"Aqaba’s Red Sea fish house on Raghadan Street, catch sold by the kilo — book a terrace table for a first date."
About Ali Baba
The fish sits on ice by the door, and you pick the one you want before you sit down. Ali Baba has worked the same corner of Raghadan Street in central Aqaba for decades, a family-run room that locals send visitors to when they want Red Sea fish without a hotel mark-up. The catch comes off the port daily, the terrace spills onto the street, and the kitchen turns out the Levantine standards alongside the fish. It is a fixture of the town centre rather than a destination dining room. See the rest of the Aqaba dining guide.
The Kitchen
The draw is simple: you choose your fish from the ice, the kitchen weighs it, and it comes back grilled over charcoal or fried whole, with the price set by the kilo. Sayadieh, the Levantine spiced fish and rice, is the dish to order if you want one plate that sums the place up, and the grilled prawns are the other thing regulars come for. Around it sits a full mezze table, fresh lemon-and-mint juice, and meat options including tender lamb chops for anyone skipping seafood. Mains run roughly 10 to 18 JOD, with whole fish priced by weight, which keeps a full dinner well under what the beach hotels charge. Wow Jordan named it among its 2025 top restaurants in Aqaba, and it has stayed a Raghadan Street fixture for years. For the global picture, see the best seafood restaurants worldwide and our ranked seafood guide.
The Room
This is a casual town-centre room, not a white-tablecloth one. The terrace seats spill onto Raghadan Street and are where you want to be on a warm evening, with the indoor dining room as the air-conditioned fallback in high summer. Sound is lively, lighting is bright and practical, and there is no dress code to speak of. Service is quick and friendly, the kind that steers you to whatever came in fresh that morning. Tables turn steadily, so it suits an easy dinner rather than a long lingering one.
Best for a First Date
Ali Baba works for a relaxed first date because the format does the talking: choosing your fish from the ice together is an icebreaker, the bill stays sensible, and the street terrace keeps things light rather than formal. Order a mezze spread to share, pick one fish between you, and let the lemon-mint juice and the easy pace carry the evening. Ask for a terrace table when you call. For more ideas, see our first-date restaurant guide.
Not for
Not for a hushed, refined dinner. The terrace is lively and bright, tables turn quickly, and the room is built for easy eating rather than lingering.
Frequently Asked
Is Ali Baba in Aqaba worth it?
Yes, for fresh Red Sea fish at a fair price. Ali Baba is a long-running family-run seafood house on Raghadan Street where you choose your fish from the ice and pay by the kilo. It is livelier and more casual than the hotel dining rooms, with mains around 10 to 18 JOD, and it is the local pick for a straightforward seafood dinner in the town centre.
What should I order at Ali Baba?
Pick a whole fish from the ice and have it grilled over charcoal, then order sayadieh, the spiced fish and rice, and a plate of grilled prawns. Start with a mezze spread and the fresh lemon-and-mint juice. If someone in your party skips seafood, the lamb chops are the reliable alternative the kitchen is known for.
How expensive is Ali Baba?
Mid-range for Aqaba and cheaper than the beachfront hotels. Mains run roughly 10 to 18 JOD, with whole fish priced by weight, so the final bill depends on the fish you choose. A shared mezze and one fish between two people keeps a full dinner reasonable. It is pricier than the cheapest local spots but fair for the freshness.
Is Ali Baba good for a first date?
Yes, for a relaxed one. Choosing your fish from the ice is a natural icebreaker, the street terrace keeps the mood light, and the bill stays modest. It is casual and a little noisy rather than romantic and hushed, so book the terrace and treat it as an easy evening. See our first-date guide for more.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Ali Baba
Call ahead on +962 3 201 3901 for a terrace table on weekend evenings, or walk in. The terrace is the seat to ask for.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressRaghadan Street, Town Center, Aqaba
NeighbourhoodTown Center
CuisineSeafood / Levantine
PriceMains 10–18 JOD; whole fish by the kilo
Dress CodeNo-rules / casual
SeatingIndoor dining room and a large street terrace
ReservationPhone / walk-in
