The best restaurants Oman

Timetable

In Oman, breakfast is usually taken around 9-10am, followed by lunch around 1pm and dinner around 7-8pm. As coffee shops are open continuously from early morning to late evening, it is easy to eat at any time of the day or evening. Restaurants, on the other hand, follow more traditional schedules, generally later on weekends. On those days, the crowds increase, especially for the famous Friday brunch served until 2:00-3:00 pm.

Budget & Tips

You can eat cheaply, at any time of the day, in the coffee shops, scattered all over the country including in the most remote areas - in this case they are located at petrol stations. Hygiene rules in Oman are very strict, so restaurants and coffee shops are subject to frequent checks. If any breach of the rules is detected, the establishment is forced to close. There are therefore no contraindications to eating in small establishments that do not pay a premium for kebabs, wraps, salads, French fries, kebabs, Arabic dishes, etc. and delicious freshly squeezed fruit juices.

Elsewhere, prices vary according to the standing of the establishment: around 8 euros for a typical Omani restaurant and from 50 euros for a fine dinner in a gastronomic or fashionable restaurant.

What costs extra

To date, although this practice is changing, taxes are not always included in the posted prices. This is indicated at the bottom of the card, and specifies the percentage to be added to the final bill, often 9% government tax and 8% service tax.

Tipping is not systematic and is up to the individual. When you order at a coffee shop from your car (a very common practice locally), it's a good idea to leave a few baizas for the waiter who makes the round trip to bring the menu and then the takeaway.

The local way

There is no Omani culinary tradition to speak of. The cuisine of the sultanate has benefited from the influence of neighboring countries such as Iran, Yemen and especially Lebanon. The Indian influence is also evident in a number of dishes concocted in the tandoori, massala or tikka style. The most typical dishes are "shuwa" (mutton cooked for several days in a banana leaf), "shawarma" (a pita bread filled with spit-roasted meat and/or vegetables seasoned with sauce) and, of course, the many dishes based on fish freshly caught in the waters of the Gulf. More generally, all local restaurants feature hummus with Arabic bread, mezzés (hot or cold starters served in small portions), kebab (spit-roasted meat or fish), kefta (spicy grilled minced lamb kebab), and so on.

The national dessert is halwa, a sweet treat made from rosewater, sugar, sesame seeds and spices, cooked for hours in a large copper pot.

As a snack, the Omanis nibble all day on dates accompanied by cardamom coffee. This is generally what they serve their guests as a sign of hospitality.

Fresh fruit juices are commonplace, at ridiculously low prices. Lemon Mint Juice is a very popular drink with locals... and travellers, who quickly get the hang of it. Ultra-refreshing, the two basic ingredients are lemon and fresh mint, served with lots of crushed ice. A real treat!

Kids

The notion of family in the broadest sense of the term is very important in Oman, where children are welcome in the vast majority of restaurants.

Smokers

Smoking is not allowed in the restaurants, except on the terrace.