Must-Try Foods In Petra By Night (Petra) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Petra By Night: A Gastronomic Journey

Petria By Night is a magical event that takes place in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. This event gives visitors a unique experience of walking through the Siq to the Treasury, illuminated by thousands of candles. While it's primarily known for its breathtaking scenery and historical significance, Petra by Night also offers a chance to explore Jordanian cuisine, a blend of flavors that have been perfected over centuries. The Bedouins, who are natives of Petra, have a cuisine that mostly revolves around social and familial gatherings with emphasis on hospitality and sharing.

Top 10 Must-Try Dishes in Petra

1. Mansaf - The national dish of Jordan consisting of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt called Jameed, served with rice or bulgur. (Non-Veg)
2. Musakhan - A popular Palestinian dish that features roasted chicken with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts atop flatbread. (Non-Veg)
3. Maqluba - Meaning "upside-down", this dish includes rice, eggplant, and meat, typically chicken or fish, all flipped over onto a plate, hence its name. (Non-Veg)
4. Falafel - Deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, usually served with hummus or tahini sauce. (Veg)
5. Tabbouleh - A vegetarian salad made of tomatoes, finely chopped parsley, mint, bulgur, and onion, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. (Veg)
6. Fatteh - A dish consisting of pieces of fresh, toasted, or stale flatbread covered with other ingredients such as chickpeas, tahini, and yogurt. (Veg)
7. Warak Enab - Grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, parsley, and mint, cooked with lemon juice and olive oil. (Veg)
8. Zarb - Bedouin-style barbecue where meats and vegetables are cooked in an oven dug into the desert ground. (Non-Veg)
9. Hummus - A creamy spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas or other beans, typically seasoned with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. (Veg)
10. Knafeh - A sweet pastry made from layers of cheese and shredded phyllo dough, soaked in sweet syrup. (Veg)

Top Restaurants in Petra

The dining experience during Petra By Night itself is limited to local tea and snacks. For a broader culinary adventure, visitors can dine at the following restaurants located in the city of Petra:

• Al Qantarah
  Address: Tourism St., Petra, Jordan
  Famous For: Mansaf and traditional Jordanian mezze (Non-Veg/Veg)
• Petra Kitchen
  Address: Petra 71810, Jordan
  Famous For: Cooking classes and local cuisine experiences, where dishes can be tailored to veg and non-veg preferences.
• Al-Shaheed Restaurant
  Address: Close to Petra Visitor Center, Petra, Jordan
  Famous For: Maqluba and Zarb (Non-Veg)
• Sandstone Restaurant
  Address: Petra, Wadi Musa, Jordan
  Famous For: Middle Eastern platters featuring an assortment of grilled meats and vegetables (Non-Veg/Veg)
• Al-Arabi Restaurant
  Address: Petra, Jordan
  Famous For: Local dishes with emphasis on vegetarian cuisine, such as Falafel and Tabbouleh (Veg)

Please note that most restaurants in Petra offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to cater to a wide range of dietary preferences.