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The laid-back meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch is ideal for Friday, when the capital’s offices are quiet and relaxation is the order of the day. A roundup of the most luxurious brunches on offer

The InterContinental
Where: Musandam & Café Terrace Restaurant, at InterContinental Muscat
When: 12.30–3.30pm
What: The InterContinental has been hosting its Friday brunch for years and has a loyal base of returning customers. The current offering, overseen by executive chef Emmanuel Pauliat, features a selection of international cooking – everything from salads, soup and other first courses through to puddings, a tempting cheese board, tea and coffee.
Price: RO12 per adult; RO6 per child under 12. For details, call 24680000

The Grand Hyatt
Where: Mokha Café, at Grand Hyatt Muscat
When: 12.30–3.30pm
What: The Hyatt’s brunch has been running for ten years, since the hotel opened, and takes place in the glamorously decorated Mokha Café. The brunch, prepared by a team overseen by Chef Andre van den Heuvel, is as popular as ever, and offers an array of foods – delicacies include fresh oysters and other seafood, hot and cold starters, pasta, cheeses, crepes and puddings, and items from the various live cooking and carving stations, barbecue or tandoor. There is also a children’s buffet featuring mini sandwiches and muffins, and a chocolate fountain.
Price: RO15 per person; RO8 per child aged 3-12. For details, call 24641234.

The Crowne Plaza
Where: Tropicana Restaurant, at Crowne Plaza Muscat
When: 12.30–4pm
What: The Crowne Plaza’s brunch offers guests a large selection of American and Contintental breakfasts, salads, cold cuts of meat and terrines. The carving station features offerings including salmon on spinach in puff pastry, whole baked hammour fillet, rib-eye beef with mushroom sauce, and roasted legs of lamb with Provençal sauce, and there is also a fresh fruit juice station and the option to choose bubbly. Tropicana is a light, bright restaurant with tables indoors and on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool and the bay beyond.
Price: RO11 per person for the full buffet. For an additional RO3, guests can also have unlimited fresh juices and/or bubbly (available 2–4pm). For details, call 24660660.