Some vacations are planned around museums and landmarks. Others are planned around what to eat next. Luckily, there are plenty of places travelers can eat their way through without spending a fortune on fancy restaurants. From crowded night markets to family-run bakeries, some of the most memorable meals come wrapped in paper or served at a plastic table. A 2026 Time Out survey highlights just how much locals value street food in cities around the world. These 12 destinations are worth visiting with an appetite.
Mexico City, Mexico
You could spend an entire week in Mexico City eating tacos and still barely scratch the surface. Start with tacos al pastor, carved from a rotating spit, then try tlacoyos stuffed with beans or cheese and topped with salsa. Mercado de Coyoacan is a good place to sample traditional snacks, while neighborhood taquerias offer everything from suadero tacos to tortas. Roma and Condesa have plenty of options, although prices can be higher in their trendier spots. The real fun is trying something different at every stop.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans proves that a memorable meal doesn’t require a white tablecloth. Grab a fried shrimp po’boy from a neighborhood sandwich shop, order a bowl of gumbo, and save room for powdered-sugar-covered beignets. The French Market area makes an easy starting point, but some of the more tourist-heavy restaurants charge a premium. Venture into other neighborhoods for casual spots serving red beans and rice, jambalaya, and local seafood. Between meals, there’s plenty of music and history to enjoy, making the food crawl feel like part of the sightseeing.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the kind of city where dinner can turn into five separate meals. Along Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, vendors serve peppery noodle soups, grilled seafood, crispy snacks, and sweets well into the evening. Elsewhere, look for pad kra pao, a basil stir-fry often served over rice with a fried egg, or a plate of satay. Finish with mango sticky rice when it’s in season. Chinatown gets crowded after dark, and some popular stalls have long lines, but the variety makes wandering worthwhile.
Penang, Malaysia
Penang’s food scene reflects generations of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cooking, often brought together in lively hawker centers. In George Town, start with char kway teow, smoky stir-fried noodles cooked in a hot wok, then try tangy asam laksa or a plate of nasi kandar with your choice of curries. A bowl of cendol makes a refreshing dessert in the tropical heat. Food courts let everyone choose something different, although popular stalls can sell out or close earlier than expected.
Palermo, Italy
Forget the idea that eating well in Italy always means sitting down for a long restaurant meal. Palermo’s markets are packed with Sicilian specialties designed to be enjoyed while wandering. At Ballaro or Capo, try panelle, crispy chickpea fritters often tucked into bread, followed by an arancina or a slice of thick sfincione pizza. Cannoli make a fitting finish. The markets are busy, sometimes noisy, and not every vendor is a bargain, but they offer a delicious introduction to the city’s everyday food traditions.
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Osaka, Japan
Osaka takes casual eating seriously, and its most recognizable dishes are made for snacking. Head to Dotonbori for takoyaki, little batter balls filled with octopus, or sit down for okonomiyaki, a savory pancake loaded with cabbage and toppings. Over in Shinsekai, look for kushikatsu, skewers of meat and vegetables fried until crisp. Many shops specialize in just a few dishes, so you can build a meal around several stops. Dotonbori’s crowds and tourist-oriented prices can be frustrating, making smaller side streets worth exploring.
Istanbul, Turkey
In Istanbul, it’s easy to eat your way across the city without making a single dinner reservation. Start with a sesame-covered simit from a street cart, then stop at a bakery for flaky borek filled with cheese or spinach. Around Eminonu, grilled fish sandwiches offer a quick meal near the waterfront. Take a ferry to Kadikoy for food shops, casual eateries, and something sweet from a traditional bakery. Busy tourist areas can be expensive, so checking displayed prices before ordering is a good habit.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is filled with small restaurants where a few plastic stools and a steaming pot are often all that’s needed for a satisfying meal. Begin with pho, the fragrant noodle soup, then try bun cha, grilled pork served with rice noodles and herbs. Banh mi makes an easy snack between stops, while egg coffee offers a sweet afternoon break. Some of the most interesting places specialize in a single dish. Sidewalk seating can be cramped, and crossing busy streets requires patience, but the food is worth slowing down for.
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Oaxaca City, Mexico
Oaxaca City is a wonderful place to discover how much can be done with corn, beans, chiles, and generations of family recipes. Mercado 20 de Noviembre is a natural starting point for tlayudas, large toasted tortillas piled with toppings, along with grilled meats and regional dishes. Nearby market stalls also serve memelas, tamales, and traditional drinks. Save room to try one of Oaxaca’s famous moles, which vary considerably in ingredients and flavor. The busiest market aisles can feel overwhelming, so visiting outside peak mealtimes may be more comfortable.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City offers the sort of food crawl where breakfast, lunch, and dinner could all happen on the sidewalk. Start with com tam, broken rice served with grilled pork, then grab a banh mi or a crispy banh xeo pancake. Hu tieu noodle soup is another local favorite. The streets around Ben Thanh Market are an easy introduction, although food in tourist-heavy areas may cost more. Neighborhood eateries farther out can be rewarding, but traffic and the tropical heat make it wise to plan shorter outings.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles might be famous for expensive restaurants, but some of its most interesting food comes from trucks, markets, and small neighborhood businesses. Start in Boyle Heights for tacos and Mexican baked goods, then explore Koreatown for casual Korean dishes or look for Salvadoran pupusas elsewhere in the city. Regional pastries and family-run shops add even more variety. The challenge is getting around: Los Angeles is spread out, and parking can be frustrating. Pick one or two neighborhoods per outing rather than attempting to cross the entire city for lunch.
Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei’s night markets make it easy to turn dinner into an evening of sampling small dishes. At Raohe Night Market, look for pepper buns baked in hot ovens, then try an oyster omelet or a bowl of braised pork rice. Ningxia Night Market is another good stop for traditional snacks, with shaved ice offering a sweet finish. The markets can get crowded, especially on weekends, and seating isn’t always available. Still, being able to try several specialties without committing to a formal meal is much of the appeal.
