The Best Jordanian Brunch in Dubai: The Levantine Morning Table Done Right
In Jordan, brunch is not a Western import. It is the oldest meal in the book — a leisurely morning spread that has been feeding families since before the word "brunch" existed. The Jordanian breakfast table is an event: bowls of foul medames (spiced fava beans), labneh with za'atar and olive oil, fatteh still sizzling from the kitchen, manakish fresh from the taboon oven, olives, tomatoes, fresh herbs and eggs prepared half a dozen ways. It is not fast. It is not minimal. It is, in the best possible way, too much.
In Dubai, Jordanian brunch has found a devoted following that stretches well beyond the Jordanian community. Food lovers who have discovered the joys of fatteh for breakfast — that extraordinary layered assembly of crispy bread, chickpeas, yogurt and spiced lamb — rarely return to anything else. And with Khashoka (Amman's most famous breakfast institution) now operating in Motor City, and Chef Salam Dakkak's two exceptional restaurants in JLT and Jumeirah, the city's Jordanian brunch scene is better than it has ever been.
What is a Jordanian Brunch?
The Jordanian morning spread differs from the Lebanese or Syrian equivalent in several important ways. Fatteh — ubiquitous at every Jordanian breakfast table — is uniquely Jordanian in its character. Foul medames (slow-cooked fava beans with lemon, cumin and olive oil) are central in a way they are not in Lebanon. The bread is thicker: taboon flatbread and shrak rather than the thinner khubz of Lebanese brunch culture. And the pace is slower — Jordanian brunch is built for long weekend mornings, for families gathering without urgency, for tea poured repeatedly from a tall-spouted kettle.
The Essential Jordanian Brunch Dishes
- Fatteh — the star dish: crispy bread, warm chickpeas, cold yogurt, tahini and spiced minced lamb. Must be eaten immediately.
- Foul Medames — slow-cooked fava beans with garlic, cumin, lemon and olive oil. The Jordanian morning staple.
- Manakish — flatbread baked fresh from the taboon oven, topped with za'atar oil, white cheese or spiced lamb (lahm bi ajeen)
- Labneh — strained yogurt with za'atar and olive oil. Essential with warm bread.
- Shakshuka — eggs poached in spiced tomato and pepper sauce. A morning favourite across the Levant.
- Hummus — always present, always warm, always with good olive oil
- Mutabbal — smoky eggplant dip alongside the hummus
- Fresh vegetables and olives — the healthy anchor of the spread
- Muhallabia or Kunafa — for the sweet finish, available at better brunch spots
The Best Jordanian Brunch Spots in Dubai
Khashoka
Bait Maryam
Sufret Maryam
Rawabina Restaurant & Cafe
What to Order at a Jordanian Brunch
Jordanian Brunch vs Lebanese Brunch in Dubai
Both are Levantine traditions but with key differences. Lebanese brunch tends to be lighter and broader — more salads, more fresh vegetable dishes, more variety across smaller portions. Jordanian brunch is heartier and more centralised around a few key dishes, particularly fatteh and foul. The bread is thicker and more substantial in Jordanian brunch culture, and the pace is even more leisurely.
Lebanese brunch places more emphasis on pastries (croissants, kaak, various filled breads) alongside the Levantine staples. Jordanian brunch is more focused — fewer dishes but each executed with more depth. The za'atar at a Jordanian breakfast table is also distinctive: darker, more intensely thyme-forward, mixed with sumac and sesame in a ratio that varies by region and family recipe.
| Restaurant | Brunch Hours | Best Dishes | Price (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khashoka | 6pm–3am (late) | Fatteh, Musakhan, Manakish | AED 8–80 |
| Bait Maryam | 10am–3pm (Fri-Sat) | Hummus, Manakish, Kunafa | AED 50–120 |
| Sufret Maryam | 10am–11pm | Shakshuka, Fatteh, Labneh | AED 100–200 |
| Rawabina | 12pm–12am | Foul, Labneh, Hummus | AED 60–130 |
Tips for the Perfect Jordanian Brunch in Dubai
- Book Bait Maryam well ahead for weekend brunch — it fills up, and there is no walk-in guarantee
- At Khashoka, arrive after 8pm for the best atmosphere — the late-night brunch energy is unique in Dubai
- Order fatteh first — it is time-sensitive and must be eaten immediately as it arrives
- Pair everything with fresh mint tea (not herbal teabags — ask for dried mint leaves steeped fresh)
- Manakish should be ordered fresh from the oven — at good spots they are made to order and should arrive hot
- The full brunch spread takes 90 minutes minimum to do properly — this is not a meal you rush
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jordanian brunch?
A Jordanian brunch is a leisurely morning spread of traditional dishes including fatteh, foul medames, manakish, labneh, hummus, shakshuka and fresh vegetables — all eaten communally, slowly, with endless mint tea. It is both meal and social ritual.
Where is the best Jordanian brunch in Dubai?
Khashoka in Motor City is the most authentic — a direct transplant from Amman's most famous breakfast institution. Bait Maryam in JLT offers the best weekend brunch spread. Sufret Maryam in Jumeirah offers the most refined experience. All three are unmissable.
What should I order at a Jordanian brunch?
Always order fatteh (the defining Jordanian brunch dish), foul medames, manakish (fresh from the taboon), labneh with za'atar, and hummus. Shakshuka is excellent if available. Finish with kunafa or muhallabia for dessert.
How much does Jordanian brunch cost in Dubai?
Jordanian brunch is excellent value. At Khashoka dishes start from AED 8. A full spread for two at Rawabina or Bait Maryam runs AED 100–180. Sufret Maryam is the premium option at AED 100–200 per person.
Is Jordanian food good for vegetarians?
The brunch spread is largely vegetarian-friendly — hummus, labneh, mutabbal, manakish with cheese or za'atar, foul medames, and fresh vegetables are all vegetarian. Fatteh can be ordered without the spiced lamb. Shakshuka is naturally vegetarian.
