These Vancouver neighbourhoods prove the city should have a spot on the world's coolest list
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
A list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world was just released, featuring alluring streets and hidden gems from around the world, and even including one Canadian spot.
While Saint-Henri in Montreal represented the country on the Time Out list, Vancouver neighbourhoods were missing among the 38 spots.
On a short list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, it's easy to see why much of Canada, and Vancouver specifically, gets overlooked — I mean, we're competing with the likes of European cobblestone streets and chic corners of Seoul — but there are some neighbourhoods with definite cool-factor that anyone in or visiting the West Coast should spend the day wandering throughout.
After living in Vancouver myself and spending many a Saturday meandering down shop-lined streets and beachy roads, I'd like to think I have a good grip on what many neighbourhoods in the city have to offer. While I have favourites like Lower Lonsdale and Yaletown, not all of them are offering up that cool vibe.
If you're looking at street-art, thrift stores, funky cafes, and just a general intangible vibe that makes you want to keep on strolling forever, then check out these Vancouver neighbourhoods.
Mt. Pleasant
I might be biased because I lived in this neighbourhood, but I have facts to back me up.
Back in 2021 it actually did make the list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, and although it's now dropped off of it, I'd still argue it deserves its time in the sun.
Stunning murals and heritage buildings will greet you in this area, along with incredible vintage stores and cute boutiques to top it all off. Then you have the treats and food, like the doughnuts at 49th Parallel and the breweries and restaurants peppering Main Street.
At night go to Fox Cabaret, which is a live music venue that is just oozing cool, and you'll be left with no questions as to why I think this neighbourhood earns its spot on this list.
Commercial Drive
The Drive is where you're gonna wanna go for some delicious food, especially Italian. This technically is a big street filled with a bunch of businesses, but it's really a neighbourhood in Vancouver.
You could spend a whole day walking along Commercial Drive, popping into stores and food spots, and leave with a smile on your face and a full belly. What makes this neighbourhood awesome is that theres a little bit of everything — bars, live music, small shops, theatres, bakeries, bookstores, you name it.
On Saturdays the summer in fall you can also go to Trout Lake and explore one of the best farmer's markets around.
Just off of the main strip here are residential areas with house-lined streets, making it a great place to live thats close to hustle and bustle but outside of downtown.
Kits
Okay on the surface Kitsilano isn't exactly cool in the way the other two here are. It's less eclectic and interesting and more of a 'go to yoga and grab brunch' vibe, but it offers up a uniquely Vancouver experience which earns it a spot on this list nonetheless.
The big draw here? It's home to one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver — Kitsilano Beach. A busy beach isn't always ideal, but Kits gives you a taste of what the city is about. People popping by for a swim, a picnic, volleyball, or just a hang after work to watch the sun go down. It's quintessential Vancouver — and that's the vibe here.
You can see the mountains, ocean, and downtown from here, which is pretty picture-perfect.
Also, you've got some great restaurants and a main street with loads of shops, making it a super walkable neighbourhood.
To each their own when it comes to neighbourhood preferences, but these are my top three picks for the cool list.
A campsite in New Brunswick.
A beach in New Brunswick.