The best restaurants Oman

It's a small, unpretentious coffee-shop, like so many in the Sultanate, offering fresh fruit juices, milkshakes and a few ice creams. The place is simple but very well located on the main street leading to the fort. The concept is more that of a takeaway, but you can also decide to stop for a moment around the 2 or 3 tables that are set out on the little stretch of sidewalk if you don't mind the heat of the street. It's a simple thing to do, but sometimes you're glad to find a cool drink before or after your visit to the fort!

Gentleness, authenticity and regularity. We come to taste generous dishes made with fresh home-cooked products. We enjoy a fish chosen directly from the stall and served grilled or cooked in the oriental way with chips, salads, hummus... It is the strong point of the house even if the carnivores also have some for their account. There are two options for settling in: a large air-conditioned room or the pretty terrace when the weather is mild, a little sheltered from cars and to be preferred. Unbeatable quality/price ratio and efficient service.

In the narrow streets of old Nizwa, this is the prettiest restaurant in town: a typical table occupying several levels of a beautifully renovated old house. You can eat in the Omani style, sitting on the floor on cushions, or at the table - on the terrace or in the air-conditioning. Family atmosphere, fast service and hearty dishes. Shawarma, kebab, grilled meats, each dish is always served with hummus, Arabic bread and a smile. Touristy, yes, but still authentic.

In the lively centre and souk area, this restaurant with street terrace offers a varied menu of Arabic, Chinese and Indian dishes. Nothing revolutionary, the menu is globally the same as the other restaurants in the area, with fresh fish since we are by the sea, crabs and shrimps every day, lobster depending on the arrival, traditional Omani dishes, the best biryani in Sur is said to be... In short, a good canteen in the city centre, which has the merit to be there when we go for a walk at lunch time.

This simple restaurant is run by Indians. Surprise: the menu is super-short, going against the grain of the usual coffee shops. Amjad is the local seafood specialist. This is the place to come for crab, king prawns, various Gulf fish and fish of the day cooked and prepared to order - grilled, fried, Indian-style, etc. You can even bring your own catch! You can even bring your own catch! It's also an opportunity to taste shark powder rice.

A refined setting, a pretty terrace overlooking the beach and a hushed interior, the stage is set for this restaurant serving authentic Italian seaside cuisine. Chef Daniele, an Italian of course, revisits her classics, harmoniously blending local ingredients with local produce. Enjoy scallops, pea cream and tomato tartar, homemade ravioli stuffed with braised lamb/aubergine/smoked mozzarella, tiramisu or panna cotta for a sweet note... Hmmm! But no pizzas.

This is a very nice place, surrounded by greenery and bougainvilleas, and enjoying a very nice view. We eat Omani cuisine, in small independent rooms or on the terrace, according to the principle of separating dinners between friends or with family.

This very popular restaurant chain is well established throughout the Sultanate. We eat there in the traditional way, in the Arabic way, in small boxes, sitting on the floor on carpets. Women and men are generally separated except for family meals. Tourists do what they want. The cuisine, of Arab and Indian influence, is varied, copious and of high quality, at really low prices which doesn't spoil anything. Disregard the massive exterior façade and the raw lighting and come here to share a piece of the local culture.

In Salalah you will find the unmissable Bin Ateeq restaurant, a specialist in Omani cuisine (brands all over the country). We eat Oriental-style, sitting on the floor on carpets and cushions, in rooms carpeted with bamboo. No fuss in the decoration, the place is simple, friendly and very local as shown by the number of Omanis who come here with their families. On the menu: soup, meat, fish, vegetables accompanied by rice and always Arabic bread and hummus. Quality varies, but the prices are low. Another sign in the As Saadah district.

Just steps from the beach, as its name indicates, the Beach Restaurant offers a large, open and open terrace. Higher, other rooms of diverse size can accommodate more or less important groups, wishing to be quiet among themselves. The price is attractive and the kitchen is simple but very good. A little bit away, a huge TV station works to entertain the babushkas souls. Shisha, for its part, is never far away.

