Mărăști, east of the centre across the river, is a sprawling residential district with its own commercial centre around Piața Mărăști. It is mostly Communist-era blocks, but the streets have a lot of character: shabby-grand 1930s villas, neighbourhood markets, and a strong line of cheap and good local restaurants.
For most visitors it's a passing area, but the central market at Piața Mărăști is worth half an hour. The Iulius Mall and Iulius Park sit on its southern edge.