Like the country itself, Omani food is a crossroads of cultures, flavours, local and foreign ingredients, spices and aromas. Some of them are unfamiliar to European travellers. 

This is because Omani food has been nourished for centuries by the movement of goods in transit between Asia and Europe and vice versa through the ports along its long coastline. Many of the travellers’ ingredients and dishes ended up as part of the country’s traditional recipes, for the pleasure of past, present and future diners. 

The desert landscape of most of the Sultanate and the teachings of the Islamic religion should be taken into account. Both circumstances mean that, in terms of protein, typical Omani food is mainly chicken and lamb and, in coastal areas, fish. They are almost always accompanied by rice, which is the staple ingredient of Omani cuisine. 

To bring more diversity and sumptuousness to the dishes, most are seasoned with local spice and herb mixtures. Marinades are also sometimes used.

Majboos

Also known as makboos, this is a cooked basmati-type rice dish. However, it is not simply stewed in water, but in the broth in which chicken, lamb or other meats have been previously cooked. It is usually accompanied by these meats and cooked vegetables.

Shuwa

Shuwa can be considered the national dish and is clearly one of the most succulent Omani meals. It used to be prepared only at large celebrations, but nowadays  you will find it at many restaurants. It consists of meat (lamb, goat or even camel) roasted in a hole in the ground for hours and seasoned with a tasty blend of spices.

Meshkak

Mishkak is the Omani equivalent of kebabs. Therefore, it consists of small pieces of meat (chicken, beef or lamb), cut in a regular shape, strung on a wire together with vegetables and grilled, preferably on a natural charcoal grill. You can enjoy this skewered meat, especially among the street vendors.

Mashuai

This dish is one of the most delicious fish-based recipes in Omani cuisine. It is made with red bream (also known as alfonsino or kingfish), which is grilled whole and then served at the table with rice and seasoned with salt and a few drops of lemon juice.

Harees

The day usually begins in many Omani households with this meal, made from mashed wheat grains, various meats and ghee (a kind of clarified butter), which is cooked for a long time until it turns into a paste or porridge. It is usually consumed by cupping it with your hand, pinching it with your thumb and forefinger. Because of the complex nature and patience involved in making this dish, offering harees to visitors in Oman is considered a great act of hospitality. 

Typical desserts

The most popular Omani dessert is halwa, which translates precisely as dessert or sweet. It is a kind of custard, but with a stronger consistency, made with eggs, honey, rose water, nuts and various spices (such as cardamom). It is usually accompanied by dates and coffee or tea.

Delicious, though perhaps a little too sweet for European tastes, are the halawet ahmad, i.e. small nests eaten at room temperature and made with butter, wheat noodles, ground almonds, shredded coconut and condensed milk. 

Although it is considered one of the steps in a typical Omani breakfast rather than a dessert as such, the pancakes (or crêpes) flavoured with the fragrant (and very sweet) date honey are particularly appetizing. 

On the other hand, in the markets it is spectacular to see the stalls selling Arab pastries made from filo pastry, honey, almonds, pistachios and other nuts. Naturally, we highly recommended that you taste them.

Typical beverages

Remember that alcoholic beverages are very limited in Oman. In fact, it is forbidden to take them in public and their sale is mainly limited to establishments for foreign visitors. 

Oman’s most typical and traditional drink is kahwa, a way of preparing coffee by infusing whole beans with spices such as cloves, saffron and cardamom, as well as rose syrup. It is drunk without sugar and is quite bitter, so it is advisable to accompany it with dates and other fruits.

Obviously, tea, in its various forms, is part of the Omanis’ most hospitable customs. 

The taste of laban, which is quite salty buttermilk, is rather peculiar. It is common to see Omanis consuming liquid yoghurt and packaged soft drinks with a high sugar content.  

Where to stay in Oman

Among the best accommodation options in Oman is the Barceló Mussanah Resort, Sultanate of Oman, located in the south of the Al Batinah region, next to the beach and the Gulf of Oman and about 45 minutes’ drive from both the international airport and Muscat, the country’s capital.

The resort has a total of 234 rooms and 74 luxury apartments, decorated in a modern style and equipped with all types of comforts. Its facilities include four swimming pools for adults and a children’s pool. There is also a palm garden surrounding the resort’s private beach.

In terms of gastronomy, there are three options that will suit the tastes of all types of guests: from the very international Mydan Restaurant, to the seafood at Azure and the purest Italian cuisine at La Dolce Vita.