Ouuulalaaaa!!! Loveeed everything the food, service, ambiance was calm on a lunch day. read more

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wow rumis is refreshing party in your mouth. Everything we got was amazing! the atmosphere of the place is exciting. i can't wait to go again. read more

Delicious Persian food! We visited Rumi's Kitchen on a Sunday afternoon, and it was about half full. The restaurant is artfully designed with many thoughtful details and exposed brick. House music played during our visit, and I found the chairs to be quite comfortable. We split the labne, mushroom hummus, grilled shrimp, and roasted salmon. Before the food we ordered arrived, we were brought some fresh bread, sabzeh, and a chunk of feta. We were brought more bread whenever we requested it throughout the meal. The bread was of standard quality. The labne was as good as any that I have tried. The mushroom hummus was delicious. The grilled shrimp had an interesting presentation and a scrumptious sauce. The salmon was slightly overcooked but had a good flavor and the rice was excellent. Overall, I had a great experience at Rumi's Kitchen and would highly recommend them for Persian food in DC. read more

Came on a Saturday night and it was a little chaotic. We weren't seated quite past our reservation. We were a bit worried... but then we tried the food and it was clearly all worth it. The lamb hummus and kale salad are incredible. I ordered the hanger steak and it was the best preparation of hanger steak I've ever had. The shirin rice with orange peel is also a must. read more

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

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We had the most incredible experience at Rumi's Kitchen in DC. We went with our three kids and from the moment we sat down, everything felt so warm and special. Our waiter Zack was absolutely amazing he told the kids to call him "Bad Bunny" and referred to them as his "good bunnies," which they thought was hilarious. He was so engaging, kind, and made the entire meal feel fun and memorable. The food was fantastic truly some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine we've had. Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. The ambiance was also stunning elegant, inviting, and just a really beautiful space to spend time in. We were genuinely sad when the meal ended because the staff made us feel so cared for. This is a place we can't wait to return to. Highly recommend for both date nights and family dinners. read more

The food is good but the best part was Farhad who served us.. He was the best. Thank you Farhad

Excellent service. Incredible meal. Love the dining room atmosphere. I've been back several times and the seri e and quality are consistent. Wait staff shared some great options. read more

Rumi once wrote that after gazing at the fire, he had become "burnt kabob." Thankfully, everything was cooked to the perfect temperature without any char at his namesake restaurant near the DC Convention Center. As a New Yorker who has been forced to live with a mediocre smattering of Persian offerings, perhaps my bar is too low for cooking from the region, but I found all the flavors here spectacular. The favorite dishes of our late lunch were the zeytoon parvardeh (generously marinated olives) and the ash reshteh, my all time favorite noodle soup served with an excellent garnish of fried shallots. Rumi also wrote in the same shayari of his soul being drunk, and while I was at best tipsy on this given afternoon, the orange umbrella cocktail was a drink I would certainly order again. read more

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Rumi's kitchen is a pretty good place. Pretty good food. The chicken knocked it out of the park. I did not know that it could be so tender. The salad was also good. The rest of the food was pretty average. Service was good. Nothing spectacular. But a nice place with delectable chicken. read more

The food was very good, but have to say not for the exorbitant prices. I have had food of the same quality, for half the price. I don't mind paying more for a great dining experience, and food that exceeds all others. But when it comes to $34.00 just for a chicken kabob and rice, and I can get it elsewhere for 1/2 the price. The service was great, and atmosphere was fine, so I would definitely check out other places if you looking for this type of cuisine. It's definitely better than the white whale, but at a cost. 3 stars for the food, would have been higher if not for the prices. read more

The food is amazing! My family and I loved the family style serving and the server made great suggestions on which dishes he recommended based off customers favorites. It's a beautiful restaurant, we loved the authentic feel of Persian roots. read more

Food was excellent and very nicely presented. The ghormeh sabzi and the koobideh were very good. The cocktails were excellent as well, not sure which ones we ordered however. Would definitely come back. The service was great and I really enjoyed the ambiance. read more

