We went here for a special celebration and it was lovely ! The ambience, service and food are all top notch. I usually take pictures but this time we just started eating straight away . some highlights: Fattoush salad - deliciously crisp and fresh, Sea bass - absolute phenomena! everyone in the table loved this dish and couldn't get more, literally melt in your mouth. The kebabs, chicken and beef were also good. Would definitely recommend this for a nice meal out. read more

Rumi's Kitchen was very good. Particularly loved the egg plant dishes and the Chilean sea bass. The menu has a certain level of variety with equal consistency, which I think is really underrated. While none of the dishes carried a wow factor necessarily, overall, the food was good. The restaurant leans on the louder side, but the service was good and the staff friendly. I went with a large party, which took away from the ambiance a little. I recommend a group of 2-4 here. This is worth trying, but not sure if the price makes the food worth coming back for? That being said, if you're looking for consistency in quality of food with a unique Persian/Iranian menu, this is a good spot. read more

I recently visited Rumi's Kitchen in DC and overall had an average experience. The service was good and the staff was attentive throughout the meal, which I appreciated. I ordered the gheymeh along with the yogurt and cucumbers, while my friend got the herb stew. The food was decent, but having also been to the Houston location, I personally felt the flavors there were much stronger and more memorable compared to the DC restaurant. One nice touch was the complimentary herbs, cheese, and bread they bring to the table, which added a traditional Persian hospitality feel to the experience. The inside of the restaurant is also beautifully designed with a very traditional Persian-inspired atmosphere, including artwork and Persian dancer designs that make the space feel elegant and unique. Overall, it's a nice spot for the ambiance and good service, though I preferred the flavor and overall food experience at the Houston location a bit more. read more

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Such a beautiful and vibrant restaurant in DC. With a gorgeous outdoor patio for dining and a romantic lightly dimmed indoor setup -- it's the perfect spot for date night or a night out with amazing people. Sat at the bar. Service was wonderful as their system was efficient and impressive. All the staff were in sync and tag teamed each other to serve everyone and it was a packed house. I really admired the synchronized flow from all the servers, bartenders, and staff -- they have a good thing going on this front. Tried Sabzi for the first time which is offered complimentary to all guests -- essentially fresh herbs, radishes, and goat cheese served on the side to serve as a palate cleanser but also to offer balance to pair with rich cooked Iranian meals. So refreshing and such a great addition to the main entree. Ordered the Chinjeh Lubia Polo ($38) described on the menu as beef sirloin kabob with garlic yogurt, braised green beans, grilled whole tomato, and basmati rice. This was absolutely excellent. The beef sirloin was seasoned heavily and every bite was bursting with flavors of onion, black pepper, turmeric, salt, and I think saffron. Maybe even cumin and cinnamon. The seasonings blended so well together. And can we talk about the garlic yogurt? It was so delicious that I ordered a tube of it to go! Dipping the flatbread into it was such a treat. Loved the food, ambiance was such a vibe, and service was top notch. Would highly recommend over and over! read more

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Rumi's Kitchen has been on my must-try list for a while, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Some of the best Persian food you'll have. Our waiter was very kind and walked us through the menu highlights, which made the experience even better and we took his suggestions. The Spinach Date Salad was refreshing and well-balanced. The Lamb Rack was delicious and came in very generous portions (the photo only shows half a portion). But the standout for me was the Keshk Badenjoon! Rich, flavorful, and paired perfectly with everything else. The outdoor seating was lovely, though there was some construction going on nearby that was a bit loud. I'd love to try sitting indoors next time for a different vibe. Overall, highly recommend, great ambiance and an even better dining experience. Will be back!! read more

