Having previously brought you the best street food countries in South-East Asia, as well as best cities in Asia, I felt it high time I did the best street food cities in the world.
The criteria for the best street food cities in the world is fairly simple in that I should have at least been to the country. Luckily I have to 180+ countries, so the only real big hitters that might be missing are Brazil and much of Southern Africa.
Click to check out the 10 best street food cities in Asia.
10 Best Street Food Cities in The World
As always we count down form ten and thus finish with the overall victor in the race to be the best street food city in the world.
10) Bangkok, Thailand
It is fairly impossible to read, or indeed create any list about the best street food in the world that does not include Bangkok. Not only is Thai cuisine one of the best in the world, but one of the biggest, best value and varied street food scenes in the world.
Must try – Grilled squid
9) Rome, ItalyThere is perhaps no better a day than exploring Rome by food. Italian food is good, but Roman food is to another level. Supplì, porchetta sandwiches, tripe, and oxtail stew all pop up in street markets or roadside carts. Cheap, delicious, and unapologetically Roman.
Must try – Trapizzino
Photo: Trapizzino
8) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Higher than Bangkok? You betcha! In fact Phnom Penh street food is one of the most underrated in the world. Here you can eat everything from beef skewers, duck fetus eggs, pork and rice, kuy teav and all for under a buck. Street food heaven.
Must try – Khmer Fried Noodles
7) New York, USA
While American food is often ropy at best New York exists in its own universe. And despite being one of the most expensive cities on the list, the street food is still obscenely good value with a slice of good pizza still being just a buck. From halal carts to Jamaican patties and dirty-water dogs to Korean tacos, the world is literally on the sidewalk.
Must try – Lamb over rice from a halal cart
6) Osaka, Japan
If it were a list of the 100 best street food cities in the world then Japan might well have 10 of them. Yet while Japanese street food is good, the best of Japan is in Osaka. This is the home of takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu and other weird and wonderful things — all washed down with a cold Strong Zero.
Must try – Raw chicken
5) Bogota, Colombia
One of my favorite cities in general, with the street food being merely the icing on the cake in giving it a best street food city in the world award. Great spicy food all around you. Empanadas, arepas, buñuelos, and street-side grilled meat that smells better than it looks (and it looks amazing).
Must try – Arepa con queso
4) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopian cuisine is the only one from Africa that you will find globally and that is because it is bloody good. It is also much more than just injera, as shown by the vibrant street food scene of the capital. Fried fish, sambusas, spicy lentil dishes, and deep-fried street snacks hit you in the face from every angle.
Must try – Sambusa
3) Macao, Macao
The perfect fusion of Chinese, Macanese and Portuguese cuisines make this one of the best overall food places in the world. It is though with street food that Macau excels as evidenced by dishes such as pork chop buns, curry fishballs, African chicken, and sweet egg tarts cooked over charcoal.
Must try – Pork chop bun
2) Mexico City, Mexico
There is no world in which Mexico City isn’t top-tier for street food. Tacos are the king here — with al pastor, carnitas, suadero and more being served up on every corner. You’ve also got tamales, tlacoyos, esquites, and late-night tortas drowning in spice and fat.
Must try – Tacos al pastor
1) Da Lat, Vietnam
And the best of the best of the street food cities of the world is Da Lat in Vietnam, but how did I reach said conclusion? Well Vietnam has hands down the best street food in the world (I am not kidding), and Da Lat has the best in Vietnam. What sets it apart in my mind is the cool climate which gives it the best of the rest, as well as many very good local varietals. Spoiler alert though, street food is great EVERYWHERE in Vietnam.
Must try – Bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese pizza)
And that marks The Street Food Guy’s take on the best street food cities in the world! Do you think I got it right, or you care too challenge me on my choices?
