Amman, Jordan
Did I mention how much I love falafels in Jordan?
I do. I really really do.
So I have been bugging Mahmoud to take me to a local falafel shop.
The Jordan Tourism Board had scheduled a fancy schmancy dinner but let us cancel when I said I’d rather have falafels in Amman.
In my mind I had imagined some epic place Anthony Bourdain would feature but then quickly snapped back into reality when we stopped at a modern restaurant, Abu Jbarah, with take out and a drive thru.
Needless to say I felt a bit foolish, why wouldn’t one of the most popular falafel restaurants look like this?
Mahmoud ordered a bit of everything for us to share. And Rami our driver scolded the server when he brought plates for us.
If this were going to be authentic we would all just eat straight from the plates and share and Rami knew I didn’t want a tourist version of dinner. People in Jordan have been so kind to me it was a great dinner.
Alas this was my last night in Jordan and it was amazing, now onto Europe!
I guess I would have felt just as foolish as you, because that’s not what I was expecting the restaurant to look like either.
Sorry your time in Jordan is coming to an end…it’s been fascinating and definitely makes me want to get out there soon.
Looking forward to the European adventures!
Lovin’ the olives. Lovin’ the Olives!
Mmm…Falafel.
Place looks real swank, dude is even wearing a name tag!
When you get to Paris, you have to try the Falafel in the rue des Rosier, the “Jewish Quarter”
Gotta have your favorite food the last night in town.
I’m with you, I would have expected some hole-in-the-wall. It’s probably a good reminder though that good food comes from all sorts of places, even shiny new modern places.
Other stores are
Al-osra falafel restaurant
Kalha restauran
and in downtown , try Falafel Fouad sandwiches
Or Al Quds in rainbow street
Abu Jabara is awesome. Glad you were able to experience it.
Good on you for rejecting fancy schmancy in favour of local and authentic. We’re in Europe at the moment…stranded actually. Our car broke down! Looking forward to a cold Christmas to make a change from the Australian sunshine. Happy travels. 🙂
Mmmm. I want delicious, fresh olive oil, hummus, olives and falafel stuffed into hot pita. Looks/sounds amazing.
Oh, yum; now I know what I’m having for lunch! Thanks for the inspiration!
For the really authentic Falafel experience you
should have been eating where everyday folk eat
Falafel – Hashum, in a downtown alley.
What an excellent way to spend your last night. Falafels! Ahhhh, my heaven. 😀
Ahh Just checked your mid-east posts. Awesome! I love Abu Jabara, my favorite felafel in Amman. Actually they have several restaurants and a few are very much a hole in the wall, but this is probably their most famous branch “The fancy one” people would refer to it. Supposedly it was .06 JD compared to .05 at their less fancier places 😉
I didn’t have nearly enough time to explore food in Amman, I really hope to go back.