Jordan's distinguished dining establishments garner recognition at the award ceremony
Chowing Down in the Land of Hummus:
Y'all, I've been keeping a secret for years—ever since I moved to Amman, Jordan's capital city, back in '15. I've been hollerin' about how overlooked it is as a food destination. While the Middle Eastern culinary scenes of Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine are globally known, Jordan's simply gets ignored.
A peek at Google tells the tale: the search results reveal a disappointing set-up—one small café, Little Petra in Cambridge, and a bunch of North African or non-Jordanian Levantine eateries that don't exactly fit the bill.
The cooking styles and techniques of Jordan's neighbors have undeniably influenced its own cuisine. From the zesty starters and salads of Syria and Lebanon to the warm, zesty stews of Iraq, traditional Palestinian dishes like maqluba and chicken musakhan, and the aromatic rice platters of Saudi Arabia—all these mouthwatering flavors can be found in Jordan.
But now, Jordan's food game is getting elevated by a new crop of Amman-based chefs. And I ain't just talkin' about your run-of-the-mill roadside vendors. These chefs are reimagining Jordanian classics and pushing the country's fine-dining scene onto the global stage.
In fact, the prestigious Mena 50 Best Restaurants list—once a prize mainly reserved for the elite eateries of Beirut, Dubai, and the wider Gulf region—now includes six Jordanian entries!
On my latest visit to Amman, I hit up some old favorites and checked out some new restaurants shakin' up Jordan's fine-dining scene. Here are my top three moments:
Alee
Launched by Chef Ali Ghzawi in '22, Alee is a sleek yet welcoming spot located on one of Amman's seven hills, offering stunning views of the ancient citadel. Ghzawi's take on traditional Jordanian dishes snagged Alee the 13th spot on the 2025 Mena 50 Best Restaurants list.
At brunch, the manakish (JOD 1) was an early winner. It featured a perfect, charred crust reminiscent of Neapolitan pizza, topped with labneh from Jerash and fragrant za'atar drizzled in cold-pressed local olive oil. Ghzawi's reinvented batata harra (JOD 8) was a delight, with crispy shavings and cubes of fried potatoes mixed tableside for freshness, all topped with a spicy fermented green chili sauce.
Dara Dining by Sara Aqel
Set in a beautifully restored villa in the heart of Amman, Dara Dining is all about embracing seasonal produce. Launched by Chef Sara Aqel in '23, it boasts a glass extension that showcases a lush Mediterranean garden perfect for al fresco dining.
The basil, shata, and sujuk pizza (JOD 13) was a must-try. The warm spices of the sujuk and tangy tomato sauce played delightfully well with the fresh basil and smoked sharkasieh cheese. My gut instincts were right on this one! The 72-hour fermented dough gave any Neapolitan a run for their money.
I couldn't resist the fish of the day in vine leaves (JOD 20) served with garlic and lemon gnocchi, capers, and grapes. The veggie-filled casing enclosed flaky, moist fish, while the tangy leaves struck a nice balance with the sweet grapes.
But my favorite moment came for dessert. Their olive oil cake (JOD 8) was surprisingly light and fluffy, topped with a sweet frosting and soft-serve ice cream. It was a simple combination that worked like a charm, thanks to the salty roasted pistachios and extra olive oil drizzle that elevated it to new heights of delightfulness.
Sufra
Sufra—a restaurant I've loved since '10—earned the 20th spot on the 2025 Mena 50 Best Restaurants list. It's tucked away in an early 20th-century villa in Jabal Amman, boasting earthy tones, heritage tiles, a captivating garden courtyard, and a charming Damascene fountain.
On my recent return, everything about Sufra—the romantic atmosphere, the delightful service, and the quality of the food—was unchanged. I started with kibdeh (JOD 6) —minced chicken livers doused in tart pomegranate molasses—accompanied by cloud-like fresh pitta. Then came the mansaf (JOD 16.50)—Jordan's national dish—a bowl of melt-in-your-mouth lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce, served atop rice scattered with nuts. It was nothing short of sublime. Their menu staples like fattoush, hummus, kibbeh, and fatteh were predictably excellent, too!
Sitting there, sipping my favorite mint lemonade, I couldn't help but think that Amman's growing restaurant scene-recognized regionally—might finally shine a spotlight on Jordanian food in the UK. Until then, it seems like a little café in Cambridge will have to carry the culinary crown of the entire nation on its shoulders.
- A traveler's journey through Jordan's capital city, Amman, offers a unique lifestyle experience beyond traditional expectations, as it hosts a burgeoning fine-dining scene, reimagining Jordanian classics and elevating the country's culinary reputation on the global stage.
- Exploring the Jordanian culinary landscape while traveling, one can indulge in a fusion of Middle Eastern flavors, from reinterpreted Jordanian dishes at Alee to the seasonal produce-centric Dara Dining by Sara Aqel, as well as revisiting Sufra, a staple restaurant that presents regional delicacies with a contemporary twist, making it an essential destination for food enthusiasts.
