Oman’s food scene is full of unique flavors you won’t want to miss. Try Shuwa, the national dish, where lamb or goat is slow-cooked underground for up to 48 hours. For a rice dish, Majboos is a must, made with saffron, black lime, and your choice of meat or seafood. Don’t forget dessert; Omani Halwa, a sticky, nutty treat made with rosewater and saffron, is the perfect sweet finish.
So if you’re looking for the best things to do in Oman, eating your way through the country should definitely be at the top of your list. If you’re planning to explore Oman’s culinary treasures, consider renting a car to make the most of your trip. You can easily travel across Oman, all while enjoying the freedom to visit your favorite restaurants. So, let’s break down some of the must-try dishes that’ll give you a taste of the food in Oman.
Best Traditional Food in Oman
Omani cuisine is built on centuries of tradition, trade, and cultural fusion, resulting in a unique blend of Arabian, Indian, Persian, and East African influences. Here are the best traditional food in Oman:
- Shuwa
- Majboos
- Mashuai
- Halwa
- Harees
- Mishkak
- Madrouba
- Arsia
- Sahnat Laham
- Laban
- Salona
- Jareesh
Shuwa
Shuwa is more than just food; it’s a ritual. This dish is considered to be the most important in Oman cuisine, and it takes two days to prepare. Lamb or goat is marinated in a blend of spices, garlic, and vinegar, then wrapped in banana or palm leaves and buried in an underground sand oven.
The slow roasting process gives the meat an incredible smoky aroma, which makes it very tender. Shuwa is a symbol of Omani hospitality and is usually served during Eid and weddings. Families often gather around large communal platters, sharing big portions with saffron-infused rice.
Majboos
You can find Majboos in every Omani household. Also known as Kabsa, this rice dish is often compared to biryani (Persian dish), and is cooked with saffron, black lime, and slow-cooked meat. The spices used in this dish are cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which gives it a unique flavor.
Majboos is mainly cooked with chicken or lamb; however, you can find variations with seafood ingredients. Much like Shuwa, a big part of enjoying this dish is the communal eating and the tradition of sharing meals.
Mashuai
This is one of the elegantly simple Omani dishes. Fresh kingfish is marinated with turmeric, salt, and lemon, then grilled over an open flame and served with lemon-infused rice. The beauty of this dish is that even though it is meticulously marinated, it’s not overdone and you can feel the natural fish taste.
If you want to get the full seafood experience including Mashuai, coastal towns like Sur and Salalah should be on your list of visits.
Halwa
Halwa is a traditional sweet treat, often called Oman’s signature dessert. It is made with slow-cooking saffron, rosewater, ghee, sugar, and nuts. This dessert has a smooth, sticky texture and a rich, fragrant flavor. Cardamom and nutmeg add depth, while the ghee gives it a luxurious finish.
Halwa is often served with Qahwa, Oman’s signature spiced coffee. Passed down for generations, this delicious treat is served at almost all gatherings in Oman.
Harees
Come Ramadan time, Harees is found in every Omani household. Harees is made from wheat and slow-cooked meat, and it has a smooth, porridge-like texture that is both healthy and easy to digest. It is often served with cinnamon or sugar, and Omanis use it to sustain their fast.
Mishkak
Mishkak is the go-to food on the streets of Oman. To make Mishkak, you need to marinate skewered beef, chicken, or lamb in a mixture of garlic, turmeric, cumin, vinegar, and chili, and then grill it over open charcoal fires.
The result is a juicy, smoky, and slightly spicy dish that pairs perfectly with Omani flatbread and a squeeze of lime. If you want to get the real deal Mishkak, head to Muttrah Souq or a roadside grill in Nizwa or Salalah.
Madrouba
Madrouba is a dish of patience and simplicity. The name means “beaten,” referring to the way it is made. The ingredients, including rice, chicken, butter, milk, and spices, are slowly mashed together until they form a creamy, porridge-like consistency.
It’s often topped with caramelized onions and a drizzle of ghee. Madrouba is often eaten during the colder months or Ramadan to energize people during the day.
Arsia
Arsia consists of slow-cooked goat meat and crushed rice, simmered for hours until the meat becomes tender enough to melt in the mouth. Unlike Majboos or Shuwa, Arsia has a softer, porridge-like texture and is often served with ghee for added depth.
