At a time when travel costs continue to climb, eating well on the road doesn’t have to mean compromising. Across the globe, a growing number of chefs, vendors and family-run kitchens are offering food that’s both rooted in tradition and surprisingly affordable. Whether served from market stalls or Bib Gourmand kitchens, these meals speak to local culture as fluently as any museum or monument — often for less than the cost of a cup of coffee in some places.
As peak season pricing settles in, we've gathered together some of the world's cheapest destinations, which stand out for offering exceptional food at accessible prices. From night market noodles in Southeast Asia to highland stews from Brazil’s Sertão, here are some of the best places to eat widely — and wisely — this summer.
1. Oaxaca, Mexico
If Mexico had a culinary heart, it would beat in Oaxaca. From smoky moles to fresh tlayudas, the food here tells a thousand-year story. Dine at family-run fondas for under $5, sip smoky local mezcal for even less and explore bustling markets like Mercado 20 de Noviembre, where $10 can get you a full meal and dessert. Summer brings fewer tourists and plenty of sunshine, making it the perfect season to wander, snack and repeat.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Itatoní is a masa (corn dough) lover’s haven. This casual Oaxaca favorite showcases heirloom corn in memelitas, tetelas, and quesadillas cooked fresh on a comal griddle. Watch the action up close, then cool off with a glass of tascalate, the signature corn-and-chocolate drink.
2. Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is a street food paradise. It’s a city where locals start their day with phô (steaming bowls of richly flavored noodle soup) and end it with bún chả (grilled fatty pork over noodles) and ice-cold beer enjoyed sitting streetside on tiny plastic stools. A full meal will set you back about $2, and an egg coffee or sugarcane juice is loose change. The city is hot in summer, yes, but that just makes the iced drinks and chilled noodles even more appealing. While it’s true that summer storms roll in and out quickly, they offer dramatic skies and a perfect excuse to linger longer in local cafés.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Vị An, recognized by The MICHELIN Guide, specializes in authentic Northern Vietnamese flavors, with standout dishes like chả ốc (pork sausage with periwinkle snails) and gà xáo gừng (chicken cooked in turmeric and ginger). Hanoi has a host of top-notch spots, including 15 great-value restaurants, serving everything from lip-smackingly good spring rolls to chả cá, deboned cá lăng (Hemibagrus catfish) seasoned with turmeric, wrapped in banana leaves, grilled and served in a hot pot.
3. İzmir, Türkiye
Set against the Aegean’s blue shimmer, İzmir feels like a well-kept secret — a coastal city with a laid-back rhythm, rich culinary roots and prices that make eating out a pleasure, not a splurge. Whether you’re picking up a warm simit for cents at a seaside cart, diving into a $3 kumru sandwich stuffed with sausage and cheese or sitting down for mezze and fresh seafood in a tucked-away taverna, good food comes easy here. Esnaf lokantası — casual “tradesmen’s restaurants” — serve hearty home-style dishes for under $10, and the street food scene makes it easy to snack your way through the city. Add in a Mediterranean breeze and a generous, unfussy spirit, and you’ve got one of the best-value food cities on the map.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Beğendik Abi holds a Bib Gourmand, our Inspectors’ award for more affordable restaurants, of which there are seven in İzmir. There’s a rustic charm reflected in every dish. At the counter, an impressive selection of mezze and hot plates are ready to enjoy immediately. The restaurant honors traditional Turkish cuisine perfectly: Try the soft-cooked eggplant filled with minced meat and peppers, topped with tomato sauce and a light potato mousseline. Finish with the crispy baked puff pastry dessert filled with cottage cheese, caramel and hazelnuts. Delicious, authentic and affordable.
4. Kraków, Poland
Kraków surprises many first-time visitors with its creative, affordable food scene. Hearty Polish classics like pierogi, zurek soup and potato pancakes fill you up for just a few dollars, and even high-end restaurants remain budget friendly. The city comes alive in summer with riverside picnics, open-air concerts and evening strolls through its cobbled old town.
MICHELIN Guide pick: There are four budget-friendly spots that have been approved by our Inspectors in the city, and a favorite has to be Karakter. It buzzes with energy — loud music, inventive cocktails and stripped-back decor set the tone. The passionate young team champions offal with refined, inventive dishes like their signature horse meat tartare. Don’t miss the unbeatable set lunch menu.
5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The southern counterpart to Hanoi, HCMC buzzes with flavor and energy. Street vendors churn out bánh xèo (crispy rice pancakes), grilled pork over rice and bowls of sweet chè for under $2. Summer rains are short and refreshing, giving the city a lush vibrancy and making its dozens of indoor-outdoor cafés the perfect perch between bites.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Dim Tu Tac is in our Bib Gourmand selection. The Cantonese restaurant chain is renowned for its dim sum and Peking duck, offering high-quality dishes at affordable prices. The city, though, is blessed with 29 affordable spots serving dishes so flavorful that you won’t forget them in a hurry.
