From Chicago To London, Top 10 Street Food Festivals
Image Credit: A glimpse of Taste of Chicago. Image via Facebook/Taste of Chicago

Street food festivals are a great way to sample the local cuisine of a city or country. They offer a chance to try new and interesting foods, and to meet people from all walks of life. Here are a few of the best street food festivals around the world:

Held annually in Chicago, Illinois, this festival features over 500 food vendors from all over the city, as well as live music and entertainment. It is one of the largest food festivals in the world, and it attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year. The festival held in Grant Park has transformed into a giant food court, with vendors selling everything from deep-dish pizza to tacos to gyros. There is also a wide variety of live music and entertainment, including concerts, dance performances, and children's activities.

The Jaffa Street Food Festival 

It is a popular event held every spring in Tel Aviv, Israel. It features over 100 food stalls from all over the Middle East, as well as live music and dancing. The festival is a great way to sample the local cuisine and culture, and to meet new people from all over the world. The festival is held in the historic Old Jaffa district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

This is a major food festival held every March in Melbourne, Australia. It features over 300 events, including cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and street food stalls. The festival is a great way to sample the best of Melbourne's food and wine. The festival features a wide range of events, from casual street food stalls to fine dining dinners.

The festival is a great opportunity to try new foods from different cultures and enjoy live music and entertainment. There are vendors selling everything from traditional British fare to exotic dishes from far-off lands. There is also a wide variety of drinks available, including beer, wine, and cocktails. 

This major food festival is held every November in New Orleans, Louisiana. It features over 100 events, including cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and street food stalls. The festival is a great way to sample the best of New Orleans cuisine, and to learn about the city's unique culinary history.

This is an annual event that takes place in the Old Port of Montreal. The festival features over 100 food vendors from Canada and around the world, as well as live music and entertainment. In addition to food, the festival also features a variety of activities, such as cooking demonstrations, live music, and dance performances.

This street food festival is held in Singapore every year. The festival features over 100 food stalls from all over Asia, as well as live music and entertainment. From Thai curries to Japanese ramen to Vietnamese pho, there's something for everyone.

Widely considered one of the most unusual food festivals around the world, La Tomatina celebrates tomatoes (quite evident from the name) and how! While the major attraction of the festival is the congregation of numerous people (both locals and travellers) who hurl tomatoes at each other and create a spectacle that is unique to the town of Buñol in Spain. The festival is usually held in the month of August and offers a wide range of tomato-based dishes, from gazpacho to paella. Other more popular dishes include tortilla de tomate (Spanish omelette made with tomatoes and potatoes) and pan con tomate (bread rubbed with garlic and fresh tomato), among others.

This is a year-round street food market in Copenhagen, Denmark. The market features over 50 food stalls from all over the world, as well as a variety of bars and restaurants. The market is open from 11 am to 11 pm, seven days a week, serving everything from traditional Danish cuisine to international fare.

Held every year in May-June, this festival celebrates the staple crop of Mexico - corn. In Mexico's Santiago Tepalcatlalpan, the festival offers a range of corn-based delicacies, beyond the quintessential tortilla. There's tlacoyos ('masa' or maize dough cakes stuffed with beans and other ingredients); ponteduros, a kind of candy made with honey and cornmeal; and esquites, kernels fried in butter with chilli powder and the native herb 'epazote'. Besides food, there's also live music and entertainment. 

These are just a few of the many great street food festivals around the world. With so many options to choose from, you are sure to find a festival that you will enjoy.

Here are some tips for planning your trip to a street food festival:

  1. Do your research. Find out which festivals are happening when and where you want to go. Read reviews and see what other people have to say about the different festivals.
  2. Book your flights and accommodation in advance. Festivals can get crowded, so it is best to book your travel arrangements early.
  3. Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
  4. Bring a water bottle. It can get hot at festivals, so make sure to stay hydrated.
  5. Bring sunscreen. It is important to protect your skin from the sun, especially if you are planning on being outside for an extended period of time.
  6. Be prepared to try new things. Street food festivals are a great way to try new and interesting foods. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new.
  7. Bring cash. Many street food vendors don't accept credit cards, so make sure you bring enough cash with you.

Street food festivals are a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine. Relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience.