The top 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world have been unveiled and two Canadian spots have made the list for its food, culture and vibrant community.
Every year, British media company Time Out surveys thousands of city residents across the world to inquire about the hottest spots in their area..
For its sixth edition this year, the company reviewed responses from over 12,000 people and narrowed down the selection using insight from city editors and local experts. To reach its final conclusions, it considered factors such as community and social ventures, access to open and green space, and thriving street life.
“In 2023, our neighbourhoods are more global than ever before. The rise and rise in post-pandemic digital nomadism has led to an explosion of brand-new community spaces, multi-purpose culture centres and more cafés than we can count on two hands,” the report said.
“But while most of these neighbourhoods have experienced a transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local at heart. Slick new developments and cool cafés might bring in new crowds, but neighbourhood stalwarts – from old pubs to family greengrocers – keep it real,” it continued.
As a result, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods this year are described as “places with big personalities” showcasing diversity in food, culture and festivals. The two Canadian cities that made the list are downtown Montreal at number 36 and Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood at number 38.
Downtown Montreal, Quebec
Montreal’s downtown core was chosen for its shopping, free activities, community initiatives and festivals. Examples include its giant chess board, outdoor art installations and circus acts in the summer and its gigantic illuminated skating rink, disco bumper cars and food pop-ups in the winter.
For ideas on a perfect day spent in Montreal, Time Out recommends staying at the Honeyrose Hotel, starting the day with an Italian coffee from Café Olimpico, shopping and lunch at Yama. It also suggests a spa session at the Four Seasons, an art exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain and dinner at Hiatus.
The Annex, Toronto
Despite a major development change, Time Out highlighted the Annex as a booming neighbourhood. The closure of its iconic Honest Ed’s department store in 2016 was a pivotal moment for the neighbourhood. In replacement of the space, more housing was built. The Annex is home to new retail spaces, a music venue, a park, a cinema and tons of diverse food and drink options.
Here is how to spend a perfect day in the Annex based on Time Out’s recommendations. Begin the day at Coffee Pocket and then meander along Bloor Street West and its eclectic gift shops. Then, you can catch a film at Hot Docs Cinema, stop for a drink at The Lab pub or take in the skyline sunset at the Writer’s Room, and finally, eat at the Michelin-starred Mimi Chinese to end the night.
