Rainbow Restaurant is a casual restaurant in central Wadi Musa, Jordan, the hillside town outside Petra. Its address is Wadi Musa, Jordan, with the location pinpointed at 30.3215057, 35.4801879. Combining local and international cooking with fast-food choices, it offers travelers a straightforward meal before sightseeing or after a long day walking through the Nabataean capital. Early opening and late closing are its strongest practical advantages, particularly for visitors organizing their day around Petra rather than conventional restaurant hours.
What to Expect at Rainbow Restaurant
Expect an informal town restaurant rather than a tasting-menu destination. The broad local-and-international approach suits groups whose appetites differ after sightseeing: some travelers want Jordanian food, while others prefer a familiar fast-food meal. This is a useful distinction in Wadi Musa, where restaurants cater both to residents and to international visitors staying around Petra. Treat Rainbow as a flexible meal stop, with enough time to sit down and recover, rather than an attraction requiring a special journey.
For a more locally focused order, ask which Jordanian dishes are available that day and whether they are prepared individually or intended for sharing. Mansaf, Jordan’s lamb-and-jameed dish, and maqluba, an inverted rice dish, are useful names to recognize on your travels, but neither should be assumed to be a daily Rainbow offering. Likewise, ask about vegetarian choices, stock ingredients, and bread accompaniments before ordering. A mixed menu does not automatically mean vegan preparation or a kitchen equipped to prevent gluten cross-contact.
- Early opening: Service begins at 7am daily, useful when planning an early departure toward Petra.
- Late-night meals: Closing is 12:30am most nights and 1am on Saturday nights.
- Local and international choices: The menu’s broad approach accommodates different preferences within one traveling group.
- Fast-food options: A practical alternative when you want a straightforward meal rather than a lengthy dinner.
- Town-center setting: The downtown location pairs naturally with errands, shopping, and exploring everyday Wadi Musa.
Rainbow Restaurant at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Wadi Musa, Jordan; coordinates 30.3215057, 35.4801879 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Central Wadi Musa, uphill from Petra’s visitor entrance |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Friday and Sunday: 7am–12:30am; Saturday: 7am–1am. Closing times fall the following morning. |
| Admission / Price Range | No admission charge; meals paid separately. $$ casual-dining tier; ask for current menu prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Local taxi access in central Wadi Musa; no metro or tram. Ask about nearby legal parking before driving. |
| Official Website & Phone | Rainbow Restaurant official Facebook page; +962 7 7765 9494 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For an unhurried meal, try a late lunch or early dinner rather than arriving with the evening return from Petra. Telephone ahead for a large group, dietary requirements, or a meal close to closing time; kitchen service can finish before the doors close. Carry Jordanian dinars and establish whether card payment is available before ordering. The $$ price tier indicates moderate casual dining, not a fixed per-person bill: check drink prices, portion sizes, and any service charges on the menu.
Use the coordinates when arranging a taxi, since a street number is not part of the restaurant’s address. Wadi Musa is steep, and walking back uphill after Petra can feel considerably harder than the distance suggests. Ask specifically about entrance steps, doorway clearance, seating space, and toilet access if using a wheelchair or stroller. For nearby pairings, explore the town-center roundabout and surrounding shopping lanes on a short downtown circuit, allowing roughly 5–15 minutes according to your route. Petra’s Visitor Centre and Petra Museum lie farther downhill; treat those as a separate outing rather than an immediate next-door stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Rainbow Restaurant’s hours, and when should I visit?
Opening is 7am daily, with closing at 12:30am except Saturday, when it is 1am. An early dinner works well before resting for another day at Petra; check holiday and Ramadan schedules directly.
How expensive is it, and should I reserve?
Rainbow falls in the $$ casual-dining category, with no admission fee. Ask for the current menu and call ahead for larger parties or specific seating needs rather than assuming a booking policy.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 45 to 60 minutes for a relaxed meal. Leave extra time if ordering several dishes or coordinating onward transport during the evening dining period.
Is Rainbow suitable for families and travelers with mobility needs?
The casual format and varied food styles make it a practical family option. Travelers requiring step-free access should telephone about the entrance and toilets, and consider a taxi to avoid Wadi Musa’s steep approaches.
When planning your Petra travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Petra, pair this stop with standout local spots including P Quattro Relax Hotel, Royal Tombs, Petra Archaeological Park, and Why not restaurant (nearby).
