Ma'an Governorate is Jordan's largest governorate by area, encompassing the legendary rose-red city of Petra, the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, and the historic market town of Ma'an city. This southern region is home to some of the ancient world's most extraordinary monuments, carved by the Nabataean civilization over two millennia ago. From rugged desert canyons to Crusader-era castles, Ma'an offers an unparalleled journey through layers of human history set against spectacular natural scenery.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Ma'an through its food.
Petra Kitchen Evening Experience
The most acclaimed food experience in Ma'an Governorate — an interactive evening cooking class and dinner with local Jordanian women from the Wadi Musa community. Guests learn to prepare 8-10 traditional dishes including mansaf, fattoush, and knafeh, then share the meal communally around a long table.
Includes: Hands-on cooking with local Wadi Musa women · 8-10 traditional Jordanian dishes prepared · Communal dinner atmosphere · Recipes to recreate at home · Cultural exchange and storytelling
Wadi Musa Market and Street Food Tour
A guided walk through Wadi Musa's market street and local food shops, tasting traditional Jordanian street food and learning about local ingredients. Stops include the bakery for fresh khubz, spice shops for za'atar and sumac, the sweet shop for knafeh, and a street falafel counter.
Includes: Fresh-baked khubz from wood-fired oven · Knafeh straight from the pan · Spice market with local za'atar and sumac · Falafel and shawarma tastings · Shopping guidance for food souvenirs
Bedouin Zarb Dinner Experience
An evening in a traditional Bedouin tent outside Wadi Musa, watching the preparation and uncovering of the zarb (underground oven barbecue), sharing the feast around the fire, and enjoying traditional Bedouin music and storytelling under the stars.
Includes: Zarb underground oven barbecue · Traditional Bedouin hospitality · Music and storytelling · Stargazing in the desert · Cardamom Arabic coffee ceremony
Dana Village Slow Food Walk
A slow-paced food walk through the historic Ottoman village of Dana, meeting local producers, tasting reserve-sourced honey, wild herb teas, and homemade preserves, and visiting the RSCN nature shop selling Dana-made food products.
Includes: Reserve-harvested wild herb tea tasting · Local honey from Dana beekeepers · Homemade olive oil and za'atar · Meeting local artisan food producers · Canyon view café stop
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Ma'an's food scene.
Street food tours
Self-guided walk along Wadi Musa market street sampling shawarma, falafel, knafeh, and fresh juice — approximately JOD 5-10 total for a full self-guided tasting tour
Market tours
Guided market visits in Wadi Musa focusing on spices, fresh produce, and traditional ingredients. Available through local guide services.
Restaurant tours
Multi-course Jordanian meals at Petra Kitchen (cooking class) or Bedouin tent dinners arranged through hotels in Wadi Musa
Specialty tours
Jordanian coffee ceremony (cardamom-spiced qahwa) and tea culture focused experiences offered by Bedouin camp hosts
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Ma'an home with you.
Petra Kitchen Cooking Experience
Cook traditional Jordanian dishes with local women from the Wadi Musa community. Prepare mansaf, fattoush, hummus, and knafeh then share the meal with your hosts.
Bedouin Bread Baking Class
Learn to make traditional Bedouin shrak bread (paper-thin flatbread) on a convex iron griddle (saj) with a local Bedouin woman in Wadi Musa. Take your bread home to eat.
DIY self-guided food tour
Create your own food tour through Wadi Musa following this route for approximately JOD 8-12 total
-
1
Stop 1: Habiba Bakery (6:30 AM) — Fresh khubz flatbread and cheese fatayer for breakfast (JOD 1)
-
2
Stop 2: Wadi Musa market spice stalls (9 AM after Petra morning) — Taste and buy za'atar, sumac, dried herbs (JOD 2-5)
-
3
Stop 3: Mahmoud's Shawarma for lunch (1 PM) — Chicken shawarma wrap (JOD 2)
-
4
Stop 4: Desert Rose Sweets (afternoon) — Fresh knafeh at the counter (JOD 2)
-
5
Stop 5: Petra Juicery (late afternoon) — Pomegranate or rose lemonade (JOD 2)
-
6
Stop 6: Al Qantarah Restaurant (evening) — Full Jordanian dinner including mansaf and salads (JOD 8-12)
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Petra Kitchen must be booked at least 24-48 hours in advance — it fills up quickly in peak season
Friday is the best day for mansaf — most local restaurants only serve it on this day
The best knafeh in Wadi Musa is at Desert Rose Sweets on the main market street
Za'atar, dried sage (maramiyya), and sumac make excellent, light food souvenirs to take home
Bedouin zarb experiences are available through most hotels in Wadi Musa — book through your accommodation
Bring an appetite to cooking classes — portions are generous and shared communally