On 24 September 2025, global media outlet Time Out released its new list, showcasing the 30 areas around the world that best represent culture, creativity and community.
The word “coolest” here encompasses not only style but also the vibe. Neighbourhoods full of art, music, food, and independent businesses. These are places where people want to live, work and hang out.
Topping the list is Jimbochō in Tokyo, described as the city’s intellectual hub. Famous for its 130 second-hand bookshops tucked inside old buildings, the area mixes “old-world charm” with a younger generation of students and book lovers.
Second place went to Borgerhout in Antwerp, often referred to as “BoHo”, a multicultural neighbourhood alive with Turkish and Moroccan stores, art galleries, and cafes.
Alongside these names, Kemang in South Jakarta proudly claimed its spot as one of the 30 coolest neighbourhoods in the world.
Why Kemang Made the Cut
Kemang is the only Indonesian entry on the list, beating out several trendy Asian districts. Time Out praised it for keeping “the soul of the city while maintaining a unique local character.”
Known for its creative and bohemian feel, Kemang sits not far from Jakarta’s modern SCBD business district. The contrast is part of its appeal.
Kemang’s cafés and bars are equally important in defining its atmosphere. The streets, especially Jalan Kemang Raya and Jalan Bangka, come alive at night with street food stalls, drawing locals and visitors alike. The nightlife scene, from speakeasies to coffee shops, helped Kemang secure its spot on the global stage.
Time Out described Kemang as a neighbourhood that brings together “culture, community, liveability, and street life.” Its recognition also reflects revitalisation efforts in recent years, with widened pavements, new public facilities, and the area being piloted as Jakarta’s first cable-free zone.
The area has long been popular with expatriates and creative communities, making it a social hub that connects locals with global influences.
Mixed Reactions Online
While many celebrated the news, not everyone agreed with Kemang’s inclusion. On social media, some users quickly raised familiar complaints about frequent flooding. “Kemang floods every year. How can it be the coolest?” asked one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite the criticism, Time Out stood by its choice, saying Kemang embodies what makes a neighbourhood vibrant.
So, Jakarta now sits proudly on the world map of cool. Whether you’re visiting an indie art gallery, grabbing late-night street food, or sipping coffee in a tucked-away café, Kemang is officially recognised as one of the places that make city life exciting.
The World’s 30 Coolest Neighbourhoods in 2025
According to Time Out:
- Jimbochō – Tokyo, Japan
- Borgerhout – Antwerp, Belgium
- Barra Funda – São Paulo, Brazil
- Camberwell – London, UK
- Avondale – Chicago, USA
- Mullae-dong – Seoul, South Korea
- Ménilmontant – Paris, France
- Nakatsu – Osaka, Japan
- Vallila – Helsinki, Finland
- Labone – Accra, Ghana
- Nguyen Thai Binh – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Anjos – Lisbon, Portugal
- Digbeth – Birmingham, UK
- Red Hook – New York, USA
- Perpetuo Soccoro – Medellín, Colombia
- Burj Khalifa, Wood – Sydney, Australia
- Linden – Johannesburg, South Africa
- Former French Concession – Shanghai, China
- Quartieri Spagnoli – Naples, Italy
- Bencoolen – Singapore
- Endoume – Marseille, France
- Plateau-Mont-Royal – Montreal, Canada
- The Liberties – Dublin, Ireland
- North Melbourne – Melbourne, Australia
- Portales – Mexico City, Mexico
- Davenport – Toronto, Canada
- Little River – Miami, USA
- Kemang – Jakarta, Indonesia
- Botafofo – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Sheung Wan – Hong Kong
