The 31 coolest streets in the world in 2025

Once known for its antique shops and bohemian vibe, Rua do Senado, in downtown Rio, is undergoing a stylish revival. The classic Armazém Senado, open since 1907, still serves cold draft beer and hosts lively samba sessions on Saturdays. But alongside historic townhouses and traditional bars, there’s a host of new venues bringing a fresh energy to the place. One of the first places to change the scene was chef Lucio Vieira’s restaurant Lilia; he later opened Labuta Bar and Labuta Braseiro on the same street. More recently, you have the likes of Destilaria Maravilha, a lively spot with a regular lineup of DJs and live shows. Across the street, the art collective Solar dos Abacaxis has taken over part of a former 1912 factory, which will soon house Mercado Central RJ, with 40 shops and restaurants.

EAT: At Lilia for organic and seasonal ingredients, or at Labuta Braseiro for a very good churrasco carioca (Rio-style barbecue).

DO: Visit the street on a Saturday, when the traditional samba do Armazém Senado takes place, and the area comes alive with music, open shops and a festive atmosphere.

DRINK: Try the artisanal gin, cachaça, or vodka cocktails at Destilaria Maravilha, where the aging barrels can be spotted from the bar.

Just off the buzzing Shinsaibashi, Orange Street was originally an antiques hub, but spent the 2010s as a destination for international hype culture with global streetwear brands setting up shop. In 2025, it has come full circle; reclaimed by Japanese labels and with vintage furniture and clothes shops still a big part of the mix, walking its length feels like flipping through different chapters of Osaka’s history. You’ll pass old shops converted into boutiques like Noah, retro kissaten like Oh! Oui Oui where you can choose from Hermes or Gucci mugs, Osakan street food at Tarvo Takoyaki, and forward-looking brands beside carefully curated vintage. Conveniently central yet quieter than its neighbouring streets, it’s a snapshot of everything Osaka has been and is becoming.

EAT: The bagel donuts at Bo-no Bakery, made in small batches throughout the day. Time it right and you’ll snag one warm from the oven – perfect with the coffee from local roaster Granknot served in-house.

DRINK: Saiko People’s theatrical cocktails in a neo-izakaya setting. Their apple and earl grey cocktail arrives under a bubble for a welcome whimsy to its sleek concrete interior.

BUY: Try your luck at Apollo Keikaku, a shop specialising in samples and B-grade items from well-known brands at bargain prices. Most pieces are one-off, unlabelled but otherwise identical to regular stock. It’s a proper treasure hunt for quality finds.

Bonjardim Street has everything it takes to become Porto’s next cool patch – and it’s been taking big steps in that direction. It’s located downtown, close to major attractions like Bolhão Market and Avenida dos Aliados, in a part of the city that’s popular with both tourists and locals. Yet it's just removed enough from the chaos. Door after door, new and old businesses add colour and character to this nearly one-kilometre-long street. You’ll find old-school grocers like Casa Januário and Pretinho do Japão; legendary restaurants famous for their bifanas (pork sandwiches) such as Conga – or for their roast pork knuckles, like Antunes – and others full of flair, like the Mexican spot Duello. There are also some fun places to stay, such as Village by Boa and Torel Saboaria, a hotel that once housed a soap factory.

EAT: There are two new places on Bonjardim Street where everyone should fill their stomachs: Mila Bonjardim, a bakery specialising in naturally leavened bread and handmade pastries; and Luffa, the restaurant at the Torel Saboaria hotel, serving playful, experimental and fearless cuisine, with techniques inspired by the world and flavours that are distinctly Portuguese.

DRINK: One of the street’s newest residents is Ottto, an eclectic space combining ‘unconventional’ food, wine, and art – perfect for sharing small plates with friends after a day at work.

DO: The best way to end the day in this area is by heading south. At its southern end, Bonjardim Street meets Praça D. João I, home to the grand Rivoli Theatre, one of the city’s best performance venues, with a vibrant cultural programme.

Once a sleepy residential lane, Fanghua Street is now the city’s go-to strip for people-watching, coffee sipping and boutique browsing. The vibe here is a mix of retro Chengdu life and youthful, design-forward energy. You’ll wander past renovated low-rise apartments splashed with murals, coffee shops that turn into wine bars, and studios selling handmade jewellery you can watch being crafted in real time. Between them, traditional hole-in-the-wall shops sell Chengdu-style spicy snacks great for walking while eating, and community centres with big glass windows are packed with locals playing mahjong. It’s an unfiltered slice of everyday Chengdu. Come in the morning or late afternoon, grab a spot on one of the many folding chairs that sprawl out on the street, and let the world pass by.

EAT: Hygge Life is a local favourite for black truffle pappardelle and Parma ham pizza served al fresco beneath a blooming osmanthus tree. Craving some of that signature Chengdu heat? Head to De Sheng Gong She Zì Gong Bao Chao for rabbit in ginger sauce and double peppers.

DRINK: Carpark is a stylish café-bar hybrid pouring rich hand-brewed coffee by day and piña coladas and mojitos by night. For something more traditional, try Li Shanshan, a cult Chengdu tea shop brand that brews milk tea in claypots for a deep, aromatic finish.

