A Typical Jordanian Breakfast
Breakfast is where Jordanian food really shines. A classic table is shared by everyone: hummus and foul (slow-cooked fava beans with lemon, garlic and olive oil), falafel fresh from the fryer, labneh (thick strained yoghurt) drizzled with olive oil, za'atar and olive oil for dipping, white cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and warm flatbread straight from the bakery. Add a glass of sweet mint tea and you have the perfect start to a day of sightseeing. Most hotels in Amman, Petra and the Dead Sea serve a Jordanian corner at breakfast, so you can try it from your very first morning.
What to Drink in Jordan
- Arabic coffee (qahwa) – light, flavoured with cardamom and served in tiny cups as a sign of hospitality. Shake the cup gently from side to side when you have had enough.
- Sweet tea with mint or sage – offered everywhere, from Bedouin tents in Wadi Rum to shops in downtown Amman.
- Lemon and mint juice – blended with ice, the most refreshing drink on a hot day in Petra.
- Sahlab – a warm, thick milk drink with cinnamon and nuts, perfect for winter evenings.
- Tamarind and carob juice – sold by street vendors, especially during Ramadan.
Where to Taste Jordanian Food
Amman
Downtown Amman is the best place to start: famous falafel and hummus shops serve locals from early morning, and the knafeh bakeries near the old souk always have a queue. Rainbow Street and Jabal Al Weibdeh are full of cafés and restaurants serving mansaf, maqluba and mezze in old stone houses. For a hands-on experience, a cooking class in Amman lets you prepare a full Jordanian meal with a local family and eat it together.
Petra (Wadi Musa)
After a long day walking in Petra, the restaurants of Wadi Musa serve generous buffets with mezze, grilled meats and maqluba. Several places offer evening cooking classes where you learn to make Jordanian salads, soups and main dishes – a lovely way to end your Petra day.
Wadi Rum
No trip to Jordan is complete without zarb, the Bedouin barbecue cooked in an underground sand oven. In the desert camps of Wadi Rum, the zarb is lifted out of the sand in front of the guests at sunset and served with rice, salads and Bedouin tea around the fire. It is included in every Wadi Rum night on our tours.
The Dead Sea and Aqaba
At the Dead Sea, hotel restaurants offer Arabic buffets with a view over the water. In Aqaba, try sayadieh – fresh fish from the Red Sea cooked with spiced rice and caramelised onions.
Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Jordan
Jordan is one of the easiest countries in the Middle East for vegetarians and vegans. Mezze tables are mostly plant-based: hummus, moutabal, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, fattoush, falafel, grilled vegetables, stuffed vine leaves and lentil soup. Just tell us your diet when you book and we will inform your hotels and the Wadi Rum camp in advance.
Food Etiquette and Tips
- Meals are shared – dishes are placed in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves.
- When invited to a Jordanian home, it is polite to accept at least a cup of coffee or tea.
- Mansaf is traditionally eaten with the right hand from a large common platter, but you will always be offered a spoon.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking in public during the day; hotels and tourist restaurants stay open.
- Tap water is generally treated, but most visitors prefer bottled water, which we provide in the car on all our tours.
Taste Jordan on Our Tours
Food is part of every trip we organise. On our private tours of Jordan your driver will take you to the places locals love, from the best falafel in Amman to family restaurants on the King's Highway. Enjoy a zarb dinner under the stars on our Petra and Wadi Rum weekend, try mansaf and knafeh in Amman on our day tours, or ask us to add a cooking class to a tailor-made trip. Planning when to go? Read our guide to the weather in Jordan and the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jordanian Food
What is the national dish of Jordan?
Mansaf – lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yoghurt (jameed), served on rice and flatbread and topped with almonds and pine nuts. It is the dish of celebrations, weddings and family gatherings.
Is Jordanian food spicy?
No. Jordanian food is full of flavour from spices such as cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, sumac and allspice, but it is rarely hot. Chilli sauce is usually served on the side.
What should I eat for dessert in Jordan?
Knafeh is the favourite: warm cheese pastry soaked in syrup and topped with pistachios. Also try baklawa, kulaj, hareeseh and, in winter, a cup of hot sahlab.
Is food in Jordan expensive?
Street food is very affordable: a falafel sandwich or a plate of hummus costs about 1–2 JD. A meal in a good restaurant usually costs 10–20 JD per person.
Can I join a cooking class in Jordan?
Yes. Cooking classes are available in Amman and in Petra (Wadi Musa). We can add one to any of our tours – just mention it when you send your request.
