Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.

The best part of this evening is the setting: a fire outside a cave in Little Petra, with mountains around you and no electricity or city noise to get in the way. You help prepare Jordanian food instead of simply sitting down to a meal, then eat what was cooked in front of you.

I like the hands-on cooking and the long stretch of tea and conversation under the night sky. I also like the friendly hosting, with Jimmy guiding one evening and Hesham and Fiona welcoming another guest into their home when wind and rain spoiled the outdoor plan. The main drawback is clear: your night depends on the weather, and the cooking site is close to a road rather than far out in the wilderness.

Key points at a glance

• Outdoor cooking in Little Petra: Prepare Jordanian food over a fire between the mountains, outside a cave and under the open sky.
• Tea begins and ends the evening: You start with tea, cook together, eat, then return to tea while looking at the moon and stars.
• Bedouin cooking explained: Your hosts describe how food was prepared in the past and how it is cooked today.
• Pickup is offered: The activity lasts about five hours and runs from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
• Weather matters: Wind or rain can shorten the outdoor portion, though a different date or full refund is offered if the activity is canceled for poor weather.
• Small enough to feel social: The maximum group size is 35 people, so the atmosphere may range from intimate to fairly lively depending on bookings.

A firelit evening between Little Petra’s mountains

This is not a restaurant meal with a cooking demonstration added on. The point is to spend an evening outside, take part in preparing dinner, and slow down over tea.

The setting gives the meal its character. You sit between the mountains near Little Petra, outside a cave, with a fire providing warmth and light. There is no electricity at the cooking spot, and the plan is to let the natural surroundings replace the usual evening distractions.

That simplicity can be a real pleasure after a busy day in Petra. You are not being rushed from one course to the next. You have time to watch the fire, listen to the explanation of the food, and enjoy the changing sky as daylight fades.

The location is not completely remote. The cooking site sits along the road, which slightly reduces the feeling of being far from everything. Still, the mountains, cave, fire, and darkness create a setting that feels much more personal than an ordinary dinner room.

What happens from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The activity is scheduled for the evening, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and lasts about five hours. That is a generous amount of time for a meal, especially if you want conversation and a calm pace rather than a quick demonstration.

Pickup is offered, which helps because the evening finishes at about 10:00 PM. The exact pickup arrangements are not specified, so you should confirm the meeting details after booking. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

You begin with tea. This first cup is not just a welcome drink. It gives you time to settle in, look around Little Petra, and meet the people leading the evening before the cooking starts.

Next comes the fire. The dinner is prepared outside, between the mountains and beneath the sky. You can help with the cooking, and the hosts explain how Bedouin food was prepared before and how it is handled today.

The focus is on participation. You are not expected to arrive with cooking skills. The activity is designed for people who want to see how the meal is made and lend a hand. Since the exact menu is not specified, you should think of this as a Jordanian cooking session rather than a fixed dish-by-dish class.

Once the food is ready, you eat the warm meal that was prepared in front of you. That direct connection between fire, preparation, and dinner is the heart of the evening.

The pace then slows again with more tea under the sky. If the weather cooperates, you can look at the moon and stars with the mountains around you. The five-hour schedule gives this final part room to breathe, rather than treating tea as a quick finish.

Learning Bedouin cooking instead of watching a show

The cooking lesson is informal. You sit with the hosts and hear how Bedouin food was cooked in the past and how it is prepared now. That comparison adds useful context without turning the evening into a formal lecture.

I like this approach because food becomes a way to understand daily life. You are not only learning what goes into dinner. You are hearing about cooking methods, changing habits, and the role of fire and shared meals.

The activity description does not list particular dishes or ingredients, so you should not book it expecting to learn one named recipe. The value is in the method and the setting: cooking outside, helping with the meal, and hearing the story behind the food.

You also get to ask questions directly. Jimmy has guided the activity, while Hesham and Fiona have hosted it, and the evening depends heavily on that personal exchange. The strongest feedback points to the hosts’ kindness and hospitality, so the human side of the activity is as important as the meal.

Why the Little Petra setting matters

Little Petra is known for its carved mountain surroundings, but this evening uses the area in a quieter way. You are not simply passing through during daylight. You are staying after the usual sightseeing rhythm has ended and experiencing the space by firelight.

The lack of electricity is worth noting. It means there are fewer conveniences, but it also keeps the focus on the fire, the food, and the people around it. If you want a polished dining room with bright lighting and predictable comfort, this is not the right choice.

If you like evenings with fewer distractions, the tradeoff works well. You can watch the flames, hear the night, and enjoy tea while the mountains fade into darkness. The moon and stars are part of the appeal, though clouds, wind, or rain can change the mood.

The cooking site is near the road, so passing traffic may occasionally remind you that you are not far from ordinary daily life. I would treat that as a modest flaw rather than a deal breaker. The activity is about an outdoor meal in a dramatic place, not total wilderness.

Weather can reshape the night

This is the most important practical concern. The activity requires good weather, and the outdoor plan depends on conditions staying comfortable enough for a fire, cooking, and a long meal.