Note, the maze of ruined houses behind the establishment. Evening lighting gives them a strange colour, worthy of a theatre decor. The kitchen has nothing extra, mainly barbecues, but the place is nice, in the middle of the Omani people who come to discuss and smoke the shisha.

The name immediately indicates the origin of the table as well as that of the chef: here we are in Iran. And since in this country, we like to share dishes, we opt for a menu - a way to discover at least 8 typical flavors of this beautiful cuisine. On the menu, the names of the dishes(Khoresht-e-bamiya, Ash-e-adas, etc.) are already a form of travel, but you can also discover some classics of Omani cuisine (The taste of Oman). The room, typically oriental, is cosy but prefer the terrace in good weather with a breathtaking view on the capital.

In the middle of the old Ramshackle ramshackle, a haven of peace awaits travellers, assuring them a well-deserved relaxation. It is quite easy on a terrace facing the sea to eat lemon chicken and biryani rice. The servings are generous, so do not order too much.

Quality cuisine, mostly continental, without special creativity: mozzarella tomatoes, Stroganoff beef, grilled chicken… Also some Arab, Indian and Chinese dishes. Aseptisé framework, which gives rise to marine air.

On site or to take, the dishes shown on the menu are numerous. Arabic, Chinese or Indian cuisine, what to eat at low prices. The interior is clean: a few small tables arranged in a pale pink decor, a B-series canteen style.

The room, classic and cosy, is in itself a form of travel. We are in Italy, in the refined interior of a Tuscan villa. From traditional pasta and pizza to other specialties of Italian gastronomy, the chef and his brigade concoct a solid and tasty local cuisine based on quality products imported from the country. The restaurant has won several awards and is one of the most popular in the city in its category. On sunny days, you can opt for a romantic dinner on the balcony under the stars.

Welcome to the temple of tiki-culture, the Polynesian-pop trend that set America on fire from the 1930s to the 1950s with its wahines, ukuleles and flower necklaces. A fusion menu with exotic influences, from wok or Thai beef carpaccio to Caesar salad, via the famous wood-fired dishes. The mixology menu is as diverse as the arm's length, and features the famous Mai Tai, a cocktail invented by the brand's creator - rum-curaçao-orchard-lemon to be sipped directly at the counter!

In the business district, everyone knows this welcoming Indian table, where you eat well and dildo. Do not dwell in front of the brown marble facade and rush to push the beautiful wooden door. Inside, the atmosphere is all the more warm as you can converse with a small glass, since the restaurant is one of the few to have a license!

We also offer lunch boxes and flat dishes.

Small restaurant with enchanting colours. The main room is located in a square of tiles. The map is equally unique, offering flavours of Orient and West. Only problem, lack of communication with servers that do not speak English. But we're here to taste everything, so…

The chain of these tex-mex restaurants has proved its worth in the Emirates and is trying to conquer the Omani market. ., pitas, grilled chicken with pepper sauce, etc. served in a cool and friendly atmosphere. The location is appreciated by the Omani youth.

A very good address where you can use mainly Turkish cuisine. Perfect establishment, you can't get wrong. Request, enter, a plate plate and a fruit cocktail.

In the bank area, away from the main street, this restaurant is well known to the business people of the corner. Very pleasant décor: beautiful stone stones forming arcades, golden chandeliers illuminating tables in small compartments. The map is abundant, only from Indian cuisine that can, rare, be tasted with wine.

Opened in 1984, Mumtaz Mahal boasts of having been voted the best Indian restaurant in the Sultanate 10 times. Perched high on the hill above Qurum Park, it offers a superb view of the city. The menu offers North Indian cuisine: chicken tikka massala, fish curry, tandoori shrimps, lobster soup with coriander... and a wide range of vegetarian dishes. During the mild season, we absolutely reserve a table on the terrace. Refined atmosphere, first class service and a world tour via the wine list.

