Welcome to West Town (Noble Square)
Dynamic and diverse neighborhoods with an up-and-coming appeal.
West Town is a Chicago community stretching from Humboldt Park in the west to the Chicago River in the east, with the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the former tracks of Bloomingdale Avenue forming its southern and northern boundaries. It is known for its eclectic neighborhoods, and hotly anticipated new restaurant openings are a regular occurrence. Foodies will find plenty to keep them occupied.
West Town has three neighborhoods: Ukrainian Village, East Village, and Noble Square. These diverse neighborhoods have a great variety of housing styles to choose from, ranging from historic brick cottages, rowhouses, and townhomes to gleaming new condominium complexes.
What to Love
- Up-and-coming
- Chicago Avenue restaurants
- Neighborhood parks
- Street festivals
People & Lifestyle
West Town is home to some of Chicago’s most dynamic and exciting neighborhoods. The main commercial corridor along Chicago Avenue is full of buzz and youthful energy, while there are plenty of quieter residential streets within close proximity. Noble Square is an area on the rise, with a laid-back vibe and rapidly emerging dining and nightlife scene.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
West Town’s promising restaurant scene has brought many buzzworthy eateries to Chicago Avenue in recent years. The husband-and-wife chef team at
Jeong put a creative twist on Korean-inspired dishes in a stylish space with a fully stocked bar.
Beatnik draws inspiration from the vagabond Beat Generation, serving wide-ranging international foods in a stunning space decorated with more than 400 live plants. Bar Biscay blends a bustling French bistro with a vibrant Basque pintxo bar.
Standing Passengers is a trendy coffeehouse and arts space created by an independent film company.
Hoosier Mama Pie Company bakes delicious sweet and savory pies with special tasting sessions on Friday nights. At
Funkenhausen, South Carolina-born chef Mark Steuer adds the flavors of his native South to lightened versions of classic hearty German bier hall fare.
Forbidden Root takes craft beer in innovative directions by introducing fresh botanical flavors and rediscovering old-world brewing techniques.
Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill is a colorful manga-themed BYOB restaurant that puts a unique spin on Japanese sushi rolls and robata dishes.
Vajra combines classic Nepalese and Indian cooking techniques in creative contemporary ways Other chic restaurants and cool nightlife spots can be found dotted throughout West Town.
BoeufHaus on North Western Avenue on the border of Ukrainian Village and Humboldt Park is one example, with its seasonal dishes drawing on French and German influences.
Things to Do
West Town’s vibrant food, culture, and party scenes collide during July’s
West Fest Chicago street fair, which brings local artists, restaurants, retailers, Chicago House DJs, and cutting-edge live bands together for an epic three-day celebration. Music at West Fest is organized by the team behind
The Empty Bottle, a pioneering live music venue in Ukrainian Village. Along with frequent performances at its venue on North Western Avenue, special pop-up performances are often scheduled in other locations for a series dubbed Empty Bottle Presents.
There are plenty of green spaces within West Town. For more than a century,
Eckhart Park, has provided the community with close to nine acres of sports fields, children’s playgrounds, and relaxing gardens. To West Town’s east,
Humboldt Park extends over almost 200 acres. Among the many amenities and attractions within this sprawling green space, there are historic lagoons, where visitors can fish, inland beaches, and a boathouse. Humboldt Park has a number of sports fields, two gymnasiums, and a fitness center. The Humboldt Park neighborhood adjacent to West Town has a strong Puerto Rican heritage that is commemorated in the
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture. In addition, there are the popular Puerto Rican People’s Parade and the Puerto Rican Fest of Chicago. Other events include Shakespeare in the Park, outdoor movie nights, and the free annual
Chicago Latin Jazz Festival.
Schools
Public schools within West Town are part of the Chicago School District 299.
