20 Best Places to Eat in Oman: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Omani cuisine is a rich reflection of the country's historic maritime trade routes, blending Arabian flavors with Indian, Persian, and East African influences. Characterized by aromatic spices like cardamom, saffron, turmeric, and dried lime, dining in Oman ranges from grand traditional banquets served on floor cushions to seaside seafood grills and modern fine dining in Muscat.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

Shuwa: Slow-roasted marinated lamb or goat marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked in an underground sand oven for up to 24 hours.
Majboos (Makboos): A fragrant basmati rice dish cooked with cardamom, cloves, and saffron, topped with spiced chicken, lamb, or fresh fish.
Omani Halwa: A sweet gelatinous dessert made from starch, ghee, caramelized sugar, rosewater, cardamom, and frankincense, served with Omani coffee (Kahwa).
Mashuai: Whole spit-roasted kingfish served alongside savory lemon and rice seasonings.
Harees: A comforting, savory wheat porridge slow-cooked with tender meat and topped with ghee.

20 Best Places to Eat in Oman

1. Bait Al Luban

Cuisine: Traditional Authentic Omani Fine Dining
Location: Muttrah Corniche, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Omani Shuwa served with Rice and Frankincense Water
About the Place: Set inside a restored heritage home overlooking Muttrah harbor, famous for authentic Omani recipes served in a traditional atmosphere scented with frankincense.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bait Al Luban

2. Kargeen Caffe

Cuisine: Middle Eastern & Omani Open-Air Dining
Location: Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Mixed Arabian Grill and Omani Shuwa Platter
About the Place: An enchanting garden restaurant decorated with wrought-iron lamps, wooden canopy seats, and lush greenery, serving delicious traditional grills.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Kargeen Caffe

3. The Beach Restaurant at The Chedi Muscat

Cuisine: High-End Fine Dining Seafood
Location: Al Azaiba, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Pan-Seared Local Sea Bass & Shellfish Platter
About the Place: An award-winning luxury beachfront venue offering 300-meter outdoor dining along the Gulf of Oman alongside fine seafood creations.
Explore More: Read our full guide to The Beach Restaurant at The Chedi

4. Bin Ateeq

Cuisine: Traditional Omani Comfort Food
Location: Muscat & Salalah
Must-Try Dish: Omani Chicken Majboos and Halwa
About the Place: The pioneer of traditional floor-seating Omani dining rooms, offering a truly authentic local culinary experience across multiple cities.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bin Ateeq

5. Dukhan Al Janoob

Cuisine: Traditional Dhofari Grill
Location: Salalah, Dhofar
Must-Try Dish: Camel Meat Muttathba (Stone-Grilled Camel)
About the Place: Famous in Southern Oman for preparing traditional Dhofari stone-cooked meats, tender grilled camel, and local coconut water drinks.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Dukhan Al Janoob

6. Maroosh Restaurant

Cuisine: Lebanese & Middle Eastern Grills
Location: Central Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Shish Taouk and Fresh Hummus with Shawarma
About the Place: A popular local hub for delicious, fast-casual Middle Eastern grills, freshly baked flatbreads, and aromatic garlic sauces.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Maroosh Restaurant

7. Rozna Restaurant

Cuisine: Heritage Omani Architecture & Feast
Location: Al Ansab, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Royal Omani Shuwa and Camel Biryani
About the Place: Built like a grand mud-brick Omani fortress, offering dramatic interior fortress dining chambers and authentic traditional banquets.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Rozna Restaurant

8. Al Angham Restaurant

Cuisine: Royal Omani Fine Dining
Location: Royal Opera House Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Harees with Truffle and Omani Lobster Majboos
About the Place: Situated inside the Royal Opera House, providing opulent fine dining amidst hand-carved wooden ceilings, silver tableware, and live Oud music.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Al Angham Restaurant

