Rozna Restaurant, in Muscat, offers traditional breakfast dishes in a unique fort-like setting. I loved the experience of sitting on the floor and having breakfast in a colourful small private dining room.
Forts are a major part of Omani history and culture. And it feels quite impressive to walk up the small alleyway and enter through the main gate with its Arabic arch (photo: Christine van den Hogen joussourtooman.com).
Actually, the restaurant was the winner of the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Category of the A’Design Award in 2021-2022. It’s a unique place with a unique ambience.
You can choose combinations of dishes or make your custom tray with dishes such as sambusa (small pastries with chicken or vegetable filling), fish katlees (fish and potato), laban (Arabic yoghurt), or chicken harees (crushed boiled wheat mixed with shredded chicken) to name a few.
The restaurant gives you the choice between eating at a table in the large open dining area or eating while sitting on the floor in a small private room. If you are up for it, I certainly recommend this unique cultural experience.
I have been several times to Rozna and the quality of the service has been variable. I have had very helpful waiters who were very professional. I’ve equally had waiters who seemed uninterested and visibly intent on getting us to leave as soon as possible. The place is large and can at times feel a little impersonal.
Rozna restaurant is situated in an open space next to the Ministry of Education in Muscat-Seeb.
During my last visit to Rozna, I asked the waiter about the name. He explained to me that ‘Rozna’ in Arabic is an alcove in a wall. It is a feature of traditional buildings and was used as a shelf.
The colourful cushions, carpets, and wooden shelves give guests a feel for traditional Omani decoration. The system for closing the wooden shutters is a beautiful detail.
While you are at Rozna restaurant, you will get the opportunity to see someone making Omani bread in front of you. You can then enjoy hot crispy bread. Delicious!
Oman is one of the world centres for the production of incense. As a result, it is a part of every day life in Omani homes. In Rozna, the fun cash point is in the shape of an incense burner. They also burn incense regularly.
The register in the restaurant is in the shape of a large incense burner!
I ordered a custom tray with cheese, eggs, sambusa (small pastries with a vegetable and chicken filling), balaleet, and fish katlees (fish and potato kofta). This came with 2 kinds of bread and cost 4 OMR.
This post was a full review of Rozna restaurant. They also serve delicious traditional dishes with quality products for lunch and dinner.
For a traditional Omani breakfast, I also recommend Dukanah Cafe and Mama Halima’s Kitchen.
WELCOME to JOUSSOUR to OMAN
Hello and welcome to Joussour to Oman! I’m Christine van den Hogen, a Franco-British writer, teacher and watercolourist. I’ve been living in the Middle East for 7 years and 4 years in Oman.
I’m passionate about helping independent travellers interested in cultures create immersive journeys.
Joussour to Oman is my cultural travel blog and it’s my hope to share my first-hand experience as someone who lives here as well as insights from local people. I want to share insiders’ tips with you so you can plan your trip to Oman efficiently and truly EXPERIENCE Omani culture when you come.
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Christine is a Muscat-based writer, watercolourist and teacher. She's been living in Oman for 4 years and she's also lived in Jordan and Dubai. She shares resources and stories to help independent travellers plan creative trips and truly experience Middle Eastern cultures.
7 responses
Merci Christine pour ce temps passé à nous décrire comment se sentir comme chez toi, chez nous !
J’ ai voyagé encore !
À bientôt ✈️
C’est un plaisir, Anne. Vraiment!
Wow❤️
Thanks. If you need more information about accommodation in Muscat or other aspects of travelling in Oman, don’t hesitate to ask.
Hi Christine, thank you so much for the restaurant recommendation. I loved the food, the atmosphere and the place in general. I also talked to Khaled, the supervisor. He says hi. Thank you again. Tomorrow is my last day in Muscat. Any last minute must- see places?
Saliha from Algeria
Hello Saliha, Glad to hear you enjoyed the restaurant. In terms of Muscat, there are many options but some must-sees are Muttrah (the Corniche, Souq and Fort), Al Qurum (Shatti Al Qurum with its beach, the Opera building), and Old Muscat (the Royal Palace and gardens around, the Bait Al Zubair museum). I hope you get to see some of these. Have a great day!