Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
Sorry! We don't have any recommendations for Salalah right now.
To have memorable dining experiences, you should go out and explore. Restaurants in Salalah are limited in terms of quality and variety, but there are a few good places to try local Omani cuisine, standard Arab fare, and South Asian dishes. Hotel restaurants will suffice if you aren't looking for something local, but the best food in Salalah is served from roadside coconut juice stands and "rock grillers" who serve the specialty of meat or chicken cooked on hot stones, which they call mathbi, as well as a salted, air-dried, pan-fried meat called majeen. During the Salalah Festival, typically held during August or early September, you should plan to eat in the women's cooking pavillion where ladies from the villages around the Dhofar province will be cooking and selling all of the Southern Omani classic foods. The breads are particularly good.
Traditional Omani restaurants are few and far between, and this one gives a rare introduction to the regional specialties in a traditional setting. The menu offers a huge range of dishes, like slow-cooked meats with fragrant spices served with boiled wheat, along with fish dishes, super-sweet desserts, and the rich cardamom flavored coffee served with dates to end the meal. There are four branches in Salalah, two on 23 July Street.
Fresh, authentic Lebanese food is a nice change from Salalah's ubiquitous shawarma and Indian restaurants. This compact, family-run restaurant serves a range of Lebanese specialties, including an excellent falafel, fresh tabouleh, light and lemony humous, yogurt salad with tomato, cucumber, and garlic, and a range of roasted meats and fish. A huge meal for two can be had for less than $10.
With limited dining choices in Salalah, a restaurant that does one thing but does it well is often your best option, and Udupi fits the bill. In the center of town near the Grand Mosque, this cozy restaurant serves scrumptious south Indian vegetarian cuisine in a colorful, no-frills setting. Spiced dahls, hearty vegetable curries, and flatbreads are all served with basmati rice and a dozen aromatic chutneys and other Indian condiments. Portions are huge and prices are ridiculously cheap. Don't miss Thursday's all-you-can-eat buffet.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