If you have gone next to Muscat and Sohar, here is a last chance to taste the kitchen of Omar al-Khayyam. Arabic, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Continental and barbecue specialities, or more than three hundred dishes! So say that the place is discouraged with undecided!

This restaurant has already proved its worth in several cities, such as Muscat, since 1975. The interior is rather basic, with some artifices of different styles hanging on the wall: a dead nature, an Indian strip… Was it possible to mean the different origins of the contents of the plates? It does not matter, however, because the result is quite satisfactory. The eyes are closed, while still wary of spicy dishes!

Awarded several local and international prizes, this excellent restaurant benefits from the double and talented supervision of a French chef and an Indian chef. In a chic and plush setting punctuated with references to this great country with its varied cuisine, you can enjoy traditional North Indian dishes, prepared to perfection and spiced just right so as not to offend European taste buds: salads, curries, biryanis, dishes cooked in the Tandoor oven, etc. to be accompanied by the famous naan bread and saffron-scented basmati rice.

Ideally located near the Fort, Tamrah Café has an elegant front. And with good reason: Tamrah, a 100% Omani brand, was originally a luxury brand specializing in the sale of high-quality dates packed in superb boxes. More recently, it has been developing cafés in elegant surroundings, like this new Nizwa brand - one of the few alternatives in the Old City to the more traditional Al Aqr Restaurant. The menu offers a wide choice of breakfasts and some savoury dishes (risottos, pastas, salads, club sandwiches). Nice rooftop!

Unlike Aram, his beige door neighbor, Kumar's colors are dark. The style is modern, hip and a little industrial, with a waxed concrete floor and lots of black accents on the ceiling and furniture. The terrace, on the other hand, is the opposite of the dining room: an oasis of serenity on the dazzling white esplanade of the elegant House of Musical Arts. The menu features fusion/Indian cuisine from lunch to dinner, including tandoori shrimp, lamb briyani and chicken massala risotto.

Huqqa is a huge, graphic and ultra-modern building that does not leave one indifferent. Located on the waterfront in front of the marina, it occupies a vast esplanade and brings a radically contemporary note to this district of Al Mouj. The place has 2 restaurants in one: a casual space with fast food and themed evenings (DJ or Arabic music); a more chic room with an elaborate menu featuring succulent matured meats. Trendy atmosphere, neat decoration, young and nice service. Chicha space very appreciated by the locals, terrace.

The deck on stilts extends along the beach and widens into a pretty terrace open to the sea. Just walking towards the blue of the water is already a little moment of happiness that whets the appetite! The menu, light and sunny, strolls from healthy mixed salads to Asian makis, via fresh pizzas and pastas and some meat or fish dishes. It's as beautiful and good as the sea breeze that caresses the faces and this relaxed seaside atmosphere that breathes vacation! Also a nice drinks menu.

This is the intimate and confidential resto-bar of the Jumeirah Muscat Bay. In the dining room, there are cozy lounges like islands where you can share an exclusive moment with friends or as a couple. Outside, not a terrace but a romantic balcony where a few armchairs and coffee tables are reserved for a handful of privileged guests. And it's true that the view is sublime and that we like the idea of having it almost to ourselves. The menu offers makis and small chic Asian dishes to share, to be accompanied by a delicious house cocktail or a good glass of wine. Cheers!

The setting alone makes the meal. At the edge of the terrace, under a myriad of lamps, the deep mineral-blue infinity pool seems to merge with the lagoon below. This is one of the wildest and most exclusive hotel sites in the Sultanate, and since the in-house mixologist has mastered the art of marrying local and foreign flavors, we start with a cocktail! Based on fresh produce sourced wherever possible, the menu draws its inspiration from Southeast Asian cuisine, and also offers a good selection of grilled meats.