One evening was windy and a little rainy. The food was still good, but the outdoor portion ended sooner than planned. Hesham and Fiona invited the participant to their house for tea and snacks, which helped rescue the evening and showed real care from the hosts.

That is a reassuring backup, but it is not a promise that every weather problem will be handled in the same way. You should arrive with realistic expectations. A clear night can give you the full mountain-and-stars setting. Bad weather can turn it into a shorter outdoor meal or a changed arrangement.

If the provider cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. This protection applies to a cancellation by the provider, not to a personal change of mind.

Bring clothing suited to an evening outdoors. The supplied details do not list a packing guide, but the wind and rain account makes it sensible to prepare for cooler or unsettled conditions. Since the activity runs into the night, comfort matters.

The hosts make the difference

The most praised part of the evening is the welcome. Jimmy has been described as a kind and hospitable guide who helped manage the experience from pickup through drop-off. Hesham and Fiona have also been warm hosts, including when poor weather disrupted the plan.

That matters because this is a people-focused activity. The food is important, but the evening depends on how comfortable you feel joining in, asking questions, and sitting around the fire.

You will likely get more from the experience if you take part rather than wait passively for dinner. Ask how the food was cooked in the past. Ask what has changed. Help when invited. Share the tea ritual instead of treating it as a short pause before the meal.

The guide’s role is less about delivering a memorized sightseeing talk and more about helping you connect with the cooking and the place. The experience can feel personal when the group is small, though the maximum size is 35 people. A full departure could feel more social and less quiet than the setting suggests.

Is $50 a fair price?

At $50 per person, this costs more than simply buying dinner in Petra. You are paying for more than food, though. The price covers about five hours of hosting, an outdoor cooking activity, instruction about Jordanian and Bedouin food, tea, the meal, and the special setting.

Pickup being offered adds practical value, especially for an evening activity that ends at 10:00 PM. The exact transport details should be confirmed, but not having to arrange every part of the journey yourself can make the price easier to justify.

The best value comes if you want participation and conversation. If you only want to eat Jordanian food, $50 may feel high. If you want to help cook, learn how the meal is made, and spend several hours in Little Petra rather than one hour at a table, the cost is more reasonable.

The group limit also affects value. With up to 35 people, the activity is not guaranteed to be a private cooking class. You may share the fire and explanations with a sizable group. That can add energy, but it may reduce your time for direct conversation with the host.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend this activity to you if you like local food, informal conversation, outdoor settings, and hands-on activities. It suits people who want something different from a hotel meal after visiting Petra.

It is also a good match for couples and friends who enjoy slow evenings. The tea, fire, moon, and mountain setting give the night a gentle rhythm. Families may also find it appealing, since most people can take part, though the activity runs late and includes time outdoors.

You should think twice if you need a fixed menu, indoor comfort, or a tightly controlled schedule. The food is described as Jordanian and warm, but specific dishes are not promised. The atmosphere depends on the weather, and the site is near a road.

People with mobility concerns should confirm details before booking. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not describe the ground, cave access, seating, or distance from the pickup point.

Booking details worth knowing

The activity operates from January 1 through December 31, 2025, Monday through Sunday, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It is available with a mobile ticket, and public transportation is nearby.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The maximum group size is 35 people, and a minimum number of participants is required for the activity to operate.

The cancellation policy is strict. Your booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the provider cancels because the minimum number is not met, you receive the choice of another date or activity, or a full refund.

The activity is booked an average of 22 days ahead. That does not guarantee that you must reserve three weeks early, but it is a useful signal for planning. If your Petra visit has fixed dates, booking ahead is sensible.

Should you book Jordanian food on fire?

Book it if you want an evening built around participation, fire, tea, and personal hosting, rather than a standard dinner. The setting between Little Petra’s mountains is memorable, and the chance to help cook gives the meal more meaning.

Go in knowing that the experience is weather-sensitive, the site is near a road, and the group may include as many as 35 people. The menu is not specified, so you are choosing the cooking tradition and atmosphere more than a particular dish.

For $50, I think it is a good choice for anyone who values an unhurried evening and direct contact with local cooking. I would skip it only if weather uncertainty, outdoor seating, or a strict non-refundable booking makes you uncomfortable.

FAQ

Where does the cooking experience take place?

It takes place in Little Petra, Jordan, between the mountains and outside a cave.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, with operating hours from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

What days is it available?

It is scheduled Monday through Sunday from January 1 through December 31, 2025.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The exact pickup details should be confirmed after booking.

What food will be prepared?

The activity includes Jordanian food and an explanation of Bedouin cooking, but no specific dishes or menu are listed.

Do I get to help cook?

Yes. You can help prepare the dinner over an outdoor fire.

Is tea included?

Yes. Tea is served at the beginning, and you can have more tea after the meal under the sky.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 35 people. A minimum number of participants is also required for the activity to run.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the provider cancels because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. A refund is available if the provider cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met.