Our guide on the Best Street Food Around the World And Where To Try the most delicious dishes and cities where you can eat them.
Exploring street food is one of the best ways to experience the culture and flavors of a destination. From spicy snacks to sweet treats, street food offers authentic, local dishes at affordable prices.
Street food offers an authentic taste of a country’s culture and cuisine, often at a fraction of the price of restaurant meals. Whether you’re indulging in tacos in Mexico, savoring pho in Vietnam, or enjoying churros in Spain, these street food dishes are a must-try for any food lover traveling the world.
In this post, we’re rounding up 15 of the best street foods around the world and exactly where to try them — from iconic dishes to hidden gems that locals swear by. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first international trip, this guide will show you where to skip the tourist menus and dive fork-first into the world’s most beloved street eats.
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Quick & Easy Tips for Enjoying Street Food Safely
Follow the locals – If a food cart or stall is drawing a steady crowd of locals, that’s a great sign. High turnover = fresh food.
Eat during peak hours – Busy times mean freshly cooked meals. Avoid food that’s been sitting out for hours.
Bring small cash – Most street vendors only accept cash. Local currency in small denominations makes the process smoother.
Trust your nose and eyes – Delicious smells and visible cleanliness are your best guides. If it looks good and smells great, it usually is.
Know a few local food words – Learning how to ask for “not spicy” or “no meat” can help you order more confidently and avoid surprises.
Contrary to what many guidebooks or cautious travelers say, street food is often safer than cheap sit-down restaurants. Why? Because the food is cooked in front of you, eaten right away, and prepared in high-traffic spots where freshness is essential. Restaurants with low turnover and hidden kitchens can be far riskier in comparison.
Another misunderstood truth is that some of the world’s best dishes aren’t even served in restaurants. Iconic foods like Thailand’s pad kra pao, Turkey’s doner kebab, or Colombia’s arepas are best — and sometimes only — found on the street. In fact, many chefs train under their families at these stalls long before opening formal establishments.
Finally, let’s be real: street food is cultural wealth, but it’s often overlooked in favor of “fine dining” experiences curated for tourists. By eating street food, you’re supporting small businesses, families, and tradition. It’s not just about saving money — it’s about spending it where it matters most: with locals who put love and skill into every bite.
Best Street Food And Where To Try
1. Tacos – Mexico
Why You Should Try It: Tacos are a staple of Mexican street food, offering endless varieties of fillings like marinated meats, fresh vegetables, and flavorful salsas, all wrapped in a soft corn tortilla. Street taco stalls, known as taquerías, are an essential part of Mexican cuisine.
Must-Try Tacos:
Tacos al Pastor: Marinated pork shaved from a vertical spit, served with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.
Tacos de Carnitas: Slow-cooked pork, tender and juicy.
Where to Try It: Mexico City is famous for its street taco culture, but you’ll find delicious tacos all over the country.
2. Pad Thai – Thailand
Why You Should Try It: Pad Thai is Thailand’s most famous street food, a stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, egg, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, peanuts, and tamarind sauce. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory.
Must-Try Version:
Pad Thai Goong: Made with shrimp, this is one of the most authentic variations.
Where to Try It: Street food stalls in Bangkok and Chiang Mai are known for their delicious and affordable Pad Thai.
3. Souvlaki – Greece
Why You Should Try It: Souvlaki consists of skewered and grilled meat, typically served with pita bread, vegetables, and tzatziki sauce. It’s a quick, delicious bite and one of Greece’s most popular street foods.
Must-Try Version:
Souvlaki with Pork or Chicken: Grilled to perfection and served with refreshing tzatziki, it’s the perfect balance of flavor.
Where to Try It: You’ll find the best souvlaki at street stalls in Athens and Santorini.
4. Banh Mi – Vietnam
Why You Should Try It: A French-inspired Vietnamese sandwich, Banh Mi combines crispy baguettes with a variety of fillings such as pork, chicken, pâté, pickled vegetables, and cilantro. It’s a perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese flavors.
Must-Try Version:
Banh Mi Thit: A classic version with pork and pickled vegetables.
Where to Try It: Try it from a street vendor in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
5. Falafel – Middle East
Why You Should Try It: Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, mixed with spices, and deep-fried to perfection. Often served in pita bread with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce, falafel is a delicious and vegetarian-friendly option.
Must-Try Version:
Falafel Sandwich: Served in pita bread with hummus, tahini, and salad.
Where to Try It: Try falafel from a street vendor in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Cairo.