DO: Spend an afternoon hopping between indie shops. Check out Moor Vintage with its retro Americana neon sign, or pop into Crystal Dreamscape for handmade beaded jewellery.

The western end of Sherbrooke Street starts really shining in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile, so named in the late 1800s when it became home to many of the city’s tawny private houses. The area is still good as gold thanks to architectural gems and historic properties like the McCord Stewart Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (don’t miss the new space dedicated to Inuit art). There are newly-renovated luxury hotels like the Sofitel (grab dinner at Renoir) next door to century-old classics like The Ritz-Carlton (which still serves one of the best afternoon teas in the city). And they’re both a stone's throw from one of the best universities in the world and Blue Metropolis Festival, one of the largest literary festivals in North America. You’ve also got some stellar shopping here, from indie fashion boutiques like James to curated vintage treasure troves like The Gallery, and restaurants ranging from casual French and Italian to Southern BBQ and Indian. 

EAT: Dive into a plate of gorgonzola gnocchi at Il Cortile (home to one of Montreal’s secret courtyards beloved by Russell Crowe), or keep it casual at Star of India where you’ll find the best naan in town. You’ll also find all sorts of tasty imports like teas and confectionery at Hogg Hardware.

DRINK: The cocktails at Entre-Deux are uniquely delicious, so test your palate with the Fortune Teller (a nearly savoury gin drink made with cream) or a pint (or three) at Benelux.

DO: Pore over second-hand books at Phoenix Books and Encore Books and Records before heading to Goodee for one-of-a-kind finds.

Sitting on the river-facing side of West End, this once-sleepy industrial strip has reinvented itself as the creative backbone of Brisbane’s most eclectic, free-spirited neighbourhood. At one end, the beautifully restored Thomas Dixon Centre houses Queensland Ballet, while at the other, Queensland Theatre Company draws crowds with big-ticket productions. Between them, boutique spaces like Vacant Assembly offer a glimpse into Brisbane’s thriving independent art scene. A plant-filled nursery hides in an old warehouse, wellness spaces stay open late, and you can bop from rock climbing to axe-throwing. The food scene alone is worth the trip. Think champion coffee roasters, neighbourhood pubs, an artisan gelateria, Korean street food and the city’s tiniest Japanese bar. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, Montague Road leads you on to South Bank and QAGOMA, Brisbane’s hub of contemporary art.

EAT: Head to Layla for a Middle Eastern feast at Melbourne chef Shane Delia’s first interstate restaurant, set inside a heritage-listed boot factory.

DRINK: Get seriously good coffee at Coffee Mentality, crowned Australia’s best brew for 2025.

DO: On Saturdays, Davies Park comes alive as the West End Markets – serving up fresh produce, street eats and wholesome community vibes.

Berlin nights are famed for their parties. But as clubsterben – the creeping ‘club death’ – sets in, the city’s cool rises with the sun, and Maybachufer shines brightest. This 1.5km canalside stretch in Reuterkiez has traded its nineteenth-century industrial vibe for clinking beers under willow trees and cyclists pedalling the water’s edge. The long-running Neuköllner Wochenmarkt – aka the Turkish Market – is one of Maybachufer’s main draws, with traders hollering deals over hot börek and herbs. Friends crowd sticky tables and Kindl pints at Akerklause Bridge Bar, while kiosk Pavillon am Ufer always tempts with the scent of espresso and cinnamon waffles. Brammibal’s Donuts dishes out vegan strawberry sprinkle donuts for grassy canalside picnics – späti drinks balanced, legs in the sun, book in hand.

EAT: Snag a terrasse-style table at Kai Maison for Asian-French-Japanese fusion and people-watching.

BUY: Not just at the Turkish Market. Check out the Stoffmarkt – fabric market – and the Nowkoelln Flowmarkt – flea market – for second-hand finds. Euros to burn? Nearby, Bürknerstraße and Sanderstraße have vintage shops aplenty, like the highly curated wsiura, Y2K-core Not Too Sweet and Italian-sourced Yummy Vintage.

DO: Maybachufer is just a tasty slice of the ten-kilometre Landwehr Canal. Grab a bike and follow the rest through Kreuzberg and Tiergarten all the way to Charlottenburg.

Thessaloniki, the capital of the north, is famed for its laidback atmosphere and outstanding food scene. And on Olympou Street, you’ll experience both of those things in abundance. Steps from the university quarter, it’s where the city’s historic elegance meets vibrant, student-driven energy. By day, its stately buildings house quirky vintage shops and art spaces, like To Pikap, a hybrid coffee bar, independent record label, exhibition space and web radio, attracting creative locals and curious visitors. As night falls, the street transforms: outdoor tables line the sidewalks at spots like traditional tavern Kits kai S’ Efaga, indie music drifts through the air and craft beer bars such as Valitsa buzz with conversation. 

EAT: At Salumeria del Greco, you can enjoy Greek meze paired with a carefully curated wine list. For something more inventive, head to Koru, a small bistro where owners Kelly and Pelagia combine tradition with modern technique. And if you’re out late, at Tsarouchas you’ll find the ultimate hangover cure, with comforting soups and stews 24/7.