9. Ubhar Restaurant

Cuisine: Modern Omani Fusion
Location: Bareeq Al Shatti, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Camel Burger and Frankincense Ice Cream
About the Place: Blends traditional Omani flavors with modern culinary presentation, famous for creative desserts like frankincense-infused ice cream.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Ubhar Restaurant

10. Sur Sea Restaurant

Cuisine: Coastal Omani Seafood
Location: Sur
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Kingfish with Lemon Garlic Sauce
About the Place: A local coastal seafood eatery in Sur serving catches delivered straight from traditional fishing boats into wood-fired grills.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Sur Sea Restaurant

11. Turkish House Restaurant

Cuisine: Turkish & Fresh Seafood Grill
Location: Al Khuwair, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Charcoal-Grilled Hammour and Fresh Mezze
About the Place: A beloved Muscat dining institution renowned for selecting fresh local fish from display counters and grilling them over open charcoal pits.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Turkish House Restaurant

12. Sense on the Edge

Cuisine: Fine Dining Mountain Fusion
Location: Six Senses Zighy Bay, Musandam
Must-Try Dish: Multi-Course Chef's Mountain Tasting Menu
About the Place: Perched 293 meters above the Gulf of Oman on a mountain cliff, offering dramatic evening tasting menus under starlit skies.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Sense on the Edge

13. Al Fanar Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Omani / Middle Eastern
Location: Salalah, Dhofar
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Lobster Curry and Omani Bread (Rghag)
About the Place: Scenic coastal restaurant offering traditional Dhofari hospitality, fresh Arabian Sea catches, and traditional flatbreads.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Al Fanar Restaurant

14. BaBan Restaurant

Cuisine: Chinese & Pan-Asian
Location: W Muscat, Shati Al Qurum
Must-Try Dish: Crispy Peking Duck and Dim Sum Platter
About the Place: A stylish venue inside W Muscat celebrating Chinese culinary arts with artful interiors and vibrant coastal city views.
Explore More: Read our full guide to BaBan Restaurant

15. Al Aqar Old House Cafe

Cuisine: Traditional Heritage Snacks & Kahwa
Location: Nizwa Old Town
Must-Try Dish: Omani Halwa with Cardamom Coffee (Kahwa)
About the Place: Set inside a lovingly restored mud-brick home near Nizwa Fort, offering shady rooftop courtyard seating and traditional Omani coffee.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Al Aqar Old House Cafe

16. Mekha Cafe & Restaurant

Cuisine: Yemeni & Arabian Peninsula Specialties
Location: Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Tender Lamb Mandi with Spiced Rice
About the Place: Famous for slow-cooked clay-pot Mandi meats that slide off the bone, served over fragrant long-grain rice platters.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mekha Restaurant

17. Tosca Restaurant

Cuisine: Italian Fine Dining
Location: Al Bustan Palace, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Handmade Truffle Tagliatelle and Wood-Fired Seafood
About the Place: Set inside the iconic Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace, serving elegant Italian dishes along seaside garden terraces.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tosca Restaurant

18. Bait Al Ajaib Cafe

Cuisine: Heritage Cafe & Light Omani Bites
Location: Misfat Al Abriyeen
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Date Cake with Cardamom Tea
About the Place: A peaceful village roof-terrace cafe looking directly over the lush green palm canyons of Misfat Al Abriyeen.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bait Al Ajaib Cafe

19. Charcoal Skewer Grill

Cuisine: Middle Eastern Street Kebabs
Location: Muttrah, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Spiced Mishkak (Omani Meat Skewers)
About the Place: The perfect spot to taste Mishkak—Omani street-food skewers of marinated beef or chicken grilled over red-hot coals and dripped with tamarind sauce.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Charcoal Skewer Grill

20. Sultanah Restaurant

Cuisine: Cruise-Ship Style International & Mediterranean
Location: Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat
Must-Try Dish: Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Saffron Risotto
About the Place: Designed like a luxury cruise liner looking out across the Gulf of Oman, offering sophisticated international dining options.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Sultanah Restaurant

Featured Image

Traditional Omani Shuwa & Spiced Rice Feast