Staying in one of our beautiful vacation homes over Fast Food Day? Celebrate in style, with a look at some of our favorite speedy snacks and street food around the world! Trying street food is a sure-fire way to get to grips with local culture and customs, and try some unique flavors on your vacation.
What is street food?
Street food is defined as food that is prepared by street vendors for immediate consumption. So to try the very best street food in the world, look out for places selling freshly made products. An easy way to find great street food vendors is to look for the ones which draw a crowd.
There are so many fantastic dishes to try on your next vacation, so take a look at our guide to the world’s best street food for a little bit of inspiration.
Mexican Street Food
Tacos
When looking to venture out from your luxury Mexico villa, a feast of flavours await! Mexican tacos are probably not an unfamiliar concept. These filled pockets of deliciousness have migrated out of Mexico and made their mark internationally, becoming one of the world’s favorite street food snacks. Mexican street tacos are very similar in concept to those that you might find at fast food joints and stalls across America, with a few key differences. The major difference between international and authentic Mexican tacos is that in Mexico, you won’t find tacos served in a hard shell, but rather in a soft corn tortilla. Some of the most popular street tacos in Mexico are ‘Tacos al Pastor’, or Pastor’s tacos. Soft tortillas are filled with thin slices of shaved pork, which is cooked vertically on a spit. Accompanying the juicy meat are pineapple, chili, salsa, and coriander.
Where to find the best tacos in Mexico
While you can get a good street taco pretty much anywhere in Mexico, the very best place to find authentic Mexican tacos is Mexico City. The capital is taco central, and they can be found on street corners morning, noon and night.
El Tizoncito in the Condesa neighborhood, claims to be the birthplace of Tacos al Pastor. The history of the place combined with truly excellent tacos makes it worth a stop on any Mexico City street food tour.
Taqueria Orinoco is also a firm favorite amongst local taco connoisseurs and visitors. Be prepared to queue for their delicious tacos, but once you’ve tried them, we think you’ll agree that they’re worth the wait!
Churros
Save some room for dessert on your street food vacation in Mexico! No Mexican feast is complete without some sinfully sweet churros to round out the meal. Mexican churros are similar to their Spanish counterparts, in that long fingers of choux pastry are fried in oil and coated in cinnamon sugar. Churros de Mexico, as they’re locally known, are often dipped into some beautifully decadent Mexican hot chocolate sauce.
Tourist favorites like Cancun and Cabo are great places to try some authentic churros, and Mexico City, being the epicenter of street food, is also a fantastic place to find them.
In the capital, El Moro is the most popular churrería in the city. The original place still stands in Zocalo, the historic center of Mexico City, and is open 24/7 to settle churro cravings at any time of day.
In Cancun, the Parque Las Palapas area is a great place to find Churro carts selling hot, fresh, and delicious churros. Of course if you’re staying in one of our luxury Mexico vacation homes you will be able to hire a private chef to make these authentic Mexican treats and more delicacies from the comfort of your villa!
Italian street food
Pizza
How could we make a list of the greatest street food of Italy and not include pizza? Italy serves up the best pizza in the world. To find the best pizza in Italy, head down south to Naples, where, in 1889, the humble Margarita pizza was invented. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba is the oldest pizza joint in Italy (perhaps even in the world). It’s also home to some of the best pizza in Naples. A selection of our Italy vacation villas also come equipped with pizza ovens or are within a short stroll from a local pizzeria, inviting you to savor delectable pizzas throughout your stay!
What is a Naples style pizza?
Naples-style pizza, known locally as Neapolitan pizza, is a thin, bubbly dough spread with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. You don’t have to be in Naples to taste great pizza, though! Pizza in Rome, Italy, is known for being served by the slice, either with a white (Bianca) or red (Rossa) sauce. The bread is also different from a Naples-style pizza, being more like a focaccia. A favorite pizza joint in Rome is Bonci’s Pizzarium, located in the Prati area, about 10 minutes walk from The Vatican. This perfect little place is always crowded, and alongside classics like Margherita, you’ll find an ever-changing menu of seasonal and creative toppings.
