Street Food Tours Around the World: Where to Find the Best Bites?

Street food is often a reflection of a region’s history, traditions, and culinary culture. By taking local street food tours, you can learn about the area’s customs and experience flavors unique to that place.

Street food tours can introduce you to new foods and flavors that you may not have tried before. It’s an opportunity to expand your palate and try something different. Besides, taking a street food tour can be the best choice as it is often much cheaper than dining in a restaurant. So, it is a great option for travelers on a budget. 

It’s also often available at all hours of the day and night, making it a convenient option for those on a tight schedule. There are many destinations for street food tours around the world that offer you the best delicacies. If you are thinking of going on such a tour, we have covered some of the best cities for you. 

Top Cities that offer best street food tours

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Bangkok, Thailand

SA street food tours in Bangkok, Thailand, is a must-do for any food lover. Bangkok’s street food scene is famous for its incredible variety of flavors and dishes, from spicy soups to sweet desserts. 

Here’s a sample itinerary for street food tours in Bangkok:

1. Start with breakfast at Yaowarat Road, also known as Bangkok’s Chinatown. Here you’ll find stalls selling jok (rice porridge), pa thong ko (deep-fried dough sticks), and khao niew mamuang (mango sticky rice).
2. Head to the Bang Rak neighborhood for lunch. Try some of Bangkok’s most famous street food dishes like pad Thai, green curry, and tom yum soup. Some of the best stalls are located in the Bang Rak Market and the nearby Silom Soi 20.
3. In the afternoon, visit the Tha Pra Chan Pier area for some sweet treats. Try the classic Thai dessert of mango sticky rice, or sample some kanom krok (coconut pancakes) or khanom buang (crispy pancakes filled with cream and coconut).
4. As the sun sets, head to the street food stalls along Sukhumvit Road for dinner. Try some of Bangkok’s most famous dishes like som tum (spicy papaya salad), khao man gai (chicken and rice), and gai tod (fried chicken).
5. Finish the night with a stroll along the bustling streets of Khao San Road. Here you’ll find more street food stalls selling everything from fresh fruit smoothies to fried insects. Be adventurous and try something new!

This itinerary is just a starting point, and there are countless street food stalls and neighborhoods to explore in Bangkok. Joining a guided street food tour can be a great way to learn about the city’s food culture and try some of the best dishes without getting lost in the crowds.

Mexico City, Mexico

Street food tours in Mexico City is a must-do for anyone visiting the city. Mexico City’s street food scene is renowned for its bold flavors and unique dishes, from classic tacos to lesser-known specialties. 

Here’s a sample itinerary for a street food tour in Mexico City:

1. Start the day with breakfast at El Huequito, one of the city’s most famous taquerias. Try their al pastor tacos, a Mexico City specialty made with marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit.
2. Head to the Mercado de San Juan to try some of Mexico’s more exotic street food offerings, like escamoles (ant eggs), chapulines (grasshoppers), and even iguana or crocodile meat.
3. Next, visit the Mercado de Coyoacán for some of Mexico City’s most famous street food dishes. Try some tlacoyos (thick tortillas filled with beans, cheese, or meat), quesadillas (tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients), and churros (crispy fried dough covered in sugar and cinnamon).
4. In the afternoon, head to the Colonia Roma neighborhood to try some of the city’s best street food from food trucks and stands. Try the deliciously spicy salsas at Taqueria El Califa, and don’t miss the delicious Tostadas de Coyoacán.
5. Finish the night with a visit to El Parnita, a trendy taqueria known for its innovative twists on traditional Mexican street food. Try their tacos de tuétano (bone marrow tacos) or the tacos de camarón (shrimp tacos).

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Mumbai City, India

Mumbai, India, is known for its vibrant street food scene and bustling markets. Street food tours in Mumbai is an excellent way to experience the city’s unique flavors and culinary culture.

1. Start the day at the famous Swati Snacks, located in Tardeo. Try their signature dish, the dahi puri, which is a crispy hollow puri filled with potato, chickpeas, and topped with yogurt, chutneys, and sev.
2. Next, head to Mohammad Ali Road to experience the vibrant street food stalls during Ramadan. Try the kebabs, biryani, and tandoori chicken, and don’t forget to end your meal with some deliciously sweet malpua and phirni.
3. In the afternoon, visit the Girgaum Chowpatty beach to try some of Mumbai’s most famous street food snacks. Try the vada pav, a spicy potato patty served in a bun, or the bhel puri, a mixture of puffed rice, vegetables, and tangy chutneys.
4. Then, head to the Crawford Market area to try some of Mumbai’s famous sweets like rasgulla, gulab jamun, and pedas. Don’t forget to try the famous falooda, a sweet drink made with rose syrup, vermicelli, and milk.
5. End the night with a visit to Bademiya, a legendary street food stall located in Colaba. Try their delicious kebabs, tikka rolls, and seekh paratha.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey is a city with a rich culinary tradition and a vibrant street food scene. A street food tour in Istanbul is an excellent way to experience the city’s unique flavors and culinary culture.

