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15 Top Restaurants on Baltimore Avenue in Philadelphia

The best food in West Philly's hub for global cuisine...

Clarkville Photo by Visit Philadelphia

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.

01

Aksum

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

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02

Booker’s Restaurant & Bar

Interior of Booker's Restaurant & Bar in Philadelphia Interior of Booker's Restaurant & Bar in Philadelphia
— Photo courtesy Booker's Restaurant & Bar

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

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03

Clarkville

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

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04

Dahlak

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

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05

Desi Chaat House

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

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06

New Desi Village Indian Restaurant

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

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07

Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant

Dock Street Brewery Dock Street Brewery
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

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

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08

Dottie’s Donuts

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

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09

Fu-Wah Mini Market

Banh Mi at Fu Wah Mini Mart Banh Mi at Fu Wah Mini Mart
— Photo courtesy Fu Wah Mini Mart

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

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10

Gojjo

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

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11

Loco Pez

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

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12

Mood Café

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

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13

Vientiane Café

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

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14

Vietnam Café

— 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

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15

Youma African Cuisine

People eating at Youma in Philadelphia People eating at Youma in Philadelphia
— Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

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

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Aksum
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar
Clarkville
Dahlak
Desi Chaat House
New Desi Village Indian Restaurant
Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant
Dottie’s Donuts
Fu-Wah Mini Market
Gojjo
Loco Pez
Mood Café
Vientiane Café
Vietnam Café
Youma African Cuisine
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