Without question, New London is the most culturally diverse city in the eastern half of the state – and one of the many fine ways this is represented is in the local restaurant scene. Just for many examples:

On the main drag of Bank Street, as you head from Waterford toward downtown New London, your options are impressive (and stomach-grumble-inducing). The Spice Palette (929 Bank St.) presents creative takes on modern Indian cuisine, and Osmino’s Grill (639 Bank St.) offers authentic Salvadoran fare (and pizza!).

Also: Jasmine Thai (470 Bank St.), the Sri-Lankan/pan-Asian specialties at Cinnamon Grill (385 Bank St.), and Latin and Caribbean items from Mambo’s Bar & Restaurant (200 Bank St.). Noodles & Rice Bistro is another Thai choice (165 Bank St.), while Portofood is Ecuadoran (357 Bank St.) and Candy’s Chapina (181 Bank St.) is a new Guatamalan place.

But this ain’t no one-street community. There’s Tex-Mex at Mi Casa (31 Golden St.), the tiny but much-loved Cultura: Antojitos Puertorriqueños (78 Broad St.), Tony’s Caribbean (90 Truman St.), CJ Peruvian Bar & Restaurant (291 Connecticut Ave.), more Indian at Swad Tandoori (150 State St.), and the clever Latin/Asian creations at Rico Chow (403 Williams St.).

Oh, and pizza? Hey! You’re college students. You’re gonna find pizza. In the unlikely event you need help, College Pizza (265 Pequot Ave.) and Slice Pizza Bar (465 Willams St.) are damned hard to argue with.