DRINK: Stori, Go With The Flow and Grass Hopper are just a few of the spots serving specialty coffee by day and signature cocktails by night. For a different vibe, In Rock is a rock café-bar with wood and brick interiors and a large selection of beers.

DO: Learn the history of the city by visiting the archaeological site of the ancient Roman Agora of Thessaloniki and the museum, or shop vintage and antiques at the nearby Bit Bazaar.

As thrift stores, leather shops and art galleries shut up shop for the day, music begins spilling out of bars while restaurants drag tables into the street for al fresco dinners. This is Orchard Street, an eight-block stretch of the Lower East Side packed with fascinating shops, dining destinations and low-rise brick buildings. New additions to the street – like bookstore/podcast studio P&T Knitwear, photobooth museum AUTOPHOTO and a seasonal Open Streets program – attract crowds who are met with a bevy of dining and drinking options along the way. Perhaps most charming of all, the street still maintains its NYC authenticity and grit even as it changes. 

EAT: There’s a reason people line up for Scarr’s Pizza. This slice isn’t just one of the best in NYC, it’s also one of the best in the world thanks to pizzaiolo Scarr Pimentel who mills his own grain, offering an airy base for your toppings. 

DRINK: Pull up a chair in the dimly lit Bar Contra, where the cocktail menu will keep your tastebuds entertained. There’s the Better Living, like a grapefruit creamsicle, and the Xipe Totec featuring a Nordic blend of herbs and citrus. Or try the supremely salty Saltair, if you dare.

DO: Orchard Street was once home to notoriously rough tenements, and the Tenement Museum keeps alive the stories of the immigrants who lived there. It’s always a must-visit, but even more so today. 

Across Cầu Calmette bridge from trendy Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 4 was once Vietnam's most notorious neighbourhood. Now, this water-bound ‘island’ district buzzes with above-board ambition. Vĩnh Khánh – officially designated as a food street in 2018 – is its defining thoroughfare. The kilometre-long street is lined with dozens of seafood grills on both sides, and there's healthy competition in the air. Packed from sunset until tomorrow, they double up as the drag’s beer bars, the meeting point for the city's fashion-forward youth and its office workers. Vĩnh Khánh is designed so you spend the whole evening in its briny embrace: street sellers pitch up selling dried squid for a pre-dinner snack and ice cream for dessert, and buskers perform in the middle of the road as motorbikes sashay around them. Clattering woks, clinking glasses and kerbside karaoke all vie for soundtrack supremacy.

EAT: Snail specialist Ốc Oanh's inclusion in the 2024 Michelin Guide has cemented the street's international reputation, so pull up a plastic chair here first and get stuck into their selection of obscure mollusc dishes. A second outpost of local legend Ốc Đạo is on the street too, and draws its own devoted following for the octopus teeth fried in butter. 

DRINK: Ốc Vũ sells equally fresh seafood and is Vĩnh Khánh’s liveliest spot for the obligatory cans of Saigon Special. Form dictates you crush your empty cans as you go, letting them accumulate under your table – servers count them to calculate your bill. 

DO: Ốc Vũ closes at 6am, so take your time extracting those snails before ambling round the corner to Xóm Chiếu Market, which opens at 4am with stalls selling fresh fruit, clothing and textiles. Herald a new day here with a coffee or a traditional dessert of chè – seasonal fruit and coconut flesh in iced syrup – as you watch Saigon crank into gear.

Just a short stroll from Grand Place with its touristy waffle shops, Rue de Flandre feels refreshingly real. It’s got all the charm – cobbled streets, crooked façades and centuries-old houses – but without the clichés. Once the main route into the city from Flandres, it bursts with eclecticism: you can buy a bonsai tree with tiny apples, visit a falconry museum, browse vintage pop culture at Stuff, pop into the baroque La Bellone cultural centre, fix your bike, or watch artists work behind shopfront windows. Add in indie boutiques, a photomaton built into a wall, cafés, splashes of street art and some of the city’s most popular eateries, and you’ve got a street that captures the spirit of Brussels: creative, joyful and a little rough around the edges. 

EAT: Part wine bar, part culinary playground, Nightshop is one of Brussels’s most talked-about restaurants with an ever-changing seasonal menu. For something classic, Pré Salé has been serving fresh mussels for over forty years in an old butcher’s shop.

DRINK: Au Laboureur is a proper Bruxellois bar, a local institution where you can still get that rare €2.50 Jupiler. 

BUY: Stop by Pauline Carton for vintage fashion finds and stories from Brussels’ film scene, browse rare artist editions at Saint Martin Bookshop, or check out Astrid Fieuws’s paper creations made in her window-front studio.

Shibuya is full of energy, but beyond the scramble crossing and Harajuku’s crowds lies one of its best-kept secrets: Nishihara. This stylish strip just north of Yoyogi-Uehara is packed with cosy cafés, charming bakeries, intimate bars and chic lifestyle shops, many lining the vibrant Nishihara Shotengai near Hatagaya Station. This is a calm, walkable pocket of Tokyo that blends trends and tradition without the crowds or chaos. Between bakery hopping, relaxing in a neighbourhood bathhouse or hitting a few balls at an urban driving range, Nishihara offers a slower slice of Shibuya life.

