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$ | Al Khuwair |
Cars queue in front of this little café from morning (opening time is 8 am) until closing (around midnight). Honking horns draw over waiters from the shop, who bring over cups of the local specialty karak, a spiced tea sweetened with creamy condensed milk, and paper-thin Omani bread smeared with savory cheese and egg or sweets like Nutella or honey, to customers in idling cars and those seated at the scattering of tables out front. In the evening, when the temperature cools down, groups of men gather here before and after going to prayers at the adjacent mosque, and though groups of ladies are rare, all are welcome at the friendly shop. There are similar karak shops beside gas stations and on roadsides throughout the city, but this is by far the best one. Try the zataar karak, made with wild thyme or the "special" mixed spice karak alongside an order of paper-thin Omani bread stuffed with egg, cheese, and "Chips Oman."
Thaqafah St., Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri.
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Traditional Omani restaurants are few and far between, and this one gives a rare introduction to the regional specialties in a traditional setting. The menu offers a huge range of dishes, like slow-cooked meats with fragrant spices served with boiled wheat, along with fish dishes, super-sweet desserts, and the rich cardamom flavored coffee served with dates to end the meal. There are four branches in Salalah, two on 23 July Street.
23 July St., Salalah, Zufar, Oman
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This small shop offers the traditional Omani snack and breakfast foods: creamy sweet karak tea and crisp Omani bread stuffed with egg and cheese.
Bidiyah Main St., Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
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On the new corniche, across from the Sur Beach Holiday Resort, this small takeaway karak shop makes delicious, paper-thin Omani bread stuffed with savory fillings like egg and cream cheese, or sweet combinations like honey and cheese or Nutella, along with the namesake beverage, a milky tea sweetened with condensed milk and spiced with lemongrass, cardamom, and ginger. Just pull up front and honk; someone will come to your car to take your order.
Way 411, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
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This small takeaway tea shop at the base of Jabal Akhdar is a great place to stop for breakfast on your way back to Nizwa after a night camping on the mountain or to grab a snack before making the ascent. You can get karak, a tea sweetened with creamy condensed milk and spiced with cardamom and ginger, as well as crisp Omani bread stuffed with savory combinations like cheese and egg, or sweet combinations like honey and cheese.
Rte. 21, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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One of the best dining options in the Dakhiliyah region is the massive Lulu Hypermarket in Nizwa. The prepared foods counter offers all manner of Indian delicacies, grilled and fried chicken, rice dishes, fresh baked breads, and cold salads. There are countless scenic places to picnic after stocking up on food and beverages at Lulu, and the quality of the food is superior to almost all the restaurants in the area.
Izki-Faraq Rd., near Rte. 31, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
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$$$ | Shatti Qurm |
Cloistered in the ministries district, just behind the U.S. Amassador's villa, Marina Café sits directly on the beach, its glass walls offering unobstructed views of the Gulf of Oman and a small, palm-lined park. The casual menu has a strong Lebanese bent, with shawarma plates and mezze, along with typical café fare, from a fried seafood basket to club sandwiches and burgers. The fresh juices, teas, and sheesha coupled with the views and relaxed atmosphere are draw enough to make this a destination for a leisurely afternoon or evening, but the food is also of good quality, if not a bit expensive for what it is. Free Wi-Fi is available, and during the cooler months there is also an outdoor seaside patio. Due to a change in Omani smoking laws, children under the age of 12 are no longer allowed in the main dining room where sheesha is offered, but there is a smoke-free family dining area, and during the winter months, the patio is open to all.
3048 Way, Muscat, Masqat, Oman
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Overlooking the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, this poolside restaurant offers a wide international selection of dishes, including a good BLT (with real pork bacon), fish-and-chips, rack of lamb, Indian curries, and all manner of local grilled seafood options, along with cocktails, wine, and beer. At breakfast time, the main draw is the full English breakfast. The relaxing seaside location, free pool access, liquor license, and menu of Western comfort foods make this a charming oasis for those craving a taste of home.
Al Saidiya St., Masqat, Oman
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This nameless café next to the petrol station when you first enter the township of Bidiyah is pretty much the only real restaurant in town. Most people bring their own provisions to barbecue in the desert, or they rely on the meals provided by the luxury camps where they are staying, but if you find yourself in need of a quick meal, this place will do the trick. The food, basic South Asian fare and rice dishes, is nothing special, but it is decent enough for a breakfast or lunch on the way in or out of town. The chana masala and lentils are good, and the paratha bread is the one thing they do really well.
Rte. 23, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
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This small takeaway shop offers a few scattered tables and chairs out front and a wide variety of freshly squeezed juices, including watermelon, mango, and lime-mint. As with most juice shops in Oman, sugar will be added unless you request otherwise, so if you aren't in the mood for a super-sweet beverage, but sure to ask. You can also get fruit salad with huge chunks of fresh-cut pineapple, passion fruit, mango, and more, depending on the season, served in a large plastic cup topped with optional whipped cream. As with other takeaways in Oman, you can simply park out front and honk your horn for car-side service. The beach is across the street, with covered gazebo seating farther down the strip, offering a much more scenic place to enjoy your order than the parking lot of the shop.
Way 411, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
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At the end of the Corniche, directly across the bay from the Al Ayjah watch tower, this small coffee stand serves milky tea, cardamon-scented Omani coffee, Nescafé, and freshly fried lequimat, a popular Omani dessert of fried balls of dough soaked in simple syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. In the evenings a small steamer is set up in front of the shop, from which is served sweet corn kernels that are tossed with butter, chili, and lime and served in Styrofoam cups. It is a great place to grab a snack to go before taking a walk down the seaside street.
Sur Corniche, Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman
