March 2023

Ramadan Kareem!
During the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims around the world spend this holy month in fast, prayer, reflection and community.
During the sunlight hours, they do not eat nor drink. However, every evening, as night falls, restaurants are packed with friends who break fast together and homes are filled with families gathering.
When exploring Jordan during Ramadan, your visit may be slightly affected if you're a non-Muslim. Tourist sites like Petra will still be open to the public, but the trickiest part will be eating during the day. There will be a limited choice of restaurants for breakfast and lunch, and the evenings will see eateries bursting at the seams.
Having visited last year during Easter holidays (as a teacher, my vacations were restricted!), I wouldn’t recommend travelling to Jordan during Ramadan. Choices are limited and cheaper eateries are closed during the day. However, if you’ve already booked your flights, or are in the country now, don't worry! There are some places that won't let you go hungry.
Here's my no-fuss, no-frills guide to where to eat in Jordan during Ramadan!
Note: Please be respectful when eating during the day. Avoid snacking in the streets, or public places.
Amman
Dali space
Nicolas Ghanmah St. 15, Amman, Jordan
Catered for the westerners, tourists, young locals, and digital nomads, you’ll find traditional dishes, alcohol, and wifi at Dali Space. Located close to Paris Square, its courtyard offers a calming atmosphere away from the city noise of downtown.

I suggest trying the manakesh (flat bread pizza with toppings of sesame and thyme) to share, along with the staples: tabbouleh, hummus, or moutabel!
Old View
Umar Ibn Al Khattab, Amman, Jordan
As well as offering amazing views of the city, this quiet restaurant serves food during day during Ramadan. We visited during breakfast and they served a great meal of traditional Jordanian dishes, such as, mutabel and shakshouka (eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, garlic and spices).

Shams El Balad
Mu'Ath Bin Jabal Street 69, Amman 11181, Jordan
Translated to ‘Sun of the City’, Shams El Balad isn’t only a restaurant. It also doubles up as a shop that sells aesthetic home products and art work. Go on through to the back and you’ll enter the restaurant that is flooded with natural light, as diners’ conversation softly echoes up to the high ceilings.
Souq Al-Sukar
Downtown Amman
Markets are still trading during the day and it’s a great way to experience the atmosphere in which the locals grocery shop! You will see people stocking up on ingredients to prepare their meals for that evening as venders shout out their deals of the day.
In the Souq Al-Sukar, you’ll find everything from spices, nuts, fruit and veg, pastries, and sweets! Even during the day, they’ll be cooking and selling bread and pastries so feel free to try some! Usually sold in bulk so it’s great if you’ve got people to share with.
Souq Al-Sukar
Jerash
Al-Khayyam
Across the road from Jerash City Walls, Jerash 26173
If you’re taking a trip to visit Jerash, Al Khayyam restaurant is open during the day during Ramadan. Facing the old Roman city ruins, Al-Khayyam is an airy restaurant that serves great grilled meat, and the chicken with mushrooms, peppers and onions cooked and served in a ceramic pot was extremely tasty!
I’d also recommend the kibbeh - lamb croquettes!

Pitta bread, chicken with mushroom, peppers and onions in a ceramic pot, kibbeh at Al-Khayyam, Jerash, Jordan
Dead Sea
Fancy, luxurious hotels line the coast which faces the Dead Sea. There are very few options to visit the Dead Sea without having to book yourself into one of these expensive options.
Hotel options are the easiest, although they may not be the cheapest. If you're looking for some rest and recuperation on this trip, this is the place to do it!
As a birthday treat, we stayed at the Marriott Resort which has a private beach with access to the Dead Sea and a choice of on-site restaurants.

Falafel wraps, avocado salad at the Marriot Hotel & Spa, Dead Sea, Jordan.
Wadi Musa
As the main base to visit Petra, Wadi Musa isn’t short of places to eat during Ramandan, as it will still cater for all of the tourists. If you’re staying in a hotel, you’re likely to have breakfast included or available for an charge.
During the day, you’re likely to be out visiting the famous Petra!
There are restaurants close to the entrance (visitor’s centre) on Tourism Street, which will be open and serving food. As with all of these places, prices will be inflated due to the location and the clientele that dine there - i.e. tourists!
However, if you have a car, you can drive up a little further along Tourism Street and find Mr Falafel which will save you some JDs! They were open last year during Ramadan.
Wadi Rum
Being a desert, you'll only find food in the campsites of Wadi Rum. Camp sites will have their own dining area, kitchen and chef.
I highly recommend Martian Camp, run by a friend, Mohamed, whose chill vibes will have you floating around the campsite if you’re not already from the desert atmosphere. Since I stayed there, there has been a change of chef but Mohamed and his family ensure that they offer the best food, so I’m assured that the food served is still one of the best in Wadi Rum.
Aqaba
By the sea, the town is well-known for it’s snorkelling and seafood. Outside of Ramadan the place is buzzing with activity, and there are plenty of restaurants, and cafes to fill hungry tummies. However, during Ramadan last year, many were shut during daylight hours, but we found one that was open!
Alibaba Restaurant
All-hammat al-tunisyya, Aqaba
It wasn’t the best place, but it filled a hole! It’ll keep you going until the restaurants open in the evening when you can treat yourself to some fresh fish!
Not open during the day but it deserves a mention! We were in Aqaba for only one night but we hit the jackpot with this restaurant:
Al Shami Restaurant
Al Raghadan Street
The fresh fish here is delicious! If you’re not a fan of seafood, there’s also shish kebab, and spicy baba ganoush to please the tastebuds and fill the stomach!

Fresh fish, Al Shami, Aqaba, Jordan.
Markets
And lastly, don't forget the markets! In the souks, you can find fresh fruit, and it’s not a bad idea to stock up on cereal bars if you find any. These serve as a quick breakfast if you’re struggling to find anywhere open, or short on time. Fresh bread is also sold during the day so you can stock up and make sandwiches for lunch on the go, or a picnic. Perhaps it’s not the ideal scenario if you’re on holiday, but thinking creatively will help keep hunger at bay until you can join in with the festivities when the sun’s gone down.

Photo taken in As Salt, Jordan.
Are you travelling in Jordan now? Do you have any recommendations for restaurants that are open during Ramadan during the day? Please share them in the comments!
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