Tasting traditional Jordanian food is one of the best ways to explore Jordan’s culture. Beyond being known for its historical treasures like Petra and the Dead Sea, Jordan is also known for its vibrant and flavorful cuisine. A blend of Bedouin heritage, Levantine influences, and local agricultural richness, Jordanian cuisine reflects centuries of tradition, diyafa (hospitality), and community. From aromatic spices to slow-cooked meats and hearty legumes, I will share with you the essential Jordanian dishes that you should try on your first trip to Jordan.

The Essence of Traditional Jordanian Food

Traditional Jordanian food is deeply rooted in family and hospitality. In that way, it reminded me a lot of African cuisine and how it represents more than food. It represents love, community, acceptance and abundance. Food is often served in generous portions, designed to be shared among guests and loved ones. A typical Jordanian meal includes bread, rice, yogurt, lamb, chicken, lentils, and seasonal vegetables, enhanced with spices like cumin, sumac, and za’atar (in fact, I wish I took some of those spices with me to experiment with cooking traditional Jordanian food).

Many dishes are slow-cooked or baked, and if you are a cordon bleu (or simply like cooking), you know what this means: deeper, warmer flavours. Whether you’re eating in a Bedouin tent in the Wadi Rum desert or a modern Amman restaurant, you’ll experience a culinary tradition that’s both comforting and richly layered.

Bread in Traditional Jordanian Food 

Like many countries in the Levant and in North Africa (Morocco and Tunisia where I have been), Bread is central to every Jordanian meal. And you would think it’s just a food item, but it is not: from shrak (a thin, pliable flatbread) to khubz (round pita-style bread), Jordanian bread can easily turn into a utensil at the dinner table, a scoop, and of course, a symbol of sharing. Bread is often baked fresh daily and plays a vital role in both urban and rural dining traditions. I tried Jordanian bread baking during my first dinner in Jordan at the Sufra Restaurant. Not that this is an activity they offer – but seeing the breadmaster flip the tortilla in the traditional oven while I was sitting at the table, lured me outside to want get my hands into action and want to try this for myself. 

Must-Try Traditional Jordanian Dishes

1. Mansaf: The National Dish of Jordan

Key ingredients: Lamb, jameed, rice, shrak bread, nuts

No discussion of traditional Jordanian food is complete without Mansaf. This iconic dish consists of lamb cooked in a fermented dried yogurt sauce called jameed, served over a bed of rice and thin flatbread (shrak), then garnished with toasted almonds or pine nuts.

Mansaf is more than just food—it’s a symbol of Jordanian hospitality and pride, often served at weddings, festivals, and important gatherings.

If you are bold, adventurous and truly want to feel the communal spirit, eat it the traditional way—with your right hand, standing over the communal platter.

2. Maqluba (Makloubeh) : The Upside-Down Delight

Key ingredients: Rice, meat, eggplant, cauliflower, tomatoes, spices

This was by far one of my favourite traditional jordanian foods to try. Perhaps because I saw this as a version of Jordanian Risotto (Cameroon), Thieboudienne (Senegal) or jollof Rice (Nigeria, Ghana)? Maqluba, which literally means “upside down,” is a hearty dish made with layers of meat (often chicken or lamb), vegetables (like eggplant, cauliflower, and potatoes), and rice. After cooking, the pot is flipped upside down onto a serving tray, revealing a beautiful, layered masterpiece. I had my first Maqluba meal at Darne’Meh, a social enterprise that employs Jordanian women to create traditional, homemade meals for guests and visitors as a way to keep the culture alive and get tourists to get a true taste of Jordan. I also tried it as part of my travel experience with Baraka destinations, and even learned how to make it during a traditional jordanian cooking class at Beit Sitti. 

3. Musakhan: Sumac-Spiced Roast Chicken

Key ingredients: Chicken, sumac, onions, taboon bread, olive oil

Musakhan features roasted chicken seasoned with sumac, onions, and olive oil, served over taboon bread. The tanginess of the sumac combined with caramelized onions and juicy chicken creates a dish that’s both rustic and intensely flavorful. Often made in the olive-harvesting season, Musakhan  is best enjoyed with yogurt or cucumber salad and is another great example of traditional Jordanian food’s use of local ingredients.

4. Traditional Zarb Meal (Bedouin Experience)

Key ingredients: Chicken or lamb, potatoes, carrots, spices

Originating from Jordan’s southern desert regions, Zarb is a Bedouin-style barbecue where meat and vegetables are placed in a deep underground oven and is slow-cooked, giving it a smoky, tender flavour that is hard to replicate. Zarb is a traditional Bedouin dish typically made with lamb, chicken, or goat, accompanied by vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. It’s seasoned with a blend of spices such as cinnamon, cumin, and black pepper, which give the dish its deep, aromatic flavor. While different meats can be used, lamb is the most authentic and widely favored for its rich taste.

