A telephoto lens could help you capture people's expressions on the streets... I know there's the whole privacy thing and all, but I think a street photographer should be bold. Haha.. sorry, just my humble opinion.
(of course there are many solutions that can help convey the atmosphere and play with the whole scene in front of us)
I invite you to look at street photos of... 🤔... Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), for example.
https://www.oldskull.net/fotografia/10-fotografias-imprescindibles-de-henri-cartier-bresson/