The BEST excuse to drop everything you’re doing and demolish a kota. Or a boerie roll. Go!
Johannesburg, South Africa (02 August 2026) – Time Out has ranked Johannesburg eighth on its list of the world’s best cities for street food in 2026, putting our City of Gold in the company of global food capitals like Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur and Mexico City.
The ranking comes from a survey of 24,000 people around the world, who rated the quality and affordability of food in their cities.
Ho Chi Minh City claimed the top spot this year, followed by Kuala Lumpur, while Jakarta and Taipei shared third place. Johannesburg landed in eighth place with a 56% approval rating.
Jozi street food deserves its world-class ranking. A proper kota stuffed with chips, polony, cheese, atchar and sauce does not play around. Then there’s shisanyama – even just the smell of meat on the braai hits the spot. There’s also vetkoek and fluffy dombolo, mogodu, morogo, skopo, chakalaka and even maotwana for those who know just how good chicken feet can be.
And let’s not pretend the humble Friday afternoon boerie roll outside your local Spar doesn’t deserve an honourable mention…
Street food has always been one of the easiest ways to experience a city. In Jozi it’s a reflection of the many cultures, traditions and communities that make our rainbow city what it is. A bladdy great meal doesn’t always need a booking!
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