Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Looking for an authentic spread of Turkish and Levantine cuisine in Muscat? Here are a few must visit places that will woo you with authentic, tasty dishes from the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkish House Restaurant
Al Hadiqa Street, Al Khuwair +968 2448 8071
Go For: Grilled hamour, grilled shrimps and other seafood delights. Grilled fish is one of the top favourites served with homemade bread. The best part of eating here is one can choose their own fish from a huge selection, from red snapper and Omani lobster to any other catch, seafood is in abundance with all its freshness. The mezzes are equally good and so are the meat dishes.
Camilia Café Restaurant
Ruwi, CBD, +968 2470 6663, Al Ghubra, near Indian School, +968 9350 0665
Go For: Shawarmas, meat, chicken arais, Turkish fatair, and mixed grill. The mixed grill is real value for money. An assortment of meat chargrilled to perfection is priced at OMR5 for a medium platter. The Family Sultan Kabab which is one metre long and priced at OMR18 is something to look forward to. Chicken shawarmas are the hot favourite and quite filling.
Baba Salem
Qurum, +968 9455 5570
Go For: Mixed mezze which comes with a huge piece of freshly baked flatbread with sesame seeds and four large bowls of hummus, Try babaganoush, moutabel and the shawarmas. Another favourite dish of this place is Eskender that is spiced meat with tomato based sauce served on Turkish pita bread along with yoghurt. The portion size is good and value for money. While many places in town serve kunafeh, the one served here is a must try. These melting cheese pastry soaked in sugar is real melt-in-mouth.
Taksim Restaurant
Al Khuwair, opposite Hotel Radisson Blu
+968 9778 2510
Go For: Fresh fish grill that is available 24-hours a day. From jumbo shrimps, squid, and hamour, to King fish and lobster the restaurant serves several Turkish delights. Also try shish taouk, lamb chops, and lamb skewers. Don’t miss the Turkish coffee.
Old Turkish Restaurant & Coffee Shop
Al Khuwair, +968 9945 2747
Go For: Mixed grills, pizza, pastries, and chicken shawarma. The shawarmas are succulent with garlic mayo and the different types of Turkish bread is a hot favourite.
Grand Lounge
Behind Ibis Hotel, Al Khuwair, +968 9442 6410, +968 9950 1367
Go For: This traditional Turkish restaurant uses all fresh ingredients. Try the classic lamb kofta to more modern options such as vegetarian eggplant kofta. There is also a wide selection of Turkish flatbreads. Variants include pastrami and sausage, cheese, and vegetables.
Kosebasi
Muscat City Centre, Seeb, +968 2455 8522
Go For: Kosebasi signature mix grill which includes tender lamb and chicken cubes, beef slices and special lamb kebab, served with burgul. Also try Şaşlık Kebap, that is barbecued slices of specially marinated beef and onion rings, served with burgul, Tavuk Sis, barbecued spicy marinated chicken cubes and Fıstıklı Kebap that is kebab with the amazing mixture of pistachio and mozzarella cheese. Pirzola Lamb chops and the mix of Mediterranean ingredients adds to the flavours.
Lokanta
Qurum, Opposite the Entrance to Qurum Natural Park, +968 2200 9598
Go For: Sicak hummus, that is hummus cooked in the oven with cheese, Sarma Tavuk Kebap where chicken kebab is seasoned with sumac and mint and served wrapped in a sandwich. For desserts try the walnut-filled kunafeh that is decadent and the best thing to wind up a meal.
—[email protected]
