A Guide to the Finest African Food Trucks
Street food feeds millions per day, and in some African countries, these foods appear bold on wheels. It started with simple mobile vendors selling food by the roadside. Now, chefs and entrepreneurs are using food trucks to take delicious meals to the streets of Africa.
You will find all sorts of meals, from gourmet to international options. Plus, the trucks are so mobile that they can show up whether you’re having a party, wedding, festival, or any gathering.
You might be looking to visit one or just want an idea of what they offer; this guide will go through what you need to know. Keep reading to find out the top African food trucks you should stop by while in Africa.
African food truck sample menus
Burgers
This staple is common in the African food trucks scene and is usually a juicy, gourmet version. Most trucks serve 100% beef patties on fluffy, seeded buns with toppings of different varieties. Some African food trucks offering top-notch burgers are Rockin’ Moroccan, Balkan Burger, and Mama Rocks.
Wraps
Grilled chicken, lamb, or any other meat is commonly wrapped in warm pita or tortillas and sold as a street food item. In Africa, you will find several food trucks offering such wraps packed with spice and flavour. In North Africa, their wraps might be flavoured with cumin, coriander, and saffron. While in West Africa, suya spice or yaji seasoning is commonly used to spice up the wraps.
Fries and Sides
Sides are purposely there to fill in or complete a meal. Fries are usually the top option when it comes to sides, but other options are also available. More sides include boerewors crumbles, onion rings, golden wedges, salads, etc.
Gourmet and Brunch Twists
Some African food trucks stand apart by turning classic food into something fancy. For example, Holy Macaroni serves its mac ‘n’ cheese with bacon, mushrooms, and truffle oil. They may even deep-fry it, which can be enjoyed as a snack.
Top 10 Food Trucks in South Africa
1. Chip ‘n Dip
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Chip ‘n Dip is a food truck business that started in 1995 as a simple mobile concept in Cape Town but has evolved into a recognisable brand with over 100 franchise locations. They have both fixed-location and mobile-unit eateries. At its core, Chip ‘n Dip is popular for its crispy fried potatoes served in a cone, drenched in mouth-watering sauces. They also offer a variety of meals and 14 different dips that keep the customer experience memorable. Chip ‘n Dip shows how a mobile food concept can scale while staying consistent.
Follow @chipndip
2. The Vegan Street Food Truck
Location: South Africa
The Vegan Street Food Truck is a movement proving that plant-based food can be both exciting and satisfying. How has it been going? Well, they have been bringing flavour-packed vegan meals to the streets, markets, and events. Whether it’s a festival, party, or wedding, they show up to satisfy customers with flavour-packed vegan meals. Plus, they use biodegradable packaging to show their commitment to sustainability.
Most of their meals, like bold-flavoured Kiffburgers and sweet Plant Pies, are made in-house. Meals they outsource, like falafels, they make sure to get from the best source in Cape Town. This food truck maintains a good presence online to connect with its audience. Plus, they have a live map on their website so their audience can track them wherever they are.
Follow @veganstreetfoodza
3. Bocsha
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Bocsha is an African food truck in Cairo that brings delicious meals, including seafood delicacies, to the streets. This food truck is commonly found in lively spots like Nasr City’s Children’s Park and River Walk in New Cairo. It blends classic fast food with coastal style, then offers a mix of local seafood and global dishes on its menu. You will find mouthwatering dishes, including Big Bang Shrimp roll, Calamaro bun, and local-style Baladi shrimp and fish fillet.
Follow @bocsha
4. Urban Fuxion
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Urban Fuxion is a West African food truck that expresses Lagos, Nigeria’s energy with a bold, street-style twist. They blend craft, quality, and responsibility to bring protein-rich street meals to the busy roads of Lekki. You will find their mobile setup parked at spots like Pitch and Court or Sip Nightclub.
On their menu, you will find sizzling lamb, wings, ribs, and prawns paired with delicious sides like waffle fries and rice bowls. They also have various drinks to select from, including margaritas and soft drinks. They are active through the weekdays (excluding Mondays) and change location on weekends to serve the nightlife crowd.
