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11. What about dining and entertainment?

Food
Restaurants
Entertainment

FOOD

You'll find a wide range of cuisines served in Oman - Omani, Arabic, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, and international.

Omani cuisine primarily consists of rice mixed with beef, mutton, goat, chicken, and/or fish. Meats tend to be marinated in spices (cardamon, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, turmeric, saffron) and then roasted, grilled, or baked.

The main meal of the day is usually eaten from 1 PM to 3 PM - the time when most businesses and offices are closed. Dinner is usually a light meal.

RESTAURANTS

Muscat's expatriate community is responsible for a large variety of excellent restaurants. From hotels to shopping centers and neighborhoods, you'll find a wide range of international cuisines.

Not surprisingly, the best and most expensive restaurants, which attract international chefs, are found in the major hotels, such as The Chedi Muscat and the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa complex.

In fact, the Shangri-La has the largest number of quality international restaurants in Muscat among its 24 food and beverage outlets. If you're not sure where to dine in Muscat, just head for the Shangri-La where you will have lots of interesting international choices, from casual to fine dining.

As more and more luxury hotels open here, expect to see an even more robust fine dining scene catering to discerning travelers. At the same time, you'll also find a few excellent restaurants outside the hotels.

Most hotel restaurants and some independent restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol to visitors during the hours of 12 noon to 3 PM and 6 PM to closing. Shopping centers include many restaurants and food courts.

You'll also find several international fast-food restaurants and coffee houses, such as McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Papa John's Pizza, Starbucks, and Costa Coffee.

For the latest information on the best restaurants in Muscat, be sure to check with your hotel or pick up a copy of the latest edition of TimeOut's Muscat for Visitors and Oman Explorer: The Complete Residents' Guide. As we go to press, some of the best restaurants in Muscat include the following:

• The Restaurant: The Chedi, 133 Al Khuwair, Tel. 2452-4343. Website: www.chedimuscat.com. Open 7 AM to 10 PM. Simply outstanding!

  A very exceptional and chic open restaurant (includes four display kitchens) offering both indoor and outdoor dining. The breakfast buffet is sumptuous and best enjoyed outdoors with a lovely garden and oceanfront view. The dinner menu includes excellent choices of Asian, Arabic, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes.

  A very popular restaurant operated by one of Oman's top international chefs. If you dine at only one fine restaurant in Oman, make sure it's this one!

• Trader Vic’s: InterContinental Muscat, Shati Al Qurum, Tel. 2460-0500. Website: www.muscat.intercontinental.com. Open Saturday through Thursday, 12 noon to 2:45 PM and 7 PM to 11:15 PM.

  Includes an extensive menu of favorites (steaks, grilled seafood, curries) along with signature drinks that have made this international chain of Polynesian restaurant/bars famous. In a romantic setting with an excellent view of the sea.

• Kargeen Café: MQ Complex, Tel. 2469-2269. Open Sunday through Wednesday, 9 AM to 12 midnight. Also has two other less atmospheric locations - City Plaza and Al Harthy Complex.

  This quirky Lebanese-owned canopied restaurant is a favorite with many locals and visitors who enjoy the relaxed outdoor setting complete with shisha served at the relaxing tables with pillowed benches. Its garden setting with lanterns hanging from trees and wood tables with jewelry and artifacts encased in glass make this one of Muscat's most unique atmospheric restaurants.

  The menu is a mixture of Arabic foods, soups, pastas, pizza, burgers, and hot dogs. Includes an extensive list of nonalcoholic drinks. Be sure to try the hot Arabic bread.

• Al Tanoor: Al Bandar Hotel, Ground Level, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Tel. 2466-6565. Open 6 AM to 10 AM, 12 noon to 3 PM, and 6:30 PM to 11 PM.

  Used for breakfast in the morning, this intimate restaurant comes to life in the evening with its excellent sampling of cuisines from around the Arabian Gulf region. It's laid out with Arabian tents and pottery. Dishes are prepared at several open food stations.

  In addition to Arabian cuisine, the restaurant offers Iranian, Turkish, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes along with such tempting dessert favorites as baklava, creme brulee, and ice cream. It also includes an a la carte menu.

• Turkish House: Al Khuwair, Tel. 2448-8071. Open 12 noon to 1 AM. Especially popular with locals, this restaurants serves excellent breads, salads, fresh fish, and mezzes.

• Tuscany: Grand Hyatt Muscat Tel. 2464-1234. Open 12 noon to 3:30 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM. Closed for lunch on Friday.

  This authentic Italian restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Includes an extensive menu of classic Italian dishes. An award-winning restaurant with excellent service and charming atmosphere.