6. Empanadas – Argentina
Why You Should Try It: Empanadas are savory turnovers filled with ingredients like beef, chicken, or cheese. They’re crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside, making them a popular snack or meal throughout Latin America, especially in Argentina.
Must-Try Version:
Empanada de Carne: Filled with seasoned ground beef, onion, and spices.
Where to Try It: Street markets in Buenos Aires are known for their delicious empanadas.
7. Dosas – India
Why You Should Try It: Dosas are crispy, thin pancakes made from fermented rice batter, typically filled with spiced potatoes and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup). This South Indian street food is flavorful and filling.
Must-Try Version:
Masala Dosa: Stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes.
Where to Try It: Try dosas from food stalls in Bangalore or Chennai.
8. Jerk Chicken – Jamaica
Why You Should Try It: Jerk chicken is a fiery, flavorful dish where chicken is marinated in a spicy jerk sauce, then grilled over an open flame. The result is tender, smoky, and full of flavor with the perfect kick of spice.
Must-Try Version:
Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas: A traditional pairing that balances out the heat.
Where to Try It: You’ll find the best jerk chicken at street food stalls in Kingston and Montego Bay.
9. Takoyaki – Japan
Why You Should Try It: Takoyaki are savory balls of batter filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, and green onions, topped with takoyaki sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes. This is a popular Japanese street snack, especially at festivals.
Must-Try Version:
Classic Takoyaki: Filled with octopus and topped with traditional sauces.
Where to Try It: Try takoyaki from street vendors in Osaka, its birthplace.
10. Churros – Spain
Why You Should Try It: Churros are long, crispy fried dough pastries, often dusted with sugar and cinnamon, and served with a cup of thick, rich chocolate for dipping. They’re a delicious treat at any time of day, especially for breakfast or a late-night snack.
Must-Try Version:
Churros con Chocolate: Served with a hot cup of thick chocolate for dipping.
Where to Try It: The best churros can be found in Madrid and Seville.
11. Pho – Vietnam
Why You Should Try It: Pho is a flavorful Vietnamese noodle soup made with a savory broth, rice noodles, and herbs, typically served with beef or chicken. This comforting street food is enjoyed at all times of the day in Vietnam.
Must-Try Version:
Pho Bo: Made with beef and served with fresh herbs and lime.
Where to Try It: The best pho is served by street vendors in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
12. Arepas – Colombia & Venezuela
Why You Should Try It: Arepas are cornmeal cakes that are grilled or fried and stuffed with a variety of fillings such as cheese, meats, or avocado. They’re a traditional snack in Colombia and Venezuela, with each country offering its own delicious variations.
Must-Try Version:
Arepa de Queso: Filled with melted cheese for a simple but satisfying bite.
Where to Try It: Bogotá in Colombia and Caracas in Venezuela are famous for their street arepas.
13. Bunny Chow – South Africa
Why You Should Try It: Bunny Chow is a South African street food consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. Originally from Durban, it’s a hearty and flavorful dish that blends Indian and South African cuisine.
Must-Try Version:
Lamb or Chicken Bunny Chow: Filled with flavorful curry.
Where to Try It: Try it at street vendors in Durban, South Africa.
14. Poutine – Canada
Why You Should Try It: Poutine is a beloved Canadian street food dish made with crispy French fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort food and is often customized with additional toppings like pulled pork or bacon.
Must-Try Version:
Classic Poutine: Simple but delicious fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Where to Try It: You’ll find the best poutine in Montreal or Quebec City.
15. Pastéis de Nata – Portugal
Why You Should Try It: Pastéis de nata are traditional Portuguese egg custard tarts with a flaky, buttery crust and a creamy filling, often dusted with cinnamon or powdered sugar. They’re a delicious treat at any time of day.
Must-Try Version:
Classic Pastéis de Nata: Served warm with cinnamon on top.
Where to Try It: The most famous pastéis de nata come from Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon.
Final Thoughts
Street food isn’t just a way to eat — it’s a way to experience the world more fully. It invites you to pause, observe, and engage with a place in its rawest, most flavorful form. The stories shared over grilled skewers or freshly stuffed dumplings are often more lasting than anything captured on a travel itinerary.
If you’re chasing authenticity, skip the overpriced tourist restaurants and head to the local food stalls. Listen for sizzling grills, follow your nose down alleyways, and don’t be afraid to try something unfamiliar. This is where travel becomes personal — and delicious.
So next time you’re booking a trip, plan beyond the sights and the stay. Make room in your itinerary — and your stomach — for street food. Because no travel memory is complete without sauce on your fingers and the sound of laughter echoing through a crowded market.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.