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Really solid persian spot in DC that has locations elsewhere (Atlanta, Houston). This is good persian food and great cocktails, but while there are some really strong showings, there are also a few areas where there's great opportunity! The Kobbideh kebab was so good, and almost as good as my grandfather's, and the sabzi coming out to the table when you start is really quite persian. I love both of these things and am not sure they could have been done better. The cocktails also were just truly amazing and inventive, and I loved every aspect of every cocktail I tried! The rice was good, but zereshk polo in my opinion needs more zereshk than what we got. It just felt a little light on the Zereshk and other special ingredients, though I loved the variety of rice options and I was excited to try them. They also had tahdig off menu - it wasn't my favorite tahdig, but it was good to show someone who had never had tahdig what it was. The fesenjoon was soo good. It really was the dish that turned heads for those who had not had Fesenjoon before, and I think doing it with duck is the extra special step that gets it attention that a chicken dish wouldn't get on the menu! I think this is a big win. The labne was a bit boring, but still tasty, I thought it achieved the creaminess and beautiful mouthfeel that you want, but the taste was light to me. With extra sumac it came across a bit better. The Ghormez Sabzi was the real disappointment - I just don't understand why it didn't taste good. It was like the herbs were burned while they were being fried - or something like that. I love Ghormeh Sabzi and this was not it - I wish this was better. Overall solid spot from cocktails through kebab! read more

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Such amazing Persian food! I've visited twice and both times the food blew me away! Kashk Badenjoon - 8/10 Lamb Kabob - 9/10 Shirazi Salad - 10/10 Persian Ice Cream Sandwich - 8/10 Baklava - 3/10 The service is always top notch and the ambiance is a perfect mood lighting for an evening dinner with friends or a date night. Can't recommend this place enough! read more

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Probably one of the best Mediterranean/Persian spots I've ever been to. The falafal's are extraordinarily fresh and crunchy, the potatoes are extremely delicious and shareable. They give pita bread for the table which was VERY filling Got chicken kebab.. crazy delicious with saffron rice Will be coming back read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Falafel and Crispy Potatoes with Radicchio - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Rumi's should be on everybody's short list. Classy with a hip vibe. Great spot for date night, but also family friendly. Service was friendly and attentive. We started out with the falafels. Honestly, among the best I've had. Wonderful color on the inside. The pickled beets on the side were very tasty. My wife and I shared the Soltani Kebab. They provide Sumac for those who want to sprinkle a little on their food. I sprinkled a lot. I love sumac. And together with the rice and beef, the best. For dessert we got the baklava. It came with vanilla ice cream. Perfect way to end the night. read more

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I'm absolutely sure to be in Rumi's very soon and update my review to 5 stars,but today I have to leave it as is. We made reservation for Mother's Day' more than month in advance and we're there on time,but line to check in started from outside despite light rain. After 15 minutes in line,host told they are so backed up that they can't even give estimates and promised to text. Text arrived 30 more minutes later and we were escorted to the table. Started that minute everything was perfect!!! They apologize for delay,gave us 3 appetizers on the house. Food arrived very quickly and everything was perfect to divine. I was amazed that it wasn't that loud inside as it could be considered crowd outside. Decor is urban sophisticated,but food... Fresh bread was to die for,they bringing complimentary herbs with cheese ,which is beautiful start of the dinner. For me star of the night was mushroom hummus,taste was so complex and umami ,I tried to feel and recognize enhancements. I am positive that they added mushroom broth in hummus itself and topped it with crispy and delicious roasted mushrooms. Divine!! We had both eggplant dips,both were amazing. Kashk was textured with fried onions and it was right amount of everything. Albaloo rice was not overly sweet,rather it was tangy with aromatic tart cherries and had slight sweet undertones. All in all,food is terrific. I can't give 5 stars for now,but food is definitely worth it. We were told that this was not usual for them to make people wait 45 minutes past reservation time. read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Mushrooms hummus ( must have,amazing) - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Rumi is taking advantage of it's popularity and the quality is getting worse The reservation is also a game! While we reserved they told us we don't have enough sits you can either sit in tables in hallway or go outside( which weather gladly was good yesterday) Prices also increased a lot from 3-4 months ago , chicken kabob was ridiculously dry read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was in DC for a work trip with a few colleagues when another coworker highly recommended this restaurant. We arrived just in time for the final round of happy hour -- perfect timing. I ordered a margarita that paired beautifully with dinner, refreshing and well-balanced without overpowering the meal. Since it was our first time trying Persian cuisine, we happily relied on our server's guidance. She even showed us how to enjoy the complimentary appetizer, which felt reminiscent of a Persian-style cheese plate and was a thoughtful introduction to the meal. We began with the eggplant and mushroom appetizers, both of which showcased the rich, layered flavors that define the cuisine. To experience as much as possible, we ordered family-style. We shared four different kabobs -- including beef, chicken, and vegetable options -- along with the lamb shank. Every dish was tender, flavorful, and expertly prepared. We also sampled a variety of rice dishes, each infused with its own unique blend of herbs and spices. My favorite was the Baghali rice (fava bean and dill); the delicate hint of dill added a refreshing contrast to the savory meats. The restaurant quickly filled after we arrived, creating a lively yet inviting atmosphere that enhanced the overall dining experience. I would absolutely return on my next trip to DC to explore more of the menu. Ordering family-style is definitely the best way to sample a wide range of dishes and fully appreciate the experience. read more

