Top Omani Dishes to Try—Flavours that Capture the Traditions of the Nation

Prepared only as a festival dish, Shuwa is a staple during Eid celebrations. Lamb, mutton, or camel meat is the preferred choice of meat, which is cooked for an entire day. The meat is covered in a paste of local spices and herbs before being wrapped in banana leaves and placed in an underground oven on the first day of Eid. There, it cooks for almost an entire day, after which the meat becomes tender with a crispy coating of spices and herbs.

Shuwa is enjoyed with rice and can be found in Oman restaurants, especially during the Eid festival, which marks the end of the Ramadan fasting season. In particular, Iftar refers to the sundown meal that marks the end of the day's fast during Ramadan, where meals feature a range of delicious traditional Arabic treats. You can immerse yourself in this traditional festival and its culinary delights when you stay at popular Omani resorts like Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, featuring traditional Iftar menus that are yours to enjoy.

A wholesome meal of savoury rice cooked with meat, Majboos is a traditional dish of good luck found at weddings. The rice is cooked in a fragrant broth or herbs and spices, including saffron; the meat of choice is often chicken or lamb. First, the meat is cooked and tempered in an aromatic blend of onions, garlic, and other spices, after which the rice is cooked in the same pot once the meat is taken out. Cardamoms and saffron enhance the flavour of the rice, while the finished dish is garnished with cashew nuts and sultanas for a lovely blend of flavours.

A lovely sweet and savoury flatbread, Mushaltat is stuffed with honey, cheese, spinach, and minced meat. The bread dough is made with wheat flour, rolled flat, and then packed with a delicious combination of ingredients. It's the kind of side you must order when dining at your Omani resort, or en route along the region's rural paths. 

A favourite at coastal Salalah resorts, Mashuai is a lemon rice served with roasted kingfish. You will find plenty of flavoursome seafood dishes when you choose to stay in coastal towns like Salalah, which is popular for its breathtaking seaside cliffs and wooded areas. Drives from your resort in Salalah along the coastal roads will be hugely rewarding, while visits to nearby villages like Al Mugsail will give you a chance to explore more traditional coastal dishes, like lobster, prawn and other fresh seafood.

Now, this one is a simple treat you can't miss when touring Oman. You will find dates are freely available, while the fresh varieties you get to savour will be much tastier than those you have tried at home. Traditional black tea with dates is a simple yet awesome afternoon treat you can look forward to virtually anywhere, from restaurants to resorts in Oman.