The 30 coolest streets in the world

Once the stomping ground of street gangs in the 1800s, the suburb of Collingwood has a long, proud, chequered history of giving the middle finger to authority. It may often be overshadowed by neighbouring Fitzroy, but you’ll never have a dull moment here – and especially on Smith Street, the area’s main artery. You’ll find everything from rowdy footie pubs to refined wine bars, vinyl record stores to Vietnamese bakeries, and there’s even more to discover down its sidestreets. By night, Collingwood’s pubs, gay bars and live music joints are a magnet for Melburnians who like to kick on till the early hours. It’s pretty common to see revellers pour chaotically out of one venue – amid the jostle of cars and the 86 tram – only to run straight into another business’s open arms for a couple more. After four city-wide lockdowns put immense pressure on everyone, that support for venues both big and small, is just what we like to see.

DRINK Drop by one of our favourite hidden bars, Above Board. Only a handful of seats are available in this tiny space, but you’re in for a real treat if you like cocktails. 

EAT Restaurant and deli Alimentari is where to go to pick up take-home meals, a tasty lasagne or cheese for your next picnic.

BUY Lose yourself in the wonders of Vintage Garage, which overflows with one-of-a-kind retro finds. Rebecca Russo and Jo Stewart, Time Out Melbourne

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍A local’s guide to Collingwood’s best food, drink, arts and culture

This tree-lined road bisects Barcelona from north to south and spans four distinct neighbourhoods – though it very much has its own character, too. The upper section feels a little more old-school, with its traditional bars and boutiques like Baylina, Bar Oller and Verdú. The southern end, meanwhile, brims with super-stylish restaurants like Granja Petitbo and ChichaLimoná, plus the so-called ‘manga triangle’ of eye-popping comic-book stores. But where this street really stands out is in the way it very much puts pedestrians and cyclists first. Bike lanes run the length of the street, while ramblers have been given much more space to mooch around, as well as plenty of seating space. It’s a vision of what all Barcelona’s central streets may look like soon, if mayor Ada Colau continues to plough ahead with her radical greening plans.

DO Gaze up at the epic replica of the Statue of Liberty – plus assorted Freemason paraphernalia – in the Biblioteca Arús.

EAT Try the ‘dish of the day’ at traditional Catalan restaurant Sant Joan. (You’ll see it scrawled on the blackboard outside.)

BUY Or indeed just browse the huge collection of graphic novels at Norma (winner of the 2018 Eisner award for the world’s best comic-book store). María-José Gómez, Time Out Barcelona

In the context of London in 2021, a ‘cool street’ should have: atmosphere (the all-important vibes), energy (not too many crumbling middle-aged folk), subversiveness (fuck The Man), heritage (sorry Boxpark) and stuff (streets need stuff). Currently the South Bank has all that in spades. Local organisers and businesses should be commended for juggling food markets, galleries, pop-ups and more, without ever sacrificing an iota of the area’s idiosyncratic buzz. May the clattering of those skateboards continue for many years to come.

EAT The Polish Deli London offers traditional smoked pork sausages, barbecued in front of you, served with salad, pickles and, inevitably, Polish draught beer. My kind of thing, that.

DO I mean what can’t you do at the South Bank? Choosing just one thing is hard but I’m always excited for a screening at BFI Southbank, the UK’s leading repertory cinema. 

BUY Brand Academy is a lovely independent gift shop selling all sorts. Basically if you can’t find something ‘quirky and surprising’ for a birthday present here, there’s something wrong with you. Oh and the book fair. Go to the book fair. Joe Mackertich, Time Out London

Discover London’s coolest street:
📍All the best cultural happenings and things to do along the South Bank

Deep in the lanes of southern Old Havana, where trailing plants and drying clothes drape from wrought-iron balconies, and wooden jalousies repel the intense Cuban heat, the ancient colonial quarter twinkles with a modern makeover. San Isidro is an alfresco art canvas: shutters, walls and abandoned yards are spray-painted and brushed with a changing display of dazzling birds, beasts and coded expression.

DO Wonder at all that street art. Mr MYL’s cannibals scare with big gnashers; balaclava-clad Supermalo's challenging tag ‘2+2 = 5’ creeps over crumbling walls; goodandshiddy’s portraits line yard walls; and Mateus Bailon and Vuelco are champions of the lush natural world.

