College Park 

It was one of the last neighborhoods to resist the call of the developer, but even College Park's shady streets of tidy bungalows are feeling the incursion of five- and six-story condo buildings. For the time being, however, the small-town feeling remains strong, with local-owned businesses lining Edgewater Drive and kids walking to and from the newly expanded high school. It's no surprise Orlando's mayor lives in College Park – it's walkable, bikeable and offers plenty of green space.

GRAB A BITE

1710 Edgewater Drive, 407-872-2332, krestaurant.net

Indefatigable chef Kevin Fonzo is seen all over town lending his talents to one food-related charity or another, but he's the mack daddy of College Park: Dining at this Italian-inflected spot is a must, not a might, when in the neighborhood. The scene at the wine bar is pretty lively, too.

2625 Edgewater Drive, 407-540-1100, rusteakwinebar.com

A new face on the Edgewater strip, RusTeak offers inventive pizzas, burgers, pastas and seafood, with a focus on local and sustainable products. They also offer a rainbow of wines by the glass, plus exquisite craft cocktails – all in all, a welcome addition.

2120 Edgewater Drive, 407-985-2577, facebook.com/trevipastallc

Beautiful simplicity is the hallmark at this family-owned and operated pasticceria. Pick up handmade pasta, high-quality antipasti and house-churned gelato on your way home for a weeknight feast.

HAVE A DRINK

706 W. Smith St., 407-250-4888, downtowncredo.com

A coffee shop with a social mission, Credo's pay-what-you-will model seems to be working for them. And they seem to be working for others, sponsoring five local charities and a network of Guatemalan coffee growers. (It also doesn't hurt that they serve a great pour-over in a charming space.)

710 W. Princeton St., 407-276-0091, groundingroots.com

Whether or not cold-pressed juice makes you healthier, it definitely makes you happier – particularly the cocoa-almond-avocado-date "shake" served at Grounding Roots.

2525 Edgewater Drive, 407 540-1006, thesodafountain.com

Sip on a strawberry-basil sorbet spritzer, a caramel egg cream, a chunky monkey milkshake or a cherry kick float at this old-timey ice cream emporium.

CHECK THIS OUT

2812 Edgewater Drive, 407-650-8022, alchemyorlando.com

Don't follow trends, set them – get your hair cut and colored at one of Orlando's most creative hair studios.

2808 Edgewater Drive, 407-898-3353, artichokered.com

Find all manner of cruelty-free products, from ice cream to beer to pet food, plus stop by for a food-truck brunch behind the store on Sundays.

May 2, 6 p.m., Edgewater Drive between Smith and Bryn Mawr streets

Eat, drink and learn to cha-cha right in the middle of Edgewater at this annual family-friendly event. Three blocks of the Drive are closed off and tables and a dance floor are installed for the live-music event.