EAT/DRINK: Pair wine and ice cream at Kasiki, a stylish bar-slash-ice cream parlour known for its unorthodox flavours, such as rhubarb and sansho pepper.

SHOP: Stop by Àcôté, a playful sundries shop stocked with quirky knick-knacks and a curated selection of Japanese craft beers.

DO: Whack a few dozen balls at Nishihara Golf Garden, an urban driving range that’s fun for both seasoned golfers and curious beginners.

The Parisian Marais has come a long way. On the verge of demolition 60 years ago, this former working-class neighborhood is today the epicentre of trendy Paris, and Rue des Gravilliers is a perfect embodiment of the area’s transformation. The narrow street has been around since the thirteenth century; along its freshly restored centuries-old façades, you’ll find the last leather craftsmen, Asian canteens (like Jixiao’s Buns) from Paris’s oldest Chinatown, new restaurants bringing in the cool crowd (like Finka, Mischief and Derrière) and art galleries (like Balice Hertlin and PACT) exhibiting a host of emerging artists. And for your tote bag? The delicious cheeses from Taka & Vermo and sourdough breads from Sain.

EAT: The delicate plant-based dishes from chef Manon Fleury at Datil, winner of the 2024 Time Out Food & Drink Award for Best Restaurant. A truly graceful dining experience.

DRINK: Hidden in a basement, Spootnik offers not only excellent cocktails but also a small dance floor and an impeccable sound system. Everything you need for a great night out.

STAY: Hôtel Jules & Jim pulls off the miracle of creating an oasis of calm in one of Paris’s busiest streets. Take a break by the fireplace or in the stunning open-air courtyard.

Located in Singapore’s Katong district, Joo Chiat is a kaleidoscope of colour and culture – over 800 conserved shophouses line the street, housing everything from old-school eateries and hip cafés to indie boutiques and ‘atas’ (aka high-class) delis you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Once home to coconut and cotton plantations, this eastside gem later drew Peranakan, Eurasian, Malay and Chinese families to its former shoreline, and we’re glad to say that rich multicultural spirit still thrives today. In 2025, Joo Chiat thrums with creative energy: Heartware Store and Gallery keeps things fresh with rotating art shows, while newcomers like Bastille Bakery and Marlow’s Deli join favourites like Sin Heng Claypot Bak Kut Teh and ToMo Cafe. 

EAT: Start with a hearty bowl at Da Dong Prawn Noodles or with a filling plate of famous prata from Mr and Mrs Mohgan Super Crispy Roti Prata. Then, linger over fragrant coffee and bakes at 174Bingo. For dinner (and a splurge), you can’t go wrong with the best pizzas in Singapore at La Bottega Enoteca. Otherwise, go mod-Sin at 808 Eating House. 

DRINK: Just off Joo Chiat Road is the speakeasy 60ml, hidden in Basque restaurant Asador. But if you’re looking for a laidback spot on the main strip, then The Cider Pit is the place – draft ciders and craft beers included. 

BUY: Pick up sophisticated home goods from Sojao or furniture from Grafunkt, pore over an international cheese selection from The Cheese Shop or cured meats from South African butchery Baggie’s Deli. Wardrobe need a refresh? Try vintage kicks at A Vintage Tale or colourful dresses from The WYLD Shop. 

Álvaro Obregón is one of the streets that truly defines life in Mexico City. It’s the very heart of the Roma neighborhood, with origins in the Porfiriato era, when it served as a promenade leading to the Condesa Miravalle estate. It quickly evolved into an avenue lined with mansions and art nouveau decorations; later came the art galleries, restaurants, and cafes on every corner, which have not stopped opening since. By day, you can find people walking their dogs, jogging and reading, and by night, you can find them lining up for restaurants and nightclubs. It’s one of the few streets in the city that can boast visitors at all hours, with a uniquely cosmopolitan atmosphere that seamlessly coexists with its historical past.

EAT: This patch of  CDMX has some of the best restaurants in the city. Take your pick from Delirio, Izakaya, Propio, Alma Mía and Mexa.

DRINK: At one of the street’s many cocktail bars. Options include Limantour, Ajeno and Carmel, or you could grab a drink at Supra Rooftop.

DO: Catch a play at La Teatería, enjoy the Jardín Pushkin, dance at Departamento or Tonal, find something vintage at El Parían, and visit Galería OMR or Casa Lamm.

Okay, there’s heavy traffic – this is Jakarta after all – but look past this and you’ll find a surprisingly village-like neighbourhood vibe on Jalan Kemang Raya. The area has long been popular with creatives, expats and young professionals, who flock to the street to enjoy its many indie boutiques, art galleries and design stores. It’s excellent for cafe hopping and shopping during the day, but make sure to wander down in the evenings when the street food stalls pop up, serving steaming bowls of noodles, smoky fried rice and succulent grilled skewers.

EAT: At Pagi Sore Kemang for massive plates of Padang food, a regional Indonesian cuisine known for its spicy, rich flavours. For something lighter, the all-day breakfast and small plates at Seed never disappoint. 

