No trip to Jordan would be complete without trying all the wonderful and unique dishes that the country has to offer.
From the freshest falafel and hummus, to the most flavourful chicken and rice dish I’ve ever had, Jordan has a some of the best food we’ve ever tasted while traveling.
And that’s saying a lot since my wife Chetna was able to eat delicious vegan meals too!
So, here’s a list of our favourite restaurants, unique food experiences and exactly what you need to eat when you visit Jordan.
1. Afghan Tea
The first thing you’ll probably be offered while visiting Jordan is tea. Tea is consumed by almost everyone, from big city folks to Bedouin people living in the desert.
Jordanian tea is served black, sometimes with mint leaves, and always with sugar. Lots of sugar.
For Jordanians, offering tea to guests is customary. So, whether you’re walking through the streets of Madaba or sheltering from the hot sun in Wadi Rum, you’ll like be offered tea.
Pro-tip: Try to accept tea offerings as much as possible. It’s a great way to slow down and enjoy your time in Jordan. You’ll meet locals and gain more insight on Jordanian culture while sipping on this warm and soothing drink.
If not offered for free, tea is usually $2 JD. We purchased tea in the street markets of Amman, in rural and remote sections of the King’s highway on our way to Wadi Rum, as well as at tourist hot spots like Jerash and Petra.
One of our most memorable places to drink tea was sitting alone in front of the Monastery in Petra as the morning sun crept over the mountains. Truly spectacular!
2. Hashem Restaurant in Amman
Hashem is truly an iconic restaurant in downtown Amman. It’s extremely popular with locals and tourists, especially during Ramadan. It’s so busy that getting a seat or table during the dinner rush can be very difficult.
Hashem became famous when the Jordan royal family ate there. Since then, it’s attracted countless patrons. So, how’s the food at Hashem? Is it actually any good?
Well, the falafel and hummus at Hashem was absolutely delicious. It’s served with the perfect blend of spices and freshly made bread!
Full of flavour, the food is served quickly and at a very reasonable price. Our meal of falafel, hummus, salad, and fries, with drinks cost only $9 JD. We also made friends with the people we shared a table with and then explored the city at night together.
Hashem Restaurant is located close to the Roman Amphitheatre and the Citadel. The address is here.
Just look for the green sign, or the table and seats overflowing onto the sidewalk!
3. Mansaf
No trip to Jordan would be complete without having mansaf, the national dish of Jordan. Actually, while we were in Madaba, one of the locals mentioned that Kerak (the next stop on our journey) was the best place to try mansaf. Who knew?! (Well, Jordanians’s do!)
Mansaf is slow cooked lamb shank served on a bed of rice with a yogurt sauce and very thin bread. To say this meal is hearty and meant for a king is an understatement.
Since mansaf takes some time to prepare, it can be a bit harder to find. Not all restaurants carry it. It’s usually eaten on special occasions, such as weddings.
We were lucky enough to find a restaurant in Kerak that served it – Lammeh W Logmeh located here.
And boy almighty did it hit the spot. The meat was tender. The rice was filling. And the yogurt dipping sauce was the perfect compliment.
So, in the shadow of Kerak castle, feel like sultan Saladin himself and enjoy Mansaf.
4. Dinner at Stone Lodge in Petra (Try the Maqluba)
No trip to Jordan is complete without a visit to Petra. Actually, Petra is probably the main reason you’re visiting Jordan.
Well, while you’re in Petra, I recommend you try to stay clear of the tourist traps and restaurants next to the entrance gate or along the main road leading to Petra.
Instead, book a dinner at the Stone Lodge. Surprisingly, the dinner is extremely well priced ($11 JD per person per meal), and the overall experience is fantastic.
We ended up staying at the Stone Lodge and had dinner two nights in a row.
- Stone Lodge is located up the hill in the town of Petra, and overlooks the Wadi (desert).
- Each room overlooks the desert valley, and the view is spectacular at sunset!
The food they offer at Stone Lodge is traditional Jordanian dishes. Dinner is served either outside on their terrace, or inside a Bedouin style tent if it is a colder night. Lucky for us, on the second night, they served Maqluba. And they didn’t skimp out on the portions, that’s for sure!
Maqluba is a one-pot rice, meat and vegetables dish, cooked with a variety of spices. Once the food is cooked, the pot is quickly flipped onto the serving dish to reveal the pile of food. It takes a skillful chef to master the art of the flip!
In a sense, Maqluba is similar to the Indian dish biryani, but it’s not as dry. Packed with flavour and oozing with deliciousness, it’s a hearty meal after a full day of hiking and exploring Petra. We’ve attempted to recreate the Maqluba at home, but nothing beats Stone Lodge.
Pro-tip: Stone Lodge can also modify the meal to suit your dietary restrictions! Since Chetna is vegan, they made a vegetarian version with no meat or dairy products, which was just as delicious.
5. Foul
Personally, I prefer savoury over sweet, especially for breakfast. So, if you’re like me, then you need to try foul (pronounced “fool”) while you’re in Jordan.
Foul is stewed fava beans in light olive oil, herbs, and spices, and typically eaten with flat bread or pita. It’s a simple breakfast staple Jordanians love to eat. Think of it like beans and toast for Brits (but way better!).
Foul can be found pretty much everywhere in Jordan. Packed with nutrients, protein, and carbs, foul will fuel your body and help you prepare for a full day of site-seeing in Jordan.
6. Zarb
While in Wadi Rum, the famous desert in Jordan, we stayed at the Sun City Camp Hotel. And if you’re wondering, yes, we stayed in a dome tent that looks straight out of the movie The Martian.
Food-wise, breakfast and dinner were the typical resort-style buffet. But, on some nights they do something very special for dinner called Zarb.
Zarb is a method of cooking that relies on hot coals in a covered pit, called a taboon, to slow-cook food over a period of hours. A large, multi-level rack of meats, and vegetables is lowered into the pit. As it cooks, juices drip down into a pot of rice at the bottom of the rack.
Just before dinner is served, all the guests gather around the pit and the chefs’ uncover the rack and pull it out. Even from far away, the smell of the food is absolutely incredible.
I had the chicken, lamb, vegetables and rice from the zarb. I’m not joking when I say it was the BEST food I had in Jordan.
The flavours were so concentrated. The meat was juicy and tender. The vegetables and the rice was bursting with flavour and infused with juices from the meat. Pure perfection.
Not only was the food divine everyday, but the staff and chefs were all so passionate and attentive to our needs. They walked Chetna through the buffet each day to let her know which items were vegan, and she always had so many options to choose from.
Pro-tip: We ended up doing (and HIGHLY recommend) half-board at Sun City, which included lodging, breakfast and dinner. It’s well worth the price!
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