Some may argue food or the dining experience to rival the memory banks more than even a hotel, and I’d have to agree. In fact, we may stay awake for 24 hrs, but to not eat for 24 is borderline tortuous. There’s simply something special about eating that meal and finishing with a satisfactory, “Oh yeah, that was awesome.” It’ll be logged into your memory for years to come, to reminisce about either ‘that’ meal or ‘that’ drink you had, leading your body to release the natural dopamine, and dogs and cats will live together in harmony. The below are my reviews to help you make that intelligent decision.
Ratings are based on location, from best to worst:
5) Out of Control
4) Serious
3) Not too shabby
2) I’ve had better
1) What are ya, kidding me?
DEAD SEA (SWEIMEH)
Buffalo Wings & Rings
(Rating: Serious)
When it comes to food choices within the Dead Sea area, you’re limited to hotels. However, for those wishing something different or simply craving Americana, then this is your place. Let's start with the staff. From my arrival to ordering, the staff were professional, courteous and helpful. Brilliant stuff. As the name implies, buffalo wings are their expertise, but there are several other items on the menu to include burgers, salads, sandwiches and more. But back to the namesake, there's something special about eating wings with the Dead Sea as a background; it's just awesome. As for wing flavors, I found the classic Buffalo to be the best and should be your first choice. Whether the food, exceptional staff or simply a break from hotel food, consider this restaurant, you won't be disappointed.
(Reviewed: Nov 2018)
PETRA (WADI MUSA)
Al-Wadi Restaurant
(Rating: Serious)
Directly located on the equivalent Times Square of Wadi Musa, lies the amazing Al-Wadi restaurant, the best dining experience in town. This became the de facto dinner happy place, and it wasn't solely me with this idea, for every evening, the restaurant was extremely full. Let's start with the star, the bread. Freshly made and delicious, the bread alone is worth the trip. Secondly, the food is fantastic, serving several of the famed local dishes such as Mansaf, and also offering some tabbouleh and shish taouk loving. Last, but certainly not least, are the juices with props going to the lemon mint. You'll not regret your decision to dine here. Just arrive early, prepare yourself and make sure you have your seatbelt on before you try the best bread in town, safety first.
(Reviewed: Apr 2018)
AMMAN
Sufra Restaurant
(Rating: Serious)
Ever visited an old house, decked out in beautiful tile flooring, classical doors / windows, elegant chandeliers and overall, an interior design that belongs in a magazine? Welcome to Safra, where not only can you visit such a place but also have one of the best meals in Jordan. Let's start with the service. Hands down the best service experienced in country; it was like clockwork. Ordered items were delivered promptly, and as soon they were finished, removed perfectly. The food and drink were beautiful and certified out of control. Specifically, the bread, hummus, mansaf and even lemon mint juice were, well, I'm struggling to write this and not drool. My "digestif" after the meal was the best shisha I've had in Jordan. The most challenging part about this place is being able to eat here. I was fortunate enough to arrive before opening, for lunch; however, shortly thereafter, walk-ins were not accepted, as it was reservations only. Needless to say, book some 24-48 hrs in advance to avoid disappointment. If you want one of the best dining experiences in Amman, then look no further. And don't take my word for it, every Jordanian I spoke to had nothing but positive things to say about this place. What a beautiful gem.
(Reviewed: Apr 2018)
MADABA
Haret Jdoudna
(Rating: Out of Control)
IIt was nearly 10 years to the date, when I first experienced Haret Jdoudna, and 'experience' is the proper word to describe this place. Back in 2008, I ran into Ibrahim Jumean, a co-owner of the restaurant. The conversation was short, but I could tell this guy was both friendly and outgoing. He suggested to return back in the evening and a table would be waiting. The night would play out to be an unforgettable one. In fact, Jordanians often drive nearly an hour to arrive to this place, and for good reason. The restaurant was buzzing, and the courtyard was alive with music and celebration. Fast forward to 2018, and I'd unintentionally time a late lunch on Easter Sunday. By curiosity, I inquired if Ibrahim was around and within minutes, I was welcomed to his table, no kidding. History has a chance of repeating itself and there I was, in the middle of an Easter celebration with local clientele dressed very formally, as an Arabic singer impressed and Ibrahim once again, showed exceptional hospitality. This place is unreal, and I haven't even talked about the food yet. Everything I've tried here has been absolutely delicious. The bread comes out fresh, warm and unbelievable. The tabouleh and shish taouk are out of control. The service is stellar. The juices are beautiful. And if that wasn't enough reason to visit the best dining experience in all of Jordan, the building itself is fascinating. The current iteration of the restaurant is built from a home, constructed in 1905. The courtyard, the covered exterior and even the dining placement is all done classy and beautiful. Oh, and the antique Mercedes parked outside is also a hit with the kids. It's no wonder people drive nearly an hour just to eat here. I must have dined here some 4 times while in Madaba and without question, if you want one of the best dining experience in Jordan, then look no further.
Darna Restaurant
(Rating: Serious)
Shawarmaaa! Driving around Jordan, I unintentionally neglected to find and try shawarma, and this place hit the spot. Not only was the chicken shawarma outstanding here, but the cost, only 3 JOD! To put this in perspective, it's quite common to find restaurant drinks within Petra and Jerash costing 3 JOD. Here, you can receive a beautiful shawarma and some amazing spiced fries, for the same price. The restaurant is centrally located in Madaba and is quite popular with the locals, which is always a telling sign of excellence. For the money, quite possibly the best food deal in Jordan. A must try if you're in the area.