Global media company Time Out has unveiled its list of the 31 coolest streets of 2025, with Chengdu’s Fanghua Street being the sole Chinese city that was featured. Meanwhile, Rua do Senado in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro tops the list, making it the coolest street this year.
The streets that made the cut are “packed with independent businesses, great places to eat and fun things to do,” explains Time Out editor Grace Beard. The selection underscores a shift in travel, with tourists increasingly seeking out dynamic neighbourhoods that offer a genuine taste of local life.
Rua do Senado in Rio de Janeiro claims the top spot for its blend of historic samba bars and new-wave venues. Luiz Felipe Bernardo, who runs Instagram guide RIO DESTAQUE, told CNN Travel that the street is where “music, gastronomy, art, and an unmatched energy all come together.”
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Meanwhile, Fanghua Street in Chengdu ranks number 4 on the list. Described as “city’s go-to strip for people-watching”, it’s praised for its unique blend of retro and youthful energy, where traditional mahjong halls sit alongside trendy coffee shops, wine bars and independent boutiques.
The list also highlights other Asian standouts, including Osaka’s thrift-shop-lined Orange Street (number 2 on the list), Ho Chi Minh City’s street food hotspot Vĩnh Khánh Street, Bangkok’s riverside Charoen Nakhon Road, and Singapore’s colourful Joo Chiat Road.
The coolest streets in the Americas include Avenida Álvaro Obregón in Mexico City, Orchard Street in New York, and the iconic Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, celebrated for their vibrant local culture and dining scenes.
European entries showcase a mix of historic charm and modern energy. Highlights include Rua do Bonjardim in Porto for its traditional taverns, Rue des Gravilliers in Paris for its contemporary art galleries, and London’s multicultural Blackstock Road, for its host of independent shops and community pubs.
