Gonu Bar & Grill

Gonu Bar & Grill sits on the beach at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, a seafood-and-steak kitchen where the Gulf lapping at the edge of the terrace is part of the setting. The menu leans heavily on the day's catch: oysters on ice, grilled mahi mahi, crayfish and giant prawns on the shared seafood platter, terracotta shrimp pots arriving with a flourish at the table. For those who prefer land to sea, the lamb chops and steaks are the reliable order, and vegetarian guests can cross-order from the attached Sapore kitchen if the short salad section doesn't suffice. Service is a genuine strength. The team is attentive without hovering, and a core of long-serving hosts recognise returning guests and remember their preferences - a small detail that turns a resort restaurant into somewhere regulars treat as their local. The kitchen readily accommodates dietary requests, and special occasions are handled with real care, which is why so many visitors book Gonu for anniversaries and milestone dinners. The atmosphere is pleasantly low-key: open to the sea, softly lit after sunset, with the Hajar Mountains behind you and the water in front. This is not a place for loud nights out but somewhere to settle in for three courses and a cold drink. Tables are limited and fill up on weekends and holidays, so booking ahead is the sensible move.