EAT In cheeky homage to Cuban pimp Alberto Yarini, who swaggered through these streets in the early twentieth century, alfresco bar and restaurant Yarini Habana serves up zingy Cuban dishes and killer cocktails on its fabulous leafy roof terrace.

SEE Catch emerging Cuban artists in crowd-pulling shows at Galería Taller Gorría, an old bakery revamped by Jorge Perugorría, a local actor of Strawberry & Chocolate fame. Claire Boobbyer

Your first thought when you clocked that the 22-mile-long Sunset Boulevard made this list was probably: ‘Well, which part?’ Our answer: all of it. Call it a cop-out, but no other single street captures everything that makes L.A. L.A. quite like Sunset. It rises from the surf to hug the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and ramble along lush greenery and the most exclusive real estate. But then it bursts to life through a canyon of building-sized billboards along the always-awake Sunset Strip and eventually into Hollywood’s reenergised media district, anchored by events-forward coworking spaces NeueHouse and Second Home. Exceptional Thai restaurants give way to boho Silver Lake standbys, casual Echo Park hangouts and a street scene lined with taqueros and Dodgers fans (not mutually exclusive groups).

EAT Sweet and savoury Japanese bar bites (alongside a seriously impressive assortment of rice wine) from Echo Park sake bar OTOTO.

DO Browse some books, grab a beer on the patio and settle in for the occasional small comedy show or concert at Stories Books and Café.

BUY Anachronistic curiosities from the Time Travel Mart, a quirky convenience store that’s really a front for children’s literacy nonprofit 826LA. Michael Juliano, Time Out L.A.

Discover L.A.’s coolest street:
📍9 of the very best live music venues along Sunset Boulevard

Ask any Rotterdammer where to go out in their city, and they’ll almost always come back with: ‘Witte de Withstraat – where else?’ This main drag cuts through the city centre and fizzes with activity from dawn till dusk. It has galleries galore. It has respected restaurants. And in normal times it has the best club nights too. But while the vibe has mellowed a bit along the Witte de Withstraat over the past year, that’s not to say it’s not still rammed. As elsewhere in the city, parking spaces have been given over to adjacent bars and restaurants – with the result that the whole street feels like one massive party.

EAT The pork belly and steaks at meat temple Ballroom, which also doubles as a gin bar.

DO Catch an offbeat exhibition at WORM, an arts complex that also puts on regular Dutch rap nights.

DRINK Anything, frankly, at De Witte Aap – it’s regularly voted one of the best bars in the world. Huw Oliver

Smack bang in the centre of Bom Retiro, one of São Paulo’s most historic neighbourhoods, you’ll find diverse, always-evolving Rua Três Rios. Only a few minutes away from the beautiful Pinacoteca museum, this street and its intersections have been home to multiple generations of immigrant families who have relocated to Brazil throughout the centuries – from Italy, Korea, Greece, Bolivia, Eastern Europe and elsewhere – all leaving their mark on what is today one of the city’s most exciting gastronomic landscapes.

EAT Comforting Korean food at the very homely Hwang To Gil. Alternatively, wait in line to enjoy the legendary Greek fare served at Acropóles, a staple of the neighbourhood since 1959.

DRINK A tip-top iced coffee at Bellapan Bakery, plus one of the excellent Brazilian and Korean pastries or cakes on offer. 

DO Support local artists and get to know more about the Paulista art scene by visiting one of the many independent zine fairs and events hosted at the legendary Casa do Povo. Then explore the colourful fabric stores where young Brazilian designers source their materials. Biju Belinky

Haji Lane is a curious kind of place. It started to feel a whole lot busier in the early 2000s, when the faux-vintage, grandma-chic aesthetic was all the rage. But while that trend faded over the years, the street has revamped itself and today it feels even buzzier. Thanks to the already lively surrounds of Kampong Gelam – an enclave for the Muslim community in the 1800s – Haji began to attract new tenants and now feels like the centrepiece of this historic neighbourhood. The lane is pedestrian-only and evenings are best to soak up its vibrant atmosphere.

EAT The whimsical and freshly baked pies from Windowsill Pies. Go for a slice of pecan or the classic cherry.

DO You’ll find some of Singapore’s most dazzling murals here – start with the walls at Mexican restaurant Piedra Negra before checking out Singapura Club and the nearby Gelam Gallery.

