Updated: 09.10.2026
Wondering what a traditional Omani breakfast looks like? Discover seven delicious breakfast dishes and drinks, from golden quroos to khubz rakhal hot off the plate.
I’ve come to love these breakfasts for their variety, bold flavours, and the way they bring people together around a shared tray.
Whether you’re planning a trip or building your world collection of dishes, this guide shares real Omani breakfast ideas rooted in everyday culture and flavour.
Breakfast in Oman, in 7 dishes and drinks
01
Omani Sawya
02
khubz rakhal
03
Quroos
04
Khabeesa
05
Lola
06
Shakshuka
07
Omani Black Tea
01
Omani Sawya.
02
Omani Bread: khubz rakhal
03
Quroos.
04
Khabeesa
05
Lola
06
Shakshuka
07
Omani Black Tea
Home cooking
Omani food is home cooking. Traditionally, people eat with their hands and it is important to eat with the right hand.
But, if you are invited to eat in an Omani family, you can definitely ask for a fork or a spoon.
What’s more, it is in the tradition for people to sit and eat on the floor. In this case, it is usual to cover the carpet with a plastic sheet.
Local Tip: When sitting on the floor, make sure you don’t place your feet towards the food as this is considered very rude.
01
Omani Sawya (pronounced 'Suwaywyah').
Also called Balaleet.
This dish is a staple of traditional Omani breakfasts but people eat it in Arab countries in general.
It consists of sweetened vermicelli noodles. The Omani version can come with an Omelette on top but this is mainly in the North of the country.
You can sprinkle coconut, nuts or Omani Ghee on top. It comes in 2 versions: a dry one and one with milk. In general, Omani families eat it every 3 or 4 days in their homes for breakfast.
As I researched the origin of the dish and I came across Krystelle Dsouza’s blog post ‘Eid Special: Love Seviyan? Here’s how the Sweet Treat Won Over India.’
I couldn’t help but see that the Indian name for this sweet vermicelli dish, called Seviyan in India, is very similar to the Omani name. I found it fascinating to discover that ‘the Sanskrit name for noodles is sevika.’
02
Omani Bread: khubz rakhal
If there’s one thing I never get tired of in Oman, it’s the bread. Khubz rakhal is the classic—paper-thin, a little crispy around the edges, and perfect for scooping up just about anything. If you get a chance to try it just freshly made, I bet you’ll get just as addicted as me!
Watching it being made is half the fun: the dough is first rolled into a ball, then slapped onto a hot metal plate (tawa) until it browns in seconds. Some restaurants still make it the old-school way and the smell alone is enough to stop you in your tracks.
Here, you can watch a Youtube video from Steve Walker’s channel showing a woman making this kind of Omani bread on a griddle.
03
Quroos.
Quroos (also written (‘qurus’) are small, round pancakes. People usually eat them with honey or date syrup and they are really yummy!
The ingredients are simple: flour, baking powder, eggs, a little salt and water. They are real comfort food!
Here is a Youtube video from Leena’z Oman channel. It shows you how quroos are made.
04
Khabeesa
Khabeesa is a traditional breakfast dish in Oman . It is basically a semolina or cream of wheat dish and can be served with melted butter. It is flavoured with saffron, rose water and cardamom.
In the picture above you can see the ingredients to make Khabeesa.
Here is YouTube video that shows you how to make it (in Arabic with a translation in the notes).
05
Lola: Sweet 'Puffed up' Bread
Lola is one of those quiet stars of the Omani breakfast table—airy, soft, and just a little sweet. I had it for the first time in a restaurant in Sur. It was one of the best breakfasts I have had in Oman – and the place had an incredible view on the sea. So it’s definitely a memorable experience for me!
It’s often made on a flat hotplate, quickly flipped by hand, then brushed with oil or ghee and sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds. The dough is simple (flour, water, sugar, salt), but the magic is in the texture: stretchy, a bit chewy, with golden crispy spots from the pan.
06
Shakshuka: A Classic Egg Dish
There was something magical for me about discovering Omani shakshuka for the first time, especially as I was expecting the more familiar Mediterranean version. Instead, I got hit with this incredible wave of Gulf spices and tanginess that completely transforms the dish.
At its heart, Omani shakshuka is pretty straightforward stuff – you’ve got your basic fresh tomatoes and eggs forming the base, along with onions that get soft and sweet when you cook them down. The magic happens with the extra element: dried limes (called loomi) that look like little brown golf balls but pack this incredible sour-smoky punch. And the spices of course!
07
Omani Black Tea
Black tea is the heartbeat of an Omani morning, served strong and sweet in small glass cups.
The tea itself is typically a robust blend – black tea, brewed dark and rich.
What’s beautiful is how the tea stays present throughout the entire meal – it’s not just a drink but almost a condiment, with people alternating between spoonfuls of food and careful sips from those small glass cups.
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Author: Christine van den Hogen
Hi, I’m Christine. I’ve lived in Oman for over four years and spent that time travelling across the country - from desert camps to remote mountain villages. Joussour to Oman is where I share practical guides and honest tips for experiencing Omani culture, nature, and daily life. This list is based entirely on places I’ve visited myself - often more than once.
7 responses
THanks Sofia
Can i meet you when i am there and ask you more share your instagram handle @dhowwellness
Wonderful informative post, Oman is beautiful. Love your watercolour. You made me want to try every dish!
Brian, hope to see you in Oman again! – Lots of amazing food to try.
Eva, thank you for your encouraging comments. I hope to continue sharing a lot more about the country where I live.
As usual, reading your blogs is joy. You made me decide one day I have to visit Oman.
Thanks, Sofia. I really hope you do visit Oman. It’s a beautiful country and I think you would enjoy the food.
I love it Christine! Really interesting and well explained. And the drawing it’s really cute. Thanks for sharing it with me!