Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family

Join Um Ayemen and her family in Petra for a warm, home-cooked experience that feels like visiting old friends. Begin your visit with a welcoming cup of Arabic coffee as you settle into the family home. Then, mix and match activities — visit the local market to choose fresh ingredients, bake traditional bread, or cook Jordanian favorites such as Mansaf, Maqlouba, and stuffed grape leaves right in the family kitchen. If you’re short on time, you can simply join for dining, or stop by for tea and a friendly chat. As the dishes come together, share stories and laughter while learning about Bedouin life and family traditions. Finally, gather around the table to enjoy the meal you helped create — a true taste of Jordan, filled with connection, hospitality, and heart.

1. 1

   Stop 1

2. 2

   Petra Visitors Center

3. 3

   Petra Museum

4. 4

   Petra By Local

Seasonal Traditional Soup — Lentil, freekeh (green wheat), or vermicelli soup — depending on the season and guest’s choice. · Kuba — Fried bulgur balls stuffed with minced meat, onions, and spices — a flavorful Jordanian favorite served hot and golden. · Arabic Pastries with Goat Cheese & Za’atar — Freshly baked pastries filled with creamy goat cheese and za’atar — a fragrant, savory taste of Jordanian tradition. · Mansaf — Traditional Jordanian celebration meal of lamb or chicken cooked in jameed yogurt and served over rice — a delicious symbol of family and hospitality. · Maqlouba — Traditional “upside-down” rice dish with vegetables and chicken or lamb, flipped before serving — a true Jordanian favorite. · Sawani — Oven-baked chicken with potatoes, vegetables, and spices — a comforting home-style Jordanian dish cooked slowly to golden perfection. · Qalaya Bandora (Vegetarian) — A classic Jordanian vegetarian dish — sautéed tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, and spices, served with warm bread. · Mujadara (Vegetarian) — Comforting dish of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions — a beloved Jordanian vegetarian meal full of flavor and tradition. · Stuffed Grape Leaves (+-Vegetarian) — Rolled grape leaves filled with rice, herbs, and spices — vegetarian or with minced meat, based on guest’s choice.