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

I honestly wanted to hate Rumi's Kitchen. I'm just naturally anti-chain due to trying to support small business, but damn. It was good. Really good. I sat at the bar and the bartender was making drink after drink more perfect than the next. Honestly enough to compete with the cocktail exclusive bars in the DC area. I had the lamb hummus and the Falafel and it was perfect. Just perfect. The Falafel was the best I've ever had, and the drinks make me want to come back for Happy Hour on Friday! read more

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Rumi's might be the best spot I had while in DC! The koobediah and chicken kabob were full of flavor, juice, and really good portions! I ordered the combo with Torshi (pickled veggies) a salad and rice. The service of this place is incredible as well. Really ambience and decor inside is top tier. I've been craving Rumi's since I left DC! read more

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

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Everything went well. The service was awesome I loved the kebab. The meat is amazing

rumi's is a popular spot especially for corporate dinners. the lamb and mushroom hummuses were excellent, as was their smoked eggplant. i recommend getting a lot of appetizers service was slow read more

KenScale: 8.0/10 Visit: March 2024 My wife Jun and I have long been fans of Middle Eastern food, and any given day we would absolutely enjoy dipping on hummus and taking a bite out of lamb kebabs. One DC restaurant that had been on my radar since a co-worker recommended to me was Rumi's Kitchen in Mount Vernon Square. Named after Jalaluddin Rumi, a Persian poet from the 13th century, Rumi's Kitchen (the restaurant also has a few branches in Georgia) offers classic Persian dishes brought by chef Iran-born chef Ali Meseghali. On our recent visit, we had a lot of fun exploring the region's delicious food. The menu at Rumi's Kitchen looks fairly standard, starting with starters under "Taste" section and larger dishes under "Feast" section. I do recommend that you start your meal here with a few starters, including some hummus (we tried the one with roasted cremini and oyster mushroom that was quite solid). Are you an eggplant fan? Then, you would absolutely love the kashk badenjoon featuring fried eggplant with crispy onion and cream of whey. Of course we had to try some kabob dishes, and the lamb sirloin at Rumi's Kitchen was superb, showing lovely texture with no hint of gamey flavor. Aside from the lamb kabob, we also tried ghormeh sabzi, a stew of scallion and beef along with red kidney bean. The stew was quite memorable with its distinctly addictive flavor that quite aptly captured the soulful and hearty character of Persian cuisine. Compared to all the delicious savory dishes, the dessert of ice cream sandwich was a slight letdown (a bit too much saffron flavor), but nonetheless we walked out the restaurant quite happy (and extremely stuffed). We were pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant almost packed with diners from all kinds of background when we arrived for early dinner. If you are looking for a prime-time reservation, booking in advance is highly recommended. There is full bar with cocktails cleverly incorporating ingredients from the region. The service was somewhat uneven but it was understandable given how busy the restaurant was accommodating everyone inside a fairly spacious dining room. Jun and I would be happy to come back to Rumi's Kitchen, preferably with other people so we can try as many other dishes as possible (it certainly was a struggle to choose from the menu since there were so many dishes that sounded amazing). read more

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Had the pleasure of eating at Rumi's Kitchen not once but twice while out in D.C on a long business trip. And I don't use the word "pleasure" lightly: truly, all the dishes and entrees here are absolutely fantastic. I had high hopes coming from Los Angeles aka Tehrangeles where I am spoiled with good Persian food. But, Rumi's is highly rated for a reason, and that also shows why it's completely booked at 9pm on a weekday night. I was starving, and so were the folks I was with apparently: we got a range of items including both eggplant appetizers, shirazi salad of course, and then the mains plus a few sides. EVERYTHING was perfect - so flavorful and very large portions. My favorite was the chicken barg that I ordered the first night; I was so glad that I came hungry because I devoured that whole skewer like an animal. So well-seasoned, very moist and tender meat, and almost enough to split (but I was hungry and ate it all!). Rice sides are buttery but not too much (the dill rice was particularly chef's kiss with the chicken). I appreciate that you can sub the regular rice side for a pretty healthy and fresh salad too. Then, on to desserts: we sampled the hazelnut torte, Persian pistachio ice cream sandwich, and faloude - the ice cream sandwich was favorite, but the faloude was fresh and unique, and a nice palate cleanser. Service was prompt, quick, and very knowledgeable; zero complaints. The restaurant itself is going of course for a Middle Eastern vibe but it ends up being fairly elegant and tactful. Some whirling dervishes on the wall, but no big camel motifs at least. read more

