Ethnic cornucopia: A global culinary tour unfolds daily on Baltimore Avenue

THERE'S ONLY ONE place in Philly where you can travel to Ethiopia, Vietnam, Laos and India, drink fair-trade coffee and local beer and catch a jam session, all in the scope of seven blocks.

That place is Baltimore Avenue in Cedar Park, a neighborhood on the west side of University City in West Philly.

Anchored by leafy, nine-acre Clark Park at 43rd Street, home to a year-round farmer's market, chess games, outdoor movies and plenty of community goings on, Baltimore Avenue was once just farmland outside the city. With the completion of a trolley line in the late 1800s, Cedar Park became the first streetcar suburb connected by rail to City Hall. Known for its mix of Queen Anne, Victorian and Italianate architecture, the neighborhood is an ethnically diverse mix of students and faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, African immigrants, gay and lesbian families and young professionals.

Although interesting dining on the avenue has been going on for several decades, in the past few years an explosion of new spots makes this a mecca of both international and budget cuisine. Bathed in more than $1 million worth of handsome street lighting, with plenty of on-street parking, Baltimore Avenue is attractive for both its residential feel and the sense of community that unites the store and restaurant owners, many of whom live in the neighborhood. Bring your appetite along on a tour of Philly's most compact and diverse dining destination.

GREEN LINE CAFE: Indiana native Daniel Thut opened this chill java joint six years ago, specializing in fair-trade coffee and serving light bites and vegan snacks along with locally made Better Together organic brownies and Le Bus pastries. It's the spot to grab a nosh before boarding the trolley across the street.

4239 Baltimore Ave., 215-222-3431 www.greenlinecafe.com.

BEST HOUSE PIZZERIA: The pizza is tasty, especially the crispy fresh tomato pie, despite the nondescript setting. What makes Best House especially popular is the large selection of craft and imported beer available for take-out. (Sometimes enjoyed in the park, although you didn't read that here).

4301 Baltimore Ave., 215-386-1450.

MILK & HONEY MARKET: Set to open in early September, Milk & Honey is owned by neighborhood resident, foodie and yoga instructor Annie Baum-Stein and will feature locally grown and processed meats, produce, baked goods, prepared foods for gourmet takeaway and in-store dining.

4435 Baltimore Ave., 215-387-6455, www.milkandhoneymarket.com.