Dining at The Orchard is an original and delicious experience that takes us on a gustatory journey along the ancient caravan routes. From the Sultanate of Oman to the Arabian Peninsula, via the shores of the Mediterranean, we follow the incense routes with our taste buds, amazed by so many colors, flavors and textures. A brigade of chefs and waiters orchestrate this fabulous culinary odyssey, which begins with an astonishing hot-cold mocktail of incense, lemon, rosemary and peach, and ends on a deliciously sweet oriental note.

Samba is a family restaurant, open almost all day. At lunchtime, you can enjoy a la carte salads, sandwiches, burgers, etc., and in the evening, you can fill your belly at the buffet. As in all the big hotels of this level, a different culinary theme is proposed every day (sea buffet, meat and grilled meat, etc.), all copious and varied with the unconditional salad bar, pasta bar, chocolate fountain... Instead of the room, spacious and therefore a little impersonal, we prefer the shaded terrace near the pool.

In the heart of the Rotana Hotel and overlooking the main pool, this is THE Indo-Asian restaurant at the Hawana Marina. The atmosphere is cosy, with subdued lights, lots of woodwork and, outside, a large terrace open to the evening breeze with small tables scattered here and there, sofas, candles. A nice choice of sushi, sashimi, makis, etc., but also various curries and tandoori, kebabs, Peking duck, naan (Indian bread), and some Mediterranean dishes for the recalcitrant...

In a simple and chic contemporary setting in tune with the hotel's standing, you can enjoy the best meat of Sohar here. Notice to carnivores! The different pieces are served grilled with a sauce of your choice and an accompaniment of chips or vegetables. Also some seafood dishes for lighter appetites. Special mention for the Black Angus and its green pepper sauce or the surf and turf - a dish combining red meat and seafood. Very nice wine list and efficient service. In short, a flawless one!

Very rare in the sultanate, Kurkum is a "couture" Indian restaurant, of the "boutique" type by its size and its decoration: white from floor to ceiling, a few tables, a few photos or contemporary paintings on the walls, posters of the Fashion Week, and a little bit of terrace for the soft evenings... Modern and confidential, the place wants to be exclusive and offers a modern and refined Indian cuisine. No alcohol, but a large choice of teas to accompany the dishes. Perfect for a fine dinner with friends or lovers after a stroll in the souk

Dream setting for this restaurant facing the immense beach of Salalah. We appreciate the relaxed atmosphere for lunch, and the possibility, at your choice, to eat by the pool or feet in the sand facing the sea. In the evening, Al Mina dresses up in its best clothes and offers a more sophisticated atmosphere, with its terrace open on the water, its background music orchestrated by local bands, and the shisha break afterwards. The menu is Mediterranean inspired, with a taste of Italy, Spain and Greece. Nice wine list.

Sitting on a deck on stilts in the middle of the marina, partly in the open air and with nice lounge areas, it is the favourite restaurant-bar of expatriates and residents of the area, taken by storm on weekends for parties with DJs. International, relaxed and festive atmosphere, like nowhere else in Dhofar outside of the hotels. Good cocktails, fine wine list, simple but well prepared dishes... In short: an island of coolness.

Inspired by the architecture of a tower on the Musandam Peninsula, Al Qalaa is THE signature restaurant of the Palace of the Mountains. Here, there is a soft oriental refinement: a warm atmosphere worthy of the Thousand and One Nights, red armchairs, moucharabiehs to partition the space, oriental lanterns in cascades, dimmed lights.... The menu, inspired by Arabic, places particular emphasis on traditional Omani recipes, revisited with local products from the surrounding farms and the Arabian Sea. Exceptional wine list

This restaurant is located right at the foot of Zaki Hotel Apartment and is very popular with locals, a sure sign of quality. Come here to eat, but also for the atmosphere, the meetings, the kindness of the staff... The menu is international and very varied with perhaps a predilection for Indian cuisine, but you can also find grilled fish, hummus or burgers. Beware of the sometimes very spicy dishes for sensitive people. No fuss, but excellent value for money. A safe address in Sur!

