Restaurants in Jordan

Food is a central part of life in Jordan and throughout the whole of the Middle East. Whilst being unique in some ways, Jordan's cuisine is part of the distinctive Middle East culinary heritage, widely regarded as one of the world's most elaborate, sophisticated and finest cuisines.

Jordanian cuisine is a food lover's dream, and satisfies even the most demanding gourmet!

This Jordan Restaurant Guide gives information on Jordanian cuisine and popular dishes, as well as listing some recommended Jordanian restaurants. If you haven't yet booked your Jordan  or Jordan tours, be sure to check out what we have on offer. Our Jordan Shopping Guide is also a useful information page on some of the great souvenirs and gifts available to purchase on your trip.

Jordanian cuisine, as with all Middle Eastern cuisine, has its roots in traditional Bedouin cooking. Many of the dishes have been passed down from one generation to the next, and each different clan usually has its own secret recipes. Although tending to be reasonably heavy, dishes are still quite healthy, with yoghurt, grains and numerous fresh and dried vegetables used in cooking.

Meals usually start with meze (hors d'oeuvres), a number of small plates of various types of starters. Salads are also quite common, and bread is usually eaten with every meal. Dessert or fresh fruit follows the meal, which is completed by the famous Arabic coffee. Below we've listed some of the popular dishes you may come across while in Jordan, and which all come highly recommended!

Popular Dishes
- Mensaf: this is the national dish of Jordan. It consists of stewed lamb which has been seasoned with aromatic herbs, and then cooked in a yoghurt sauce, served with rice.
- Meze: small starters such as tabouleh, humus and kube
- Kebabs
- Mahshi Waraq 'inab: minced meat, rice and various spices wrapped in vine leaves.
- Musakhan: chicken roasted in olive oil and onion sauce on Arab bread.
- Stuffed Baby Lamb: roasted baby lamb stuffed with rice, nuts, raisins and diced onions.
- Baklava: pastry filled with nuts and honey.
- Kanafa: nuts and goats cheese encased in pastry.
- Ataif: traditionally eaten during Ramadan, these small pancakes are fried and filled with nuts or cheese.

Popular Drinks
- Coffee: one of the most popular rituals in Jordan is drinking Arabic coffee. Usually served very strong, it is served in small cups.
- Alcohol: local beer, wine and other types of alcohol are served in many restaurants and bars, except during Ramadan.
- Araq: a local liquor, Araq is similar to Greek Ouzo, and it is usually mixed with water and ice.

We are local and have put together a wide selection of Jordan Hotels in the following cities: 

          *  Amman Hotels                  *   Aqaba Hotels
          *  Petra Hotels                      *   Dead Sea Hotels
          *  Wadi Rum Hotels             *   Kerak Hotels
          *  Wadi Mousa Hotels         *   Dana Hotels 
          *  Madaba Hotels                 *   Sweimeh Hotels

Please click on any of the above links to filter the accommodation by the city you wish to book a hotel. We also offer a range of Jordan Tours and happy to help plan a full Jordan travel itinerary