The best place to experience it is in Omani homes during Eid, but some traditional restaurants offer it year-round.
Sahnat Laham
Sahnat Laham is a traditional Bedouin-style meat feast, where large portions of lamb or beef are served with rice, vegetables, and flatbread. Unlike Shuwa, which is buried and slow-roasted, Sahnat Laham is grilled or stewed and served fresh.
Omanis often put sides like yogurt, pickles, and dates when serving Sahnat Laham. Which makes it even more enjoyable.
Laban
In Oman’s desert climate, hydration is crucial, and Laban is the country’s go-to refreshing drink. It’s a salty, spiced yogurt-based beverage made by blending yogurt with water, a touch of salt, and sometimes mint or cumin for extra flavor.
Laban helps cool the body and aids digestion, that’s why it’s a popular choice to accompany heavy meals like Shuwa or Majboos. It’s widely available in supermarkets, street stalls, and local cafés.
Salona
Salona is Oman’s take on a spiced vegetable and meat stew with a mix of potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, eggplant, and okra, slow-cooked with chicken, lamb, or fish. The dish is flavored with turmeric, coriander, garlic, and black lime, which gives it a warm, slightly sharp taste.
Unlike Majboos, which is a dry rice dish, Salona is broth-based and served with flatbread for dipping. It’s a comforting, home-style meal often eaten for lunch or dinner, particularly in colder months.
Jareesh
Jareesh is a sizeable dish made from crushed wheat, slow-cooked with meat, ghee, and mild spices until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency. It is similar to Harees but has a more textured, slightly grainy feel.
Some versions include cinnamon and sugar for a sweet twist, while others remain savory with the addition of cumin and black pepper.
Best Places to Try Food in Oman
Experiencing Omani cuisine isn’t just about tasting the food but also about immersing yourself in every dish’s tradition, hospitality, and cultural heritage. We’ve gathered some of the best venues where you can indulge in Omani food:
Bin Ateeq
Bin Ateeq is one of Oman’s oldest and most well-known traditional restaurants with a majlis-style dining experience, where guests sit on cushions and enjoy their meals in a setting reminiscent of old Omani homes.
The restaurant specializes in classic Omani dishes, prepared using authentic, time-honored cooking techniques. They serve a mean Shuwa that attracts many customers on a regular basis.
- Location: Al Khuwair, Muscat, Oman
- Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Daily)
Price Range: $$ – $$$ (Mid-range to expensive)
Kargeen Café
Kargeen tries to blend the old with the new, creating traditional flavors while presenting in a modern manner. Unlike most traditional restaurants, Kargeen has an open-air courtyard setting, with lantern-lit tables, Arabic décor, and a relaxed, bohemian ambiance.
Kargeen’s standout items are Madrouba, Khubz Rakhal, and their delicious Laban. They also offer Shisha (hookah) lounges, which attract another demographic of customers.
- Location: Al Khuwayr, Muscat, Oman
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Daily)
- Price Range: $$ (Affordable to mid-range)
Bait Al Luban
Bait Al Luban, meaning “House of Frankincense”, is a heritage-style restaurant located near Muttrah Corniche in Muscat. It is known for its historic charm, where guests dine in a beautifully restored Omani house overlooking the sea.
The restaurant gets its name from Luban (frankincense), which has been a key part of Oman’s trade history for centuries. The menu focuses on authentic Omani home cooking, with dishes like Arsia and Salona.
Every meal at Bait Al Luban begins with dates and Qahwa, staying true to the country’s hospitality traditions.
- Location: Muttrah Corniche, Muscat, Oman
- Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Daily)
- Price Range: $$ – $$$ (Mid-range to expensive)
Rozna
Rozna is one of Oman’s most visually stunning restaurants, built in the style of a traditional Omani castle, complete with towers, arches, and intricate wooden carvings. The menu is filled with classic dishes, including Majboos, Mishkak, and a wide range of seafood specialties.
What sets Rozna apart is its presentation and ambiance, with large brass serving trays, traditional Omani pottery, and candlelit dining halls creating an immersive experience.
