The southeastern side of the district is popularly known as Muscat’s Little India, on account of the many Indian and Pakistani expats who live and work here, and parts of the area have a distinctly subcontinental flavour, with the city’s best selection of cheap curry houses and dozens of colourful little shops, especially along the vibrant Souq Ruwi Street. The western side of the district, often described as the CBD (Central Business District), is altogether more sedate, home to the rather grand headquarters of most of the country’s leading banks, along with assorted travel agents, airline offices and a smattering of good restaurants.