One of the most innovative developments in Amman’s dining scene in recent years is Beit Sitti, a project set up by Maria Haddad and her sisters Dina and Tania in which visitors cook their own meal under supervision.

Head to Jabal Al-Weibdeh one of Ammans oldest neighbourhoods, and cook your own four course Arabic dinner at Beit Sitti. Set in a historic townhouse Maria Haddad will show you how to make home style favorites such as Musakhan (chicken pie with onions & sumac) and Fattet Magdoos (eggplant and minced meat casserole).

The path to understanding foreign cultures always runs through food. Globe-trotting foodie Anthony Bourdain knows best: “Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them—wherever you go.” In Amman, Jordan, the education begins with Chef Maria Haddad Hanania of BeitSitti, a cooking school in one of the capital city’s oldest districts that’s a must visit for anyone interested in Jordanian culture.

“Be quick, before the word really starts to spread.” Should you want to get a glimpse into the story behind some of these cherished Jordanian dishes – like muskhan (chicken with pine nuts) or mansaf (lamb, yoghurt and rice) – pop into Beit Sitti on Jabal Weibdeh, a Jordanian run cooking school where you can eat and cook to your heart’s content with no one else around. Be quick, before the word really starts to spread.

Maria évolue avec grâce et rapidité dans un nuage de farine, le tablier volant au vent. Après des études au Canada, la belle Jordanienne est rentrée dans son pays pour redonner vie à la maison de sa grand-mère. Une affaire familiale menée d’une main de maître et avec une grande attention aux produits sélectionnés : tous les produits sont locaux et toutes les épices sont fabriquées par des femmes du pays.

In amongst the hustle and bustle of Amman, you’ll find some of the country’s most authentic cooking classes that will introduce you to traditional flavours. A favourite of ours is the family owned Beit Sitti restaurant, where individuals can learn to cook their own three-course Arabic meal. Listen to a lifetime of cooking stories whilst handling the freshest ingredients and build each dish from scratch.

“In every culture, grandmothers are revered, respected and loved. And in most cultures they are the gatekeepers to a world of good food and secret family recipes.”

“Tried and tasted: the ultimate shopping list – Houmous, Pie & Sauvignon Blanc”

The beauty of the entire experience was woven into every small detail that evening. From the tiny mosaic Beit Sitti sign hanging off the stone facade outside to the antique gramophone sitting in the entry to the handmade olive soaps at the porcelain sinks near the cooking stations, we were in awe.

Beit Sitti, located in the pleasantly hilly Jabal al Weibdeh neighborhood of Amman, the capital city, aims to give its patrons a holistic experience of Jordanian food.

World’s 10 best vegetarian destinations June 2014 It’s so easy to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Jordan where mezze dishes such as tabouleh, hummus, falafel and gourmet Arabic flatbreads abound. From Beit Sitti (it means “my grandmother’s kitchen” in Arabic), located in the heart of Amman.

Beit Sitti est une véritable expérience culinaire et culturelle jordanienne : on peut simplement y manger (ce qui n’est déjç pas rien !), mais aussi y prendre des cours de cuisine traditionelle. Hummus, falafel, manaeesh, mezze à toutes les sauces et autres spécialités typiques de la région, tout y passe ! Les trois sympathiques soeurs, Maria, Dina et Tania vous accueillent dans la superbe maison de leur grand-mère, dans une ambiance des plus agréables. Une expérience à ne pas manquer

“We headed to Beit Sitti cooking school. This little gem is located in a beautiful house in Amman’s picturesque neighbourhood of Weibdeh.”

“For all those tourists in Amman who want to gain authentic Arabic cooking experience to bring back home and impress their dinner guests, or for the local Jordanian who wants to throw a unique rooftop party in the area, Beit Sitti, My Grandma’s House, is the place to go.”

Should you want to get a glimpse into the story behind some of these cherished Jordanian dishes – like muskhan (chicken with pine nuts)– pop into Beit Sitti on Jabal Weibdeh, a Jordanian run cooking school where you can eat and cook to your heart’s content with no one else around. Be quick, before the word really starts to spread.

“the best way for a Jordanian mother, to show love is by how much she feeds her kids”  Maria’s personal mission is to share the love with visitors of her country by running cooking courses at Beit Sitti (House of my Grandmother) teaching Jordanians as well as tourists the best way to make flat bread, fresh lemonade and tabbouleh.

“Friendly, cozy and a great way to experience a traditional meal!” This is a must-try for all visitors to Amman. Beit Sitti is set in a traditional house in one of the city’s lovely older neighbourhoods. The cosy kitchen/dining room setting is gorgeous and you are made to feel at home immediately. Everyone gets an apron and a chopping board and you make a traditional salad, starter, main and dessert. It a great way to learn some basic Arabic dishes, which you all sit down to eat afterwards. I’ve been three times and made different dishes, and all were great. They do not serve alcoholic drinks but you are welcome to bring your own. I would recommend this for a group up to about 10 people, as I have been with a larger sized group and it can get a bit crammed and unfocused. During the summer they shift the experience outside to the spacious terrace.

