Every year, Time Out ranks the best cities in the world. For 2024, it’s ranking the world’s 30 coolest streets—and five U.S. cities made the cut. But these are not expected spot (sorry, Fifth Avenue).
“These streets are places with real character and community at their heart, where in-the-know locals go to hang out, eat, drink, dance and shop,” Grace Beard, Time Out’s travel editor, told me in an interview. “This is a definitive guide to the very coolest bits of the world’s most exciting cities, for travelers who really want to get a taste of local life on their next city break.”
High Street in Melbourne, Australia came out on top, with Time Out naming it the coolest street on the planet. “High Street is cool in all the ways you’d expect with its unique, something-for-everyone local businesses.” Leah Glynn, Time Out’s Melbourne editor, told me in an interview. “There are epic restaurants, hidden bars, live music venues and boutique shops—but there’s also a warm sense of community spirit that means everyone feels welcome. It’s a place where people want to spend their time, and in our opinion, it doesn’t get much cooler than that.”
A view of Melbourne, Australia—which is home to the coolest street in the world, according to Time … [+]
The United States was the country with the most streets on this list—five overall. “The fact that an impressive five U.S. streets made this year’s list of the World’s Coolest Streets is a testament to the strong community resiliency found across America right now,” Will Gleason, Time Out’s content director of the Americas, told me in an interview. “While central business districts may still be adapting to the new normal of hybrid work, more residential and mixed-use areas are thriving thanks to independent stores, innovative restaurants and bars, social gathering spaces and green initiatives.”
What’s the top street in the United States? East Eleventh in Austin, Texas, where you’ll find food, culture, music and more. (It came in number three overall.) “In Austin, there is no other street that captures the city’s spirit more than East Eleventh,” says Gleason. “Unlike other streets in the city, it’s not constantly vying for the spotlight but earns its beloved status among locals by packing every square inch with incredible food, excellent coffee, a historic venue and a backyard stage that evokes the bespoke approach Austinites take to keep the city’s soul alive.”
Austin, Texas, which is home to one of the coolest streets in the world and the coolest street in … [+]
New York City’s other Fifth Avenue—Fifth Avenue in Park Slope—came in at number 13. “The ‘Other Fifth’ in NYC’s Park Slope ranks number 13 of Time Out’s Coolest Street right now, with the Barclays Center to its north and the Prospect Expressway to the south,” Shaye Weaver, editor of Time Out New York, told me in an interview. “This street has been quietly cool for a while, hiding behind its family-friendly reputation—but its regular community festivals, restaurants, shops and third spaces make it New York City’s coolest street this year.”
Other U.S. cities that made the list include Los Angeles (East Third Street came in at number 15), Chicago (18th Street was at number 21) and Miami (Miracle Mile, set in Coral Gables, was at number 26).
There were some big trends that Time Out spotted while compiling the list, according to Beard, including “vinyl and listening bars in lieu of nightclubs, old buildings repurposed into cultural hubs and probably more mentions of ‘natural wine’ than we’ve ever seen before.”
Another big trend: “What stands out to me the most is how outdoor dining and drinking has stuck around,” says Beard. “Open-air culture is no longer a temporary measure—it defines many of our coolest streets, particularly those that have been pedestrianized.”
Here, we’ve got Time Out’s list of the 30 coolest streets in the world, with a quick look at why they made the list and should be on every traveler’s radar. You can also go here to see Time Out’s full report on the world’s 30 coolest streets.
1. High Street – Melbourne, Australia
This year, High Street in Melbourne, Australia came out on top, thanks to its something-for-everyone vibe—think, vintage stores, cool cafes and more. But it’s not the first time a Melbourne street has landed on Time Out’s list. “Melburnians are spoiled for choice when it comes to well-trodden streets that deliver on food, culture and fun (both Smith Street and Gertrude Street have landed on this list in the past),” says Glynn. “This year, we’re shining the spotlight on this major artery that flows through the inner-north ’burbs of Thornbury, Northcote and Preston.”
Hollywood Road in Hong Kong—which was the second road to be built when the colony of Hong Kong was … [+]
2. Hollywood Road – Hong Kong
Hollywood Road is one of Hong Kong’s oldest streets, dating to 1844. It weaves through the Central and Sheung Wan districts and is home to the iconic Man Mo Temple, plus cool bars, restaurants and nightlife. “It pre-dates L.A.’s famous entertainment district—according to legend, the street likely got its name from the holly bushes that once lined its edges,” Tatum Ancheta, editor-in-chief of Time Out Hong Kong, wrote in the report. “But right now, it’s where all of the city’s coolest new venues are popping up.”