Gelato
Italian gelato is a food that’s a treat for any season or reason. Translated as ‘something cold’, gelato is the ultimate street food sweet snack in Italy. When pondering the question; what is gelato? You might be tempted to lump it in with ice cream and call it a day, but that would be a mistake! They’re very different in taste, texture, and all-around delightfulness.
Gelato vs ice cream
The first difference between gelato and ice cream is that gelato has less butterfat. A maximum of 8% of gelato is made of butterfat, whereas American ice cream has roughly 14%. All of this means that gelato does not need to be served as cold as ice cream, and so is a much softer, creamier experience. The second difference is that the weight of gelato cannot be increased with water or air – a process that is common in other country’s ice cream manufacturing processes. This means that gelato is more flavorful.
How to find the best gelato in Italy
In truth, you’ll find fantastic gelato wherever you go in Italy, but we do have some top tips for getting the very best sweet experience in Italy’s numerous gelaterias. Avoid shops with windows filled with brightly colored mountains of gelato. Simple is usually best when it comes to authentic gelato, so unnaturally colored mounds are a giveaway that you’re not getting something traditional. Look out for signs which say gelato in casa, fatto in casa, or gelato artigianale, meaning that the gelato is made in-house.
Head to Florence in glorious Tuscany to experience gelato from the town of its birth. Locals attest that La Carraia serves up the best gelato not just in Florence, but anywhere. That’s a bold statement, but the prices here are low enough that you can revisit it several times to test that claim! In Rome, Gelateria I Caruso always has long lines outside, waiting for some of the Eternal City’s finest gelato. It simply dosn;t get fresher than this – you can even watch the gelato being made on-site through a window as you wait.
With all this and more to devour, an Italian vacation makes delectable sense! Explore our incredible collection of Italy villas and condo rentals, located in some of the country’s most famous cities as well as world-class wine and gastronomy regions.
Street food in Belgium
Frites
Take a bite out of the UNESCO List of Cultural Treasures when you try a steaming cone of traditional Belgian fries. You might be asking; ‘What’s the big deal about a pile of fries?’, but there are fries, and then there are Belgian Frites. The quality of Belgian fries sets them apart, and there is a meticulous process involved in their making. The potatoes cannot be frozen or too soft before frying and are cut into fries no longer than one centimeter thick. They are fried twice to ensure crispiness. An important component of perfect Belgian fries is the sauce. Mayonnaise is the most traditional topping, but friteries offer a large menu of toppings.
You can find shops and stands selling Belgian fries in towns and cities across the country. In Brussels, no self-respecting Frites fan leaves without ordering a cone from Frit Flagey. This is a favorite with locals and tourists alike and has become so famous it could be described as a Brussels institution. Expect to queue, because Frit Flagey is popular around the clock. What makes them special, apart from the perfectly fried fries, is the selection of sauces and meats that they offer as toppings. You can go traditional with mayonnaise, or try something a little more out of the box, such as ‘Samurai’ sauce, a fiery mixture of mayonnaise, ketchup, and harissa, or ‘Brazil’ sauce, with tomatoes, pineapple, and mixed spices.
Another top-rated place in the capital is Maison Antoine. With over 30 sauces to choose from, along with other toppings, you could visit Maison Antoine every day on your Brussels vacation and still not have tried everything.
Belgian waffle
There’s nothing more Belgian than a waffle. For the uninitiated who may be asking ‘what is a Belgian waffle?’ think the pillowiest, softest batter with a crunchy outside, cooked in a special waffle-maker to give it the famous checkered surface. These delectable sweet treats are available all over Belgium and are the perfect street snack after a long day of exploring. The best Belgian waffles come smothered in toppings such as chocolate sauce, caramel, fresh fruits, and cream.
Belgian waffles vs regular waffles
What’s the difference between a regular old waffle and a Belgian waffle? Well, almost everything! The recipes are distinct, with Belgian waffles using yeast in the baking process instead of baking powder, which gives them a lighter, fluffier texture. Belgian waffles have deeper pockets than others waffles, giving them space to cram more toppings into. There are also different types of waffles within Belgium. A Belgian Liege waffle is sprinkled with pearl sugar, giving a deliciously crunchy, caramelized flavor and texture.