• Capri Court: Al Bandar Resort, Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Tel. 2477-6666. Open 7 PM to 11 PM.

  The small, brightly lit, and cheery restaurant offers an extensive menu and wine list along with excellent breads. Includes both indoor and outdoor dining (the latter is preferred for watching the sunset over the ocean).

• O Solé Mio: Jawharat A'Shati Shopping Complex, Shati Al Qurum, Tel. 2460-1343. Popular with expatriates, this restaurants offers an extensive menu of fine Italian dishes.

  The pastas, lobster dishes, and desserts are especially good. Somewhat dark and kitschy setting. Excellent service and good value.

• Mumtaz Mahal: Near Qurum National Park, Tel. 2460-5907. Open Saturday to Thursday, 12 noon-3 PM and 7:30-11:45 PM, and Friday, 1-3 PM and 7:30-11:45 PM.

  This popular restaurant is known for its spectacular hilltop view along with excellent dishes and service. Serves great soups and curries.

• Golden Oryx: Opposite the Bank of Muscat in Ruwi, Tel. 2470-2266. Open Saturday through Thursday, 12 noon-2:45 PM and 7-11:45 PM, and Friday, 1-2:45 PM and 7-11:45 PM.

  This long-established and very popular restaurant includes an extensive Chinese and Thai menu. It's especially known for its fish and seafood dishes. Try the Mongolian Barbecue, which is a house specialty. Reasonably priced.

• Pavo Real: Madinat Sultan Qaboos, near Pizza Hut and Klageen Café, Tel. 2460-2603. Open Saturday through Thursday, 12 noon to 3 PM and 6-11:30 PM.

  This quirky Tex-Mex restaurant serves lots of typical Tex-Mex fare in a party atmosphere of cowboys (Indian waiters), karaoke, dancing, and kids. Reasonably priced.

• D'Arcy’s Kitchen: Jawaharat A'Shati Complex, Tel. 2431-7143. Open 8 AM to 10 PM.

  Famous for their all-day breakfast and pineapple pancakes. Good for burgers, steaks, and fish and chips. Offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

ENTERTAINMENT

When it comes to entertainment and alcohol, Muscat is not Dubai, at least not yet. Oman remains a moderately conservative society.

Indeed, there's not a lot to do in Muscat in the evening other than spend a few hours dining out at a restaurant with live entertainment, shisha, karaoke, and/or a lovely view of the city or oceanfront at sunset, or booking a dinner cruise.

Oman is relatively liberal in permitting alcohol to be served to non-Muslims at hotels and resorts and a few licensed restaurants. Most Western entertainment venues are found in hotels and resorts, especially the Grand Hyatt.

Remember, this is conservative Oman - not a popular center for international musicians, entertainers, and hookers. If you're looking for evening entertainment centered around expensive alcohol, music, and dancing, try the following hotels, pubs, and restaurants:

• Copacabana Nightclub: Grand Hyatt Muscat, Tel. 2464-1234. Open Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 3 PM. Best nightclub in the city, although very retro and expensive.

• Club Safari: Grand Hyatt Muscat, Tel. 2464-1234. Open 6 PM to 2 AM. Popular for drinking and dancing and watching sports shows on TV screens.

• Al Gahzal: InterContinental Muscat. Open Saturday through Thursday, 12 noon-3 PM and 7 PM-1 AM. Traditional English-style pub with pool tables, dartboard, and big screen TVs showing international sports events. Offers a good food menu complete with steaks and fish and chips.

• John Barry Bar: Grand Hyatt Muscat, Tel. 2464-1234. A relatively sophisticated piano bar offering live entertainment (soft jazz and R&B).

• Duke's Bar: Crowne Plaza, Al Qurm, Tel. 2466-0660. Offers excellent bar food and service along with live entertainment.

• The Piano Lounge: Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Tel. 2477-6666. Open 6 PM-2 AM. Relaxing bar with a good cocktail menu, including regular promotions.

• Uptown: Ruwi, opposite Golden Oryx, Tel. 2470-6020. Along with the usual large-screen TV featuring international sports events, this popular bar offers a daily happy hour and live entertainment.

• Sarai Pool Bar: The Chedi, Tel. 2452-4343. Open 12 noon-10:30 PM.

• Kargeen Café: shisha and people watching.

• Pavo Real: cowboys and karaoke.

• Dinner cruises: Most leave from the Marina Bandar Al Rosdha. It's easiest to book through Arabian Sea Safaris (www.arabianseasafaris.com, Tel. 2469-3223) or through a tour operator.

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