The 30 coolest streets in the world

It’s no secret that Melbourne’s inner north is dominated by some pretty epic thoroughfares (both Smith Street and Gertrude Street have landed on this list in the past – in first and second place, no less), but in 2024 there’s another contender nipping at their heels. Enter High Street, which weaves through the ultra-trendy suburbs of Northcote, Thornbury and Preston, and is easily accessible from the CBD via the 86 tram line (a route so beloved it scored its own music festival last year). High Street’s bona fide cool status comes down to its unique, something-for-everyone local businesses. Craving authentic Portuguese tarts? Head to Casa Nata. Want to sip a local natty vino? Make a beeline for Northside Wines. Got the urge for a late-night boogie? Hit up Francesca’s Bar. It’s a strip where vintage stores and cool cafés sit comfortably alongside a food truck park and boutique indie cinema. We hate to be clichéd and say there’s something for everyone on High Street, but in this case it’s true. 

EAT The signature lasagne at 1800 Lasagne, of course. These saucy slabs ​​feature a mix of pork and beef mince, a creamy bechamel layer, silky pasta sheets and an oh-so-rich sauce. 

DRINK We Melburnians love a rooftop bar, and High Street’s home to a real beauty in Gigi Rooftop. Intimate and exclusive (the teeny space is accessible only via Umberto Espresso Bar), it’s the go-to spot for a Spritz at sundown with a side of sweeping suburban views.

DO Catch a gig at one of High Street’s many live music venues. Whether it’s at legendary locations like Northcote Social Club and the Croxton Band Room, or smaller spots like High Note and Shotkickers, all music tastes are catered for.

Hollywood Road is one of Hong Kong’s oldest streets: this bustling artery through Central and Sheung Wan dates back to 1844. It pre-dates LA’s famous entertainment district – according to legend, the street likely got its name from the holly bushes that once lined its edges. But right now, it’s where all of the city’s coolest new venues are popping up. Walk this 1km-long stretch and you’ll see everything from the Man Mo Temple to the Mid-Levels Escalator made famous in 90s movie Chungking Express, alongside heritage site-turned-arts and culture hubs like Tai Kwun and PMQ. Hollywood Road does it all: it’s a treasure trove of antiques, a culinary hotspot home to the city's best bars and restaurants, and a hub for the arts, with murals, installations and galleries around every corner. 

EAT The neighbourhood has plenty of great restaurants, but the most sought-after tables are on Hollywood Road – namely at Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room, which serves up adventurous and refined Chinese cuisine with a French touch. 

DRINK The milk-punch style Silk Stocking Cocktail at Lockdown, the latest Central speakeasy which is hidden behind a toilet bowl display.

DO Mooch around the antique shops and art galleries – especially right now, as the city celebrates Arts Month every March.

No other street in Austin encapsulates the city's spirit more than this quarter mile of pavement east of I-35. While not constantly vying for the spotlight like other thoroughfares around town, East Eleventh earns its beloved status among locals by packing every square inch with incredible food, excellent coffee, a historic venue, and a backyard stage that evokes the bespoke approach Austinites take to keep the city’s soul alive. Buy locally designed dress boots from HELM, sample game-changing brisket from Franklin Barbeque, slide into speakeasy Busy Signal, and behold the iconic Austin moontowers.

EAT A bacon, egg, and pimento cheese burger at one of the best rooftop brunch spots, Paperboy.

DRINK A glass of wine in one of the various reading rooms with a new book in hand at Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar.

DO See a band perform in a makeshift venue that feels like a permanent house party (minus the house) at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard.

STAY Enjoy a maximalist-styled room at the paradoxically timeless and contemporary Frances Modern Inn.

Buenos Aires’ culinary scene got its long overdue flowers last November when the Michelin Guide finally honoured the Argentine capital. Two of the city’s four newly green-starred restaurants are on Palermo Viejo’s Guatemala Street, as well as one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants: Don Julio, aka the world’s best parrilla. Much more than a casual steakhouse, this incarnation (literally) of meat culture is deeply rooted in local traditions of breeding and grilling; of wine and friends. And you’ll find that conviviality all over Guatemala Street. Even waiting in line for a table becomes a social occasion here – every night, you’ll see people hanging out by the old tram line enjoying glasses of Malbec. From humble origins to gourmet hub, this cobbled street sits at the heart of the historic Palermo Viejo, a formerly down-at-heel area that Jorge Luis Borges once called home.

EAT Artisanal charcuterie, sirloin milanesa and any salad at the legendary El Preferido. This rustic venue, which opened in 1952 as a modest tavern, rears their own animals and grows their own vegetables. As with most restaurants on Guatemala Street, you’ll have to join the crowd outside if you want to get a table.

