Bar
13C Bar in the Back
An izakaya-style wine bar hidden behind 13C, Amman's largest wine and spirits shop, pairing flights, cocktails and small plates on a cosy patio.
Cantaloupe Gastro Pub
A Rainbow Street gastropub with an Italian-leaning restaurant below and an open-air rooftop bar above, looking across to the Citadel.
At a glance
- Type
- Rooftop gastropub
- Area
- Jabal Amman, Amman, Jordan
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Rooftop terrace
- Citadel views
- Happy hour
- Heaters in winter
Why we recommend it
Cantaloupe is one of the best-known rooftop bars in Amman and a fixture of a night out on Rainbow Street. It occupies two levels just off the street: the lower floor is a restaurant with an Italian-leaning menu, and above it an open-air roof terrace serves as one of the city's most popular rooftop bars, with views over Amman's hills to Jabal al-Qal'a and the Citadel.
The roof is the reason to come. Sunset is the busiest and most atmospheric time, when the Citadel catches the last light and happy-hour prices apply in the early evening. Cocktails are well made, and the bar also serves Jordanian wines, including bottles from the local St George label. The food menu works for sharing, with dishes such as grilled halloumi with pomegranate molasses, and it includes healthier options for those who want a lighter meal.
The bar suits couples, groups of friends and travellers who want a relaxed drink with a view. It is open in winter as well as summer, with electric heaters to keep the terrace comfortable on cooler nights. A screen on the roof shows a changing stream of facts, memes and jokes compiled by the staff, which adds to the easy-going, slightly quirky atmosphere.
Arrive early if you want a table on the roof at sunset, especially at weekends, when the terrace fills quickly. Dress is casual. Happy hour is the best-value time to visit. There is also a second branch in Abdali, which overlooks the newer western districts, but the Rainbow Street original has the classic view.
The bar is a short walk from First Circle and the rest of Rainbow Street, so it fits easily into an evening that might start with falafel at Al Quds and end at Sekrab or Books@Cafe nearby. Taxis are easy to find on the street when it is time to head back to your hotel.
If you are visiting in the cooler months, bring a layer for the roof even with the heaters, as evenings in Amman can be chilly from late autumn to early spring. In summer, the breeze on the terrace makes it one of the more comfortable places in the city to spend a warm evening outdoors.
Cantaloupe Gastro Pub FAQs
What is Cantaloupe?
A gastropub with a restaurant on the lower floor and a rooftop bar above, on Rainbow Street.
What is the view like?
The roof looks over Amman's hills to the Citadel on Jabal al-Qal'a.
When is the best time to go?
Sunset, when happy-hour prices apply in the early evening.
Is it open in winter?
Yes, the terrace has electric heaters.
What does it serve?
Cocktails, wine including local St George bottles, and sharing food with an Italian lean.
Is there another branch?
Yes, in Abdali.
What is the phone number?
+962 77 000 0717.