Best street food destinations in Africa
Best street food destinations in Africa
Lively night markets and traditional street snacks in Africa
Africa's street food reflects ingredients and cooking methods that rarely make it onto restaurant menus, with grilling techniques and snack traditions operating on customs passed down rather than written into any cookbook. Different regions each bring their own distinct specialities to the wider continent's street food culture.
The destinations on this list range from North African market stalls that have operated in the same spots for generations to West and East African markets built around a single specialty, grilled meat or spiced stew served from a single pot.
Eating where the queue is longest remains the most reliable strategy across the continent, since turnover and freshness matter more than appearance at most stalls. Carrying small denominations of local currency also tends to make transactions at busy stalls considerably smoother and faster.
Lists by region
City in Ghana
Accra
Vibrant Culture and Coastal Charm
The Ga people have lived on this coast for centuries. Kenkey, a steamed ball of fermented corn dough, is their classic dish. Waakye, rice and beans cooked with sorghum leaves, is sold at roadside stalls for breakfast. Kelewele, spicy fried plantain, is a favourite evening snack.
City in Morocco
Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, has been a gathering place for centuries. Each evening food stalls are set up there, serving grilled lamb, harira soup and snails in broth. Fresh orange juice is sold from carts all day. The stalls are numbered, so ordering is easy.
City in Morocco
Rabat
A Hidden Gem with Royal Flair
Morning is the time for fresh bread, msemen and baghrir pancakes in the old medina. Rue Souika is a busy shopping street with snack stalls nearby. Harira, a thick tomato and chickpea soup, is sold hot. The pace is calmer than in Casablanca, so eating on the go feels relaxed.
City in Kenya
Mombasa
Swahili Coasts Meet Sun-Soaked Shores
Warm, humid and Swahili, this coastal city has a street food culture shaped by Indian Ocean trade. Mishkaki are marinated beef skewers grilled over charcoal. Mahamri are cardamom flavoured doughnuts. Viazi karai are potatoes fried in batter and served with red chilli sauce. Cassava chips with lemon and pepper are a popular snack.
Island in Tanzania
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
Unlike mainland Tanzania, the island's food shows strong Arab, Indian and Swahili influence. Zanzibar mix is a street soup with potatoes, fried cassava, mango sauce and coconut chutney. Samosas and skewers of grilled seafood are common. Fresh sugar cane juice is pressed with lime and ginger.
City in Morocco
Casablanca
Modern Vibes and Rich Traditions
In the morning, stalls sell msemen, flat pancakes folded with butter and honey. Mint tea is served with them. Near the Central Market, vendors set up grills for fresh sardines and fried fish. Snail soup is a local snack served in small bowls. Prices are low and portions are generous.
City in South Africa
Durban
Sunny beaches and rich culture
Compared with other African cities, the food here shows strong Indian influence from a large Indian community. Bunny chow, a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with curry, was created here. Street sellers also offer samoosas and roti. Stalls near Victoria Street Market sell spices and hot snacks.
City in Egypt
Cairo
Where ancient history meets bustling life
This huge city has food carts on almost every corner. Koshari, a mix of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas with tomato sauce and crispy onions, is the national favourite. Ful and ta'amiya sandwiches are common for breakfast. Sugar cane juice and hot sweet potatoes are sold on the street in the cooler months.
City in Tanzania
Zanzibar City
Stone Town’s Spice-Scented Labyrinth
This old port on the west coast of Unguja island has a night food market. It is in Forodhani Gardens by the sea. Stalls sell grilled seafood skewers, octopus and Zanzibar pizza, a stuffed flatbread. Fresh sugar cane juice with lime is a good drink. The sea is just across the path.
City in Kenya
Nairobi
Where urban life meets wild adventures
Street food is part of daily life for many of the city's four million residents. Nyama choma, roasted meat, is sold at roadside grills. Smokies, small sausages, come with a fresh tomato and onion salad called kachumbari. Chapati and mandazi, a fried bread, are cheap and filling.
City in Nigeria
Lagos
Buzzing Metropolis with Coastal Charm
This busy port city on Nigeria's Atlantic coast has food stalls on nearly every road. Suya is spicy grilled beef on skewers rubbed with ground peanut pepper. Akara are bean fritters. Puff puff are fried dough balls. Boli is roasted plantain served with peanuts or pepper sauce.
City in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Vibrant capital where history meets modernity
Busy and friendly, this high altitude capital sits at about 2,350 metres. Street stalls sell sambusa, a fried pastry stuffed with lentils or meat. Kolo is roasted barley. Women serve coffee from small stools on pavements. Juice houses mix layered avocado and mango drinks called spris.
City in Senegal
Dakar
Vibrant markets and historic waterfront charm
A common evening habit is to stop at a dibiterie, a roadside grill. It sells dibi, charcoal roasted lamb cut up with onions and mustard. Fataya are fried pastries filled with fish. Cafe Touba is spiced coffee sold in tiny cups from carts. Thieboudienne is the national fish and rice dish.
Outer Territory in France
Réunion
An Island of Adventure and Beauty
A popular local habit is to buy samoussas, small fried triangles filled with vegetables or meat, from roadside stands. Bouchons are steamed dumplings with pork or shrimp. Creole sellers also offer spicy sausage rougail in sandwiches. The island is a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean.
Marketplace in Cairo
Khan el-Khalili
Vibrant Historic Bazaar Bustling
This old market lies in the Islamic quarter of Cairo, close to Al-Azhar Mosque. Stalls sell ta'amiya, Egyptian falafel made from fava beans. Ful is a stew of mashed fava beans. Fresh sugar cane juice is pressed on the spot. Fishawi's café is a good place to rest with mint tea.
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