Oman’s food reflects its historic role as a prominent trading empire at the crossroads of some of the world’s most famous spice routes. You can therefore expect to find influences from Indian, Persian, North African and Mediterranean cuisines. Meals are often meat based – most commonly chicken or fish – and feature a mixture of spices and marinades. As with much of the Middle East, rice and flatbreads are key staples served with almost every meal. Again, as is the case in neighbouring countries, you will find no pork on any menu in Oman. Consumption of pig products is forbidden in the Islamic faith.
Be aware that restaurants and cafes open and close fairly regularly in Muscat, so whilst this guide will be frequently updated it is worth checking Instagram (which many businesses use as their official website) or Google Maps listings before you visit to make sure places are open!
What to Eat in Oman
Shuwa – شوا – translating to grilled meat in Arabic, this is a celebratory dish served at Eid and other big family occasions. Meat (usually lamb) is marinated in Omani spices, then wrapped in banana leaves or palm leaves and cooked over a day or two in an underground sand oven. The resulting meat is meltingly tender. Often served with kabuli rice – a seasoned rice with a mixture of spices.
Harees – هريس – mixture of dried wheat kernels and meat, cooked together for many hours until the consistency of porridge. Given the time take to prepare Harees, it is usually reserved for a special occasion such as Ramadan or a wedding.
Mishkak – مشكاك – Oman’s most popular street food. Marinated meat, usually chicken, mutton or beef, grilled on long wooden sticks. Served hot with tamarind chutney.
Dates – التمر – a staple in almost all parts of the Middle East, Oman is no different. It is almost obligatory to eat them with qahwa (قهوة / coffee). Welcoming hospitality is king in Oman, and almost everywhere you go you will be offered coffee and dates.
Halwa – حلوى – meaning desert, or sweet, in Arabic, Halwa is also the name of Oman’s most famous sweet. A mixture of sugar, honey, rose water, eggs, spices and nuts form a gluttonous, paste-like consistency designed to be eaten family style from one big bowl!
Chai Karak – شاي كرك – the scent and taste of cardamon will forever now be associated in my mind with Oman. Translating literally to strong tea, it is made with green cardamon, saffron and evaporated milk. Popular across the Gulf, but especially in Qatar and Oman, it is made by repeatedly bringing the tea mixture almost to the boil. It is not unlike masala tea found across India and Pakistan.
Khubz Omani – خبز عماني – a thin, flaky bread almost akin to a crêpe, often filled with cheese and honey. Also referred to as khubz ragag. A wonderful breakfast choice! Best eaten with chai karak.
COFFEE AND BREAKFAST
Azura – ££ – local speciality coffee roaster at the Waterfront and Al Mouj. There are some great cafes in Muscat, but most focus on food rather than coffee. Azura therefore stands out for the quality of their coffee. Although they do also sell the irresistible Uncle Fluffy cheesecakes…
Dose – ££ – multiple branches across Muscat, offering madly over the top coffee beverges infused with flavours such as Kit Kat, Dulce de Leche and Cornflakes! Good “plain” coffees are also available! The melt in the middle, kinder chocolate cookies are a total winner.
Mint and Coco – ££ – Mediterranean brunches with a Middle Eastern twist. Service can be slow, but food is good. On the pricier side.
Qaha – ££ – this sweet little café is an unexpected slice of the Greek island of Santorini in the residential areas of Bowsher. Good coffee and good service. They also sell a selection of beautiful ceramic mugs.
Karak Gholam – £ – Muscat outlet of this Kuwaiti chain. Sweet little café in Shatti serving samosas, chapati wraps and karak chai from the largest teapot I have ever seen! Would also be a very affordable, light lunch option. The adorable décor is hard to resist.
Arabica – ££ – global chain with several minimalist, Japanese inspired outlets and kiosks across Muscat. Popular worldwide for a reason, the coffee is really excellent.
Tea House – £ – my favourite place for khubz omani, and the perfect pre-road trip breakfast. Go for the filled rkhal or rgag bread – my usual pick is cheese and honey (300 baisa/57p) and the husband swears by the Chapati with egg, potato and cheese (500 baisa/95p).
BRUNCH
Brunch is a way of life across the Gulf, and Oman is no different. On a Friday you will struggle to get a table in the most popular restaurants as the city’s residents gather with friends and family to have a leisurely catch up over plates of food. All of the big hotels offer lavish, international buffets – often served with alcohol and correspondingly high prices – whilst more low key options can be found in most cafes and restaurants.
Ray’s Bagels – good value, great bagels in Ghubra, not far from The Chedi. Dine in space for three tables, and always popular for takeaway. The salt beef melt is justifiably the bestseller. It is made on site from New Zealand brisket.
Nana’s – ££ – this family run restaurant is consistently one of the most popular in Muscat. Service can be a bit hit and miss, but who doesn’t love a sea view with their breakfast?
Mani’s – ££ – a highly popular all day breakfast spot founded by three Muscat mums. The branch at Al Mouj has a lovely position right on the marina – you can window shop for yachts whilst tucking into an enormous plate of French toast!
Darcy’s Kitchen – ££ – British, very popular all day breakfast and brunch spot with the city’s expats. Quick friendly service and lovely outdoor space for the winter months.
Twins Turkish – lovely spot right on the beach front at Shatti Al Qurum, serving your choice of freshly cooked fish and Turkish appetizers.
Huqqa – ££ – *huge* sharing breakfasts and tasty Turkish classics at Al Mouj Marina. The hipster vibe attracts large crowds at the weekend.
The Chedi – ££££ – the best blow out option. Huge buffet spreads offer good sushi and dim sum, curries galore, traditional roast and more familiar local fare. Friday, 1:30pm – 4:30pm. 29 OMR with soft drinks; 39 OMR with prosecco and cocktails; 49 OMR with champagne. Some weekends brunch is accompanied by live opera, others “merely” a fantastic classical pianist.
TRADITIONAL OMANI CUISINE
Ubhar – ££ – named after the mythical lost city believed to be buried under the desert of southern Oman, this restaurant offers an array of Omani dishes – some with a contemporary twist. Walking distance to the Royal Opera House.
Dukanah – ££- only a few hundred metres form the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, it is a great breakfast spot after a visit. Portions are generous and designed for sharing, and offer traditional Omani food at very reasonable prices. The interiors replicate an old Muscat house.
Mama Halima’s Kitchen – ££ – wonderfully spiced, home cooked Omani food. The home vibe extends to the décor, which is a tile lovers dream. Omani crockery and coffee jugs adoring the wall give it a welcoming, cosy feel. Breakfast menu until 12pm, and then switches to lunch.
Bait al Luban – £££ – this is one of my favourite places to take visitors. Directly opposite the Fish Market in Muttrah, this wonderful restaurant serves classic Omani food in a very elegant restaurant. You can choose to eat traditionally in one of the side rooms – sitting on large floor cushions – or on the beautiful balcony overlooking the Corniche. Go hungry so that you can try everything!
SOUTH ASIAN
Unsurprisingly, with such a large expat workforce, there are some truly fantastic Indian subcontinent eateries in Muscat. For the most part, these restaurants are much cheaper than the western offerings, and you can eat incredibly well on very little if you are content to eat your weight in curry, biryani and parathas (and frankly, who wouldn’t be?!).
Al Shariq Coffee Shop – £ – no frills, traditional Tibetan dishes. The momos are the best in town served by very friendly staff. These Nepalese/Tibetan steamed or fried dumplings are a very popular street food right across India. For only 1.100 OMR (£2) you get a generous portion with three (very spicy!) dips to accompany. I’d also recommend the thukpa – a type of Nepalese noodle soup – a large, steaming bowl of rich broth is only 1.300 OMR (£2.50). The small shop has six plastic covered tables, or you can takeaway and eat in nearby Qurum Park.
