Restaurant Marketing in Oman

The restaurant industry in Oman has undergone a vibrant transformation, particularly as digital marketing for restaurants in Oman continues to mature in 2025. With the Omani food service market estimated at USD 2.16 billion in 2024 and projected to nearly double by 2032, the sector is experiencing significant growth. This surge coincides with a 96.4% increase in internet usage among the population and a mobile-driven, delivery-first mindset. These trends make digital marketing for restaurants Oman not just an option, but a necessity.

In today’s landscape, diners in Muscat or Salalah don’t just rely on recommendations; they discover new venues through social media posts, Google Maps, and targeted platforms. Strategic Oman restaurant advertising on Instagram reels, local search, and delivery apps like Talabat has become the gateway to foot traffic, online orders, and lasting loyalty.

Whether you’re launching a refined dining experience or revamping an established café in Oman, this guide will help you elevate your Oman restaurant advertising strategy and grow your brand sustainably in the digital age.

Omani Market Overview

Consumer‑behavior Trends in Oman’s Food & Beverage Sector

• The overall food market in Oman is projected to reach US $7.13 billion in 2025, growing annually by ~3.8% through 2029
• The food service segment (restaurants, cafés, etc.) is worth US $1.63 billion in 2025, with a projected CAGR of 7.4% toward 2030
• Omani households allocate around 24% of their monthly budgets to eating out, the highest in the GCC.
• A young, urban, digitally fluent audience (over 60% under 35) is driving demand for health-conscious, international, and convenient F&B options.

Growth of food‑delivery apps & online orders

• Online food delivery is booming: the e-services market will hit US $838 million in 2025, with food delivery capturing ~US $829 million of it.
• Meal delivery alone is forecast to reach US $130 million, with ~15% user penetration in 2025.
• Platforms like Talabat (dominant since 2012) serve over 6,000 restaurants, employ drone and e-bike delivery, and hold top “most‑trusted” status.
• While Talabat is the only truly reliable app, newer local challengers like Khedmah are emerging, “good to have competition”. Opening new horizons for restaurant marketing services Oman. 

Cultural & local dining preferences 

• Omani cuisine features staples like seafood and rice-based dishes (Kabsa, Shuwa, Harees), yet diners also crave global flavors and healthier options.
• There’s strong interest in plant-based offerings, driven by international trends and rising health awareness.
• The tourist influx (2.9 million arrivals in 2023) boosts demand for authentic local fare alongside diverse cuisines.
• Ramadan behaviors: Many restaurants close during fasting hours, yet delivery apps like Talabat still provide iftar options.

Importance of Arabic & Bilingual Marketing Content 

• With 96% plus internet penetration and strong mobile usage, Omani consumers expect Arabic-language communication across platforms, which is the best approach for SEO for Oman restaurants.
• Bilingual content (Arabic + English) enhances SEO for Oman restaurants, resonates culturally, and boosts trust in restaurant ads and social campaigns.
• Restaurants offering Arabic-sourced menu descriptions, advertisements, and chat support outperform those that rely solely on English.

Local SEO & Google My Business Optimization

In Oman, whether someone’s planning a dinner in Muscat or looking for a café near a beach in Salalah, the first stop is often Google Search or Google Maps. Tourists rely on reviews and directions, while locals look for menus, delivery options, and opening hours. That’s why Local SEO for Oman restaurants isn’t optional, it’s a must.

How Tourists & Locals Discover Restaurants in Oman

The average user in Oman searches in both Arabic and English. A quick “best mandi in Sohar” or “مطعم لبناني قريب مني” (Lebanese restaurant near me) can decide where they eat. If your restaurant isn’t showing up in these local search results—or doesn’t look appealing—you’re missing major traffic.

This is where Google My Business (GMB) comes in. It’s one of the most effective tools for local discovery, especially when combined with strong SEO for Oman restaurants and consistent social media marketing Oman restaurant’s content.

Importance of local keywords (Arabic + English)

Using local search terms like “seafood restaurant Muscat” or “مطعم مشاوي صلالة” (grill restaurant Salalah) in your website content and GMB profile boosts your visibility. These keywords should also be part of your blog, image alt-text, and social media captions to support SEO for Oman restaurants.

Social Media Marketing for Oman Restaurants

If you’re running a restaurant in Oman in 2025 and not leveraging social media, you’re leaving serious exposure and sales on the table. Whether you’re serving gourmet steaks in Muscat or street-style shawarma in Salalah, your customers are scrolling Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat before deciding where to eat.

What platforms matter most in Oman?

Instagram still dominates the food and lifestyle space. Eye-catching Reels, story polls, behind-the-scenes content, and influencer tags help build hype. TikTok is catching up fast short, authentic videos showcasing food preparation, ambiance, or customer reactions can go viral. And don’t sleep on Snapchat—it’s particularly popular with Gen Z in Oman, especially in urban areas.

This is where smart social media marketing Oman restaurants’ strategy shines: by creating localized, visually rich content that speaks to what Omani users actually want to see.

When paired with restaurant marketing services Oman, your social presence can do more than just look good; it can drive real traffic through paid campaigns, geo-targeted ads, and coordinated promotions across Google and Meta platforms.

Paid Ads & Geo-Targeting Strategies

In a market like Oman, where people rely on Google, Instagram, and food delivery apps to decide where to eat, paid advertising isn’t just smart, it’s strategic. Whether you want to fill tables for dinner or push a lunch deal on weekdays, geo-targeted ads help you reach the right people at the right time.

How to use paid ads effectively

Meta (Facebook + Instagram) ads are still the most versatile and cost-effective platforms for restaurants in Oman. You can create campaigns in Arabic and English, target specific cities like Muscat, Salalah, or Nizwa, and even narrow down to interests like “foodies” or “working professionals.”

If you’re offering delivery, you can run ads during peak hunger hours or around major office districts. If you’re dine-in only, use location-based targeting to reach tourists and locals near your restaurant.

Working with a team that specializes in restaurant marketing services Oman will ensure your ad copy, creatives, and targeting are optimized for local performance not just clicks.

Ramadan, weekends, and tourist seasons

There’s huge potential in seasonal and event-based advertising. During Ramadan, for example, run iftar and suhoor promotions that appear just before sunset. During tourist-heavy periods, target people arriving from Gulf countries or searchers looking for “best seafood in Muscat” or “مطاعم عمان المشهورة.”

Add in remarketing ads (targeting people who visited your page or clicked your menu) and you’ll stay top-of-mind until they walk through the door or place an order.

When combined with smart SEO for Oman restaurants and active social channels, your paid ad strategy becomes a full-funnel system that attracts, engages, and converts hungry customers daily.

The Bottom Line

Restaurant marketing in Oman has evolved far beyond just word-of-mouth and window signage. In 2025, it’s all about visibility on Google, Instagram, food delivery apps, and everywhere your audience scrolls, searches, and orders from. As the Omani F&B market becomes more competitive, standing out means staying local, bilingual, and digital-first. The restaurants winning today are the ones blending cultural understanding with sharp digital execution.

Ready to stand out in Oman’s fast-moving food scene? Book a free consultation now!