3. East Eleventh – Austin, Texas
East Eleventh is as cool as Austin itself, lined with great spots for food, culture, music and more. A few of the highlights: “You can buy locally designed dress boots (Helm); sample game-changing brisket (Franklin Barbecue); eat a bacon, egg and pimento cheeseburger at one of the best rooftop brunch spots (Paperboy); slide into a speakeasy (Busy Signal); enjoy a reading room with book and wine in hand (Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar); or experience a band perform (Kenny Dorham’s Backyard),” says Gleason.
4. Guatemala Street – Buenos Aires, Australia
“From humble origins to gourmet hub, this cobbled street sits at the heart of the historic Palermo Viejo, a formerly down-at-heel area that Jorge Luis Borges once called home,” Carolina Cerimedo, Buenos Aires-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report.
Vancouver’s Commercial Drive—the coolest streets in the world
5. Commercial Drive – Vancouver, Canada
“In a city of rapid change, Commercial Drive remains defiantly ungentrified,” Shawn Conner, Vancouver-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report. “Like many other vibrant neighborhoods, the Drive is still suffering a post-2020 malaise—a street that once boasted five stages for live entertainment is now down to two—but it’s still the best hang-out-and-people-watch show in town.”
6. Jalan Petaling – Kuala Lumpur
“Jalan Petaling is one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest streets, home to the city’s first Chinese settlers in the nineteenth century,” Ng Su Ann, Kuala Lumpur-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report. “Over the last few years, it’s been experiencing a renaissance—you’ll find Kuala Lumpur’s oldest temples next door to colonial shophouses housing the newest dining and drinking joints.”
Tiny balconies along Rua da Boavista street in Lisbon, Portugal.
7. Rua da Boavista, Lisbon
“Few neighborhoods in Lisbon have lived as many lives as Cais do Sodré, a neighborhood which has grown beyond its nightlife legacy and become a place to shop local, have a family brunch and dinner with friends,” Vera Moura, director of editorial at Time Out Portugal, wrote in the report.
8. Arnaldo Quintela – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“Over the last few years, this street has established itself as a culinary hotspot, and now you can hardly move for people filling its sidewalks each night,” Renata Magalhães, editor at Time Out Rio de Janeiro, wrote in the report.
9. Chazawa-dori – Tokyo, Japan
“Every Sunday afternoon, Chazawa-dori is closed to traffic, making it the perfect time to explore this vibrant street on foot, popping in and out of friendly restaurants, cosy cafés, local grocers and charming bakeries,” Lim Chee Wah, editor-in-chief of Time Out Tokyo, wrote in the report.
10. Consell de Cent – Barcelona, Spain
“It’s a vibrant stretch, lined with restaurants, boutiques, and hangout spots—walking down Consell de Cent is like taking a stroll through a microcosm of Barcelona,” María José Gómez, director of Time Out Barcelona, wrote in the report.
11. Bree Street – Cape Town, South Africa
“Bree Street comes filled with boutiques and bars, restaurants and art galleries showcasing the best the city has to offer,” Richard Holmes, South Africa-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report.
12. Oranienstraße – Berlin, Germany
“Day or night, there’s an unbelievable amount of stuff happening on Oranienstraße. In the evening, the strip is thick with revelers, amping themselves up to dance past dawn at one of Berlin’s world-famous clubs,” Kate Bettes, Berlin-based Time Out contributing writer, wrote in the report. “During the day, second-hand seekers sift through antiques, furniture and garms in shops like Vintage Living and Kleiderei.”
New Yorkers dance in the street along Brooklyn’s 5th Avenue. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis … [+]
13. Fifth Avenue – Brooklyn, New York
New York City’s other Fifth Avenue has been a thing for awhile. Festivals, restaurants and shops propelled it onto the list for 2024. A few of the highlights: “Relative newcomers like The Ripped Bodice bookstore, Honeycomb Hi-Fi Lounge, the Sip N Play board game cafe and Miatzil are keeping the stretch fresh and making it harder to keep this gem under the radar,” says Weaver.
14. Ban Tad Thong – Bangkok, Thailand
“What was once a street hawking car and motorcycle parts has been transformed, over the past few years, into Bangkok’s most exciting new foodie destination,” Top Koaysomboon, editor-in-chief of Time Out Bangkok, wrote in the report.
15. East 3rd Street – Los Angeles, California
“Just past Downtown high-rises and a Little Tokyo temple, the Arts District’s slice of 3rd Street is the sort of place where you can have Michelin-starred sushi at 715 or bump and tilt your way to pinball stardom at EightyTwo, and where a gallery visit at Over the Influence is a natural prelude to a beer and a brat at Wurstküche,” Michael Juliano, editor of Time Out Los Angeles, wrote in the report.