BUY Pick up traditional batik fabric and an embroidered nyonya kebaya from Toko Aljunied, one of the oldest textile shops on Arab Street. Delfina Utomo, Time Out Singapore

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍 The coolest cafés, cocktail bars and other cultural stuff in Kampong Gelam

LX Factory isn’t any old factory – it’s a creative hub based around a single main street, the Rua Rodrigues de Faria, which is lined with restaurants, shops, studios, coworking spaces and loads and loads of street art. Now the major attraction in Lisbon’s Alcântara neighbourhood, it really does feel like a city within a city, and you’ll find everything you need to spend an entire weekend here, from hearty breakfast options to late-night DJ sets.

EAT There are dozens of restaurants inside LX, from traditional Portuguese plates at Cantina LX to Rio Maravilha, with its excellent views and even greater cocktails. But your first stop should be the one right by the entrance: Borogodó, which serves a winning mix of Brazilian and Portuguese tapas.

SEE All the art you can possibly fit in. Don’t miss the huge bee made with trash, by artist Bordalo II, or the new Ephemeral Museum of Modern Art, which exhibits works by big international names like Banksy and Vhils (only until July 25).

BUY Ler Devagar means ‘read slowly’ – and that’s exactly what this magical bookstore wants you to do. With two floors, tens of thousands of books, a café, a gallery and a bicycle suspended in mid-air, it’s a mandatory stop on any trip to the city. Time Out Lisbon editors

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍34 truly excellent things to do in Lisbon’s LX Factory

A bustling thoroughfare linking smart Palermo with edgier Villa Crespo, Calle Thames is best known for its independent kitchens and watering holes, many housed in repurposed buildings. Foodies revere budget-friendly Sarkis for trad Armenian food and Las Pizarras for quality small plates, while a young crowd dines at Asian steakhouse Niño Gordo, churros-and-taco bar Juan Pedro Caballero and sausage purveyor Chori. Mercat, a brand-new indoor food hall, houses a Jewish bakery and a wine bar. When it comes time for cocktails, Tres Monos has been ranked as one of the best bars in the world, deli Cacho specialises in aperitivi and Puro Bistro is the place for cigar and whisky aficionados. 

EAT Sinful mollejas (sweetbreads) dabbed with sugarcane honey at always-busy parrilla La Carnicería.

DRINK The French 4: a sparkling gin-and-pear concoction at Bar 878, a cavernous two-bar space led by top bartender Julián Díaz. 

BUY The quintessential Argentine tea kit (comprising energy-giving yerba mate leaves, a stylish hand-crafted cup and a straw) at Todos Mates. Sorrel Moseley-Williams

It may have suffered years of neglect and flooding, but today Křižíkova feels like hands down one of Prague’s buzziest streets. Chic art nouveau façades and loft conversions alternate with shabby tenements. Old-timers saunter with their dogs while multinational office workers grab Vietnamese sandwiches or Georgian khachapuri before dashing back to gleaming converted factories. Delis and espresso bars abound, plus a square under a lofty neo-romanesque church hosts a market. And the honey-coloured Negrelli Viaduct, recently renovated, will soon house shops and cultural spaces under its arches.

EAT If you’ve had it with pork and dumpling, try the contemporary international plates at Nejen Bistro. (It’s all delish.)

DO In the courtyard of Kasárna Karlín, a former barracks, you can catch a film or lounge with a drink under the stars.

BUY Unsung ales, both local and international, at Pivní Mozaika beer shop. David Creighton

A typical experience on 7th Street in Johannesburg’s Melville neighbourhood looks like this: cocktail in hand, a whiff of quality food in the air, the hum of casual diners and street drinkers chatting around you. There’s always a discernible buzz. And that’s probably because pretty much the entire street is filled with restaurants, pubs and clubs – making it the ideal place for a night on the town. (Though, this being fun-loving Joburg, you’ll find this place is equally busy at breakfast, lunch and basically every other time of day too.)

EAT The exquisite seafood at Xai Xai, a popular shebeen named after the city in Mozambique.

DO Flaunt your moves at Liquid Blue, a club and cocktail bar that fills up quick and stays that way till late.

