The antagonistic activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation from five medicinal plants (Artemisia annua, Tagetes minuta, Nepeta cataria, Syzygium aromaticum, Boswellia sacra) against six human pathogen bacteria (Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium) was tested using paper disk diffusion method, followed by determination of minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations. All EOs exhibited moderate activity against target microorganisms, with the exception of S. aromaticum (clove) EO. It showed strong antibacterial activity with low MIC (1.953 μg/mL) and MBC (7.812 μg/mL). Clove EO could be developed as an important natural alternative to prevent bacterial growth and infection in food products.