There is a wide variety of cuisine on offer, including Arabic, Indian, Oriental, European and international dishes. Coffee houses are popular. Waiter service is usual.
Muslim law forbids alcohol, but most hotel bars and restaurants serve alcohol.
Visitors are only allowed to drink alcohol in licensed hotels and restaurants. To buy alcohol for home consumption, Western nationals must obtain a licence from their Embassy. There are a few nightclubs and bars in Muscat, mostly in the hotels. Falaj Hotel showing Arab, Indian and English films. The modern shops are mostly in Ruwi and Qurum.