Sip, Shop & Savor: Lake View's Second Annual Coffee Stroll Is Almost Here — And a Red-Hot New Restaurant Has the North Side Buzzing

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lake View · March 10, 2026

Spring is just around the corner, and Lake View is giving residents two delicious reasons to get outside this month. Mark your calendars: on Sunday, March 22, the Southport Corridor and Paulina Hub will come alive for the second annual Lakeview Coffee Stroll, presented by the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce and benefiting Friends of Lakeview. The free, relaxed morning event invites neighbors to stroll through the neighborhood's most beloved retail strips, sampling coffee, browsing local boutiques, and soaking up the community spirit that makes this stretch of Lake View so special. Whether you're a brunch regular on Southport or a first-time explorer of the Paulina Hub's charming storefronts, it's the perfect low-key Sunday outing to welcome the changing season.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood's food scene is buzzing over Cleo's Southern Cuisine, which opened its new Lake View location last December and has been drawing crowds ever since. Chef and owner Kristen Ashley — who launched her flagship in Bronzeville in 2019 — brought her beloved soul food north, serving up standout dishes like the Shanikky (fried catfish topped with jumbo lump crab in a Creole butter sauce) and the legendary 24-Karat Gold corn muffin. The Lake View outpost seats 50 inside with a seasonal patio that will add another 50 spots come warmer weather — a major upgrade from her cozy South Side and Loop locations.

From community sips to soulful bites, Lake View's neighborhood energy is in full force this March. Head to the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber's website to learn more about the Coffee Stroll, and don't wait too long to snag a table at Cleo's — the North Side has clearly fallen in love.

Sources:
1. https://www.lakeviewroscoevillage.org/
2. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/20/restaurant-news-cleos-lakeview-chicago/