Food and Drink

These are the best food vans to visit in the UK

New research has revealed the best street food vans to visit in the UK – with three London entries on the list.

With more glorious summer weather on the way, an increasing number of food lovers are embracing el fresco dining to capitalise on London being, at times, hotter than Istanbul!

In fact, searches for ‘food vans near me’ have increased by 22 per cent in the last three months alone, while #foodvan has over 7.5 million views on TikTok.

To help point hungry customers to the best artisan street food vendors, new research from Vansdirect has revealed the UK’s most popular food vans that every food lover needs to visit.

The research, which analysed the social followings of some of the highest-rated food vans across the UK, found that London’s Sud Italia is the most Instagrammable food van in the country.

There are two other London entries – making the capital a must-visit spot for food trucks!

Here’s the list in full:

1. Sud Italia

Location: London

Cuisine: Italian

Great for: Authentic Neapolitan pizza

Known for its striking blue van and delicious Neapolitan pizza, Sud Italia is one of the best spots in London for an affordable (and Instagrammable!) bite to eat.

2. Taquitos

Location: Belfast

Cuisine: Mexican

Great for: Flavoursome food with a great view

Bringing authentic Mexican food to Belfast, Taquitos is situated at the Big Fish plaza, with gorgeous waterside views. It’s also super affordable, with TripAdvisor listing its price range as £2 – £6.

3. Anna Mae’s

Location: London

Cuisine: Mac n Cheese

Great for: The ultimate comfort food

The UK’s ‘original Mac n Cheese dealers’, Anna Mae’s offers an extensive range of mac ‘n’ cheese dishes, from classic to plant-based. What’s more, you can purchase their cookbook to recreate the delicious cheesy delights at home.

4. The Green Grill

Location: London

Cuisine: Vegan

Great for: Plant-based burgers

Founded with a mission to ‘revolutionise’, The Green Grill is perfect for vegans, or those keen to try more plant-based food, wanting their junk food fix.

5. Icarus & Apollo

Location: Sheffield

Cuisine: Vegan

Great for: Colourful fusion dishes

A fixture of the Sheffield vegan scene, Icarus & Apollo prides itself on serving delicious and ethical food. With a diverse menu, visitors can enjoy dishes such as loaded flatbreads, Bahn Mis, and curry bowls.

6. Dim Sum Su

Location: Manchester

Cuisine: Asian

Great for: Family-inspired street food

Primarily found on the market and food festival circuit across Greater Manchester, Sue Lee’s Dim Sum Su food van serves up artisan street food, inspired by recipes that have been handed down her family for generations.

7. The Bournville Waffle Company

Location: Birmingham

Cuisine: Dessert

Great for: Indulgent and inventive waffles

The Bournville Waffle Company promise to offer a dessert that is unlike any other and, with offerings such as Eton Mess, honeycomb cheesecake, and banoffee waffles, this food van is essential visiting for anyone with a sweet tooth!

8. Mrs Falafel

Location: Glasgow

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Great for: Fresh and flavoursome falafel

This food van is a one stop shop for fresh, authentic Middle Eastern food. Delicious falafels and lamb koftas are served with a colourful array of sides and salads, from baba ghanoush to tabouleh.

9. Falafel Guys

Location: Leeds

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Great for: Rainbow hummus

Another van for falafel lovers, this caravan serves up tasty and generous portions, perfect for a casual bite to eat. Make sure to try the iconic pink and black hummus, guaranteed to make a splash on your Instagram feed.

10. Dough Man’s Land

Location: Glasgow

Cuisine: Italian

Great for: Wood-fired pizzas and friendly service

Glasgow’s second appearance on the list is the perfect spot for pizza lovers. A quaint kerbside food van, Dough Man’s Land serves delicious wood-fired pizza with a range of toppings.

Related: The ultimate guide to London’s best pizza places

Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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