In Antwerp, you can visit The Smallest Waffle Shop In The World. In Mierburg 1, this popular bakery is small but perfectly formed, and serves delicious Belgian and Liege waffles with traditional toppings such as cream and chocolate sauce.
If you’re craving waffles on a Bruges vacation, make a beeline for Chez Albert. This little bakery just off Market Square serves waffles so fresh and delicious that people literally queue around the block for them.
Dutch street food
Stroopwafel
Stroopwafels have slowly been making their way into international markets in the last few years, but nowhere does them better than their home country, The Netherlands. Stroopwafels were first created in the Dutch market town Gouda from leftover bread crumbs and syrup, and have been ubiquitous in the country ever since.
What are stroopwafels?
Stroopwafels are one of the greatest sweet street snacks ever created. Fact. A layer of sticky syrup is sandwiched between two thin, soft caramel wafers. Sometimes, you can find fancy stroopwafels coated in chocolate and other goodies, but typically, they are served plain. A good place for stroopwafels of all shapes and sizes is Van Wonderen Stroopwafels in the canal region of Amsterdam. Here you can find stroopwafels with chocolate, marshmallows, and all sorts of fun toppings.
For a traditional stroopwafel, pay Lanksroon a visit. This authentic Dutch tea room is in the heart of historic Amsterdam, near top attractions including the Bloemarket and Amsterdam Museum. The Dutch way to eat them is to place them over the top of a mug of hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and allow the syrup to melt. As this happens, the wafers will warm up and get bendy, creating a deliciously gooey and warm treat.
Oliebollen
Dutch oliebollen are essentially little donuts, served with a variety of toppings and fillings. Translated rather unflatteringly as ‘oil balls’, they are popular particularly during events and parties, when large oliebollen trucks roll up and sell them on the streets. They are best eaten warm and fresh from the fryer, and with flavors including custard, various fruits, and chocolate, you’ll be tempted to go back for more. Look out for oliebollen stands at Dutch Christmas markets during the winter months, or at festivities including Koningsdag (King’s Day) or the Leiden Ontzet.
Greek street food in Greece
Gyros
When staying in your exclusive Greek villa, you’ll want a tasty taverna or authentic eatery within easy reach of your holiday idyll. You’ll also want to discover them whilst sightseeing! Greek cuisine is world-famous, but what about it’s quick bites? There can be little doubt as to the impact that gyros (γύρο) have had on the international food scene. These wonderful parcels of deliciousness have almost single-handedly put Greek street food on the map internationally, and in America alone, over 100 million gyros are eaten every year. However many you’ve munched on back home, there is nothing that can compare to a traditional Greek gyro.
An authentic Greek gyros recipe includes shavings of meat (gyro meat is usually chicken or pork), salad, fries, and tzatziki wrapped up in soft pita bread. They are served fresh, with the meat sliced from rotating vertical spits. The best place in Greece to get a good gyro is in Athens. One of the best places for super fresh and tasty gyros is O Kostas in the trendy Plaka region of Athens. This tiny traditional shop offers some of the most delicious gyros in the city and is a firm favorite with locals. Vegetarians and vegans needn’t miss out either! Cookoomila Grill in the Gyzi district specializes in delicious plant-based gyros and souvlaki. They also operate a zero-waste policy, so their fantastic gyros are as good for the environment as they are for you!
Spanakopita
Find yourself a traditional Greek bakery to nab a taste of our next street food marvel; spanakopita (σπανακοτυρόπιτα). What is spanakopita? Well, they are one of the must-try snacks of Greek cuisine, a savory parcel of spinach and sometimes tangy feta (in this case called spanakotiropita) wrapped in layers of flaky filo pastry. Sheets of freshly baked goods are cut into spanakopita triangles, ready to be devoured as a delicious street food snack as you explore the ruins and islands of Greece.
