What to Eat in Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum: A Food Guide

What to eat in Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum

• Mansaf

  Jordan's national dish — lamb cooked in fermented dried yoghurt (jameed) served on rice.

• Maqluba

  'Upside-down' rice-and-meat casserole flipped onto a platter at the table.

• Knafeh Nabulsi

  Sweet cheese-and-syrup pastry — try Habibah in Amman Downtown.

What to drink

Alcohol is available at licensed hotel bars and dedicated restaurants; local Jordanian wines (JR, Zumot) and Amstel beer are common.

Dining etiquette and practicalities

• Modest public dress — shoulders and knees covered outside beach resorts.

• Right hand for eating and greeting; mansaf is traditionally eaten by hand from a shared platter.

• Tipping 10% is customary in restaurants; guides and drivers appreciate JOD 5–10/day per person.

Where to eat in Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum

• Amman — Downtown & Rainbow Street

  Roman Theatre, Citadel, souks and Jabal Amman cafés.

• Amman — Abdoun & Sweifieh

  Embassy district with Four Seasons, W Amman, malls and dining.

• Petra / Wadi Musa

  Gateway town to Petra — Mövenpick, Marriott Petra and boutique cave-style stays.

• Wadi Rum

  Bedouin camps — bubble domes and Martian-landscape 4x4 tours.