Oman Restaurant Tips by victorwkf Top 5 Page for this destination

Buffet at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat

The buffet at the cafe located at the basement of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Muscat (Qurum area) is a very good experience with delicious food and a very good ambience. It cost about 8 Omani rial per person, and there are many variety of food ranging from western, local and nice desserts as well. After the buffet, you can walk outside and have a beautiful view of the Qurum area, sea and surrounding mountains since the hotel is on top of a small hill.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Buffet

Kargeen Cafe (at Madinat As Sultan Qaboos Complex)

The Kargeen Cafe at Madinat As Sultan Qaboos Complex (in Muscat) is one of Oman's finest restaurant with a very good ambience of the old world charm. This is essentially a coffee shop with delicious food such as samboosa, Kargeen salad, New Orleans steak etc. Many locals eat at this place, especially at night and smoking sheeshas can also be seen in this place. I had a good dinner with Mr Virgil Williams (VT member DesertRat) and his wife Myra at this place during my visit in Jan 2005.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

The pink coloured drink at Mutrah Souq

When you are entering the famous Mutrah Souq in Muscat at the entrance of the Cornicle, there is a stall selling various drinks (see photo) and one of them is a pink coloured drink (cannot remember the name). This looks like a drink we have in Singapore called "Bandung" which is a mixture of rose syrup and milk, but the taste is slightly different but nice. You should try it when you are visiting the souq, especially on a hot day.

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

You must try the Halwa !

The Halwa is a very famous dessert in Oman which the locals love to eat, and many overseas visitors buy back to their home. Essentially, it is a paste which is made from sugar, water and some spices with cashew nuts on the top. The taste is very good (though it does not look appetising) and it can be stored for very long time. Best of all, it can be brought onto the plane all the way back to your own country. The cost of one plate of Halwa ranges from 4-20 Omani rials.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Chicken, mutton or fish branyani

One of the cheap and filling local food to take in Oman is the chicken, fish or mutton branyani at the local Indian restaurants which are found in various towns of Oman. It comes with a large plate of brayani rice (with spices), curry and either chicken, fish or mutton. The average price per plate is about 1-3 omani rials.

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local