This unexpected Aussie street food market just ranked among the world's top spots

When you think of the world's best street food markets, Australia probably doesn't spring to mind, but one unexpected location is trending for global snack-seekers.

Sydney's Hay St Market at Paddy's Markets has been named among the top destinations for travellers searching for tasty morsels in a relaxed setting.

Hay St Market is the sixth most-searched street food market in the world, according to Google data analysed by travel search engine Rome2Rio.

The Haymarket location, which up until a year ago was a chaotic flea market, has had a new lease on life after major renovations launched a brand new street food space into the offering.

The result is more than a 500-per-cent rise in the number of searchers looking up how to get there, according to the data.

Hay St Market at Paddy's is a vibrant new space with 48 food and beverage offerings under one roof.

The new section of the market sits alongside an upgraded traditional market selling clothes, bric-a-brac and fresh produce.

The market showcases Sydney's diverse multicultural food scene, tapping into some of the most celebrated street food cultures - and dishes - around the world, including Vietnamese, Mexican and European.

Whether you want to try these global flavours at home or pack your bags for the source, here are some of the world's most-searched - and most iconic - street food destinations to add to your bucket list.

Savour artisanal pasta, snack on charcuterie, sip craft beers and sample from nearly 50 food traders and hawker stalls.

Some of the standouts include Luke Nguyen's Luke Luk Dumplings selling tasty morsels like Singapore chilli crab dumplings and laksa-filled parcels.

Try K-Pocha Korean corner where you'll pick up crispy fried chicken and kimchi pancakes, or pick up a feed from Taco Nixtamal where corn dough is made fresh daily and filled with slow-braised beef barbacoa and smoky chicken tinga.

Take a seat and listen to live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Grand Bazaar was the top-searched street food market in the world over the last 12 months, with 36,640 annual searches, more than double any other market on the list, according to Rome2Rio.

This is one of the oldest and largest indoor marketplaces in the world, set inside a walled, historic peninsula, and stretching between two grand mosques.

Head here for fresh doner wraps, charred meats, classic sweets like Turkish delight and baklava, sweet apple tea and, of course, Turkish coffee.

Eliza Woodley, executive assistant and travel advisor at Woodley and Turner Travel Associates, says her most memorable street food experience was in Sri Lanka. Here, the markets are loud, fiery and aromatic, and curry and rice is a meal fit for any occasion.

Hearty, comforting and carb-heavy are some of the words that could describe the street food scene in Santiago. In among the trendy restaurants and funky bars in Barrio Lastarria you will find innovative takes on classic Chilean dishes, as well as traditional street food snacks, says Woodley.

"I loved trying out some classic Chilean staples of Churrasco pulled pork sandwiches with green beans and lemon, Completos (Chilean hot dogs) and Sopaipillas in the local streets of Lastarria. Completos are not your typical hot dog - they were delicious! They were covered in avocado, chopped up tomato and onion," Woodley says.

Two of Taiwan's Taipei markets claimed the second and third spot on the Rome2Rio list. The bustling Shilin Night Market offers delicacies including oyster omelettes, stinky tofu and tanghulu, and you can enjoy many of them in the comfort of a new airconditioned underground section.

Make sure you try the juicy and heavily seasoned chicken cutlets, Chinese pan-fried buns with cabbage or pork fillings, and vermicelli soups with oysters and braised intestines. Many stalls here are Michelin-recommended.

Or try the Raohe Street Night Market, set on a 600-metre stretch of street with a golden gate at each end, known for its grilled seafood, pork ribs and pepper buns. Leave room for a mochi for dessert.