Friday 19 / April / 2024
A city’s history and culture can be intertwined with many things, not least of which are the eateries. While the influx of new restaurants are welcomed for bringing in novelty, the places we grew up with hold a special place in our hearts. Some have grown in leaps and bounds from small shops to proper restaurants, while others are still operating out of the same ramshackle space they always have, with the interiors that have seen generations upon generations pass through. We crave the tastes and smells of these haunts as much for their nostalgia as for their flavour. For our ninth anniversary, we walked through the old corridors of Muscat and visited the oldest restaurants in Muscat; places that have stood the test of time, served us for decades, and are still bustling with people. This is our ode to nine iconic restaurants that exude the unique essence of Muscat, feeding our hearts as they feed our bellies.
1. Arab World
Location: Al Ghubra
Started In: The first branch in Ruwi opened in 1972 and then in Al Ghubra in 1987.
Looking back: Serving different delicacies of Arabic countries this restaurant has retained its tastes and flavours.
Specialty: Chicken tikka, beef, and fish methi are some of the popular starters people visit this place for.
Cost: OMR1.800 approx
Contact: + 968 2449 1734
2. Omar Al Khayyam
Location: Ruwi
Started In: 1973
Looking back: Omar Al Khyyam, the splendid multi-cuisine restaurant threw open its doors to the residents of Oman in 1973, with a single outlet in the heart of the city, Ruwi. Sarfaraz Ahmed Gabol’s mother and his uncle established the restaurant. His uncle named it on the famous poet Omar Al Khyyam.
Specialty: It specialises in Mughal’s special delicacies such as Mutton Mughlai, lamb cooked with yoghurt and an array of spices; the creamy rich chicken nawabi simmered in a fragrant sauce with onion, garlic, ginger, and cashew. These royal dishes have wooed the customers since decades.
Cost: OMR1.000 - OMR5.000 approx
Contact +968 2470 3035
3. Softy Ice Cream
Location: Ruwi
Started In: 1975
Looking back: Softy Ice Cream shop is the first outlet in Oman that was founded by a Canadian businessman. It was later taken over by His Highness Sayyid Barghash bin Ghalib Al Said.
Specialty: It serves ice creams in many flavours but the most favourite is banana split with ice cream. The other favourites are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry softy ice creams.
Cost: 200 baisa - OMR2.000 approx
Contact: +968 2470 4591
4. The Golden Oryx
Location: Ruwi
Started In: March 4, 1982
Looking back: The Golden Oryx is one of the oldest Chinese restaurant in Muscat. It was the first restaurant which got an appreciation certificate for good service and cleanliness from Muscat Municipality.
Specialty: Be it the crispy succulent duck served with tender pancakes and hoisin sauce, the cornflour coated golden fried prawns, or their signature dish, the Hongkong chicken; diced chicken in light soya sauce, red chilli and cashew nuts, Golden Oryx have retained the taste and their impeccable service over the years.
Cost: OMR3.000 - OMR 10.800 approx
Contact +968 2470 2266
5. Mumtaz Mahal
Location: Qurum
Started In: February 23, 1984
Looking back: Perched on a hill top offering one of the finest views of Muscat, Mumtaz Mahal has been the first choice for lovers of Indian food. Mumtaz Mahal also won 14 awards as the best restaurant in Oman.
Specialty: A must visit for Hyderabadi lamb curry which has a creamy texture and laced with many spices, and dum pukht chicken biryani, that is basmati rice cooked with layers of marinated chicken or meat in a heavy bottomed vessel.
Cost: OMR1.200 - OMR9.500 approx
Contact: +968 2460 5907
6. Al Haikal Restaurant
Location: Ruwi near Badr Al Sama Hospital
Started In: November 18, 1987
Looking back: Initially it was a manual bakery selling Pakistani tandoori naan. After a few years the founder of the bakery, Haji Shabeer, decided to open a restaurant serving varieties of foods from Peshawar region. That’s how the 24 hours open Al Haikal was born.
Specialty : It serves the most popular Peshawari foods such as chapli kabab and chicken tikka.
Cost: OMR3.000 approx
Contact: +968 2470 8447
7. Bin Ateeq
Location: Salalah, Al Khuwair, and Nizwa
Started In: It first opened in Salalah on April 1, 1985, and the second branch in Al Khuwair was opened on September 19,1998.
Looking back: Bin Ateeq was started by Mohammed bin Said bin Ateeq, the first Omani to enter restaurant business in Oman.
Specialty: If you are looking for an authentic Omani dining experience Bin Ateeq is the place to be. Try kabsa,a traditional Arabian rice dish with chicken; and harees, a savoury wheaty dish; while sitting on haseer, the traditional floor mat. As the aroma of bakhoor wafts in the air, also try mandi, a slow cooked and roasted tender chunks of lamb.
Cost: OMR1.000 - OMR10.000 approx
Contact: +968 2447 8225
8. Venus Restaurant
Location: Al Khuwair
Started In: The first branch was started in Ruwi in 1975. The restaurant shifted to Al Khuwair in 1989.
Looking back: This restaurant was known to serve quality Indian food when there were hardly any restaurants in Oman serving Indian cuisine.
Specialty: While Venus specialises in Indian cuisine, people visit this place for the south Indian breakfast of dosa, a fermented crepe made from rice batter and black lentils; idlis, a savoury rice cake; and vadas, dal fritters; along with south Indian filter coffee.
Cost: 500 baisa - OMR5.400 approx
Contact +968 2448 1881
9. Alexandria
Location: Qurum
Started In: June 1, 1992
Looking back: Alexandria has fond memories people coming to this place for cuisines from different parts of the world and mostly frequented by the Omanis.
Specialty: Chicken, fish, and beef makhani along with Alexandria special fried rice is their most popular dish.
Cost: 200 baisa - OMR2.600 approx
Contact: + 968 2456 1611
