Exploring Africa’s small chops and snacks just got easier thanks to a recent ranking of the “best cities for street food” in the world that featured four destinations across the continent.
Last month, Time Out released its latest findings on the best places in the world to grab quick bites while on the go. Johannesburg, South Africa, aka “The City of Gold,” was the African locale that ranked highest on the list – tying with Bangkok, Thailand, for sixth place. One of Joburg’s staple street foods is kota, a hollowed quarter loaf of white bread filled with a stacked mix of preferred meats, French fries, cheese, eggs, and pickled ingredients. Another local favorite created from hollowed loaves is bunny chow, with each serving filled with whatever aromatic, delicious curry the seller is serving that day.
Visitors who want to enjoy Johannesburg’s street food should note that one dish can be called several different names or spelled several different ways. In addition to the comforting, filling, carb-fueled goodness of kota and bunny chow, other common street foods to try include maotwana (seasoned chicken feet) and Skopo (slow-cooked sheep, goat, or ox head).
The World’s Best Cities For Street Food In 2026
According to the publication, the pick for the world’s best cities for street food was based on locals’ opinions in each destination.
Trailing shortly behind Johannesburg was Marrakesh, Morocco, which tied with Mumbai, India, in seventh place. Other African cities included in the ranking of best cities for street food in 2026 were Nairobi, Kenya – which quadruple-tied for 10th place – and Accra, Ghana, in 11th place.
Overall, Asian destinations dominated the list, with 12 of the 20 named cities located within the continent. Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City got the biggest stamp of approval, being named the world’s No. 1 destination for street food. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, came in second. Jakarta, Indonesia, and Taipei, Taiwan, tied for third place. Mexico City, Mexico, and Manila, Philippines, tied for fourth, while Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, ranked fifth.
See Time Out’s Top 20 Best Street Food Cities list for 2026 below.
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 63%
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 62%
- Jakarta, Indonesia – 59%
- Taipei, Taiwan – 59%
- Mexico City, Mexico – 58%
- Manila, Philippines – 58%
- Hanoi, Vietnam – 57%
- Johannesburg, South Africa – 56%
- Bangkok, Thailand – 56%
- Mumbai, India – 55%
- Marrakesh, Morocco – 55%
- Los Angeles, United States – 54%
- Beijing, China – 54%
- Singapore, Singapore – 54%
- Jaipur, India – 53%
- Guadalajara, Mexico – 52%
- Nairobi, Kenya – 52%
- Bucharest, Romania – 52%
- New Delhi, India – 52%
- Accra, Ghana – 51%
