Go east, says London guide

That is the verdict of Lonely Planet's new London City Guide guide, published today.

It also recommends visitors head east to find the "real London".

The guide says visitors should go to areas such as Hackney, Dalston, Shoreditch and Spitalfields. Steve Fallon, one of the authors, said: "A few years ago the West End had a lot of the draw cards for Londoners and visitors alike.

"Now its position is being challenged on every level. The bars in the east are thriving on their cool reputation."

The guide says winning the 2012 Olympics, which will be based in Stratford, has boosted the city's confidence: "As the British capital gears up for the Olympics in 2012, the city has rarely felt so exciting."

Recent editions of the book complained of crime and deprivation. But now it says London is a "boomtown".

The authors were particularly impressed with the city's food culture: "London has undergone a food revolution in the past decade.

"Add to this newly-liberalised drinking laws, a roundly welcomed smoking ban and a fantastic music scene and London makes for one of the best places for a night out on the planet."

One of the few criticisms is that bars, restaurants, sights and clubs can be "wincingly expensive".