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Must-Try Jordanian Dishes 2025 – Authentic Food & Culinary Experiences in Jordan

Jordan isn’t just a land of breathtaking landscapes — it’s a culinary paradise that tells its story through food.
Each dish carries centuries of heritage, hospitality, and flavor born from desert life, Levantine roots, and Bedouin generosity.

From aromatic rice feasts to sizzling street shawarma, this is your complete 2025 foodie guide to the dishes every visitor must try — and where to find them — curated by PetraMoon Tours, Jordan’s trusted name in authentic experiences.

Top Jordanian Dishes You Have to Try

🍽️ 1. Mansaf – Jordan’s National Dish

Considered the heart of Jordanian cuisine, Mansaf symbolizes community and generosity.
Tender lamb is cooked in jameed (fermented yogurt sauce) and served over rice with pine nuts.
Traditionally, it’s eaten with the right hand from a shared platter — a sign of unity and respect.

📍 Best in: Madaba, Karak, and local Bedouin homes near Petra.

🥘 2. Maqluba – The “Upside-Down” Feast

Literally meaning “upside down”, this layered dish of rice, vegetables, and chicken or lamb is flipped dramatically before serving — a moment of pure culinary theater.

📍 Best in: Petra Kitchen (Petra), or homemade in Amman.

🧆 3. Falafel & Hummus – The Everyday Essentials

No Jordanian morning begins without this pair.
Crispy falafel, silky hummus, warm pita, and fresh pickles — simple, affordable, and deeply satisfying.

📍 Best in: Hashem Restaurant, Downtown Amman — an institution loved by locals and royals alike.

🥙 4. Shawarma – Jordan’s Go-To Street Snack

Thinly sliced spiced meat wrapped in flatbread with tahini and pickles.
You’ll find shawarma stalls everywhere, from city corners to seaside stands in Aqaba.

📍 Best in: Reem Shawarma, near the 2nd Circle in Amman.

🥩 5. Zarb – Bedouin BBQ in the Desert

A centuries-old Bedouin cooking technique where marinated meat and vegetables are slow-cooked underground in a sand oven.
The result? Smoky, tender perfection enjoyed under Wadi Rum’s starlit sky.

📍 Best in: Wadi Rum Bedouin camps (especially PetraMoon’s signature desert dinner).

🍰 6. Knafeh – Jordan’s Sweet Soul

Golden, crunchy semolina crust filled with melted cheese and drenched in rosewater syrup — the dessert that defines Jordanian indulgence.

📍 Best in: Habibah Sweets, Amman’s most famous knafeh bakery.

🫖 7. Arabic Coffee & Mint Tea – The Taste of Hospitality

In Jordan, every encounter begins with coffee or tea.
Arabic coffee (qahwa) — strong and spiced with cardamom — symbolizes respect, while mint tea reflects warmth and friendship.

☕ Never rush this ritual — it’s a moment of connection, not caffeine.

Eat with Us – PetraMoon’s Culinary Experiences

Jordan’s cuisine is best experienced hands-on.
With PetraMoon Tours, you can go beyond tasting — and learn to cook, serve, and celebrate like a local.

Exclusive Culinary Experiences:

🍴 Petra Kitchen Cooking Class: Cook Maqluba and mezze with local chefs.
🏠 Home Dining: Share a homemade Mansaf or Maqluba with Jordanian families in Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, and Ajloun.
🔥 Desert Dining: Enjoy Zarb under the stars in Wadi Rum.
🧭 Street Food Tours: Explore Amman’s alleys with a foodie guide — from falafel to kunafa.

✅ All experiences can be added to your personalized PetraMoon itinerary.

Final Word: Taste the Heart of Jordan

Food is not just sustenance in Jordan — it’s storytelling on a plate.
Every dish represents community, culture, and care, reminding travelers that the soul of Jordan lies in its kitchens as much as its ruins.

✨ Savor the flavors of Jordan with PetraMoon Tours.
Let us craft your culinary journey — from the deserts of Wadi Rum to the sweet streets of Amman — one unforgettable meal at a time.