12 European Spots With the Best Street Food Scenes
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One of the best ways to tour a place and live like a local is to indulge in the street food scene of the destination. While historical enthusiasts may look for historical landmarks in their next destination, foodies will always be out to try the culinary delights of the location. If you are a foodie, the street food scene in these 12 European spots will make a great culinary destination for you.
1. Istanbul, Turkey
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The street food scene in Istanbul is massive. Besides offering unique and delicious options, street food in Istanbul can be found in every corner you take; you don’t have to walk miles to get roadside sellers or a street food market.
However, for a more vibrant scene, be sure to stop by Eminönü District, Karaköy, Kadıköy Market, and Taksim Square; you will be spoilt for choice in these spots.
While there are numerous options, try Balık Ekmek, freshly grilled fish, Döner Kebab, Turkish bagels called Simit, and Turkish pizza called Lahmacun.
Read: Must-Visit Cities in Europe
2. Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s street food scene is known for its diversity, originating from its multicultural population.
Markthalle Neun, an indoor market in the Kreuzberg neighborhood, hosts the renowned Street Food Thursday event. At this event, street food vendors from all over the world showcase and sell their food. This is the perfect opportunity to sample Middle Eastern, European, African, and Mediterranean cuisine in one place.
Some snack bars you want to stop by include Curry 36, Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap for mouth-watering Turkish kebabs, and Thai Park. Your trip to Berlin is never complete without munching on Currywurst, Bockwurst, Bratwurst, Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes), and Fischbrötchen (Fish Sandwich).
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3. Naples, Italy
Naples street food scene is for travelers who want fresh food on a budget. It is recognized as the world’s pizza capital, making it the perfect place to try many pizza variations and other snacks.
Make sure to get your hands on Pizza Margherita, Pizza Marinara, Sfogliatella, Frittelle, and gelato. The streets of Naples are dotted with numerous Pizzerias, you will be spoiled for choice. However, marketplaces such as Mercato di Porta Nolana and Mercato di Pignasecca are treasure troves for street food lovers.
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4. London, United Kingdom
London is one place to enjoy authentic dishes and street foods from various corners of the world. From spicy Indian curries to Mexican Tacos, there is something for every palette in London. You also get to enjoy traditional recipes, some unique to the food stalls you choose to eat at.
Some havens for street food lovers in London include the bustling Borough Market, Brick Lane Market, Camden Market, Southbank Center Food Market, and Malthy Market.
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5. Paris, France
Parisian street food is loved for its fresh and flavorful features. Also, the diversity of the food here is something you will rarely find elsewhere. The cuisine is typically a blend of French, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African ingredients, allowing tourists to sample more than “entirely French.”
Some of Paris’s best street food spots include Rue des Rosiers (Le Marais), Marché des Enfants Rouges, Rue Mouffetard, Marché Bastille, and Canal Saint-Martin. While touring these market centers, some street foods to look out for include crepes (thin pancakes with different flavors and sauces), baguettes, sandwiches, macarons, falafel, and croissants.
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6. Budapest, Hungary
Visiting Budapest is a chance to enjoy hearty and flavorful Hungarian Dishes. There is so much to explore, budget travelers rarely need to go to restaurants to get a decent meal. Some of the loved street food spots in the city include Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok), Kazinczy Street Market, and Hold Street Market.
You may also want to catch a bite from the food trucks at Erzsébet Square. While Budapest’s street food options are incredibly diverse, it is always a great idea to go for what is genuinely local when visiting. Some recommended options include Langos, Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács), Stuffed Cabbage (Töltött Káposzta) and Hungarian Sausages (Kolbász).
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7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Start your street food tour in Amsterdam at Albert Cuyp Market, which offers a variety of Dutch specialties. It is the perfect place to enjoy stroopwafels (syrup waffles), herring sandwiches, and poffertjes (mini pancakes). Other great street food spots in the city include Foodhallen, known for Vietnamese banh mi, and Dutch bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs).
You also want to try delicacies from the Febo vending machines and the Vondelpark food trucks.
Street food here is relatively easy to access, from streets to markets and even parks.
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8. Krakow, Poland
Krakow is where to enjoy the street food scene in Eastern Europe. Look for food trucks and stalls around the major tourist attractions. They are the perfect place to catch quick bites of kebabs, burgers, falafel, and grilled meats.
However, you may need to dig deeper into the markets to taste authentic Polish cuisine. At the heart of Krakow’s Old Town lies Rynek Główny (Main Market Square), where you can find a variety of traditional Polish snacks such as Barzani (ring-shaped bread), zapiekanki (open-faced sandwiches), pierogi (dumplings), and kielbasa (sausages). You may also want to explore more varieties at other popular markets, such as Plac Nowy (New Square) and Hala Targowa (Market Hall).
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9. Palermo, Italy
Palermo is renowned for its rich culinary scene, which blends Italian, Arabic, and Mediterranean influences to create a unique and flavorful cuisine. It is also the place to get the best of Sicilian cuisine.
While touring Parlemo’s historic center, stop by Marcato Ballaro, one of the city’s oldest and most famous markets. This market is the best spot in the town to enjoy Sicilian delicacies such as arancini (rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), and silicone (Sicilian pizza). Other notable spots are Mercato Vucciria and the picturesque Piazza Marina.
You can also get a bite from the numerous street food stands dotted around the city. These stands are the best place to get granita (a flavored ice slush), friselle (toasted bread topped with tomatoes and olive oil), and much more.
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10. Brussels, Belgium
It is only a trip to Brussels once you are munching on waffles with toppings of your choice. If you have a sweet tooth, you will have the time of your life on the waffle’s food trucks. But that is not all there is to savor.
When visiting, stop by Place Flagey, Place Sainte-Catherine (which has food stalls with various seafood options), and Marché du Midi (which takes place on Sunday mornings close to the Brussels-South Railway station).
While touring, you will get some gourmet burgers, Belgian fries, waffles, artisanal cream, moules-frites (mussels and fries), and Belgian chocolate. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try new textures, hunt for Caricoles (de-shelled escargot), typically sold in rolling carts around the streets.
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11. San Sebastian, Spain
If your preferred eating habits involve savoring different flavors, your place would be in San Sebastian. Start your adventure at San Sebastian’s Old Town (Parte Vieja). Stroll down the cobblestone streets lined with pintxos bars and street food vendors selling various Basque specialties. Calle Mayor and Calle 31 de Agosto are famous streets in the old town for sampling pintxos and street food.
Then, while sunbathing at Concha Beach, take a food break at the beachside food stalls and enjoy some grilled seafood and sandwiches. Other great places to indulge in San Sebastian’s street food include Brexta and San Martin Markets.
While the flavors of San Sebastian’s cuisine are impressive, the social experience of sampling the food makes it even better. Pintxos bars and stalls offer more than food; they’re great places to interact with locals and tourists.
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12. Athens, Greece
Athens is the birthplace of some of the iconic Greek dishes. From souvlaki and gyros to feta cheese and olives, Athens’ street food scene is something you need to experience on your own.
To taste some of the best street food in Greece, visit Monastiraki, Central Market (Varvakios Agora), Syntagma Square, and Plaka.
These areas have food stalls and outdoor cafes that let tourists indulge in the rich, Mediterranean cuisine-influenced street food.
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