Must-Try Foods In Roman Amphitheater (Amman) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Roman Amphitheater, Amman, Jordan

The Roman Amphitheater in Amman, situated in the heart of the city, is a relic from the Roman period, approximately dating back to the 2nd century AD when the city was known as Philadelphia. While the amphitheater itself does not have a direct link to the food history of Amman, it sits in a country with a rich gastronomic heritage shaped by various civilizations throughout history. Jordanian cuisine reflects influences from the Bedouin culture, the Levant, as well as neighboring Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.

Foods in this region are based on ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, garlic, yogurt, and olives. Spices and herbs play a key role, along with grilling and baking as preferred cooking methods for many traditional dishes.

Top 10 Must-Try Food Dishes in Amman Near the Roman Amphitheater

• Falafel (Vegetarian): Deep-fried balls made of ground chickpeas or fava beans, traditionally served in a pita bread with salad, pickles, and tahini sauce.
• Mansaf (Non-Vegetarian): The national dish of Jordan, made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice or bulgur.
• Mutabbal (Vegetarian): Also known as baba ganoush, it's a dish made of roasted eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.
• Tabbouleh (Vegetarian): A fresh salad made from bulgur, finely chopped parsley, mint, tomato, and onion, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
• Hummus (Vegetarian): A creamy spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas or other beans, blended with tahini, olive shoulder, lemon juice, salt, and garlic.
• Maqluba (Non-Vegetarian): A traditional dish which includes rice, vegetables, and chicken or other meat, all flipped upside down when served, hence the name which translates to "upside-down."
• Shawarma (Non-Vegetarian): Grilled meat, typically chicken, that is sliced off a rotating spit and wrapped in flatbread with vegetables and sauce.
• Fatteh (Vegetarian): A layered dish consisting of crispy bread, rice, chickpeas, and yogurt-tahini sauce.
• Warbat bil Ashta (Vegetarian): A sweet pastry filled with clotted cream and garnished with pistachios and syrup.
• Knafeh (Vegetarian): A dessert made with thin noodle-like pastry, or a semolina dough, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with cheese.

Top Famous Restaurants Near the Roman Amphitheater in Amman

• Habibah Sweets

  Address: Al-Hazra, Amman, Jordan

  Famous for: Knafeh (Vegetarian)

• Hashem Restaurant

  Address: Downtown Amman, Amman, Jordan

  Famous for: Falafel and Hummus (Vegetarian)

• Al Quds

  Address: Downtown, near the Roman Amphitheater, Amman, Jordan

  Famous for: Mansaf (Non-Vegetarian)

• Jafra Cafe & Restaurant

  Address: Complex No 13, Rainbow St, Amman, Jordan

  Famous for: A mix of traditional dishes (including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options)

• Shams El Balad

  Address: 16 Uthman Ibn Affan St., Amman, Jordan

  Famous for: Various traditional dishes with a focus on local, fresh, and organic ingredients (Vegetarian options available)

Note that while the addresses are given for restaurants which are within the vicinity of the Roman Amphitheater, specific distances are not provided and the best way to reach these might involve a short walk or a drive from the amphitheater itself.