Jordanian Food: 8 Traditional Dishes to Try in Amman, and What They Cost
صحتين وعافيةJordanian food is generous, filling and cheaper than most visitors expect. Here are the eight dishes you will meet in Amman, from the mansaf of big family days to the falafel sandwich that costs less than a coffee, with what goes into each one and what it costs.
Why a language school writes about food
At Misbah Center we care that our students know Jordanian and Arab culture and society, not only the grammar. In Jordan, a great deal of that culture happens around the table.
Jordanian food falls into a few clear kinds, and knowing them tells you a lot about daily life here:
- Big occasionsWeddings, celebrations and family gatherings mean mansaf, the national dish.
- Home lunchEveryday cooking, like maqluba, is usually eaten at home as the main meal of the day.
- Light breakfastHummus, falafel, foul and galayet bandora: cheap, filling and vegetarian.
On the street, Amman is known for fast food, above all shawarma. And sweets are a serious part of Jordanian eating: there are many kinds, but knafeh is the queen of them all.
Jordanian food prices at a glance
Typical restaurant prices in Amman in 2026, in US dollars, with the rough equivalent in Jordanian dinars.
| Dish | What you get | US$ | About JD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mansaf | One person’s plate | 8–12 | 5.7–8.5 |
| Maqluba | One person’s plate | 6–11 | 4.3–7.8 |
| Hummus | A plate | 1.5–2.5 | 1.1–1.8 |
| Falafel | A plate of 10 | 0.70–1 | 0.5–0.7 |
| Falafel or hummus sandwich | With salad | 0.75–1.5 | 0.5–1.1 |
| Foul | A plate | 1.5–2.5 | 1.1–1.8 |
| Galayet bandora | A plate | 1.5–2.5 | 1.1–1.8 |
| Shawarma | A sandwich | 1.5–2.5 | 1.1–1.8 |
| Shawarma | A meal, with fries and pickles | 3–7 | 2.1–5 |
| Knafeh | A plate | 2–4 | 1.4–2.8 |
Prices vary by area and restaurant: a downtown falafel counter costs less than a café in western Amman. For rent, transport and full monthly budgets, see our guide to the cost of living in Amman.
The 8 dishes, one by one
What each dish is, what goes into it, and when you will eat it.
1. Mansaf
المنسفThe national dish of Jordan, and the food of big occasions and family gatherings. Lamb is cooked in jameed, a dried yoghurt, and served on a large tray of rice.
- Rice
- Lamb
- Jameed (dried yoghurt)
- Nuts, and samneh (ghee or vegetable fat)
2. Maqluba
المقلوبةAn everyday family dish, usually cooked at home for lunch. Rice, meat and vegetables are cooked together in one pot, then turned upside down onto the plate: maqluba means “upside down”.
- Rice
- Chicken or lamb
- Vegetables cooked with the rice: aubergine, potato, cauliflower
3. Hummus
الحمصThe classic breakfast plate, eaten with fresh bread. Light, vegetarian and on almost every breakfast table in Amman.
- Chickpeas
- Tahini
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
4. Falafel
الفلافلSmall balls of spiced chickpeas, fried in oil. The cheapest good meal in Jordan, and a favourite breakfast.
- Dried chickpeas
- Spices
- Vegetables
5. Galayet bandora
قلاية البندورةTomatoes fried slowly with garlic and olive oil until soft. A simple, warming breakfast dish, eaten with bread.
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Spices
6. Foul
الفولSlow-cooked fava beans with garlic and tahini, another breakfast favourite. Filling enough to carry you to lunch.
- Fava beans
- Garlic
- Tahini
- Cumin
7. Shawarma
الشاورماThe most famous street food in Jordan’s cities. Chicken or meat, spiced and grilled on a turning spit, then wrapped in thin bread. Chicken is the most popular choice.
- Chicken or meat
- Spices
- Garlic sauce
- Pickled cucumber
- Thin Arabic bread (saj or shrak)
8. Knafeh
الكنافةOf all the Jordanian sweets, knafeh is the queen: warm white cheese under a golden crust, soaked in syrup and topped with pistachio.
- White cheese
- Semolina and flour
- Samneh (ghee or vegetable fat)
- Sugar syrup
- Pistachios
Where to eat mansaf in Amman
Mansaf is best at a family gathering, but if you are not invited to one yet, these are the restaurants we recommend.
A downtown favourite for traditional Jordanian dishes, mansaf above all.
One of the oldest restaurants serving mansaf in Amman.
Serves mansaf in its own distinctive way, along with other popular Jordanian dishes.
Mansaf and a wide range of Arabic dishes, and one of the best places in the city for grills made with local meat.
What to say at a Jordanian table
Food in Jordan comes with its own phrases. Use these and your host will notice.
For thirty more phrases you will hear every day, read 30 Jordanian Arabic phrases from the streets of Amman.
Questions about Jordanian food
Is Jordanian food good for vegetarians?
Yes, especially at breakfast. Hummus, falafel, foul and galayet bandora are all vegetarian, cheap and served everywhere. Main dishes like mansaf and maqluba are usually made with meat or chicken.
How much does a meal cost in Amman?
A falafel sandwich costs under one US dollar. A shawarma meal costs about US$3–7, and a plate of mansaf in a restaurant about US$8–12.
Where can I try these dishes on a walk?
Downtown Amman has most of them within a few streets. Follow our route for a day in downtown Amman, from breakfast to evening tea.
Order your next meal in Arabic
Learn the Levantine Arabic Amman actually speaks, in small classes in Jabal Al-Weibdeh. Your first lesson is free.
