Rumi’s Kitchen

tl;dr - Rumi's Kitchen is worth the price for the quality and quantity. My friend and I enjoyed a tasty and filling meal (plus, I had enough leftovers for another meal) for 43.50 per person after tip and tax. My friend and I made a reservation for dinner this past Friday evening. It was pretty packed even at 6 PM, so I'd recommend making a reservation a few days in advanced. Overall, we had a great experience with the food and service. Our server was stellar and went above and beyond -- she made sure we always had water and split the entree (aka one of the "Feast" items on the menu) without us asking. She also boxed my food when I asked for a to-go box.We got started with some complementary pita (which they refill) and a plate of fresh herbs, nuts, feta cheese, and radishes. We smeared some of the feta (kind of hard to do so with its texture) on the pita and topped it off with some herbs before taking a hearty bite. It was a tasty complementary starter!HUMMUS: ROASTED CREMINI & OYSTER MUSHROOM - 15We used some of the pita to enjoy the hummus. The hummus was smooth and garlicky, but nothing exceptional. However, it was the mushrooms that really elevated the hummus with its earthiness and flavors that it's been cooked with. They do not skimp on the mushrooms.VEGETABLES: ROASTED CAULIFLOWER & SHALLOT TORSHI - 16Cauliflower and shallot is a great combination. They weren't as roasty or crunchy as I thought they would be, as they were more on the softer side. The lemon aioli gave it a nice citrusy kick that I was pleasantly surprised about. We enjoyed it and thought it was a good vegetable option for the night.FEAST: LAMB KABOB - 39By this time, I was almost full. Our server brought out the lamb kabob, and she thoughtfully split the entree into two plates without us asking her to do so. We each got a sizable serving of the lamb kabob, and we were surprised that each portion was only half of the real thing. Each plate contained three large chunks of lamb kabob, a perfectly roasted tomato, and a generous serving of lentils & raisin basmati rice. The lamb kabob had a nice char and grilled flavor that elevated all the spices used to brine the meat. The roasted tomato was plump and juicy, adding a nice sweetness to every bite. The basmati rice with its lentils and raisin was delicious. Everything went well together.While nothing was "holy crap, this is crazy good!!", everything we ordered was well-prepared and tasty, which I find pretty rare at DC restaurants. Most restaurants tend to have a mixed bag of both hits and misses when I order multiple things. Rumi's really nailed it with the items we ordered and I would highly recommend checking it out for its quality, phenomenal service, and affordable DC pricing!

great server and drinks and the food too a must try come visit in the dc area the chicken wing is also good and the lamb kabab

We've been wanting to try this place for a while after my partner's Persian colleague highly recommended it. We finally booked a table for lunch on a rainy Saturday.When we arrived around 12:30, it wasn't crowded, and we were seated after just a 5-minute wait.The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous!Our server greeted us right away and was very friendly. To start, we ordered hummus, and they brought out fresh flatbread along with sabzi khordan--a traditional Iranian herb platter with feta cheese. The hummus was absolutely amazing!For mains, my partner and our son shared the lamb, while I had the Shirazi salad and falafel. The portions were generous--my salad and falafel were delicious, and I ended up packing half of it to go. My partner and son loved their lamb dish, and the large portion was perfect for sharing.I highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to go back!By the time we left around 2:30, the entrance was packed, so I definitely recommend making a reservation!

Rumi's Kitchen was recommended to me by a friend, they mentioned this was their favorite restaurant in Washington DC when they had previously lived there. I'm really glad they recommended this place to me! I had an awesome experience dining here while visiting Washington DC! The restaurant was very nice and had a pretty upscale but relaxed environment. We sat at the bar and received great service from the bartenders and staff. We ordered the Labne, Roasted Cremini & Oyster Mushroom Hummus, and the Lubia Rice. Everything was delicious and very flavorful! I would highly recommend all 3 of these dishes and would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite.Their bread was also incredible, served hot and fresh. We had planned for this to be the start of our meal and order more items after, but were pleasantly surprised at how large the actual portions were- the prices were also very reasonable for DC! I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and will definitely be going back next time I'm in the DC area!

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.

Absolutely loved this place. The ambiance is beautiful with beautiful artwork all over the restaurant. You can see the kitchen along the side of the restaurant. We really enjoyed the hummus and falafel. For main course, I recommend splitting because it is a lot, ALOT of food. Will definitely be coming back to try more!