Al Haikal Bakery – £ – Pakistani style stuffed paratha at insanely low prices. Don’t expect stellar service – but then when the paratha are this good for only 300 baisa (£0.57) I don’t think you can complain! Buy your paratha before heading next door to the Bangladeshi Rawabi Ibri Kebab shop, to order some chicken tikka to eat with it for a bargainous 700 baisa (£1.32).
Mumbai Tadka – £ – extensive menu of authentic vegetarian Maharashtrian dishes. Atmosphere is slightly lacking but service friendly and the lunchtime thalis are great.
Mumbai Corner – £ – really good Mumbai street food. The place to come for pav bhaji – a spicy vegetable curry served with soft bread rolls.
Foodlands Oman – £ – the best North Indian thali in Muscat! There are two branches – the restaurant in Seeb has the nicer décor, but both serve really great Indian fare. It is not the cheapest of the Indian offerings on this list, but still very good value and a bit more of a “restaurant” vibe than others.
Tuk Tuk – ££ – a shopping mall might not normally be the venue of choice for top notch cuisine, but this quirky fast food outlet in Muscat City Centre is excellent! Expect some food theatre – bhajis and samosas arrive in mini truck and the yoghurt drink served with the bill comes enveloped in swirling clouds of dry ice.
Begums – £ – incredible Mughal cuisine. Their menu of biryanis is almost endless, and as a paneer lover (addict..) I adore the variety on their menu.
Farzi Cafe – ££ – modern Indian, with more than a little of the “Dishoom” about it (for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure, this is one of London’s most famous Indian restaurants). Great breakfast mezze which is good value for two. Halloumi samosas were a revelation and definitely need to catch on. I love the lychee and ginger fizz.
DINNER
Turkish House – £ – one of my favourite – and most regularly frequented! – restaurants in Muscat. Super friendly service and really great value, excellent, Turkish food. There are three options all next to each other. The café on the right (as you look at the building with the parking behind you) is the place for the best shawarma in Muscat, whilst the original dining room at the back is the destination for fish. The muhammara (spicy Turkish red pepper and walnut dip) is some of the best I have had, and the cheese borek are divine. The wide choice of fish is always incredibly fresh and the shrimps so large they are more like lobsters! Ask the waiter for advice on which fish to pick depending on your numbers, and you can choose how it is cooked.
On The Wood – £ – one of the best things about living in the Middle East is, without doubt, the abundance of really great Lebanese food. On the Wood offers seriously great Lebanese, including my favourite, smooth hummus topped with marinated beef. They also do Italian dishes – which always seem popular with Omani customers – but we have never been able to resist the Lebanese! Filful (£££), further up the road in Bouelvard Mall is also good, but a more expensive option.
B&F Roadside Diner – ££ – The Husband’s favourite! American style burgers, sliders and loaded fries. There are two locations but stick to the one in Boulevard Mall next to the Royal Opera House – the food at the Al Mouj branch is very average. Try the Fuji fries for something a bit different. Slider Station, a Kuwaiti franchise set just back from the beach in Shatti al Qurum, is a similarly popular choice serving similar options. Both get very busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
Amazing Chicken – ££ – an admirably bold naming decision by Oman’s first Korean restaurant. The fried chicken is flavourful, and the vegetable dumplings and cold bibim noodles also good. But having been spoiled by epic ramen readily available across London, the other options on the menu here are not quite as memorable.
Loko – ££ – I really, really love Mexican food and did not expect to find such a good taqueria in Muscat! The beef tenderloin is super tender.
