Alee — Restaurant in Amman

Alee: A Culinary Gem in Amman Worth the Wait!

I’d been wanting of visiting Alee for a while, and after hearing rave reviews from friends both in Jordan and abroad, my expectations were high. Still, I decided to save this experience for a special occasion—my birthday—and it did not disappoint.

Booking was effortless—I even secured our table via Instagram DM, which was a pleasant surprise. The team’s responsiveness set the tone for the evening: attentive and modern. We arrived just before sunset to enjoy an Aperitivo, and the view over Amman was breathtaking. The restaurant’s minimalist design, with clean lines and an intimate number of tables, felt both stylish and inviting. Even the cutlery and glassware had a distinct, refined aesthetic—masculine yet elegant.

The service was impeccable—warm, professional, and genuinely friendly. Both Chef Ali and Chef Rakan stopped by our table, sharing their passion for the dishes with such enthusiasm that their energy was contagious. The menu, simple yet elegant, offered both a tasting selection and à la carte options, all of which looked incredible. We opted for à la carte, and every dish was a journey.

We started with cocktails, which were unique, but mine was warm, and I wished it was icy cold as it should be, but it was full of flavour. From the Logmeh options we started with the stuffed zucchini with chili oil and the smoked labneh with beetroot—both bursting with flavor, striking the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. The batata harra, however, was the real showstopper. Layers of texture, a kick of Jordanian shatta, and unexpected twists made it unforgettable. The green wheat balls were another highlight—crispy on the outside, oozing with kashkaval cheese inside—absolutely addictive. The shrimp with sumac lavache were impressively fresh (given Amman’s distance from the sea), though the dish felt slightly over-composed with too many components, with competing flavors overshadowing the delicate seafood.

For mains, the seabass was a masterpiece—I don’t usually eat fish skin but here it was perfectly crispy topped with a mound of fresh herbs and fennel, letting the fish shine in its simplicity. My mom’s slow-cooked lamb shank, tender after eight hours, practically melted at the touch of a fork. By the end, we were too full for dessert, but the staff surprised me with a chocolate s’more-style treat and a candle for my birthday—a sweet, personal touch that made the night even more special.

Alee exceeded my expectations, offering something truly unique in Jordan’s dining scene. It’s rare to find a place that balances innovation with soul, but Alee does it effortlessly. I’ll definitely be back, and I can’t wait to see how this culinary star continues to evolve. If you’re in Amman and looking for a meal that feels like both a celebration and a revelation, this...

This very well may have become my new favorite restaurant in Amman.... Went there with my better half and another couple and since it is Ramadan it was a set menu. The menu was excellent, the variety was complimentary and each plate supported the flavor profile of the whole meal. It was beautifully arranged and comprehensive. There is a picture of the menu and believe me we finished feeling very very satisfied and full. The hummus mushrooms were amazing especially with the green sauce under the hummus, the salad was a variation on fattoush yet tasted better than any I have had. The fermented peppers were a delight , the stuffed kibbeh had such a light casing and the meat flavor was just sublime, the cheese sambousak was full of cheese and not oily and tasted wonderful, then the stuffed kousa (zucchini) was perfect and it went on and on for all dishes. The mains lamb shank dish and chicken diah were very well cooked and the rice was sublime, I know it is just simple white rice, but the Spice mix on it made it a fusion between Gulf style rice and our Levant style rice... The dessert was divine, the cherry on top... Let me rephrase, this is my new favorite restaurant in Jordan and I can't wait to try it after Ramadan.. On the none gastronomic side, the service was super friendly and efficient, and we all know how hard it is to serve a seated set menu in Ramadan, yet it was handled meticulously and with all smiles.. 👍👍👍.. The setting and decorations and music were just right and the cherry on top was the view of the citadel and downtown.... Lovely lovely experience. I will evaluate it further...

Worth trying, but beware of the "set menu" trap.

Place is elegant, cozy and with magnificent views of downtown Amman and the Citadel if you are lucky to get the good tables or know someone to book for you.

Plates were good, all with a twist (if you're into experimenting). Some were excellent and some just ok. We ordered a plate of all Salads, Bites and Appetizers (total 14 plates) for sharing since we were 4 couples and wanted to try all, then repeat order what we like.

We were shocked with loads of food coming down on us, which we assumed was a nice move from the chef to split the order into several plates (big mistake on our side), but when the amount of food really didn't make sence, we asked what was going on and were told we are being served the "set menu" and it was too late to back out of. The killer is that no "set menu" option was listed on the menu, and no one told us the price of this so called "set menu" which is JD60++ (JD 76.56) per person without drinks and without any main courses!!

We ended up with an outrageous bill higher than dining at the Ritz Carlton, or any top restaurant in Amman, with loaaaaads of wasted food, and the waiter's only explanation of what happened is that she was not trying to upsell, but thought this was the best choice for our group!

On a side note, the cocktail menu could be more creative than naming all drinks Alee...