From Bangkok to Berlin: The Best Street Food Markets in the World Reviewed

Street food markets combine culinary diversity with creative cooking. They are a paradise for foodies and anyone wanting to discover new flavors. We reveal where looking beyond your usual plate is especially fun: These are the coolest street food markets in the world.

Everywhere there are clattering sounds, sizzling and frying noises, aromas ranging from sweet to savory pave their way into your nose, and your gaze wanders past one delicacy after another: Street food markets are a culinary experience and offer insight into the local foods and delicacies of a country.

From traditional dishes to trendy fusion creations, street food markets have something for everyone's tastes and preferences. To make your choice a bit easier, we present a selection of the coolest street food markets in the world.

At the Floating Markets near Thailand's capital Bangkok, the name is the game: Vendors sell fruits, vegetables, and Thai street food from narrow wooden boats on the water. Visitors to the market also board wooden boats and are ferried along the waterway past the floating stalls.

The floating markets came into existence when Thailand did not yet have a proper road network. At that time, canals served as transport routes and were dug to connect various rivers. One of the most popular floating markets in Thailand is Damnoen Saduak, located about two hours southwest of Bangkok.

The Smorgasburg Market in New York's Williamsburg neighborhood is one of the city's most popular food markets and is known for its unique food creations. The market opens on the first weekend in April and closes on the last weekend in October. Every Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM, locals gather to sample both sweet and savory offerings.

There are around 100 stalls in total. You can enjoy the treats with a view over the Hudson River and New York City's skyline. A smaller version of the street food market takes place every Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM at the World Trade Center, featuring around 30 stalls with treats from around the world.

Reffen, which translates to 'Reef,' is the largest street food market in Northern Europe and is a must on this list. Reffen is open from March to September and captivates visitors with its very special flair.

The market was established on an old and dusty industrial site in the harbor of Copenhagen. 75 shipping containers, four old German fire trucks, and several food trucks together make up the street food market and offer treats ranging from sweet crepes to healthy bowls, and from gyros to burgers.

This street food market should be a highlight for anyone who loves fish and seafood. The Tsukiji Outer Market is located in the Tsukiji neighborhood in Tokyo and spreads around the former Tsukiji Fish Market. Before its relocation in 2018, it was the largest fish market in the world.

The Outer Market, however, remains to this day. At the many stalls, freshly caught fish and seafood are still sold, along with traditional Japanese food and dishes. Sushi fans, in particular, should find what they're looking for.

In Singapore, street food is traditionally prepared in what are known as Hawker Centres, which are covered food courts. These are so typical of Singapore's culture that Unesco has recognized them as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

What makes Hawker Centres special is that they incorporate the cuisines of three countries: each Centre must house Chinese, Malay, and Indian food stalls known as hawker stalls. Over 100 such Hawker Centres are spread across the city.

One of the oldest and largest Hawker Centres in Singapore is the Old Airport Road Food Centre. It's useful to know the unwritten rule in Hawker Centres: to reserve a table, place a pack of tissues on it.

Even at night you can enjoy delicious food, as demonstrated by the Rahoe Street Night Market in Taiwan's capital Taipei. The market is located along the namesake street in the Songshan district, with one of the main entrances right next to the famous Ciyou Temple.

Foodies can sample from hundreds of food stalls and restaurants offering typical Taiwanese treats such as sticky rice sausages, oyster omelets, or tempura, which is fried and stewed fish. The market is open every day from 5 PM to midnight. It's best to visit between 5 and 7 PM when the stalls just open and it's not too crowded yet.

In Marrakesh, night owls can also feast on various delicacies: every evening, the Djemaa el Fna, the central market square of Marrakesh, transforms into a massive street food market.

It's no wonder the market is also referred to as Morocco's largest outdoor restaurant: well into the late hours, freshly-prepared Moroccan specialties are available, from meat skewers to fried seafood to tagine and couscous.

Every Thursday from 5 PM to 10 PM, Street Food Thursday takes place in Markthalle 9 in Berlin's trendy Kreuzberg neighborhood. The name says it all: from Thai dumplings to Nigerian FuFu, Portuguese pastries, or Allgäu cheese specialties, numerous stalls offer food from all over the world. Launched in 2013, Street Food Thursday is considered Germany's first international street food market.

Markthalle 9 opened its doors in 1891, then as one of a total of 14 market halls built to ensure Berlin's food supply. Today, the historic hall houses not only Street Food Thursday but also many other markets, including a weekly market with fresh produce and the Cheese Berlin cheese market.

Tacos, tortas, tamales, burritos, or quesadillas: Mexico is famous for its street food, and the list of culinary delights is long. When visiting the Street Food Market Mercado de San Juan in Mexico City, foodies have a hard time choosing.

In addition to classic street food dishes, there are also unusual snacks like chapulines, which are roasted grasshoppers. Every day, locals and tourists alike flock to Mercado de San Juan to savor from stand to stand.

The Mercato di Ballarò is the oldest and largest market in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. For over 1000 years, food and freshly-made street food have been sold here. A Sicilian street food classic is 'pane con la milza,' which translates to 'bread with spleen.' It is a type of sandwich filled with pieces of calf spleen and lung.

The Mercato di Ballarò is held in the Albergheria district, just a short walk from the Palermo Centrale train station. Every day, countless people visit the market to sample the dishes or buy fresh produce while the vendors' calls echo through the narrow alleys.

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