Exploring Oman, One Coffee Shop at a Time

This year, I’ve traveled to Oman multiple times for work, and with the end of each trip makes me want to extend my stay.

In the evenings, I explore the city, visit coffee shops, and learn about the coffee culture, which feels quite similar to Dubai.

Oman Coffee Community

My recent most visit just before Ramadan lined up with a special event — the first gathering of the Oman Coffee Community. A big thanks to Andrew for inviting me to a gathering of coffee enthusiasts, baristas, roasters, and professionals coming together to taste coffee from different roasteries.

The event also marked the election of the board for Oman’s specialty coffee community, setting the stage for an exciting future.

Now that there’s an official board supporting the coffee scene, let me take you through some of the coffee shops I visited during my trip.

Exploring Oman’s Coffee Scene

Azura Coffee

Whenever I asked for coffee shop recommendations in Oman, Azura - The Coffee Company was always at the top of the list.

Without hesitation, I knew it had to be my first stop. A big thanks to Leo for brewing me this exceptional Rwandan coffee from Rwacof growers.

With floral notes, passion fruit, and a hint of citrus, it was beyond what I had expected.

Lacabra Coffee

The last time I had La Cabra was at House of Wisdom, but without their bakery, the experience kinda felt incomplete.

So when I was recommended this spot, I had incredibly high expectations, even though I knew it wasn’t entirely fair. But to my surprise, it not only met but exceeded them.

The olive lemon cake paired beautifully with the Cerro Azul coffee on filter, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Their coffee and pastries together are what truly set them apart.

The thoughtfully designed interior, the minimal yet elegant exterior stood out amongst other shops in the area. Every detail complemented the experience.

Sector Seventeen

Often, inspiration comes from the places we grow up in, shaping the stories we tell and the passion we bring to our work. What if I told you that by digging deeper, you could bring different elements together to create something truly unique?

Take Sector Seventeen — this cafe is inspired by Sector 17 in Chandigarh, a bustling shopping district today but once the heart of a visionary city. Back in the 1950s, Chandigarh, which translates to “The City Beautiful,” was designed by Le Corbusier with Sector 17 at its core.

For the founders, this place holds deep memories. They grew up in Sector 17, and the cafe reflects the world they knew. You’ll notice how different forms blend — straight lines meet rounded corners, all leading back to the logo: a modernistic impression of the number 17 in Punjabi.

Subtle grid-like elements run throughout the space, hidden in the furniture, the walls, and even the manhole cover at the entrance, a quiet tribute to Chandigarh’s design.

This post isn’t over if I am not talking about the coffee, right? Right.

I had The Secretariat, named after a famous Chandigarh landmark. It’s their take on an espresso martini, made with washed Ethiopian beans. Floral and fruity with a beautiful balance.

And the food? That’s where Simran’s Kitchen comes in. If you’re based in Oman, you’ve probably heard of Simran, a culinary expert known for her food blogging and cooking classes. Every dessert and sandwich on display is crafted under her vision.

But what really blows my mind is the fact that this entire concept is a family affair. The Dhanju family built this space, handle the branding, curate the food and coffee, and run the social media — all on their own. The kind of work that usually takes a team, they pulled it off with pure passion.

Now, that’s a story worth telling.

Black Haze

I decided to try something different this time around and turned to Reddit for recommendations on Muscat’s specialty coffee scene. One name stood out — Black Haze. Its dark, moody vibe caught my attention, and I had to check it out.

The interior was just as unique — dimly lit with neon yellow spotlights around the bar, giving it a nightclub like feel.

Behind the bar was Ahyad, a skilled mixologist (though he won’t admit it) with a true passion for brewing coffee.

He recommended the Black Pearl, a coffee mocktail that looked just like its name — dark and mysterious, topped with white cream.

The flavors were bold yet balanced, with the creamy texture softening the drink’s sweetness.

To top it off, Ahyad brewed a washed coffee from Los Prinieos, roasted by Tim Windelboe. A perfect ending to what had been a pretty routine day.

Kaleem

Kaleem was once again one of the highly recommended spaces I was asked to visit.

When Kaleem comes into the view, it looks like a block of concrete placed on the edge of a park but it’s more than that.

It is a blend of nature and modern design that both stands out and seamlessly fits in. From the triangular entryway to the asymmetrical pathway and the meticulously arranged coffee equipment on the coffee bar, every detail feels thought out.

Now, let’s talk coffee. Over time, my coffee preferences have become more refined. While I’m open to all origins and processing methods, I often gravitate toward washed coffees.

But at Kaleem, the natural anaerobic offerings caught my attention — cleaner and sweeter cups with just enough oomph to keep things interesting.

My pick? A Guatemala. It’s not a common find, and its profile stood out: tropical and clean upfront, balanced by a hint of unripe berries, with a candy-like sweetness that lingered through the end.

Brewed skillfully by @donquixotedudeee and @_lvcifxr, who also shared a quick lesson on the perfect coffee-to-water ratio, the experience reminded me of being in Dubai where conversations about coffee feel like a shared language.

La Cava

La Cava, another great spot to kick back after a hectic workday and enjoy a seriously good cup of coffee. Big thanks to Andrew for the recommendation, this one didn’t disappoint.

What really stood out to me, apart from the coffee, was the space itself. Minimalistic interiors that feel calming and easy on the eyes, and the quirky wall decor that just adds so much character to the place. It’s the kind of spot where you’d want to stay a little longer than planned.

Specialty cafes in Oman continue to impress me. The standards are consistently high, and every visit feels like a win. Can’t really say the same for what I’ve experienced in Dubai. It’s not a fair comparison and the scene is quite difference, but that’s my frame of reference so far. La Cava, though, definitely makes the list of places worth coming back to.

Aram

Walking into a space filled with locals instantly reminded me of a few specialty cafes back in Dubai.

Aram is nestled in a charming, eclectic area overlooking the House of Musical Arts.

The surrounding architecture was so stunning that I often found myself distracted, barely paying attention to the company I was with.

Inside, the warm and calming interiors perfectly complemented the tranquility of the outside.

As for the coffee, the Panama Geisha on filter was exceptional, while the Yemeni—at double the price—left me wondering why. The Tiramisu was probably the best I’ve ever had, pairing beautifully with the Geisha.

This is a space you’ll find me escaping to whenever I’m in Muscat.

I Need Suggestions

My trips to Oman aren’t over yet, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. I know there are so many great coffee shops inside and outside of Muscat that I haven’t explored yet.

So, I need your help! Which specialty coffee shops should I visit next? Who deserves a spot in a follow-up article? Drop your suggestions and I’ll check them out in my next visit.