BUY Amateur artists line the pavement here, selling all sorts of eye-popping artworks. Why not take one home with you? Thando Mpembe

Despite its name, Tokyo’s Cat Street has actually very little to do with felines (see also the city’s ‘cat town’, which does). This pedestrian-only strip connects the bustling neighbourhoods of Shibuya and Omotesando, and is home to some of Tokyo’s coolest cafés and shops. Here you’ll find big international brands and local independent labels mixed in with seasonal pop-ups. The little alleys that branch off Cat Street are also worth a visit – especially when you want to get away from the crowds.

EAT Tucked down an alley off Cat Street, Menchirashi is a stylish udon restaurant known for its housemade noodles, fried-to-order tempura and onigiri rice balls.

BUY Ragtag is a massive three-storey consignment store specialising in Japanese cult labels like Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and Sacai.

DO The Mass is an unassuming art gallery in a collection of sleek, concrete buildings by Japanese architect Nobuo Ariaki. Look out for curated monthly shows of modern and contemporary art. Kaila Imada, Time Out Tokyo

The Queens neighbourhood of Astoria has become a hotspot for young professionals who want a short commute to Midtown and streets brimming with great food and drink. One of its major thoroughfares, 30th Avenue, in particular, is filled with a smorgasbord of eateries spanning all types of cuisine and bars that rival those in Manhattan. On any given summer evening, the avenue throngs with locals on their way to and from dinner or sitting out, enjoying drinks outdoors while musicians take to play electric guitar covers on the corner. While the street is already a magnet for foodies, it’s finally luring in trendy NYC businesses too, including Ample Hills Creamery, Chip City, Bellucci Pizza, the Krave It Pizza & Sandwich Joint, and most recently, Calexico.

EAT Incredible, creative sandwiches at Comfortland, like the Demon Slayer made with fried chicken, mozzarella, bacon and caramelised onion. 

DRINK Sweet Afton’s cocktail ‘She’s The One’, with strawberry and hibiscus-infused vodka, Macchu Pisco, Cocchi Rosa, grapefruit cordial, lemon and vanilla.

SEE The Welling Court Mural Project, a series of gorgeous and provocative murals meant to beautify and revitalise the area. Shaye Weaver, Time Out New York

Discover New York’s coolest street:
📍Why we think Astoria’s 30th Avenue is NYC’s coolest street right now

Levinski Street – AKA Levinski Market – has long been where you go for the freshest food produce from the surrounding region and beyond. Small speciality shops started popping up here in the 1930s, when Jewish immigrants from Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria settled into the neighbourhood and made it their business to introduce Tel Aviv to their gastronomic heritage. The tiny market remained pretty much as it was until around a decade ago, when a new batch of restaurants and cafés started opening up along the street too. At night, a gaggle of stylish bars take over with top-notch craft beer and premium pizza – and yup, we certainly aren’t complaining.

EAT The fish kebab at brunch-time fave Tony & Esther. Feeling especially peckish? Most of the other stuff on the menu is worth sampling as well.

DRINK Pair your drinks with excellent small bites at gastro-bar Jonz.

DO Tel Aviv recently made big chunks of the street pedestrian-only. Head down on a Friday around noon – spontaneous post-Covid street parties are now becoming routine. Yaron Ten-Brink, Time Out Tel Aviv

Discover Tel Aviv’s coolest street:
📍All the amazing food and drink you need to try on Levinski Street

Cutting through the Logan Square neighbourhood, this stretch of Milwaukee Avenue, which runs parallel to the rattling ‘L’ train, has transformed into a Chicago destination. But it’s not just the proliferation of cocktail bars, decent restaurants and nightlife that rages until 4am that folks find appealing – there’s also vibrant street art and frequent gatherings around the Illinois Centennial Monument (recently the site of a large protest against police killings) that offer a sense of the community that’s present in this rapidly-changing area.

DO Catch an $8 matinee at the historic Logan Theatre, a once-opulent (but now pretty standard and affordable) cinema built in 1915. If you have some time to kill before a screening, the adjacent Lounge serves beer, wine and popcorn.

BUY Fresh veg, artisanal cheese and other locally grown products at the Logan Square Farmers Market, which brings hundreds of vendors to Milwaukee and Logan Boulevard every Sunday from May to October.

