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Latest update: 7 June 2025
I’m sitting on a terrace in Downtown Amman with a plate full of hummus and mint lemon juice on the side. Around me, I hear Arabic chatter and smell the aroma of freshly baked bread. This is why I love traveling – discovering how a city tastes! I’m happy to share my tips for restaurants and food in Amman with you.
Discovering Jordanian cuisine
I’m totally unfamiliar with Jordanian cuisine and have no clue what to order. And the Arabic script doesn’t help either. That’s why I booked a food tour in Amman, as I hope to benefit from it throughout my entire trip to Jordan. And, of course, I also pick up some good restaurant tips in Amman.
The food tour: a tasty introduction
The evening food tour by Amman Food Tours starts on Rainbow Street and heads toward Downtown Amman. At a fast pace, I taste all kinds of delicacies, from traditional dishes to sweet specialties, under the cheerful guidance of Jumana. It’s not only a way to try many different dishes, but also a chance to see the city through a local’s eyes. During the tour, I learn more about the food culture because eating in Jordan has meaning: it’s a social event, a family tradition, and an expression of hospitality.
Our first stop is a place where we taste manoush: flatbread with za’atar herbs. The owner has hung images from an old TV series on the wall, which immediately evokes a nostalgic feeling in Jordanians.
Then we visit a falafel shop that has been in operation since 1966. And not only does the king come here, but Jumana’s sister also goes straight here after arriving at the airport. And I understand why – the falafel isn’t dry like it often is in the Netherlands but wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
The sugar market is an experience in itself: busy, chaotic, and full of sweet aromas. We taste sweets, fruit, and more at different stalls. But we’re far from done. We visit restaurants, kiosks, and dessert shops. I’m about to explode! This tour is really the highlight of my stay in Amman. Book it!
BreakFEAST like a local
Breakfast in Jordan is very different from what I’m used to. Forget oatmeal and chocolate sprinkles: here, the day starts with savory dishes like hummus, olives, and freshly baked bread. And tea, lots of tea! It’s quite nice to start the day so savory, but I don’t think I’ll continue this habit at home.
Hashem Restaurant Downtown
If you’re in Amman, you must have breakfast at Hashem Restaurant at least once. This 24/7 restaurant is an institution in Amman. Don’t expect a fancy restaurant, but a simple place where they stretch plastic wrap over your table so they can quickly clean up after your breakfast. Clean and practical.
We order hummus, falafel, and tea for breakfast. The portions are huge, so be cautious with your ordering. The food is on the table in no time. The reviews suggest that many tourists visit, and that’s probably true, but when we’re there, it’s mostly Jordanians.
Astrolabe Downtown
You can also have breakfast at Astrolabe Downtown, next to Starbucks. And it kind of feels like the Arabic or Jordanian answer to Starbucks in terms of vibe. For 5 JOD (about $7), you get a substantial breakfast. You can choose from, for example, an Arabic or Turkish breakfast. I chose the Arabic breakfast and got a plate full of hummus, olives, eggs, and fresh bread.
Snacking in Amman
Between meals, there’s plenty to snack on in Amman. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or just want to try something tasty along the way – these places are perfect for a snack.
Manoushet Sah el Nom
I discover this place during the food tour, but it also deserves a separate mention. They make delicious manoush here – flatbread with different toppings. Manoush is also called the Jordanian pizza. You can top the flatbread with all kinds of things. One of the most traditional variants is with za’atar. That’s a spice mix with wild oregano, sesame seeds, and sumac.
AlQuds Falafel
I also encounter this falafel shop during the food tour, but I’ve seen it before on Rainbow Street. It stands out because there’s almost always a line. Al Quds Falafel has been in existence since 1966, and according to our guide, even the king comes here. The falafel is perfect: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and not dry at all. If you love falafel, this is the place in Amman. Even if you don’t like it, I’d still try it. Because it tastes totally different from how I know falafel in the Netherlands (but maybe I’ve eaten it at the wrong places).
The sweet side of Amman
Jordanians love sweet things. Everywhere in Amman, you find bakeries full of desserts dripping with syrup and honey. It’s often much sweeter than I’m used to, but that’s exactly why it’s fun to try.
Habibah Sweets
If you’re in Jordan you MUST try knafeh. Knafeh (or kanafeh or künefe) is a sweet dessert made of white cheese with a kind of vermicelli-like phyllo dough (angel hair) with sweet syrup poured over it. According to my food tour guide, the knafeh from Habibah Sweets is considered the best. Well, I can confirm that. I ate much more knafeh in Jordan, and none could match the one from Habibah Sweets. Go for the one with the crispy top, it’s the tastiest.
Bekdash Ice Cream
Who would have thought ice cream could have such a special texture? At Bekdash, I taste Arabic ice cream (booza), which is made in a very special way. By pounding and stretching the ice cream in a freezing drum, it becomes creamy but with a dense structure. Due to the salep (also found in chewing gum), the ice cream becomes very stretchy. It not only tastes good, but it’s also fun to see how they make it.
