Vancouver’s Cambie makes list of ‘coolest streets in the world’

West Broadway at Cambie Street in Vancouver. (Shutterstock)

A Vancouver thoroughfare has been crowned one of the “coolest streets in the world” by a travel magazine.

Coming in at number 20 on its annual list of the world’s 31 hippest streets to visit, Time Out says that “few streets show off Vancouver’s character quite like Cambie.”

Indeed, the “bustling boulevard” stretches all the way from the Gastown Steam Clock to the city’s highest point at Queen Elizabeth Park—and beyond—the magazine notes, with plenty of landmarks in between, such as the Cambie Bridge, Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the recently rescued Park Theatre.

The list highlights streets where it says visitors can experience “local life at its most authentic,” rather than the “same-y high street megastores and generic coffee shops.”

“We’re talking about the neighbourhood backstreets and lively avenues that locals love; the places packed with independent shops and creative people, where a brand-new hi-fi listening bar will share the space with an old-school grocer or a centuries-old pub,” Time Out writes.

In that vein, the magazine zooms in on Cambie Village, a “once sleepy stretch” that has become a culinary hotspot, with new restaurants and the famous Vij’s—which Time Out notes is “frequented by Prince Harry”—and a hub for galleries and street parties.

The outlet recommends eating at Osteria Elio Volpe and grabbing a drink at June, which recently opened downstairs vinyl listening bar LaLa.

The “charmingly old school” video store Video Cat gets a shout out, as does lifestyle boutique Cadine and gift shop Walrus Design Inc.

On the global list, Cambie Street sits between Alserkal Avenue in Dubai and Calle del Barquillo in Madrid. One other Canadian spot made the list, Montreal’s Sherbrooke Street West, which came in at number five. Last year, Vancouver’s Commercial Drive was named one of the world’s coolest.