Everything was amazing ing from the drinks to food to atmosphere. Delicious. Wait staff and bar staff delightful.

The entire experience is incredible. The quality of food, the environment is filled with energy, the staff goes out of their way to make the experience all that it should be read more

Here are some of the pros: dim light, romantic atmosphere. The service was great. The waiter was attentive. The Seabass was cooked to perfection buttery flaky soft, which is how it should be. I ordered two different kinds of rice with the Seabass both of them was not cooked with butter so I was able to eat it. The rice that is pictured pink, it came with cherries in it and I didn't really fancy that because that just shouldn't be in my rice so I wasn't a fan but the yellow rice that had pieces of beef in it although I didn't eat the beef the rice was flavored well so I liked it. We ordered the dessert pictured, and it was horrible. It was super cold and the sorbet melted instantly which I think is such a rip off. The noodles were disgusting with the sorbet. That is just not a great mix and I feel like it should be taken off the menu, but hey, maybe someone out there likes it. If I were to come back here I would definitely want to order the pita bread with the dips. read more

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The food was phenomenal. Richard, our server, was attentive, knowledgable, and friendly. The ambience of Rumi's is warm and welcoming; every time I go, I feel transplanted into a new world -- one of high energy and a place to leave my worries at the door! Highly recommend for date night, family dinner, or group outings, especially to celebrate a special occasion. read more

Nice restaurant with great food! My friends and I arrived late in DC and were happy to see that Rumi's Kitchen open late because we wanted to try Persian food. We ordered a cauliflower appetizer and each a different kabob as our entree. The beef, salmon and chicken kabobs were all very delicious. The ambiance of the restaurant was very nice and the portion of the dishes were quite big so one can different bring home leftovers and have it the next day. All the staff were friendly and we had a great time. read more

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

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We came right around closing time but our server, Fahad still went above and beyond to go through the menu with us and answered all our questions. He did not rush us through and at the same time made sure we got everything we wanted before last call. The food alone was spectacular. The lamb was so perfectly cooked. Medium well I believe. Usually when you have lamb kabob as leftovers the next day it's gets dry because it's not fresh anymore. But the lamb was cooked to perfection it was still tender and juicy the next day. By far the best Persian cuisine I've had yet. Another weird but niche thing that stuck out to me was the design of the bathrooms. I don't think I've seen a bathroom so elegantly designed; it almost looked romantic. they've light up the place with lantern like lights and it pulled together the whole experience of dining with them. read more

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Enjoyed the excellent Persian food that's cooked to perfection. Lamb, beef and chicken combo was excellent with the saffron rice as the main entree. Falaafel, Dolmeh, and Kashik Badenjoon. as appetizers Opens your palate to enjoy the main entree. Excellent service with three waiters filling water glasses and removing the dishes from the appetizers. Since we went for a brunch and sat outside, I enjoyed a Aperol spritz for to quench my thirst. read more