I came here on a whim after hearing about Rumi's Kitchen from a coworker, and, wow...I'll be sure to take more recommendations from her in the future! Rumi's Kitchen has quickly become one of my favorite spots in DC, with unbeatable Persian food, an upbeat but relaxing vibe, and super friendly staff. The meal starts with their grazing plate with pita, herbs, walnuts, radishes, and feta. While they don't have any gluten-free pita available, we did snag a plate of sliced cucumbers and grape tomatoes, which were a great replacement to pair with the aromatic herbs and briney, creamy cheese. My friend and I weren't super hungry, so we ended up just ordering a selection of their appetizers (the "taste" section of their menu) to share. My favorite had to be the roasted cremini and oyster mushroom hummus -- the hummus was rich and creamy, and it was packed with flavor from the tahini. The roasted mushrooms were the perfect touch and gave the already rich dish a great punch of umami. The pine nuts provided a nice crunch, which went perfectly with either the soft, warm pita or crisp veggies. The hummus was quickly followed by the mirza ghasemi, a delightfully smoked eggplant mixed with tomato and garlic -- the whole dish, while simple, was a concert of flavors: it was rich and smoky from the eggplant, but lightened / brightened up by the fresh tomatoes. It was another perfect accompaniment to both the pita and side veggies. Our final appetizer was the roasted cauliflower, which, as simple as it sounds, was absolutely delicious -- the cauliflower was perfectly roasted, with a phenomenal charred flavor and perfectly tender, yet crisp texture. It was paired with a light and refreshing spritz of lemon, as well as a sprinkling of green onion, parsley, and urfa chili. While the cauliflower may look like a humble little vegetable, it had a ton of flavor, and was also a great pairing with our other appetizers -- different notes from the lemony, herby cauliflower shined when combined with the umami-packed hummus or smoky, yet acidic eggplant. Three starters provided the perfect amount of food for two people, especially if you want to save some room for their dessert -- you can never go wrong with some good ol' baklava or their flourless chocolate hazelnut torte! However, if you're in the mood for a bit more protein / have a larger party to share with, I can't recommend their Chilean sea bass enough. It's one of my favorite restaurant fish dishes of all time (and, as a pescatarian, that's a pretty tall order) -- the fish is perfectly flakey and buttery, and the tender fillet pairs gorgeously with the saffron, onion, dill, and fava beans.All in all, whether you're looking for meat or veggies, feasts or tastes, I truly can't recommend Rumi's Kitchen enough!

Love this restaurant. I have been here several times and have taken my friends here. Every single item is so flavorful. They have the authentic rice with the dried fruit. One of my personal favorites is the hummus with meat. It is incredible. The portions are big and there is sumac at every table. I really liked the shrimp as well, they are big, but the order only comes with 2. They also bring some extra vegetables on the side to eat with your bread and appetizers.The decor is so unique and really encapsulates Persian culture.The service is wonderful and they do a wonderful job explaining everything on the menu.

This placed exceeded my expectations for food quality and service. I came in a Monday and was so surprised at how busy this place was as well as how amazing the food tasted. I got the grape leaves and OMG these are amazing. They were hot, fresh, and beyond flavorful!The Lebanese red wine I had was to due for and a must to add to my collection. The hanger steak was cooked to perfection and had a delicious accompaniment of potatoes. This is a must try for anyone who loves great food, amazing service, and a dining experience.

My two good friends and l, who go back over 20 years, were in town and decided to grab drinks at Rumi's Kitchen before heading to Petite Cerise for dinner. Both spots are conveniently located on the same block, and I'm so glad we chose Rumi's for our pre-dinner drinks!Let me tell you, the restaurant and bar were packed, creating an amazing, lively atmosphere that was simply infectious. We tried two of their most popular drinks: Rumi's Old Fashioned ($19) and the Orange Umbrella ($17). Both drinks were nothing short of incredible!The ambiance was fire! The light fixtures and beautiful paintings added a unique charm to the place, making it an inviting spot to relax and enjoy.The service was stellar as well. The bartenders were cranking out those specialty drinks with impressive speed. A special shoutout to Bartender Mike, who tantalized my taste buds with the Orange Umbrella!I'm looking forward to coming back with friends to dine and explore more of what Rumi's Kitchen has to offer!