While visiting Petra for the first time, looking for a place to have lunch or dinner is probably not high on your priority list. But thats ok, this list of the best Wadi Musa restaurants will take the guesswork out of it for you! There are dozens of restaurants in the area, that most refer to as Petra and most that cater to tourists who are visiting the UNESCO site. Whether you are looking for a buffet lunch or a typical Jordanian dish after exploring the site, or maybe you want to learn how to cook some basic middle eastern cuisine the Jordanian way, there are plenty of options while you stay in Wadi Musa and visit Petra.
When you finish this post, be sure to read my guide to the best hotels near Petra and transportation in Wadi Musa. If you do not have your own car, you will want to know about taxis and locals offering rides. Also check out the guide to one day in Petra if you are short on time.
Al – Wadi Restaurant
Al – Wadi Restaurant gets excellent trip advisor reviews. It is located uptown in Wadi Musa, not near the Petra Visitors Centre (about 20 minutes walk from Petra Visitors centre). According to Trip Advisor, it is one of the best restaurants in Petra.
Red Cave Restaurant
This restaurant is well located for those leaving the Petra Visitors center. It gets mixed reviews, either people love it, or dont.
My Mom Recipe Restaurant
My Mom Recipe has second-floor dining (no elevator). They offer a buffet for lunch and dinner a la carte. My mom recipie has mid range prices. This is a good place to order Mansaf if you want to try Jordan’s national dish.
Palm Court Restaurant
Located on the main street close to the visitor’s center and Petra Palace hotel. The Palm Court Restaurant is a new restaurant in Wadi Musa. Mid-range prices between 8-12 JD for a meal. Food is flavorful, order the Middle Eastern dishes.
Petra Kitchen
Spend about 2 hours preparing Jordanian dishes and then dine on the fruits of your labor. Usually from 7-9pm. Often, you will help prepare lentil soup, tomato casserole, tabouli salad, and chicken.
The Basin Restaurant
Located in Petra at the end of the main trail (before you find the trail to the Monastery), you will find the Basin Restaurant. The Petra Basin Restaurant serves buffet lunch for visitors to Petra. It is about 17 JD. Alcohol is served here.
Cave Bar (Petra Guest House Hotel)
The Cave Bar is located in the Petra visitors’ center. The Cave Bar offers an upscale ambiance and a great way to finish off Petra by Night! It has Five Star prices for drinks and food.
Al Qantarah
Lunch buffet is served here and the dinner menu is a la carte. Al Qantarah offers a nice atmosphere, it was an old house that was converted into a restaurant and offers a glimpse of traditional home building in the Middle East. It is located near the car parking lot for the visitors’ center.
Evening Entertainment in Petra
There are a few options for evening entertainment in Petra. The most well known is Petra by Night. But a brand new one is gaining in popularity. It is called Henna Fantasia and offers an evening filled with traditional dance and music. Hotel pickup and drop off is included in the ticket. You can get tickets in advance here. (Advance purchase is required to ensure hotel pickup is arranged)
Looking for Alcohol in Wadi Musa?
If you are staying near the Petra Visitors center, there are not a lot of restaurants that serve alcohol. Besides the Cave Bar, Petra Palace, and Movenpick Hotel both serve alcohol. There are no liquor stores in Wadi Musa. You are better off bringing a bottle from Aqaba or Amman.
Lindsay has been visiting Jordan for the past 10 years and built this website because of the lack of practical and updated information online. Lindsay is also the owner of Amman Food Tours, a social enterprise that is women-owned and hires local female guides. This project provides meaningful employment for women in Amman.