Traveling through the Middle East and Africa offers an unforgettable journey through some of the world’s most diverse and flavorful food cultures. Savor freshly grilled nyama choma in Nairobi, sample Cape Malay curries in Cape Town, or go spice shopping in the souks of Marrakesh. There are so many ways for foodies to immerse themselves in both historic and contemporary culinary traditions in these regions.
Choosing the right hotel enhances any culinary journey. Whether you’re seeking convenience near popular dining enclaves, a quiet retreat with on-site gourmet options, or a luxury stay that balances exploration with comfort, these accommodations help ensure that every bite is memorable.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Experience Quintessential Middle Eastern Hospitality in Amman, Jordan
Situated at the heart of the Levant, Amman has been a culinary capital for millennia. Locals relish in everything from piping hot street food to high-end restaurants with dramatic city views.
Make a beeline for Rainbow Street, a section of the Jabbal Amman neighborhood known for restaurants, bars, cafes, and more — and one of the best places to eat in Amman. For a traditional Jordanian meal, head to Tawaheen Al-Hawa known for everything from meze (small plates) to mashawi (grilled meats).
If you want to sample traditional Jordanian hospitality, try the national dish of Jordan: mansaf. Served often at celebrations and weddings, this dish consists of braised lamb cookied in a dried yogurt sauce and served over a bed of rice, nuts, and shrak, a delicious paper-thin flatbread. The meal is best home-cooked, but try it at the popular spot Jabri.
No trip to Amman would be complete without fresh, gooey kanafeh (a baked dessert made with shredded filo dough and cheese topped with syrup and pistachios) from Habibah in downtown.
When you’re looking for other international cuisines, the restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Amman are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of palates. Roberto’s pairs a modern Italian menu with sensational views over the city. Continue your global food exploration with Latin American-inspired bites at the Pool Grill or tuck into Iris Tea Lounge’s decadent British-style afternoon tea. Finish off the day with an Arabic coffee or shisha break at Sarab Garden.
Take a Global Culinary Adventure in Dubai, UAE
With gastronomic influences from across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, Dubai serves up a melting pot of international flavors.
To get a sense of the sheer diversity of cuisines available, take a mile-long stroll around The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, a seafront promenade speckled with shops and eateries. With over 50 food venues, this area is easily one of the best places to eat in Dubai. Seek out stalwarts from across the Middle East, such as the richly seasoned machboos (Bahraini chicken and rice) or sweet treats like luqaimat (bite-sized fritters drizzled in syrup).
Nearby, Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai takes guests on a gastronomic trip around the world. Travel to the subcontinent with elevated Indian cuisine at Indego by Vineet, followed by creative cocktails at the splashy Buddha-Bar or Japanese-inspired speakeasy 7 Tales. Latin American flavors shine at Toro Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval, where you can follow your Peruvian-style tiraditos (a raw fish dish) with a Brazilian picanha (top sirloin) steak. Meanwhile, Rhodes W 1, and MICHELIN-starred chef Jason Atherton represents the best of European gastronomy at City Social.
Try a Cuisine Steeped in Tradition in Muscat, Oman
Omani cuisine, rooted in the country’s history as a coastal trading hub, offers a fusion of Arabian, Persian, Indian, and East African influences. Think fork-tender lamb perfumed with cardamom, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and sweets studded with dried fruit and nuts.
Many dishes, including shuwa (spiced slow-roasted lamb) served over rice, are best enjoyed with your hands. As a sign of hospitable respect, always accept a cup of kahwa (Omani coffee with warm spices like cardamom) with dates before or after meals. In Muscat, the best area to happen upon traditional eateries is in and around the ancient Muttrah Souq, where travelers can also find jewelry, textiles, and spices from the Middle East and beyond.
For a quiet escape from the bustle of the marketplace, savor a mix of flavors in calm comfort at JW Marriott Hotel Muscat. Dive into seafood with a Mediterranean twist at Catch or tuck into grilled dry-aged cuts of beef at the Pink Salt steakhouse. For a little bit of everything, Kitchen 7 is your best bet. The open-kitchen restaurant offers international comfort classics ranging from Italian risotto to Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice).
Enjoy Eclectic International Flavors in Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town’s cosmopolitan restaurant scene showcases a blend of global cuisines, including African, Cape Malay, and Dutch flavors.
Be sure to try snoek, a South African white fish that grills beautifully, at the V & A Waterfront, a complex with more than 100 places to drink and dine. Also worth seeking out are Cape Malay curries, along with bobotie samosas, a cross-cultural snack that encases one of South Africa’s most loved staples in a crispy shell. Or for a quick bite, venture to the city center to sample a bunny chow curry sandwich or a tasty steak sub at the Eastern Food Bazaar.
