Amman

This wildly popular local eatery gathers ravenous crowds no matter the time of day, but securing a seat is most likely to happen outside of peak hours of lunch and dinner. Hashem's absolute must is the falafel, accompanied by hummus, fava bean paste, and freshly baked bread. Prices are startlingly low.

Sufra is synonymous with fine, yet affordable, Jordanian dining. Apart from staples like fukharat (clay pots with slow-cooked meat and vegetables) and mansaf (a traditional dish of lamb cooked in yogurt on rice), there is a traditional special which varies by day.

One of international visitors' hangout spots of choice, Pizza Roma is a rooftop space stylised to resemble a Bedouin tent, with a scenic breezy terrace and guest musical performances by talented local youths. The cafe serves far more than just pizza, extending its offerings to dishes likely to appear rather extraordinary to some, such as the lesser-consumed parts of a sheep: the head, stomach, and even testicles.

A word of advice: do not go all in with the scrumptious starters and home-baked bread, and leave some room for Tawaheen al-Hawa's Middle Eastern/Jordanian mains, including the mansaf and varied grilled meats. This one is popular with both visitors and locals, the latter often seen enjoying a leisurely shisha pipe in the evenings.

Occupying the building once owned by Jordan's first prime minister, Fakhreldin is an upscale affair — a reputable Lebanese restaurant serving a variety of dishes developed from the Levantine cuisine. There is a spacious outdoor seating area, tables laid with crisp white table cloths and elaborate appointments.

One of the latest additions to Amman's dining and nightlife scenes, Chestnut is a well-liked pub run by an enthusiastic, warm team that brought in expertise from businesses local and international. Evening vibes are conducive to a great night, and food restaurant-worthy, not limited to pub grub alone. Happy hour (1-6pm daily at the time of writing) brings 50% discounts on selected menu items and drinks.

District belongs somewhere on the bar/restaurant spectrum, and, along with serving excellent international fusion cuisine, is also a pleasant place to spend the evening having drinks in good company. It's a conceptually one-of-a-kind establishment in Amman, with a welcoming outdoor terrace and views to die for.