It is a beautiful and large covered terrace in front of the sea, where locals and tourists mingle happily at any time of the day. On the menu, copious plates with fresh fish of the day that you choose directly at the counter and that the chef serves cooked, in sauce, or simply grilled with French fries and vegetables, you can also find the famous "mix grill", salads, excellent kebabs... Live music on weekends, and for the attention of joggers and morning walkers, Twins Turkish Cuisine also offers breakfast.

This recently opened café is a haven of peace. Located in the elegant inner courtyard of the Galleria Opera, its shaded terrace opens onto the bright white of the House of Musical Arts. The interior is calm and soothing, and distills a muted atmosphere through a cameo of soft, natural tones. The menu is designed to offer a varied and balanced diet with breakfasts, a few sandwiches and mixed salads, and dishes served as tapas to share: truffle or pesto pasta, grilled lamb...

Chic yet friendly, Chow Mee is the Asian restaurant of the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah resort: a pleasant melting pot of cuisines from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. The concept is theatrical and visual, with chefs putting on a show in their open kitchen. It's all flambé, it's all toasty, and with the savory spices wafting from the woks and stoves, it's almost like being in the vibrant atmosphere of an Asian street market! From kitchen to plate, the focus is on fresh produce.

Aagan means courtyard and evokes a warm and hospitable place to share food with family and friends. And so it is with this chic Indian gourmet table in one of Muscat's finest palaces, whose menu has been designed by the highly acclaimed chef Rohit Ghai - a Michelin-starred chef at the helm of a leading London restaurant. He revisits and "dusts off" traditional Indian dishes with a contemporary twist that energizes the flavors! Wide choice of dishes à la carte and several menus - food and wine pairings available.

It is one of the very first restaurants to have opened in Khasab, so let's talk about a "classic". Longevity rhyming with regularity, the quality of the dishes is assured even for a banal burger. In truth, one comes especially for the grilled fish, served fresh of the day according to the fishing. The lobster is therefore seasonal. Impossible to fight against the white neon lights inside, so we sit quietly at one of the few tables on the sidewalk, satisfied to have located one of the only dining terraces of the Musandamian capital.

It's more than a simple Italian restaurant, it's now a beach club with a nice outdoor bar in light wood, a large shaded terrace and above all 2 beautiful pools decorated with sofas and cushions to lounge in the sun. The atmosphere is relaxed and trendy, but also family oriented. Themed evenings are offered, DJ, karaoke, board games... As far as gastronomy is concerned, you will find all the classics of Italian cuisine, but also seafood platters, lobster pasta... as well as a nice cocktail and wine list!

This is a unique opportunity to walk through the mausoleum of the super-luxury hotel and discover, from the terrace, the manicured gardens, this long stretch of water directly opposite, the nobility of the palm trees and the aristocracy of the lawn. The menu is "simpler" than the setting and offers pizzas, pasta, salads, grilled meat or fish and some Omani dishes. One will rather let oneself be tempted by the palette of flavours of the buffet before prolonging the meal with a walk to the beach, which seems more like a postcard setting than a child of nature?

On the beach, the fishermen's village stretches between the souk and the archaeological site of Al Balid in the east. A preserved framework, very strong and simple cultural images. A few kilometers from the Concrete centre of Salalah, in light years, the backwash gives the tempo to play the domino. At the end of the day, when the sun goes. Unavoidable.

Lacking a Western atmosphere? Phew, the Oasis Club is here! To reach this place of festivities, friendly and very busy, we will have crossed the port area. Planted on a hillock, with a terrace overlooking a beach embedded between two cliffs, the place is much more than a restaurant and is a landmark for expats in the area. While the kids play, the parents play pool or bowling, eat and drink, surrounded by sports screens. There is also a swimming pool, tennis court, playground and a few villas for rent.