Jordanian food is built on simple, generous ingredients: good olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon, yogurt, spices and slow-cooked meat, rice and vegetables. A cooking class is one of the best ways to understand it, because you learn why dishes are made the way they are and leave with recipes you can use at home. This class begins with a walk through a local market, where your host explains the produce, spices and breads, and where you can pick up ingredients and taste samples. Back in the kitchen, you prepare a menu of traditional dishes with guidance, working alongside the cook, and then sit down to eat what you have made. Menus vary, but a typical meal might include salads, mezze such as hummus and baba ghanoush, a main dish like maqluba or musakhan and a sweet. It suits curious eaters, couples and families, and can be a relaxed way to spend an afternoon between sightseeing days. Get tickets and tell the host about dietary needs.
How it works
You meet your host at a set point, usually in the central part of the city, and begin with the market walk, which takes about an hour. You see stalls selling vegetables and herbs, nuts, dates and olives, spice merchants and bakeries, and you have the chance to ask questions and taste.
The group then moves to the cooking space, where the host introduces the menu and shows the main techniques, from preparing a salad dressing to layering rice and chicken. You cook in small groups or alongside the host, and the pace is relaxed.
What you learn
Many Jordanian dishes depend on technique rather than rare ingredients, such as how to spice and fry rice, how to build a dish in a pot and flip it, and how to balance lemon, garlic and herbs. The host will usually explain the cultural context of each dish, including when it is served, such as at family gatherings or during holidays, and how hospitality shapes the meal. Vegetarian guests are well catered for, since mezze are naturally meat-free.
Practical details
Classes are held in small groups, so book ahead, especially at weekends and in the busy spring and autumn seasons. Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting splashed, and tie back long hair. Tell the host in advance about allergies and restrictions. The class works well on its own or on the day after a food tour, since it gives you a different angle on the same cuisine.
Making the most of it
Schedule it for the late afternoon so that the meal becomes dinner, and use the rest of the day for the Citadel and the Roman Theatre. If you enjoy this class, the Amman food tour from Rainbow Street gives you a walking tasting of street and restaurant food, and our eating and drinking guide explains where to go on your own.
Practical notes
Group sizes are small, so arrive on time to avoid missing the market walk. If you have a favorite Jordanian dish you would like to learn, mention it when booking, as hosts often adapt the menu. Bring a container if you hope to take leftovers home, and ask about buying spices at the market to cook with after you return. Cash is useful at the stalls, where small purchases are usually paid in coins and small notes.
What to expect
The experience
A guided market walk followed by a hands-on cooking class and a shared meal.
Best time
Late morning or late afternoon, so the meal fits lunch or dinner.
How long
About three to four hours.
Tips
Tell the host about allergies, wear closed shoes and arrive hungry.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers who want to learn to cook Jordanian dishes.
- Families
- Children who like to help in the kitchen will enjoy it, subject to the host’s age rules.
- Couples
- A fun, shared activity that ends with a meal.
- Pair with
- The Amman food tour or a walk through Downtown.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Do I need cooking experience?+
No. The class is designed for all levels, and the host guides you through each step.
Is the class vegetarian-friendly?+
Yes, most menus include plenty of vegetarian dishes. Tell the host in advance.
What will I cook?+
Menus vary, but expect mezze, a main dish and a dessert. Confirm the menu when you book.
Does it include the market visit?+
Yes, the class begins with a local market tour, but confirm the exact schedule.
Can I take recipes home?+
Hosts usually share recipes or notes, so ask at the start.