You’re going to want a centrally located base for all your gastronomic adventures. The Westin Cape Town features easy access to the waterfront. For guests craving classic dishes from around the world but with a local twist, dine at the hotel’s contemporary Thirty7 Showkitchen.
Eat Your Way Through Nairobi, Kenya
With seafood from Mombasa, game meats from inland, and superb avocados, passionfruits, loquats, and other produce, Nairobi offers chefs a wealth of ingredients with which to play. Dining out in this cosmopolitan city is an increasingly global affair, with everything from Punjabi curries to sushi well-represented these days.
You’ll want to seek out traditional Kenyan fare, which features bold, punchy flavors courtesy of peri-peri chiles, garlic, and ginger, along with abundant dried spices and fresh herbs. Nyama choma (grilled meat, usually goat) comes accompanied by sides including sukuma wiki (sauteed collard greens) and kachumbari (a tomato and onion salad). Ugali, or maize cooked until firm enough to pinch with your fingers, is often the preferred starch, although flaky chapati are also common.
Nairobi is home to a large Indian community, with the restaurants to prove it. Mughal at the JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi serves up sumptuous kebabs and Central Indian curries. Or opt for a wide range of international classics at Myna.
Dine at a Former Palace in Marrakesh, Morocco
Featuring a symphony of sweet and savory flavors that date back almost 1,000 years, Marrakesh’s cuisine rewards travelers with a feast for all the senses.
The city celebrates a tapestry of ingredients that has evolved from past sub-Saharan African, Spanish, French, and Middle Eastern culinary influences. Traditionally, souks, such as Souk el Attarine, are the best places to discover local spices and oils. Keep an eye out for street stalls with vendors selling harira (a chickpea or lentil soup) and maakouda (a deep-fried potato cake). Conclude meals with “Moroccan whiskey,” a sweet tea made with green tea, mint, and sugar.
For a luxe experience, dine at a riad — an ornate former residence, often with an interior courtyard. Many of these historic buildings have been reimagined as contemporary hotels and restaurants. Situated near Marrakesh’s Medina , AnaYela Marrakesh, a Member of Design Hotels is housed in a 300-year-old palace. Much like the former royal inhabitants, guests can dine on Berber couscous or a generous assortment of tagines by the pool, in loungers, or wherever else they wish.
Mix Ancient and Contemporary Bites in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
In Riyadh, a city where tradition embraces transformation, age-old Najdi dishes exist alongside cutting-edge restaurants. Travelers can savor kabsa, a fragrant rice plate prepared with chicken or lamb that is considered by many to be the country’s national dish, or venture to Najd Village to enjoy margoog (lamb and vegetable stew) or gursan (meat broth topped with thin bread) in a typical Najdi setting.
Embrace Saudi Arabia’s café culture by sipping qahwa and qishr coffee, while nibbling on sweets like mahalabia (milk pudding). Meanwhile, global high-end dining venues, such as Nozomi, which serves premium sashimi, and LPM Riyadh, demonstrate the city’s growing hunger for international cuisine.
At Riyadh Marriott Hotel, guests enjoy easy access to the city’s dining districts, along with a choice of in-house options. From global buffets and casual local bites at Atrium Cafe to Italian sharing menus at Cucina to steakhouse fare at Terrace Grill, there’s something to satisfy everyone here.
Discover Vegetarian Delights in Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is a city alive with flavor, where every meal tells a story of heritage and community. Renowned as one of the best food cities in the Middle East and Africa, it brings together traditional Egyptian street food and sophisticated fine dining, creating a rich culinary scene.
Visitors can wander through the mythical 14th-century Khan el-Khalili bazaar to sample koshari, a staple of rice, pasta, and lentils with tomato sauce and fried onions, or enjoy ful medames (fava bean stew) and ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel) served fresh from neighborhood vendors. Along the Nile, modern restaurants reinvent these classics. At the same time, dessert shops entice visitors with syrupy basbousa (a syrup-soaked semolina cake) and trays of knafeh (shredded dough with cheese, sugar syrup, and crushed pistachios).
Located in the city’s beating heart, The St. Regis Cairo sets the stage for an indulgent stay. It’s challenging to decide where to eat when considering the hotel’s seven signature restaurants and bars. Notables include pan-Asian cuisine at Tianma, Italian dishes overlooking the Nile River landscape at La Zisa, and the indulgent, poolside Sirocco.
Related Articles