DRINK There’s not much room inside The Whistler (scheduled to reopen later this summer), but it’s worth trying to get in to taste the rotating menu of creative cocktails on offer (ever had a drink made with curry nectar?). Stick around to see jazz concerts, DJ sets and more. Zach Long, Time Out Chicago 

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍The absolute best stuff to eat, do, drink and see in Logan Square

Like most major commercial thoroughfares around the world, Madrid’s iconic Gran Vía hasn’t had the greatest year. But we think 2021 will see it return to its former buzzing self. It may have changed names several times over the past century or so, but its essence remains intact: an always-busy central hub that reflects the city’s diversity, culture and way of life. Here quaint haberdasheries mix with ultramodern international restaurants, big malls with century-old boutiques. By night, the street hums with young people going out, watching films and flocking to the city’s theatres. We love it, and any visitor to the city will too.

EAT The exquisite Cantabrian cuisine at La Primera, housed inside the iconic Grassy building (impossible to miss).

DRINK For next-level cocktails in a historic setting, try Museo Chicote, which is beautifully done out in an art deco style.

DO The Hotel Emperador has some of the best views of the street (plus a pretty dreamy pool and rooftop ‘beach club’). Marta Bac, Time Out Madrid

Discover Madrid's coolest street:
📍An insider’s guide to the best attractions and other things to do on Gran Vía

Though you will see busloads of out-of-towners shuttling in and out, it isn’t just tourists who adore Miami’s Little Havana; locals love the area and its famed Calle Ocho just as much. This main thoroughfare is a vibrant strip lined mostly with small businesses, including family-owned cigar shops, independent galleries and bustling cafés that have called the area home for decades. 

EAT Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein helms Café La Trova, serving a modern take on Latin cooking, with famed cantinero Julio Cabrera in charge of the bar. Make sure to try his award-winning daiquiris (plus her exquisite arroz con pollo).

DRINK Forget the mojito and try something Polynesian for a change. Casa Tiki brings the South Pacific to Little Havana with tropical drinks served in adorable tiki mugs. The festive bar is decked in bamboo accents, rattan furnishings and ukuleles – all of which contribute to its luau-after-dark vibe. 

DO Viernes Culturaltes is the neighbourhood’s monthly art crawl, held on the third Friday of every month. Galleries along Eighth Street (between 12 and 17th Avenues) fling open their doors to the public for meet-and-greets (and occasionally free vino), while artisan market El Mercadito sets up on Domino Park Plaza. Virginia Gil, Time Out Miami

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍A food obsessive takes us on a whistlestop tour of Little Havana

It may not quite be the grungy counter-culture hub it was a couple of decades ago, but the gentle regeneration of Newtown’s major artery has done little to dull its indie creds. If Bondi is a morning town, King Street is where Sydneysiders flock after dark, thanks to its densely packed pub and bar offering, excellent live music venues and a curious collection of restaurants (ranging from cheap Thai for under a tenner to higher-end foodie destinations). Whether you’re after a knees-up, a hot date, a pre-show bev or dinner after the credits have rolled, King Street has a perch for every kind of night owl.

EAT The Finnish-Italo-Australian food at Cafe Paci has to be some of the city’s most creative cooking and well worth the wait for a table. 

DRINK Earl’s Juke Joint ranks as one of the most unerringly excellent cocktail bars in Australia, let alone on King Street. Head down for exacting classics or brazen creative flair, set to an old-school bluesy soundtrack.

DO Want to piss off your folks? Just been through a break-up? Midlife crisis? Just fancy a change? Whatever the reason, the place to get something pierced, implanted or inked is Industrial Strength Body Piercing Studio. Maxim Boon, Time Out Sydney

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍 Why we love Newtown, the rainbow melting pot that’s a good time all the time

Everything (feels like it) happens at Paseo de la Reforma. Beginning at the centre of the city and ending at the westernmost border, this avenue is rich in history, culture and food options. The street dates back to the early nineteenth century, when Emperor Maximilian I issued the order to build a street to connect his residence at Castillo de Chapultepec with his office at the Palacio Nacional. Today, the avenue is the site of crowded demonstrations, political speeches, art and music performances, and the annual Pride Pared. When you’re ready to eat, you’ll find everything from cheap taquitos outside the subway station to the city’s most exclusive restaurants. Throw in some independent galleries and official museums and you’ll always have a good time on Paseo de la Reforma – no matter how much you have in your wallet. 

EAT Want breakfast with a view? Visit Cityzen, the rooftop restaurant located on the 38th floor of the Sofitel Hotel. 

DO Grab your preferred set of wheels and join weekly Sunday ride Muevete en Bici. 

