When the winter chill fades and daytime temperatures begin to rise, everyone in Amman wants to hang out al fresco. Here’s our list of favourite rooftops, courtyards, terraces and patios in Amman where you can relax and sip an old fashioned, an ice-cold beer, or a glass of vino with the best views around.
Copas Central
This little gem, hidden away on a circular street near the First Circle, is a favourite among expats and travellers for its hip artsy vibe. The waiters are friendly, the tapas menu is reliably delicious and the cocktails are legit. While the patio is small, sipping a cold drink under the towering leafy tree in the stone courtyard is a relaxing escape.
District Urban Rooftop
Located near the Second Circle in Jabal Amman, District is strikingly modern in contrast to its environs. The swanky rooftop has a bit of a view, but people go for the 12 kinds of sliders, the cool vibe, colourful contemporary art, and eager-to-please staff trained at some of the best hotels in town. They also serve a delicious “boozy brunch” on Fridays for those partial to a mimosas-and-eggs start to the weekend.
Cantaloupe Gastropub
Some argue Cantaloupe offers the best views in Amman, but one thing is certain: you can’t beat their roof deck for epic sunset cocktails. At their east Amman location on Rainbow Street, order up some tasty treats and wash them down with well-crafted cocktails while soaking up the classic view of three of Amman’s seven hills. Their second location, in new-school Abdali, sports a rooftop terrace with bird’s-eye-view of more modern western Amman. Hit them both to experience the full spectrum of rooftop views.
Sekrab
If you like thrifted decor, you’ll love Sekrab (Arabic for “junk”), the Rainbow Street rooftop bar with gorgeous views of the hills of Amman. As you climb three flights of stairs to the roof, you’ll catch a glimpses of Sekrab’s quirky interiors: mechanical gizmos, old signs, a motorcycle suspended from the ceiling, menus wrapped around used paint cans and every manner of industrial material somehow re-assembled in a way that seems more chic than junkyard. But Sekrab’s signature vintage find? A restored Volkswagen bus perched on the roof, with a table inside so you can grab a seat and enjoy your beverages while pretending it’s the Summer of Love.
Veer Resto-Lounge
The new kid on the block, this bar and restaurant housed in a converted historic Jabal Amman home is one of the “it” spots for summer. With a wraparound patio, and a sleek design that marries surprisingly well with the 1920s landmark limestone villa, Veer has everything you want in an outdoor garden terrace – including an outdoor bar so you can sidle up solo, or grab a table with friends.
Dunia Rooftop
If you’re looking for an outdoor bar with a little more sense of place than many of Amman‘s ultra-contemporary open-air outposts, Dunia is it. One of the prettiest roofs in the city, with splashes of colour, lots of greenery and brightly painted pottery, it feels very modern-Arabian – and the kind of rooftop you’d only find in Amman.
Become a Culture Tripper!
Sign up to our newsletter to
save up to $800 on our unique trips.
Kudeta Rooftop
O-Six Gastro Lounge, a staple on Amman’s rooftop bar scene since 2012, has been reborn as Kudeta. Still managed by the same crew, the venue has been revamped with a more sophisticated neutral colour palette, house DJ, and new menu focusing on Asian fusion food with family-style small plates made from fresh ingredients. The location between the Fourth Circle and Abdali offers sweeping city views with Jabal Amman in the distance.
Rustic Bar & Eatery
A beautiful execution of the old-meets-new trend in Amman, Rustic Bar & Eatery is housed in a historic building from the early 1900s, with contrasting streamlined interiors. This Jabal Weibdeh bar – and they’re adamant about being a bar, not a pub – features a patio anchored by 150-year-old olive tree brought from northern Jordan, chosen for its symbolism in the Arabian culture of peace and blessings. With great bartenders, tasty food focused on quality ingredients, and occasional weekend grill events, this is a stylish courtyard you’ll want to visit again and again.
The Deck Lounge at Rotana
The Rotana – Amman’s first skyscraper hotel – opened in summer 2016, and introduced Amman to The Deck Lounge. This roof-like bar on the sixth-floor terrace offers vistas of West Amman and The Boulevard, in the centre of Amman’s shiny new shopping area, Abdali. With plenty of loungey couch seating, every kind of shisha you could want and a rotation of live music and DJs, this is a place to kick back and stay a while.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.
About the author
Catrina is a Californian Oregonian expat living in Amman Jordan with her husband and their Argentinian rat hound, Betty Davis. She became a writer after various careers (chief operations executive, jewelry designer, film and television development exec) mostly so she could travel obsessively. Items in her day bag wherever she roams: notebook, cat treats for strays, stevia, Hydroflask full of water, Mac Viva Glam, nilotica shea butter balm and green tea. Current obsessions: Jordanian cheese (nabulsi and chechil and lebneh, oh my), Atlanta (the TV series), marine collagen powder and the Apple Watch "ping phone" feature because she misplaces her phone several times a day.
If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