A key aspect of cooking zarb is the use of ghada firewood, known for producing extremely hot embers. These embers are placed at the bottom of an underground pit, creating the intense heat needed to cook the food evenly and thoroughly.

Preparing zarb is more than just cooking—it’s a cultural tradition. The meat is arranged on a large metal rack or tray, followed by layers of vegetables and seasonings. Once assembled, the tray is sealed with palm fronds—or in some cases, cloth—and then buried under hot sand. The dish cooks slowly over several hours, allowing the meat to become tender and the vegetables to absorb all the flavors. While the zarb cooks, people often gather around the fire, enjoying tea, conversation, and the communal spirit of the desert.

I experienced a Zarb lunch experience as part of my Wadi Rum Desert 4×4 Jeep Tour when I visited Jordan. Being there in the desert with bedouins, sharing this meal with other travelers, felt like an experience that is very hard to put down in words. Truly, wonderful. 

5. Warak Enab (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Key ingredients: Grape leaves, rice, minced lamb, lemon juice

A popular appetizer across the Levant, Warak Enab in Jordan is typically filled with rice, minced meat, tomatoes, and spices, then simmered in lemony broth. While variations exist, Jordanian versions often include lamb fat and extra garlic for depth. It is generally served as a side dish or part of a mezze spread.

Experiencing Traditional Jordanian Food at Breakfast

While dishes like Mansaf are reserved for special occasions, everyday Jordanian meals are equally delicious. A typical breakfast might include:

• Labneh: Strained yogurt cheese, often drizzled with olive oil
• Fattet Hummus: Chickpeas, yogurt, and toasted bread
• Zaatar and Olive Oil: A classic pairing with flatbread
• Fresh vegetables: Cucumbers, tomatoes, and mint
• Fresh fruit juices: I had my fair portion of pomegranate, strawberry and orange juice in Jordan, and I would have it no other way. 

The fact that traditional jordanian food is not only rooted in culture but is also healthy, made me really appreciate it even more. A lot of times we think we need to compromise flavours with health and quality, but it is safe to say that Jordanian mothers, the guardians of culinary culture in this beautiful country, have it on a lock-down!

Traditional Jordanian Desserts and Sweets

I am actively working on staying away from excess sugar, but … no traditional Jordanian meal is complete without dessert. So, here are some of the popular desserts and sweet treats I indulged in when I was in Jordan. I promise, I did it for the culture!

Knafeh

A cheesy, syrup-soaked pastry with a crispy semolina crust, popular in Amman and across the country. I don’t think I had enough Knafeh (I certainly had more than enough). And if there was a dessert I could take home, it would be this! It was part of all our meals in Jordan, and it is definitely one that you need to try when you visit Jordan! The mix of a feathery, cheesy and crunchy flavour can be considered an “acquired” taste, but don’t worry. If you spend 7-10 days in Jordan, you will acquire the taste!

Qatayef

These are stuffed pancakes filled with nuts or sweet cheese, especially popular during Ramadan. These sweets are usually paired with strong Arabic coffee or mint tea, reinforcing the Jordanian emphasis on hospitality.

Baklava

Baklava is also a popular dessert in the Mediterranean (in fact, my first Baklava experience was at a Greek Culture Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota). It consists of layered phyllo dough filled with nuts and sweetened with rosewater or orange blossom syrup.

Where to Experience Traditional Jordanian Food

If you’re planning a visit to Jordan, be sure to explore local food through:

• Amman’s Street Food Scene: Try falafel from Al-Quds or shawarma on Rainbow Street (the one where Janine took us – Hashem?)
• Home-Cooked Experiences: Beit Sitti Experience, Baraka Destinations, Darne-Meh
• Desert Camps in Wadi Rum: to enjoy a Zarb lunch or dinner under the stars.
• Food Tours: Discover hidden gems with knowledgeable local guides.

Restaurants such as Sufra, Jasmine House, Carob House and Hotel restaurants also have their own spin on traditional jordanian food. And when you have breakfast at a hotel, make sure you really ask the restaurant staff which items are part of a traditional jordanian breakfast, like I did during my stay at the Ritz Carlton Amman. 

Why Traditional Jordanian Food Is Worth Exploring

Traditional Jordanian food offers more than just sustenance—it tells stories of Jordanian culture, Bedouin transitions, and family-centered values. With its focus on fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and communal dining, Jordanian cuisine invites everyone to gather around the table and experience genuine hospitality.

When you return from your trip to Jordan, come to this post and let me know which one of these traditional jordanian foods you loved the most! And while you’re planning your trip, check out my complete 10-Days in Jordan travel itinerary.