Amman doesn’t just feed you … it welcomes you in. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Amman and chats with Lindsay Nieminen, Co-Founder + Owner of Amman Food Tours, (and fellow Canadian) to explore Jordan’s capital through its local souks, falafel shops, cafés, family-run restaurants, and deep culture of kindness hospitality. From why breakfast might be the most delicious way to understand Amman, to how dishes like fatteh, falafel, kofta, mansaf, and knafeh carry history, memory, and meaning, this episode is equal parts generous, delicious, and full of heart. Expect a spicy-hot take on the rise of Western-style latte culture, underrated gems like fatteh, and a reminder that in Jordan, food is never just food. It’s welcome. It’s connection. It’s “sit down, eat more” before you’ve even finished the first plate. Kevin digs into his own Amman favourites, from Rainbow Street and Souk Jara to the beautiful community restaurant Ezwitti, cardamom coffee, local spices, sticky date molasses, and edible souvenirs worth packing in your carry-on. And while this episode celebrates the food and people of Jordan, we also recognize the challenges and heartbreak across the wider region. This conversation is rooted in respect, curiosity, and the belief that sharing stories around the table still matters. In this episode: • Why Amman deserves more than a quick stopover • Lindsay’s deeply personal connection to Jordan • How Amman Food Tours became women-led and purpose-driven • Fatteh, falafel, kofta, mansaf, shawarma, knafeh, and more • Overrated latte culture and underrated local breakfasts • Female-led tourism, hospitality, and the meaning of being a guest • Rainbow Street, Souk Jara, Ezwitti, and Kevin’s favourite Amman finds • What edible souvenirs to bring home from Jordan And, Kevin gets very honest about his Top Chef Middle East & North Africa (Season 3) man crush, why Amman needs more time on your itinerary, and how Jordanian hospitality might just feed your soul as much as your stomach. Amman … come hungry, leave welcomed. Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open Tour-guide love, late-night chaos, and kabob energy 00:17 – Welcome to Amman Kevin introduces the episode, Lindsay, and Jordan’s delicious capital 02:29 – Kevin + CJ Talk Middle Eastern Food Favourite dishes, big flavours, and why Amman was so exciting 04:01 – Meet Lindsay Nieminen Travel writer, Co-Founder of Amman Food Tours, and Jordan storyteller 05:40 – Lindsay’s Jordan Story A trip, a love story, loss, resilience, and launching Amman Food Tours 07:56 – Women-Led Food Tours Jumana, female guides, and why women’s voices matter in Jordanian tourism 10:29 – Hospitality + Ezwitti Generosity, pay-it-forward meals, and what it means to be a guest in Jordan 12:29 – Bedouin Culture + Zarb Desert traditions, pit barbecue, and food beyond Amman 13:49 – What Surprises Guests Most Kofta with tahini sauce and the dishes people don’t expect to love 14:48 – Mansaf Matters Jordan’s must-eat dish, lamb, tradition, and eating with your hands 16:58 – Lindsay’s First Bite Back Fatteh, crispy bread, chickpeas, toppings, and breakfast obsession 17:48 – Amman’s Changing Food Scene Local ingredients, young chefs, farm-to-table dining, and new flavours 19:02 – Chef Crushes Chef Ali Ghzawi, Dara Dining by Sara Aquel, and women leading Jordan’s food scene 20:31 – Overrated vs Underrated • Latte culture 👀 • Fatteh, the local bite more travellers need to try 23:14 – The Falafel Debate Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, and why fresh falafel always wins 24:14 – A Perfect Food Day in Amman Hashem, falafel, hummus, fatteh, fool, mint tea, and a very full table 25:35 – Lunch Outside the City Carob House, Madaba, farm-to-table cooking, and a female chef 27:10 – Afternoon Snacks Street shawarma, falafel sandwiches, and finding the local lineup 27:39 – Dinner in Amman Dara Dining, Tawaheen Al Hawa, family-style mezze, and mixed grill 28:28 – Drinks with a View Rainbow Street, rooftop bars, Jordanian wine, and the Citadel skyline 29:03 – Fast Food Quiz Arabic coffee, hummus, tomatoes, knafeh, Bekdash, and tabbouleh 31:04 – Kevin + CJ Recap Amman Food tours, love stories, women-led tourism, and feeding the soul 32:23 – Chef Ali Moment Kevin’s Top Chef crush and why he needs to return to Amman 33:23 – Rainbow Street + Souk Jara Nightlife, cafés, grills, markets, spices, dates, figs, and local energy 34:55 – Rumi Café + Middle Eastern Flavours Rose cake, saffron, pistachios, cardamom, figs, and sweet café moments 36:45 – Ezwitti Deep Dive The kindness wall, community meals, and food as support 38:30 – Take-Home Amman Za’atar, sumac, date molasses, local honey, and cardamom coffee 41:51 – Final Bite + What’s Next Next stop: Porto Before we take a big bite into this delicious episode, I wanted to acknowledge the moment we are in. At the time of this recording, there's conflict and uncertainty across the region. This episode isn't going to ignore that reality, but rather honouring the resilient people, the cultures, the kitchens and community that exist alongside. If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.
