The Street Food Trail is an extension of the Surrey Spice Trail. A culinary experience that will allow you to try street foods from SouthEast Asia, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and Latin America.
You can either approach this trail as an adventure to undertake over a few weekends in Surrey and tick off all the places on our list. Or, you can grab a group of friends and tackle our one-day tour which features eight specific stops and a range of dishes to sample. The one-day tour also gives you an opportunity to experience Surrey’s famous Payal Plaza which houses a variety of South Asian grocery and clothing stores, as well as restaurants.
In the simplest terms, street food is prepared or cooked food sold by vendors in a street or other public location for immediate consumption. But the truth is so much more than that. Street food is an experience. Often these small packets of food can be a gateway to experience the unique flavours of a global cuisine. Street food is the food of the people — no bells and whistles, just immense, intense flavour. And here in Surrey we are lucky enough to have access to many amazing street food options.
Things to keep in mind:
Park your car and take a stroll through Surrey’s famous Payal Plaza to discover a burst of flavours throughout the listed restaurants. While you’re there, feel free to peruse the variety of South Asian grocery and clothing stores as well.
We’ve listed our recommended route below but feel free to adjust the order as you see fit.
12855 80 Ave, Surrey, V3W 4E9, Canada
Chaiiwala offers the perfect mix of street food style snacks for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and of course a variety of chai offerings. Our pick is the kadak chai, just what you need to refuel for the next leg of your Street Food Trail adventures.
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: India
12855 80 Ave Unit 101, Surrey, V3W 4E9
Chacha’s Tandoor and Grill brings together traditional South Asian flavours with a modern delivery. Experience delicious food alongside brightly-coloured walls and casual and fun dinning atmosphere.
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Country of origin: India
101 – 8050 128 Street Little India Plaza, Surrey, V3W 4E9
Tandoori Town harkens back to the takeout stalls of New Delhi and Mumbai, and the food suffers none for the switch to swift: the owners cut no corners in their cooking and they will tell you that every Indian restaurant likes to put a spin on the fish pakora.
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: India
12877 80 Ave Unit 107, Surrey, V3W 0E6
Chaat is the ultimate street food, and Akash Chaat House has every variety you could imagine. From kulha and bhature breads, to yogurt based chaats, and even lime sodas, they have every sweet and tangy flavour on the chaat spectrum.
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: India
8140 128 St Unit 348, Surrey, V3W 1R1
Kebabs are the crown jewels of street food. The perfect kebab should be tender, juicy, flavourful, and of course served piping hot, and Karahiwala does just that. A restaurant that celebrates traditional Pakistani flavours and cooking techniques, they will definitely take your tastebuds on an adventure.
*Take note to put in the specific address mentioned above as there is secondary location not too far from Payal Plaza on 84th ave.
Suggested items to try:
8140 128 St Suite 335, Surrey, V3W
Dragon Wok’s menu features iconic Indo-Chinese recipes that the chef owner’s brought with them from their hometown of Calcutta India. Don’t miss the Manchurian features!
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: India
7310 120 St #110, Surrey, V3W 3M9
This one’s optional. Although technically not within Payal Plaza, taps, tacos and its walkable distance makes Russell Brewing the perfect next stop on your Street Food adventure. They offer tacos with a variety of meats and vegetarian options. And while you are there may we suggest trying a beer slushie or a lime margarita slushie. You won’t regret it!
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: Mexico
8128 128 St Unit # 311, Surrey, V3W 1R1
Finishing a meal with paan, ice cream, or falooda is a must, so don’t miss Shalimar Paan & Ice Cream on your tour. If you are adventurous try the paan, its a wild explosion of flavours – fennel, rose, betel leaf and so many other layers. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, go for the falooda. It’s part ice cream, part milkshake, and it has beads like bubble tea.
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: Pakistan
10252 City Pkwy #100, Surrey, V3T 4C2
Pakistani style dhaba. A dhaba is a roadside restaurant, that serves a limited menu of local cuisine. At the Pindi Dhaba you’ll get to sample a selection of chai and paronthas.
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Country of origin: Pakistan
#109 12837 88th Ave. Surrey, V3W3K2
Portable, convenient and delicious. Samosa House’s stufed samosas check all the boxes for the perfect street food. Don’t forget to try some of their unique flavours – the butter chicken samosa is one we’d go back for. Oh, and while you are there, how about a mango milkshake?
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: India
7310 120 St #110, Surrey, V3W 3M9
Bandra Cafe highlights the street food of Mumbai. Inspired by the old Irani cafes of Bombay they serve hyper regional eats from the suburb of Bandra – also know as the Queen of the Subarbs in Mumbai!
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Country of origin: India
7500 120 St #201, Surrey, V3W 3N1
Apna Chaat Express offers the most authentic gol gappa/pani puri experience in Surrey. Traditionally gol gappe are always served standing up on the side of the road, so the standing golgappa service is really something to try here.
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10227 King George Blvd, Surrey, V3T 2W6
Mahaveer Chef’s Choice is well known for there Amritsari Kulcha. These kulcha’s are famous across India, they are a flatbread stuffed with potatoes and spices, and then layered several times before being cooked in a tandoor. An Amritsari kulcha is flaky layered flatbread not to be missed! Pair it with a cold lassi for the perfect experience.
Suggested items to try:
Country of origin: India
10302 City Pkwy #7, Surrey, V3T 4Y8
Steamed buns are popular across South East Asia, and are often eaten as a roadside snack. At New Moon Bakery you can get a variety of filled buns that are sweet and savoury.
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Country of origin: Philippines and China
#9547—152nd St, Surrey, BC V3R 5Y5
#12815A—96 Ave, Surrey, BC V3V 6V9
A Surrey staple, Lighthouse has been making there perfectly crispy pakoras for years! We suggest the fish or chicken pakoras, perfectly crispy and golden.
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Country of origin: India
12101 72 Ave #122,
Surrey, V3W 2M1
Did you know, sushi was originally a street food in Japan? Quick, convient, and filling. Make a stop at Kami Japanese for a fill up on all the classic sushi flavours and some unique specialities like the angry jalepeno or the ebiyonnaise.
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Country of origin: Japan
12830 96 Ave, Surrey, V3V 6A8
Layered flatbreads stuffed with potatoes, cauliflower or even paneer, and then of course topped with a generous helping of butter. Paronthas are a streetside brunch special in South Asia, and Sanjha Punjab Dhaba brings those flavours to their parontha plates right here in Surrey.
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Country of origin: India