12 Best Restaurants in Oman

Celebrity chef Issa al Lamki opened Al Mandoos, and though it has since changed ownership, the food still bears his elegant touch, with authentic Omani dishes made with the freshest ingredients and modern twists, like his shorbat harees, a traditional crushed wheat soup, enlived here with tender whole wheatberries in a rich lamb stock. It is the best place to get a taste of local specialties like madroobah, a delicious spiced rice and vegetable mash topped with crisp-skinned chicken, fried fish, or malleh, a dish of saltfish, lime, and onion served over rice. Though unassumingly set on a quiet suburban side street, the interior is a suprisingly chic space decorated with traditional Omani textiles.

Tucked away behind a strip mall in the posh Madinat Sultan Qaboos neighborhood, this popular restaurant is a tranquil place to spend the evening dining on Arabic and local specialties, sipping on an infused tea from their extensive beverage menu, or to have sheesha. The garden, softly lit with hanging lanterns, is ideal in the cool evenings. Though the huge menu features everything from Arabic mixed grill to pasta, they also serve a great version of the Omani specialty shuwa, lamb rubbed with spices and oil then slow-cooked over embers in an underground pit overnight. Their za'atar bread is also fantastic, and it is one of the only places around where you can sample infusions of simmered cinnamon bark, ginger, or clove. The service is unbelievably slow, so this is not the place for a quick bite; be prepared to have a long, leisurely meal.

Al Angham impresses with opulence, both in its design and on your plate. The high-ceilinged dining room is adorned with intricately carved wooden details, including Arabesque arches and artfully chosen, modern Omani touches that mimic the grand design of the Opera House. The extensive menu features traditional regional Omani dishes artfully presented in delicate portions, either à la cart or as part of several tasting menus. This is a favorite lunch spot for government officials and business leaders with big expense accounts, who want to offer visting guests some local flavor and a sophisticated of environment. It may be the most expensive alcohol-free restaurant in Oman.

At the northern end of the Mutrah Corniche, the exquisitely designed "House of Frankincense" offers diners a taste of authentic Omani dishes, including grilled beef, chicken, and squid mishkak skewers;harees (a savory porridge of chicken or meat slow-cooked with wheatberries and spices, topped with fried onions and ghee); and rice kabulis (flavourful basmati pilaf cooked with whole cardamom pods, cinnamon bark, ground cumin, corriander, and other spices), along with local seafood from the nearby fish market and modern inventions like shuwa (Omani slow-cooked meat) lasagna. The tranquil dining area features traditional dark, carved wood accents and colorful Omani pillows and tapestries, and the sound of Arabian oud music plays softly in the background. A few small tables on the balcony overlooking the Corniche are a romantic option during cooler months.

This well-known franchise serves Omani cuisine in a no-frills environments the traditional way: on large silver trays set down on the floor of a private dining area. The shuwa, a local celebration dish of spicy, pit-roasted lamb served on a mound of rice with a tangy tomato salsa on the side, is particularly good. Steer clear of the seafood, as the inexpensive restaurant does not always source the best or the freshest catch.

This simple café is the only dining establishment for miles around, and it serves up good fresh juice and an inexpensive buffet lunch featuring a hodgepodge of dishes and several types of rice.

This ramshakle takeaway restaurant on a busy street in the business district of Ruwi is appropriately named, as it turns out the best falafels in town. Hot chickpea patties are served straight out of the fryer so their outer crust is crisp while the interiors are moist and well-seasoned. The hummus is thick and tahini-heavy, providing a perfectly rich dip for the sandwiches and fries. Traditionally, lunch is the main meal of the day in Oman, consisting of a rice and main, and dinner consists of sandwiches or other lighter fare, so in keeping with that routine, this restaurant is only open in the evening. Though there are a few tables and chairs out front, the view of the freeway is less than idyllic, so it is best to take your order to go.

Just off the freeway, surrounded by undeveloped construction sights, this tiny restaurant doesn't even have tables and chairs. Go inside and order a platter of mandi, saffron-tinged Yemeni-style rice, and the house specialty, camel meat. Then take a seat on one of the woven mats set outside the building. Within minutes you will be presented with a silver tray mounded with yellow rice and a smaller tray of caramelized meat and onions. Expertly prepared, the delicacy is meltingly tender with a richer flavor than beef and less gamey than lamb, This is the idea place for adventurous diners who want to try the best possible version of this Arabian Gulf delicacy.

There are many small tea shops in and around the Mutrah souk offering fried Omanized Indian snacks like sambusa, small triangles stuffed with mildly spiced chicken or cabbage and potato, and kachori, chili-laced potato puffs, along with soft drinks, juices, and sweet milk tea. Two particular vendors rise above the rest. One is the first shop on the left as you enter the souk from the Corniche, and the other is on the backside, on the left as you exit the interior of the market. The snacks cost only a few baisa and are a wonderful with a splash of hot sauce, available upon request. (The souk closes from 1 to 4:30 daily.)

This simple restaurant is one of the best places to enjoy the traditional Yemeni dish called mandi, which consists of lamb or chicken set atop a pot of simmering spiced rice; it's wildly popular in Oman. Upon entering, you will be shown to a private room strewn with cushions. Remove your shoes and take a seat. When the waiter returns, you need only tell him whether you want chicken or meat. Once you've ordered, head to the back of the restaurant to wash your hands, which will also be your utinsils for this meal. By the time you return, a large silver tray mounded with saffron-yellow rice and crowned with tender chicken or lamb will likely be waiting for you along with mild, tomato-based Yemeni salsa and some fresh chopped vegetables and limes. Eat your meal the traditional Gulf Arabrian way, using your right hand to take a small peice of meat and a pinch (or a handful) of rice. Be sure to take a complimentary cup of sweet Yemeni tea on your way out.

On the outskirts of town, this popular, ramshackle restaurant serves typical local rice dishes in the traditional way, on the floor of private family rooms, on big metal trays. The biryani, consisting of rice studded with dried fruit served with pan-seared local chicken is a tasty option, and the fish of the day, usually pan-fried kingfish, is a good option as well.