-
$ | |
North of Muscat, just in front of the Seeb souk, each evening a row of cement grill stations open and the air fills with the scent of charring beef mishkak. Cars queue, waiting for foil packets of the clove- and cinnamon-spiced barbecue. After exploring the market, sit on the low concrete wall overlooking the beach and enjoy a few sticks of this traditional Omani snack.
Seeb Corniche, Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$ | Al Khuwair |
Cars queue in front of this little café from morning (opening time is 8 am) until closing (around midnight). Honking horns draw over waiters from the shop, who bring over cups of the local specialty karak, a spiced tea sweetened with creamy condensed milk, and paper-thin Omani bread smeared with savory cheese and egg or sweets like Nutella or honey, to customers in idling cars and those seated at the scattering of tables out front. In the evening, when the temperature cools down, groups of men gather here before and after going to prayers at the adjacent mosque, and though groups of ladies are rare, all are welcome at the friendly shop. There are similar karak shops beside gas stations and on roadsides throughout the city, but this is by far the best one. Try the zataar karak, made with wild thyme or the "special" mixed spice karak alongside an order of paper-thin Omani bread stuffed with egg, cheese, and "Chips Oman."
Thaqafah St., Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri.
-
$ | |
This is the only restaurant in Bahla, and you might be skeptical of this run-down-looking Turkish café, but the private family rooms inside are comfortable, and the chicken shawarma (spit-roasted slices of chicken served in a wrap as a sandwich or with rice and chopped vegetables) is actually excellent.
Rte. 21, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
-
$$ | |
This simple café is the only dining establishment for miles around, and it serves up good fresh juice and an inexpensive buffet lunch featuring a hodgepodge of dishes and several types of rice.
Sur St., Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
-
$$ | |
Amid the towering buildings in the Central Banking District (CBD) in Ruwi, this Turkish standby is the best dining option in the entire area. It offers a plethora of grilled options, including Turkish-style ground meat kebabs, garlic- and lemon-marinated chicken, lamb chops, whole fish, and prawns; the mixed grills are the main draw and are ideal for sharing. But the kebabs and grilled chicken wrapped in flatbread with a smear of garlic mayonnaise, a few french fries, and house coleslaw for 700 baisas (less than US$2) are the best value in town. During the day the restaurant bustles with the lunch crowd from surrounding banks, but at night the quiet outdoor dining space takes on a more relaxed, romantic feel.
2706 Way, Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri.
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
The unassuming exterior of this shop gives you no sense of the fantastic, freshly-made baked goods made within. The stone-fired oven roars right behind the counter; when you ask for one of the pastries, such as a delicious cheese- and honey-stuffed fatyer, the bakers set to work rolling out fresh dough and sliding it into the oven. Yes, everything is baked to order. You can also get fresh fruit juices, which are on the sweet side but can be requested with no sugar added.
Rte. 17, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
-
$ | |
This ramshakle takeaway restaurant on a busy street in the business district of Ruwi is appropriately named, as it turns out the best falafels in town. Hot chickpea patties are served straight out of the fryer so their outer crust is crisp while the interiors are moist and well-seasoned. The hummus is thick and tahini-heavy, providing a perfectly rich dip for the sandwiches and fries. Traditionally, lunch is the main meal of the day in Oman, consisting of a rice and main, and dinner consists of sandwiches or other lighter fare, so in keeping with that routine, this restaurant is only open in the evening. Though there are a few tables and chairs out front, the view of the freeway is less than idyllic, so it is best to take your order to go.
Al Hamriyah Roundabout, Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$ | |
This small shop offers the traditional Omani snack and breakfast foods: creamy sweet karak tea and crisp Omani bread stuffed with egg and cheese.
Bidiyah Main St., Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
-
$ | |
On the new corniche, across from the Sur Beach Holiday Resort, this small takeaway karak shop makes delicious, paper-thin Omani bread stuffed with savory fillings like egg and cream cheese, or sweet combinations like honey and cheese or Nutella, along with the namesake beverage, a milky tea sweetened with condensed milk and spiced with lemongrass, cardamom, and ginger. Just pull up front and honk; someone will come to your car to take your order.
Way 411, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
-
$ | |
This small takeaway tea shop at the base of Jabal Akhdar is a great place to stop for breakfast on your way back to Nizwa after a night camping on the mountain or to grab a snack before making the ascent. You can get karak, a tea sweetened with creamy condensed milk and spiced with cardamom and ginger, as well as crisp Omani bread stuffed with savory combinations like cheese and egg, or sweet combinations like honey and cheese.
Rte. 21, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
-
-
$ | |
One of the best dining options in the Dakhiliyah region is the massive Lulu Hypermarket in Nizwa. The prepared foods counter offers all manner of Indian delicacies, grilled and fried chicken, rice dishes, fresh baked breads, and cold salads. There are countless scenic places to picnic after stocking up on food and beverages at Lulu, and the quality of the food is superior to almost all the restaurants in the area.
