- Destinations
- Experiences
- Stay
- What's new
- Celebrating People
- Responsible Tourism
- CampaignsCampaigns
- Subscribe
- Buy Now
Each year, Time Out, a British media and hospitality company, celebrates the world’s “Coolest Streets,” highlighting neighbourhoods that bring a city to life with food, drink, culture, nightlife, and a strong sense of community. Streets are nominated by local editors and contributors who know the pulse of their cities, then evaluated on factors such as culinary offerings, arts and culture, nightlife, and street‑level vibrancy.
The list focuses on authentic, offbeat corners — independent shops, hidden cafés, live music venues, and creatively repurposed heritage buildings — where locals and travellers alike can experience the heart of urban life. For visitors, it’s a curated guide to exploring the city like a local. This year, the coolest streets list is out again, and here are the top seven streets to visit.
Time Out has named Rua do Senado in Rio de Janeiro the top street on this year’s “Coolest Streets” list. Nestled in the heart of downtown Rio, the street has long been celebrated for its bohemian charm, historic mansions, and lively atmosphere. Once famous for antique shops and a relaxed vibe, Rua do Senado is now enjoying a stylish revival that blends heritage with contemporary culture, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and travellers.
Why It’s Cool
According to Time Out, it’s the mix of history, culture, and community that makes Rua do Senado so special. The iconic Armazém Senado, open since 1907, hosts traditional samba sessions every Saturday, keeping the street’s cultural heart alive. New venues like chef Lucio Vieira’s Lilia, focusing on organic, seasonal dishes, and Destilaria Maravilha, offering artisanal cocktails and live DJs, bring fresh energy. Across the street, the art collective Solar dos Abacaxis is transforming a 1912 factory into Mercado Central RJ, a vibrant hub of 40 shops and restaurants. Visiting on a Saturday is ideal, when music, open shops, and festive crowds create a truly unforgettable experience — exactly the kind of authentic vibrancy that Time Out celebrates in its Coolest Streets list.
Time Out has named Orange Street in Osaka one of this year’s must-visit streets. Originally Tachibana Street, it became a nationally recognised furniture hub after the post-war economic boom. Today, it brings together tradition and modernity, with long-standing furniture shops, vintage stores, and independent Japanese fashion labels lining the street, making it a lively cultural destination that reflects Osaka’s past and present.
Why It’s Cool
Time Out highlights Orange Street for its unique mix of heritage, shopping, and local flavour. Visitors can grab warm bagel donuts at Bo-no Bakery with coffee from Granknot, enjoy theatrical cocktails at Saiko People, or hunt for one-off fashion finds at Apollo Keikaku. Walking the street is like flipping through Osaka’s history, offering travellers an authentic and vibrant urban experience that combines design, culture, and community.
Rua do Bonjardim is quickly becoming one of Porto’s most vibrant streets, a place where history, creativity, and everyday city life meet. From its elegant, restored buildings to buzzing cafés and colourful local shops, the street captures the city’s unique charm. Visitors can stroll past traditional grocers, artisanal bakeries, and iconic restaurants while feeling the pulse of Porto’s emerging cultural scene. Just a short walk from Bolhão Market and Avenida dos Aliados, Rua do Bonjardim offers both accessibility and an authentic local atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to explore the heart of the city beyond the usual tourist trails.
Why It’s Cool
Rua do Bonjardim is where Porto’s past and present come together. Classic favourites like Conga and Antunes serve legendary pork dishes, while newer spots such as Mila Bonjardim and Luffa offer artisan breads and inventive, playful Portuguese cuisine. For drinks, Ottto combines wine, small plates, and art in an eclectic setting, perfect for lingering with friends. At the street’s southern end, Praça D. João I and the Rivoli Theatre anchor the area with performances and cultural events. Time Out highlights Rua do Bonjardim as a street where local tradition, creative energy, and vibrant urban life merge, offering travellers a genuine taste of Porto’s character.
Fanghua Street in Chengdu ranks number four on Time Out’s Coolest Streets list, celebrated for its retro charm and youthful energy. Once a quiet residential lane, it has become the city’s go-to strip for people-watching, coffee sipping, and boutique browsing. Renovated low-rise apartments, street murals, and a mix of traditional mahjong halls and trendy cafés give the street a lively, authentic vibe that captures everyday life in Chengdu.
Why It’s Cool
Time Out highlights Fanghua Street for its unique mix of local culture, food, and design. Visitors can enjoy Chengdu-style spicy snacks from small shops, handmade jewellery at independent studios, or a leisurely coffee or cocktail at spots like Carpark. Dining options include Hygge Life, serving black truffle pappardelle and Parma ham pizza, or De Sheng Gong She Zì Gong Bao Chao for spicy rabbit dishes. Whether sitting on a folding chair watching life unfold or hopping between indie stores like Moor Vintage and Crystal Dreamscape, Fanghua Street offers an unfiltered, vibrant slice of the city that travellers won’t want to miss.
Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal winds its way west from Saint-Laurent Boulevard through the Golden Square Mile and into Downtown, Westmount, and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, offering a mix of historic charm and contemporary energy. With its chic cafés, independent boutiques, and lively neighbourhoods, the street pulses with students from McGill, UQÀM, Concordia, and Dawson College, alongside locals and visitors exploring its cultural landmarks. Stretching across some of Montreal’s most vibrant areas, Sherbrooke Street West combines architectural gems, bustling shops, and thriving restaurants, making it a dynamic corridor that captures the city’s creativity and spirit.
Why It’s Cool
Sherbrooke Street West buzzes with culture, cuisine, and shopping. Wander past historic gems like the McCord Stewart Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, then explore indie boutiques, vintage stores, and specialty shops. Grab gorgonzola gnocchi at Il Cortile, naan at Star of India, or inventive cocktails at Entre-Deux, and finish the day with a pint at Benelux. Book lovers can lose themselves in Phoenix Books and Encore Books and Records, while Goodee offers unique design finds. Time Out praises the street for its mix of history, creativity, and vibrant urban life—a must-visit slice of Montreal energy.
Montague Road stretches three kilometres from South Brisbane into the heart of West End, linking two of the city’s most vibrant and culturally rich neighbourhoods. Once a quiet industrial corridor, the street has evolved into a walkable, leafy spine brimming with creativity, local flavour, and a distinctly West End energy. Life here is relaxed yet lively, with young professionals, creatives, long-term locals, students, and families sharing the streets, cafés, galleries, and markets that make Montague Road a standout destination.
Why It’s Cool
Time Out praises Montague Road for its mix of culture, food, and community spirit. Along the street, world-class institutions like the Thomas Dixon Centre, home to Queensland Ballet, and Queensland Theatre bring artistry and performance to the neighbourhood, while smaller independent spaces such as Vacant Assembly and Milani Gallery showcase grassroots creativity. Food and drink options range from Middle Eastern feasts at Layla to award-winning coffee at Coffee Mentality, plus quirky cafés, pubs, and gelaterias. On weekends, the West End Markets at Davies Park offer fresh produce, street food, and lively local vibes. Walkable, shaded, and full of character, Montague Road captures the eclectic, free-spirited heart of Brisbane.
The seventh spot on Time Out’s Coolest Streets list goes to Maybachufer in Berlin’s Reuterkiez. Once a swampy meadow, this canalside stretch has evolved into one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Its 19th-century industrial roots remain visible in historic tenements and old workshops, but today the area buzzes with markets, cafés, and cycling culture. Locals and visitors gather along the Landwehr Canal for food, drink, and relaxed afternoons under willow trees, making Maybachufer a lively, authentic slice of Berlin beyond the usual tourist routes.
Why It’s Cool
Time Out highlights Maybachufer for its unique mix of food, culture, and everyday city life. The Turkish Market, held twice a week, fills the canalside with fresh produce, herbs, and hot börek, while cafés like Pavillon am Ufer and Brammibal’s Donuts serve coffee, cinnamon waffles, and vegan treats perfect for canalside picnics. Kai Maison offers Asian-French-Japanese fusion alongside excellent people-watching, and shoppers can browse the Stoffmarkt, the Nowkoelln Flowmarkt flea market, or vintage boutiques along Bürknerstraße and Sanderstraße. Cyclists pedal past as friends gather under willow trees, while the canal stretches into Kreuzberg and Tiergarten, making Maybachufer a vibrant, relaxed, and community-driven hub of Berlin life.
In Time Out’s 2025 “Coolest Streets in the World” list, nine streets from Asia made the cut, highlighting the continent’s diverse and vibrant urban life. These include Orange Street in Osaka, Fanghua Street in Chengdu, Vĩnh Khánh Street in Ho Chi Minh City, Nishihara Shōtengai in Tokyo, Joo Chiat Road in Singapore, Jalan Kemang Raya in Jakarta, Nakpil Street in Manila, Charoen Nakhon Road in Bangkok, and Jalan Pudu in Kuala Lumpur. Each street reflects a unique blend of local culture, community spirit, food, nightlife, shopping and creativity, from Japan’s evolving neighbourhoods and vintage boutiques to Southeast Asia’s bustling food streets and Singapore’s heritage shophouses.
What is the “Coolest Streets” list?
The “Coolest Streets” list is an annual ranking by Time Out that highlights streets around the world full of life, culture, and local charm. It focuses on streets with independent shops, restaurants, nightlife, art, and a strong sense of community.
How does Time Out decide which streets make the list?
Local editors and city experts nominate streets they consider the coolest, and the global Time Out team evaluates them based on factors like food, drink, culture, nightlife, and overall authenticity.
Who is this list meant for — locals, tourists, or both?
The list is designed for both. It showcases streets beloved by residents while also guiding visitors toward authentic, culturally rich neighbourhoods.
Does “coolest” mean the street is glamorous or touristy?
Not necessarily. Often the coolest streets are those with strong local character, independent businesses, creative spaces, and historic charm. Their appeal comes from authenticity and energy rather than luxury or mainstream tourist appeal.
Is the list stable — will the “cool” streets stay cool forever?
Streets evolve over time, and what’s considered “cool” can change with trends, new businesses, and cultural shifts. The list captures a snapshot of streets that feel especially vibrant at the moment.