This is not a restaurant, but I stop short at calling it a cooking class too. Maria has created her own unique “educational experience meets cultural immersion”, and it is truly the best, if not the tastiest, cultural experience you will find in Amman.

“Maria Haddad, the founder of Beit Sitti, greets customers in an apron from behind the stove where some eggplants are roasting. She provides the young charisma in contrast to the hajjehs’ wisdom. The house where Beit Sitti is located belonged to Haddad’s grandmother, who gave her the inspiration for the venture as well as her love of food and, of course, the famous recipes.”

Her Majesty Queen Rania cooks lunch and joins a group of orphans for the meal at Beit Sitti Restaurant in Amman’s Jabal Luweibdeh neighbourhood.

“A great experience for locals and tourists alike!” Has a great homey feel with its furniture, family pictures hanging on the walls, little trinkets that you would only find at your grandma’s house, and the staff to compliment it. Very friendly and hospitable hosts giving the true sense of what it is like to be a guest in a Jordanian home. You also get the priceless tips that are only taught in a grandmother’s kitchen: taste the latest batch of freshly pressed olive oil, taste the freshest spices from the market, and find out which spice you shouldn’t go home without. Chopping, baking and tasting delivered with passion: My idea of a dining experience at its best.

“Authentic, fun, feel good cultural experience”   We visited Beit Sitti as part of a work social event during a conference in Amman.The concept and story behind this restaurant is so wonderfully real and heart-warming. A fantastic Jordanian culinary and cultural experience without the pretense that usually go with business dinners. Such fun in an authentic setting – loved cooking on the terrace. The lovely Maria hosted us and her energy, passion and easy-going attitude made us feel welcome and relaxed. Chill out, expect an experience and not a chef’s course. The food was delicious, if I do say so myself 🙂 Love this place and I personally think it is great value, despite certain other reviews on here. The only sad part is that I have to now return to bland Swiss food.

“It was a really nice night of standing around a table, preparing food and laughing about life and everyone’s cooking skills. I really do believe there is no better way to spend a night than around great people and delicious food.”

“We caught up with Maria Haddad, of the Beit Sitti Cooking School, to give us a few insights into what makes Jordan the ultimate cultural holiday hopspot.”

Beit Sitti Cooking School, where authentic Middle Eastern home cooking comes to life for locals & tourists.

“A wonderful intro to delicious Arabic cuisine!” As an American chef I was very excited to explore Arabic cuisine quite simply because there is not much of this type of food available in the states. I’d like to start by saying Maria(and her sisters) was an exceptional host and was very knowledgable. The rooftop setting hosts a breath taking view of the city and is well suited for an authentic experience. My experience with Maria as we prepared lunch left an incredible impression on me which helps me to remember why I fell in love with the culinary arts. Arabic cuisine is a beautiful reminder that with a few good quality ingredients, you can make something exquisite and full of flavor. Beit Sitti skyrocketed through my every expectation and left me hungry for more. I think it’s important for one to completely immerse themselves in any culture different from their own when traveling to a new part of the world. One of the best ways to do this is by exploring the local cuisine and try as much as possible. Taking a class at Beit Sitti is an incredible introduction to learning about Arabic food and culture. I would highly recommend attending a course and cannot wait to implement these recipes into my cooking so people here in the States can taste the love of Middle Eastern food. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience!!!

“One of 7 top-notch global cooking schools for the traveling epicure”

“Maria was the BEST — Amazing Food / Views / & def a highlight of Amman!” WHERE DO I START!? Beit Sitti is a GREAT TIME! We went in June 2015 — and had a blast! We walked from Downtown Amman to Beit Siti — (not far at all). We walked in to this beautiful restaurant/lounge — converted from the girls’ Grandmother’s house — which sits on a hill overlooking Amman…..incredible views. We were greeted by Maria and her assistant, and taken to the outdoor patio overlooking Amman. The views were beautiful — especially as the sun was setting. She mentioned to us that due to a cancellation we would be having a private class….which could have been awkward — but Maria made it an AMAZING personal experience. She was INCREDIBLE! We all participated in learning and making Mutabal, Fatoush, Cucumber Salad, & Pita Bread. All of which which had simple fresh ingredients — yet complex tastes all around…..very cool stuff. Maria was a huge help — and allowed us tons of hands-on time — so we could really grasp the concept of all of the dishes. Lot of fun. MARIA — ANYTIME YOU ARE IN NYC, LET US KNOW SO WE CAN REPAY YOU!

It’s famous for its Levant-inspired dishes, but a visit to Beit Sitti shows why Jordan and the Levant make for a great gourmet trip. Tucked in one of Amman’s heritage filled neighborhoods, Beit Sitti (My Grandmother’s House) is the first venue with a cookery teaching concept of its kind in the city.

Most people visit Jordan to ogle at its historical sites and float in the Dead Sea, stopping in Amman only for a brief visit. But should you spend a little longer in the capital city, there’s a host of culinary delights to discover.

Book a one-on-one cooking course at Beit Sitti, run by owner Maria in her granny’s home.

“A good lunch is like a symphony. It starts quietly. Everyone sits around the table and absorbs their surroundings. The look of the food, its smell, the tastes and textures. Senses are on high alert. Then, slowly, people start to open up.”