Johannesburg is officially one of the world's best cities for street food!

Johannesburg has been ranked the 8th best city in the world for street food in Time Out's latest global ranking, cementing its reputation as one of the planet's most exciting places to eat on the go. 

Joburg's street food scene is as much about culture as it is flavour! Across taxi ranks, townships and bustling neighbourhoods, vendors serve up affordable "plates" of pap with braaied meat, mogodu (tripe), diana (chicken offal), morogo (African spinach) and chakalaka, alongside local favourites like vetkoek and the iconic kota.

We absolutely love that these local classics are being celebrated alongside celebrated food capitals such as Hanoi and Bangkok. Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City claimed the top spot, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

The ranking, based on a global survey of locals, saw Joburg score 56 per cent overall, earning it a spot in the top 10.    

READ: A guide to Johannesburg's local street food   

If you need somewhere to start, Time Out Johannesburg's Nhlalala Mthembi swears by the R14 kota at Amanda's in Soweto. "A quarter loaf sliced open and filled with chips, polony, special sauce and achaar... it holds together as something whole, sturdy, satisfying and balanced with the ease of someone who knows the craft by muscle memory. You don't eat the kota at Amanda's and wonder about technique, you just eat it and feel satisfied after." 

READ: Inside Soweto’s Best Kept Secret: Why Amanda’s R14 kotas are the real deal 

Time Out Cultural Connector Nick Hamman has also spotlighted Joburg's vibrant street food scene through his travels, with one standout being The Hot Pot Kitchen in Midrand. The family-run food truck celebrates indigenous ingredients and township flavours with dishes including grilled mala (chicken feet), masonja (mopane worms), flame-grilled tilapia and hearty pap plates.

"This is one of the best places in Joburg to eat the kind of South African food that still gets treated like it does not belong in the 'serious' food conversation. The menu is rooted in indigenous ingredients, township taste, and home-style cooking," adds Nick.    

READ: The 11 best places to taste the African continent in Johannesburg  

While cities across Asia dominate the list, Johannesburg stands out for its uniquely South African mix of flavours. Pull up a plastic chair, and you'll find that eating on the streets of Johannesburg is also about community and conversation.

And of course, we can't forget to mention Cape Town's appearance in Time Out's overall 2026 World's Best Food Cities ranking earlier this year. These are so much more than global accolades for South Africa's food scene, as travellers continue to choose to experience destinations through their food heritage and culture.   

The Top 10 best cities for street food in 2026 list

1. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 63 percent
2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 62 percent
3. Jakarta, Indonesia – 59 percent
4. Taipei, Taiwan – 59 percent
5. Mexico City, Mexico – 58 percent
6. Manila, Philippines – 58 percent
7. Hanoi, Vietnam – 57 percent
8. Johannesburg, South Africa – 56 percent
9. Bangkok, Thailand – 56 percent
10. Mumbai, India – 55 percent

Click here to see the full list of 20 best street food cities     

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