Amman

Local tour guides consider a visit to Habibah a city tour essential, and for good reason: this legendary sweets shop, originating in 1947 Jerusalem, has made its way across to Jordan, where it continues to sell and serve some of the finest Palestinian Kunafa (cheese pastry drenched in sweet syrup) for miles around.

The delightful hip cafe is a rare find in Amman. Set on a hilltop overlooking the downtown's cream-coloured buildings, Shams El Balad is much more than its scenic location — dishes served here are deliciously experimental twists on Middle Eastern classics, and quite possibly warrant a cook book of their own.

Rumi is as close as it gets to an Ammani take on a hipster coffee shop. This gem of a cafe attracts with-it locals, who thoroughly enjoy the shaded outdoor seating and Rumi's extensive selection of international teas. Snacks and breakfasts are also on offer; you can always opt for the excellent coffee.

Books@cafe set out to create a space of intellectual enrichment (hence the concept of cafe cum bookshop) and mutual understanding, whether it be between cultures - of which there are many in Amman, permanent and visiting - or people of different sexual orientations (it's a welcoming gay cafe/bar known well to insiders).

Fann Wa Chai art gallery and tea bar is a tranquil hideaway in the hip, bohemian Jabal Al Weibdeh district. The establishment has been serving tea, coffee and small bites in the art-filled environment since 1988. Enjoy a quiet afternoon on the terrace or in the garden.