Follow @urbanfusion
5. BRGR
Location: Cairo, Egypt
The BRGR Truck is a container-style food hub that’s redefining Egypt’s street food scene. The truck is designed with graffiti art and neon lights to express dining with street-style energy. They serve fresh burgers ranging from the juicy American beef burger to a chicken sandwich topped with house-made pickles and buttermilk herb mayo. Plus, they offer exclusive Buffalo Bites and sundaes for the hotter days.
Follow @brgr
6. Nairobi Street Kitchen
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi Street Kitchen‘s food truck is one of the best food trucks in Kenya for grabbing hot, delicious street food. This food truck is in Nairobi and serves food lovers with diverse dishes, including local and global cuisines. You will find a variety of tasty burgers such as the cheeseburger, the Seoul fish burger, and the Ash burger.
They also have global dishes like samosas, pizza, pescado, bang bang chicken salad, and more. Plus, they can show up for an event you’re organising. Whether it’s a wedding, party, or any gathering, they will surely show up to serve a delicious treat. One good thing about them is that they use locally sourced ingredients to prepare their dishes.
Follow @nsk
7. Deijha Vu’s Jerk Hut
Location: Accra, Ghana
Deijha Vu’s Jerk Hut is an African food truck that aims to blend Caribbean soul with Ghanaian culture. It was founded by Deijha Gordon, who left the United States to move to Ghana and start a food truck business. This African-American entrepreneur’s decision became a life-changing one, leading her food truck to grow into a vibrant street food venture.
Deijha Vu’s Jerk Hut offers a variety of interesting meals, from spicy jerk chicken paired with doughnuts to rice and peas, which is commonly known as waakye in Ghana. With such a menu and effort, Deijha Gordon’s food truck business quickly gained attention from locals and visitors alike.
Follow @deijhavusjerkhut
8. Truck Central
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Truck Central is a food truck hub in Abuja, Nigeria, that offers amazing street food without compromising on variety or experience. The hub brings together a curated mix of food trucks, with each serving unique meals. What you can find among their menu includes wood-fired pizza at Lapip Pizzeria, fresh salad bowls at Fraiche by Binhasif, and rich sushi and ramen at Barbito Truck.
Plus, trucks like Suya Truck and Sticky Fingaz offer tasty, meaty dishes, while True Foods and Wellness Food Truck are a go-to for refreshing, wholesome juices. This is just a few we mentioned, but there are more delicious meals ranging from small chops to handcrafted tea.
Follow @truckcentral
9. Balkan Burger
Location: Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa
Balkan Burger is a food truck in Johannesburg and Pretoria that can elevate events while delivering big on flavor. Active since 2011, this food truck has been serving Balkan-inspired burgers on the street. Whether it’s a small party in your backyard, a company event, or a wedding, Balkan Burger’s food truck can deliver excellence at any location you want.
They make and serve hot, freshly made burgers right in their food truck. Plus, the meals are so tasty that your guests will have a memorable time. One unique offer they have is that if you don’t have a space for your event, they can take care of that. They offer venue hire in Johannesburg at The Backyard. The Backyard is a cozy spot with a vintage feel that works for any event size or style.
Follow @balkanburger
10. Holy Macaroni
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Opting for a cheesy experience? Holy Macaroni is that food truck that has taken the comfort of making remarkable Mac ‘n’ Cheese. With personal and old-school service, you get your meal from their truck as a takeaway or even get it delivered to your doorstep. One of their amazing services is the “Build A Mac Party”.
This offer allows guests to customise their own Mac ‘n’ Cheese at events. Additionally, they offer “Heat & Eat” meals, which are ready-made Mac ‘n’ Cheese dishes that can be stored in your freezer for later heating.
Follow @holymacaroni
Final Thought
The love for good food anytime in Africa has made street food popular, including food trucks. From Morocco to South Africa, you will find food trucks owned by businesses or hardworking citizens whose aim is to deliver quality meals on the street. However, African food trucks may seem different, but one thing they share is representing culture, and the growing demand for quick meals.