West Town Ranked No. 18 on Time Out's List of the World's Coolest Neighborhoods

West TownBy The Chicago Forum Staff
West Town Ranked No. 18 on Time Out's List of the World's Coolest Neighborhoods

Chicago has landed on Time Out's list of the world's coolest neighborhoods for the third year in a row, this time with West Town at No. 18 on the magazine's 2026 ranking of 40 neighborhoods.

Time Out says neighborhoods were nominated by local experts and ranked on food and drink, nightlife, unique local businesses, livability and community. Logan Square made the list at No. 34 in 2024, and Avondale placed No. 10 in 2025.

Only three U.S. neighborhoods made this year's list: Chinatown in Los Angeles at No. 4, West Town at No. 18 and New York's Financial District at No. 28. The top spot went to Jongno 3-ga in Seoul, South Korea.

Time Out described West Town as an enclave shaped by German, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian immigrants, generally spanning from the Chicago River to Kedzie Avenue between Division and Hubbard streets. It includes Ukrainian Village, East Village and Noble Square, and is home to two restaurants with two Michelin stars each, Feld and Kasama.

Originally reported by NBC Chicago.

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