkok food is everywhere and you just have to choose.
7. Montreal
Voted “North America’s New Gourmet Destination” in 2016 by Town & Country magazine, Montreal is the perfect city to enjoy Canadian cuisine. Fancy a cheesy poutine, a smoked meat sandwich, some classic bagels or, to sweeten it up, some beaver tails dipped in maple syrup?
If you didn’t know, many of Canada’s best-known dishes come from the province of Quebec, of which Montreal is the best example. In summer, many of the squares fill up with street food stalls, as do the Old Montreal district and the Vieux Port.
Would you like to try Montreal street food on your next vacation? You can take advantage of the trip not only to eat as much as you can, but also to study French in Canada!
8. osaka
A must-see city on our list of the best street food destinations in the world is Osaka. It is not for nothing that it is known as the gastronomic capital of Japan! And it is that the izakayas (street food stalls) are not only part of the Osaka landscape, but also the DNA of the locals.
In fact, the love of food is so common in this city that they have an expression that will become your new favorite: kuidaore, which literally means “eat yourself broke.” If you want to try Osaka street food, the district to do so is Dōtonbori.
There, and in other central Osaka districts, you’ll find the classic elements of Japanese cuisine: seafood, rice, and fresh vegetables! Don’t leave without trying a tako tamago (octopus skewer), kitsune udon (a bowl of tofu noodles), or the iconic fugu (the famous puffer fish).
9. Buenos Aires
Back in America, another must-see destination to try the best street food in the world is Buenos Aires, Argentina. Combining the traditional ingredients of Argentine food, meats and cheeses, Buenos Aires street food magnifies flavors and portions!
Beyond the famous choripán and empanadas, there is the fugazzeta (where Italian tradition blends with the city), the hot dog and, of course, the traditional street barbecues. And if you are a vegetarian, the city also offers veggie options!
Palermo and San Telmo are some of the areas with the best (and most expensive) street food in Buenos Aires. Other options are The Night Market (with Asian street food), the Patio de los Lecheros and the Patio Costanera Norte.
10. Naples
Have you heard of Neapolitan gastronomy? In case you didn’t know, the quintessential street food preparation was born in Naples: pizza! Imagine what it would be like to try this delight with the original recipe, in the land where it was born.
But Naples, and Italy in general, is not just about pizza. The sfogliatella (puff pastry stuffed with ricotta and other ingredients), the panzerotti (a stuffed pastry) or the ‘O Cuoppo (a cone full of fried foods) are other exponents of the rich street food that you can find in Naples.
What did you think of our list? Which destination did we fail to include? Surely after reading our top cities with the best street food in the world, you will not only be hungry for food, but also with a desire to travel! In the end, we agree that whatever your purpose, traveling makes you happy. Eat the world.
