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Out of Town
01 Dec 2008

BARKA
Al Nahda Resort and Spa:26883710
Approaching from Muscat, turn off the highway, left from the Barka roundabout, towards Nakhl. Barely half a kilometre away, just after a water-bottling plant on the right, is the off-road lane to the resort, also to the right. The only catch with this resort is that most of its restaurants and bars are open only to staying guests.<

These include Lazeez, for Far Eastern cuisine; Samar, which serves Arabic food; a pool bar for snacks and drinks; and the Waha Bar, for live entertainment after hours. Two, however, are open to visiting guests with a prior reservation. Nohza has tables outdoors and serves pizzas; and Khalab hosts international buffets with different themes every night.
RO12

Jasmine Garden Restaurant: 26886064
This is an unexpected gem bang in the middle of a bleak intersection. When heading towards Sohar from Muscat, turn left from the Barka roundabout, and Jasmine is on the right, almost on the corner. We had an entire lunch platter for RO1.500: grilled fish, rice, vegetables and salad. The interiors possess a kitsch charm, with posters of Istanbul, a fake tree trunk rising from floor to ceiling in the middle of the room, and trompel’oeil birds flying over rocky coastlines. This forms the backdrop to grills, pizza, shawarmas and juices, preceded by a complimentary bowl of soup.
RO1.500

BIDIYA
Traveller’s Oasis: 25583235
Traveller’s Oasis, on the main road from Muscat to Sur, serves Arabic and Asian food.

IBRA

Penguin: 25570694
Try the pizzas, burgers and kebabs.

Skyline Coffee Shop: 99514456
Alayat Ibra, opposite Omanoil filling station
Skyline used to cater to the expatriate teacher community in Ibra a few years ago, but its fortunes seemed to have dipped as many of the teachers moved elsewhere. There was a time when you got American coffee straight out of a donated Starbucks machine – but the latest rumours from the desert say the machine might have stopped functioning. Still, at Skyline there is choice of 42 juices on offer, including the Pantone Special, Thahithy, Titanic, Burj Dubai and Cocktail XA.

NIZWA
Bin Ateeq: 25410466
Bin Ateeq serves traditional Omani cuisine.

Nizwa Catering Restaurant: 25410000
Located on the road into Nizwa just before the roundabout signposted to Bahla, this restaurant is identifiable by virtue of its bright green, plastic date palms outside. Indoors the restaurant has two seating areas, one with tables and chairs, the other with cushions and cutwork screens. Try the sahan – massive platters of rice, fried fish or meat to share.

Pizza Hut: 25412096

Safari Hotel 25432150
The coffee shop at Safari Hotel is outdoors and the restaurant has a Mediterranean feel, with big windows that overlook the mountains. Both the café and restaurant offer fusion cuisine, with chefs from Morocco, Egypt, the Middle East and the Philippines.

Spicy Village: 25431694
On the highway before the town, Spicy Village offers nothing exceptional but is useful for anyone travelling north to the mountains.

Zajal Restaurant, Al Hoota Cave: 92404444
Located inside the Al Hoota Cave complex, Zajal boasts of breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. A multi-cuisine restaurant, Zajal serves a variety of Lebanese and Middle Eastern foods, ranging from maza to the baklava. Its specialities are the shawarma and sheesh tawok. Zajal is popular with locals, expats and international tourists, and is open 9am–6pm.
RO5, veg-friendly

SALALAH

Al Khareef Pub: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Al Khareef Pub is a nice place for a quiet drink.

Al Luban: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Al Luban is an elegant restaurant and nightclub.

Al Maha: 23211234
Hilton Resort Salalah
With a buffet available every night, Al Maha is open 6.30–11am; 12–3pm; and 7–10.30pm
RO8

Bar Complex: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
The complex, which has live entertainment daily, comprises three bars – Al Inshirah, Coconut Grove and Seagull.

Bin Ateeq: 23292384/0

Bird’s Lounge: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Bird’s Lounge serves snacks and pastries all day.

Darbat Restaurant: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Darbat has unbeatable views of the sea and the coconut groves. Guests can eat indoors or on the terrace. The restaurant is open all day, with buffets and an à la carte menu.

Dolphin Beach Restaurant: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
This beachfront restaurant is a great port of call during holidays to the area.

Haffa House Hotel: 23295444

Mayfair Bar: 23211234
Hilton Resort Salalah
Drinks and pub food are available 12–3pm and 6pm until midnight.
RO5

PHD: 23225626
Sada

Palm Grove: 23211234
Hilton Resort Salalah
This beach-side, open-air restaurant offers seafood and modern, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner. Highlights include the seafood grill, lobster and American Black Angus beef. It is open 12–3pm and 7–10.30pm.
RO7

Pizza Hut: 23290303

Princess Restaurant: 23293004

Splash Pool and Snack Bar: 23235333
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah

Woodlands: 23204280
Salalah Airport
Woodlands has built up a formidable reputation as one of the best Indian restaurants in the sultanate. Its Dhofar branch is as good as any.

SOHAR
Golden Island Restaurant: 26750285
This modest restaurant by the Falaj al Qabail roundabout serves fantastic fresh prawns and offers charming service to boot.

PHD: 26843340

Penguin: 2684058
Omani-produced fast food, with halal meat and a wide range of snacks.

Pizza Hut: 26841155

Princess Restaurant: 26840252

Spicy Village: 26843238

Woodlands: 26843746

SUR
Pizza Hut: 25545388

THARMAD
Pizza Hut: 26810036

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