For a side order of history with your spanakopita, head to Ariston in the legendary center of Athens. Just off of Syntagma Square, Ariston has been serving up Greek pies for more than a century, all freshly baked onsite. It’s not just spanakopita available here, you can try all manner of Greek street food as well. One of their most popular snacks is tiropita (τυρóπιτa), a flaky filo pastry pie filled with cheese and eggs.
With all this and more to tantalise the tastebuds in Greece, tuck into a legendary vacation to remember, from our luxury Greek villas with pools and ocean-view hot tubs.
German street food
Doner Kebab
The last thing you might be expecting to find on a list of German street food is a kebab. That’s more typical of Turkish or Greek cuisine, right? Well, not exactly. Although the process of vertically grilling meat and slicing it into pitas is certainly inspired by Ottoman-style cooking, the Doner kebab was most likely created in the German capital, Berlin. And boy, do the Germans love them! Annually, over 3.5 million euros worth of Doner kebabs are sold annually in Germany (that’s over 4 million dollars worth!)
There are around 16000 kebab shops across Germany, many of the best in Berlin. One of the most famous is Mustafa’s. It’s easy to find, just look for the crowd! Mustafas is always heaving with people clamoring to get their hands on a delicious German doner kebab. Mustafas is as renowned for its veggie kebabs as it is for its meaty offerings, so there are options for everyone.
Currywurst
Another staple of German street food is currywurst. Simple in its execution, but utterly delicious, German currywurst features a local sausage centerpiece, drenched in a spicy curried tomato sauce, sometimes served with bread or fries on the side. The currywurst sauce is the most important part of the snack, and local vendors guard their recipes fiercely. The most famous place to find it is in Berlin. Currywurst stands pop up all over the German capital, and it’s a mainstay at events such as Christmas markets. There is one place in Berlin so famous for its currywurst that it draws long lines at all times of day; Curry 36. This kiosk is a street food kingpin in Berlin and has the reputation of serving up the best-curried sausage in Germany.
Japanese street food
Okonomiyaki
In a country like Japan, which prides itself on beautiful food and regional specialties, every street food delicacy is a delight. One of the top choices for authentic Japanese street food is okonomiyaki (お好み焼き). You can get 2 types; Kansai style (also known as Osaka okonomiyaki), and Hiroshima style.
What is okonomiyaki?
Japanese okonomiyaki recipes consist of a batter and cabbage mixture fried and topped with cheese, seafood, meat, vegetables, or any other topping you fancy. The name okonomiyaki translates as ‘to one’s liking’, and that’s exactly what it is. Think of it as a Japanese pancake, and you won’t be far off the mark. The difference between the 2 styles is that with the Hiroshima style, the okonomiyaki ingredients are not mixed together, and in the Kansai style, they are.
Japanese Bento box
Fast food Japanese style looks a little different. The ultimate Japanese street food is the bento box. Bento (弁当) is Japanese food to go, designed to be eaten while traveling. You can find Bento all over Japan, in supermarkets, specialty stores, and train stations. Bento boxes are made of several bite-sized pieces organized neatly into a tray or ‘box’.
What ingredients are in a bento box?
Popular items in a bento box include;
- Fish or meat, such as meatballs, prawns or fried chicken (karaage)
- Pickles, which are usually vegetables or salad items
- Tamagoyaki, a Japanese omelette
- Nori, an edible seaweed
British street food dishes
Fish and chips
Quaint village pubs and fine dining restaurants aside, it doesn’t get more British than good food pairing. Take Britain’s best-loved easy meals for example! You could have scones and cream, bananas and custard or sausage and mash. But perhaps the most iconic tasty duet is fish and chips. If you’re looking to savoe the latter, you’ll find our UK vacation homes all within easy reach of a local fish and chip shop. In fact, the UK is awash with old-fashioned fish and chip shops, or chippies, and Brits devour about 382 million portions every year. There has been plenty of time to perfect the fish and chip formula, as they’ve been served together since 1860.
