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Traditional Omani food is a marriage of rustic Bedouin dishes of rice, meat, and preserved fish, plus the plentiful, sweet dates that grow abundantly in the country, all infused with the diverse flavors of the spice route. The East African island of Zanzibar, as well as port cities in Persia and South Asia were once part of the
Traditional Omani food is a marriage of rustic Bedouin dishes of rice, meat, and preserved fish, plus the plentiful, sweet dates that grow abundantly in the country, all infused with the diverse flavors of the spice route. The East African island of Zanzibar, as well as
Traditional Omani food is a marriage of rustic Bedouin dishes of rice, meat, and preserved fish, plus the plentiful, swe
Traditional Omani food is a marriage of rustic Bedouin dishes of rice, meat, and preserved fish, plus the plentiful, sweet dates that grow abundantly in the country, all infused with the diverse flavors of the spice route. The East African island of Zanzibar, as well as port cities in Persia and South Asia were once part of the Sultanate, and local versions of foods like biryani, pulao, and coconut-enriched vegetables have become part of the Omani canon of dishes. Great examples of local cuisine can be sampled at restaurants in Muscat, along with a wide offering of international options, from sushi to American fast food. In the capital and other coastal cities, like Sohar, Sur, and Salalah, fantastic fresh fish, prawns, crab, and giant squid called cuttlefish, are on offer even at humble restaurants. Options in the mountains and deserts of the interior are more limited, though simple sandwich shops, restaurants serving Yemeni-style mandi (a dish of rice and tandoori-cooked meat), tea shops offering Omani bread with various fillings, and casual Indian restaurants can be found almost everywhere.
Celebrity chef Issa al Lamki opened Al Mandoos, and though it has since changed ownership, the food still bears his elegant touch, with authentic Omani dishes made with the freshest ingredients and modern twists, like his shorbat harees, a traditional crushed wheat soup, enlived here with tender whole wheatberries in a rich lamb stock. It is the best place to get a taste of local specialties like madroobah, a delicious spiced rice and vegetable mash topped with crisp-skinned chicken, fried fish, or malleh, a dish of saltfish, lime, and onion served over rice. Though unassumingly set on a quiet suburban side street, the interior is a suprisingly chic space decorated with traditional Omani textiles.
Tucked away behind a strip mall in the posh Madinat Sultan Qaboos neighborhood, this popular restaurant is a tranquil place to spend the evening dining on Arabic and local specialties, sipping on an infused tea from their extensive beverage menu, or to have sheesha. The garden, softly lit with hanging lanterns, is ideal in the cool evenings. Though the huge menu features everything from Arabic mixed grill to pasta, they also serve a great version of the Omani specialty shuwa, lamb rubbed with spices and oil then slow-cooked over embers in an underground pit overnight. Their za'atar bread is also fantastic, and it is one of the only places around where you can sample infusions of simmered cinnamon bark, ginger, or clove. The service is unbelievably slow, so this is not the place for a quick bite; be prepared to have a long, leisurely meal.
Steps away from the Mutrah souk, overlooking the sea, this fine-dining restaurant stands in sharp contrast to the cheap tourist-trap cafés that otherwise line Al Bahri Road. The interior is filled with crisp white banquets, though the scattering of outdoor tables offer the best vantage point for watching an interesting mix of tourists and the elderly Omani locals who still reside in the maze-like neighborhood just behind the shops. You will pay top dollar for the excellent service at this quiet oasis, which is owned by a member of the royal family, but you'll also get a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of old Muscat. The food is "Omanized" Indian, meaning that it is much less piquant, and incorporates rich coconut milk into many of the curries. The seafood is excellent, from the grilled hamour tikka (grilled fish) to the luxurious prawn curry, but it is the attentive touches, like complimentary welcome mocktails and amuse-bouche, that really set the experience apart.
Cloistered in the ministries district, just behind the U.S. Amassador's villa, Marina Café sits directly on the beach, its glass walls offering unobstructed views of the Gulf of Oman and a small, palm-lined park. The casual menu has a strong Lebanese bent, with shawarma plates and mezze, along with typical café fare, from a fried seafood basket to club sandwiches and burgers. The fresh juices, teas, and sheesha coupled with the views and relaxed atmosphere are draw enough to make this a destination for a leisurely afternoon or evening, but the food is also of good quality, if not a bit expensive for what it is. Free Wi-Fi is available, and during the cooler months there is also an outdoor seaside patio. Due to a change in Omani smoking laws, children under the age of 12 are no longer allowed in the main dining room where sheesha is offered, but there is a smoke-free family dining area, and during the winter months, the patio is open to all.
Overlooking the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, this poolside restaurant offers a wide international selection of dishes, including a good BLT (with real pork bacon), fish-and-chips, rack of lamb, Indian curries, and all manner of local grilled seafood options, along with cocktails, wine, and beer. At breakfast time, the main draw is the full English breakfast. The relaxing seaside location, free pool access, liquor license, and menu of Western comfort foods make this a charming oasis for those craving a taste of home.
Dar El Ezz, the first fine-dining "restaurant" to open in the Dakhiliyah region, is actually more of a dining complex with multiple restaurants housed in one large building. The best of the bunch is Memories, a 200-seat restaurant with an outdoor terrace built amid waterfalls. The international buffet is expensive and good, if not great, and is one of your best options if you are looking for a higher-end meal in a polished atmosphere. In the same building is the lovely rooftop coffee shop and sheesha lounge called Clouds, where you can enjoy unencumbered views of the surrounding mountains and palm forests along with a post-meal latte.
This popular, high-end franchise from India is known for its seafood specialties, including green chili-spiked crab soup, King crab in a peppery garlic butter, and Chettinad-style prawn curry, rich with grated coconut, garlic, and ginger (from a style of cooking popular in Tamil Nadu). Though there are plenty of non-seafood options on the massive menu, you may find it easier to justify paying the the high prices for the locally sourced fish and shellfish. The dining room is serene and understated, and the dishes well-executed.
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