DRINK: Coffees and teas at the wildly-popular Toko Kopi Tuku during the day, and cocktails at 1920 Lounge & Bar come sundown (order the Guava Sour and thank us later).

DO: Head to the very south end of Jalan Kemang Raya, turn left, and you’ll spot Dia.lo.gue. This public and collective art space always has fun and engaging exhibitions and events.

A short stroll from the crowds of the Colosseum, Monti has long been one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods, and Via Panisperna, its prettiest street, is having a moment. Once the workplace of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi and his legendary ‘Via Panisperna boys’, this cobblestoned lane links the Roman Forum to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four Papal Basilicas (and the church where Pope Francis has asked to be buried). It’s lined with historic bars and trattorias, and now hosts one of city’s best new boutique hotels, Casa Monti: a whimsical enclave with luxurious rooms and an intimate rooftop bar.

EAT: Once you’ve had your fix of Roman classics, head to Futura, a sleek new restaurant giving Italian cooking a modern, seasonal twist. Grab a stool at the open kitchen and watch the chefs in action over a glass of natural wine.

DRINK: An underground bar and live music venue, Blackmarket Hall remains one of Rome's coolest hideaways – and a place we keep returning to after more than a decade. A few doors down, Sacripante Gallery is an art space and concept shop that serves cocktails in a former convent.

DO: Peek into Villa Aldobrandini’s hidden gardens for a glimpse of the city from above, then browse Libreria Panisperna 220 for a curated selection of books and unique souvenirs to bring back home.

In the centre of Metro Manila, wedged between two of the city's main arteries – Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenue – you'll find the storied and diverse Nakpil Street. It was Manila's hip go-to spot in the 1980s and 2000s, before being outshone by the more modern Makati business district. But as multinational coffee and burger chains crept in, locals sought out places to unwind and connect with the real Manila. Now, Nakpil Street has reentered the scene, unpretentious and as diverse as ever. Find some of Manila's best-preserved and restored colonial houses refurbished as guest houses, such as Wanderers Guest House. Best after dark, you'll find bars and cafés for all tastes. In short, Nakpil is a uniquely Filipino blend of historical and hip.

EAT: The down-to-earth Silya Restobar is well-established (and Silya's a long-time local character in his own right). Here, you can count on authentic Filipino food – don’t miss the irresistibly crispy pork sisig. It’s backed up by cheap beer and a lively atmosphere with office workers, musicians and a smattering of travellers.

DRINK: Of the many bars spilling onto Nakpil Street, Ludus Bar is a prime choice. It's centrally located and offers an extended happy hour from 6pm to 10pm. A great spot to start an evening out.

DO: Take advantage of a full day here; explore the old houses during the daytime, particularly the ancestral house Bahay Nakpil-Bautista  – a perfect hit of culture, history, and architecture rolled into one. 

Alserkal Avenue is hands-down one of the best foodie streets in Dubai. Before it became an art and culinary hotspot, back in 2008, it was all retrofitted warehouses, marble factories and tyre stores. Then, Ayyam Gallery opened its doors and everything changed: within three years, Alserkal Avenue had the most active contemporary galleries in the region calling it home. Fast-forward to today, and it is the place to go for some of the most interesting independent, home-grown restaurants and cafés in Dubai.

EAT: You can’t leave without getting a taste of Alserkal Avenue’s cafe culture: try Piehaus, a small but stunning Balkan café, or cross the street to Growhouse by One Life, a café, indoor farm, and community hub.

DO: Don’t miss Middle Child, a multi-use spot with a restaurant, bookshop and gourmet grocery.  Cinema Akil shows classic films in an old-school Dubai movie theatre.

BUY: Browse indie boutiques like The Edit.

Few streets show off Vancouver’s character quite like Cambie. Split by the Cambie Bridge, this bustling boulevard runs from Gastown’s waterfront steam clock down to the city’s highest point at Queen Elizabeth Park. In between lies Cambie Village. Nestled in the cool neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant, this once sleepy stretch has made a name for itself in recent years as a culinary hotspot, with new openings and famed Vij’s (frequented by Prince Harry). The strip has long been a hub for murals, galleries and street parties, plus it keeps things charmingly old-school with Video Cat, an indie video and DVD rental store open since ‘96 and the retro one-screen Park Theatre across the street (which is currently being revamped by the beloved Rio Theatre).

EAT: Housed in a former mechanic’s shop, Osteria Elio Volpe is a sunny Italian spot with an open-air dining room and a wrap-around bar. By day, it’s all about brunch done right; by night, it switches gears with Italian comfort food.

DRINK: Head next door to June, the new kid on the block pouring everything from mini tinis to a Noisette Manhattan. Slip past the red velvet curtains and enter LaLa, the venue’s downstairs listening bar, where a rotating line-up of DJs spin vinyl.

BUY: Stock up on elegant wardrobe staples and home goods at the two-storey Cadine, then pop by Walrus Design Inc for bespoke gifts spotlighting up-and-coming brands.