16. Rua Sá de Noronha – Porto, Lisbon
“Walk from Aduela Bar at the top of the street (a local favorite for an after-work drink) to Reitoria Restaurant at the bottom (a wine bar and steakhouse set in a beautifully restored nineteenth-century building), and you’ll see why we’ve crowned Rua Sá de Noronha the city’s coolest street,” Moura wrote in the report.
Gerrard Street in London’s Chinatown.
17. Gerrard Street – London, U.K.
“Today, Gerrard Street (Chinatown’s main lantern-festooned drag) is maybe the most bustling, lively bit of London. TikTok has made social media stars of nearly every single food stall and eatery in the area,” Joe Mackertich, editor of Time Out London, wrote in the report.
18. Conde Duque Street – Madrid, Spain
“Thanks to the buzz of activity around the Condeduque Cultural Center, a former military barracks converted into an exhibition hall, theatre, summer cinema (and much more), the area has now been given a fresh injection of life,” Marta Bac, editorial director of Time Out Madrid, wrote in the report.
19. Bucareli – Mexico City, Mexico
This avenue has all the bohemian charm of Colonia Juárez while being that little bit closer to Mexico City’s historic center,” Cris Winters wrote in the report.
20. Rue de Belleville – Paris, France
“Rue de Belleville is so popular with Parisians because it brings together some of the best bars in the capital, and at the centre of Belleville Chinatown, there’s plenty of delicious stuff to eat, too,” Alix Leridon, journalist at Time Out Paris, wrote in the report. “Arrive before sunset and be prepared to spend the night.”
21. 18th Street – Chicago, Illinois
“The South Side neighborhood’s busiest thoroughfare is 18th Street, a corridor lined with businesses, art galleries and much more,” Jeffy Mai, editor of Time Out Chicago, wrote in the report.
Camden Street in Dublin—one of the world’s coolest streets.
22. Camden Street – Dublin, Ireland
“Just ten minutes’ stroll from the city’s tourist-packed center, Camden Street and its surrounding area feels like that rare thing: a sprawling neighborhood that’s retained a no-frills, post-modern grit, despite becoming a hotspot for creative spaces,” Kate Demolder, Ireland-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report.
23. Foster Street – Sydney, Australia
Foster Street is part of an inner city precinct known as the Hollywood Quarter—and it has a star quality. On a recent visit, Taylor Swift dined at Foster Street’s Pellegrino 2000. “For a little street, Foster Street packs big punch,” Alice Ellis, Time Out’s Sydney editor, wrote in the report.
24. Songridan-gil – Seoul, South Korea
With a megamall and amusement park within reach, the street retains Seoul’s big-city vibe while also having the industrial aesthetic typical of Seoul’s older neighborhoods,” Jocelyn Tan, Seoul-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report.
25. Quang An Street – Hanoi, Vietnam
“Running along the eastern shore of Tay Ho, Quang An Street is the vibrant, cosmopolitan heart of Hanoi,” Diana Truong, Southeast Asia-based Time out contributor, wrote in the report.
Miracle Mile in Coral Cables.
26. Miracle Mile – Miami, Florida
“Coral Gables’ downtown is anchored by Miracle Mile, a palm and oak tree-lined street where you’ll find plenty of independent shops and some of Miami’s best restaurants (including several that recently earned nods from the Michelin Guide),” Falyn Wood, editor of Time Out Miami, wrote in the report.
27. Saint-Hubert Plaza – Montreal, Canada
“Stroll between the landmarks of Art Mûr, a three-story art gallery, and the brunch spot Le Toaster, and you’ll hit on a Villeray section of Saint-Hubert Street that’s totally unique in the city,” Isa Tousignant, Montreal-based contributor wrote in the report.
28. Troon Street – Athens, Greece
“Attracting a bohemian, community-minded mix of artists, designers, musicians and digital nomads, Petralona has become one of Athens’ most desirable residential neighborhoods over the past decade,” John Ovans, Athens-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report.
29. Cecil Street- Singapore
“Don’t write off Cecil Street as somewhere only the corporate office crowd lurks. Despite its location in Singapore’s central business district, there’s surprisingly a fair bit of fun packed within this oft-overlooked stretch,” Time Out editor Rachel Yohannan wrote in the report.
30. L.P. Leviste Street – Manila, Philippines
This laidback strip is lined with coffee shops, thrift stores and independent spots for eating and drinking. “There’s a reason why this street is one of Manila’s most coveted addresses,” Bianca Salonga, Manila-based Time Out contributor, wrote in the report.
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