Jordan’s food scene is flourishing, with numerous highly rated restaurants by critics. Alee stands out among them due to chef Ali Ghzawi who transforms traditional local specialities into elegant dishes fit for fine dining.
Jordanians love Sufra’s version of mansaf — tender lamb or camel meat marinated in tart sheep’s milk yogurt served over fragrant rice — as if it’s their mom making it! Don’t miss out either- try their fuul too.
1. Shawarma Reem
Amman’s bustling 2nd Circle teems with cars and people. Amid all this noise and movement, an attractive red banner attracts attention; crowds gather behind it regardless of season; be it searing summer heat or desert chill – to gaze upon what appears to be an imitative Greek gyro shop!
Shawarma Reem offers food that’s both simple and magical: their shawarma sandwiches feature your choice of meat, sumac onions and tomatoes, and tahini sauce – creating an irresistibly delicious taste sensation! Their grillers craft every piece to achieve the ideal combination of tenderness and smokiness; creating an exhilarating sensation of tender meat against smokey, flavorful notes resulting in an unforgettable bite-sized experience! Not to mention, the lively atmosphere filled with the aroma of grilling meat completes this culinary treat perfectly!
As Jordan’s signature McDonald’s-like establishment, this beloved stand has gained a cult-like following over time. Due to its remarkable success and wide fan base, numerous copies have opened across Jordan and beyond.
Behind the counter, a young man was working quickly. Assembling each sandwich within four seconds and barely pausing to wipe his sweat from his forehead before returning to assembling sandwiches for an endless stream of customers.
2. Al Osrah
One of the best places in Amman to try Jordanian street food is at a small, family run bakery. Here, they make delicious kaek bread sandwiches with all sorts of fillings such as Happy Cow triangles of cheese, hard baked eggs, za’atar and chili sauce – it makes an easy and quick breakfast that most Jordanians know how to cook themselves!
Jordanian food should not be missed, particularly mansaf – a traditional dish composed of rice, lamb and jameed (re-hydrated hardened out fermented goat’s milk yoghurt that adds unique flavors to dishes like mansaf). You won’t find this treat elsewhere so don’t miss this chance to experience its delicious flavors while in Jordan!
Shawarma is a favorite meat dish found throughout the Middle East, but Jordanian shish shawarma stands out. Often served with beef as its primary component, but you may also come across lamb options at certain restaurants. Cooked on an iron sword-shaped spit which rotates vertically or horizontally over a heat source, this tasty meal will delight all who sample it!
Jordanians love musakhan, which is a traditional Palestinian and Jordanian dish consisting of slices of bread, chicken pieces, heaps of onions, allspice, cinnamon and plenty of olive oil – stewed together until all ingredients become fall apart tender while flavors fuse and harmonize perfectly.
3. Habibah Sweets
Habibah Sweets is an absolute must for those with an affinity for sweet treats! Known for their Knafeh (a delicious dessert made of Kataifi pastry soaked in an extra sweet sugar-based syrup and then decorated with pistachios), there is often a long queue at this eatery; be sure to visit early!
At this restaurant in Jordan’s Gilead Mountains, its charming atmosphere and robust flavors of its cuisine ensure it ranks among the finest eateries. Offering both regional and international fare such as Mushroom Risotto and Sayadiyeh with Nagel Fish as well as dessert options like Tiramisu make this dining destination worth your while. With outdoor seating available and no alcohol served; make this ideal place to dine with family and friends alike.
This restaurant specializes in offering exquisite home-cooked Lebanese dishes and is the ideal dining choice for visitors to Aqaba. They specialize in Mansaf, an iconic dish representing Jordanian culture with its combination of lamb and yoghurt; once cooked they serve it alongside oriental rice, grilled potato wedges and vegetables before finishing it off with cucumber yoghurt for a complete dining experience.
4. Maqluba
Maqluba is a satisfying Middle Eastern dish featuring layers of eggplant slices, spiced rice and beef cooked together before being turned upside-down for serving for an utterly comforting and flavorful meal. Also referred to as Makloubeh or Maqlouba due to its distinctive final step of flipping over its cooking pot similar to how cake batter is turned over during baking, giving this unique recipe its name.
This dish is spiced with garlic, turmeric and allspice as well as the Middle Eastern spice blend baharat which includes ground coriander seeds, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg for an aromatic kick! Perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
At first, start by drizzling oil over the bottom of your pan before layering tomato slices, eggplant slices, potatoes and meat in your dish. Next step should be spreading rice evenly on all of the ingredients before pouring enough stock over it to reach approximately 1/2 inch above uncooked rice before covering and cooking for 50 minutes.
Once the rice has cooked, remove its lid and carefully flip the maqluba onto an inverted platter. While this step might prove challenging, the results are certainly worth your while – serve this delectable meal alongside Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce and Green Salad to create an irresistibly delectable experience!
