Canada’s cities are rich with personality, and much of that charm lies in their neighbourhoods. Whether you're after indie boutiques, standout restaurants or just a great place to soak up the vibe, we've ranked the 31 coolest neighbourhoods in the country.
Click through this gallery to explore Canada's coolest neighbourhoods...
White Rock is a municipality in the greater Vancouver area, known for its holiday-town feel. Sitting on Semiahmoo Bay, the area is named after a literal white boulder that sits proudly on the beach.
Visitors can stroll the seaside promenade, pop into shops for snacks or ice cream, browse local artisan work and take in the views from the restored White Rock Pier, which was rebuilt after storm damage in 2018.
Winnipeg’s Exchange District is lined with stunning heritage buildings dating from the 1880s to the 1920s. It's a joy to explore on foot, with historic architecture now home to creative studios, business offices and acclaimed restaurants. A cultural hub, the area also boasts theatres, museums and lively festival spaces.
Westboro Village has roots that go back to the 1800s, but the neighbourhood has undergone a facelift in the last 20 years thanks to an influx of modern stores that have transformed it into a major commercial zone.
The district is also known for bakeries and food trucks, and residents and visitors can enjoy the Ottawa River from a spot on sandy Westboro Beach or relax in the area’s ample green spaces.
Among Toronto’s greatest charms are its streets lined with Victorian-style brick houses, and many of the prettiest reside in The Annex, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods.
Close to the University of Toronto and right on the subway line, The Annex has a youthful feel to it, with cool coffee shops and casual restaurants. If those aren’t of interest, strolling the residential streets is entertainment enough.
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While it’s technically a road and not a neighbourhood, George Street in St. John's is an entity unto itself. The centre of the city's nightlife scene, George Street is lined with more than two dozen pubs, bars and music venues, all offering a hefty dose of East Coast hospitality. Anyone who wants to participate in the Newfoundland tradition of being 'screeched in' should head here to find a cod to kiss.
A family-friendly neighbourhood just south of downtown Ottawa, The Glebe is one of the most desirable places to live in Canada’s capital. Built on land originally owned by the Presbyterian Church, it’s a comfortable neighbourhood bordered by the Rideau Canal and full of leafy trees. While it’s not known for wild nightlife, The Glebe’s commercial areas are full of nice bars, restaurants and locally owned shops.
Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood is also one of its best. Gastown’s origins date back to 1867, and the area got its name from the neighbourhood’s original tavern, founded by John 'Gassy Jack' Deighton. The main landmark is a fully operational steam clock, but modern Gastown’s big draw is its streets lined with cool restaurants, boutiques and bars.
A former small town subsumed by the border city of Windsor, Walkerville was originally built as a pet project by Hiram Walker, owner of Canadian Club Whisky.
Walker’s careful planning resulted in a well-executed neighbourhood, which is now filled with one-of-a-kind retailers and businesses. The area is an architecture lover’s dream, with preserved storefronts and pristine residential homes.
Queen Street West is one of Toronto’s most famous streets, but you have to get past the ultra-commercialised stretch just west of downtown to get to the heart of its cool cred.
From the intersection of Bathurst Street onward towards Dufferin Street, you’ll find independent clothing shops and countless restaurants and bars. The jewel is Trinity Bellwoods Park, a popular outdoor hangout that stretches northwards towards Dundas West.
The ByWard Market is not only a functioning market and tourist attraction, it’s also a thriving community. Just a short walk from Parliament Hill, the market square is one of the oldest farmers’ markets in Canada, and the surrounding area has developed into a bustling district full of restaurants and entertainment venues. There’s always something to see, even if it’s just other people shopping and enjoying themselves.
The capital of New Brunswick is relatively small, but it packs a strong cultural punch. The city is known as the 'craft brewing capital of Atlantic Canada' and while there are breweries to be found throughout the city, the best place to start is downtown. Most downtown bars and restaurants have a good selection of local brews, with The Joyce Pub serving as a hub for local beer.
Touted as Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood, Inglewood is a mash-up of heritage buildings, independent shops, park spaces and cool art experiences.
Located just east of downtown Calgary at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, the neighbourhood was established in 1875. Today it is home to a number of music venues, the impressive Esker Foundation art gallery and several prestigious local restaurants.
Set on the Lachine Canal, Saint-Henri is packed with historic buildings now housing artisan shops, cafés and creative businesses. At its heart is Atwater Market, an Art Deco gem packed with gourmet goods. The surrounding streets are home to some of Montréal’s most exciting restaurants.
BC’s capital city of Victoria is known for its British influences, but a different cultural experience lies just a short walk from the city’s famous harbourfront. Founded more than 150 years ago, this is the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America.
Heralded by the ornate Gate of Harmonious Interest, the businesses within Chinatown are diverse, with record stores, coffee shops and, of course, restaurants.
Known as 'the Paris of the prairies', much of Saskatoon is pretty darn cool, but inner-city Riversdale is a particularly vibrant part of the city. Here you’ll find picturesque heritage buildings, murals and other public art, alongside some of the city’s best restaurants and bars.
Renowned local chef Christie Peters opened POP Wine Bar in Riversdale in 2022, and visitors can also eat at trendy spots like the Odd Couple restaurant or grab a beer at the 9 Mile Legacy nanobrewery.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, but residents can enjoy some serenity east of downtown in The Beaches. Named after four actual sandy beaches on Lake Ontario, the residential neighbourhood is slower-paced than other parts of the city. The neighbourhood also attracts artists and hosts the annual Beaches International Jazz Festival.
