The Most Popular Food Vans in the UK, Revealed
From Indian street food and Pan-Asian delicacies to traditional fish and chip shops, the UK is a nation of food lovers that wholeheartedly embrace every cuisine.
And with everyone looking to make the most of their summer, more Brits are certain to be looking to eat al fresco while out and about in the sun. That’s where food vans come into the picture, offering a quick bite to eat without the hassle of booking a table or sitting indoors.
But where should you head for your tasty lunch-on-the-go? And how can you tell a standard burger van from an artisan street food vendor?
As part of our 'Behind the Wheel' campaign, which highlights the entrepreneurs behind successful mobile businesses, we have mapped out the UK’s most popular food vans to point hungry customers in the right direction.
How we Found the UK's Top Food Vans
To create our list, we collated all winners and runners-up from the British Street Food Awards over the last five years.
We then analysed their total follower counts across Instagram and Facebook to discover which vendors have the biggest online following, giving you a guide to the most popular street food in the UK.
What are the UK's Most Popular Street Food Vans?
Our research found that two food vans in St Albans took the top spots. Peddling Pizza has the largest online presence with over 200,000 followers, while dessert van Waffle Wands is a close second with over 165,000.
With a third St Albans vendor, Killa Waffles, also making the top 10, the city is clearly the UK’s number one street food hotspot. This incredible concentration of culinary talent is no coincidence; it’s built on a foundation of history.
St Albans is home to the UK’s oldest continuous market, a bustling hub of trade that has operated on the same site for over 1,000 years. This historic, popular setting provides the perfect pitch for modern, social media-savvy vendors to thrive, blending ancient tradition with contemporary taste.
See the top 10 list of the UK's best food vans below.
|
Rank |
Name |
Location |
Total Followers |
|
1 |
Peddling Pizzas |
St Albans |
202,300 |
|
2 |
Waffle Wands |
St Albans |
165,300 |
|
3 |
Chicken George |
Bedford |
94,900 |
|
4 |
Cheeky Burger |
London |
42,800 |
|
5 |
The Old Skool Bus |
Manchester |
34,900 |
|
6 |
Killa Waffles |
St Albans |
32,400 |
|
7 |
Baldy’s |
Wigan |
28,900 |
|
8 |
Unagi |
Manchester |
25,900 |
|
9 |
Hash Hut |
London |
23,300 |
|
10 |
Pizza Rana |
Blackpool |
16,500 |
1. Peddling Pizzas: St Albans
What started as a redundancy became a recipe for success for Adam Atkins, who now serves what many call the best pizza in St Albans. His signature Neapolitan-style creations are served from a custom yellow Chevy truck, which was crowned Best-Looking Food Truck at the British Street Food Awards.
2. Waffle Wands: St Albans
Launched by sisters Sophie and Lauren in 2018, Waffle Wands has become a go-to for sweet treats in St Albans. Their signature fluffy waffle spirals on sticks have attracted a huge following, with clients including the English national football lteam and Reading Festival.
3. Chicken George: Bedford
For those searching for Southern-fried chicken in Bedford, look no further than Chicken George. This family-run van, now headed by a Michelin-trained chef, was named the best takeaway in the UK in 2016 for its gourmet take on fast food classics.
4. Cheeky Burger: London
Founded by husband and wife team Sebastien and Marta Lambot, Cheeky Burger is a must-visit for anyone seeking the best burgers in London. Starting on the streets before opening a restaurant in Camden, their award-winning formula focuses on quality British beef and house-made sauces.
5. The Old Skool Bus: Manchester
A converted American school bus is home to this family-run Tex-Mex food truck in Manchester. The Old Skool Bus serves tacos, nachos, and burrito bowls and was named “Most Unique Catering” at the 2024 UK Quirky Wedding Awards, making it a top spot for unique dining in Manchester.
6. Killa Waffles: St Albans
Serving loaded cones of crispy chicken and mac and cheese from a vintage 1941 military truck, Killa Waffles offers one of the most unique street food experiences in St Albans. In 2022, it won BBC’s Britain’s Top Takeaways, cementing its reputation as a top fried chicken takeaway in the UK.
7. Baldy’s: Wigan
What began in a pub kitchen has become one of the UK's most decorated mobile pie kitchens. Founded by chef Alex Melling, Baldy's serves inventive flavours that have earned it the title of best pies in Wigan, bagging 10 British Pie Awards in 2025 alone.
8. Unagi: Manchester
Born from a food van in Altrincham, Unagi is now a staple for Japanese food in Manchester. Specialising in Neo-Tokyo-inspired cuisine and sushi, it has expanded to multiple locations and won the People’s Choice at the 2022 British Street Food Awards.
9. Hash Hut: London
For unique street food in London, Hash Hut is a must-try. This mobile kitchen, founded by a former Michelin-starred restaurant chef, serves gourmet loaded hash browns. Its inventive take on the humble potato earned it a finalist spot at the 2023 British Street Food Awards.
10. Pizza Rana: Blackpool
When former railway engineer Liam Galt grew tired of travelling for a good slice, he launched Pizza Rana. Now, it's one of the most recognised spots for Neapolitan pizza in Blackpool and a standout in the Northwest street food scene.
At Vansdirect, we are committed to forging ties with the business community. We do this through initiatives like our 'Behind the Wheel' campaign, which celebrates the entrepreneurs who drive successful UK businesses.
If this guide to the UK's best street food has you inspired to launch your own mobile food business, take the first step on your journey with Vansdirect. We offer a wide range of affordable new van lease deals from the most prestigious manufacturers on the market.
