Muscat is the capital of Oman, a low-rise coastal city of white buildings set between the Gulf of Oman and the rugged Hajar Mountains. Its old harbour district of Mutrah, the vast Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House and a string of quiet beaches make it one of the Gulf's most relaxed and culturally rooted capitals.
Muscat's cooking blends Omani tradition with Indian Ocean, Persian, East African and South Asian influences. Shuwa (lamb or goat marinated in spices, wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked underground for a day or more) is the national celebration dish, served with spiced rice, alongside harees (wheat and meat porridge), mashuai (grilled kingfish with lemon rice), majboos and arsiya. Meals finish with Omani halwa and kahwa (cardamom coffee) with dates. Seafood is excellent and cheap at Mutrah, Indian and Pakistani food dominates Ruwi, and the beachfront Shatti Al Qurum district has the widest choice of cafes. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel venues, so most restaurants are alcohol-free.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Muscat.
Shuwa
Spice-marinated lamb or goat slow-cooked for many hours in an underground oven, served with rice
Where to try: Al Angham / Bait Al Luban / Ubhar
Price: OMR 6-12 (approx USD 16-31)
Harees
Slow-cooked wheat and chicken or meat porridge, a ceremonial Omani staple
Where to try: Bait Al Luban / Al Angham
Price: OMR 3-6 (approx USD 8-16)
Mashuai
Grilled whole kingfish served over saffron or lemon rice
Where to try: Ubhar / Mutrah Fish Market stalls
Price: OMR 4-8 (approx USD 10-21)
Omani Halwa
Sticky, saffron- and rosewater-scented sweet made with sugar, ghee and nuts, eaten with kahwa
Where to try: Mutrah Souq halwa shops
Price: OMR 2-5 per box (approx USD 5-13)
Mishkak
Marinated skewered beef, chicken or lamb grilled over charcoal, sold roadside in the evening
Where to try: Roadside stalls and food trucks in Seeb and Al Khuwair
Price: About OMR 1 per portion (approx USD 2.60)
Balaleet
Sweet vermicelli with cardamom and saffron topped with a fried egg, an Omani breakfast dish
Where to try: Mama Halima's Kitchen / NANA's Restaurant
Price: OMR 2-4 (approx USD 5-10)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Omani And International
Chinese
Indian
Japanese
Mediterranean
Omani Cafe
Food tours & tastings in Muscat
Eat your way through Muscat with a guide.
Browse food experiences in MuscatWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Mishkak
Charcoal-grilled marinated meat skewers sold from roadside stalls and food trucks in the evenings
Find it at: Seeb and Al Khuwair roadsides; busy junctions after sunset
Karak Tea
Strong, milky, cardamom-spiced tea sold from drive-through windows and small booths
Find it at: Citywide; tea kiosks along Mutrah Corniche
Samosas, Pakoras and Kachori
Fried Indian-style snacks from stalls at the edge of the souq
Find it at: Mutrah Souq
Shawarma
Beef or chicken wraps from small stands at the market edges
Find it at: Mutrah Souq / Ruwi
Biryani and Curry Plates
Low-cost South Asian rice and curry plates from small restaurants
Find it at: Ruwi
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mutrah Fish Market
Waterfront market along the Mutrah Corniche where the overnight catch is sold; best by 7AM, with grilled-fish stalls nearby
Hours: Early morning, best before 7AM
Mutrah Souq
One of the oldest markets in the Arab world: halwa shops, spices, dates, frankincense and snack stalls; cash is advisable
Hours: Daily about 9AM-1PM and 4PM-9PM
Seeb Market
Market north of Muscat International Airport with a lively seafood section, busiest in the morning
Hours: Morning is busiest
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel restaurants and bars; standalone restaurants are alcohol-free
Lunch runs about 12:30-3PM and dinner from about 8PM; many Omani restaurants close mid-afternoon
Shuwa is often available only on set days or by advance reservation because of the long cooking time
Ramadan: restaurants are closed or screened during daylight hours and open after sunset for iftar
A 5% service charge and 5% VAT are commonly added in hotel restaurants; tip about 10% elsewhere if no service charge applies
Eat with the right hand; kahwa and dates are offered as a welcome and it is polite to accept at least one cup
Cash in OMR is useful at the souq, fish market and street stalls; larger restaurants accept cards
Use the Careem or Oman Taxi (OTaxi) app to reach restaurants in Qurum and Al Khuwair, as the city is spread out and not walkable between districts
- Vegetarian
- Good options at Indian restaurants in Ruwi and Mutrah, plus mezze, ful medames, hummus and cafe menus in Qurum
- Halal
- All meat is halal; pork is served only in some hotel venues, and is labelled
- Gluten free
- Limited at traditional restaurants (rice-based Omani dishes are often naturally gluten-free); cafes in Shatti Al Qurum offer gluten-free choices
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | OMR 2-5 per meal (approx USD 5-13) | Shawarma, biryani plates, mishkak and karak tea in Ruwi, Mutrah and Seeb |
| Mid-range | OMR 8-20 per meal (approx USD 21-52) | Omani restaurants and cafes in Qurum, Al Khuwair and Mutrah |
| Upscale | OMR 25-60 per meal (approx USD 65-156) | Hotel fine dining at Al Bustan Palace and W Muscat, with licensed bars |