Whitehorse is widely considered the most bohemian city in the Canadian north, as exhibited by its quirky downtown neighbourhood. The city is surrounded by photogenic wilderness, while in the heart of town you’ll find a glut of Gold Rush history and First Nations culture, plus a Main Street full of cool wooden façades, art galleries and restaurants serving local fish and other Yukon delicacies.
The hub of BC’s wine country, Kelowna is mostly known for the wineries that punctuate its suburbs. But visitors shouldn’t ignore the city’s quaint downtown, made all the more compelling by a boardwalk that runs along the waters of Okanagan Lake.
It’s a lively place in summer, with beach volleyball, live concerts, car shows and other entertainment, but downtowners can also frequent more permanent fixtures, including a collection of independent restaurants that showcase the wineries' produce.
This inner-city Edmonton neighbourhood has the charm of a small town – fitting, since Strathcona was its own municipality before joining the city in the 1910s. At its heart is Whyte Avenue, a hub of indie boutiques, lively bars and restaurants that define Edmonton’s hipster culture. Old Strathcona is also home to the city’s celebrated Fringe Festival.
Adjacent to the walled city of Old Québec, Saint-Jean-Baptiste began as a 17th-century working-class neighbourhood. Today, it retains its old-world charm with vintage shops, microbreweries and restaurants. Wide sidewalks and a car-free main street on summer weekends make it perfect for strolling.
A historic former railway yard where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers converge, The Forks has been transformed into a public space filled with food vendors, local shops and galleries housed in revitalised warehouses.
Whether you're skating the river trail in winter or catching live music on the outdoor stage in summer, The Forks is where Winnipeggers come to gather. Its standout attraction is The Forks Market, a bustling indoor food hall offering everything from craft beer to global street food.
Just north of Halifax’s bustling downtown, the North End is where locals go for diverse restaurants, live music and bold street art. Rich in history, the area is also the site of the former Africville community, a Black neighbourhood demolished in the 1960s. Its legacy lives on at the Africville Museum, and a public art installation honouring civil rights icon Viola Desmond on Gottingen Street.
A working class neighbourhood until relatively recently, Fraserhood's cultural diversity is best reflected in its vibrant restaurant community, with pho eateries, fancy pizza places, pasta joints (including the much-vaunted Pizzeria Barbella), taquerias and coffee roasters. Since this is beautiful Vancouver, expect outdoor elements like parks and mountain views.
Another neighbourhood that started life as an independent town, Dundas has been part of the amalgamated Hamilton since 2001. It still retains its own sense of character, with a picturesque, historic downtown and easy access to nature.
A stroll through town is improved by a coffee or a pastry and there’s plenty to be found, with a range of dining options to fuel you before a quick jaunt to nearby Webster Falls.
Calgary's Kensington Village is a vibrant business district adjacent to the Hillhurst and Sunnyside neighbourhoods. With more than 270 businesses and laid-back locals, it’s a go-to spot for coffee, dining and boutique shopping.
A local landmark, the historic Plaza Theatre, reopened in 2022 with new features including a cocktail bar, café and patio. Just north of the district, Riley Park offers a welcome green space with a playground, wading pool and cricket pitch.
Tucked between Stanley Park and downtown, Vancouver’s West End – particularly the area around English Bay – takes on a European resort-town feel in summer, with beachgoers lingering on the sand, crowds spilling onto patios and the sun dipping into the Pacific.
At the neighbourhood’s heart is Davie Village, Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ hub, known for its rainbow crosswalks, buzzing bars and community spirit. Visit during Pride to see it at its most electric.
In a city filled with artists, Mile End stands out for being particularly high on artistic flair. Galleries and artist collectives are scattered throughout the neighbourhood with plenty of elegant restaurants and vegan eateries to keep the energy flowing.
Shopping is also a major Mile End draw, with a host of home design stores, book shops and vintage retailers to complement the aesthetic of the neighbourhood.
A neighbourhood within a neighbourhood, Hydrostone is technically part of Halifax’s North End, but this little strip has a flavour of its own. Constructed in the aftermath of the devastating Halifax Explosion of 1917, the neighbourhood was designed to resemble an English-style garden suburb.
The ensuing architecture is what makes Hydrostone so magical, along with the curated European-style shopping options, offbeat eateries and art galleries.
The town of Tofino is so small that it's all one neighbourhood, and definitely among the most intriguing communities on Vancouver Island. It's part surfer hangout, part foodie holiday spot and part natural wonder – all seemingly a world away from the rest of Canada. Time moves slowly in Tofino, whether you're tramping through ancient forest or gliding between islets in a kayak.
A delightfully eclectic collection of shops, eateries and Victorian houses converted into apartments, Kensington Market is the heart of old-school bohemian Toronto.
Locals and tourists alike flock to its open air stalls for groceries and vintage clothes, or for world-class people watching over a coffee and casual bite to eat. The area has an artsy, hippie vibe and is packed with treasures to uncover and unique characters to meet.
Montréal is arguably Canada’s coolest city – and few neighbourhoods capture its charm better than laid-back Villeray. With leafy parks and pedestrian-friendly streets, it’s the kind of place where locals actually stop to chat as they sip coffee on a bench.
Cafés, restaurants and bars thrive here, fuelled by Villeray’s proximity to the legendary Jean Talon Market. With its mix of character, culture and unbeatable atmosphere, it’s no wonder this neighbourhood tops our list.