Time Out chooses the 'coolest neighborhood in the world' for 2022

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It's one of the best parts of a vacation: that moment when you discover the side of the city that's clearly more popular with locals than tourists.

Maybe it's the off-the-beaten-track coffee shop with the best coffee you've ever tasted, the underground bar that isn't signed on the street above, or the restaurant serving delicious local delicacies you've never heard of.

To help you discover more hidden gems on your next city break, global media brand Time Out has released its annual list of the world's coolest neighborhoods.

Topping the 2022 list is the lively Colonia Americana, located in the city of Guadalajara in western Mexico. Time Out says the American Colony's eclectic mix of historic Art Deco mansions and warehouse music venues sealed the deal.

“Guadalajara is emerging as a must-see, and the American Colony is the place to be right now,” Time Out travel editor James Manning said in a statement. “It is home to a boundary-pushing creative community, a growing number of incredible places to eat and some of the best nightlife in the Western Hemisphere. And life on the street is unbeatable.”

Time Out's list is the result of an extensive survey in which thousands of people from around the world were asked about their favorite places in their city. Time Out editors also brought their local expertise to the table to create the definitive guide, highlighting 51 of the world's most interesting neighborhoods. The top 20 are “simply put, amazing places to be right now,” says Time Out.

Hot on the heels of the American Colony is the Cais do Sodré, on the banks of the Lisbon River, which took second place on the list. Long famous for its vibrant nightlife, the Portuguese Quarter is now making a name for itself as a hotspot for food lovers.

“This is the neighborhood where Lisbon's most promising young chefs are opening new restaurants,” says Time Out, naming Quiosque de São Paul and Tricky's as the best places to drink and dine.

Third in the 2022 roundup is Wat Bo Village, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. According to Time Out, the area surrounding the spectacular Wat Bo Pagoda has had a “huge glow” over the past year. Boutique hotels Viroth's and Treeline Urban Resort feature as highlights, along with restaurant Tevy's Place, which serves delicious organic meals and also operates as a social enterprise that empowers local women.

The highest-rated American neighborhood came in fourth place: Ridgewood, New York City. Time Out says the balance of new and emerging bars and restaurants in this Queens-based area, along with institutions like Rudy's Bakery, which opened in 1934, earned it a spot on the 2022 list.

Meanwhile, Mile End in Montreal, Canada, rounds out Time Out's top five, described as a “walkable corner” that's home to “some of the city's best restaurants, independent bookstores, florists, butchers, bakers and candle makers.” .

Dave Calhoun, Time Out's content director for North America and the UK, said the aim of the annual list was to highlight areas that are not “homogenised corporate destinations” but “have an independent, welcoming feel”.

“You may be able to cross them in half an hour or less, but they are packed with enough experiences to spend days exploring,” he said.