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There’s no denying that West Town is having a moment—that’s why our team at Time Out has named it the coolest neighborhood in Chicago and the No. 18 coolest neighborhood in the world.
Time Out editors from across the globe ranked the top 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world, from an artsy enclave in Tokyo and a waterfront sanctuary in Brisbane, to Stockholm’s meatpacking district and an under-the-radar town in Montreal.
West Town is home to some of the city’s best restaurant and bar debuts in recent years (Pizz’amici, Bar Bambi and Guillotine Bakery, to name a few) and new cultural destinations like Elise Seigenthaler Gallery and Bridgeport Records’ newest shop, Onion City Records. West Town has, of course, been cool for many years, thanks to its many iconic restaurants, museums, bookstores, green spaces and shops.
RECOMMENDED: The ultimate West Town, Chicago neighborhood guide
Shaped by German, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian immigrants, and later by Puerto Ricans, Mexicans and African Americans, the flourishing community is home to some of Chicago’s most exciting culinary, art and cultural scenes. The West Side neighborhood comprises several distinct communities, including Ukrainian Village, Noble Square and East Village. Although the official boundaries vary depending on who you ask, it generally spans from the Chicago River to Kedzie Street, and between Division and Hubbard Streets. One thing is certain, though: Chicago Avenue is the beating heart of this vibrant community.
So what makes West Town so cool? According to Time Out, the coolest neighborhoods are the ones that represent the best parts of their city through exceptional culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, and street life, all while maintaining their own distinct local character. And now more than ever, West Town has all of those in spades.
The only U.S. neighborhood to rank higher than West Town is Chinatown in Los Angeles at No. 4, while New York’s Financial District came in at No. 28. The No. 1 coolest neighborhood is Jongno 3-ga in Seoul, followed by L’Ocean District in Rabat, Morocco, and Neos Kosmos in Athens. You can see the full ranking here.
For a full rundown of the best places to eat, drink, shop and have fun in West Town, check out our complete neighborhood guide. And if you’re ready for your next great adventure outside of Chicago, our editors have the inside scoop on the coolest pockets across the globe.