Winner of Oman Today Restaurant Awards : Italian

Capri Court: 24776541
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa

Relaxed, refined and stylish, Capri Court has an appealing ambience. The indoor dining area is smart – a chandelier dominates the scheme, a truly splendid, whimsical orb redolent of a shiny ball of coral, constructed from snakes of red glass – and there are also tables on the terrace outside, almost on the beach.

When we visited, the food was excellent from start to end. The paper-thin slices of beef carpaccio (served with an unusual but intriguing truffle-scented ice cream) were followed by delectable, delicately flavoured pasta and equally good, generously portioned fillet steak.

The variety of breads, and puddings such as tiramisu, are also great. Capri Court is open 7–11.30 pm.
RO25–40

Biella: 24558184
Muscat City Centre

Named after a town in Italy, Biella serves excellent Italian food.

On offer are antipasti including mouth-watering carpaccio with Parmesan, generous salads, various soups and other delicacies such as prawn tempura with roasted-garlic mayonnaise.

Diners can, like Italians, have pasta for their first course: there is a selection of fresh and dried pasta that can be paired with a choice of sauces (marinara, pesto, Bolognaise and so on).

The main courses embrace fish and meat as well as pasta and risotto – the fresh tortellini, available with different fillings, are particularly good.

Biella also serves pizza – the kitchen is immensely proud of its authentic, wood fired oven. The Milano is a shocking turquoise drink guaranteed to inject a jab of life into your post-shopping stupor.

But forget everything and order the ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and doused in mushroom sauce: absolutely divine.

Service is excellent, the quantity was gargantuan and the food comes in ten minutes. Smart and sprightly, this restaurant, decorated in a fresh palette of cornflower and steel blue, white, silver and bleached timber, is open daily, right from 10am to midnight.

Come Prima: 24660660
Crowne Plaza Hotel

Last year Come Prima was given a facelift and it now has a new, fresh look. The restaurant extends outside on to a balcony, where the daytime views are spectacular.

We recommend the fresh pasta – deftly made, delicious and good value. Come Prima is open for lunch and dinner, 12–3pm and 7–11pm.

RO12

O Solé Mio: 24601343
Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex

O Solé Mio serves Italian food such as pasta, pizza and risotto. Try the calzone, a crescent-shaped creation that is essentially a pizza
folded and sealed in half, stuffed with ingredients such as cheese and mushrooms. A very popular place at one time, the restaurant is slowly working its way back in favour.

RO8

Pane Caldo: 24698697
Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex

Pane Caldo can now seat up to 72 people and sports a bit of an open kitchen.

This helps in contributing to its light, bright atmosphere. The fresh fare seems to be enjoying a good response and the menu is extensive – there are ten starters to choose from as well as various pizzas and pastas.

Among the more satisfying of the main courses was a pasta dish involving macaroni, chicken, mushrooms, mascarpone cheese and fresh cream (RO3.5), and the risotto of ‘sea fruits’ (RO3.8), both of which followed clean, refined, subtle lines. Pane Caldo is open daily, from noon until midnight.

Pizza Express: 24696169
Oasis By The Sea, opposite Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex

This international chain is new to Muscat. It offers an appealing, extensive menu that ranges from bruschetta and antipasti (dishes such as baked mushrooms stuffed with feta) to pizzas (including those made with wholemeal dough), pasta, salads and puddings.

RO5

Tomato: 24680000
InterContinental Muscat

Tomato is a firm favourite for both lunch and supper. Overlooking the InterContinental’s serpentine-shaped swimming pool, it serves fantastic, crisp pizzas as well as pastas and good salads.

In the evening, a jazz band provides entertainment, and the atmosphere then, with the stars above and the palm gardens of the hotel beyond, is hard to beat.

RO10