1. Start the day at Simit Sarayi, a popular bakery chain in Istanbul, where you can try the famous simit, a sesame-covered bread ring, served with cheese or Nutella.
2. Next, head to the Eminönü district, near the Bosphorus, to try some of Istanbul’s most famous street food dishes. Try the balik ekmek (grilled fish sandwich), which is made with freshly caught fish, lettuce, onions, and a squeeze of lemon juice, and the kokoreç (spicy grilled lamb intestines).
3. In the afternoon, visit the Kadikoy district, located on the Asian side of Istanbul. Here, you can try the famous lahmacun, a thin and crispy pizza-like dish, topped with minced meat, vegetables, and spices.
4. Then, head to the bustling Istiklal Street in the Beyoglu district to try some of Istanbul’s famous street desserts. Try the baklava, a sweet pastry made with layers of filo pastry and honey syrup, and the künefe, a dessert made with cheese, soaked in syrup, and topped with pistachios.
5. End the night with a visit to the famous Taksim Square, where you can try some of the best döner kebab in Istanbul. Try the traditional lamb or beef döner, or opt for the chicken or vegetarian options.

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Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, Morocco is a city with a vibrant street food scene that is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture and traditions. Street food tours in Marrakech is an excellent way to experience the city’s unique flavors and culinary culture.

1. Start the day at Djemaa El Fna, the main square in the heart of Marrakech’s Medina. Here, you can try a traditional Moroccan breakfast, which usually consists of msemen (a type of flatbread), honey, butter, and mint tea.
2. Next, head to the Mellah neighborhood, where you can try some of the best tagine in the city. Tagine is a slow-cooked stew made with meat or vegetables, spices, and dried fruits, and is usually served with bread or couscous.
3. In the afternoon, visit the souks (markets) in the Medina, where you can try some of the city’s most famous street food snacks. Try the b’stilla, a sweet and savory pastry filled with pigeon meat, almonds, and spices, or the harira, a hearty soup made with lentils, chickpeas, and meat.
4. Then, head to the Hivernage neighborhood, located just outside the Medina, to try some of the city’s famous street desserts. Try the chebakia, a sweet fried dough coated in honey syrup and sesame seeds, and the sellou, a sweet and nutty paste made with almonds, sesame seeds, and honey.
5. End the night with a visit to one of the city’s many food stalls, where you can try some of the best kebabs in Marrakech. Try the lamb or beef kebabs, or opt for the vegetarian options like grilled vegetables or falafel.

Osaka, Japan

Osaka, Japan is known for its vibrant street food culture, and a street food tour in Osaka is a great way to explore the city’s unique culinary scene. 

1. Start the day at Kuromon Ichiba Market, a large covered market in central Osaka. Here, you can try some of Osaka’s most famous street food dishes, including takoyaki (octopus balls), grilled scallops, and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).
2. Next, head to Dotonbori, a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Osaka, to try some of the city’s most famous street food snacks. Try the okonomiyaki (savory pancake), which is made with cabbage, meat or seafood, and a variety of toppings, or the katsu sando (pork cutlet sandwich), which is made with crispy fried pork and soft white bread.
3. In the afternoon, visit the Shinsekai neighborhood, which is known for its casual eateries and street food vendors. Try the kushikatsu again, as this neighborhood is famous for it, and also try other Osaka specialties like fugu (blowfish) and kushikatsu curry.
4. Then, head to the Umeda Sky Building, a famous landmark in Osaka, to try some of the city’s famous street desserts. Try the famous fluffy Japanese pancakes or the taiyaki (fish-shaped cake with sweet filling).
5. End the night at a local izakaya (pub), where you can enjoy some of the best local sake and small dishes like edamame, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and sashimi.

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Berlin, Germany

Berlin, Germany has a diverse and exciting street food scene that reflects the city’s multicultural makeup. Street food tours in Berlin is a great way to explore the city’s unique flavors and culinary culture.

