What to eat in Muscat? Our top 10 culinary specialties.

1. Kebsa

Here's a dish widely consumed in Saudi Arabia, which quickly won the hearts and stomachs of Muscat's inhabitants, and more broadly throughout Oman. Perfectly reflecting Middle Eastern traditions and flavors, kebsa is made with rice, particularly tender mutton, and chicken. A somewhat 'special' spice blend is also added, giving the dish a sensational aroma and taste. Considered THE most consumed national dish of Oman, you'll find it absolutely everywhere in its capital, Muscat. Everything is delicately seasoned to offer an explosive sensation in your mouth.

2. Shuwa

What makes this dish unique is that the lamb used in the recipe is cooked directly under the sun... And now that we think about it, there's no better oven than this huge star close to Earth. Widely consumed in Muscat, shuwa offers meat (wrapped in banana leaves) that reveals all its flavors thanks to this unique cooking method. The lamb is both tender and juicy, which will melt the hearts of our carnivore friends. The dish's history is equally unique, as it was the Bedouin tribes who came up with this cooking idea, which allowed them to preserve meat for longer periods.

3. Biryani

Originally from the Indian continent, Biryani is among Muscat's specialties. It's a local dish appreciated during family meals. It's prepared with chicken, lamb, rice, and several vegetables. Everything is mixed with various spices (like almost all dishes), based on saffron and coriander, and even ginger. It's a dish highly appreciated by visitors who enjoy the way the meat is cooked. In fact, 'biryani' in Persian means 'grilled'. To tell you everything, the secret of this flavorful dish lies in how the different meats used are cooked: it can be chicken, shrimp, lamb, or other.

4. Dates

The date, fruit of the date palm, is THE star fruit of the Middle East. It's used in many recipes: savory or sweet. 4 to 6 centimeters long, they contain a pit and are sold absolutely everywhere in Muscat. Come taste the good ripe dates freshly picked. Moreover, the fruit has numerous benefits: in addition to being energizing, they help reduce cholesterol risks, offer better digestion, and provide an important iron intake. With a melting texture and a honey aftertaste, let yourself be swept away in a whirlwind of flavors. For information, Oman has nearly 8 million date palm trees.

5. Lemon Mint

Here's a cold drink you'll be delighted to drink, especially in a desert! Refreshing, lemon mint is made with mint combined with lemon juice. It's THE drink used to counter the heat wave, to be honest. Those who drink it get a burst of energy. This sweet lemonade, mixed with water, is at the top of the menu lists in bars, restaurants, and of course, in small city stands. Everyone can drink it, young and old, it allows you to quench your thirst while enjoying an exquisite beverage, carefully prepared.

6. Mishkak

Here's another typical dish from Oman, which quickly became a classic of Muscat cuisine. Mishkak can be eaten on the go, and if we had to designate a food that's 'street food' style in Oman, it would undoubtedly be this one. These are marinated meat skewers: you can find fish ones (a real delight), lamb, beef, and of course chicken. Everything is grilled and marinated in spices. They're then inserted on iron picks to facilitate tasting. It's somewhat the typical food of local festivals, everyone carries their mishkak skewer by hand.

7. Kahwa

Originally from Pakistan and Afghanistan, kahwa is drunk throughout the entire Middle East. If we told you it was coffee, would you believe us? And yet... Kahwa is coffee with a particular taste, but especially with a yellow color with orange tones. To prepare it correctly, coffee beans are roasted, ground, before being mixed with rose water, a bit of cardamom, and saffron (hence this atypical color for coffee). The combination of all these ingredients gives a pleasant drink that will undoubtedly please coffee lovers, who will be delighted to taste it accompanied by a date.

8. Jareesh

Here's a particularly nutritious dish, usually eaten at breakfast to gain strength for the day. Jareesh is made with wheat groats, mixed with several types of meat such as chicken or lamb. The final touch, pieces of fried onions, gives a crunchy side to the dish that generally melts whoever tastes it. The wheat is soaked all night before preparation and boiled with the meat. Finally, everything is beaten to obtain a sort of porridge, which is garnished with cinnamon, cardamom, parsley, and a light spoonful of sugar.

9. Breads

Attention, these aren't just any type of bread. Set aside the usual French baguettes, long with soft crumb. Oman's breads, and therefore Muscat's, are varied and eaten as accompaniments to meat-based dishes especially. Some are thick, others have a perfect circular shape for toast on which grilled meat is placed, some are rather thin and crispy, a bit like rusks... We could continue for a long time, there's so much to say about Oman's different breads. We'll let you discover them!

10. Halwa

We finish our ranking with a dessert: halwa. It's made with honey, eggs, nuts, spices, rose water (a true delight), and some sweet spices. It's quite a 'family' dessert. When the meal is finished, it's placed in the middle of the table, in a large bowl with several spoons, so everyone can enjoy it. A convivial dish, savored with loved ones, while reminiscing about the charming day spent in Muscat.