Barquillo is the line that both connects and divides Chueca, Madrid’s famous LGBTQ+ neighbourhood, and Salesas, the city centre’s most exclusive area. A narrow street corridor that’s practically begging to be pedestrianised, Barquillo in the ’80s and ’90s was known as ‘the street of sound’, thanks to the abundance of music stores (you could buy anything from a hi-fi system to a rare guitar pedal or a DJ mixer), but only a few of those pioneers remain. Nowadays, fashion boutiques and restaurants have taken over. You’ll find Spanish designers such as Beatriz Furest, Thinkin Mu and Sita Murt, plus carefully curated multi-brand stores like Mott and Árbol. You’ll also find quirky concept shops like Macchinine and Gion, a wildly popular tortilla spot (La Martinuca, viral for good reason), and Spain’s only Taschen bookstore. All of this packed into just 600 metres – seven minutes on foot.

EAT: At our favourites: the Michelin-starred Chispa Bistró; much-praised fusion restaurant Kuoco; Roostiq Bar with its spectacular wine cellar (don’t leave without trying their torreznos); and Cora, which serves excellent ice cream year-round. Oh, and stop for an aperitif on Plaza del Rey. 

BUY: Shop at Petramora, a small gourmet grocery we absolutely love. And pick up a paper at one of the city’s last remaining kiosks. 

DO: Catch a show in the century-old Teatro Infanta Isabel, and the Albarrán Bourdais gallery is always worth a visit.

STAY: At the elegant Only YOU Boutique Hotel.

Framed by the leafy slopes of Table Mountain, Kloof Street is where the city bowl meets the creative vibe of the Mother City. Stretching from the upper edge of the CBD toward the neighbourhood of Tamboerskloof, it’s a lively strip that captures the essence of Cape Town’s urban charm. Equal parts heritage and hipster, its Victorian façades and broekie-lace balconies now house boundary-pushing restaurants, concept stores and cocktail dens. Essentially, Kloof Street feels like Long Street’s more refined sibling, packed with new pop-ups, old-world character and just a hint of mischief after dark.

EAT: Kloof Konbini is a Japanese-inspired convenience store redefining grab-and-go with Tokyo street food flair. Blondie serves up Mediterranean-style plates in an open-fronted space perfect for summer evenings. Vadivelu brings the bold, fragrant flavours of Southern India to the city, and Kloof Street House remains the reigning queen of dinner drama with its fairy lights, velvet lounges and decadent dishes in a Victorian manor. 

DRINK: Find cocktails and DJs at the likes of Rick’s Café, Van Hunks, Asoka and One Park.

DO: AKJP Studio stands out as a proudly local design destination – part gallery, part concept store, and part coffee spot – blending art, fashion, and creativity under one roof. You could also take part in a pottery workshop at Baikt Ceramics, or browse the many vintage and thrift stores that line the street. 

Blackstock Road represents everything that’s great about London. A bustling artery running from the lively and chaotic transport hub of Finsbury Park to the leafy, Georgian terraced streets of Highbury Fields, this 1km stretch is a fabulous showcase of the melange of cultures and vibes that make this city great. It’s blessed with some excellent drinking dens, encompassing both old-school Irish boozers like The King’s Head and The Woodbine and hip-yet-friendly natty wine bar Top Cuvée. Despite its inner-city location, there’s a real neighbourhood feel around these parts, no doubt in part due to the wealth of independent shops run by locals. From late-night Jewish spot The Happening Bagel Bakery and unassuming Uyghur restaurant Dilara, to hole-in-the-wall Kurdish takeaway Baban’s Naan, Ethiopian deli St Gabriel and Algerian cake shop La Princesse, you can travel the globe here without leaving N4. Add in the fact that the local football team is currently in fine form – with the Emirates stadium barely a fifteen-minute walk away, Blackstock Road is firmly in the Gooner heartlands – and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a lovely day out in north London.

EAT: Serving up authentic Thai food made with ingredients flown in fresh from Bangkok each week, Sebby Holmes’s Bib Gourmand-winning neighbourhood restaurant Farang is a must-visit. Order the succulent and spicy gai prik; glazed with sweet fish sauce and served with fresh lime and a fiery burnt red chilli sauce, it’s quite possibly the best fried chicken in London.

DRINK: You’ll find Deya beers on tap, a Yard Sale Pizza delivery partnership and hip young match-day crowds at Bank of Friendship, an old-school indie boozer decked out in Arsenal memorabilia. The atmosphere is as friendly as its name suggests, even when it’s standing room only in the cosy beer garden.

DO: Go on a crawl around the area’s lovely indie bookshops. You’ll find an especially good selection of short story collections and anthologies at Ink@84, a solid curation of second-hand picks at charity bookshop House of Hodge, and regular evening events at Bookbar, which has previously featured buzzy authors like Dolly Alderton, Emily Ratajkowski, Caleb Azumah Nelson and Monica Heisey.

Defensa is where Buenos Aires shows its soul. Stretching from Plaza de Mayo to Parque Lezama, this cobbled street is a time capsule turned trendspot. On Sundays, the San Telmo Fair takes over with antiques, music and chaos in the best way – but come during the week to snap quiet shots of its neocolonial facades, the Mafalda statue and the Galería Solar de French. Don’t miss Pasaje Defensa, the San Telmo Market, or the underground tunnels of El Zanjón de Granados. It’s history, art and gastronomy rolled into one – forever charming, effortlessly cool, and pure Buenos Aires energy.

