As visitors begin to pour into the Twin Cities over the next few weeks, surely there will be crowds looking for restaurants in the downtown areas.

But other travelers might be more like me — I prefer to get a bit off the beaten path when I visit somewhere new. And I really love to hit up the ethnic eateries wherever I go.

Sure, Minneapolis has Eat Street. But the light rail goes straight through what I believe is the best corridor for multi-cultural eats in the Twin Cities — University Avenue in St. Paul.

Here are 12 great restaurants within a block or two of the light-rail line.

They’re listed stop by stop, from Central Station at Fifth and Cedar streets in downtown St. Paul, and if there’s additional walking time necessary to get to the restaurant, we noted it. If you’re coming from the other way, use Metro Transit’s Trip Planner to time your arrival.

WESTERN AVENUE STOP (eight-minute ride from Central Station)

Bangkok Thai Deli (two-minute walk, 1½ blocks east to 333 W. University Ave.): Bangkok Thai has a delicious green curry — reason alone to go out of your way to get to this always bustling restaurant in a former Burger King. The chicken larb salad, eggrolls and pretty much everything else is top-notch, too. 651-224-4300; bangkokthaideli.com

Thai Cafe (371 W. University Ave.): If you don’t know it’s here, you’ll likely miss this unassuming little storefront, but it’s serving some of the best curries in town, including a hard-to-find, lights-out yellow curry that I sometimes dream about. Noodle dishes, fish and soups are great, too. 651-225-8231; thaicafemn.com

Cheng Heng: (two-minute walk, 1½ blocks west to 448 W. University Ave.): On a street packed with Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese restaurants, Cheng Heng stands out as the only Cambodian eatery. There are definitely unique dishes here — chha than hung (slippery rice noodles in an earthy, spicy, pork and black mushroom sauce) and the bright orange curry noodle soup (with noodles, crunchy vegetables and positively drinkable coconut-y broth). The prices are incredibly low for the size of the entrees, too. 651-222-5577; chengheng448.com

DALE STREET STOP (10-minute ride from Central Station)

Big Daddy’s Barbecue (625 W. University Ave.): This little barbecue joint recently took over the space next door, so it’s now possible to bring a few folks for lunch and sit down for some finger-lickin’ smoked meats. I prefer the cheaper rib tips, which have a nice grill char but have plenty of tender, smoky meat. For sides, try the briny, earthy collard greens; the crumbly, not-sweet corn bread; and the spicy, smoky baked beans. 651-222-2516; bigdaddysbbq-stpaul.com

iPho by Saigon (four-minute walk, 1½ blocks west to 704 W. University Ave.): This something-for-everyone Vietnamese powerhouse is always jam-packed for good reason. Grab a fantastic and inexpensive banh mi for about $2 to $4.50 per sandwich and eat it on the train ride back if you’re in a hurry. Or sit down for a steaming bowl of pho or a fresh bun salad. You really can’t go wrong. 651-225-8751; iphobysaigon.com

Los Ocampo (615 University Ave.): When you have a taco itch to scratch, Los Ocampo’s bright eatery on University is a great place to scratch it. Sopes, tortas and burritos are on point, too. If you’ve been to the other Los Ocampo, be aware that this location, which is full service, is a significant step up, both in service and in atmosphere. There’s a full bar, including margaritas, here, too. 651-340-5311; losocampo.com

VICTORIA STREET STOP (12-minute ride from Central Station)

Homi (864 W. University Ave.): Everything is made from scratch at this tiny Mexican restaurant, including the light-and-complex mole, a sauce that takes many hours of loving preparation to make. The empanadas, chilaquiles and pretty much everything else are worth the trip, too. 651-222-0655; homirestaurant.com

Ngon Bistro (three-minute walk, one block east to 799 W. University Ave.): Ngon is known for its upscale and sustainable fusion cuisine, and it’s the home of our favorite pho. The transcendentally rich and unctuous broth is made from grass-fed beef. It’s topped with tender sliced rib-eye. The menu has lots of other winners, too, like the decadent, meaty pork belly served with house-made kimchi and an egg. 651-222-3301; ngonbistro.com

SNELLING AVENUE STOP (18-minute ride from Central Station)

On’s Thai Kitchen (two-minute walk, a half block west to 1613 W. University Ave.): This is the place for adventurous eaters. Lunch is a walk through Thai dishes that are hard to find in the area, including meing kum, an appetizer in which you add little bits of fresh ginger, toasted coconut, lime, jalapeno, dried shrimp and peanuts to a Chinese broccoli leaf and drizzle the whole thing with a sticky sweet-and-salty sauce before fashioning it into a little purse and putting the whole thing in your mouth. The restaurant’s hot pots and whole fish are also easy ways to dazzle a foodie friend. 651-644-1444; onskitchen.com

Fasika (two-minute walk, one block north to 510 N. Snelling Ave.): My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the Twin Cities is a little on the well-worn side, but you won’t mind after you try the food. Giant rounds of spongy, tart injera bread are topped with all manner of stews to be eaten with little bits of bread and your fingertips. It’s a great place for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. 651-646-4747; fasika.com

RAYMOND AVENUE STOP (23-minute ride from Central Station)

Foxy Falafel: (two-minute walk, two blocks north to 767 Raymond Ave.): A perfectly healthy lunch, the sprouted chickpea falafel at this sweet little food truck-turned-restaurant is creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside and adorned with earthy, tongue-tingling harissa or creamy cucumber sauce. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but don’t miss the the curry falafel. The beet version comes in a close second. 651-243-0813; foxyfalafel.com