Old Turkish Restaurant & Coffee Shop مطعم و مقهى التركي القديم — Restaurant in Muscat

We went as tourists, with our kids 4 and 5 in tow. We were expecting a super casual experience and that's what we got but with very attentive and prompt service. We have travelled a lot of Asia so plastic outdoor tables and all the sights and sounds that come with outdoor eating, including stray cats at our feet had no negative impact on a lovely meal. It's been unusually hot in Muscat while we've been here so the outdoor air conditioning was a fantastic addition. We ordered the big shawarma, fatoush salad, small mixed grill which came with hummus and babaganoosh and bread. Kids enjoyed a cheese and egg pizza and a mango juice which is really like a smoothie without milk it's that thick. The shawarma was the standout dish for us. We've tasted a lot of Turkish back home in Sydney so mixed grill was good but some meats were a little dry but the chicken in it was the best part hence the 4 not 5 stars. Fresh bread and dips were great. If you love your meats this is a great casual affair with a great price to match. We would definitely return for the shawarma if we were...

Turkish food has become a symbol of a convenient, satisfying meal—whether for lunch or dinner. It’s not fast food, but it’s certainly easier and quicker than a full biryani, while still being more filling than a shawarma.

Interestingly, on this corner there are three Turkish restaurants right next to each other, all serving almost identical dishes in a very similar style. Among them, my personal favorite is Old Turkish, which I believe has the best taste of all three. The mix grill paired with olive salad is always a favorite for me and my group. We even go out of our way to take lamb chops from here as gifts for friends and family back home—something that shows just how special the flavor is to us.

Another highlight is the service. The staff are not only genuinely friendly but also helpful when advising on what and how much to order. Their guidance ensures we enjoy the meal without overordering or wasting food unnecessarily. For me, that’s not just about saving money—it reflects an important...

I'm going to share my honest experience here. I visited Old Turkish Restaurant recently, expecting a good meal given the restaurant's high rating, but unfortunately, my experience did not match the positive reviews. I ordered a large shawarma, which was the worst I've had in a long time.

The chicken was burnt, and the taste had a strong, unpleasant charcoal flavor. The meat was tough and dry, making it hard to enjoy. And the fries were not fried well; they were raw. I had a sharp stomach pain, and my dad ended up with food poisoning after eating there, which was concerning.

However, I tried their small shawarma today, and it was much better. There were no issues with it, and it tastes good. It seems like the quality of the food may vary, but the large shawarma was far from ideal.

The restaurant has potential, but they need to improve consistency and pay more attention to food quality and hygiene. I'm hesitant to return unless I'm sure the food will...