The perfect fish supper is all about the fry. Thick cut, chunky chips which are cooked until they’re crispy, accompanied by white fish (usually cod) which is coated in a light, bubbly batter. It’s common to have mushy peas on the side. You can find good chippies all over the UK, but deciding on the best is a serious business, with an annual competition to find the top fish fryers. Last year’s winner of the title of ‘Best Fish and Chip Shop in the UK’ was The Cod’s Scallops in Nottinghamshire, while London-based Sutton and Sons were crowned the best shop with multiple stores.
Cornish pasty
Take a trip down to the South-West of England for the most authentic taste of our next British street food treat. The beautiful county of Cornwall is home to a delightful snack known as a Cornish pasty. This British street food has become popular across England and can be found with a huge variety of fillings, both savory and sweet. However, to eat a traditional Cornish pasty, the best place to go is the region of its birth.
What is a Cornish Pasty?
A traditional Cornish pasty dates back to the miners of 18th century Cornwall. The half-moon-shaped pastry was the perfect food to carry into the mines and provided a filling and warming snack for the men hard at work underground. An authentic Cornish pasty is a mixture of meat (usually beef) and root vegetables steamed inside a sealed pastry crust and baked. To get your hands on a proper Cornish pasty, you can visit any number of traditional bakeries in Cornwall.
The Proper Cornish Food Company in beautiful Bodmin is a top-rated choice and specializes in traditional pasties. They also have a fantastic range of vegetarian and vegan pasties, as well as other baked delicacies. If you’re not in Cornwall, but still want to get your hands on a pasty, you can grab a bestseller in local supermarkets, convenience stores, and even gas stations. The biggest selling pasties in the UK are Ginsters, which offer traditional Cornish style as well as other delicious flavors.
Whether you’re craving a tasty pasty or a cream tea, our UK vacation homes place you within easy driving distance of some tasty options.
Street food in Hungary
Langos
If you fancy something delicious and just a bit naughty, head to Budapest and grab yourself a langos. Hungarian langos are iconic street food. Dough is spread out like a pizza and deep-fried, before being topped with sour cream, cheese, and garlic. If that sounds like a bit of a deep-fried overload, that’s because it is. But it’s also absolutely delicious. Langos make a great street food meal and are the ideal size for sharing (particularly if you want to save room for other Hungarian delicacies.)
Where can I get the best langos in Budapest?
Langos is available all over Budapest, in cafes and from carts, often close to tourist attractions. A popular spot with locals is on the Buda side of the city, on the top floor of Feny Street Market. It’s aptly named Langos Land and is the place to go for authentic langos. While we’re on the subject of markets, visit the famous Central Market Hall to get a taste of all the great Hungarian street food that Budapest has to offer. The market is huge, and just 5 minutes walk from the city center, making it a popular place for shopping. The lower floor is full of fresh ingredients and produce. The second floor is where you can taste things at a variety of cafes and stalls.
Gulyas (Hungarian goulash)
In the cold, cold months of Hungarian winter, you’ll want something to warm you up. That’s where one of the country’s most famous foods comes in. There’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of rich goulash to warm the hands and the soul. Authentic Hungarian goulash can be found in sit-down restaurants, cafes, and served to-go, and it’s a popular pastime to sip the soup while exploring the city.
Where to try traditional Hungarian goulash
Hungarians are quite rightly proud of their delicious goulash, and one taste of this robust, rich, crimson-hued stew will tell you why. As such, you can find great goulash all over the city, either as a sit-down meal or a quick snack on the go. A popular spot is Gettó Gulyás, a cozy bistro tucked inside of Budapest’s legendary party district. This place specializes in authentic, traditional Hungarian food at great prices, and is often busy with locals and tourists in the know.
Argentine street food
Empanadas
Even if you know nothing about Argentina street food, chances are you’ll recognize our next entry. Argentinian empanadas are a popular snack worldwide, but they’re extra special in their home country. Local knowledge suggests that the very best empanadas are in the north of the country, in cities such as Salta, Mendoza, and Jujuy, but they are available from bakeries and street vendors everywhere.
