Following a poll of 27,000 people living in various cities across the world, Surry Hills emerged as the 19th coolest neighbourhood in the world and the top Sydney community for 2021.
Time Out asked its readers to pick their favourite neighbourhoods in an online poll and Surry Hills, the heart of Eastern Sydney, ranked high for its trendy cafes, exciting restaurants, and unique boutiques, as well as tattoo parlours.
Home to hip and vibrant eateries, the suburb’s hospitality venues reinvigorated and shifted to al-fresco dining choices, turning the streets into the most popular destinations when COVID-19 struck. Those outdoor dining options are here to stay as NSW slowly exits the longest lockdown in October 2021.
Comparable to Notting Hill in London, this Eastern Sydney community has its own Surry Hills Markets, where buyers can spot great vintage finds, upcycled goods, and handcrafted pieces. The community is also known for embracing inclusivity and diversity.
Surry Hills was one of only two Australian cities to make it on the Top 20 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World, with Richmond in Melbourne’s inner east ranking on the 10th spot.
Richmond was recognised for its community-centred dynamics, highlighting 30-year outreach activities of the Richmond Churches Food Centre, as well as its cafe culture, live music venue and its fashion stores.
The number one city on the list is Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Denmark, which appealed to the surveyed participants for its strong community bond, diversity, ultramodern architecture and food, and beautiful historical landmarks.
Last year, Time Out’s poll had Yarraviell (Melbourne) in 5th place and Marrickville (Sydney) in 10th place.
The 49 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World for 2021
- Nørrebro, Coppenhagen
- Andersonville, Chicago
- Jongno 3-ga, Seoul
- Leith, Edinburgh
- Station District, Vilnius
- Chelsea, New York
- XI District, Budapest
- Ngor, Dakar
- Sai Kung, Hong Kong
- Richmond, Melbourne
- Neukölln, Berlin
- Centro, Medellín
- Dalston, London
- Silver Lake, Los Angeles
- Dublin 8, Dublin
- Zoloti Vorota, Kyiv
- Noord, Amsterdam
- Villeray, Montreal
- Surry Hills, Sydney
- Ancoats, Manchester
- Sagene, Oslo
- Old Xuhui, Shanghai
- Centro, Mexico City
- Gràcia, Barcelona
- Saúde, Rio de Janeiro
- Kemptown, Brighton
- Sololaki, Tbilisi
- Brickell, Miami
- Ouseburn, Newcastle
- Barranco, Lima
- Chamberí, Madrid
- Vinohrady, Prague
- Katong, Singapore
- Anjos, Lisbon
- Daikanyama, Tokyo
- Haut-Marais, Paris
- Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
- Foz, Porto
- Central Square, Boston/Cambridge
- Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
- Jamestown, Accra
- Centro, Oaxaca
- Mouassine, Marrakech
- Dubai Marina, Dubai
- Kadikoy, Istanbul
- Poblacion, Manila
- Ari, Bangkok
- Koregaon Park, Pune
- El Arrayán, Santiago