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West Philadelphia’s Baltimore Avenue is a hub for global fare.
Residents and visitors with an appetite can find Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican, Thai and Laotian cuisines — in addition to comfort foods like donuts, ice cream and burgers — between 40th Street and 50th Street along the avenue.
Best of all for hungry patrons, Baltimore Avenue — located in the city’s Spruce Hill and Cedar Park neighborhoods— is easily accessible from Center City via a trolley line that runs right on the avenue or via a short ride in a cab or car-sharing service.
Read on for our guide to some of the best eats in and adjacent to the Baltimore Avenue, arranged in alphabetical order.
This Mediterranean bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot is known along the Baltimore Avenue corridor for its vegetable tajines, Lebanese lemon chicken and shrimp, Greek lamb chops and tapas. Also on offer: a kids’ menu and weekend brunches of sweet corn griddlecakes, Turkish scrambled eggs, shakshuka and Monte Cristo sandwiches.
Where: Aksum, 4630 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Local restaurateur Saba Tedla’s neighborhood endeavor has quickly become known for its vast whiskey bar and comfort food menu featuring mac and cheese, stuffed meatloaf and brick chicken.
Where: Booker's Restaurant & Bar, 5021 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Located across the street from West Philly’s expansive Clark Park, this aptly named neighborhood bar and restaurant from the folks behind Local 44 offers intriguing pizza like the Potato Pie (Yukon gold potatoes, cream, smoked mozzarella, red onion), shareable plates like warm cauliflower salad and ricotta-stuffed peppadews, and a stellar selection of beers and wines on draft.
Where: Clarkville, 4301 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
For more than 30 years, international food enthusiasts have enjoyed family-style Ethiopian and Eritrean food in the cozy atmosphere inside or on the patio at Dahlak, where diners eat with their hands. With more than 40 beers to choose from and lively music (including karaoke and DJs), patrons get their fill of more than just food.
Where: Dahlak, 4708 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Welcoming service and reasonably priced Indian cuisine is why many diners love to sit and chit-chat over a variety of chaats (a popular Indian snack containing boiled vegetables and spices) at this neighborhood go-to.
Where: Desi Chaat House, 501 S. 42nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Look no further than New Desi Village Indian Restaurant for authentic Indian cuisine in West Philly. The menu offers dozens of tandoori (clay oven) specialties, vegetarian options, seafood and more — all at super-affordable prices.
Where: New Desi Village Indian Restaurant, 4527 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Founded in 1985, this award-winning brewery has called West Philadelphia home since 2007, when it opened its newest brewpub in a century-old firehouse on Baltimore Avenue. Since then, it’s been serving gourmet wood-fired pizzas, char-grilled sandwiches, salads and a half-dozen unfiltered draft selections, brewed just steps from the bar in a classic German copper brewhouse. Beer lovers know to come here for select rotating taps and takeout bottles and cans. Stop by the cannery and tasting lounge — opened next door to the brewpub in 2017 — for beers, draft wine, cocktails and more.
Where: Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant, 701 S. 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA
This isn’t your average doughnut shop. It’s not even your average vegan doughnut shop. The coconut milk-based baked goods at Dottie’s come in flavors like apple fritter, Boston cream and birthday cake.
Where: Dottie's Donuts, 4529 Springfield Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Fu-Wah Mini Market has been a neighborhood staple since 1982. Stop by for classic and banh mi hoagies (including their signature banh mi tofu version of the sandwich), tuna and chicken salads, and more.
Where: Fu-Wah Mini Market, 810 S. 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Those seeking traditional cuisine can savor Ethiopian food and a cocktail — or an Ethiopian cheesesteak. A pool table and two outdoor patios provide ample spots for customers to enjoy themselves while dining.
Where: Gojjo, 4540 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
This popular L.A.-inspired taqueria deals in trendy to traditional street fare and tequilas on a cash-only basis from a bright Cedar Park storefront.
Where: Loco Pez, 4631 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Regulars swear by the chaat — of which there are 34 versions — and the friendly service at twin Indian/Pakistani operations, where the takeout is popular and the shaved ice is to die for.
Where: Mood Café, 4618 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Prices are reasonable, and portions are generous at this family-run BYOB that features Thai and Lao cuisine. Owners claim vegetarians “go nuts” for the naam salad: crispy rice with coconut flakes, herbs and lemongrass, all wrapped in lettuce.
Where: Vientiane Café, 4728 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
— Photo courtesy Vietnam Restaurant
University City’s version of Chinatown’s popular Vietnam Restaurant is an inviting cafe with sleek décor, Vietnamese fare, warm atmosphere and friendly service. Those waiting for a table can migrate to the glossy wooden bar to watch mixologists craft potent tropical cocktails.
Where: Vietnam Café, 816 S. 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Among a strong African dining scene, this Senegalese spot stands out. Diners revel in tastes of Dakar with dibi (grilled lamb chops), yassa (spicy grilled chicken with habanero and green pepper), fatata (beef patties), aloco (fried plantains), thieboudienne (fried rice with vegetables and fish) and ginger juice blended with mango, strawberry, grenadine or peach.
Where: Youma African Cuisine, 4519 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and overnight hotel accommodations.
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