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The 2025 edition celebrates how “streets are everything that makes urban life brilliant”, Time Out travel editor Grace Beard tells CNN Travel .
To compile it, the brand leaned on its global network of editors and writers, each arguing for the corners of their cities that deserve the spotlight.
This year’s winner: Rua do Senado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Time Out says this downtown strip is buzzing with newly opened spots that bring “a fresh energy” to the area, alongside institutions like Armazém Senado, home to a weekly, street-filling samba jam.
Luiz Felipe Bernardo, who runs Instagram guide RIO DESTAQUE , tells CNN Travel that seeing a Rio street on the list is a “tremendous source of pride” for locals.
Rua do Senado, he argues, sums up the city’s “history, diversity, and a cultural movement that never stops.” It’s where “music, gastronomy, art, and an unmatched energy all come together.”
What makes a ‘cool’ street?
Fanghua Street in Chengdu, China, is number 4 on Time Out ‘s round-up, described as the “city’s go-to strip for people-watching.”
Coolness, of course, is subjective, but Time Out editor Beard says the streets on the list are “packed with independent businesses, great places to eat and fun things to do.”
Architecturally, there’s no common thread. It doesn’t matter if it’s “a pedestrianised canalside path or a major artery,” according to Beard.
Take Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, slotted in at number 25. The PCH wouldn’t be classed as a “street” by most people; it’s a classic West Coast California road trip.
But Time Out suggests that if you actually park your car, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. “It’s teeming with cool stuff to do, eat and drink,” says Beard, who points to the road’s “community spirit” after January’s Palisades wildfires. Time Out says a street’s camaraderie and creativity matter as much as bars and coffee shops.
Where else made the cut?
Rua do Bonjardim, in the centre of Porto, Portugal, is number 3 on Time Out’ s list. The street was praised for its old-school grocers, fun places to stay and innovative dining spots.
Number 2 is Orange Street, in Osaka, Japan, a former antique-hunting district that now mixes streetwear, retro shops, al fresco eats, and showy cocktails.
Number 3 is Rua do Bonjardim in Porto, Portugal, with old-school grocers, hotels — including former soap factory Torel Saboaria — and restaurants like artsy Ottto. Its owner, Bruno Amaral, tells CNN Travel, “it’s really exciting” to see the street on the list, and hopes it leads “more and more people to discover its charm.”
Chengdu’s Fanghua Street takes number 4 as the city’s “go-to strip for people-watching.”
Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal, the highest ranking address in North America, rounds out the top five. It benefits from historic buildings, museums and the bookish vibes of McGill University and its Blue Metropolis literary festival.
Former McGill student Katherine Davidson tells CNN the street’s “a stone’s throw from much of what makes Montreal great,” from terrace-lined cafes to the Musée des beaux-arts.
Meanwhile, Orchard Street in the Lower East Side in New York City is number 8 on Time Out’s ranking, praised for its array of interesting shops and businesses, including recently opened bookstore/podcast studio P&T Knitwear. Owner Bradley Tusk, who chose the name in honour of a business run by his grandfather in the 1950s, tells CNN Travel it’s an “honour” to be namechecked as “cool” in Time Out .
“When my grandfather started the original P&T Knitwear on the Lower East Side in 1952, I doubt he even knew what cool meant, let alone that his grandson would open a bookstore and podcast studio a block over on a street considered one of the coolest in the world,” says Tusk.
Is the list for tourists or locals?
Maybachufer, Berlin, Germany, is number 8 on Time Out ‘s list.
Philip Koschel / Visit Berlin / Courtesy of Time Out
Time Out insists its ranking offers inspiration for both tourists and locals.
The streets are “certified local favourites,” Time Out editor Beard explains.
“But there may well be some locals who haven’t yet visited or even heard of the street highlighted in their city. For visitors, we hope this list can provide some invaluable in-the-know insight to help them plan their next city break — and spend their time and money on local businesses.”
The complete list of the 31 coolest streets can be seen at Time Out ’s website.
Time Out’s Top 10 coolest streets for 2025
Rua do Senado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Orange Street, Osaka, Japan
Rua do Bonjardim, Porto, Portugal
Fanghua Street, Chengdu, China
Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Canada
Montague Road, Brisbane, Australia
Maybachufer, Berlin, Germany
Olympou Street, Thessaloniki, Greece
Orchard Street, New York City, USA
Vĩnh Khánh Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
