Johannesburg named in the top 10 of international ranking
Despite its massive infrastructural and financial woes, Johannesburg has received a global endorsement after being named one of the best cities in the world for street food by Time Out magazine.
South Africa’s richest city claimed eighth place in the rankings, placing it alongside other iconic street-food cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Mexico City, Hanoi and Bangkok.
After a global survey of city-dwellers, Johannesburg scored 56% overall. Ho Chi Minh City topped the ranking with 63%, followed by Kuala Lumpur at 62% and Jakarta and Taipei at 59%.
Time Out noted that the inclusion in the ranking is more than a global accolade, as travellers increasingly seek experiences that connect them to the culture and people of a destination.
While the nation has created a reputation for world-class restaurants, wine and fine dining, its street food is also starting to turn heads.
“At Time Out South Africa, our focus is on amplifying the people, places and food cultures that make our cities distinctive,” said Aisha Mohamed, General Manager of Time Out South Africa.
“Johannesburg’s street food scene has always been extraordinary. Pull up a plastic chair beside a street vendor in Johannesburg, and it’s rarely just about what is on the plate.”
South Africa has regularly featured in Time Out’s world rankings, with Linden, Johannesburg, named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world last year.
Cape Town was also named the best city in the world in the Time Out rankings in 2025, with Kloof Street in Cape Town’s CBD being named one of the coolest streets in the world.
Cape Town also appeared in Time Out’s overall 2026 World’s Best Food Cities ranking earlier this year. Time Out oprates a market in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.
| Street Food Ranking | City | Country | Score |
| 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam | 63% |
| 2 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | 62% |
| 3 | Jakarta | Indonesia | 59% |
| 3 | Taipei | Taiwan | 59% |
| 5 | Mexico City | Mexico | 58% |
| 5 | Manila | Philippines | 58% |
| 7 | Hanoi | Vietnam | 57% |
| 8 | Johannesburg | South Africa | 56% |
| 8 | Bangkok | Thailand | 56% |
| 10 | Mumbai | India | 55% |
Johannesburg’s best street food
Popular spots include Amanda’s in Soweto. Time Out said that the location’s R14 Kota proves that exceptional food doesn’t need a fine-dining price tag.
“A quarter loaf sliced open and filled with chips, polony, special sauce, and achaar running through it is something you just eat and feel satisfied after,” says Time Out’s Joburg City expert Nhlalala Mthembi.
“You don’t eat the kota at Amanda’s and wonder about technique! It holds together as something satisfying and balanced with the ease of someone who knows the craft by muscle memory.”
Other notable locations include The Hot Pot Kitchen in Midrand, a food truck owned by TK and Pablo Tshiololi after both lost their jobs.
The Hot Pot Kitchen’s menu features indigenous ingredients, township flavours and home-style South African cooking.
This includes grilled mala and masonja cooked with tomato and onion, as well as flame-grilled tilapia served with pap and sides.
“This is one of the best places in Joburg to eat South African food rooted in indigenous ingredients, township taste and home-style cooking,” said Time Out contributor Nick Hamman.
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