I'm almost TOO qualified to write this review. If you're willing to drop $200+ on Persian food then go to rumis. The quality of food and the portions make the price a little more tolerable. But you gotta know what to order... For apps, skip the bs (roasted cremini and oyster mushrooms like bffr?). Get the kashke badmejoon and the rumis wings, you won't be sorry. Personally, I love yogurt with my kabob, so I get the yogurt duo. For entrees: you're literally at a Persian restaurant order so kabob!! My favorite Persian stew of all time is Ghorme Sabzi and Rumis is the WORST I've ever had. Do not order that. It really comes down to a preference of beef or chicken, but since I ordered the wings I opted for one skewer of the koobideh (10/10) and the Barg (9/10, could have used more char but very tender). I was too full to eat dessert but you can't go wrong with baklava or mascarpone ice cream. Overall, love. read more

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

Rumi's Kitchen brings fabulous Persian food to DC! I've been twice and enjoyed the lamb both times, as well as fantastic cocktails - my favorite was pineapple and mezcal. My favorite part is the different rices - try the rice with almonds and dried berries. read more

The ambiance was great. It was so cute inside. The service was also phenomenal. Our waitress was friendly and efficient! For appetizers I tried the grilled shrimp, hummus and falafel. For my main fish I had the lamb kabob with saffron basmati rice and a beef kabob on the side. The portion sizes are big (the pictures don't do it justice). Everything was really tasty and had a lot of flavor. I would definitely come back. For cocktails, I got the SS Poet and Gifts of Beloved. They were both great but I'd pick the SS Poet over Gifts of Beloved! Lamb Kabob - 4/5 Beef Kabob -3/5 Grilled Shrimp - 4/5 Hummus - 4/5 Falafel- 4/5 read more

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

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The food is amazing. Our server, Josh, was so sweet. Those who brought our food were also lovely. The chicken wings are amazing the food portions are massive. The restaurant is packed tight with dim lighting and amazing music. The only reason why it's not 5 stars is because how rude the hostesses were. We had a reservation at 7:15. We got there at 7:30 and were told to "wait at the bar" for a table. I asked would we have enough time to order a drink and she annoyed I asked her a question. The other hostesses/employees by the stand would run into us, bump us and yelling back and forth about some random conversation. read more

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My favorite restaurant in DC! Everything from the food, drink to the service is great. The dolmas are some of the best in town and you can't go wrong with any entree! I highly recommend saving room for their desserts too. read more

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

I am really sorry but to me Rumi's is chaos. I originally stopped in on a Saturday last week without reservations and the place was packed and a zoo atmosphere.No worries.... I'll make reservations and come back another night.... Went back last night with 7:15 reservations for a Thursday. Once again at the door just a massive traffic jam and can barely reach the host desk. Everything about coming into this restaurant is a stressful environment. It's not like a fun busy it's just chaos. There is absolutely no place to wait for a table and everyone is just bunched at the door. We waited 20 minutes for our table for two while being pushed and bustled cause there is no standing room. They should seriously reconsider the layout of having a 6 person seating by the host stand and just open it to high tops for the bar. When we were seated service was good and plenty of what I assume were managers came by ... at least 4 ... to ask if things were good. Seemed odd as we didn't have any food yet. As far as the food we got the lamb hummus. It was great, and for the first thing we got I was excited for the rest. Sadly, all our meat was cold. It was baffling since we were by the kitchen and as packed as it was surely food wasn't just sitting around but absolutely cold meat entrees is what we got. Flavor was good though so that's something. Rice was hot though. We had planned to order dessert cause pics looked great online but honestly we were both just ready to go. Last thing I'll say is the bathrooms.... Single stalls that have no indicator of if they are occupied. Why? This led to a traffic jam at the bathrooms as well. Of people just asking repeatedly the first person waiting " did you try all the doors?" Put some indicators on the doors. Honestly, I don't know why the lay out is how it is and just the whole thing makes no sense. Seems like they want a hip vibe but it's just a stressful vibe in my opinion. That said, I would try one more time. Either much earlier on a weeknight or on the weekend when I have more energy for chaotic mess. They do offer suggestion cards with the bill but no pen till they bring back the signed copy which they immediately took back. read more

Rumi’s Kitchen - Chicken barg and soltani. Chicken was good the beef kabob tasted like hamburger ... - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Rumi's DC is perfect - Amazing food rich flavors that feel authentic. Service and beautiful ambiance! read more

