Salalah’s food scene isn’t Muscat’s — and that’s its charm. Flavourful traditional Omani and Dhofari cooking, outstanding South Asian restaurants, and resort restaurants rivalling anything in the Gulf. Best eating is often the most unexpected — roadside mathbi, family kitchen in Taqah, fish market grill.
Traditional Omani & Dhofari
Bin Ateeq (23rd July St) — private rooms, tharid, shuwa meats, OMR 10–15 for two.
Al Mandoos — more polished, excellent grilled meats.
Dhofari Food You Must Not Miss
Om Ayman in Taqah (20 min east) — legendary. Prawn curries, cuttlefish, chatni sauce. Lukemat doughnuts in honey/saffron. OMR 5–8.
Mathbi/Majeen stalls — meat on hot stones, OMR 2–4. Roadside coconut water and fruit — everywhere during Khareef, cash only.
International & Resort
Sakalan (Anantara) — top hotel restaurant, themed buffets, OMR 20–35.
Mekong (Anantara) — refined Asian.
The Orchard (Alila Hinu Bay) — frankincense trade route menu, worth 45-min drive.
Dolphin Terrazza (Crowne Plaza) — Italian rooftop, sunset.
Al Marnife (Al Mughsail) — cliff views, simple, OMR 3–5.
South Asian
Udupi — vegetarian South Indian, legendary Thursday buffet. Annapurna — North Indian, OMR 3–5.
Al Ghad — Pakistani, two branches.
During the Festival
Women’s cooking pavilion at Tourism Festival. Village women cook traditional Dhofari dishes not found in restaurants. Most authentic food experience of the season.
Ready to plan your trip? See our Salalah Khareef pages:
What is Khareef
Best time to visit Salalah
Things to Do in Salalah
Where to Stay in Salalah
Muscat to Salalah by road
Salalah with Kids
Khareef on a Budget
Salalah Khareef Packing List
Salalah Events & Festivals