I’m stunned to learn my local neighbourhood is the fourth coolest in the WORLD

IT’S quite strange to discover your local neighbourhood is in the top five coolest places in the world. 

The place where you pop out for a quick pint, splash out on a fancy sandwich for lunch on a Friday or grab a cheap meal with your mates, suddenly looks a little different. 

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Camberwell has been crowned one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out[/caption]

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The Camberwell Arms has been making lists of London’s best roasts for years now – and for good reason[/caption]

But that’s what’s happened with Camberwell today – the typically overlooked area of South East London has been crowned one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out. 

It places fourth, after Jimbocho in Tokyo, Borgerhout in Antwerp and  Barra Funda in São Paulo, with Avondale in Chicago rounding out the top five. 

To create the annual rankings, neighbourhoods are ranked against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and ‘nowness’ – and Camberwell was praised for its “young-at-heart vibe” and “independent spirit.”

I think it’s fair to say that, until about six or so years ago, people were pretty uninterested in the place.

Yes, it had a few good pubs and restaurants, but nothing that would put it on any global maps. 

But in recent years, more and more businesses have opened up, making it one of the best places in London to spend an evening (especially if you don’t want to blow you entire bank balance.)

Here are a few of my favourite spots: 

The Camberwell Arms

The Camberwell Arms has been making lists of London’s best roasts for years now – and for good reason. But I love this place for a posh evening meal.

The scrubbed pine tables inside the old Victoria boozer give a stripped-back feel, but the food is top notch. 

Think beef tartare with dripping toast, hake with pickled mussels and corn on the cob with pimento and chilli butter. 

Uber Eats

Silk Road has developed a cult following for its Xinjiang cuisine, at very reasonable prices[/caption]

Silk Road

This delicious Chinese canteen has developed a cult following for its Xinjiang cuisine, at very reasonable prices. 

Favourites include the shrimp dumplings, the home-style cabbage and the hand-pulled noodles. 

FM Mangal

I used to live off Green Lanes in North London, and where I can confidently say the vast majority of great Turkish restaurants in the capital are found. 

But FM Mangal is flying the flag for great Turkish cuisine, south of the river. 

Both the hot and cold mezzes are excellent, and my partner says the lamb kebab is among the best. 

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Cafe Mondo’s sandwiches are so popular that it’s not uncommon to see huge queues outside[/caption]

Cafe Mondo

Cafe Mondo is one of those new breed of sandwich shops, specialising in huge sandwiches with multiple ingredients, cut at the cross section so you can admire (and Instagram) the contents before you eat. 

The fish finger sandwich is excellent, as is the harissa aub, which contains fried aubergine, lamiri harissa, chopped salad, tahini sauce and potato matchsticks. 

Crooked Well

The Crooked Well is a beautiful gastropub with a rotation of chef residencies – and a lovely space outside the front for restaurant tables on a sunny day. 

They are currently hosting Carter’s – modern British food that focuses on local ingredients.   

Ruskin Park

Once you’ve eaten way too much, walk it off in nearby Ruskin Park.

The large, Edwardian-era park has incredible views of London’s skyline.

It also features a huge kids paddling pool (so big that children occasionally bring inflatables), a new playground, sports pitches, a cute community garden and a wooden bandstand where live music events are regularly held.