The world’s coolest street has been named. Here’s what the locals really think

Hitting the streets is a great way to get the real pulse of a city. Stroll through an indie store, pop into a coffee shop, or even grab a bar stool at a lively spot.

As global listing guide Time Out puts it, city streets are where you can find “the most authentic local life.” This idea is the driving force behind the magazine’s annual “Coolest Streets” list, a global compendium of sidewalks, alleys and other urban arteries.

The 2025 edition celebrates how “the streets are everything that makes city life shine,” as Time Out travel editor Grace Beard told CNN Travel.

To compile the book, the brand tapped its global network of editors and writers to discuss the places in each city that deserved the spotlight.

This year’s winner is Calle Senado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Time Out says the downtown area is buzzing with newly opened spots that bring “fresh energy” to the area, along with establishments like Almazem Senado, which hosts weekly street-filling samba jams.

Luis Felipe Bernardo, who runs the Instagram guide RIO DESTAQUE, told CNN Travel that it was a “huge pride” for local residents to see Rio’s streets on the list.

Senado Street, he argues, encapsulates the city’s “history, diversity and unstoppable cultural movement.” It’s a place where “music, gastronomy, art and unparalleled energy all come together.”

Of course, coolness is subjective, but Time Out editor Beard says the streets on the list are “packed with independent businesses, great places to eat, and fun activities.”

Architecturally, they have nothing in common. It doesn’t matter if it’s a “pedestrian canal-side path or a major artery,” according to Beard.

25 on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. PCH would not be classified as “street” to most people. It’s a typical West Coast California road trip. But Time Out suggests you’ll find plenty of fun if you actually park your car. Beard points to the road’s “community spirit” after January’s Palisades fire, saying it’s “full of great things to do, eat and drink.” Time Out says the camaraderie and creativity on the street is just as important as in bars and coffee shops.

In second place is Orange Street in Osaka, Japan. Once an antique-hunting town, it’s now a mix of streetwear, retro shops, al fresco dining, and fancy cocktails. In third place is Calle Bonjardim in Porto, Portugal, which is lined with old-fashioned grocery stores, hotels including the former soap factory Torell Savoaria, and restaurants like the artsy Otto’s. Owner Bruno Amaral told CNN Travel he was “really excited” to see the street on the list and said he hoped it would help “more people discover its charm.”

Chengdu’s Fanghua Street occupies number 4 as Chengdu’s “popular shopping street for people-watching.” The highest-ranking address in North America is Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal, which ranks in the top five. It benefits from the historic buildings, museums, and bookish atmosphere of McGill University and its Blue Metropolis Literary Festival.

Former McGill University student Katherine Davidson told CNN that the street is “a stone’s throw from so much of what makes Montreal great,” from terraced cafes to museums.

Meanwhile, Orchard Street on New York City’s Lower East Side has been praised for its array of interesting shops and businesses, including the recently opened bookstore and podcast studio P&T Knitwear, ranking No. 8 on Time Out’s rankings. Owner Bradley Tusk, who chose the name in honor of his grandfather’s business in the 1950s, told CNN Travel he was “honored” to be name-checked by Time Out as “Cool.”

“When my grandfather started the original P&T Knitwear on the Lower East Side in 1952, he probably didn’t even know what cool meant, much less that his grandson would open a bookstore and podcast studio just a block away on what is considered one of the coolest streets in the world,” Tusk says.

Time Out claims its rankings are an inspiration to tourists and locals alike.

Time Out editor Beard describes the street as a “certified local favorite”. “However, some locals may have never visited or even heard of the featured streets in their city. For visitors, we hope this list provides valuable knowledge and helps them plan their next city vacation and spend time and money at local businesses.”

A complete list of the 31 coolest streets can be found on the Time Out website.

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