1. Start the day at Markthalle Neun, a historic indoor market in the Kreuzberg neighborhood. Here, you can try some of the city’s most famous street food dishes, including currywurst (a German sausage with curry ketchup) and schnitzel (a breaded cutlet of meat).
2. Next, head to Street Food Thursday, a weekly food festival that takes place in Markthalle Neun every Thursday evening. Here, you can try a variety of international street food dishes from vendors around the city, including Korean barbecue, Vietnamese pho, and Mexican tacos.
3. In the afternoon, visit the Turkish market at Maybachufer, which takes place every Tuesday and Friday. Here, you can try a variety of Turkish and Middle Eastern street food dishes, including falafel, shawarma, and borek (a savory pastry).
4. Then, head to the Friedrichshain neighborhood to try some of the city’s famous street desserts. Try the famous Berliner donut, which is filled with jam or cream, or the popular cheesecake.
5. End the night at one of the city’s many beer gardens, where you can enjoy a variety of local beers and German pub food like pretzels and sausages.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam is famous for its vibrant street food scene and is considered one of the best cities in the world for street food. 

1. Start the day at Pho Gia Truyen, a famous pho noodle soup restaurant in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Here, you can try the traditional beef pho, which is a staple dish in Vietnamese cuisine.
2. Next, explore the streets of the Old Quarter, which are filled with street food vendors selling a variety of dishes like banh mi (a Vietnamese baguette sandwich), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), and nem cua be (crab spring rolls).
3. In the afternoon, visit the Hang Be Market, a bustling outdoor market that offers a wide variety of street food and fresh produce. Here, you can try some of the city’s famous snacks, like banh cuon (steamed rice rolls filled with pork and mushrooms) and che (a sweet dessert made with beans, fruits, and coconut milk).
4. Then, head to the Hoan Kiem Lake, a scenic lake in the center of the city, to try some of the city’s famous egg coffee, which is made with whipped egg yolks, condensed milk, and coffee.
5. End the night at a local beer corner, where you can enjoy some of the best local beer and street food dishes like grilled meat skewers and fried rice cakes.

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New York City, USA

New York City, USA is known for its diverse and vibrant food scene, including its famous street food. Sreet food tours in NYC is a great way to explore the city’s unique flavors and culinary culture. Here’s a sample itinerary for street food tours in NYC:

1. Start the day at a traditional bagel shop, like Russ & Daughters, to try a classic New York bagel with cream cheese and lox.
2. Next, head to the popular Smorgasburg food market, which takes place on the weekends in different locations around the city. Here, you can try a variety of international street food dishes from vendors around the city, including ramen burgers, lobster rolls, and artisanal ice cream.
3. In the afternoon, visit the famous hot dog stands in Times Square, where you can try a classic New York-style hot dog with sauerkraut, mustard, and onions.
4. Then, head to the Halal Guys food cart, which is famous for its chicken and rice platters and gyros.
5. End the night at a local pizza shop, like Di Fara Pizza or Lombardi’s, where you can try a classic New York-style pizza with a thin crust and delicious toppings.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Street food tours in Rio de Janeiro are a great way to explore the city’s unique flavors and culinary culture.

1. Start the day at a traditional juice stand, like Bibi Sucos, where you can try a variety of fresh fruit juices and acai bowls.
2. Next, head to the famous T.T. Burger to try a classic Brazilian burger made with ingredients like pineapple, bacon, and grilled onions.
3. In the afternoon, visit the Feira de São Cristóvão, a large outdoor market that specializes in Northeastern Brazilian cuisine. Here, you can try dishes like feijoada (a stew made with black beans and pork) and acarajé (fried black-eyed pea fritters filled with shrimp and spices).
4. Then, head to a local churrascaria, like Porcão Rio’s, where you can try a variety of grilled meats, including picanha (Brazilian sirloin steak), linguiça (sausage), and frango (chicken).
5. End the night at a local street food stand, like Carioca da Gema, where you can try traditional Brazilian snacks like coxinha (fried dough filled with chicken) and bolinho de bacalhau (fried cod fritters).

Wrapping It Up!

In conclusion, street food tours are a fantastic way to experience the local culture and cuisine of different cities around the world. 

From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the vibrant neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro, street food offers a unique window into the daily lives of the locals and their culinary traditions. 

Whether you’re a foodie looking to try new flavors or a traveler interested in learning about different cultures, street food tours offer a fun and immersive way to explore new destinations.

With so many amazing street food destinations to choose from, there’s no shortage of culinary adventures waiting to be discovered.

Also, don’t forget to check out our amazing article on digital detox.

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