What is an empanada?
Empanadas are small half-moon pastry pockets stuffed with fillings. Often, you will see ‘Empanadas de Carne Argentina’ on the menu, which translates as empanadas with meat. The exact nature of the filling depends on where in Argentina you are. The country is so vast that there are great regional differences in ingredients and cooking methods. They are so numerous, we can’t fit them all in, but here are a few regional empanada highlights;
- Salta: Chunks of meat and potato, with boiled egg and scallion
- Jujuy: Similar to Salta empanadas, with added peppers and peas for a spicier snack
- San Juan: A whole cooked green olive is included in the filling, and the pastry is made from lard or butter
- Cordoba: A sweet take on empanadas, with a raisin filling and sugar sprinkled on the pastry
- Patagonia: Often filled with seafood, such as king crab or mussels
Choripan
Choripan Argentino is a popular chorizo sandwich. So popular, in fact, that Argentineans consume a whopping 600 million choripan every year.
What is choripan?
The word choripan is a fusion of two Spanish words; chorizo, meaning sausage, and pan, meaning bread. So choripan is a chorizo sausage in bread, slathered in sauces of your choice. The local condiment to make an authentic Argentinian choripan sandwich is chimichurri sauce. Look out for choripan vendors at events, gatherings, and in street carts in major cities such as Buenos Aires.
Indian street food
Chaat
India has an incredible variety and reverence of food, and street food is a tentpole of that culture. Different regions and peoples within India have vastly different types of street food, so narrowing it down to just a couple of highlights was a tough decision! One of our choices is Indian chaat. Chaat is the name for a category of Indian food. It can be made with different ingredients regionally, but the core culinary experience remains the same; a combination of sweet, spicy, salty, crunchy, and savory tastes and textures. One of the best things about chaat is it is all of Indian food’s highlights in one dish. Consisting of a medley of a crunchy starch base, raw or fried vegetables, chutney, and a crispy topping, every mouthful is a culinary adventure.
There are many, many different types of chaat across India. Some of the most popular varieties are;
- Aloo chaat: Potato based chaat, often flavored with lime juice and chaat masala. Aloo chaat is very popular in Northern India.
- Papri chaat: Again from North India, this delicious chaat is made of crispy dough wafers, chickpeas and potatoes.
- Samosa chaat: Deep fried pastry triangles filled with vegetables and topped with chutney make-up what is perhaps the most famous Indian chaat snack.
Jalebi
It’s not all about the savory street food in India; there’s also a fantastic selection of sweet treats to sample. One of the best is Indian jalebi, which is instantly recognizable by its spiral shape. Indian dessert jalebi is made from batter deep-fried into a circular shape. It is then soaked in sugar syrup, and served hot from street food carts and vendors all over India.
Street food in Portugal
Pastel de Nata
Looking to stay in one of our Portugal villas and sample the local street food and and popular delicacies? First things first, if there is a king of Portuguese street food, it’s the Pastel de Nata. They are little custard tarts, with thick, creamy custard enveloped in buttery, flaky pastry, then dusted with cinnamon. They are the ultimate sweet street snack, which is even more decadent because it’s almost impossible to have only one! Authentic Portuguese pastel de nata are available in bakeries across Portugal, but many argue that the best are in the capital, Lisbon. The most famous place to get pastel de nata in Lisbon is Pastéis de Belém, the first bakery to sell the custardy treats. The pastel de Natas from here are beloved by locals and tourists alike.
Bifana
Sometimes you want something hearty, a little more substantial from your street food. Enter, the Portuguese bifana sandwich. A bifana is composed of a crusty white roll filled with tender slices of pork cooked in garlic, spices, and white wine. It’s one of Portugal’s most popular dishes at any time of the day or night. The fun thing about bifana is that there are regional variations in how it’s prepared, giving you a fantastic excuse to try lots of them on your Portugal vacation.
