It's no secret that Torontonians take pride in their neighbourhoods, often thinking their's is the best part of the city. But according to a new international ranking, just one Toronto neighbourhood is considered amongst the coolest in the world: Dundas West.
Time Out released its ranking of the 51 coolest neighbourhoods in the world on Tuesday, awarding top spots to neighbourhoods from every corner of the globe, and Dundas West came in at a very respectable 12th place.
"Nestled between Trinity Bellwoods and West Queen West, this stretch of Canada’s ‘city of neighbourhoods’ is a culture consumer’s paradise with boutique art galleries, snug bars, understated nightclubs and enough cosy coffee shops to keep you buzzing along," the Time Out article reads.
The ranking goes on to point out interesting independent shops along the street like Rose City Goods and Easy Tiger where you can find hand-poured candles or recycled bamboo dinnerware. And since the neighbourhood is home to a large Portugese and Brazilian population, amazing delis, bakeries, and restaurants aren't hard to find.
Time Out also takes the liberty of laying out how to spend a perfect day in Dundas West. It includes brunch at The Federal, Milour, or BB's Diner, then heading to Cry Baby Gallery to grab a cocktail and check out some art, and then finishing off the night with a few more drinks at Mahjong Bar or karaoke at Bar Mordecai.
The new cool-factor-related accolade can be added to a growing list for the city after Toronto's Ossington Avenue was named one of the coolest streets in the world just two months ago.
Although Dundas West was the only area in Toronto to make the coolest neighbourhood ranking, it wasn't the only Canadian locale. In fact, it was beat out by Montreal's Mile End, which took home fifth place. Part of Montreal's Plateau, Mile End is known for its top-notch restaurants, independent bookstore, bakeries, and even candlestick makers. It's also home to a very cool tea room that transforms into a champagne salon at night.
Vancouver's West End neighbourhood also made the list, but at a lower-down 25th place. Located just south of Coal Harbour on Vancouver's downtown peninsula, West End is both a hub for the city's LGBTQ+ community and home to amazing hole-in-the-wall eats. If you visit, Time Out recommends staying at The Burrard, which is a '50s motel that's been converted into a boutique stay.
The ranking's top spot went to Colonia Americana in Guadalajara, Mexico -- the country's "cultural capital." It was followed by Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, Portugal, Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Ridgewood, Queens in New York City.
The top 25 list is as follows:
- Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, Portugal
- Wat Bo Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Ridgewood, Queens, New York City, USA
- Mile End, Montreal, Canada
- Barrio Logan, San Diego, USA
- Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, Japan
- Cliftonville, Margate, UK
- Barrio Yungay, Santiago, Chile
- Cours Julien, Marseille, France
- Shawlands, Glasgow, Scotland
- Dundas West, Toronto, Canada
- Vila Madalena, São Paulo, Brazil
- San Isidro, Havana, Cuba
- Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
- Avondale, Chicago, USA
- Walthamstow, London, UK
- Sants, Barcelona, Spain
- Little India, Singapore
- Riona Sanità, Naples, Italy
- Silver Lake, Los Angeles, USA
- Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Barrio de las Letras, Madrid, Spain
- Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
- West End, Vancouver, Canada
