These 15 Cities Serve the World’s Best Cheap Street Food

You don’t need white tablecloths or fancy menus to eat well. Some of the world’s best meals come wrapped in paper, served from a cart, and devoured curbside. From sizzling skewers to noodle bowls and spicy stews, these 15 cities offer unforgettable street food—often for less than the price of a coffee back home. If you’re hungry and on a budget, here’s where your taste buds should go.

1. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a street food paradise, where you can eat a full, delicious meal for the price of a fancy coffee. Head to places like Yaowarat (Chinatown), Victory Monument, or Silom at night, and you’ll find stalls serving up pad Thai, grilled chicken skewers, mango sticky rice, and more for just $1 to $3 per item. You can sit on plastic stools, watch your food being made in front of you, and soak in the nonstop energy. It’s cheap, fast, and packed with flavor.

2. Mexico City, Mexico

Tacos are practically an art form in Mexico City—and they’re dirt cheap. For $5, you can eat 3–5 tacos filled with grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, or spicy veggies. Add on a cup of fresh fruit or an agua fresca and you’ve got a full meal. Neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Coyoacán are full of great street food stalls. Don’t miss the tamales, tlacoyos, or churros for dessert.

3. Hanoi, Vietnam

In Hanoi, you can walk through the Old Quarter and find yourself surrounded by sizzling pans, plastic stools, and the smell of pho in the air. A bowl of steaming hot pho costs around $2, and a fresh banh mi sandwich is often under $1. If you’ve still got change, grab a Vietnamese iced coffee or some spring rolls. You can eat like a king while sitting on a tiny sidewalk stool with locals around you.

4. Kolkata, India

Known for its chaat, street rolls, and spicy snacks, Kolkata is a street food lover’s dream. Kathi rolls—flatbreads stuffed with eggs, meat, or vegetables—cost around $1. Puchkas (a local twist on pani puri) are spicy, tangy, and come in generous portions. For $5, you can sample a whole range of dishes. Head to Park Street or college areas where students gather and snack stalls thrive.

5. Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul’s street food is a beautiful mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. For $1–2, you can pick up a simit (a sesame-covered bread ring), a grilled corn cob, or a cup of fresh pomegranate juice. One of the most popular snacks is a doner kebab sandwich, often under $3. Near the Galata Bridge, try a fish sandwich straight from the boat. It’s quick, filling, and full of local flavor.

6. Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta’s warungs and street stalls serve flavorful meals for a fraction of restaurant prices. Nasi goreng (fried rice), mie ayam (chicken noodles), and satay skewers can all be found for around $1–2. You’ll see carts everywhere—outside malls, down side streets, and even near bus stops. Add in a fresh juice or iced tea, and you’re still well under $5 for the whole meal.

7. Marrakech, Morocco

The Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech transforms every evening into a massive open-air dining hall. Food stalls sell harira soup, grilled meats, couscous, and even snail soup for under $2 per plate. Fresh-squeezed orange juice is a must, and a hot cup of mint tea rounds things off. The scene is lively and theatrical—vendors calling out, grills smoking, and music filling the air.

8. Manila, Philippines

Street food in Manila is all about variety and bold flavors. You’ll find isaw (grilled chicken intestines), balut (fertilized duck egg), fish balls, and banana cue (caramelized bananas) being sold for coins. Stick to areas around universities and public markets for the best deals. With $5, you can try a mix of 4–5 different dishes and still have money for halo-halo, a colorful shaved ice dessert.

9. Cairo, Egypt

In Cairo, $5 can get you a full plate of koshari—a hearty mix of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and tomato sauce—plus a drink and dessert. You can also grab taameya (Egyptian falafel), shawarma wraps, or ful medames (spiced fava beans). Street vendors are everywhere, especially in downtown Cairo and near mosques. The food is filling, flavorful, and fast.

10. Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi may not be the first place you think of for street food, but it’s a hidden gem. Try khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), a couple of khinkali (juicy dumplings), and wash it down with a glass of tarragon soda—all for under $5. Local bakeries and street vendors serve up warm, hearty food that’s perfect for travelers on a budget. Bonus: most of it comes fresh from the oven.

11. Lima, Peru

Lima is known for its incredible gastronomy, and you don’t need a reservation at a fancy restaurant to try it. Ceviche might cost more, but you can get anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers), papa rellena (stuffed potatoes), or empanadas from street vendors for $1–2 each. Near parks and plazas, you’ll find carts selling churros or fresh juices for pennies.

12. Amman, Jordan

Amman’s streets are filled with the smell of fresh bread and grilled meats. You can grab a falafel sandwich or shawarma for around $1. Add some hummus, pickles, and flatbread, and you’ve got a full meal under budget. The city also has sweet treats like knafeh and fresh juice stands everywhere. Downtown and Rainbow Street are great starting points.

13. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Southern Vietnam has its own twist on street food: sweeter, more fragrant, and just as affordable. Try bánh xèo (crispy rice pancakes), hủ tiếu (noodle soup), and a sugarcane juice—all for under $5. Vendors set up tiny stalls and plastic chairs along sidewalks, turning every corner into a mini food court. The food is fast, hot, and packed with flavor.

14. Oaxaca, Mexic

In Oaxaca, street food is a cultural experience. Tlayudas (large crispy tortillas topped with beans, meat, and cheese), memelas, and tamales are all cheap and satisfying. Local markets are packed with stalls offering delicious bites for $1–2 each. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try chapulines—roasted grasshoppers. Crunchy, salty, and full of protein.

15. Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore is one of the best food cities in South Asia—and it’s incredibly budget-friendly. Grab spicy chicken kebabs, parathas, chana chaat, or creamy kulfi ice cream from street vendors. Gawalmandi and Anarkali are famous food streets, bustling with locals at all hours. For $5, you can sample a whole meal and still leave with dessert.