Best food in Washington DC . Price are ok given the quantity and quality of the food. Service was excellent. Highly recommended.
Rumi's Kitchen is a consistently delightful experience. Each dish is generously portioned and bursting with flavor, vibrant herbs, spices, and colors. The falafel is among the best I’ve tasted, the hummus perfectly creamy, and the steak tender and melt-in-your-mouth good. The warm atmosphere adds to the charm, and even seated at the bar, the friendly bartender made sure I knew exactly what I was enjoying. Highly recommended!
I ate Kabab koobide and ash reshte in this restaurant and the food was really delicious also the staff and service is good. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Awesome Falafel and Hummus
To top it all a beautiful quote from Rumi
Rumi’s Kitchen in DC offers an exceptional Persian dining experience that beautifully blends authenticity with refined flavors. I ordered the chicken kebab, which was incredibly tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned with just the right hints of Persian spices. The meat was grilled to perfection, creating a delightful contrast between the charred exterior and the succulent interior.
I opted to change the saffron rice to albaloo polo (rice with sour cherries), and it was a decision I’m so glad I made. The albaloo polo was absolutely delicious, with a balance of sweet and tart flavors from the cherries that paired wonderfully with the savory kebab. The subtle seasoning of the rice brought out the natural flavors of the cherries, and the dish felt like a true celebration of Persian cuisine.
The ambiance of Rumi’s Kitchen is elegant and welcoming, with a modern twist on traditional decor that creates a warm atmosphere. The staff were friendly, attentive, and eager to make the dining experience special, ensuring every detail was just right.
Rumi’s Kitchen is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience Persian food in DC. I left with a new appreciation for Persian flavors and can’t wait to return to try more. Highly recommend!
Beyond amazing food. Beyond amazing service. Cozy, lovely ambience. Highly recommend Persian food in general as the best on the planet.
Delicious Soltani Kebab and flavorful Kashke Bademjan! The complementary bread and cheese were a nice touch. The decor strikes a perfect balance between modern design and traditional Persian ambiance, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. A great spot for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Persian flavors. Highly recommended!
I had a terrible experience at the restaurant - the worst place. In fact, I got food poisoning from their food!!!
Wow. One of the best Persian restaurants I’ve been to (besides my mom’s cooking). Everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned by a true Persian chef.
We ordered the kashk bademjan which was smoky and crisp with the fried shallots. The cod was one of the best things I’ve ever had - buttery and flakey, melts on your tongue. The koobideh was fantastic, their ground beef mix was outstanding. The duck fesenjoon was unreal! You could taste the hard work that went into making the stew. Fresh and tart, as it should be.
Our waiter, Ronaldo, was so kind and hospitable even allowing us to try a bite of their stews. He also comped our dessert :) what a phenomenal guy.
Will 100% come back here every time I’m in DC.
Richard R was racist towards my wife, not to mention served me food I was allergic to even after I had explained my allergies.
A couple weeks ago I experienced an amazing lunch at "Rumi's Kitchen" in NW Washington, DC. This Persian restaurant passed the vibe checks!
Here goes:
They sat me at a table (rather than shoved me towards the bar - 💯) and my amazing server, Autumn, was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. When I asked what the MOST popular dishes were, she gave me the typicals: the salmon, the lamb, etc.
.....MAIN ENTRÉE
When I asked about the LEAST popular dishes (which might reveal something about customer base), she intrigued me by saying there were two, one of which is pictured here in my review: the "Gheymeh", a traditional beef & split pea dish that typically only their Persian guests ordered... 😲 Naturally, I had to order to it! Verdict: it did NOT disappoint 🤤
*Note: the included buttered rice was also sooo delicious!
.....SIDE
I also asked what sides paired well with Gheymeh, and she mentioned--to balance something lighter with Gheymeh's flavor and texture--the "Crispy Potatoes". Verdict: I could NOT stop picking at the dish, it was so tasty. My compliments to Autumn's flavor palette!! Delicious 🤌🤌
.....APPETIZER
But I'm getting ahead of myself. To prep the belly, they first serve a complimentary "Bread & Sabzi" appetizer, which was hard to ignore. The cheese was easily spreadable, and the layers of nuts, greens, radish, and cheese wrapped in the soft bread was light and absolutely joyful.
.....DESSERT
The dessert menu *had* to be explored here. Of course, with my love for the pastry, "Baklava" was my go-to. Three pieces + one scoop of ice cream sprinkled with nuts = perfection 🤤 It's big enough for two or even three, but I had dined solo and saved half for later 😋
.....DIGESTIVE
Lastly, Autumn said she was a tea gal; I said I was a coffee gal, so to convince me, she offered me the "Persian Tea". There are two pots: first, you pour to your strength level. Then, you add the hot water and mix. Verdict: incredible flavor and great recommendation (but I'm still a coffee gal ☕️😉)!!
.....BONUS
Before leaving, she offered more complimentary bread for my take-out box so I'd have a complete 2nd meal for later. 🙌
CONCLUSION
I LOVED this restaurant 🥲🥰 Thank you for the great guest experience, Autumn! Looking forward to trying other things on the menu in the future, and happy to recommend this as a great restaurant 💫
☆☆☆☆☆
If you’re looking for authentic Persian food, this spot is a must! I brought an international friend, and she loved everything. Our waiter, Andrew, was awesome—super friendly and helpful.
We started with the kashke bademjoon, which was amazing. They also serve feta, herbs, and fresh-baked bread with it—such a nice touch! For mains, we had the duck fesenjoon and lamb koobideh kabob, and my friend went with half basmati rice, half shirin polo. She was super happy with her pick.
Dessert was a white chocolate cardamom cake with mascarpone ice cream—phenomenal. Can’t recommend this place enough!
Whether you’re familiar with Persian cuisine or trying it for the first time, this restaurant will not disappoint.
senses sharpened
treasure found; euphoria
newly exalted
Disappointing Experience with Rude Hostess!
I recently visited Rumi’s Kitchen with group of friends , and while I’ve heard great things about the food, our experience was unfortunately overshadowed by an unprofessional and rude hostess. From the moment we arrived, she greeted us with an unfriendly attitude and seemed irritated when we asked about our reservation. Even though place was completely empty. Made us wait standing without any explanation and she was making faces and talking from our back.
Best Persian food in the DMV area