- Location: Al Qurum, Muscat, Oman
- Hours: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Daily)
- Price Range: $$$ (Expensive)
Ubhar
Ubhar takes Omani cuisine to a fine dining level by blending traditional flavors with gourmet presentation. Named after the lost city of Ubar, it is a tribute to Oman’s ancient trade routes and culinary heritage.
The menu offers refined versions of Omani classics, such as a modern take on Shuwa. Other standout dishes include lobster Majboos, Omani-style ravioli stuffed with spiced chicken, and Halwa-infused desserts.
- Location: Al Khuwair, Muscat, Oman
- Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Daily)
- Price Range: $$$ (Expensive)
What Makes Oman's Food Unique?
Omani food is a rich fusion of Arabian, Indian, Persian, and East African influences, shaped by centuries of trade and cultural exchange. Central to Omani cuisine are slow-cooked dishes, like Shuwa, where meat is buried and cooked underground for up to 48 hours. This reflects a deep respect for hospitality and tradition.
Key to the flavors of Oman is the use of spices and herbs. While many countries in the region rely heavily on chili and heat, Omani food tends to favor subtle, aromatic spices like cardamom, saffron, cumin, and cinnamon. These spices add depth and warmth to the food without overwhelming the natural flavors of the meat or seafood.
Meals are often served communal style, which shows the importance of family and togetherness in Omani culture.
Oman Cuisine Influences
Oman’s food and cuisine are a gateway between East and West. These influences have shaped the country’s food, creating a dynamic culinary landscape.
- Arabian Influence: Crucial to Omani food are slow-cooked meat dishes, often prepared with spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin. The use of rice in many meals reflects the Arabian influence, where grains and meat are the foundation of most meals.
- Indian & Persian Influence: Oman’s proximity to India and Persia has introduced spices like cardamom, saffron, and turmeric. These spices are integral to Omani cuisine, adding aromatic warmth and complexity to dishes. The use of saffron in rice-based meals or seafood dishes creates a distinct, luxurious flavor. Additionally, Indian and Persian cooking techniques, such as grilling meats and marinating fish, have been passed down through generations.
- East African Influence: The influence of East Africa is evident in Oman’s use of coconut and dates. The country’s long-standing trade routes with the East African coast have infused local cuisine with ingredients like coconut milk, which adds a creamy texture to stews and rice dishes. Dates, a staple food in Oman, are used not only in desserts but also in savory dishes, adding a sweet balance to the savory spices.
Key Ingredients in Omani Cooking
The ingredients in Omani cuisine are deeply tied to the country’s history, geography, and cultural exchange. Here are the most prominent ones:
- Spices: Spices are at the heart of Omani food, with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, and turmeric playing a leading role in flavoring dishes. These spices, along with black lime (loomi), are used to bring out the natural sweetness of ingredients like meat and seafood, without overpowering them.
- Dates & Honey: Dates are essential in Omani cuisine. They are commonly served with Omani coffee (Qahwa) and are also incorporated into desserts like Halwa. Honey is another fundamental ingredient, used to add natural sweetness to breakfast items like Khubz Rakhal or Balaleet.
- Meat & Seafood: Omani food uses a variety of meat and seafood. Lamb, goat, and camel meat are commonly used, with camel meat being particularly loved for its tenderness and gamey flavor. Seafood, particularly kingfish, prawns, and lobster, is a staple in Oman’s coastal regions.
Last Words
In short, food in Oman isn’t just about eating; it’s about experiencing the culture. The flavors are bold, the ingredients fresh, and the experience unforgettable. From Shuwa to Majboos to the sweetness of Halwa, we gathered all the essentials of Oman’s food for you in this post. Now that you’re equipped with this arsenal of information, it’s time to get out and enjoy the essence of Omani food.
FAQ
What do Omanis eat for breakfast?
Omanis typically enjoy a big breakfast that includes dishes like Khabeesa (a sweet wheat porridge flavored with saffron and cardamom), Omani bread with cheese and honey, and Balaleet (a mix of sweetened vermicelli noodles and eggs). These dishes are often served with Omani coffee (Qahwa) or Laban, a yogurt-based drink.
Is pork illegal in Oman?
Yes, pork is illegal in Oman due to the country’s Islamic laws. The sale, consumption, and importation of pork products are prohibited, and it’s not available in local markets or restaurants. However, some hotels and international restaurants may serve pork products in special, designated areas for foreign visitors.
