New Bedford’s Must-Try Acushnet Avenue Restaurants

Recently, I embarked on a flavorful journey up and down Acushnet Avenue, lovingly dubbed "The Ave," courtesy of New Bedford Food Tours.

With ample vacation time to get out and explore and a passion for local cuisine, this experience was nothing short of blissful, educational, and deeply satisfying. I didn't even have to do any choosing. The restaurants we visited were hand-selected by food tour founder Pam Schwartz.

Eight of us all together indulged in a tantalizing food tour of one of New Bedford's most special areas.

Here’s a glimpse into our mouthwatering adventure:

Our rendezvous began outside Taqueria La Raza, where we dove straight into jalisco (goat) tacos that vanished in mere moments — each bite a savory delight. It was authentic Mexican food that packed a punch of flavor.

Next, we refreshed ourselves at Casa Lempira Honduran Kitchen, formerly Adriana’s Mexican Restaurant. Here, we savored tejadas con carne molida (fried green plantains with ground beef), a variety of freshly squeezed homemade exotic juices and the iconic baleada con todo (similar to a breakfast quesadilla). Here, there was a burst of flavor in every bite.

No food here, but we made an unexpected yet captivating detour at St. Anthony's Church, an awe-inspiring look at art, architecture and history.

Morna Lounge and Grill transported us with Cape Verdean ambiance and creole melodies. We savored cabritada (roasted goat) and ended with a tantalizing queijo e doce papaya (also known as "Romeo & Juliet" or cheese and fruit/papaya).

Our journey continued at Restaurante y Tortilleria Guatemalteco, where we sampled warm, fluffy homemade tortillas and a bowl of chicken cream soup amidst a vibrant atmosphere. This is a comfortable place where locals can become engrossed in a soccer match on TV. On this day, I believe it was England vs. Switzerland.

Finally, we capped off our expedition with a robust espresso at Cafe Europa and a refreshing mangonata at La Fruta Loca, concluding a day rich in newly discovered (personally speaking) culinary delights.

The Ave proved to be a culinary treasure trove.

New Bedford Food Tours provide an experience that includes all tastings, restaurant tips and a lively guide, rain or shine, across approximately one mile of leisurely walking.

From what I gathered, Acushnet Avenue shines as a smorgasbord of international cuisine that's always offering something new.

And there are more hidden gems to discover.