Alibaba Restaurant

Ali Baba was one of the best food experiences I’ve had in Aqaba. The vibrant city-center atmosphere added so much to the evening, and to have that paired with such good, simple seafood done properly made it even more memorable. There is something incredibly rare about a place with a menu that has remained unchanged for over 50 years and still feels so satisfying. Having eaten at similar family-run seafood establishments in coastal towns across some of Europe’s highest-end destinations, I can genuinely say this restaurant can be compared to them. The mutabal was one of the best I’ve had, deeply smoky and full of character. The shanklish was also excellent, finished with exactly the right amount of olive oil. In many ways, the mezze were among the strongest parts of the meal, each dish more enjoyable than the last, especially with the crisp bread served alongside for dipping. The seafood itself was also very well executed. My only comment would be that the calamari could have been a little less oily. The bigger disappointment, however, was the rice in the sayadiyeh. It resembled more of a Saudi-style mandi rice than a traditional Aqaba-style sayadiyeh rice. Its orange color and thicker grain made it feel inauthentic, which was a real shame. The service was also genuinely very good. The waiter remained attentively nearby without ever making his presence feel intrusive, which is exactly the kind of service that makes a real difference. It felt natural, aware, and sincerely hospitable. Overall, the highlights were the vibrant atmosphere, the confident seafood cooking, the excellent mezze, and the genuine service, all of which made the experience stand out.

The restaurant serves high quality fresh fish and seafood prepared at your preference. The atmosphere is nice and team is very welcoming and friendly. The owner is always there to make sure you have the best experience. The prices are higher than other restaurants in the area but the quality is guaranteed. The restaurant is located in the city center where it is easily accessible.

I ordered the grilled chicken with mushroom sauce, but it was served completely without the sauce. Even the waiter looked surprised and asked the kitchen why it was sent out like that. They took the plate back and simply poured the mushroom sauce on top before bringing it back. That's not "grilled chicken with mushroom sauce"—it's just grilled chicken with sauce added afterward. The chicken should have been finished and cooked together with the sauce, not have it poured over at the last second. Very disappointing experience and not what I expected from a restaurant that claims to serve quality food.

Delicious food especially fish sayadiyah, grilled shrimps and mixed grilled meat were all great. We had to wait maybe 15-20 mins for the food as they're very busy. It's probably a touristy place and it's comfortable and clean. We also had three drinks and kunafa and baklavas. The bill came to about 55JD for three of us with service and tax included.

Great lunch experience at Alibaba in Aqaba! Tried various seafood dishes, ribs, biryani, and appetizers - all delicious. Outdoor seating is cool, centrally located in downtown. Easy taxi access from hotels. Prices fair for quality. Staff very friendly. Loved it!

The best fish restaurant ever in Aqaba. The food is very delicious, the service is very excellent, and the service is also very fast. The owner, management and staff are excellent and very friendly. Prices are reasonable and affordable. I highly recommend going there for lunch and/or dinner.

Ali baba fish restaurant located in Aqaba is a quaint little restaurant. Seating inside as well as inn the sidewalk. The staff are highly attentive and polite. It's reminiscent of little bistro cafes. Highly recommended for a nice night out.

You should not visit Aqaba without having a fish meal in Alibaba. I have been dining in this restaurant since I was a kid every time we visit Aqaba. Today and after nearly 10 years I am back and we just had a great meal. Try the Nagel fish grilled and the shrimps Mutaffa, all is great. Service is great and the team was helpful - for the fish it is recommended you take per kilo if you are a group of 2 or more.