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Honorary 6 Stars We were researching restaurants on Yelp that were close to our hotel and found Rumi's Kitchen. This restaurant is not associated with K-Pop Demon Hunters, but they received extra points from my daughter for their name. Make a reservation or try to get there at non-peak hours. We got there Tuesday night at 5:30 and snuck in before the crowd. First thing I noticed when walking in was the bass beats of the music. As we were leaving, our waiter noticed my awkward head bobs and noted that the music had its own channel on Spotify (Rumi's Kitchen po). We ordered almost everything off the happy hour menu and added on an entree and a dessert. The food - Koobideh Sliders - flatbread, well seasoned ground beef, yogurt sauce, onion, tomato, pickle, mint, sumac. It's has a ton going on but really gets it done with all the textures and flavors. Roasted Cauliflower & Shallot Torshi - I'm always a sucker for a good vegetable dish since they're usually either fried or not super tasty. This cauliflower is roasted tender with some nice char. A nice creamy sauce brings is all together. Rumi's Sticky Wings - wings with a nice sweet and spicy sauce. Didn't care too much for the kohlrabi as it has a bit of uncooked potato texture. Persian Ice Cream Sandwich - this was 4 ice cream sandwiches made with saffron and rose ice cream. There is plenty here to share. It's a very unique experience as it was an interesting flavor for ice cream to begin with and just slightly sweet, unlike traditional desserts. Mezze Trio - Because I am a sauce person, I feel like this is a must have. Eggplant is on the thicker side, hummus on the thinner. All tasty. Complimentary flatbread + accoutrements - The flatbread is unlimited, but the initial round comes with cheese, walnuts, radish, and a variety of greens including watercress and mint. It's a really nice and fresh way to start the meal. Lamb Kebob - we asked for medium rare and it was cooked to perfect doneness. 5 really large pieces plus a roasted tomato and saffron rice. Our waiter also brought over some sumac for us to sprinkle on top. Za'atar Fry Basket - shoestring fries fried extra crispy. Dipping sauces were thin cheesy dips - red pepper feta and jalapeño feta. Crispy Chicken - Rumi's elegant version of a chicken tender. We doused these in the hot honey dip that was provided. All the food was fantastic and it was hard to tease apart these dishes to rank them. I would have been happy with most combinations of the above. We also liked the two happy hour drinks we ordered - Barrel Aged Old Fashioned (a tequila old fashioned) and the Corpse Reviver (a distant margarita relative). We were parched from the day, and servers probably filled our water glasses five times without us asking. On top of it all, our main server, Zak (Zakaria), was fantastic. He was super attentive, made great recommendations, and had multiple fun interactions with the adults and kids in our group despite the restaurant being packed. At Rumi's Kitchen, they might not have sealed the honmoon, but they definitely destroyed our hunger demons. read more

