Call it a long-needed respite from the hot dog carts dotting downtown Vancouver streets.

Foods from countries and cultures around the world will soon be hitting Vancouver streets under the city's expanded street food pilot program.

After wading through close to 800 applications representing 21 countries, the 17 winning food offerings will be available at street side locations starting July 31. The lottery draw for the additional food cart locations was announced Friday morning.

"The popularity of this is a clear indication that people want to see a wide range of food on our streets and they want the offerings to reflect the cuisine of our culturally diverse city," Mayor Gregor Robertson said.

"We've got a world-class city and people want a world-class street food scene to match."

Countries represented by applicants and menus include Afghani, Chinese, Cambodian, French, Greek, Indian, Iranian/Persian, Italian, Jamaican/Caribbean, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Malaysian, Mexican, Polish, Taiwanese, Thai, Tibetan, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

Proposed menu items include dim sum, borsht, schnitzel, stone ground pizza, burritos, falafel and bakery items. There's also traditional west coast fare like salmon and local fruit.

An alternate vendor has been selected for each space in the event a vendor is unable to launch their cart service.

Under the city plan, successful menu offerings should be nutritional and healthy and vendors should have a plan to manage waste. All food items must be approved by Vancouver Coastal Health.

Robertson said the city is already looking for ways to expand food cart options even more across the city.

"As we head into the heart of the summer season and welcome visitors to Vancouver, our city will be more alive and inviting with the new foods vendors will bring to our streets," he said.

Here's the full list of new locations:

  • East Side of 200 Howe St – 100 metres North of W Cordova St: Chinese Dim Sum
  • South Side of 400 W Georgia St – 12 metres East of Richards St: Korean food with meat and vegetarian options
  • North Side of 700 W Cordova St – 14 metres East of Howe St: Burritos, whole wheat, rice, beans, sauces, fillings
  • East Side of 700 Homer St – 20 metres South of W Georgia St: Chicken salad with lettuce, tomato. Fruit cup with melon, kiwi and mixed fruit.
  • East Side of 700 Hornby St – 22 metres South of W Georgia St: Southern BBQ, Rice, Veggies
  • South Side of 700 W Georgia St – 20 metres West of Granville St: Traditional Chinese and Japanese Cuisine
  • South Side of 900 W Hastings St – 24 metres East of Burrard St: Skewers of beef and pork
  • West Side of 1100 Burrard St – 28 metres South of Helmcken St: Greek Donair
  • West Side of 1100 Burrard St – 25 metres North of Davie St: Modern Satay Barbeque
  • South Side of 2000 Beach Av – 30 metres West of Chilco St: Fresh squeezed Lemonade
  • East Side of 600 Granville St – 50 metres North of W Georgia St: Fresh Bakery
  • West Side of 600 Granville St – 95 metres North of W Georgia St: Healthy meals & snacks, roll ups, sandwiches
  • East Side of 6400 Cambie St – 20 metres North of W 49th Ave: Specialty noodles
  • East Side of 1300 Main St – 12 metres North of Terminal Ave: Falafel
  • West Side of 1100 Station St, or West Side of 400 Burrard St: Authentic Italian stone ground pizza
  • West Side of 1200-1300 Arbutus St, or North Side of 1000 W Georgia St: Fresh & frozen fruits, chocolate dipped fruits
  • West Side of 1400 NW Marine Dr, or East Side of 800 Hornby St: Central European foods from Poland, Russia, using local organic products, borscht, schnitzel

What are you most excited to try? Have your say and leave a comment…