Eating Out
Traditional Omani cuisine is based around spiced and marinated fish, and lamb and chicken dishes such as soups and curries. Typical dishes include mashuai (spit-roasted kingfish with lemon rice), maqbous (spicy saffron-tinged meat and rice) and muqalab (tripe spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, garlic and nutmeg). Visitors should note that many restaurants are closed during the day in the Ramadan period, and they should plan accordingly by buying food ahead of time or making reservations at hotel restaurants that cater to tourists.
Shopping
Shopping in Muscat is a rewarding experience for travellers, with a range of goods available from local (markets) and shopping centres. It is acceptable to ask for a discounts or a 'last price' from independent outlets, while supermarkets and shopping centres or malls display fixed prices. Most shops are open from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 9pm, Saturday through Thursday; the Sultan Centre is open 24 hours a day. The city centre is the primary shopping hub, and nearby Muttrah is also quite popular. Best buys include folk art and craft such as (carpets), wall hangings and pottery, while frankincense and myrrh are also very sought after Omani souvenirs. Silver and gold jewellery and accessories (priced by weight) are also worth buying, as is the sought-after Amouage perfume, made at a Muscat factory open to visitors. Muscat shopping centres include the Muscat City Centre mall, the Sultan Centre and the Al-Zakher Centre, which host big-name brands such as Zara and Gap, as well as computer shops, book stores and furniture shops. The Sabco Centre is a collection of half a dozen shopping centres that are popular with locals, including a souk-like collection of shops; however the best to visit is the large one in Muttrah, considered one of the best in the Gulf region, where bargaining is expected.