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This place is unbelievable. They give you a complimentary plate of mint, basil, walnuts, & radishes to start with some fresh light bread. The grilled shrimp appetizer might be the best incarnation of shrimp I've ever had. The spices blend so well and the heat slowly creeps in. My favorite kind of spicy. Gifts of the Beloved is a a mezcal cocktail that blends lemon, pineapple, & rhubarb in such a way that it tastes like I should be lounging on a beach living my best life. The main course of the sirloin beef kebab, roasted tomatoes, pickles, & saffron tomato and cinnamon spiced rice w/ green beans is just unreal. One of the best meals of my life for real! read more

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I was visiting DC staying at the Marriott Marquis and so excited to try this amazing Persian restaurant right down the street from our hotel! All the food tasted home cooked and generous portions. The restaurant was quite busy for a Thursday night so good thing we had a reservation. We met the manager who told us they are opening a location in LA so can't wait to be able to go there soon read more

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Rumi's came highly recommended - and didn't disappoint! The service was probably the best I've had in DC, our server knew the menu front and back and was more than happy to help us through it with suggestions not just in what to eat but to maximize our date nights breadth across the menu! The food was divine - even the simple bread and herb/cheese/walnut/radish thats name is escaping me was an amazing pairing to kick off the night. I got their old fashioned which was a great twist on a classic. We settled on the soltani kabob and lamb shank, both of which were amazing. Can't beat the value and taste here, and the atmosphere was very cool and welcoming. Loved the view of the chefs at work and the bar was super efficient. Will be back! read more

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The roasted salmon and rice was outstanding. The Koobideh was delicious! Would definitely recommend! read more

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It was amazing! 1. Reservation: necessary. they are busy!! 2. Food: 5 stars. very good! See the pics. 3. Service: very nice, but a bit slow especially considering we came before the major rush. 4. Ambience: cozy especially if you are seated in the booths, which we were. 5. Parking garage is right next to it and it is rather cheap. Highly recommend! read more

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One of my 2025 restaurant highlights - while Rumi's is known for their kabobs, their bass (Zack, the barender reco) was buttery and amazing. The cocktails were fascinating, and service was excellent (Farhad). And they made my #2's night with a candled baklava birthday plate. read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was in town for work and needed to find a place close to the venue to grab a quick bite. Lucky to have found this place. I made it in for the happy hour menu. They just opened the patio due to the beautiful weather so I enjoyed the fresh air with the delicious, fresh food. What a great meal! The service was fantastic which made everything even better. Give this place a try if you are in the areas you won't be disappointed. read more

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Delicious lamb hummus . Very happy with my dinner . Would definitely come again . Attentive service. read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A beautiful restaurant. I visited with coworkers while attending an event in DC, and I'm glad we made reservations because we were seated right away. The service was excellent -- there were several staff members checking in on us, keeping our beverages filled, and making sure we had everything we needed. I ordered the lamb kabobs (medium), but they weren't to my liking. The mint flavor was much stronger than I expected, and it turned me off from the dish. The vegetables, however, were fantastic. I substituted the rice for vegetables, and I'm glad I did because that ended up being the best part of my entrée. We also tried the radish, cheese, and walnut appetizer, which was delicious. The atmosphere was elegant and welcoming -- dimly lit but with plenty of light at the table. Overall, a lovely dining experience even though my entrée wasn't my favorite. read more

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Rumi's Kitchen never disappoints! The moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, elegant, and inviting. The drinks are absolutely top-notch -- beautifully crafted cocktails with a Persian twist that perfectly complement the meal. You can tell the bartenders put real thought and care into every detail. And the kabobs -- wow. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The lamb and chicken kabobs are standouts, so tender they practically melt in your mouth. Paired with fragrant basmati rice and grilled vegetables, every bite is packed with flavor. Whether you're coming for a date night, a celebration, or just to treat yourself, Rumi's Kitchen delivers an unforgettable dining experience. Excellent service, stunning presentation, and food that keeps you coming back for more! read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We started with their in-house made passion fruit soda and naranj soda , then went all in on perfectly grilled shrimp with a jalapeño feta cream sauce , their fried eggplant dip, super fresh fattoush salad , and the tastiest falafel ever with pickled beets on top of their own hummus (this was my favorite dish hands down!) I always have room for dessert so had to try their warm white chocolate cardamom cake with a strawberry sauce and mascarpone ice cream and I simply had to get their pistachio baklava because since it finally wasn't a walnut version (darn tree allergy) and it did not disappoint! The service was great, we were seated right away and our waitress was attentive and helpful as we had questions! read more