Patisserie Fayrouz
If you’re looking for a nice cookie or other sweet treat, Patisserie Fayrouz is a good place. They offer a wide variety of sweets, and the staff is happy to provide guidance. I buy a small box of mixed cookies there that I take back to our apartment for tea. It costs almost nothing, but Jordanians buy this in much larger amounts. Those 10 cookies I pick out are almost laughably little to the staff.
Tip! Curious about what you can do in the city? Read my tips for Amman.
Coffee culture in Amman
One of the things I notice in Amman is the abundance of coffee shops. Now, I like drinking oat cappuccinos myself, but in Jordan, they naturally have their own coffee traditions. Many people drink traditional Arabic coffee or lots of tea. But for me, as a Western tourist, it’s nice that there are enough places where you can get a good cappuccino. In the rest of Jordan, that’s not a given.
Rumi Cafe
This hip café is in a somewhat chic neighborhood of Amman. You see many local people working with laptops there, and there’s a lovely terrace outside. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a good place to recover from sightseeing in Amman. I think Rumi Cafe has an almost French atmosphere, but the menu and visitors reveal that I’m really in Amman.
Manara – Arts & Culture
At Manara you have a beautiful view over the city, but despite the name ‘Arts & Culture’ I don’t see much art. Fortunately, the oat cappuccinos are like home: tasty but expensive (for about $5 each). The café is located in a wealthier neighborhood, which is also reflected in the prices.
Dar Ne’meh by the Citadel
Right next to the Citadel lies this little café that supports local projects for women. They serve delicious iced cappuccinos that are perfect for cooling down after a sun-drenched visit to the Citadel. There’s a patio with seating, and upstairs, you can sit and enjoy a beautiful view of the city. The service is hip and friendly, actually not at all what I expect next to such a tourist attraction.
Jungle Fever Coffee and Tea House
This café, located within the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, features a lovely outdoor terrace with a stunning view of the mosque. Even if you’re not interested in art, this is a nice place to relax. If you walk in, indicate that you’re only coming for the café because the museum has paid admission.
Beer in Amman?!
It’s not true that you can’t get alcohol in Jordan. It’s just less available than in most of our home countries, and not every café or restaurant serves it, but it’s definitely available.
Biera
A surprising discovery is Biera, a brewery in Amman. We mainly go there because we think it’s special that there’s even a brewery in Amman. And maybe even more special: it’s on the 5th floor! How do you get those huge brewing kettles up there? We take a taxi there, but unfortunately, we arrive at a bit of a dead moment, and the rooftop terrace isn’t open. We do get served a nice blonde beer.
Small restaurants in Amman (with big character)
Sometimes the smallest places are the tastiest. These spots might only have two tables and no fancy decor. Still, the food is often surprisingly good, and the experience feels very authentic. So, suppose you’re looking for something different from the frequently recommended Jordan Heritage and Sufra restaurants. In that case, these options might be for you.
Maisa Space
For lunch, I discover Maisa Space, a small place on Rainbow Street. It has a very serene atmosphere and lovely service. There’s a small patio where you can sit. I order a halloumi sandwich, and my travel companion chooses a sesame sandwich with an omelet. The homemade iced tea with orange juice is also refreshing, and you can easily sit here for a long time relaxing before you go hunting for Amman’s sights again.
Kitchen Asma
Sometimes, you find the best places by accident. Kitchen Asma is literally a living room restaurant with two tables and a kitchen. I end up there because it’s exactly at the bottom of the stairs of our apartment (Rainbow House). The owner is feeding a pregnant street cat when we arrive, so I immediately want to give this man some business. The food is tasty, and the atmosphere intimate – a real local experience.
Zad Al Balad restaurant
I also visit this restaurant during the food tour, and it’s definitely not as small as I thought. Inside, it’s packed and mainly with Jordanians. I taste kofta with tahini and arayes (stuffed flatbread with meat) here. It’s a cozy place where you can truly experience the flavors of Jordanian cuisine. The kofta is beautifully spiced, and the arayes are highly recommended if you like meat.
Best food tip in Amman
So, if you want to start your vacation in Jordan right, begin with the food tour. That way, you get to know Jordanian cuisine well and know what you can order with confidence at restaurants. And if you’re a coffee lover, make the most of it in Amman because there’s a good chance you won’t have a choice of different coffee beans and milk types in other places.
More Jordan inspiration
Useful links for your Jordan trip
- Accommodation. Booking.com is always useful, but be sure to compare prices. For example, through Trivago and Trip. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. “Free” walking tours book with Freetour or GuruWalk.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Amazon.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could check out Expedia or CheapOair.
- Flights. Compare all your options! At least check Expedia, Kiwi and Trip.
- Yoga retreat. Or: go for a yoga retreat in Jordan.
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