Best Outdoor Seating Restaurants in Petra for Dining Under Open Skies

Open Air Dining in Petra: The Complete Restaurants with Outdoor Seating Guide

Here is the honest truth about finding the best outdoor seating restaurants in Petra. If you want to eat al fresco dining in Petra, you need to know the difference between tourist-only spots and places where locals actually sit outside. And the patio restaurants Petra has on offer change with the season—winter storms will shut down even the best open air cafes in Petra within minutes.

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Beidha Lounge (Neby Musa Road): The Ancient Rock Terrace

1. Beidha Village Terrace, Neby Musa Road junction

Last week, I dragged two reluctant friends to Beidha, the UNESCO-protected Neolithic site just 10 minutes north of Petra's main entrance. The stone terrace behind the visitor center seats maybe 20 people—no frills, no menu cards, just cold drinks and warmed lentil soup. We ate under a tarp that gave way to a perfect afternoon sky, and a Bedouin woman brought us hummus with olive oil from her own trees. The owner, Abu Tareq, says he opens Wednesday through Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM, but I've found him there on random Mondays after good weather. If you're lucky, the entire village might share their lunch with you.

The Neolithic ruins you're eating beside are among the oldest in the Middle East, and local guides tell stories under the olive tree that starts growing beside the terrace. Walk in slow on a Thursday—you may get caught up in a local wedding celebration.

Local Insider Tip: "Bring exact change. Prices are mostly JD 2-3, and the cart reads machines at the main gate cost more. I tip Abu Tareq 500 fils every time because he saves me the JD 5 cafe fee at the gate."

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Petra Kitchen / Al-Wadi Restaurant (Wadi Musa): The Downtown Alfresco Experience

2. Main Street, Wadi Musa downtown strip

If you're looking for the best dining under open skies after a trek into Petra's depths, Al-Wadi serves decent Jordanian mixed grill on a terrace facing the street. Last Thursday we got the lamb machbous (JD 8.5) and fatoush (JD 3) right at golden hour, and the valley light hit the sandstone hills behind the kitchen. Go Monday or Friday for the freshest deliveries; Saturday service slows down badly when tour buses load. I've eaten here a dozen times since 2015. The bread is always hot, the beans are not always fresh.

The restaurant sits on the old guesthouse strip that pilgrims used for centuries before the treasure became UNESCO-protected. Grip onto a shaded table and watch life in the town move by—Mercedes taxis honking, kids fetching falafel, and older men hashing out old arguments over backgammon.

Local Insider Tip: "At 6 PM, grab the table against the metal railing. You get more space than the plastic chairs near the kitchen, and the bread delivery comes to that corner first."

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The Cave Bar (Wadi Musa): The Only Licensed Outdoor Bar in Town

3. The Cave Bar, Wadi Musa, opposite Old Petra Gate

Here's a secret about patio restaurants in Petra: there is basically one outdoor bar, run by the Turkish brothers, next to the little Petra gate entry point. We went last Tuesday outside, grabbed JD 5 local Arar arak with mezze, and the evening turned into a quick review session on Nabataean water channels above. The place fills up by 9 PM and hits its stride after 10 PM. They do not serve food after 11 PM, so order before then, and the garlic potatoes are the move for sharing. Bring a sweater. Mountain air drops fast even in May.

Sit in the far corner, near the stone partition. The acoustics keep noise down and you can hear the actual silence of the desert at the edges—really, that is not something I say about open air cafes in Petra.

Local Insider Tip: "They close for one full week in Lent season and two weeks in January/February. Call ahead if you're visiting early in the year, but their phone line is often just someone's personal WhatsApp."

