A product of the borough's astounding diversity is a bewildering array of ethnic restaurants and shops from which to choose.
Fancy Greek, Bengali or Nigerian food tonight? Then head to Newham. Pie & Mash or Sadza & Relish, take your pick. The range runs from cheap but authentic cafés, where you'll eat with the locals, to docklands restaurants with stunning waterside views. If you're looking for authentic Asian food (rather than the usual English curries), you'll love Green Street, a maelstrom of spice, bhangra and gold.
While Green Street offers a good mix of Pakistani and Indian restaurants, it is perhaps more famous for its fabulous shops. Here there are stalls selling fish you never knew existed and vegetables and fruits whose colours alone are enough to entice you to buy. There is an amazing range of handmade jewellery, including acres of bangles and gold, sumptuous silks, intricate fabrics and aromatic spices for sale. Most of it at unbeatable prices.
Of course, Newham is just 20 minutes from West End shopping and has its own bustling high streets with all the usual stores you would expect. It also has a few you wouldn't, including a shop specialising in Dr Who memorabilia and another dedicated entirely to Elvis! Perhaps best of all, are the traditional East End markets, where the only things more plentiful than the banter are the bargains.
