Try Out the Best Food in Amman for an Incredible Culinary Experience

Unveil the fascinating culinary stories of Amman, which has shaped today’s Jordanian cuisine and has made significant changes to its culture. Since Jordanian cuisine is a rich blend of influences from traders, pilgrims, and immigrants who have traversed its lands, incorporating elements from Palestinian, Syrian, Iraqi, Persian, and Mediterranean traditions. Explore the rich food in Amman and embark on a culinary journey through Amman you should undertake. Discover the city's historic neighborhoods to savor classic Jordanian mezze like hummus and falafel, the hearty national dish Mansaf featuring lamb, rice, and a special yogurt sauce, and indulgent pieces of syrup-soaked baklava. From upscale and local restaurants and artistic bakeries to casual street food spots, Amman’s gastronomic landscape will let you fall in love with its culture.

Food in Amman: Savor the Authentic Flavors of Jordan

Amman, the capital of Jordan, boasts a vibrant and diverse culinary scene that reflects its rich cultural heritage. The city is renowned for its delicious traditional dishes, such as mansaf and falafel, alongside a variety of mezze that showcase the region's flavors. Do not miss out on trying its street food, with vendors serving fresh shawarma and kanafeh that bring out the essence of local tastes. Exploring Amman's dining options will let you experience an ideal blend of Middle Eastern and international cuisines. While exploring the bustling markets and sightseeing, try out the authentic food in Amman to relive the city’s spirit. Experience the warm Jordanian hospitality that enhances the dining experience, inviting everyone to indulge in its culinary delights.

Let us look at the top 10 dishes to explore the exotic food scene in Amman for an enriching experience.

• Falafel
• Fattet Hummus
• Moutabel
• Manakish
• Shish Kebabs
• Kousa Mahshi
• Maqluba
• Mansaf
• Zarb
• Mezze

1. Falafel

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish consisting of ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with herbs and spices, then shaped into balls or patties and fried until they turn brown. Often considered the best food in Amman, it has a crispy textured exterior complemented by a soft and flavorful interior. Falafel is a popular street food in Amman and a very excellent source of vegetarian protein. This can be served with pita bread or platter with tahini sauce, hummus, pickles, and fresh vegetables. Originating from the Levant region, it has been popular all over Jordan because of its great taste and versatility.

Restaurants Serving Falafel:

• Abu Jbara Restaurant
• AlQuds Falafel
• Akash Restaurant
• Shams El Balad
• Ramla Restaurant

2. Fattet Hummus

Fattet hummus is known for its delightful blend of flavors. The dish is one of the toasted layers of pita bread topped with a creamy hummus mixture. The yogurt and chickpea layers are often exquisitely balanced by the drizzle of olive oil. It is made of pine nuts, fresh herbs, such as parsley or mint, and sometimes spices like paprika or sumac to give it a distinct flavor. Fattet hummus can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature and is an excellent dish for social gatherings or a wholesome meal at home. One of the best things to do in Amman is to delight your senses with the assortment of textures complemented with flavors.

Restaurants Serving Fattet Hummus:

• Akash Restaurant
• Abu Jbara Restaurant
• Ahwet Zeitouna Amman
• Team Hummus Jordan
• Hashem Restaurant Downtown

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3. Moutabel

Moutabel is a delicious Middle Eastern dip from the Levant and is the best food in Amman, Jordan. It consists of roasted eggplant mixed with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, & spices, and it is distinguished because of its tahini flavor, unlike baba ghanoush, which is filled with yogurt. Often served as an appetizer or mezze, moutabel can be paired with warm pita bread, fresh veggies, or a significant part of a larger spread of Middle Eastern dishes. With a vibrant flavor and smooth texture appealing to the senses, it remains a local favorite, winning the hearts of many in Amman and offering a true taste of regional culinary heritage.

Restaurants Serving Moutabel:

• Levant Restaurant
• Shams El Balad
• Mawwal Restaurant
• Oud Cafe & Restaurant – Abdall Mall
• Lebanese Um Khalil – Jabal Amman

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4. Manakish

Manakish is a savory dish in various parts of Jordan, such as Amman. It is composed of flatbread and a wide variety of toppings, but it is mostly known for the za'atar or cheese topping. The dough is rolled out and baked until golden, crispy, but soft in texture, an ideal breakfast or snack for every Jordanian, and it is available in every bakery in Amman city. Adding raw vegetables and pickles as toppings gives a delightful look and often complements the meal. Known for its simplicity and vibrant flavors, Manakish can be a wholesome snack to munch in between your shopping in the malls of Amman.