SOMETHING FANCY
Afternoon tea at the Al Bustan Palace – £££ – our go to for any celebration in Muscat! Even if you don’t stay at the Bustan I would strongly recommend adding a trip here for afternoon tea to your itinerary. The atrium is a spectacular setting, and the service always genuinely excellent. The cakes and sandwiches are always fantastic – and locally inspired – and I think great value for a bit of indulgence in one of Oman’s most luxurious 5* hotels. One portion is 12.50 OMR, and is plenty for two people to share. Booking is essential and the dress code is smart casual – no jeans or shorts permitted.
The Beach Restaurant – ££££ – The Chedi’s seafood restaurant is excellent, if astronomically expensive! Excellent selection of really fresh, really good seafood and dish dishes accompanied by great service. It is set right on the beach, so you can listen to the waves rolling in as you dine.
Caramel – £££ – upmarket American restaurant with Middle Eastern and Asian inspiration in the Royal Opera House. The duck salad is my favourite.
Ba Ban – ££££ – really good Chinese menu at the W Hotel. Lots of homemade options – including fantastic noodles. The very good duck must be ordered in advance. The vibe is lovely – think old world, Art Deco inspired Shanghai. Certainly not a cheap option, but hands down the best Chinese food in Muscat.
DRINKS
It is illegal to drink alcohol or be drunk in public in Oman. However, non-Muslim residents can apply for a licence to drink alcohol at home, and tourists are permitted to drink in licensed premises. Mostly this means international hotels, but there are also a few restaurants in Muscat that are permitted to sell alcohol. Expect the prices at anywhere serving alcohol to be, often substantially, higher than elsewhere. The legal age for drinking in Oman is 21.
Fabulous fresh juices abound in Muscat – and across Oman. I am making every effort to drink at least my weight weekly in fresh fruit! I was initially quite surprised at the price of juices in Oman, but once you realise how much needs to be imported given the desert climate, and how much goes into each freshly squeezed glass, they actually seem pretty good value!
Juice World – £ – a Saudi company with branches everywhere across the Gulf, the top pick in Muscat is the outlet on Muttrah Corniche. The top floor is a terrace with an unbeatable view overlooking the Corniche. (Three flights of stairs; no lift).
The Edge, Crowne Plaza – £££ – a very popular, licensed, sundowner spot, and once you see the view over the beach and back along the Corniche it is not hard to see why! Asian inspired menu also served.
Fauchon – ££ – French patisseries (try the excellent chocolate eclairs) and fresh fruit juices in the courtyard in front of the Royal Opera House. Come at sunset to watch the building marble building turn a glowing orange.
Le Makan Café – £ – views over both the mangroves to the south, and the sunset over the Arabian Sea to the north. Al Shati Street (the road running right along Qurum Beach) is known colloquially as Love Street, as every night young Omani’s drive high end cars along the long corniche looking to impress the elegant Omani ladies (although knowing young men worldwide, I suspect they are more interested in simply outdoing each other!). Le Makan is also popular shisha spot.
Siddharta Lounge – ££££ – licensed bar on the roof of the sleek, modern design hotel, The W. The fairly spectacular infinity pool on the edge of the roof seems to almost merge with the Arabian Sea beyond. Food is also excellent, although very expensive. Smart casual dress code and booking recommended.
I really hope this has given you some ideas for where to eat in Muscat. Don’t forget to check out my other guides to Oman if you are planning a visit – including how to best spend your time in Muscat. And if a trip to the Middle East isn’t on the cards for you for now, check out my other foodie guides for ideas to satisfy your appetite elsewhere.
Amazing list, thank you for the tips!
Very glad to hear it was useful – I hope that you have a tasty visit to Muscat!
Delicious! Thinking about moving to Muscat soon and by the looks of it, the food alone is worth the move.
How exciting! I hope that your move goes well and you get to try out some of these places yourself!
Great list : after 10 years In Oman I was not aware of several of these places :))
Gosh, you must have seen such change in Oman in ten years! Thanks so much for such a kind comment – I’m so delighted to know you have found some new places!
Thank you, this was so helpful navigating Muscat’s dining scene!
I am so pleased to hear that – I hope you had some tasty meals!