DO  People watch at Merienda, a glass corner cafe perfect for soaking up Palermo lifestyle and savouring nostalgic porteño food with a modern touch. Follow it up with a session at Ardha Bikram Yoga.

DRINK  Do as the locals do and  ‘drink a helado’. The best place to slurp up your ice cream is Obrador Florida. Owner Mercedes Román uses agroecological seasonal fruits to create innovative flavours, like orange and lemon infused dulce de leche, and transforms the place into a cacao bar during winter.

In a city of rapid change, Commercial Drive remains defiantly ungentrified. McDonald’s and Starbucks tried and failed to stay the course, and the many clothing shops and boutiques are devoted either to vintage (see: The Only and Mintage) or ethically sourced items from far-off places (Wander Emporium, Paranada). Sure, there’s a low-flying doughnut chain outlet and one of the street’s best (former) dives is now a generic watering hole, but nearly everything else is unique and one-of-a-kind. Hip by default, the Drive (as it’s known to locals) also boasts a family-owned bowling alley, a plethora of coffee shops (try finding a seat on a nice day), no fewer than four used book shops and three record stores – and more pizza (and pizza slice) joints than you can shake a pepperoni stick at. Like many other vibrant neighbourhoods, the Drive is still suffering a post-2020 malaise – a street that once boasted five stages for live entertainment is now down to two – but it’s still the best hang-out-and-people-watch show in town. 

EAT Although pizza and sushi dominate the Drive, Lunch Lady’s modern take on Vietnamese street eats ensures the resto is almost always at capacity.  

DRINK Commercial Drive is the heart of Vancouver’s Little Italy, and Bar Corso is one of the newer Italian additions. The small, intimate establishment is a perfect date-night destination for a Negroni or Amaro, followed by a glass of Barolo and a grappa finish.

DO Visit The Drive Canteen, a local snack bar with local and exotic eats, house-made sweets, and a large selection of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and mixed drinks.

Jalan Petaling is one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest streets, home to the city’s first Chinese settlers in the nineteenth century. Over the last few years, it’s been experiencing a renaissance – you’ll find Kuala Lumpur’s oldest temples next door to colonial shophouses housing the newest dining and drinking joints. Begin the day with a cuppa and a spot of brunch (or start off at a kopitiam, a local-style coffeehouse), cosy up at a resto-bar, and come nightfall there’s always a party, whether you’re into drum ’n’ bass, jazz or reggae.

EAT Modern Malaysian cuisine at Chocha Foodstore, championing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and produce. Casual setting + communal dining = what’s not to love? After dinner, head upstairs to Botakliquor Bar for cocktails spotlighting local botanicals.

DRINK Natural wines from around the world at the hole-in-the-wall resto-bar Small Shifting Space. Beers and cocktails are available too, plus tasting menus and sharing plates. On the top floor, find DJs on deck duty. 

DO At the very intersecting heart of Jalan Petaling, the haggler’s haven Chinatown still beats on with stalls peddling everything from snacks to souvenirs (and, of course, fake designer goods). Even if you’re not looking to shop, it’s a must-visit for foodies: for generations, Jalan Petaling has served up the city’s best street eats such as Hokkien-style fried noodles, sweet potato balls, tau foo fah (soybean pudding) and more. 

Few neighbourhoods in Lisbon have lived as many lives as Cais do Sodré, a neighbourhood which has grown beyond its nightlife legacy and become a place to shop local, have a family brunch and dinner with friends. Right next door to the original Time Out Market, Rua da Boavista is an excellent representation of the neighbourhood’s new chapter: a central thoroughfare where new ventures in eating, drinking and shopping sprout up all the time. 

BUY Stylish, organic cotton from +351, a Portuguese clothing brand known for its minimalist, unisex pieces. Look out for the colourful shark hanging from the ceiling.

EAT Cav 86, Planto, and Tricky's may not be longtime tenants, but everyone already knows them on Rua da Boavista. The first is an ode to sharing, where seasonality takes the lead; the second, led by the rebellious chef Vítor Adão (known for fine dining restaurant Plano in the Graça neighbourhood), focuses on traditional Portuguese recipes; and the third emphasizes small producers and natural wines.

DRINK Natural wine at Boavista Social Club, a place that reflects the trends and tastes of a changing Lisbon. Pair with French chef Marc Le Rohellec’s sharing plates and sets of jazz, disco, soul, and hip-hop for a relaxed night out typical of Cais do Sodré.