Trip Ideas

Next Great Neighborhoods

Pack your bags, Jetsetters. Emma Sloley has the scoop on nine emerging neighborhoods around the globe, from Brooklyn to Lisbon and beyond.

See recent posts by Chelsea Stuart and Emma Sloley

Trip Ideas building blue structure skyscraper facade stadium line interior design personal computer hardware
1

Chippendale, Sydney

Another formerly gritty working-class district poised for the spotlight, Chippendale is just a few blocks east of the CBD and is buzzing with fabulous new openings. Anchored by a flashy new residential and retail development called Central Park (look for the striking vertical garden flowing down the building's exterior), this suburb is set to get a serious hip infusion with the opening of the Old Clare Hotel, a thoughtfully designed blending of heritage building (formerly a brewery) and classic Aussie pub, full of Midcentury Modern design and gorgeous original details like wood paneled walls, along with a sexy rooftop pool. Chow down at LP Quality Meats, where chef Luke Powell produces house-smoked and cured delicacies using a Tennessee smoker, or megabuzzy Automata, Clayton Wells's first solo restaurant following stints at Momofuku Seiobo and Quay.

Trip Ideas person outdoor fair public space vendor market people festival group
2

Bushwick, New York

The latest of Brooklyn's regeneration stories, once-industrial Bushwick has finally come of age (for better or worse). Witness the Brooklyn Flea, a weekend market on Wyckoff Avenue where you can shop for vintage treasures, clothing and arts and crafts. Then there's the speakeasy-style red-lit bar Hell Phone, tucked away at the back of Francophile favorite Ange Noir café, which serves standout savory crepes and organic wine. The neighborhood is also a hub for vintage, vinyl and everything homegrown, with stores like Shwick market (think handmade jewelry and free tie-dying workshops), and Better Than Jam, where the shelves are lined with retro-style clutches, chunky charm baubles, and more. And don't miss a show at the Wick, an 8,000-square-foot "music fortress" housed in a former brewery.

Trip Ideas chair floor indoor room property dining room hearth wooden living room home wood interior design cottage cuisine Fireplace restaurant Dining farmhouse furniture estate dining table
3

Vesterbro, Copenhagen

It's a now-familiar tale: A formerly gritty neighborhood undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming a hipster-friendly destination. This erstwhile red light district west of Copenhagen's central station certainly fits the bill, thanks to its recent emergence as one of the city's most desirable districts, full of avant-garde cafés, boutiques and design stores. Fuel up at Enghave Kaffe, a neighborhood staple decorated with vintage motorcycle paraphernalia, then swoon over lust-worthy Danish design at Design Zoo. Come evening, go for cocktails at the too-cool-for-school bar Lidkoeb, a onetime apothecary with floor-to-ceiling arched windows and an air of old-school licentiousness presided over by hunky waiters in leather aprons.

Trip Ideas plate food meal dish white produce brunch flower lunch vegetable dinner arranged meat piece de resistance
4

Roma, Mexico City

You want a hot neighborhood? It doesn't get much more caliente than Roma, one of DF's most happening and bohemian colonias. On these leafy streets you'll find some of the city's best restaurants, such as Contramar , perfect for people watching over divine Ensenada-style fish tacos and ceviches; Rosetta, for sublime homemade pasta in an elegant, rambling townhouse; and Maximo, an upscale but cozy hit with the city's fashion set. Art aficionados will also love the neighborhood; check out OMR, a show-stopping series of art spaces housed in an ornate French neoclassical building, and the highly regarded Arroniz, which showcases established and emerging Mexican artists.

Trip Ideas building marketplace market City public space person outdoor people bazaar human settlement Town vendor road fair street stall
5

Kreuzberg, Berlin

Long a magnet for punks and other counterculture types, up-and-coming Kreuzberg, on the city's west side, is fast becoming a destination for food obsessives and design geeks. Browse the displays at Voo, a concept store that stocks of-the-moment designers like Alexander Wang and Acne Studios, along with cult accessories such as Malaikaraiss jewelry and Mykita sunglasses. Gourmands will go crazy for the Markthalle Neun, a vast 19th-century food hall where Street Food Thursdays have become a ritual for Berliners keen to sample some of the city's best restaurants on the cheap. Long March Canteen is another foodie favorite, dishing up next-gen dim sum to hungry hipsters.

6

Alcântara, Lisbon

Taking up an entire block of the Alcântara district, the LX Factory is like a mini-metropolis in its own right. The former textile mill and surrounding industrial buildings house creative types of all kinds, from architects to independent publishers. (Check the website for open days.) Browse the Sunday flea market for one-off art pieces, then drop by the magical Ler Devegar ("read slowly" in Portugese), a dazzling multistory bookshop that's like a candy store for lit nerds. Peckish after all that reading? Head to neighboring Belém to sample the city's best iteration of the famous Portugese custard tarts at Pasteis de Belem . Just be prepared to wait in line: The pastries are legendary.

Trip Ideas floor indoor wall room property window dining room interior design estate real estate Design home table area furniture several
7

Braamfontein, Johannesburg

One of the greatest things to happen to this Joburg hood is the Neighborgoods Market, held every weekend in a multilevel Modernist parking garage decorated with a 15-story mural by Eduardo Villa. Join the crowds dining out on fancy burgers, local craft beers and artisanal chocolates and browsing for hand-crafted jewelry and avant-garde fashions from local designers. This is also the place to witness some of the world's coolest street style. Drop into Dokter and Misses, a showroom featuring fabulous custom furniture and design objects from South African artists, then peruse the collection at the Wits Art Museum, which houses a fantastic and comprehensive collection of African art.

Trip Ideas color outdoor mural street art art graffiti colorful accessory colored
8

Pilsen, Chicago

This traditionally Mexican district on the city's south side has become one of Chi-town’s hottest hoods without losing its authentic charm. Wander the streets and marvel at the colorful murals that have popped up on houses, storefronts and railway overpasses, then take a tour of the National Museum of Mexican Art, which explores Mexican identity through art and folklore. Stop for tortillas and tamales just like Abuela used to make at El Milagro, a local institution since 1950. Or grab a table at Nuevo Leon, with its kitschtastic interiors and down-home dishes like tacos al pastor and barbacoa.

Trip Ideas bowl food dish indoor cuisine soup asian food curry plant produce hot pot chinese food vegetable meat pan cooked meal stew
9

Shimokitazawa, Tokyo

It was inevitable that the Brooklynification of the world would eventually spread even to that most idiosyncratic of cities, Tokyo. But while this enclave close to Shibuya -- referred to by locals as Shimokita -- may get compared to Williamsburg, it still manages to feel distinctly Japanese. Hit one of the neighborhood's perpetually mobbed hip curry shops, like Nasu Oyaji, which serves delicious spicy curries with pan-fried garlic, fresh vegetables and pickles on the side, or Rojiura Curry Samurai, with its retro decor and arty crowd. After dark, rock out at one of the area's boho music clubs, like funky basement den Shimokitazawa Three.

Want more?

Comments

comments

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.