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This place is always packed. Sure it's good for business, but I just want a seat to eat. Anyways the second time around did not disappoint. There was a table by the door. I told the hostess we can eat quick and she sat us immediately. Ordered the koobideh and barg kabob. Did not disappoint. The saffron ice cream was good but we were too full to finish. If you can get sat immediately, then 10/10 would recommend. read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Saffron ice cream - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

First time going & we loved it! Fattoush salad,, grilled shrimp, falafel, Chicken kabobs, Kobideh with Baghali & Shirin rice were ALL delicious & homemade. I would have given 5 stars but the restaurant lobby to podium host is non existent, tight seating & bc tables are literally next to each other it can get loud. Our reservation was Saturday 5:00pm 2/7/2026. Servers were fantastic & happily come around to fill our water glasses. Our bill came to $149 & we LOVED all the appetizers & mains we ordered. Definitely coming back read more

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Rumi's Kitchen was wonderful: the food was filling, the cocktails were so delicious, and the menu was super varied! My favorite was the dolmeh, which I think had a super delicate balance of sweet, savory, salty, sour goodness. The real star of this meal was our server: he was so informative, had wonderful suggestions, made sure our breadbasket was full, and just made us feel so welcome and taken care of! read more

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Both food and service were awesome In May, it's a bit cool outdoors... But they provided blankets read more

When I say, best salmon I've had hands down I would come back just for that alone! The food overall was very good and flavorful however the standout was the salmon. The service was pretty good but they do are packed so it wasn't advised that we stay longer than the end of our reservation. read more

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Enjoyed Rumi's with my son who is stationed in nearby Quantico and a his friend who lives in DC and recommended this restaurant. Excellent service by Mason. Everyone at the restaurant was great..... the hostess, the servers and food carriers were enthusiastic about their restaurant. We sat outside on a beautiful mild summer day and enjoyed the weather. Everything from the hummus to lamb was on point. It sounds like they have a few of these restaurants in Atalanta and Houston and I remembered, I had eaten at the one in Houston too, which was also excellent. read more

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My son's name matches the restaurant so I thought it'd be a treat to take him here as we were visiting WDC from SoCal. Luckily I had made a reservation for 7pm, but our table wasn't ready until almost 7:45pm. The service was good, and our server was generally attentive, however, I didn't feel the food we had ordered (koobideh kabob platter with chicken joojeh) was worth the amount we paid (~$42/plate)-- we had similar quality at Moby's. The only dish that was worth the trip was the mushroom hummus which was definitely creamy and delicious, and the pita accompanying it was fluffy and warm. I'd say it was a good experience, but we will probably not go again as it wasn't really memorable. We could have grabbed Moby's and picnic'd on the monument's grounds for cheaper, similar tasting cuisine. read more

As a Persian-American, I am so proud to have such a wonderful restaurant in town serving authentic Iranian cuisine. The ambiance is beautiful and welcoming, with tasteful ethnic décor that immediately sets the mood. We started with some appetizers and then enjoyed their kabobs, which were absolutely delicious. One of our companions received a slightly undercooked kabob, but the staff quickly returned it to the kitchen and, as an apology, surprised us with complimentary desserts at the end (which we really appreciated, even though it wasn't necessary). The service was truly outstanding. Our waitress, Sara, was attentive, friendly, and perfectly timely--she amazed us with her professionalism and warmth. The manager also came by to check in, and he was equally friendly and professional, which made us feel very welcome. Overall, we loved our experience and will definitely be returning. This is the kind of place we'll be proud to bring important guests to, knowing they'll enjoy both the food and the hospitality. read more

