Jordan is packed with beautiful surprises—if you know where to go. Beyond the ancient touristic sites and top restaurants lies countless places that locals love and travelers usually overlook. In this blog, we’re inviting you to uncover 11 must-visit gems nestled among the kingdom’s quieter corners.
1. Joz Hind | Food & Culture
Located near Jabal al Weibdeh’s Paris Circle lies a family-owned restaurant, Joz Hind. A small space with mighty flavors, Joz Hind serves its hungry customers dishes packed with locally-sourced ingredients. You can dine in their indoor seating or enjoy their outdoor area. With their scrumptious seafood dishes and other comfort meals, Joz Hind also serves a variety of vegetarian and vegan options!
Source: Joz Hind’s Instagram Page
2. Namliyeh | Food & Culture
In a nutshell: local goodness in a jar. Namliyeh highlights the bold, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that local produce offer! Tucked in the charming streets of Jabal al Weibdeh, Namliyeh is a tiny shop and dining spot locals enjoy for brunch and desserts, and tourists must visit. Once you’re there, you not only get to enjoy their famous toasts, but you will also get to learn about the different jams and the process of crafting these wholesome jarred goods. If you’re visiting Amman, you must take a few jars back home to enjoy Jordan’s diverse produce wherever you are.
Source: Namliyeh’s Instagram Page
3. Shams al Balad | Food & Culture
From Pumpkin Shanklish to Carrot Maftoul and Green Labneh, Shams al Balad takes the Levantine cuisine to a whole new level. Every dish comes with a contemporary twist that respects the traditional flavors. Beyond being a dining haven, Shams al Balad is a family-run, local lifestyle brand shedding the spotlight on art, handcrafts, skincare products, candles, and décor, and the list goes on. Once a home for the Malhas family, every enchanting corner at Shams al Balad remains true to Jordan’s heritage with a creative flair.
Source: Shams al Balad’s Instagram Page
4. Rumman Collective | Food & Culture
If you’re walking down the bustling Rainbow Street, head to the very end and visit Rumman Collective. Once a home built back in 1920, Rumman Collective is now designed to be a social and creative space, where you can explore distinct jewelry pieces and fashion statements, unique home items, and vibrant paintings in the showroom. Rumman Collective is a celebration of local creatives and artisans, highlighting the diverse talents Jordan houses. You can also enjoy a Mediterranean and Arab mix of mezzas and dishes or an aromatic cup of tea at their café, which has indoor and outdoor seating areas under the trees.
Source: Rumman Collective’s Instagram Page
5. Tammouz Restaurant & Café: A New Favorite in Jabal al-Weibdeh| Food & Culture
Nestled in the heart of Jabal al-Weibdeh, Tammouz is becoming one of Muriel’s favorite local spots. The first visit was unplanned—she and her husband Akbar had set out on a chilly afternoon, the kind where 16°C feels like the perfect excuse for coffee and a stroll. They were on their way to pick up Turkish and Arabic coffee from Al Badawi, a beloved Amman institution since 1950. But as they wandered through the streets, they stumbled upon Tammouz—a cozy café with the inviting scent of something delicious on the grill.
Muriel told me she loved how something so simple could be presented with such care. They had turned it into a little garden—scattered with ruby pomegranate seeds and delicate slivers of fried almonds, it looked almost too pretty to eat.
Then came the burger—smoky, tender, and infused with the unmistakable flavor of a well-seasoned grill. Rich and satisfying, it was the kind of dish that made you pause between bites, just to appreciate the balance of flavor and the care behind it.
A few days later, they returned, this time bringing their cousins along. The menu is a modest assortment of international favorites, but each dish is prepared with much attention to detail and surprising depth of flavor. What lingers, though, is more than the food—it’s the ease of sitting outdoors, the laughter between bites, and the joy of discovering a place that feels both new and familiar.
6. Souq al Sukkar & Souq al Nada | Shop
Imagine alleyways and alleyways of local shops, one after the other, selling everything you can think of. From clothes, shoes, and traditional thobes to fruits, spices, pottery, authentic silverware, fabrics and ribbons, and even gold jewelry. Located a few minutes away from each other, these alleyways are known as Souq al Sukkar and Souq al Nada. These traditional markets are tucked in the bustling streets of Downtown Amman, with local vendors serving as storytellers, opening your eyes to Jordan’s generational traditions and rich heritage. Some might even offer you fresh fruits on the house, praising how delicious and sweet their produce is! You’ll leave holding bags and bags of local treasures—all at amazingly reasonable prices!
Sources: Downtown Amman and 13 Best Things to do in Amman
7. Souq Mango | Shop
Located a few minutes away from Souq al Sukkar and Souq al Nada is Souq Mango. Behind every small shop lies a different world. Whether you’re searching for locally-made embroidered items, like kaftans, bags, and scarves, and souvenirs, art pieces crafted by local talents, or home essentials like ultra-soft towels and linens made of local fabric, you’ll find it in one of Amman’s must-visit shopping destinations. Put on your comfiest shoes and head down to Souq Mango for a thriving and diverse shopping experience.
8. Second Base | Shop
Vintage lovers—this is for you. Representing a brilliant concept of selling already-worn clothes and highlighting the importance of reducing fabric waste, Second Base encourages shoppers to cherish vintage statements and purchase pre-owned fashion treasures. After passing an intricate process of evaluating and amending every item, Second Base serves as a boutique for all things classic and casual. If you’re planning to enjoy a good meal at Joz Hind, you can then walk up the street (away from Paris Circle) and visit this vintage haven.
9. Jo Shop | Shop & Culture
Found in Amman, Aqaba, and Madaba, Jo Shop is dedicated to showcasing local craftsmanship and supporting Jordanian suppliers. Displaying the abundance of local artisans, craftspeople, and designers, Jo Shop has a boundless selection of fashion items, including embroidered scarves and thobes, home décor like pottery, cushions, tables, and accessories, a delicious selection of food products, the Dead Sea’s enriching essentials, and culturally-inspired apparel made with Sadu fabric and other intricate designs. A perfect one-stop-shop for gifting seasons, souvenirs, and travel heirlooms, you must shop at Jo Shop!
Source: Jo Shop’s Instagram Page
10. The Good Book Shop | Shop & Culture
After a busy day at work or a constant on-the-move touring escapade, you’re longing for a quiet corner to enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book. Your destination: The Good Bookshop. More than just a bookshop, The Good Bookshop is home to a friendly community of book lovers. You can enjoy a delicious meal, discover some great finds from their local shop, and network with locals and expats from all walks of life; all under one roof.
11. The Duke’s Diwan | Landmark
Beyond the ancient landmarks that have beautifully carved Jordan’s stance in tourism lies The Duke’s Diwan. A stone building built in 1924 as Amman’s first post office, then becoming the Finance Ministry, and then turning into the Haifa Hotel after the Nakba of 1948, The Duke’s Diwan has now evolved into an iconic landmark, a touristic destination preserving Jordan’s history in every room. Filled with paintings, antiquities, and old furniture, The Duke’s Diwan takes every visitor through a time capsule to Jordan’s past. This distinct landmark also stands as a thriving meeting point for poets, thinkers, and artists to exchange ideas.
Sources: Home in Amman and Jo Embassy US | Facebook
Contributed by Tala Bacouni