Muscat Oman Best Omani Restaurants: A Guide to Omani Cuisine

Oman is a nation with impressive culture, heritage, and beautiful sceneries, but it also has an impressive cuisine that is diverse and unique. As a local or a tourist visiting Muscat, it is a real experience to get to explore an Omani restaurant in Muscat and get to taste some of the history, traditions and tastes of the region. The cuisine of Oman is very much entrenched in its trade and influence history, mixing spices, meats and seafood in a combination that narrates the history of the region. This blog is going to take you on a trip where we will visit some of the best Omani restaurants in Muscat and have a taste of what the country offers as far as food is concerned.

What is so Special about Omani Food?

Omani cuisine is a depiction of the Oman geography, history and people. Oman cuisine has been influenced by centuries of trade in the Middle East and beyond giving it its flavors. Saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom are some of the spices that are used abundantly in various dishes, and there is a wide variety of meats, seafood, and rice. When in Muscat, you should not miss the traditional Omani foods such as shuwa, mishkak, and maqbous.

It could be a posh restaurant or a local restaurant, but Omani restaurants in Muscat usually have a friendly environment that incorporates modern elements with the traditional Omani culture. Dining in an Omani restaurant is an experience that cannot be forgotten because of the warm welcome and lively atmosphere. In case you are not sure where to begin, here are some of the best places to get the true local food in Muscat.

Best Omani Restaurants in Muscat To Visit

1. Bait Al Luban: An Omani Taste of Tradition

Bait Al Luban is the place to go when you want to have the best experience of Omani food. Famous due to its beautiful interior and a rich history, Bait Al Luban serves a variety of Omani dishes with grilled meat and rich stews. The restaurant focuses on serving Omani traditional food such as shuwa, a slow cooked lamb meal marinated with spices and mishkak, grilled skewers of marinated meat.

Why You Must Go: The beauty of Bait Al Luban is not only limited to what it serves on its table, but also on the atmosphere. Traditional Omani decoration is found all over the walls, so it is the right place to immerse in the cultural heritage of Oman and enjoy a good meal.

2. Al Angham Restaurant: Royal Dining

The Al Angham Restaurant is located at the Royal Opera House in Muscat and it is one of the best restaurants to have an upscale and modern version of Omani foods. This restaurant offers you the flavor of luxury and tradition with its royal ambience, perfect service and specialty dishes.

Why You Would Go: In case you are in search of a destination that unites the beauty of Muscat and the deliciousness of Oman, Al Angham is the place to visit. Al Angham is the most royal place to eat as it serves a vast range of Omani appetizers as well as traditional desserts such as halwa and dates.

3. Kargeen Restaurant: a Casual Haven of Omani Pleasures

In case you want a more casual eating experience, Kargeen Restaurant provides a comfortable place to sit with an extensive menu of Omani delights. The restaurant has an outdoor dining space that is ideal when one wants to have a leisurely meal with a view of the beautiful city of Muscat.

Why You Should Visit: Kargeen is a good place to taste maqbous, a delicious Omani rice dish that is cooked with meat or fish and a set of exotic spices. Their new juices and desserts are also quite a success, so do not forget to save room to have something sweet!

4. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa: Luxuriousness and Taste in one

To people who want a more luxurious environment, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa has a wide range of high-quality dining outlets that emphasize Omani tastes. There are restaurants such as the Al Waha which serve a buffet of both international and Omani food so you will definitely have an unforgettable meal.

Why Go: It is a great place to visit in Muscat when you want to have a special occasion or just want to view and enjoy a meal.

Omani Food: What Not to Miss

When you are eating in an Omani restaurant in Muscat, there are a number of dishes that you should eat so as to get the best out of the Omani food. These are some of the most well known dishes:

Shuwa

One of the most famous Oman dishes is Shuwa. It is made up of an entire goat or lamb which is marinated in a combination of spices, wrapped in palm leaves and cooked slowly in an underground oven. The outcome is the juicy and tasteful meat that is a real example of Omani traditional cooking. Shuwa will be found in the special menu of many Omani restaurants in Muscat and usually during festivals or family get together.

Maqbous

Maqbous is a classical rice food, like pilaf, prepared with spices, vegetables and either chicken, lamb or fish. The dish is seasoned with saffron, cinnamon and cardamom hence it is very rich in taste and aroma. It is one of the most popular dishes that are available in Omani restaurants in Muscat and are mostly served as a main course.

Mishkak

Mishkak is a reference to meat, mostly beef, chicken or lamb, that has been marinated in a mixture of spices and grilled. It is one of the popular street food snacks and available in most Omani restaurants. One can combine it with harees (wheat and meat dish) or a salad.

Omani Halwa

Omani Halwa is a sweet dessert consisting of sugar, corn starch, saffron, and nuts cooked in a sticky, jelly-like consistency. It is one of the favorite desserts in the country and is usually consumed alongside Arabic coffee or tea. You can not leave Muscat without trying a piece!

FAQs: All you need to know about Omani restaurants in Muscat

1. When is the right time to dine in an Omani restaurant in Muscat?

The most appropriate time to visit the Omani restaurants in Muscat is during the cooler seasons, October to March. But most restaurants are air conditioned and available throughout the year giving one a good time at any time of the year.

2. What is the dress code in the Omani restaurants?

Smart-casual dress code is the norm in the majority of Omani restaurants and mostly in fine-dining restaurants. It is however advisable to inquire with the particular restaurant particularly when it is in a high end hotel or resort where more formal clothes can be used.

3. Are there any vegetarian restaurants in Omani restaurants in Muscat?

Yes, there are numerous Omani restaurants in Muscat which serve vegetarian food. Hummus, falafel and vegetable maqbool are typical vegetarian dishes. Rice dishes and fresh salads are also common at Omani restaurants.

4. Where can I locate Omani restaurants in Muscat?

The best Omani restaurants in Muscat can be found using online Middle East business directory or more common restaurant review websites such as Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, or Zomato. There are numerous directories and applications that provide ratings, reviews, and location maps to enable you to get the best place to dine.

5. Are Oman restaurants expensive?

The eating out in an Omani restaurant in Muscat is dependent on the kind of restaurant. The restaurants in the luxurious hotels might be expensive but there are accessible places where one can get a cheap meal. Specialty items such as shuwa will cost you a little more.

Discover Omani Restaurants and Reveal the Tastes of Oman

Dining at the Omani restaurant in Muscat is not only about food. It is a food trip to the core of the Omani rich heritage where each meal is a tale of culture, spice and tradition. It does not matter whether you are having a slow-cooked shuwa or a plate of maqbous or even a cup of traditional Omani coffee, the taste is memorable. The city of Muscat has a variety of restaurants that serve both modern and traditional Omani foods and therefore, there is something to satisfy everyone.

To further simplify your trip, you may always use a Middle East business directory and read the reviews and recommendations of the best rated Omani restaurants in Muscat. The variety of cuisine is so great that you are bound to leave Muscat with a full stomach and happy thoughts about the delicious food you have tried in Muscat.