BUY You’ll find clothes, jewellery and handmade objects at Tienda Fonart, a craft shop selling products from all over the country. Anaid Ramirez, Time Out Mexico City

The main road in suburban Kalk Bay is just magical. Head past all the historic sea-facing homes, just beyond the train station, and you’ll find the dream spot for an afternoon mooch in the sun. On a warm day, it’s habitual to start with a swim at Dalebrook tidal pool, where locals and visitors lay out towels on the rocks. Just as good is a picnic overlooking the water, or if the hunger pangs properly kick in, there are enough solid restaurants lining the road to keep you happy for days. Our top tip? Pop down midweek to have more of the place to yourself.

DO The Brass Bell may be better known as a restaurant with excellent seafood. But it also has its own public tidal pool on the premises – go ahead and dive right in.

EAT For food that’s literally cheap as chips, head to Kalky’s for the local twist on fish ‘n’ chips.

DRINK Grab a coffee and cake at Olympia Café – for the caffeine kick, but also for the cosy atmosphere inside. Yazeed Kamaldien

Alserkal Avenue is an unexpected pocket of culture tucked away in the industrial area of Al Quoz. Step inside this series of stark warehouses and you’ll discover some of the city’s most vibrant and exciting art. There are heaps of galleries to explore, all within a short stroll of each other, as well as boutique fitness studios, street libraries, karak chai stands and loads of incredibly chic coffee shops. No wonder so many locals flock here come the weekend: it’s chill AF.

DRINK Cold brew at Nightjar, a charming coffee house and roastery that specialises in the stuff.

SEE Catch classic docs and the latest indie films at Cinema Akil, a legendary picture house set up in a converted shipping container.

DO From bottle-cutting workshops and meditation to poetry readings and embroidery classes, café and fair trade store Kave: The Story of Things is all about doing good for the environment and the community. Amy Mathieson, Time Out Dubai

Discover Dubai’s coolest street:
📍A local’s guide to the best food, drink, arts and culture on Alserkal Avenue

Less full-on than the touristy main drags of nearby Montorgueil and Les Halles – and little more hidden – Rue Tiquetonne attracts broke students, refined gourmets and aspiring fashionistas alike. You’ll find a mix of first-rate thrift shops and affordable young designers’ boutiques, as well as a natural wine bar, a temple of vintage watches, a CBD shop, a rock ’n’ roll hairdresser and one of Paris’s best tea rooms. 

EAT At Dalmata, a futuristic pizzeria tricked out with mirrored walls and pink neon lights. On the menu are San Marzano tomatoes, delicate mortadella and pretty-much-perfect Neapolitan dough. But make sure to arrive early: the restaurant serves exactly 101 pizzas each lunch and dinner service – not one more.

DRINK Speakeasy the Golden Promise is Paris’s best whisky bar. Or pair the finest sake from Maison du Saké with Michelin-starred Japanese food at ERH. 

BUY If you’re looking for a watch, Episode is way more affordable than neighbour Kiliwatch, while the well-organised Ali Baba’s Cave offers vintage clothes and accessories sourced from across Europe. Tina Meyer, Time Out Paris

There’s a quiet strip that leads away from the heavy foot traffic lining Berlin’s Landwehrkanal. At just under a kilometre in length, Mariannenstraße runs from the border of the city's Neukölln district and straight into central Kreuzberg. Peeking out from under tall residential buildings, it’s more than just a sleepy side street: this place retains Berlin’s inner-city charm, with freshly fried falafel, ostentatious street art, design stores and cosy coffee shops aplenty.

BUY Top-quality Italian staples from Alimentari & Vini. Dig into a plate of fresh pasta if you make it in time for the lunch special.

DRINK A classic cocktail from Das Hotel as you watch the nightlife crowd stumble between Paul-Lincke-Ufer and Kottbusser Tor from front-row seats.

SEE The latest show at Kunstquartier Bethanien, a refurbished hospital at the end of the street that’s now home to a huge arts centre. Nathan Ma

Hidden in the ramshackle streets of Lima’s northeastern shipping district, Calle José Gálvez forms part of Monumental Callao, a social regeneration project that has transformed one of the city’s most dangerous neighbourhoods into a place reborn through art. On weekends, this pedestrianised street is packed with Limeños posing for selfies beneath a rainbow of bunting; they come for the copious street art and studios selling works from up-and-coming artists and designers.

