Cities Where Street Food is Better Than Any Michelin Restaurant

37. Oaxaca, Mexico: Indigenous Flavors, Open Flames

Oaxaca is where ancient Zapotec and Mixtec traditions meet the thrill of modern street eats. The star? Tlayudas—massive grilled tortillas slathered with refried beans, cheese, cabbage, avocado, and tasajo (thin beef strips). Want crunch? Chicharrón vendors crackle their wares on corners, while chapulines (roasted grasshoppers) are sold by the scoop—zesty, salty, and unexpectedly addictive. Morning streets hum with tamales oaxaqueños, wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with mole. And don’t miss nieves, hand-churned Oaxacan ices in flavors like tamarind, mezcal, or rose petal. Street food here is soulful and sacred—rooted in land, lineage, and love.