Jordan’s finest restaurants represent its history and culture while infusing plenty of outside influence, from Bedouin tea to mansaf, each bite and sip tells an engaging tale about tradition and innovation.
Falafel, an easy and delicious Middle Eastern treat, can be found at Rainbow Street’s sandwich window or Madaba alongside St George’s Church mosaic map.
Shawarma
Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish composed of spice-marinated meat (typically lamb, chicken or beef) slow roasted on a vertical rotisserie machine or spit. Served either alone or wrapped inside warm pita bread topped with Tahini Sauce, Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce), Tzatziki or Tahini – either way this Middle Eastern staple can provide an excellent source of protein and fibre that fits easily into any healthy diet when eaten occasionally.
For a healthier version of street food, choose lean proteins like chicken and fish or opt for vegetarianism. Instead of fries, enjoy salad with whole grains. Stay away from fatty cuts of meat which contain high levels of saturated fat; select marinades low in sodium and sugar content and select bread that has less of both
Amman is a cultural hub, offering an impressive variety of restaurants, cafes and casual eateries that meet the varying tastes and preferences of both residents and visitors. Amman’s vibrant souks (markets with indoor and outdoor stalls) provide a sensory-inducing experience filled with vibrant colours and exotic spices; make sure to experience them all! Also don’t miss sampling some traditional dishes like Janarek – a juicy yet refreshing sour plum – and Kabab Za’atar for starters!
Seafood
Jordan offers delicious seafood that’s both affordable and fresh, from sea bass and halibut to crab legs and mussels – there’s something to satisfy any palate here. Many dishes include an array of accompaniments that cater to each palate; for a satisfying hearty meal try grilling sea bass with garlic-lemon butter or sea bream with tomato-tahini sauce for instance!
Another popular seafood-centric choice is Sajyeh, a bread dish filled with lamb, vegetables and cheese that can be found throughout the country. As for light snacks like Hummus: thick and creamy with an irresistibly smoky taste is always deliciously satisfying!
Amman offers some excellent traditional spots for delicious hummus, including Rakwet Arab, Jafra Cafe in downtown Amman and Shams el Balad. But for something truly delicious try Jafra Cafe’s Hummus Fatteh for something truly delightful; its bowl of warm silky chickpea heaven will definitely leave an impression! Guests visiting Jordan should make time to experience its delights as soon as possible and even add extra za’atar or salt as an extra flavoring option!
Manakish
Manakish is a traditional Middle Eastern dish composed of soft dough that’s covered in cheese or spices and eaten as breakfast, lunch, or snacks. These toppings add rich, flavorful notes that perfectly compliment its soft texture – a must have when looking for healthy eating options! Made with simple ingredients that provide essential nutrition – making Manakish an excellent choice when seeking nutritious fare!
Manakish bread features the flavorful seasoning known as Za’atar as one of its key components, along with kosher salt, cumin and sesame seeds. Together these flavors create a tantalizing mixture that’s both spicy and nutty in its taste; typically used to spice up meat dishes or vegetables but it makes an equally delicious addition to breads like Manakish.
Manakeesh is a traditional Levantine pastry enjoyed throughout Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan. Typically topped with za’atar and cheese or ground meat and eaten as either breakfast or snack food; alternatively it can serve as an accompaniment for shish kabobs and other meat dishes.
Manakeesh can be easily prepared by starting with dough preparation, then dividing into 8 equal portions and setting one aside. While your oven heats, prepare your toppings: za’atar and cheese toppings can then be spread onto each dough piece using fingers for dimpled surfaces, followed by adding about two tablespoons of cheese topping each and baking for about 10 minutes until they turn golden-brown in color.
Kibbeh
Kibbeh is a hearty meat dish typically prepared with beef or lamb and often combined with ground lean meat (ideally eye of round beef with fat trimmed off), bulgur, onions, and spices – making this the ideal Middle Eastern cuisine to try while traveling through Jordan!
While kibbeh is typically eaten as part of a main course, it can also make for an appealing snack or appetizer. Kibbeh can be customized by topping it off with different items like drizzled pomegranate molasses and chopped parsley; or serve it alongside tahini or hummus as a dipping sauce.
Sufra restaurant in Amman offers the perfect environment to sample this delicacy, located within an ancient house. Offering both Jordanian and international food with extremely reasonable prices – one glass of local wine costs 5JOD while cocktails range between 6JOD-8JOD per drink.
Ward Restaurant is an ideal dining option in downtown Amman and features traditional Jordanian dishes like grilled halloumi and fattoush with sumac for dinner, as well as their famous kanafeh dessert at Habibah Sweets for dessert – surely one of Jordan’s best and delicious desserts! For dessert lovers looking to experience more Jordanian culture.
