Mutrah Fish Market is a working market stretching along the Mutrah waterfront in Muscat. Omani fishermen arrive here early in the morning to unload, prepare and then sell their day’s catch. Visit the market to marvel at the fascinating array of fresh fish and sample mouthwatering seafood dishes. Mutrah Fish Market began in 1960 as a small collection of stalls. In September 2017 its modern wave-like building was unveiled.
Some of the most interesting action at the market takes place very early in the morning. Watch as the vendors meticulously wash different varieties of fish before displaying them for sale. Everyone from restaurant owners to individual shoppers wander between the stalls and engage in good-natured bargaining battles.
The array of products offered is impressive. Purchase crabs, dorados, lobsters, prawns, tuna and swordfish, among other edible marine creatures. If you are staying in self-catering accommodations pick up something to cook at home. Watch as the vendor guts and scales your fish in seconds. Alternatively, visit the market’s small restaurant that serves an assortment of local seafood dishes.
In addition to the fish is a collection of fruit and vegetable stands. Select from locally grown products to accompany your fish. There’s also a coffee shop. Have a coffee seasoned with cloves or cardamom and watch people buying and selling.
The market is open daily and admission is free. Find it at the northern end of the waterfront promenade in the Mutrah neighborhood. Public buses and taxis travel here from most areas of the city. Some parking is available, although spaces tend to fill quite fast.
Mutrah Fish Market is one of several attractions that you can visit on a walking tour of Mutrah. Learn about the history of Muscat via multimedia exhibits at Bait Al Baranda museum. Shop for antiques, jewelry and textiles in the frenzied Mutrah Souq. Admire ocean views from the grounds of the 16th-century Mutrah Fort, visit mosques and relax in the scenic gardens along the Corniche.