Izki-Faraq Rd., near Rte. 31, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
-
$$$ | Shatti Qurm |
Cloistered in the ministries district, just behind the U.S. Amassador's villa, Marina Café sits directly on the beach, its glass walls offering unobstructed views of the Gulf of Oman and a small, palm-lined park. The casual menu has a strong Lebanese bent, with shawarma plates and mezze, along with typical café fare, from a fried seafood basket to club sandwiches and burgers. The fresh juices, teas, and sheesha coupled with the views and relaxed atmosphere are draw enough to make this a destination for a leisurely afternoon or evening, but the food is also of good quality, if not a bit expensive for what it is. Free Wi-Fi is available, and during the cooler months there is also an outdoor seaside patio. Due to a change in Omani smoking laws, children under the age of 12 are no longer allowed in the main dining room where sheesha is offered, but there is a smoke-free family dining area, and during the winter months, the patio is open to all.
3048 Way, Muscat, Masqat, Oman
-
$$$ | |
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.
Rte. 15, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
-
$ | Shatti Qurm |
Each evening after the sun goes down, in a parking lot just past the Shati Street Roundabout, a grill stand appears serving up the popular Omani barbecue called mishkak. The beef skewers are tender and especially good with their super spicey tamarind hot sauce, and the squid, laced with earthy turmeric, is nice with a squeeze of lime. Whole barbequed quail are also on offer. Simply ask for the number and type of skewers you want, and you will be given a number; when your order is ready, they will call you over to collect the foil-wrapped snack. Many sit and picnic in the parking lot, but Qurum beach is steps away and offers a more picturesque dining venue.
Shati St., Muscat, Masqat, Oman
-
$ | Mutrah |
There are many small tea shops in and around the Mutrah souk offering fried Omanized Indian snacks like sambusa, small triangles stuffed with mildly spiced chicken or cabbage and potato, and kachori, chili-laced potato puffs, along with soft drinks, juices, and sweet milk tea. Two particular vendors rise above the rest. One is the first shop on the left as you enter the souk from the Corniche, and the other is on the backside, on the left as you exit the interior of the market. The snacks cost only a few baisa and are a wonderful with a splash of hot sauce, available upon request. (The souk closes from 1 to 4:30 daily.)
Al Bahri Rd., Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
-
$ | |
Directly between the Fort and the Souq, this little coffee shop sits on prime real estate. Although there are only a few bistro tables out front and a few inside, you can always find a place to sit. The shop offers a wide range of hot, caffeinated beverages, including espresso, chai tea, and traditional Omani coffee that is served with local dates. It is a nice place to rest after a long afternoon exploring the surrounding sights.
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. morning
-
$ | Shatti Qurm |
Shuwa (meat slathered in Omani spices and then slow-roasted in an underground pit overnight) is considered by many to be the most iconic of Omani dishes, and it is usually reserved for major holidays, like the Eids or wedding celebrations. At this casual eatery in the Bareeq Al Shati mall, lamb or chicken shuwa is used to stuff sandwiches made with your choice of seven types of flatbread; then choose from eight different sauces and other fillers like cheese or shredded vegetables. The lamb is the best option, expecially delicious in the oily, pan-fried paratha bread. Despite being adjacent to a mall food court, the shop has a surpising amount of ambience, with Omani-style decor and high-top tables made from brass serving trays. It is a great option for those craving simple sandwiches and french fries, but with a local twist.
Al Kharjiyah St., Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. for lunch, reopens at 6:45 pm
-
$ | |
This small takeaway shop offers a few scattered tables and chairs out front and a wide variety of freshly squeezed juices, including watermelon, mango, and lime-mint. As with most juice shops in Oman, sugar will be added unless you request otherwise, so if you aren't in the mood for a super-sweet beverage, but sure to ask. You can also get fruit salad with huge chunks of fresh-cut pineapple, passion fruit, mango, and more, depending on the season, served in a large plastic cup topped with optional whipped cream. As with other takeaways in Oman, you can simply park out front and honk your horn for car-side service. The beach is across the street, with covered gazebo seating farther down the strip, offering a much more scenic place to enjoy your order than the parking lot of the shop.
Way 411, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
-
$ | |
At the end of the Corniche, directly across the bay from the Al Ayjah watch tower, this small coffee stand serves milky tea, cardamon-scented Omani coffee, Nescafé, and freshly fried lequimat, a popular Omani dessert of fried balls of dough soaked in simple syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. In the evenings a small steamer is set up in front of the shop, from which is served sweet corn kernels that are tossed with butter, chili, and lime and served in Styrofoam cups. It is a great place to grab a snack to go before taking a walk down the seaside street.
Sur Corniche, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
-
$ | |
The Omani equivalent of KFC, Zaki Fried Chicken offers tasty and crispy fried chicken in both spicy and mild options, either on its own or in a sandwich and wrap. The small restaurant has a clean, air-conditioned dining room and is a nice option for a quick meal in the late afternoon, when many of the other area restaurants are closed.
Way 411, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
