Canada is home to two of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods right now.
Over the past 6 years, the way we live, work and play in cities has changed dramatically. While the pandemic highlighted the importance of local neighbourhoods and communities, city centres are now experiencing a revival, with new restaurants, music venues, galleries and cafés drawing back workers, residents and visitors.
This year’s Time Out Global list celebrates the diversity of city life, from buzzing downtowns and seaside strips to leafy enclaves and former warehouse districts. Nominated by our global network of local experts, each neighbourhood was evaluated by Time Out editors for its food and drink, nightlife, independent businesses, liveability and sense of community.
Photograph: Trust BeerSt Catharines Ontario
What is the coolest neighbourhood in the world?
Jongno 3-ga, Seoul, came in at No. 1 on Time Out’s ranking of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2026.
Once known for century-old hanoks, themed cafés and restaurants, Jongno 3-ga is getting a fresh after-dark buzz. Affordable pochas draw young locals to its narrow streets, while Seosulla-gil offers a quieter mix of craft workshops, jewellery studios and stylish bars. Balancing old and new, the neighbourhood continues to reinvent itself for a new generation.
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What are the top 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world?
Jongno 3-ga — Seoul, South Korea
L’Ocean District — Rabat, Morocco
Neos Kosmos — Athens, Greece
Chinatown — Los Angeles, USA
Govanhill — Glasgow, UK
Kitakagaya — Osaka, Japan
Chapinero Alto — Bogotá, Colombia
Koenji — Tokyo, Japan
Downtown — St. Catharines, Canada
Esquilino — Rome, Italy
Russafa — Valencia, Spain
Tân Định — Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
São Bento — Lisbon, Portugal
Talat Noi — Bangkok, Thailand
Slakthusområdet — Stockholm, Sweden
Humayunpur — Delhi, India
Laranjeiras — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
West Town — Chicago, USA
Rákóczi tér — Budapest, Hungary
Jalan Besar — Singapore
Crooswijk — Rotterdam, Netherlands
Chacagiales — Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bandra West — Mumbai, India
Cathedral Quarter — Belfast, UK
República — São Paulo, Brazil
Changning — Shanghai, China
Oost — Amsterdam, Netherlands
Financial District — New York, USA
New Farm — Brisbane, Australia
Quartier d’Aligre — Paris, France
Kalk Bay — Cape Town, South Africa
North Hobart — Hobart, Australia
Newington Green — London, UK
Yulin — Chengdu, China
Mount Pleasant — Vancouver, Canada
Centro Histórico — Lima, Peru
Boavista — Porto, Portugal
Starstreet Precinct — Hong Kong
South Melbourne — Melbourne, Australia
Distillery District — Lexington, USA
Which Canadian neighbourhoods were ranked the coolest?
Two Canadian neighbourhoods made this coveted ranking, with Time Out putting Downtown St. Catharines at No. 9 globally, while Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant comes in at No. 35.
Not to be confused with Downtown Montreal (ranked one of the world’s coolest streets) or Ste. Catherine Street (Montreal’s main Downtown commercial artery, home to iconic landmarks like the Montreal Eaton Centre and Time Out Market Montréal), Downtown St. Catharines is having a moment.
Photograph: Shutterstock / JohnInNorthYorkDowntown St. Catharines Streetscape
With its waterfront setting, creative arts scene, vintage boutiques, record shops and easy access to some of Niagara’s best farms and wineries, Downtown St. Catharines is emerging as one of Canada’s coolest city escapes—and quietly challenging Niagara-on-the-Lake for the region’s cultural spotlight.
St. Catharines is also directly adjacent to Lake Ontario (you may have heard of it?).
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Photograph: Shutterstock / JohnInNorthYorkSt. Catharines, Ontario
At the heart of the historic downtown is St. Paul Street, a Brooklyn-esque main drag and one of Ontario’s few curved main streets. More than 100 heritage buildings line the neighbourhood, some dating back to the early 19th century, now home to an exciting mix of independent shops, cafés, bars and restaurants.
Photograph: Shutterstock / JohnInNorthYorkSt. Catharines, Ontario
The neighbourhood also has plenty of green space. Montebello Park is one of the few Canadian landscapes designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary landscape architect behind New York City’s Central Park. But St. Catharines’ story stretches far beyond its architecture.
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Photograph: Shutterstock / JohnInNorthYorkGazebo in Montebello Park, St. Catharines, Ontario
The city played an important role in the Underground Railroad, with the downtown area still reflecting the legacy of the Black communities who helped shape its history. This year’s Emancipation Day STC celebrations included a special downtown gathering marking the 175th anniversary of Harriet Tubman’s arrival in St. Catharines, where she lived for nearly a decade.
What’s a perfect day in Downtown St. Catharines?
Start slowly with a warm cinnamon bun from Sugar + Butter Baking Co. or a Peach Cobbler doughnut from Beechwood Doughnuts, then spend the morning browsing indie vinyl at Mindbomb Records and digging through vintage treasures at Auds N Ends Boutique and Nac Studio Shop.
When hunger strikes, take your haul to Montebello Park for a picnic, pairing a cherry cola and Luau Pig & Pineapple pie from Di’s Pizza Pies with a box of pastries from Happy Snack. Trust us—you’ll find room.
For a proper sit-down meal, choose from Michelin-recognized Fat Rabbit (still thinking about that killer burger) and its younger sibling, Bar Les Incompetents.
Or settle in for the refined yet playful cooking at Oddbird.
In a hurry? Grab one of the epic chicken shawarmas from It’s About Thyme or a crisp smashburger from Super! Burger & Fries.
As the afternoon winds down, explore Niagara’s local wine scene over dinner at Twenty Kitchen and Bar, then keep the night going with a frosty pint at Merchant Ale House or Trust Beer Bar.
When is a good time to visit Downtown St. Catharines?
September and October are an especially good time to visit, when autumn colour arrives alongside harvest season at the farms and wineries surrounding the city. Downtown’s STC Farmers Market runs year-round, while fall brings seasonal vendors, including plenty of tempting local food, to the market.
Meanwhile, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre kicks into high gear with a full calendar of live music, performances and cultural programming—giving you yet another reason to linger Downtown.
Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
Coming in at No. 35, locals know Mount Pleasant for its colourful murals, bike-friendly streets and vibrant community scene.
New public spaces like the plaza at Main and 14th have added to its appeal, while its historic brewery scene continues to thrive.
Photograph: Lucie Filipi / ShutterstockMount Pleasant, Vancouver
Music fans can browse places like Vancouver’s oldest independent record store, while vintage hunters will find plenty to explore.
Read more about Mount Pleasant’s cool factor here.
Time Out Tip: Mount Pleasant is about a 12 minute drive from Vancouver’s newest culinary hub at Oakridge Park: Time Out Market Vancouver.
For more information about Time Out’s Global ranking, click here.
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