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West Loop
Profile
West Loop is a dynamo. Built on a historic foundation of industry and production, it’s now a center of commerce and entertainment, with an impressive collection of trendy shops and restaurants.
For instance, there’s Fulton Market, where a funky neon sign welcomes you to a hive of brick and glass buildings. Handsome converted warehouses, once known for meatpacking, are now full of cute bars and bistros, perfect for happy hours or dinner dates. And as you explore the rest of the neighborhood, you’ll find fun spots for pretty much any occasion — from artisan cocktails and wine flights, to barbecue with a side of craft brew.
Both residents and businesses have been drawn to the area in recent years. There are offices for tech giants, worldwide franchises, and fashion icons. All this rapid growth tells you something about the direction this neighborhood is headed: on the up and up.
Every year, West Loop living becomes an even more upscale experience. There’s plenty of high end shopping, grown-up arcades and bowling alleys, and obviously a lot of great places to eat — both on Restaurant Row and beyond. And with the Loop and West Town on either side, this whole stretch of the city is now your playground.
At the same time, West Loop’s downtown energy is balanced out by some more mellow neighborhood-y vibes. It’s great if you want instant access to the best of the city, but also enjoy the comfort of strolling down residential streets on your way home.
West Loop is a front row seat. It’s living just steps away from the hottest fusion dishes, best bakeries, and most beloved boutiques. It’s sampling one-of-a-kind cocktails with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop. It’s a night on the town, any night you want, right in your own backyard. It’s a constant connection to all the newest additions to this already amazing city.
Backstory
West Loop is now considered one of the city’s premier districts, but back in the day it looked a little bit different.
Until relatively recently, West Loop wasn’t a very residential area at all. In the early 1800s there were just a few makeshift encampments along the river, where laborers would stay while looking for work. But in 1850, the growth of agricultural processing led to the establishment of Fulton-Randolph Market. It became a busy food and beverage destination, with a constant supply of goods from the nearby meatpacking plants. The resulting economic boom inspired other commercial opportunities: furniture makers, bakers, and other artisans found their way to the area. West Loop was becoming a very desirable place for many growing businesses.
But it was the introduction of one name in particular that started to turn this neighborhood in a new direction: Oprah. In 1988, Oprah Winfrey and a number of other investors bought up a former cold storage warehouse, soon to become Harpo Studios HQ. Oprah’s popularity and mega brand status brought thousands of visitors to West Loop each year, increasing demand for top-tier dining and shopping.
Decades later, things are not slowing down. Several major international brands, from Google to McDonald’s, have built brand new, full-scale headquarters in the area. From the industrial enclave of yesteryear, to the business district of today, West Loop is now a popular place for both budding professionals and growing families. You can find industrial lofts, swanky high-rise apartments, and stylish studios — with that perfect balance of urban amenities and neighborhood charm.
Local Fare
- Girl & the Goat (& more): Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat has been transformational, setting the stage for the area’s foodie explosion. The prolific brand continues to expand. Here in the West Loop you have your pick of the OG restaurant for a night out, the Diner for a decadent brunch, Sugargoat for mood-altering pastries, and even Duck Duck Goat for a fresh take on Chinese fare.
- Bar Siena: Contemporary but casual, Bar Siena serves up delicious Italian small plates in an unbeatable atmosphere. While it’s open for both lunch and dinner, it’s after dark when the vibe really gets electric. Peek round the side of Bar Siena, and you’ll discover bite-sized walk-up BomboBar, where everything from the donuts (that you can fill yourself!) to the chicken sandwich is next-level delicious.
- Good Ambler: A cafe, chocolatier, and bakery with a modern aesthetic and gorgeous croissants. It’s a big space with ample seating, but also incredibly popular, so hunt down a seat and forget yourself in flaky desserts.
- Trivoli Tavern: A warm hideaway at the base of a cobblestone stairway, Trivoli shares a super cute alley with Green Street meats and Sawada. Expect low lighting, strong drinks, fresh chops, and house made pasta. With this much ambience, it seriously feels like you’re eating dinner in a movie scene.
- Green Street Meats: Line up for a tray of smoked barbecue, then settle in at the long wooden tables with a frosty beer in hand. No pretentiousness, just deliciousness. The elotes are a must-try.
- Au Cheval: Believe the hype: the burgers here are absolutely amazing, topped with thick cut pepper bacon or a fried egg. Pro tip: there are no reservations, and wait times can get massive. Go early to put your name down, then have a drink at Bar Siena.
- Boqueria: Spanish tapas and photo-worthy cocktails, with a stunning wrap-around granite-top bar, and a cute outdoor patio.
- Rooh: Traditional Indian flavors blended with modern cooking techniques, all under glowing chandeliers and chic decor. The dishes are so beautiful you won’t want to eat them, until you taste them.
- Joe's Imports: Looking for a new ‘date night’ favorite? Look no further than Joe’s Imports. Awarded a Bib Gourmand in 2021, Joe’s Imports is perfect for an intimate evening of fine wines accompanied by modern Mediterranean cuisine.
- Sawada: Match aficionados, welcome to your second home. This barista bar was established by Hiroshi Sawada, a world-renowned barista and latte art expert. With its Japanese roots, it’s little wonder that the Matcha latte is a menu highlight.
Things to Do
- Time Out Market: Time Out Chicago is a food market concept that brings together 18 of the best local restaurants in an impressive double-height communal space. But don’t get so entranced by the food options that you forget to check out the rooftop bar.
- Emporium: This open-plan, graffiti-clad space perfectly houses one of Chicago’s finest arcade bars, where you can enjoy pool and pinball alongside your chosen beverage.
- City Winery: City Winery employs a novel wine-making strategy: select the best US grapes, then carefully ferment and bottle them on site. Combined with live music and classic bar food, this is an all-in-one venue that delivers. Compared to its riverside sister bar, West Loop’s City Winery is perfect for sheltered winter evenings with a generous glass of red.
- WNDR Museum: Wander through a dazzling variety of art installations, interactive media, and — let’s be honest — really cool backgrounds for your next Instagram post.
- Brooklyn Boulders: The massive indoor climbing wall is a work of art as well as a good workout.
- McDonald’s International Headquarters: The HQ restaurant serves a rotating selection of their international dishes, like the McAloo Tikki and Matcha McFlurry.
Sights to See
- Mary Bartelme Park: Green space may not be in huge abundance in West Loop, but the pockets of greenery the neighborhood does have are all stand-out in their own way. Head to Mary Bartelme Park for fantastic views of the downtown skyline. It’s a great spot for lunchtime contemplation when stepping out of the office.
- Greektown: Once home to Chicago’s Greek immigrants, Greektown is now the place for tavernas and spanakopita. Pull up a table at Artopolis Cafe or Athena Restaurant — or, if you’re after some culture, check out the National Hellenic Museum.
Transportation
Multiple bus routes criss-cross the neighborhood, and proximity to the Loop makes all of the CTA train lines accessible. West Loop is easily covered on foot — and makes a perfect home district if you work in the Loop. Nearby Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station are handy train hubs when you want to escape the city. And if you’re catching a flight, it’s a quick hop to the Loop for direct trains, and good highway access for driving or ridesharing.
the Loop: ~15min by public transit; ~25 min walk
Millenium Park: ~30 min walk
the Lake (Ohio Street Beach): ~25 min by public transit
O’Hare: ~60 min by public transit
Midway: ~50 min by public transit; ~30 min by rideshare/car
Union Station: ~15 min walk
