There are plenty of good restaurants in Dhaka and main towns around the country. Western food can be found in most hotels and in some large restaurants.

Things to know: Alcohol is expensive and strict Muslim customs severely limit availability and drinking times, although leading hotels have bars which will serve alcohol.

National specialities:
• Curries such as korma, bhuna, masala gosht, kashmiri and tikka.
• Dishes are usually served with rice, naan or paratha (griddle-fried flat breads).
• Kebabs are widely available.
• Seafood and fresh-water fish are in natural abundance and smoked hilsa, fresh bhetki, chingri and prawns are definitely worth trying.
• Desserts tend to be sweet and milky, such as misti dhohi (sweetened yoghurt), zorda (sweet rice with nuts) and ros malai (round sweets floating in thick milk).

National drinks:
• Chai (milky sweet tea).
• Lassi (yoghurt drink).
• Coconut water.

Tipping: Most services expect a tip in hotels; give 10% for restaurant staff.

Leading hotels have bars, but Western-style nightclubs do not exist. Displays of local dance and music are occasionally to be seen, particularly during religious festivals. Traditional theatre can be seen in major cities and the Dhaka City Corporation has opened a modern theatre hall called Dhaka Mohanagor Natya Mancha.

Bangladesh is famous for its pink pearl. Handloom fabrics, silks, printed saris, coconut masks, bamboo products, mother-of-pearl jewellery, leather crafts, wood and cane handicrafts and folk dolls are popular purchases. Duty-free shops are available in Dhaka and international airports.

Shopping hours: Generally Sat-Thurs 0900-2000, Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-2000 (shops in tourist districts often stay open later).