DO Party at rooftop bar Casa Fugaz, where the city’s hottest young DJs perform energetic sets from a dance floor that overlooks the Pacific.

SEE The neighbourhood’s 60 murals, painted by some of South America’s most acclaimed graffiti artists – then everything on display at the Museo Arte Urbano, Latin America’s first museum of urban art.

BUY From Rika, a boutique shop selling souvenirs like corrugated cardboard robots and handbags made from rubber tyres – all of which has been salvaged from scrap. Steph Dyson

Not long ago, Seaport Boulevard was a desolate stretch of parking lots, but it’s now a gateway to one of Boston’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Stretching from Fort Point Channel to the World Trade Center, this street is a bustling blend of notable tech firms, trendy bars and excellent restaurants – plus maybe the finest water views in town.

EAT A savoury crêpe on the patio of Paris Creperie. Just be sure to save room for a Nutella frappe.

DRINK A Whale’s Tale pale ale or Grey Lady wheat ale on draught at Cisco Brewers’ beer garden, sandwiched between Seaport Boulevard and Northern Avenue.

SEE The epic panoramas across Boston Harbor and the rest of the city from the Lookout Rooftop and Bar (atop the Envoy Hotel). Olivia Vanni, Time Out Boston

Discover Boston’s coolest street:
📍All the greatest stuff to see outdoors in the Seaport: from kaleidoscopic deer to old bridges

Sure, its clean façades and immaculate proportions may not scream cool and edgy – but trust us, this is where you want to head to sample some of Copenhagen’s finest food and drink (and in a such a way that doesn’t totally wreck your bank balance). One of the buzziest strips in the fast-changing Norrebrø neighbourhood, just north of the city centre, this residential street sprouts off the Assistens Cemetery, where a certain Søren Kierkegaard and Hans Christian Andersen are buried. Today the street is home to a wide range of affordable-ish restaurants, some decent bars and – ideal if you consider yourself a Danish design nerd – a handful of stylish craft and interiors stores.

BUY Gifts! For everyone you know! Keramiker Inge Vincents is where to head for ceramics and Ladyfingers is best for jewellery.  

EAT Swerve spenny, Michelin-starred Relæ – though it is obviously quite good – and head to porridge café GRØD (yes, of course that’s a thing in Copenhagen). Sweet tooths should also give ice cream parlour Istid a go.

DRINK Pop around the corner to Mikkeller’s Norrebrø outpost: the Copenhagen brewers are rated around the world for a reason, y’know. Huw Oliver

By day, this major strip in the Ikeja neighbourhood is one of Lagos’s busiest business districts, with banks, bakeries and boutiques galore. By night, it comes alive with blaring horns, constant chatter and revellers pouring in and out of its bars and strip clubs (this is also the city’s red light district, fyi). Not a lot has changed here of late and that’s exactly why we like it: it’s very loud, a little bit frantic, and the whole area brims with history.

EAT Suya at the University of Suya, which will will school you in the sheer deliciousness of this Lagos staple (sliced beef, grilled over an open fire and doused in oil and yaji spice mix).

BUY Whatever takes your fancy at Stop-Centre, a ridiculously well-stocked gift shop with friendly staff always on hand to help you make your decision.

DO Stop by the New Afrika Shrine, where afrobeat musicians continue the legacy of Lagos legend Fela Kuti. (It’s run by his son, Femi.) Kay Ugwuede

Hong Kong’s Starstreet Precinct is a network of narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets filled with eccentric shops, art galleries, bars, restaurants and cafés whose tables spill out on to the pavement. It’s all incredibly cool, quite frankly, and you could probably spend a day just wandering along Star Street, the strip after which this part of the Wan Chai neighbourhood is named. The richness and diversity of all the stuff on offer here – from independent design labels to fine drinking and dining – evokes an all-too-fleeting round-the-world trip.

EAT Gorge on the set lunches at Giando Italian Restaurant & Bar, helmed by top chef Gianni Caprioli.

BUY Browse the tip-top denim collection at Japanese clothing brand 45R’s two-storey flagship.  

DO If you feel a little exhausted after all that mooching, you could always recharge with a massage at Spa L’Occitane. Tatum Ancheta, Time Out Hong Kong

Discover the neighbourhood:
📍Open-air cinema, karaoke, happy hours and more great things to do in Wan Chai