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Moses Spring / Ain Musa (North of Wadi Musa): The Hidden Valley Stop

4. Moses Spring Café, Ain Musa valley path

There is a dusty café right at the spring of Ain Musa, where tradition says Moses struck water for the Israelites. I visited last week, mid-afternoon on a Saturday, and drank tea (JD 1) from a plastic cup on wooden benches under grape arbor. No printed menu. No English sign. Just a cooler of Pepsi, hot tea, and dusty ground. Locals from Wadi Musa come here on cool days. Tourists mostly skip it for the busier downtown strip. The spring itself only flows strongly after rains—this year it was faint but real.

This spot connects to thousands of years of foot traffic, literally on the Ma'in Hot Springs road that fed Petra's population. Order tea, and bring granola bars from town. Sugar cubes sit in a reused yogurt cup on the folding table—grab one or two, it's included.

Local Insider Tip: "Tell the old man at the gate 'salam' and use the hand-open before gripping. He has a stiff shoulder. Three photos later you will earn a free round."

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Petra Marriott Hotel Rooftop (Wadi Musa Hilltop): 360-Degree Rock Views

5. Petra Marriott Hotel terrace, hilltop across from Siq gate

Anyone searching for more formal open air cafes in Petra usually ends up on top of the Marriott. The terrace, technically not a standalone restaurant but more like a slightly off-limits garden bar, has a rooftop lounge at the far end from the lobby. We were there at 1 PM last Monday. Bedouin tea (JD 4) and a mezze plate (JD 12) came out fast, and the view of the Treasury from above is something you cannot get from the ground. The hotel is not cheap, but the terrace is open to non-guests if you walk in confidently and ask for the bar. Service slows down badly during lunch rush, and the Wi-Fi drops out near the back tables.

The hotel sits on the hill that once overlooked the ancient caravan route into Petra. You're eating where Nabataean traders once rested their camels. The terrace faces west, so sunset is the best time to go. Bring a hat—there is no shade after 3 PM.

Local Insider Tip: "Walk in through the side entrance near the parking lot, not the main lobby. The staff at the side door are more relaxed about non-guests, and you avoid the awkward 'are you staying here' question."

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Al-Saraya Restaurant (Wadi Musa): The Family-Run Garden Spot

6. Al-Saraya Restaurant, Wadi Musa, near the visitor center roundabout

Al-Saraya has a small garden in the back that most tourists never see. I found it by accident in 2018 when the front dining room was full of a Korean tour group. Last week, I went back and sat under the grapevine with a plate of mansaf (JD 10) and a side of pickled turnips. The owner's daughter, Muna, brought us extra bread without asking. The garden seats maybe 15 people, and it's shaded by a corrugated metal roof with actual plants growing through the gaps. Go on a weekday afternoon—weekends get loud with family gatherings.

The restaurant has been here since the 1990s, back when Wadi Musa was just a few guesthouses and a single road. The garden was added later, and it feels like someone's actual backyard. Order the mansaf, but ask for extra jameed sauce on the side. The bread is baked in a taboun oven out back, and you can smell it from the street.

Local Insider Tip: "If Muna is working, ask her for the 'special salad.' It's not on the menu, but she makes a version with pomegranate molasses and toasted almonds that the regular menu doesn't include."

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Little Petra (Beidha) Picnic Area: The DIY Alfresco Option

7. Little Petra picnic area, Beidha access road

This is not a restaurant, but it is the best al fresco dining Petra has if you bring your own food. There is a shaded area with stone benches right before the entrance to Little Petra, and locals use it for family lunches on Fridays. Last week, I bought falafel sandwiches from a shop on the main road (JD 1.5 each) and ate them under the trees while watching a group of Italian hikers struggle with their map. The area is free, unmarked, and has zero facilities—just shade, stone, and silence.

Little Petra is the northern suburb of the ancient city, where Nabataean traders once stored goods before entering the main site. You're eating where caravans once unloaded. Bring your own trash bag—there are no bins, and the area stays clean because locals police it themselves.

Local Insider Tip: "Park at the small lot 200 meters before the official entrance. The guard there will wave you through if you say you're going to the picnic area, and you save the JD 1 parking fee at the main gate."

