<span>Jordan is mainly known for its tourist attractions</span><span> – the Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum</span><span> – but if you</span><span> want a more authentic experience of </span><span>Jordanian culture, then Amman is the destination for you.</span><span> </span> <span>A quick disclaimer: you'll probably gain at least two kilograms during your</span><span> stay</span><span> thanks to its famous falafel, knafeh and shawarma</span><span>, but are unlikely to regret any of it.</span> <span>If you haven't eaten at Hashem Restaurant, you haven't been to Amman</span><span>. </span><span>It is sandwiched between two buildings in Downtown </span><span>and has been serving authentic falafel and hummus since 1952. A cheap and homey hole-in-the-wall, it is comparable to sitting in my grandm</span><span>other's kitchen, with conversations in Arabic and English flowing </span><span>above plates of moutabel and foul. You will hear the </span><span>eatery before you see it</span><span> as </span><span>locals and tourists occupy </span><span>tables that spill out on to the</span><span> pavement.</span> <span>For a more refined </span><span>eatery that is as authentic, take a</span><span> taxi</span><span> to Shams Al</span><span> Balad on Rainbow Street. The view of the city </span><span>there is breath</span><span>taking</span><span> and will </span><span>allow you to capture images that are definitely Instagrammable. Try the cheese manakeesh, foul and labneh. Drinking tea with mint is a must after breakfast for the full Jordanian experience.</span> <span>Al</span><span> Balad (Downtown</span><span>) is the heart of the city and its oldest</span><span> area. The Roman Amphitheatre</span><span> </span><span>there</span><span> </span><span>is a must-see tourist stop that offers a glimpse </span><span>of the country's rich history. The lively area </span><span>has a </span><span>variety of shops huddled together, from the gold souq (Imseeh Jew</span><span>elry</span><span> is my go-to shop) to stalls </span><span>selling souvenirs</span><span> such as Dead Sea face masks and key</span><span>chains. Food stands serve fresh juices, mouth-watering shawarmas and the soft-serve ice cream that defined my childhood. </span><span>I </span><span>also often find a new read for about 5 Jordanian </span><span>dinars (Dh2</span><span>6) at one of the many book stands</span><span>.</span> <span>The first branch of the popular Habibah Sweets shop was founded in 1951 in Al</span><span> Balad</span><span>. It is always crowded</span><span>, with hareesa, halawet al</span><span> jeb</span><span>an and warbat in demand. Knafeh,</span><span> fresh out of the oven, is a must-try</span><span>.</span> <span>June is prime time to take a trip to Amman, as it's alive with families and friends reuniting. You may break a sweat during the day, </span><span>but the night time </span><span>breeze is ideal for a rooftop dinner. Local markets </span><span>such as Souq Jara in Rainbow Street will also be open during the summer. Avoid visiting during snow-coated January or when the rain is </span><span>likely to dampen your visit around October.</span> <span>Go cafe-hopping</span><span>. The most memorable parts of Amman</span><span> </span><span>can be found by exploring a variety of cafes, where you'll</span><span> gain an</span><span> insight into the city's </span><span>daily life. If you're going out alone to do some work or read, I'd recommend Cafe Rumi in Al</span><span> W</span><span>eibdeh or Jadal in Downtown. For a night out with friends, head to Jameeda Khanum in Downtown</span><span>, where you can enjoy delicious food while listening to music by talented local artists.</span>