Nabatean Kitchen Museum

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An interactive museum in Wadi Musa showcasing reconstructed Nabatean cooking facilities, traditional methods, and local culinary history. Visitors can experience ancient food preparation techniques and enjoy traditional Jordanian meals in an educational cultural setting.

Things to do

• Explore Reconstructed Cooking Facilities — Walk through authentic replicas of Nabatean kitchens with clay ovens, grinding stones, and food storage areas that demonstrate daily culinary life from 2,000 years ago.
• Learn Traditional Bread-Making Techniques — Participate in or observe demonstrations of ancient bread preparation using traditional methods and stone implements similar to those used by Nabateans.
• View Pottery and Cooking Vessels Collection — Examine original and reconstructed Nabatean pottery, earthenware jars, and cooking vessels displayed throughout the museum that reveal the sophistication of ancient food culture.
• Attend Culinary History Presentations — Engage with museum staff or guides explaining how trade routes influenced Nabatean cuisine and the connection between spice commerce and local food traditions.
• Participate in Food Preparation Workshops — Join hands-on sessions where visitors can grind grains, prepare vegetables, or assist in cooking traditional dishes using ancient methods.
• Dine at the Museum's Traditional Restaurant — Experience authentic Jordanian and Nabatean-inspired meals prepared using traditional techniques in the on-site dining area overlooking Wadi Musa.

Food to try

• Zarb (Lamb Cooked in Underground Pit) — Tender lamb meat slow-cooked with vegetables in a traditional underground oven, a preparation method with roots in Nabatean culinary practice.
• Mansaf (Yogurt-Based Stew) — A signature Jordanian dish of lamb in a tangy yogurt sauce with pine nuts and flatbread, considered the national dish with ancient Levantine origins.
• Hand-Ground Whole Wheat Bread — Fresh flatbread made from grains ground using traditional stone mills, served warm and representative of basic Nabatean staple foods.
• Stuffed Grape Leaves with Ancient Grains — Grape leaves filled with locally-sourced grains and herbs using recipes influenced by Nabatean agricultural practices and regional trade.
• Herbed Lentil Soup with Local Vegetables — A hearty legume soup featuring ingredients available in the Nabatean era, flavored with wild herbs foraged from the Petra region.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Photography Restrictions in Exhibits — Ask permission before photographing interior displays and demonstrations, as some educational demonstrations may restrict image capture to protect presentation quality.
• Dress Modestly for Cultural Respect — Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, following local Jordanian customs that are especially appreciated when participating in food preparation activities.
• Arrive Early for Workshop Availability — Book or arrive early in the day to ensure spots in hands-on cooking demonstrations and workshops, as spaces fill quickly with tour groups.