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Rum Village Café (Wadi Rum, 1 Hour South): The Desert Extension

8. Rum Village Café, Wadi Rum protected area, near the visitor center

Okay, this one is technically not in Petra, but if you're driving south to Wadi Rum (and you should), the Rum Village Café has the best open air dining in the wider region. I stopped there last Friday after a morning in Petra, and the Bedouin tea (JD 2) and chicken shawarma (JD 5) came out on a terrace facing the red sand dunes. The café is run by the Rum Village cooperative, and the money goes directly to the local community. Go at sunset—the light turns the rocks into something unreal.

Wadi Rum was part of the same Nabataean trade network that fed Petra. You're eating in the same desert that once carried incense and spices north. The café is basic—plastic chairs, a few tables, and a cooler—but the view is worth the drive. Bring cash; there are no card machines.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask for the 'Bedouin coffee' instead of the regular tea. It's cardamom-heavy, served in a tiny cup, and costs the same JD 2. The regular tea is fine, but the coffee is what the guides drink between tours."

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When to Go / What to Know

The best time for outdoor dining in Petra is October through April, when temperatures hover around 18-25°C and the skies stay clear. Summer (June-August) pushes past 35°C, and most terraces empty by noon. Winter (December-February) brings rain and occasional snow, so call ahead—many outdoor spots close without notice. Friday is the busiest day for local gatherings, so expect noise and longer waits. Tuesday and Wednesday are the quietest. Always carry cash in Jordanian dinars; card machines are unreliable outside the Marriott and a few larger restaurants. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up by 500 fils to 1 JD is appreciated, especially at family-run spots.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Petra?

Petra and Wadi Musa are conservative but tourist-friendly. Covering shoulders and knees is appreciated, especially at local cafés outside the main tourist zone. At the Cave Bar, casual Western dress is fine. At family-run spots like Al-Saraya, modest clothing helps you blend in. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in front of locals during daylight hours—most restaurants still serve tourists, but discretion matters.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Petra is famous for?

Mansaf, Jordan's national dish, is the must-try. It is lamb cooked in fermented dried yogurt (jameed) served over rice with thin bread underneath. In Wadi Musa, Al-Saraya serves a solid version for around JD 10. For drinks, Bedouin tea with sage or cardamom is everywhere and costs JD 1-2. At Rum Village Café, the Bedouin coffee with heavy cardamom is the local favorite among guides and drivers.

Is the tap water in Petra safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Wadi Musa is technically treated but not recommended for drinking. Locals use it for cooking and washing, but most residents drink filtered or bottled water. Restaurants serve bottled water (JD 0.5-1) or filtered jugs. Bring a reusable bottle and refill at your hotel's filtered station. At outdoor spots like Ain Musa spring café, the tea is made with boiled local water, which is safe.

Is Petra expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A one-day Petra ticket costs JD 50 (about $70 USD), which is the biggest single expense. Mid-tier daily budget: JD 15-20 for meals (lunch and dinner at local spots), JD 10-15 for transport and tips, JD 40-60 for a mid-range hotel in Wadi Musa. Total: JD 115-145 per day ($160-200 USD) excluding the ticket. The JD 50 ticket is valid for one day; a two-day pass is JD 55, and three days is JD 60. Staying in Wadi Musa rather than at the Marriott saves JD 30-50 per night.

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Petra?

Vegetarian options are widely available. Falafel sandwiches cost JD 1-2, hummus plates JD 2-3, and fattoush salad JD 3 at most local spots. Vegan options require asking—many dishes use yogurt or butter. At Al-Saraya, the lentil soup (JD 2) and mujadara (rice with lentils, JD 3) are vegan if you skip the yogurt topping. At Beidha Village, the hummus is made without dairy. The Marriott terrace has a mezze plate that can be made vegan on request. Ain Musa spring café has limited options—bring your own snacks if you have strict dietary needs.