![]() The Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa complex is made up of three different hotels and feels as if it belongs in another world. The stunning grounds of Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa ComplexĪlthough lamb is very popular with Omanis, fish also commonly makes appearances the best seafood restaurant is on the outskirts of Muscat in its own serene oasis. “We probably serve 50 or 60 of these a day,” explains Mohammed Abdullah. Waiters weave between tables with aromatic shuwa still wrapped in banana leaves, perched atop steamed basmati rice and served alongside dates, chutney and olive oil as guests’ eyes follow the servers, hopeful it might be theirs. “The lamb is very succulent! We marinate it in cumin, turmeric, masala salt and apple vinegar, wrap it in banana leaves and then bake it for 48 hours in an underground firewood oven.”Ĭhef Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Yousuf of Kargen Caffee and his teamīecause of the time and effort involved in cooking shuwa, traditionally the dish is only prepared for special occasions, but Kargeen Caffee is one of only a handful of restaurants in Muscat offering the dish cooked in the customary manner. “This is absolutely our most famous dish,” chef Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Yousuf says proudly. For the main course, almost everyone will order shuwa, a delicious slow-baked lamb dish. Most tables start with Arabic-style mezze of creamy cheese, fresh vegetables, olives, homemade dips and breads. The tree-filled courtyard and interior are jam-packed with a crowd enjoying traditional Omani food amid charming surroundings. This is one of Muscat’s most popular restaurants, and it’s easy to see why. Shuwa is the most popular dish at Kargeen CaffeĪ flock of youngsters natter outside Kargeen Caffee ( ), waiting for a table to free up. There’s the magnificent Al Alam Palace with blue and golden pillars that glisten in the afternoon sun, the stately Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque with its elaborate interior that includes the world’s second-largest hand-loomed Iranian carpet (it took 600 women four years to weave the 70 x 60 metre masterpiece), and the chaotic and pulsating Muttrah Souk, where it’s easy to roam for hours stocking up on all sorts of foodie delights. The capital, Muscat, is the first port of call for most, with flabbergasting sights. Oman only opened up to Westerners in 1993 today, travelling to this exotic land still offers an incomparable experience. Sharing is a big part of Omani culture and extends beyond food and drink. It’s not unusual for a souk to have a central meeting spot with communal sweets that any passer-by is welcome to enjoy. Mosques often have rooms stocked with dates, while in marketplaces, vendors come prepared to share. Luckily, food is a focal part of this.įortunately for this sugar-loving nation, an excess of local treats can be found everywhere. This mandatory welcome snack offers an insight into the nation’s philosophy: Omanis are incredibly hospitable and want to share their culture with the world. ![]() ![]() Wherever you might be in this remarkably beautiful country, there’s one fundamental constant – coffee ( kahwa) and dates. Traditional feasts, inventive concepts and delightful sweets form Muscat’s greatest gastronomy findsĪrriving at an Omani home is like no other experience. ![]()
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