48 Best Restaurants in Oman
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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 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.
Kargeen Caffe
Seeb Mishkak Grillers
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Tea House
The Beach Restaurant at Chedi Muscat
The most notable of the sophisticated dining venues in the Chedi hotel is the aptly named Beach Restaurant, which is built on Atheiba Beach, overlooking the sea. Modern arabesque design—high white walls, hanging lanterns, elegantly curved arches, and dark mohogany wood accents—set the mood while the exquisite cuisine does the rest of the work. The chef celebrates local lobster, fresh fish, and massive prawns simply grilled and served alongside saffron rice; blue crab dressed with avocado and truffled mayonnaise; and playful, modern dishes like "Asian-style" salmon gravlax with black in grissini and kombu granita and lobster "cappacino" with rosemary whipped cream. In addition to seafood, wagyu beef, organic chicken, and pan-seared foie gras with contemporary takes on the steak house staples of creamed spinach and "deconstructed" fried potatoes are available. Drink pairings abound, from glasses and bottles from the largest wine cellar in Oman as well as cocktails and fresh juice mocktails.
Turkish House Restaurant
Zanzibar Island Restaurant
Al Angham
Al Mandi Al Dhahabi
Al Mas
Althoq Turkish Restaurant
Bait Al Luban
Beach Pavilion Restaurant
The secluded seaside restaurant at the exclusive Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton, which is about ½ hour from central Muscat, is one of the most romantic destinations in the city. Dining by moonlight, serenaded by the sound of waves, warm sand beneath your feet, and a silhouetted backdrop of mountains and ocean, you'll have as memorable a meal as you are likely to have in Oman, well worth the high price and long drive. The service is as good as you would expect, and the food, while not earth-shattering, is well-prepared, especially the grilled local seafood. The real star, besides the unbeatable ambience, is the well-curated, international wine list, which is one of the most sophisticated in Oman.
Begum's
The small size of this relaxed North Indian eatery—it has only has a dozen tables—only partially accounts for it being perpetually jam-packed. Friendly service helps, but the overwhelming draw is the excellent Mughlai cuisine. Dozens of dishes—with plenty of vegetarian choices—beguile even the most persnickety palate: specialties like chicken or fish kebab biryani, chicken curry, and paneer tikka masala are plentiful, spiced to perfection, and habit forming.
Bin Ateeq
Traditional Omani restaurants are few and far between, and this one gives a rare introduction to the regional specialties in a traditional setting. The menu offers a huge range of dishes, like slow-cooked meats with fragrant spices served with boiled wheat, along with fish dishes, super-sweet desserts, and the rich cardamom flavored coffee served with dates to end the meal. There are four branches in Salalah, two on 23 July Street.
Bin Ateeq
Cafe at Wadi Bani Khalid
Camilia Cafe
Eastern Pastry and Juice
Filafil Restaurant
Itin Restaurant
Karak Shop
Karak Taste
Karak Time
Kurkum
Lebanese House
Fresh, authentic Lebanese food is a nice change from Salalah's ubiquitous shawarma and Indian restaurants. This compact, family-run restaurant serves a range of Lebanese specialties, including an excellent falafel, fresh tabouleh, light and lemony humous, yogurt salad with tomato, cucumber, and garlic, and a range of roasted meats and fish. A huge meal for two can be had for less than $10.