Every year, travelers and urban explorers eagerly await the latest edition of Time Out’s “Coolest Neighborhoods in the World” list—a snapshot of the globe’s most vibrant, creative, and community-driven districts. The 2025 edition, released in late September, has once again shone a spotlight on corners of cities that pulse with local energy, culinary delights, and a hard-to-pin-down sense of “nowness.” This year, Tokyo’s Jimbocho district claimed the coveted top spot, but the list is as much about the diversity of urban life as it is about crowning a single winner.
According to Time Out, the selection process is no mere popularity contest. The magazine’s global network of editors and writers nominate districts they consider the “vibiest” in their hometowns. These nominations are then measured against a set of criteria—culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life, and that elusive sense of being at the heart of what’s happening right now. As Grace Beard, Time Out’s travel editor, told CNN Travel, “The biggest takeaway from this year’s Time Out ranking is just how much our neighborhoods are shaped by, and for, their local communities.”
Jimbocho, Tokyo’s literary heart, is described as a “bibliophile nirvana.” With around 130 second-hand and vintage bookstores, the area is a haven for readers, collectors, and the simply curious. Bookstores like Isseido Booksellers, Komiyama Shoten, and Kitazawa Bookstore spill their wares onto the pavement, creating an irresistible invitation to browse. But Jimbocho offers more than just books: its retro cafés, such as the 70-year-old Saboru, are famed for their pizza toast and wood-paneled charm, while curry houses like Curry Bondy and Sangatsu no Mizu (winner of a local curry contest in 2024) draw crowds for their rich, spice-laden sauces. The district’s roots as a hub for publishers and academics date back to the early 20th century, and today it remains the beating heart of Japan’s literary trade. As The Guardian notes, Jimbocho’s unique atmosphere has even inspired novels and films, like Satoshi Yagisawa’s “Days at the Morisaki Bookshop,” which captures the quiet rhythms of bookshop life among its regulars.
Following closely in second place is Borgerhout in Antwerp, Belgium. Time Out describes it as the city’s “creative heart,” buzzing with grassroots energy. The area is celebrated for its diverse immigrant communities, experimental art projects, and a food scene that ranges from lunch spot Café Josee to Pizza Gallery, where art and cuisine blend seamlessly. The quarterly Borger Nocturne event, when galleries stay open late and the whole neighborhood comes alive, is a highlight for both locals and visitors. Borgerhout’s transformation into a cultural hub is a testament to the power of community-driven change.
Third on the list is Barra Funda in São Paulo, Brazil. Once an industrial zone dominated by warehouses and railway yards, Barra Funda has reinvented itself as the “alternative soul” of the city. Many of its old industrial sites now house independent theatres, music venues, and art studios. Time Out recommends cocktails at the newly opened Água e Biscoito bar, a symbol of the neighborhood’s creative resurgence. The area’s unmistakable blend of history and innovation makes it a magnet for artists and young professionals seeking authenticity and inspiration.
London’s Camberwell takes the fourth spot, standing out as the only UK neighborhood in the top five. Time Out credits Camberwell’s “young-at-heart vibe” and “independent spirit,” pointing to its eclectic mix of food streets, Kurdish and Turkish eateries, bakers, and gastropubs. Its proximity to art schools and a tradition of local markets and galleries have turned Camberwell into a crossroads for creatives. Anna Preston, a resident for over a decade, told CNN Travel, “We are spoiled for restaurants, cafés and pubs. It is a long-standing tradition for many Camberwellians to get a wrap and some sambusak from Falafel & Shawarma or a pizza from Theo’s, and enjoy with a pint or two at Stormbird or Hermits Cave. I think that is what I will be doing this weekend.” The South London Gallery and other arts spaces add to the neighborhood’s appeal, making it a hub for those seeking a balance of affordability and cultural momentum.
Rounding out the top five is Avondale in Chicago, the highest-ranked U.S. neighborhood on the list. As reported by The Independent, Avondale is lauded for its “new wine bars, wellness studios and music venues” opening alongside long-standing neighborhood fixtures. Its nickname, “Bricktown,” harks back to its historic brickyards, and those industrial roots are still visible in the red-brick warehouses and occasional smokestack or steeple. The neighborhood’s multicultural heritage and working-class character have fostered a quirky small business scene, from retro bowling alleys like Avondale Bowl to antique mall-themed bars such as Consignment Lounge. Shannon Shreibak, Time Out’s Chicago expert, highlights the “tucked-away bars, specialty markets and eccentric boutiques” that give Avondale its vibrant, lived-in feel. A perfect day here, according to Time Out, might start with coffee at Magnifico Coffee Roasters, a pastry at Loaf Lounge, a browse through Bric-a-Brac record shop, and drinks at Central Park Bar.
The rest of the top ten reads like a global tour of creative enclaves: Mullae-dong in Seoul, Ménilmontant in Paris, Nakatsu in Osaka, Vallila in Helsinki, and Labone in Accra. Each is recognized for its unique blend of history, innovation, and community spirit. The 2025 list spans 39 neighborhoods worldwide, with several making repeat appearances—a sign that some districts, once discovered, continue to evolve and captivate.
Notably, this year’s rankings also spotlight lesser-known gems. Nguyen Thai Binh in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, made the list thanks to its underground culinary scene and eclectic vibe. Just a short walk from Ben Thanh Market, the neighborhood is packed with food stalls, fine-dining restaurants, and secret speakeasies. Visitors can start their day with Phan Rang crab and snail vermicelli soup, wander Le Cong Kieu Street for antiques, and explore Dan Sinh Market, famous for military memorabilia. For lunch, Bep Me In serves family-style Vietnamese dishes, while Quince Eatery’s wood-fired cooking and The Arth bar’s cocktails cap off a day of discovery. As Time Out observes, Nguyen Thai Binh “rewards those who scratch the surface.”
The methodology behind Time Out’s rankings is as much about local pride as it is about global trends. Editors and writers are tasked with finding neighborhoods that not only offer great food, nightlife, and culture, but also foster a genuine sense of community and belonging. As Grace Beard put it, this year’s list “champions some more well-known and well-loved neighborhoods alongside lesser-talked-about destinations—spots that locals truly love and that deserve just as much attention as a city’s main tourist hubs.”
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a city-break enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the idea of finding a home away from home, Time Out’s 2025 list is a reminder that the world’s coolest neighborhoods are defined not just by what’s trendy, but by the people who bring them to life every day.
