Living
Ruwi
Ruwi is home to the Central Business District areas of Muscat. Ruwi High Street comes alive in the evenings as people throng the streets and the roadside cafes.
Best Points
You can pick up a good range of fake designer items here.
Worst Points
There is a lot of traffic throughout the area.
Accommodation
As Ruwi is predominantly a business area, accommodation is mainly in the form of low-cost apartments.
Shopping & Amenities
Ruwi is fantastic for little fabric shops and pirated DVDs. There is a KM Trading Centre, popular amongst locals and expats with many shops selling sunglasses, jewellery and cheap clothing.
Entertainment & Leisure
Star Cinema shows Arabic and Indian film releases. The City Cinema is also a good option for subcontinent releases, and if you feel like sampling some authentic Pakistani kebabs and flat bread step across to the restaurant opposite. There are also plenty of roadside Indian and Arab restaurants in the area where you can get a decent curry or a tasty shawarma for pocket change. The Golden Oryx is an excellent dining venue, serving up Chinese and Thai food in an authentic setting (although diners should note that the restaurant no longer serves alcohol). The Al Falaj Hotel houses Muscat’s first Japanese restaurant, the newly opened Nuts and Bolts offering late night partying. Another top-floor bar in the hotel also holds a fantastic view of the nightlights of CBD. The Sheraton is currently being refurbished.
Healthcare
The Badr Al Samaa and Kims Oman Hospital are located near Ruwi Christian church, and there are also several homeopathic clinics, a Chinese herbal medicine clinic and various smaller clinics dotted around the area.
Education
Ruwi is home to the Pakistan School, but there are no educational establishments offering English or American curricula.
Traffic & Parking
Traffic is very busy and parking can be a problem. You may find a spot on one of the roads behind Ruwi High Street, or near Lulu Centre (Darsayt).
Safety & Annoyances
With all the comings and goings of the local businesses in the area, and the resulting traffic, Ruwi can be noisy. Do remember to dress conservatively when walking around, especially near the High Street. This applies to both men and women.
Best Points
You can pick up a good range of fake designer items here.
Worst Points
There is a lot of traffic throughout the area.
Accommodation
As Ruwi is predominantly a business area, accommodation is mainly in the form of low-cost apartments.
Shopping & Amenities
Ruwi is fantastic for little fabric shops and pirated DVDs. There is a KM Trading Centre, popular amongst locals and expats with many shops selling sunglasses, jewellery and cheap clothing.
Entertainment & Leisure
Star Cinema shows Arabic and Indian film releases. The City Cinema is also a good option for subcontinent releases, and if you feel like sampling some authentic Pakistani kebabs and flat bread step across to the restaurant opposite. There are also plenty of roadside Indian and Arab restaurants in the area where you can get a decent curry or a tasty shawarma for pocket change. The Golden Oryx is an excellent dining venue, serving up Chinese and Thai food in an authentic setting (although diners should note that the restaurant no longer serves alcohol). The Al Falaj Hotel houses Muscat’s first Japanese restaurant, the newly opened Nuts and Bolts offering late night partying. Another top-floor bar in the hotel also holds a fantastic view of the nightlights of CBD. The Sheraton is currently being refurbished.
Healthcare
The Badr Al Samaa and Kims Oman Hospital are located near Ruwi Christian church, and there are also several homeopathic clinics, a Chinese herbal medicine clinic and various smaller clinics dotted around the area.
Education
Ruwi is home to the Pakistan School, but there are no educational establishments offering English or American curricula.
Traffic & Parking
Traffic is very busy and parking can be a problem. You may find a spot on one of the roads behind Ruwi High Street, or near Lulu Centre (Darsayt).
Safety & Annoyances
With all the comings and goings of the local businesses in the area, and the resulting traffic, Ruwi can be noisy. Do remember to dress conservatively when walking around, especially near the High Street. This applies to both men and women.