Restaurants Serving Manakish:

• B the Lebanese Bakery
• Lebanon Bakery
• Akash Restaurant
• Sabaho
• Majnoun Zaatar

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5. Shish Kebabs

Shish kebabs are the staple food in Amman and throughout the Middle East, enjoyed for their robust flavor and smoky aroma. The dish involves meat-marinated in flavorful sauces-which are skewered and then grilled over open flames. Traditionally, the minced meat flavored with spices, herbs, and sometimes yogurt has been tenderized and infused with flavors. The kebabs grilled in this recipe are served along with grilled vegetables, rice, or flatbread and would be consumed with garlic sauce or tahini. Shish kebabs are the quintessential part of its culinary scene that you will discover during the Amman food tour.

Restaurants Serving Shish Kebabs:

• Ward & Kebab Restaurant
• Kebab W Shish Restaurant
• Kebab Express
• Kebab Felfel & Sumac
• Shish Kebab

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6. Kousa Mahshi

Kousa Mahshi wins the heart of every local and visitor and is considered a staple throughout the Middle East. The most appealing part of this dish is the hollowed-out zucchini or kousa, which is stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, minced meat, and aromatic spices. The simmered and stuffed zucchini in rich tomato sauce gains moisture and depth. Mostly served with yogurt or fresh salad, Kousa Mahshi is a wholesome, savory dish with flavorsome fillings. Visit Amman during the festive season and savor this delight at Mshakal Abdoun, one of the best restaurants in Amman.

Restaurants Serving Kousa Mahshi:

• Tawaheen AlHawa
• Mshakal Abdoun
• Mawwal Restaurant
• Lebanese Um Khalil – Jabal Amman
• Salma Palestinian Restaurant

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7. Maqluba

Maqluba is traditional Jordanian food consumed throughout the country and holds a special place in the hearts of people living in Amman. Maqluba means upside down since it involves a cooking method where layers of rice, meat, and vegetables are cooked together in one pot and then turned upside down. With a flavorful mixture of spices that add vibrancy to the dish, it also features an appealing presentation delightful to the eyes. Maqluba is often enjoyed on special occasions,s and do not miss out on trying it during Amman food tours, as it reflects the rich heritage of the region.

Restaurants Serving Maqluba:

• Ammani Restaurant
• AlQuds Restaurant
• Rakwet Arab Restaurant
• Jasmine House
• Mawwal Restaurant

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8. Mansaf

Mansaf is Jordan's national dish, a symbol of hospitality, and holds a special place in the hearts of every Jordanian. This nourishing dish features tender lamb cooked in an enormous yogurt sauce, the jameed, made from fermented, dried yogurt, usually served over a bowl of fragrant rice and garnished with almonds and pine nuts. Mansaf is served on a large platter with fresh salad and flatbread to complement the meal. Try it during social gatherings and celebrations apart from exploring the significant places to visit in Amman, as it implies cultures and showcases the reflection of Jordanian heritage of generosity and togetherness.

Restaurants Serving Mansaf:

• Da7berha Restaurant
• Mansaf Arab Restaurant
• Al – Khather Mansaf
• Sufra Restaurant
• Jabri Restaurant

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9. Zarb

Zarb is a traditional Bedouin meal mainly eaten outdoors during gatherings and celebrations in Amman and all over Jordan. The dish usually involves a simple preparation process of marinating meat in a mixture of spices, cover with aluminum foil, and place in a pit lined with hot coals and covered with sand. The slow-cooking process allows the meat to become very tender and rich in smoky flavor, making it a healthy food in Amman. Zarb is usually served with boiled rice and a selection of vegetables, which is extremely delicious and everyone’s favorite. It is a celebrated dish known for its phenomenal style of cooking.

Restaurants Serving Zarb:

• Qasr Al Zarb
• Zarb Al Jabal
• Jubran – Amman Abdali Boulevard
• Hatab & Zarb
• Jameed & Zarb Restaurant

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10. Mezze

Mezze is one of the significant parts of Middle Eastern cuisine, especially throughout Amman, and is one of the best foods in Amman. Small, portioned dishes come in an incredibly diverse range and are perfect for a light meal or as appetizers usually served among friends and family. A typical mezze table would feature hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, falafel, grape leaves stuffed with rice, peas, spices, sometimes minced meat, and several varieties of pickled vegetables and olives. A mezze platter is best known for its variety of flavors and textures to be savored in one meal, served with pita bread, and you can also have traditional drinks.

Restaurants Serving Mezze:

• High Garden Rooftop
• Lomoz Mediterranean Restaurant
• Jubran – Amman Abdali Boulevard
• Ahwet Zaitouna Amman
• Zajal Restaurant

Amman's food scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors and traditions that reflects Jordan’s rich cultural heritage and incredible history dating back to the historic times when it was the home to migrants. From beloved traditional dishes like mansaf and falafel to enticing street food options, food in Amman will delight your senses after a tiresome sightseeing trip. What fascinates visitors and locals is the welcoming atmosphere and warm hospitality in restaurants, which enhance the dining experience, making it a memorable part of any visit. Whether indulging in a casual meal or enjoying a more refined dining experience, the culinary offerings in Amman provide a delicious glimpse into Jordanian culture. Book from the best Jordan tour packages with us and experience the best of Amman.

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