EAT: Dine at Brasserie La Pétanque for a French bistro vibe, and don’t miss San Telmo Market, serving up everything from choripán and empanadas to gourmet shawarma and pizza.

DRINK: Sip a vermouth at Bar Seddon, one of Buenos Aires’ 80 Bares Notables. 

DO: The San Telmo Market is a destination on its own, packed with fresh-food stalls, antiques, crafts and eateries. Visit Galería Solar de French and its colorful umbrella ceiling – one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots – or Juan Carlos Pallarols’ workshop, where Argentina’s most renowned silversmith creates masterpieces. 

I always tell beach-bound Los Angeles visitors to drive the extra miles along the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu, where surfer vibes and high-end shops mingle against postcard-worthy oceanfront hillsides. But doing so now, you’ll pass through the devastation of the Palisades Fire; nearly everything along a roughly eight-mile stretch of PCH in the neighboring Pacific Palisades is just gone. (The beloved Getty Villa and waterfront restaurants Gladstones and Mastro’s have all thankfully survived and reopened). The area near Malibu Pier now marks the border of what’s been spared, and four-and-a-half months of limited access along PCH only reinforced my affection for this iconic stretch. The surreally stunning patio at Nobu, the handsome tile work at the Adamson House, the optimism of a new arrival like Clark’s Oyster Bar – this is what all ‘California cool’ imitators are attempting to channel.

EAT: A lobster roll (with uni on top if you’re feeling ritzy) at Broad Street Oyster Company. Christopher Tompkins’s seafood shack has since sprouted up elsewhere around SoCal, but this laid-back strip mall originator still feels destination-worthy.

DRINK: It’s been some sort of saloon for decades, but now under the stewardship of apparel company Aviator Nation, Dreamland puts on live music in a ’70s-inspired living room setting with cocktails and bar bites. Look out for Sunday Sessions in the summer, when the music spills onto the pier in support of local businesses and state parks.

STAY: At The Surfrider Malibu, a former roadside motel turned stylish, beachy retreat that sports the best rooftop in Malibu – and the most exclusive, as it’s limited to hotel guests.

Charoen Nakhon Road traces the western bank of the Chao Phraya River through Bangkok’s historic Thonburi district – once a sleepy community of merchants, warehouses and temples. One of the capital’s oldest roads, it’s now among its most dynamic. The street weaves between shophouses, shrines and gleaming new developments, where long-time residents live alongside a wave of cafes, boutique hotels and riverside hangouts. At its heart stands ICONSIAM, the glass-and-steel landmark housing everything from street eats and Thai crafts to world-class designer showcases. Today, this once-quiet riverside stretch has become a creative hub that captures the best of old and new Bangkok.

EAT: Start at Auntie Yao’s Marinated Pork Tom Yum Noodles – a no-frills street stall where steaming bowls of spicy-sour noodles cost just B20. Later, slow things down with a late-afternoon coffee and cake at Siam Charoennakhon Cafe, a beautifully restored wooden house offering specialty brews and calm river breezes. 

DRINK: For something refined, head to The River Bar at The Peninsula Bangkok – an elegant open-air spot for golden-hour cocktails as river traffic glides past.

BUY: Visit ICONCRAFT at ICONSIAM, a curated showcase of Thai basketry, textiles and ceramics – a national craft gallery under one sleek riverside roof.

Jalan Pudu hums from dawn to night: delivery trucks unloading in front of pre-war shophouses, hawker stalls, gadget shops and tailors serving locals for generations. What makes Jalan Pudu compelling today is how it layers old and new. There’s the absurd architectural contrast – Lalaport Bukit Bintang, a gleaming mall built on the former Pudu Prison site, sits beside wonderfully kitsch Berjaya Times Square, a mall so maximalist and dated it’s circled back to interesting. For proof that even its offshoots have range, slip down Jalan Sin Chew Kee for coffee and a pastry at Bröom, browse Anaabu’s wardrobe staples, and try Bol’s contemporary Nyonya classics or Pahit’s cocktails.

EAT: The food scene here is legendarily unpretentious. Heun Kee’s claypot chicken rice draws crowds nightly, while Sek Yuen still serves Cantonese classics barely changed in eight decades. Off the main stretch, ICC is a bustling hawker centre for cheap comfort food like kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs, fiery curry noodles, and hand-rolled popiah.

DO: Get your portrait taken at Kanta Studio, where Jeffrey Lim practices traditional silverprint photography. If you can hack it, brave sensory overland at Pasar Pudu – a cacophonous wet market maze of fresh produce, live fish swimming in pails and ingredient diversity reflecting Malaysia's multiculturalism.

BUY: Behind Berjaya Times Square on Lorong 1/77a, streetwear shops – Against Lab, MYTHOS, XLARGE and Showroom – have quietly drawn the city’s hypeheads. Refuel with coffee and tiramisu at Monet Atelier.

