Private Tour
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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
Options
Dine & Chat
Duration: 2 hours
Main Dish
Traditional Breakfast & Chat
Duration: 2 hours
Breakfast
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
Tea & Chat
Duration: 2 hours
Tea and snacks: Sip Arabic tea and share stories of Bedouin life, family, and traditions in our Petra home.
Cook, Dine & Chat.
Duration: 4 hours
Cook traditional dishes
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.
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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!
An experience to be repeated
robtZ8150UL,,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Not just great food but the opportunity to learn about local cooking, culture and communities. A wonderful and knowledgeable host who made you feel welcome and comfortable
A beautiful experience
stephaP5487WV,,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Not only was the food amazing but Amneh and her girls were so welcoming and kind. We also learnt alot about Jordanian life and culture, a truly unique experience that will stay in our hearts forever. Thank you Um Ayman
Wonderful opportunity to visit with a local family
M2425CIamyr,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The visit and dinner with this warm and welcoming family was one of our great memories while touring Petra! They made us feel so welcome and it was a delight to try a variety of dishes which were all so tasty. If you have an opportunity, definitely take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to share a meal with a local family!
Wonderful food and family!
barrettw216,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an incredible experience! The family was so warm and welcoming and the food was made with love. We enjoyed hearing stories about the family and their fascinating lives in Jordan and the USA. Um Ayemen is an AMAZING cook and we loved every bite. If we are ever back in Jordan I would certainly book again.
What a unique experience!
J9299KJclaudiaa,,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00it was an enriching experience. Food was exquisite. Amneh and her family made me feel so comfortable and were very patience in teaching me and letting me try my low cooking skills. After dinner, Amneh's family took me to downtown and introduced me to local food restaurants. What a unique experience! I strongly recommend it.
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