toronto coolest neighbourhoods

Toronto fails to register on latest list of world's coolest neighbourhoods

Time Out's 2024 list of the 38 coolest neighbourhoods in the world is here, and Toronto failed to make it on the ranking.

Little Italy, Kensington Market, Parkdale; it's more than fair to say that Toronto is home to its fair share of cool neighbourhoods, but according to U.K.-based media company, Time Out, none of them are quite cool enough to rank among the world's heavy-hitters.

To create the ranking, Time Out, who has teams in cities across the world, polled their various global writers on what neighbourhoods, in their opinion, are the coolest in the world. Not exactly a scientifically sound process, but then again, can you really quantify coolness?

In any event, the results are in, and apparently (though I'm inclined to disagree), even the neighbourhoods most riddled with chic urbanites, natural wine bottle shops, overpriced vintage stores and teeny tiny dogs, like Ossington, which Time Out previously ranked among the coolest streets in the world, just didn't make the cut.

There is one neighbourhood representing Canada on the list, though, and it may not come as a surprise.

Montreal's Saint-Henri ranked 13th on the list, earning points for its bustling restaurant scene, rife with foodie favourites, its location right on the Lachine Canal and trendy activities, like axe-throwing, rock climbing and escape rooms.

Which neighbourhood is the coolest of them all, you ask? According to Time Out's contributors, it's Marseille, France's Notre-Dame-du-Mont, thanks to its colourful, graffiti-mottled streets, "rebellious spirit," and the diverse crowd that frequents its parks, restaurants and galleries.

Other neighbourhoods that made the cut include Príncipe Real in Lisbon, Pererenan in Bali, Little River in Miami and Gakugeidaigaku, Tokyo.

It'll be another year before Time Out publishes its next ranking of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, so Toronto still has plenty of time left to up our cool factor by whatever means necessary.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


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