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Rumi's is a cozy restaurant serving Persian cuisine. I sat at the bar but if you need a table I would highly recommend making a reservation because it gets pretty busy. The bartenders were very nice and attentive and explained the menu well. They have HH M-F from 4-6 pm and I ordered the sliders, fries and wings from the HH menu and the lamb hummus from the regular menu. Everything was delicious and flavorful but the lamb hummus was the star. I would definitely go back for the full dinning experience. read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had such a great experience! The cocktails were beautiful and so good. The food was excellent. The customer service I received at the bar and by our server Alyssa was fantastic! Alyssa was amazing. She offered recommendations, checked on me constantly when I unknowingly consumed an ingredient in my first cocktail I was allergic to. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the ambiance is very inviting. read more

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While I was in DC, I was craving Persian food. It came down to this place or Darvish Kitchen, and I chose this one. I am really glad I did. The setting was not overly formal, but still felt like a proper sit down restaurant. Very pretty. The food was excellent. I am Persian and very particular about traditional flavors, and everything I ordered was full of flavor and tasted authentic. Just be aware that the portions are very generous. I ordered the dolmeh, fatoosh salad, and the rose water pistachio ice cream sandwiches. Everything was delicious, but it was way too much food for one person. It would be helpful if the staff mentioned how large the desserts are. If I had known, I probably would not have ordered it. I only managed to eat one sandwich and ended up giving the rest to the lady sitting next to me so it would not go to waste. Other than that, I have no complaints. I will definitely be back. If you are in the area and craving Persian food, this place is worth checking out. read more

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I had been to Rumi's before and it does not disappoint! It's an upscale vibe with a very familiar and friendly feel. Reservations were not hard to get at all! Now be warned, the portions ARE HUGE. My friend and I ordered FAR too much food haha. We got the complimentary bread and cheese, ash-reshte, kebab, and fesenjoon. The fesenjoon is tart (if that's how you like it), I tend to like mine on the sweeter side. The kebab was great! I will be back but keep in mind to order way less!! read more

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This was one of my favorite dinners of last year. We had a show at Sixth & I, so was our chance to try Rumi's Kitchen. The drinks were fun, the food was packed with flavor, and there was a lot of it. We definitely would have take some home if not for post meal concert. Service was quick and efficient, if not a bit short, due to the crazy, busy atmosphere. But, you could tell that the whole operation was running like clockwork. I won't go into great detail about our food. I'm not a big falafel fan, but were ordered it based on other glowing reviews, and they were not wrong. It was one of my favorite dishes of the night. The olives were wonderful as was the mirza ghasemi. For a main, we split the lamb kabob and did a 1/2 and 1/2 on the rice. We also tried a couple of drinks each. Everything was delicious and reasonably priced. Also of note, no 20 or 22 percent service charge added to the bill, so feel free to tip well for the wonderful service that everyone at Rumi's works so hard for. read more

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Ate here before the DC half marathon with friends. It was delicious, super packed but shows how popular it is. It was a Saturday night, and it constantly had a line out the door. I'd definitely say get the combo if you're considering what to get here. Overall everything was very flavorful too. Make sure to make a reservation in advance or else you're going to be waiting for a longggg time. read more

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I ADORE THIS PLACE! The food is seasoned to perfection, the staff is great, the ambiance is dark and sultry. The drinks are tasty. The olives are to die for! I haven't had anything I didn't like here. Fish, lamb,beef, shrimp! Delicious. read more

Rumi's Kitchen is a solid choice for Persian food in the heart of DC. The cornish hen was a highlight, and the complimentary tableside bread was a great touch. The rice was especially impressive--easily some of the fluffiest and most buttery I've had. The sumac tasted authentic, though the chicken was a bit too lemony for me, and the hummus felt a little over-oiled. Service was outstanding throughout the meal. It is definitely on the pricier side, and you can find cheaper alternatives elsewhere, but the quality and location make the cost understandable. read more