As the capital of Oman, it’s no surprise that Muscat’s foodie scene is so deliciously diverse. Reflecting its long history as a major port connecting the East and West for thousands of years, Omani cuisine can best be described as a fusion of Arab, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Asian, Eastern Mediterranean and African cuisines. Fragrant curries and stews flavoured with rich spices and herbs are staples in Oman as is the excellent quality of fresh seafood. If you’re planning a trip to Muscat, these are the foodie spots you need to get on your radar, stat.
FROM THE SEA
Before discovering oil in 1964, Oman’s economy was heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing, so it’s no surprise that fresh seafood is an Omani speciality. Located in the heart of Muttrah, one of the largest harbours in the region, Muttrah Fish Market is where Spinneys Oman sources its fish from, with our dedicated fish buyer heading there daily at 4 am to get his hands on the freshest offerings possible.
And for a taste of excellent seafood, Turkish House (don’t let the name deceive you – this Omani hotspot serves up some of the best locally caught seafood in the city) is well worth a visit. Start with a selection of mixed dips before digging into beautifully grilled juicy prawns and the catch-of-the-day. Fresh fish aside, don’t miss out on the sweet melon juice. Naturally sweet melon flesh blended with ice and served inside a melon, this refreshing treat will leave you wanting more. @turkishhouse.restaurant
OLD-SCHOOL FAVOURITES
Part of Muscat’s charm is the number of ‘if you know, you know’ – type restaurants dotted throughout the city. And a perfect example of this obscurity is Al-Ahli Restaurant, better known as Adam’s (Al Bahri Road; +968 9572 4166) to the locals. Just a stone’s throw away from Muttrah Corniche (look for the arches – or better yet, head to spinneys.com for the Google pin), the unassuming side-street eatery is famed for its menu of hearty home-style dishes. Given Oman and India’s close connection that can be traced back 5,000 years, it’s no surprise that highlights include the soupy dal and fragrant lamb stew (take our word for it and order a side of freshly baked tandoori bread to mop up all the rich goodness).
“What? You went to Cheese & Jam?!” was the most common response we received when telling Oman foodies that we paid hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop Cheese & Jam (near Al Alam Fire Station; +968 9915 6520) a visit. Operating for over 40 years as a family-run busi-ness passed down through three generations, the key to its deep-rooted success is unsurpris-ingly the moreish cheese and jam sandwiches – a taste of childhood nostalgia wedged be-tween two slices of crust-free white bread. And don’t miss out on the equally delicious Chips Oman and cream cheese variation. So simple. So good.
TRADITIONAL
While we try to avoid ‘touristy’ haunts as much as possible when on a foodie expedition, Bait Al Luban (which translates to ‘home of frankincense’) offers a unique insight into Oman’s diverse culinary influences. Omani hospitality takes centre stage as we step into the ornately decorated space, decked out with dark woods and traditional ornaments. The menu com-bines flavours picked from the path taken by Omani travellers during their years of trading, stretching from East Africa to India. The saloonat rubyan (Omani prawns in a creamy coconut broth) is a highlight as is the complimentary frankincense-infused water. Al Mina Street, Mut-trah Corniche; @bait_al_luban (+968 2471 1842)
SOMETHING SPECIAL
For a truly special evening, Sultanah at Shangri-La Al Husn oozes elegance. With endless views across the Arabian Sea (visit at sunset and you won’t regret it) and helmed by chef Gregory Lymperopoulos, the chic spot proudly uses as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. From Salalah chicken to baby spinach grown nearby – local produce is at the heart of its re-fined Mediterranean-inspired menu. Based on recommendations, we opted for frankincense-smoked chicken. Referred to by Omanis as the ‘elixir of life’, frankincense is as much a part of Oman’s rich culture and heritage as is fi shing and seafood, and smoking the chicken with the aromatic resin leaves the bird tasting sweet, smoky and deliciously intriguing. Sultanah, Shan-gri-La Al Husn; @shangrilaalhusn (+968 2477 6565)
Omani art at Turkish House
Chef Abdullah Al Lawati
THE ONE TO WATCH
On our visit, we were lucky enough to nab a table at Japanese hotspot Takara for a pop-up dining experience in collaboration with self-taught Omani chef Abdullah Al Lawati. The even-ing saw Al Lawati combine the flavours of Japan and Oman.
“I’ve always been fond of Asian food, especially Japanese cuisine. When designing the menu, I tried to combine my favourite dishes from both countries, adding a unique twist and merg-ing the powerful flavours of Oman with the delicate flavours of Japan,” he explained.
Highlights included Japanese-style onigiri stuffed with loomi-spiced shrimp, spiced lamb gyoza and matcha panna cotta with khabeesa, saffron and pistachio.
“The food scene here is continuously evolving and locals are more open to experiencing new flavours. Nowadays you can find food events, pop-ups, and kitchen takeovers with people lin-ing up to try and book a spot,” he adds.
Follow Abdullah on Instagram @amjs.cooks to find out when his next pop-up is taking place. Takara, InterContinental Muscat; @takaramuscat (+968 2206 000)
Dina Macki of Dine with Dina
Mohamed Al Asfoor and Fajer Redha Hussain of Munching with M&F
FOODIES TO FOLLOW
Dina Macki
Better known as ‘Dine with Dina’, Macki knows a thing or two about food. The self-taught chef, blogger, recipe developer, entrepreneur and now vlogger was born and raised in the UK to an Omani and Zanzibari family and her diverse upbringing is evident in her unique crea-tions. Dina’s food is heavily infl uenced by her Omani heritage, allowing her to merge the best of Asian spices with the colours of Iran, home comforts of the Middle East and Africa along with the delicate touch of the West.
@dinewithdina
Hina Surti
For a dose of sugary goodness, Hina’s page will have you drooling. From perfect pastries to elaborately decorated cakes, indulgent cookies, pillowy bakes and more, her page is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. And for an added dose of sweetness, her Pomsky (Pomerani-anmeets- Siberian Husky) Pita also makes regular appearances. Desserts and dogs? Yes, please.
@hinasurti
Mohamed Al Asfoor and Fajer Redha Hussain
Foodie couple Mohamed and Fajer (AKA Munching with M&F) love nothing more than munch-ing their way through life together. From dining out at some of Muscat’s newest spots to ex-ploring hidden gems and cooking up a storm at home, their Instagram page will evoke serious hunger pangs. Don’t say we didn’t warn you...
@munching.mf
Omar Al Zidjali
Follow filmmaker and photographer Omar on TikTok for humour-packed food content. Oman’s best sandwich? Check. The best shawarma in Oman? He’s found that, too. A sandwich packed with Chips Oman, peanut butter, za’atar, hot sauce and hot dogs? You get the picture…
tik-tok.com/@omarzidjali