6. São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo surprises with its vibrant and diverse food scene that caters to all budgets. Thanks to its rich immigrant heritage and bustling street markets, you’ll find everything from affordable, authentic regional dishes to innovative street food — making world-class flavors surprisingly accessible without breaking the bank. Try pastel (deep-fried stuffed pastries), pão de queijo (cheese bread) and skewers of grilled meat, often costing just a few reais (under $2), or if you’re looking for restaurants, then opt for buffets where you pay by the weight of your plate, making it easy to control how much you spend. These spots serve everything from salads to feijoada and are frequented by locals for everyday meals. There’s a diverse food scene, including Japanese, Arab and Italian cuisines, which are represented in both high-end restaurants and casual neighborhood spots, where a full, satisfying meal can often cost under $10.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Mocotó was founded over 50 years ago by Pernambuco-born Zé Almeida. This first branch is famed for its mocotó (stewed cows’ feet with beans) and continues to celebrate Sertão cuisine under Chef Rodrigo Oliveira’s vision — “eyes on the world, feet grounded in the Sertão.” With a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere, the menu offers everything from iconic dadinhos de tapioca and grilled carne-de-sol to a vibrant vegan moqueca sertaneja, all perfectly paired with inventive cocktails. Make sure to put these other affordable spots on your list too.
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the epicenter of street food culture where every corner serves up bold, unforgettable flavors. From smoky grilled satay and tangy som tam to rich bowls of boat noodles, the city’s bustling markets and roadside stalls offer incredible meals for just a few dollars — a true feast for the senses at any hour.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Bunloet (Pom Prap Sattru Phai) is a street food vendor you won’t regret queuing at. This iconic food stall has been perfecting its egg noodles with grilled pork for over 40 years. The secret? Pork rump marinated for four hours in soy sauce, sugar, salt and pepper, then grilled over charcoal to smoky perfection. Tender noodles with a soft, sticky bite are served in a rich, savory pork bone broth. For other noteworthy spots, check out these 28 great-value, Inspector-approved places.
8. Nara, Japan
Nara, Japan’s serene ancient capital, hums quietly with timeless charm. Stroll past roaming deer and centuries-old temples, then savor delicate mochi and savory kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi) in cozy local eateries. With peaceful parks and historic streets bathed in seasonal colors, Nara invites slow, thoughtful indulgence.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Kiminami celebrates the pure simplicity of buckwheat and water, crafting soba that’s thin and refreshing in summer, thick and comforting in winter. Begin with shrimp tempura, its batter enriched with marunuki for a perfect delicate crunch. For other good-value spots, check out these eight Inspector-approved places in Nara.
9. Hangzhou, China
Hangzhou blends serene natural beauty with a rich culinary heritage, where delicate dishes like West Lake vinegar fish and fragrant Longjing tea-infused cuisine take center stage. Markets and teahouses offer authentic flavors that reflect the city’s elegance at accessible prices that invite lingering over every bite.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Pan Fang Chun (Zhongshan South Road) is one of 18 good-value restaurants here. A favorite spot for breakfast among locals, it specializes in potstickers — with a nicely charred, paper-thin crust and juicy pork filling, they taste even better dipped in chile sauce and vinegar. Cut through the richness with a bowl of sweet soy milk. For a lighter option, try the bite-size wonton soup with laver and scallions. Expect to queue at the door for service, and they close before 1 p.m., so you should come early to avoid disappointment — but it’s worth it.
10. Istanbul, Türkiye
Istanbul is a city where East meets West in a vibrant feast for the senses. Its bustling streets are lined with vendors offering everything from flaky simit rings and rich menemen breakfasts to fragrant kebabs and sweet, syrup-soaked baklava. Whether you’re savoring a cup of strong Turkish tea by the Bosphorus or diving into a hearty kumpir stuffed with endless fillings, Istanbul’s food scene effortlessly blends centuries of tradition with contemporary flair — all at prices that invite endless exploration.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Tatbak has been an Istanbul favorite since 1960, combining vintage charm with unbeatable value and local warmth. Don’t miss their spicy Gaziantep lahmacun or the lamb sausage and minced beef kebab — expertly crafted dishes where bold flavors and perfect textures shine. There are lots of noteworthy spots in the city, but check out these top four affordable eats from our Inspectors.
11. Mexico City, Mexico
A street food powerhouse, Mexico City offers everything from al pastor tacos to tamales at prices that make it easy to eat well on a budget. Visit traditional markets like Mercado de la Merced, where a few dollars go far, or sit down at a no-frills fonda for a full comida corrida meal. With mild summer rains and plenty of shaded plazas, it’s an ideal season to explore the capital’s culinary heart.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Taquería El Califa de León is a humble taqueria that made history by becoming the first taco stand to receive a MICHELIN Star. It’s known for its exceptional beef tacos served in handmade tortillas. The city has several affordable spots to make a note of; see these other 18 places.
12. Penang, Malaysia
One of the world’s top street food destinations — where Chinese, Indian and Malay flavors collide amidst George Town’s stunning British colonial-era architecture and vibrant street art. This is probably the cheapest destination for food lovers thanks to its diverse and plentiful offering of affordable eats in The MICHELIN Guide. Must-eats include char kway teow, laksa and roti canai for under $2. June and July bring less rain than spring and see night markets in full swing, making it the perfect time to sample your way through its bustling hawker centers.
MICHELIN Guide pick: Bib Gourmand My Own Café is a family-run shop that serves Penang asam laksa, nyonya laksa and fried spring rolls. Don’t miss the red soup of the signature asam laksa, which strikes the right balance of sour and spicy and is nicely topped off with mint and pineapple. The spring rolls, stuffed with vegetable filling, are also a must. The area has four dozen spots for failsafe, affordable eating.
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