I had kanafe on a trip to Jordan several years ago and very thoroughly fell in love. But one mediocre version after another back in Toronto had me questioning myself: is kanafe really as good as I remember?
One bite of the kanafe at Habibah Sweets in Amman answered that question quite decisively: kanafe is one of the best desserts on Earth.
Oh man, the kanafe at Habibah Sweets. It’s absurdly good.
If you’ve never had kanafe before (and if you’re not in Jordan, you probably shouldn’t bother) it’s a unique dessert that finds a layer of soft, melty cheese topped with syrup-soaked pastry. Gooey cheese in a dessert might sound odd — at least until you eat it and realize it’s the best.
The problem with the versions I’ve had back home is that the cheese tends to be overly firm and chewy (even if it’s been heated up) and the pastry is one-note mushy.
The one at Habibah Sweets, on the other hand, is downright magical. The cheese is soft, gooey, and stretchy, with the perfect amount of firmness. And the pastry has a very light crispiness on top, with zero mushiness despite being soaked through with a decent amount of syrup.
And of course, the level of sweetness is just right. It’s quite sweet, obviously (it’s soaked with syrup, after all), but it never feels overly cloying. I’m not kidding when I say this: it’s one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
Location: Marwan Madi Complex، Al Azhar 2, Amman
How to find it: It’s along a narrow alley. Look for the line, and for the happy customers perched on concrete stools enjoying their kanafe.