Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
What To Expect
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.
Sample Menu
starter
Seasonal Traditional Soup
Lentil, freekeh (green wheat), or vermicelli soup — depending on the season and guest’s choice.
starter
Kuba
Fried bulgur balls stuffed with minced meat, onions, and spices — a flavorful Jordanian favorite served hot and golden.
starter
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.
main
Mansaf
Traditional Jordanian celebration meal of lamb or chicken cooked in jameed yogurt and served over rice — a delicious symbol of family and hospitality.
main
Maqlouba
Traditional “upside-down” rice dish with vegetables and chicken or lamb, flipped before serving — a true Jordanian favorite.
main
Sawani
Oven-baked chicken with potatoes, vegetables, and spices — a comforting home-style Jordanian dish cooked slowly to golden perfection.
main
Qalaya Bandora (Vegetarian)
A classic Jordanian vegetarian dish — sautéed tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, and spices, served with warm bread.
main
Mujadara (Vegetarian)
Comforting dish of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions — a beloved Jordanian vegetarian meal full of flavor and tradition.
main
Stuffed Grape Leaves (+-Vegetarian)
Rolled grape leaves filled with rice, herbs, and spices — vegetarian or with minced meat, based on guest’s choice.
Options
Dine & Chat
Duration: 2 hours Main Dish
Tea & Chat
Duration: 2 hours Tea and snacks: Sip Arabic tea and share stories of Bedouin life, family, and traditions in our Petra home.
Traditional Breakfast & Chat
Duration: 2 hours Breakfast
Cook, Dine & Chat.
Duration: 4 hours Cook traditional dishes
Shop, Cook, Dine & Chat.
Duration: 5 hours: Flexible; can be organized by Whatsapp/ Emails. Shop local, cook and dine.: Visit local markets and select fresh ingredients Cook authentic Jordanian dishes with the family Enjoy a full homemade meal
Traditional Bread & Breakfast
Duration: 3 hours: Enjoy a relaxed traditional morning; baking bread in arabic oven, dine in for breakfast & chatting. Jordanian breakfast. Hands-on breadmaking.: Enjoy a cozy morning with Um Ayemen’s family in Petra — bake fresh traditional bread, prepare a light homemade breakfast.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Learn about Bedouin hospitality, marriage customs, and daily life in Petra.
Homemade sweets or seasonal fruit served after the meal.
Freshly brewed Arabic coffee and mint tea, served with traditional hospitality — included with every activity.
Home-cooked Lunch or Dinner
Any personal purchases made during local market visits are not included.
Private transportation
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Most amazing local Petra experience
A5998XBtobyw,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amneh and her family were the most amazing hosts, teaching us all about the local culture and serving us her amazing home made local foods. We could not recommend this enough!!!
PERFECT
462josefinag,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! Beautiful family, food 10/10 , we felt like home. Really Nice and we had the Best conversation. We learned a lot. The Bread was EXCELLENT. I feel really lucky to have met this amazing family and getting to know more about their culture. This is a must do. Its not a cooking class its much more than that. Its a really special experience, that we will never forget + Best dinner ever.
Lovely dinner experience
83meghanab,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a private dinner with Amneh and family and it was the best! They are the perfect hosts. Whole family spent time with us and food was very delicious. I had a last minute request for maqluba and Amneh cooked it for me. It was the best I had in jordan.
A taste of home
389austinh,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bread of my dreams! It was a wonderful, hands-on experience! We felt truly welcomed into the family while learning to make bread, hummus, stuffed pastries, and zataar breads — all “by feel”. The first bite of fresh bread straight from the oven was the highlight of our trip! The family is incredibly warm, and their home-made olive oil is delicious. Highly highly recommended!
10/10 beautiful cultural experience & dinner
omarsh8888,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unforgettable evening in Petra. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such warmth and generosity by Amneh and her husband Adil. The setting was beautiful, calm, and intimate, and the hospitality was truly exceptional. The food was spectacular. The mansaf was one of the best meals we have ever had, prepared with care, pride, and incredible flavour. Every dish felt special. What made the evening truly memorable, though, was the company. It was a real pleasure to spend time with Amneh, Adil, and to meet their wonderful children, Ayemen and Sabrina. Great food, great conversation, and a genuine sense of being welcomed into their home. This was not just a dinner, but a beautiful cultural experience we will remember for a long time. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Petra who wants something authentic, generous, and full of heart.
It was an amazing time and delicious food
mohamedm4064,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was an amazing time and delicious food , I really friendly and welcoming people they are helpful and you feel yourself way away of home
Very warming experience
alenad933,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a very lovely experience! Um Ayemen and Subreen were very welcoming. The whole family is very nice. They asked in advance if I had any food restrictions and kept it in mind for the following dinner. They also shared their traditions, explained them, and gave recommendations about Jordan :) I really enjoyed our time! Thank you!
Perfect experience to learn more about local customs and delicious food.
590maek,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this dinner while on a river cruise and it was one of the highlights of our Jordan visit. The family was so welcoming and the food was delicious. We enjoyed learning about the family's culture and their travels in the USA. I would definitely do this again if we visit Jordan again.
The best food ever, definitely recommended !!
belal a,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The experience I had with um Ayman and her family was the best thing I did in my trip to Jordan, food was the delicious food I ever had rich with flavor and all was healthy and organic , we enjoyed the family vibe and the cozy house … definitely we came as guests and we left as a friends , I definitely recommend everyone visiting Jordan and would love to have culture and food experience to try this one
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary dinner adventure
Jeffrey S,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a wonderful time at dinner with the family. What an authentic and delicious meal. Your family was so open with interesting information and conversation. We would recommend this for anyone interested in an authentic Jordanian dinner. If you’re lucky ask to have a fresh fig from the backyard!
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