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If you are a foodie like me, than researching all of the best Jordanian desserts and Arabic sweets to try while in Jordan is a must! These desserts go well with an arabic coffee or mint tea at any time of the day!

Baklava

The most well known dessert, Baklava is enjoyed in many countries around the world, including Jordan. It is covered in syrup or honey, typically layered with filo dough and nuts. It can be found in restaurants, bakeries and street food stalls throughout Jordan!

Burma

Burma is a shredded wheat roll, stuffed with pistachios and drizzled with syrup. If you haven’t noticed, sweet syrup is a common feature of many Jordanian dishes.

Kunafa / Knafeh / Kanafeh

Kunafa or knafeh is a popular Arabic dessert that can be found in Jordan. It consists of melted cheese topped with a pastry or shredded wheat topping, then soaked in sweet syrup. It is usually sold by weight and is heavily addictive.

There are two types of knafeh, most easily explained in English as “soft” or “rough.” One is topped with shredded wheat (kheshna) and the other is topped with semolina (na’ma). 

If you love Jordanian sweets, try both and see which one you like better.

The most popular knefeh in Amman will be found at Habibah in downtown Amman. Situated in a tiny alley, you will likely find the alley packed with locals and tourists, enjoying their dessert with a foam plate and plastic fork.

Qatayef

Qatayef is a traditional Jordanian dessert not to be skipped! It is popular during Ramadan due to its crescent shape. It is a pancake-type dough that is stuffed with nuts, fried and drizzled with sugar syrup or honey.

Halva

Halva can be found at any meal, you are likely to have seen it at the breakfast buffet of your hotel or on a street food cart in Jordan. It has simple ingredients, tahini, and sugar, and can vary in sweetness. Other flavors, such as nuts and chocolates can be added to the mixture before it sets.

Halva has a crumbly texture and is a popular Jordanian sweet that you can find all over the country!

Warbat

Warbat is a popular (and tasty) type of baklava. It is layers of filo stuffed with cream and drizzled with sweet syrup. Visit any sweet shop in Amman to have a taste of Warbat. Jabri Sweet Shop, a popular bakery, has locations all over Amman selling this delicious treat.

Helbeh (Fenugreek Cake)

Found in bakeries, Helbeh is a dessert packed with healthy ingredients. Made with semolina and fenugreek, it contains protein and vitamins. After baking, like other Jordanian desserts, syrup is poured over it to sweenen the taste.

Because fenugreek helps increase milk production for nursing mothers, this dish is often a gift for a new mother!

Jordanian Desserts Wrap Up

Jordanians love a sweet treat. You will often see them pulling candies from their pockets and generously offering to anyone around them. When they buy sweets, they buy a lot to share! Even if you are full, locals will insist you have just one more piece! So pack your appetite when you come to Jordan.

If you are looking to try some of these sweets or learning more about the local food culture in Amman, consider joining our food tour of Amman.

Falafel is ubiquitous with the Middle East. It is something you can find everywhere. It is a staple snack at anytime of the day. But is all falafel created equal? Curious food lovers will want to know where to find the best falafel in Amman and I am here to help!

Below you will find places where you should try falafel. Maybe it is a unique flavor that stands out, but a lot of times, it is what goes with the falafel that also counts! It might be the perfect tahini or maybe the perfect falafel sandwich toppings. Keep reading to find out where you should be ordering your next falafel from when you are in Amman.

• Hashem Restaurant
• Abu Jbara (various locations)
• Feynan Ecolodge

Check out where to get the best breakfast in Amman

If you are interested in learning more about the food culture in Amman, consider booking one of our food tours! We have an evening food tour in the Old downtown and also a half day Amman city tour that is food focused!

The streets of Amman and Jordan in general do have street food, but there is also a restaurant culture. This is great for eaters as you do not end up having to stand up and eat at a food cart for example. Almost everywhere you go there will be at least a table and chair to sit in.

Street Food in Jordan

Falafel

A must for any trip to just about anywhere in the Middle East is these deep fried bits of deliciousness. Falafel is a combination of chick peas, garlic, parsley, lemon juice and seasonings like salt and pepper and coriander.

Whether you have it at Hashem Restaurant with a spread of mezze (appetizers) or in a falafel sandwich, it is a popular snack food in Jordan that you should try at least once!

Fuul (Fava Beans)

Fuul is another staple and a popular breakfast meal. Fuul is fava beans mixed with lemon, chillis and garlic. Every restaurant makes theirs a little different. Often breakfast buffets in hotels will have fixings on the side to add to your fava beans. They are often served in a tall ceramic tear drop shaped container with a long spoon.

Fatteh

Fatteh or Fattet typically consists of pieces of pita bread and chickpeas that have been layered in a serving dish and soaked, making a soupy type hummous that is eaten with a spoon. It is topped with a tahina sauce. This specialty is usually garnished with toasted pine nuts or almonds, fresh parsley or paprika and olive oil.

Hummus

Hummus is like its own food group. This chickpea and tahini (sesame paste) dish can be made with all kinds of flavors, from lemon and garlic to pine nuts or cumin. Nothing like what you will find in the store, freshly made hummus is a must when you are visiting Jordan. You can get it all over Jordan, with hotel breakfasts and with mezze-style dining.

Falafel sandwich

If you love breads, get yourself a falafel sandwich. Falafel balls are flattened and then put into a pita making the perfect size meal. The pita is stuffed with varied accompaniments, either made to order or in a self serve topping bar. You can expect hummus, eggplant, salads, sauces and even french fries in a falafel sandwich. It is all up to the cook, or the customer!

Locals will argue where to fine the best falafel in Jordan, but to be safe, just try them all!

Arias

The easiest way to describe Arias is like spaghetti sauce inside a pita. It is then toasted on the BBQ and served like a sandwich.

Shawarma

Another ubiquitous Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish is a Shawarma. You will find plenty of Shawarma stands in Jordan. Shawarma is a slow cooked meat (usually beef, chicken or lamb) that is then shaved into thin slices and served in thin bread. Each Shawarma has its own array of spices and everyone will have an opinion on who makes the most delicious flavoured meat. It is served with chopped salad, tahini, pickled vegetables

Knafeh / Kunafa

Knafeh is a popular Arabic dessert that can be found in Jordan. It consists of melted cheese topped with a pastry or shredded wheat topping, then soaked in sweet syrup. It is usually sold by weight and is heavily addictive.

There are two types of knafeh, most easily explained in English as “soft” or “rough.” One is topped with shredded wheat (kheshna) and the other is topped with semolina… (na’ma). Try both and see which one you like better. If you like sweets, you will want to make sure you try this iconic Jordanian dessert.

The most popular knefeh in Amman will be found on our evening Amman food tour.