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

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I cannot say enough great things about Rumi's Kitchen!! Absolutely everything about the restaurant is top notch, and each and every cocktail and menu item has been well thought out and expertly executed with its plating. My friend and I were in the area and looking for somewhere to eat. As she is vegetarian we made sure to take a look at the menu to see if there would be enough options for her to choose from - and there were a whole range! We were ooo so fortunate to get a table at the bar without a reservation. And honestly this made the entire experience even more special, as the mixologists are super knowledgeable and engaging and talked us through each and every one of our drinks and menu options. I loved the Barg Kabob, Hummus and Falafel! Really honestly truly loved everything about the restaurant... This was one of those experiences where before leaving I was already thinking about when I could visit again read more

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Most delicious food I've had so far on my trip. Chicken Barg was flavorful and tender. My boyfriend said his Lamb Kabob was nice and juicy. The ambiance is beautiful and there's inside and outside dining. The server was also exceptional. Overall experience 10/10. Highly recommend! read more

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

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One of the best dinners I've had in a long time. I met an old college roommate from The University of Texas for dinner and we had an outstanding time at Rumi's Kitchen. The entrées are generous, so we split the lamb kebab and ordered an appetizer, amazing!!! I'll definitely go again, but ask to be seated away from the kitchen, very noisy.... read more

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First of all, the food was amazing as always! I came here for a dinner to celebrate a job promotion with a big party and I swear we saw a server every 30 minutes. Simultaneously they were clearing our plates seconds after we'd finished, with food still on our plates. No one was unkind, but the service was slow and pushy. I love this place and come here all the time so I was really sad about this experience. read more

So this place is hyped for all the right reasons! My new fav spot in DC- anything you order from menu and its never a miss! Food is so well prepped! Service is so on spot and they are very attentive throughout your visit! Place has a great ambiance too- Their ultimate best is Hanger steak but seriously anything on the menu is equally good- went with a large group and we all ordered various things from menu and all loved it. Ann absolute MUST TRY!! read more

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My recent experience at Rumi's Kitchen in DC was nothing short of extraordinary. I went for dinner with my boyfriend last weekend. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance of the restaurant exuded warmth, setting the stage for a culinary adventure that surpassed my expectations. The SS Poet, a bourbon-based cocktail, kicked off the evening with a delightful symphony of flavors that lingered on the palate. Next, the roasted cauliflower and shallot torshi, served as an appetizer, was an absolute revelation - each bite bursting with rich flavor. The lamb rack with saffron rice, my chosen main course, was wonderful. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the saffron-infused rice provided a harmonious complement that elevated the dish. For dessert, I had the chocolate hazelnut torte. It was decadent, velvety, and precisely sweetened. It was so good!! Throughout the evening, the attentive staff added a touch of hospitality that elevated the dining experience at Rumi's kitchen. read more

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Holy crap, I have never had Persian food before and this was a great first experience! I believe our server's name was Connor and he shared with us that he just finished his training. But, honestly he seemed like a pro. He explained the menu in detail, gave us suggestions, and checked on us very often. The complimentary bread along with the herbs was a great combo, especially with the cheese. It was goat cheese which I am normally not a fan of but it brought everything together really well. For the entree I got the lamb skewer and subbed my rice for a veggie skewer. I usually don't get lamb as I find it a bit gamey but decided to give it a shot. It was not gamey at all and was super tender! I ate the whole plate hahaha. Although this place is pricey I feel like its super worth it for the service, the food, and the ambiance. read more

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

The recipient stressed you have 2 hours to eat and then you must leave. Also the servers were pushing us to order and leave. The food was salty, drinks watery and overall ambience not good. When you are paying over 400+ dollars for fine dining you expect excellence in customer service. I get better service at a chic fila than here. They are horrible charge money to make a profit and not let the customer enjoy. I would not recommend this place to anyone. read more