In my previous article, I shared a restaurant review of our relaxing lunch in Sur, a port town in Oman. This time, I’ll provide an experiential report about the town’s atmosphere and the surroundings of the restaurant.
Read the previous article here!
The View from the Restaurant
As I briefly mentioned in the previous article, one of the major attractions of Al Hawash Restaurant is its location. From the restaurant windows, you can see Sur’s landmark, the Al-Ayjah Lighthouse.
Sur’s premier attraction, the Al-Ayjah Lighthouse
The Al-Ayjah Lighthouse is a relatively new structure, but its location has a long history. The area where the lighthouse stands is locally called “Algilla,” meaning “a high place above water.” This spot once had defensive walls to protect the creek entrance and the surrounding area. The current lighthouse was built in 1996, commissioned by Sultan Qaboos to commemorate the National Day that year. With its white and light blue color scheme, the lighthouse is beautiful both day and night, serving as a symbol of Sur’s coastline.
This three-story lighthouse with a rounded dome features doors decorated with traditional Omani architectural beauty. Its strategic location at a height visible from the sea serves to notify vessels that they are approaching an important historic port town. While enjoying lunch and gazing at this lighthouse, one can’t help but reflect on Sur’s long history and its role as a key maritime trade hub. The lighthouse seems to silently narrate the depth of this town’s maritime culture and its journey toward modernization.
Traditional dhow boats docked in Sur. They’re still actively used as fishing vessels today.
From the restaurant, you can also see dhow boats docked in the harbor. These traditional wooden sailboats are descendants of vessels that once conducted trade across the Arabian Sea. Their elegant silhouettes blend into Sur’s landscape while maintaining a unique presence.
Stepping onto the terrace, you can feel the sea breeze carrying the scent of the tide and hear the gentle sounds of waves. Dining here gives you the feeling of having a picnic by the seaside. I’ve heard that at night, the restaurant is softly illuminated, allowing guests to enjoy Sur’s beautiful coastal scenery alongside the twinkling lights of the lighthouse.
This restaurant offers unparalleled views in Sur, including a close-up look at Al Ayjah Castle.
Exploring Around the Restaurant
After enjoying our meal, we decided to explore the area around the restaurant. During this trip, we were fortunate to be accompanied by Qusai, a local Bedouin youth. Qusai was knowledgeable about Sur’s history and culture, allowing us to discover hidden charms of the town under his guidance.
Qusai, our Omani Bedouin guide
According to Qusai, Sur’s townscape is wrapped in a relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for a leisurely walk. He guided us to small alleys known only to locals and traditional craftsmen’s workshops.
What particularly surprised me was encountering wild goats and donkeys while walking along the road. Qusai explained that many of these animals are in a semi-wild state; local people take care of them, but they roam freely around town.
Goats freely wandering the streets as if they were people
Especially impressive was the sight of these animals crossing the road. When cars approached, drivers patiently waited until the animals leisurely finished crossing. Sometimes this caused minor traffic jams, but no one seemed rushed—rather, everyone appeared to enjoy watching this scene.
Drivers yielding to goats on the road
Qusai told us that this scene symbolizes the coexistence of Sur’s people with nature. According to him, maintaining harmony with animals, even as modernization progresses, is part of traditional Omani values. Through this journey, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of Sur’s daily life and traditional culture. Thanks to his warm hospitality and rich knowledge, this trip became even more memorable.
A donkey gazing at us leisurely. The relaxed port scenery combined with these gentle animal encounters created a heartwarming experience.
Summary
Lunch at Al Hawash Restaurant and our subsequent exploration of Sur with Qusai became a wonderful experience that allowed us to fully enjoy the charm of Oman’s blend of tradition and modernity.
The restaurant’s cuisine, especially the fresh Rubyan Mashwi and refreshing Fattoush, showcased a perfect harmony of local ingredients and traditional cooking methods, giving us a sense of the depth of Omani cuisine. The variety of dishes that fully utilized Sur’s marine bounty embodied the rich food culture of this region. Additionally, the view from the restaurant was splendid; being able to observe the Al-Ayjah Lighthouse and docked dhow boats while dining was a valuable experience in understanding this town’s history and culture.
Al Hawash Restaurant is not just a dining spot but a place that encapsulates the charm of Sur. If you’re visiting Wahiba Sands or Wadi Shab, I highly recommend stopping by Sur as well. The traditional flavors, relaxed pace of life, and beautiful scenery will surely create wonderful memories.
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