Must-Try Foods In Church Of The Beheading Of Saint John The Baptist (Madaba) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Madaba, Jordan

Madaba, known for the Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, is a city with a rich cultural and religious heritage. The food history of the area is deeply intertwined with its Middle Eastern roots, influenced by various civilizations that have traded with or conquered the region, such as the Nabateans, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. This culinary melange is evident in the use of ingredients like olives, dates, wheat, and lentils, which have been staples in the Jordanian diet for centuries. Traditional culinary techniques such as grilling, baking in wood-fired ovens, and cooking in large communal pots are still widely practiced today.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Madaba

• Mansaf (Non-Veg) - Jordan's national dish made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served on a bed of rice or bulgur.
• Falafel (Veg) - Deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas and spices, usually served in pita bread with salad and tahini sauce.
• Moutabel (Veg) - A smoky eggplant dip blended with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, similar to baba ghanoush.
• Fatteh (Non-Veg) - A dish consisting of layers of flatbread, rice, chickpeas, yogurt, and pine nuts often topped with shredded chicken or lamb.
• Mahshi (Veg/Non-Veg) - Vegetables like zucchinis, tomatoes, or peppers stuffed with rice and spices, sometimes including minced meat.
• Shawarma (Non-Veg) - Thinly sliced meat (chicken or lamb), marinated and slow-roasted on a vertical spit, served in a wrap or pita.
• Tabbouleh (Veg) - A fresh salad made with finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions, bulgur wheat, and dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
• Hummus (Veg) - A creamy spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic.
• Maqluba (Non-Veg) - An upside-down rice dish featuring layers of rice, vegetables, and meat (commonly chicken or lamb), cooked and then flipped over before serving.
• Knafa (Veg) - A sweet cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup, often topped with pistachios.

Top Famous Restaurants in Madaba

1. Haret Jdoudna
   Address: Adel Al Qasem St, Madaba, Jordan
   Famous Food: Mansaf (Non-Veg), Maqluba (Non-Veg)
2. Al Saraya Restaurant and Café
   Address: King Talal St, Madaba 17110, Jordan
   Famous Food: Mixed Grill (Non-Veg), Falafel (Veg)
3. Ayola Coffeeshop and Restaurant
   Address: Madaba City Center, near the Church of Apostle, Madaba, Jordan
   Famous Food: Shawarma (Non-Veg), Moutabel (Veg)
4. Queen Ayola Restaurant
   Address: Tourism Street, Madaba, Jordan
   Famous Food: Jordanian Breakfast (Veg/Non-Veg options)
5. Abbey Road
   Address: Aisha Um al Mu'minin St, Madaba, Jordan
   Famous Food: Hummus (Veg), Tabbouleh (Veg)