One of the most popular sweets in Jordan and perhaps all of the Middle East is kunafa (also spelled knafeh, kanafeh, among others). A warm cheese pastry soaked in syrup, kunafa comes in either a rough crust version made from noodle-like threads or with a soft, semolina crust. The exact origin of kunafa remains unknown but the Nablusis in Palestine are widely considered the masters. To make kunafa, first vegetable ghee is spread onto a large round, metal vat. Semolina with red food coloring is gently sprinkled on top to form a thin layer. After being soaked in water to rid it of excess salt, a layer of Nabulsi or Akkawi cheese is spread over the semolina. After about seven minutes on the flame, carefully spinning the dish to distribute heat, the vat is moved to the side, cooled, then flipped out on to a tray. Doused in syrup and sprinkled with crushed pistachio, the steaming orange-red dessert is ready to eat. To get a taste of this iconic dish in Amman, head straight to the best—Habibah Sweets. With five different branches across Jordan, the 1951 original close to the Arab Bank downtown may look like a humble street stall, but serves a continuous line of sweet craving customers all day long. Work off this caloric indulgence with a walk through the nearby souk, or better yet, a hike up to the Citadel in order to watch the sun dip below the horizon as the call to prayer emanates up from the hazy sea of white buildings below.
Abu Jbara Restaurant - Amman
Another local brand and a local favorite! Abu Jbara also has a full menu and restaurant –the Madina branch- that offers patrons a wide variety of Mezzas. This branch is open 24/7 and prices are a little bit pricier than other places because of the service and ambiance, it is often visited on a Friday morning by families wishing to have a traditional breakfast.
Al-Quds Falafel Restaurant - Amman
With the majority of the vote – Falafel Al Quds or Quds Cafeteria is probably the number one choice of Falafel sandwich for most tourists and locals! Strategically located on the busy Rainbow Street, the small hole in the wall serves only 2 types of sandwiches, the super and the normal… as well as a variety of soft drinks or water. Their soft fresh bread is the best part of the sandwich! Some may say it’s over-rated – but we say it’s a good falafel sandwich.
Due to its tiny size it does not have much sitting options besides a little bench outside the store, however you can buy your food to take-away.
Fakhreldin Restaurant - Amman
Fine Levantine cuisine in the elegance of an authentic Jordanian home. Fakhreldin Restaurant is located in one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Amman. It was designed and constructed during the mid-20th century’s golden era and over the years has also been a home to several prominent dignitaries in Jordan.
Fakhreldin Restaurant is distinguished by its service and food and has earned critical acclaim as one of the top restaurants in Amman. The best quality meat, chicken and seafood are used for the fantastic selection of grills available, traditional Middle Eastern appetizers and sweet Arabic desserts.
Tawaheen El Hawa Restaurant - Amman
Tawaheen El Hawa is your typical Lebanese-Jordanian restaurant in Amman serving a large variety of mezze and Mansaf. You enter through a castle like door where two big posters stuck on the door making sure you are familiar with the fact that the restaurant has a 4.5/5 rating on TripAdvisor. A Saj lady welcomes you before entering the external courtyard filled with tables around the waterfall. Tawaheen el Hawa is a casual Mediterranean restaurant where low, wood and leather seats surround the heavy wooden tables. Every large square table comes with a round beautifully designed copper tray placed in the middle where food is served on. It's nice as your plate and drinks are the only thing placed on the table while the food is concentrated on the tray, yet at a handy distance.
Reem Al Bawadi Restaurant - Amman
Locals may refer to Reem Al Bawadi Restaurant as “touristy”, but it’s definitely worth a visit. The building is not only beautiful on the outside, but the inside provides a cozy atmosphere with big wooden tables and cushioned benches under the skylit dome. When the weather permits, you can also choose to sit outside in the gardens. In addition to having plenty of tasty options on the menu to try typical Middle Eastern food, you can also order up argeeleh (shisha).
Kan Zamaan Restaurant - Amman
Kan Zamaan Restaurant is one of the best tourist attractions in Amman. The restaurant is an attractive heritage place that serves great food. The restaurant has the most amazing old stone arches and the decoration bends well with the setting.
Kan Zamaan is a distinguished landmark that sheds a new light on its cultural and historic legacy, as it continues to delight local food lovers with its unique, authentic, oriental and local cuisine garnished with forgotten flavours.
They serve a wide selection of fine oriental cold and hot mezze, chargrilled meats, fresh pita bread prepared & baked daily in their Arabic brick oven, fresh seafood and local inspired dishes. They also offer delicious homemade knafeh.
Although it is a bit far out of the city centre it is definitely worth the ride! They often play Oud live music and organize different types of events.
Hashem Restaurant (In downtown Amman)
A veritable Ammani institution, Hashem is one of the oldest restaurants in the capital, much revered for its no-nonsense philosophy and simple, hearty food. Famed for its incredibly speedy service, you may be hard-pushed to find a table at meal times. Everyone is served the same meal of traditional Jordanian fare, the falafel is considered by many to be the finest in the country. Don’t be put off by the simple furnishings and strip lighting. Hashem’s is an essential downtown experience, and you won’t find a better value meal elsewhere. Perfect for vegetarians.
The food at Hashem Restaurant is actually prepared indoors and they have indoor seating as well, but because most of the seating is open air, along the sidewalk and sandwiched between two downtown buildings in Amman.
There’s no menu at Hashem Restaurant, but they serve a basic set of dishes that never changes. After you find a table, you’ll immediately, or at least pretty quickly depending on how busy they are, be delivered a plate of vegetables – onions, tomatoes, and mint. And you’ll also get a paper topped with bread. You can then choose your main dishes, falafel is a must – and even the Royal Family is known to visit Hashem's for the best falafel in the country.
Other dishes that are served include moutabel, ful medames, hummus, and fattet hummus. Many of the dishes are vegetarian.
Shams El Balad Restaurant - Amman
Shams El Balad is a busy restaurant located in Jabal Amman area 'inspired by the city it lives in and the people that comprise it'. It is housed in a quintessentially Ammani home with outstanding views overlooking the citadel and Ummayad Palace.
They serve healthy mouth-watering local food inspired by the craft, produce and culture of the region. Their ingredients are 100% organic and come directly from the farms. Shams El Balad is a celebration of Jordanian heritage, land and the people who work tirelessly to protect them for all of us to enjoy.
Al Quds Restaurant & Sweets - Amman
This place really specialises in sweets and pastries, but it has a large, good-value restaurant at the back that provides an opportunity to try typical Jordanian dishes. The house speciality is mansaf, a Bedouin dish of lamb on a bed of rice, and maklubbeh (upside-down rice and vegetables) is frequently on the menu.
