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Melbourne has done it again! Time Out has just dropped its list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods for 2026, and one of our city’s oldest suburbs has claimed its place in the top 40.
Before we reveal exactly where, let’s run you through how we chose the coolest neighbourhoods. Each spot was nominated by an on-the-ground expert from our global network – someone who spends their days exploring the trendiest spots to eat, drink, shop and hang out in their hometown. A panel of Time Out editors then vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including dining, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community.
Topping the list was Seoul’s dynamic hub of Jongno 3-ga, followed by L’Ocean District in Rabat, Neos Kosmos in Athens and Chinatown in Los Angeles. Three Australian neighbourhoods made the cut this year, including Brisbane’s leafy suburb of New Farm (#29), North Hobart (#32) and our very own South Melbourne at number 39.
It may be one of the city’s oldest suburbs, but South Melbourne’s cool cred stands the test of time. It’s home to the legendary South Melbourne Market – this historic site (it opened in 1867!) is a gastronomic delight with 150+ traders. But the neighbourhood’s culinary tendrils extend far beyond its namesake market: there’s charming café Juniper, elegant Greek restaurant Aegli, swanky fine diner Lucia, and all-day Euro eatery Upper Middle.
South Melbourne is fast becoming quite the wellness hub, too, with bathing and meditation sanctuary EQ alongside Else Bathhouse (with rooftop pools) and Soak, both opening outposts in the area. But for the truest sense of South Melbourne’s spirit, a wander along the main thoroughfares of Clarendon, Coventry and Cecil Streets – each lined with leafy trees, boutique shops and buzzy hospo venues – should do the trick.
Wondering how to spend the perfect day in South Melbourne? Time Out Melbourne Managing Editor Leah Glynn says: “OK, so it’s technically located in the neighbouring suburb, but every good South Melburnian starts their day with a scenic stroll (or jog) around nearby Albert Park Lake. For coffee and a refuel, it's gotta be The Kettle Black (one of the city’s OG ’grammable brunch spots) or Korean-Japanese café Moon Mart. Be sure to check out the Australian Tapestry Workshop (it regularly hosts exhibitions, talks and workshops) and shop secondhand designer pieces at SWOP. Finish the day off with a froff at Brewmanity or the recently refurbished O'Connell’s Hotel.”
You can explore Time Out’s full list of the coolest neighbourhoods for 2026 here.
Time Out's 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world for 2026:
- Jongno 3-ga, Seoul
- L’Ocean District, Rabat
- Neos Kosmos, Athens
- Chinatown, Los Angeles
- Govanhill, Glasgow
- Kitakagaya, Osaka
- Chapinero Alto, Bogotá
- Koenji, Tokyo
- Downtown, St Catharines
- Esquilino, Rome
- Valencia, Russafa
- Tân Định, Ho Chi Minh
- São Bento, Lisbon
- Talat Noi, Bangkok
- Slakthusområdet, Stockholm
- Humayunpur, Delhi
- Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro
- West Town, Chicago
- Rákóczi tér, Budapest
- Jalan Besar, Singapore
- Crooswijk, Rotterdam
- Chacagiales, Buenos Aires
- Bandra West, Mumbai
- Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
- República, São Paulo
- Changning, Shanghai
- Oost, Amsterdam
- Financial District, New York City
- New Farm, Brisbane
- Quartier d’Aligre, Paris
- Kalk Bay, Cape Town
- North Hobart, Hobart
- Newington Green, London
- Yulin, Chengdu
- Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
- Centro Histórico, Lima
- Boavista, Porto
- Starstreet Precinct, Hong Kong
- South Melbourne, Melbourne
- Distillery District, Lexington
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