In the southern regions, including The Algarve, bifanas are topped with yellow hot dog mustard. In the north of the country, in cities such as Porto, the sauce contains Piri Piri spices, olive oil, and stock and is an all-around saucier affair. Expect messy fingers once you’ve finished with a bifana! Porto is widely considered the place to be for great bifanas. One of the best places to get your hands on one is Conga Casa de Bifanas. Look out for the people queuing and you’ve found the place – it’s the most popular spot in the city.
Canadian street food
Poutine
Poutine is to Canada what Frites are to Belgium; an icon. Canadian poutine is the perfect street snack for any season, any time. This delicious delicacy has started to make its mark on the international street food scene, but if you’re wondering ‘what is poutine?’ allow us to enlighten you. First, take a heap of perfectly cooked fries, then pile them high with squeaky cheese curds and special poutine gravy. This forms the traditional poutine, to which can be added all manner of fun and funky toppings, including various meats, sauces, and vegetables.
Where to get the best poutine fries?
Poutine originated in Quebec, and although fabulous poutine can be found all over Canada, many say that to get a truly authentic taste, you should get some in this region. Le Chic Shack in Quebec City has the best poutine in the city, according to those in the know. Their poutine menu is fairly simple, focused on getting the classics absolutely perfect. If the usual crowds and five-star reviews are anything to go by, they’ve succeeded!
On the other end of the poutine scale is The Whistlestop Cafe in Peterborough Ontario. They offer the largest selection of poutine in Canada. Over 110 variations are on the menu, including meat-based, vegetarian, vegan, and dessert poutines.
Nanaimo bars
Once you’ve had your fill of poutine cheese curds and gravy, you might be after something sweet to finish off your Canadian street food adventure. This is where you turn to Nanaimo bars.
What is a Nanaimo bar?
Canada’s favorite dessert is named for Nanaimo in British Columbia, the place it was first made. This no-bake treat is a Canadian classic, made up of three layers. At the bottom, a buttery coconut graham-cracker crust, topped with a creamy custard filling. It’s all topped off with a smooth, rich chocolate ganache layer. It’s such a sensation across Canada that you can find Nanaimo bars in many forms. Try the original square slice to cupcake versions, deep-fried slabs, and even mixed up in a cocktail.
Street food in France
Crepes
We’re hopping across the pond for our final stop on our epic street food tour. Whenever we talk about great food, we of course have to mention France. Although the gastronomic favorite was a little late to catch the street food bug, you can now find quick, easy, and delicious food in towns and cities all over the country. One of the top choices is a French crepe. French crepes are one of the most iconic snacks in the world. They’re not just a staple of French street food but beloved the world over.
Traditional French crepe fillings involve a feather-light, silky batter, cooked before your eyes and topped with simple, fresh ingredients. An all-time classic is lemon and sugar, and chocolate spread and fruit slices are also popular. You can also get French savory crepes, often with cheese, ham, or mushrooms. The ability to customize crepes to your tastes makes them the ideal street food snack for any time of the day or night. They’re easy to munch on while exploring the streets of Paris, Nice, or Bordeaux. The best places to find crepes are usually dedicated creperies, which specialize in serving these delicious pancake-like treats.
Croque monsieur
We’re finishing with an all-time classic of French street food; the Croque monsieur sandwich. A Croque Monsieur is a sandwich filled with oozing melted cheese and ham, grilled to perfection and served piping hot. Think about the best grilled cheese you’ve ever had, and then add some French flair, and you’ve got a Croque monsieur. Most places serving a croque monsieur will also offer a croque Madame.
Croque monsieur vs croque Madame
There is only one difference between a croque monsieur and a croque Madame. Both are hot sandwiches filled with ham and cheese, but a Croque Madame has the addition of a fried or poached egg resting on the top layer of bread. This adds another delicious layer of flavor to the sandwich. Although things can get a little messy, it’s absolutely worth trying both on your French vacation.
Book a vacation home for your next trip
Here at Top Villas, we have a fabulous portfolio of beautiful villas all over the world. So whether you’re chowing down on tamales in Mexico or sampling gelato in Italy, we’ve got the perfect base for you to return to. From luxury homes for romantic vacations to fun-filled family villas, there is so much choice.