Barely a mile west of Wrigley Field lies ‘the village within the city’: Roscoe Village, a quaint, family-oriented neighborhood lined with three-story walk-ups, local watering holes and quirky boutiques. There’s an almost cinematic friendliness to Roscoe Street, the Village’s main thoroughfare: parents swapping weekend plans while kids pop wheelies on the sidewalk, bartenders regaling patrons with vivid stories and free shots, bakeries remembering regulars’ orders by heart. In the summer, you’ll find Chicagoans flocking to Retro on Roscoe, an annual festival where antique vendors and classic cars pack a six-block stretch. Regardless of the season, you won’t be hard-pressed to spend an entire day here, searching for your next thrift score at Shangri-La Vintage, renting some wheels from Roscoe Village Bikes or throwing back limoncello ‘fizz’ shots and dollar oysters at Volo Wine Bar.

EAT: Chicken enchiladas swimming in lush, perfectly smoky mole poblano at Cafe El Tapatio, a Mexican staple that’s been family-owned for a half-century. For dessert, hop next door to Tapatio’s sister restaurant Churro Parlor – owner Mauricio Parra traveled all the way to Guadalajara to perfect his recipe.

DRINK: Craft beers at Four Moon Tavern, a kitschy neighborhood bar equipped with a jukebox of wall-to-wall hits. If you tip back a few too many tipples, Four Moon’s kitchen is stocked with hearty fare like pierogi and meatloaf sandos.

DO: Admire local art (or awaken the artist within with a painting class) at August House, an art studio and gallery run by Chicago painter Marya Veeck.

In recent years, Swan Street has emerged as Richmond’s vibrant epicentre, thanks to an influx of excellent drinking and dining spots and its close proximity to the MCG and Melbourne Park precinct. Gone are the grungy vibes (for the most part, that is – you can still spot some great street art), now it’s all about chic wine bars like Clover and Tartine with a side of boutique shops and pilates studios. The Corner Hotel remains a stalwart of Melbourne’s live music scene, and it’s also a top spot to grab a pint before heading to the footy. It’s impossible to go hungry here; from flavour-packed Vietnamese cuisine at New Quarter to modern Japanese at Future Future and quality Hellenic eats at Bahari, you’ll want to visit on an empty stomach. And if it’s green space you’re after, venture down to the Burnley end, where you can easily link up with the Capital City Trail for a leisurely stroll or cycle.

EAT: Join the line of people snaking down Swan Street and grab a sanga at Hugo’s Deli. Our pick? The Mortadella Bella has been on the menu since day one for good reason.

DRINK: An ice-cold froff or Martini at Nixie Nox, aka Richmond’s smallest pub, which only has room for 80 patrons.

DO: Fargo and Co is one of Melbourne’s OG bottomless brunch venues, and with bangin’ DJs and free-flowing cocktails it’s always a fun time.

Tangier itself dates back millennia, but its new town, with Boulevard Pasteur as a central artery, began construction in the 1920s. The city’s long history as prime real estate fought over by international powers is emblemized by the four cannons (one French, one Portuguese, and two Spanish) on the Sour Maâgazine (Wall of the Lazy), an esplanade looking out over the city and the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain a blue shadow in the distance. The boulevard’s art deco buildings are no less charming than the winding streets of the medina, and it’s home to a literary landmark, too: the mythical Librairie des Colonnes, where greats like William S. Burroughs, Truman Capote, and Paul Bowles once hung out.

EAT: If you can’t get enough of that view, pop upstairs to the genteel (but very affordable) Cafe La Giralda, where you can enjoy it over mint tea or a meal. 

DO: From Sour Al Maâgazine, head left down pedestrian street Rue Khalid Ibn El Oulid to visit KIOSK, the offices of cultural organization Think Tanger, for workshops, talks, and one-of-a-kind publications. Shop for clothes that are works of art at gallery/boutique Zawia, and take your time in Librairie Les Insolites, browsing books by locals and foreigners who found inspiration in Tangier, as well as rarities by local publishing houses.

DRINK: About a block east of the esplanade, past Librairie des Colonnes, is Number One bar, a charming dive where you could imagine running into Jim Jarmusch’s Tangerine vampires.

Northdown Road is the main artery running between Margate’s cute old town and Cliftonville, the one-time fashionable hotel quarter. The area fell on hard times in the 1980s and has been making a slow-and-steady comeback ever since – today, it has an edgy feel not unlike a street you’d find in east London (there’s good reason Margate’s been dubbed Shoreditch-by-the-sea). Potter about here on a weekend to uncover art galleries like Roland Ross or Well Projects; pick up mid-century furniture at Clueit Webb Interiors; mooch in and out of beautifully curated vintage shops like LJW Antiques, Tat Agent and Cliftonville Junktion; or admire latte art at Doublons, Oast or Cliffs (which also sells records and haircuts).

EAT: Northdown Road has some of Margate’s best places to eat, but 101 Social deserves a shout-out. A community space serving sourdough pizza on weekend evenings and a pay-what-you-want soup kitchen for Sunday lunch (mostly soups, curries and stews).

DRINK: For a pint, Northdown Road’s newest pub is The Last Light, though if wine is more your thing, then sashay to Sète for apéro hour (Monday–Saturday, 4–6pm).

BUY: Northdown Road has some phenomenal handmade jewellery shops. Step into Reo Jewels or Jayne Fowler (check opening hours, especially out of season).