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  5. Mount Vernon Square
Rumi's Kitchen - DC, Washington, DC
Award-winning

Rumi's Kitchen - DC

4.8
4.8
1724 Reviews
$31 to $50
Persian
Rumi's Kitchen first opened more than a decade ago in Atlanta, the result of years of development by Chef / Owner Ali Mesghali. Showcasing the flavors of Iran -- fresh herbs, kabobs cooked over an open-fire grill -- quickly won loyal guests at the original location in Sandy Springs, GA and set us on pace to open our first restaurant outside of Georgia in 2020. Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet whose words and life teach us how to find inner peace, happiness and love. We invite you to Rumi’s Kitchen where fresh, healthy food and attentive Persian hospitality await you.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 96 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Cuisines
    Persian, Middle Eastern
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 900-9106
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Ali Mesghali
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Mount Vernon Square
  • Cross street
    L St NW between 6th and 7th
  • Parking details
    Parking garage on site or metered on street parking.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,724 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

1,725 Reviews
  1. antelope

    Washington DC

    29 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    This is an interesting place with interesting food, very well prepared. It is crowded and noisy and we were initially seated right next to the door used to serve the outside tables. Fortunately, we were able to move to another table.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Really delicious Persian food beautifully presented. Portions are quite generous be careful not to over order-

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  3. Hasmig

    Washington DC

    56 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    56 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    I had ordered takeout previously, this was our first time to eat in the restaurant. We were a party of 5 and everyone really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The duck fesenjan was delicious! We'll be back!

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  4. Karen

    Baltimore

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very much enjoyed the food, attentive service and screened in outdoor patio. Inside restaurant was quite noisy. Would definitely recommend and go there again.

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  5. ElsaG

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Jesse was a great server! Waited about 10 minutes after reservation time for table

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  6. NarineA

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food5service1ambience4
    The server sucked. She was in her own world. She probably stopped by 2 times? Like hello lady can i have some more bread as i ordered multiple dips/ appetizers that require it? And maybe a refill as i can actually scarf down my food? Too much to ask for? Wake up?!

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible food, ambience and service from start to finish. Beautiful place and presentation, and just really enjoyable.

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  8. JAMESofSTERLING

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience3
    Great food! Table was so close to other tables that waiters and other patrons would bump into you when they passed by. Lighting is so low we had to use phone flashlights to see. Service was below standard for DC fine eating.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love love love Rumi’s. My fav restaurant. Highly recommend Rumi’s they won’t disappoint.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal! And our waitress was excellent ! First time trying Persian food, very aromatic. I am familiar w Mediterranean and Lebanese , but this had a different twist. Really enjoyed it

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Had to wait 15 plus minutes after reservation time to be seated- absolutely no sense of urgency from front desk whatsoever.

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    By far the best Persian restaurant we have in the area.

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  13. ShirinG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience1
    They dimmed the lights and make it too dark. Can’t see the menu and people around you. Two of our friends aren’t coming back because of very dark conditions.

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  14. TracyM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Connor provided amazing service to us from start to finish. His knowledge of both the menu and spices was shared and his suggestions for dinner were perfect. We were seated on the screened patio and the noise level was nice out there with ambient music versus the louder interior. Will be back!

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is amazing! We have been here many times, the food never disappoints - if you like Fesenjan, get that - the kabobs and rices are amazing as well. The desserts are worth getting, all delicious, and the wine choices are voluminous. We will keep going back at least once a month and we do not live in DC.

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  16. CraftyMom

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Jasmine our server was FANTASTIC. Very knowledgeable and helpful with the menu, even giving tips on how to combine different ingredients on our plates and how to take the Persian Tea! Everything was delicious and flavorful. We will be back.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience4
    The food was excellent, the service was great, but I don’t think I will be going back. This restaurant utilizes its exceptional efficiency to rush the diner to the point where the experience becomes unenjoyable. What makes it worse is the fact that the food is so great you simply want to take the time to enjoy it properly.

    Is this helpful?

  18. OpenTable Diner

    Mexico City

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience3
    This place is actually overhyped. We chose this place because of the good reviews online and we love Kabobs, but the kabob platters feel like a scam to us. Meat were either overcooked and dry or too salty that we felt too miserable towards the end to finish them. I don’t think I’d recommend this place or come back again.

    Is this helpful?

  19. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall2food5service3ambience2
    Food and service at Rumi’s kitchen is consistently excellent. Be cautious if your choice of seating (inside/outside) is important to you. Recently, on arrival with three guests for a late sitting I found that my confirmed booking for an outside table had been arbitrarily changed to inside due to a later customer having booked the entire outside area for a private event. I find it unacceptable that the business failed to advise in advance of this change to our booking, leaving us with a difficult decision as one of our number was immuno-compromised.

    1 person found this helpful

  20. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best Iranian restaurants in the U.S. While the prices were on the higher side, it became evident that it was very worth it. I don’t usually write up a lot of reviews, but am doing this because I feel particularly strongly about this place. The service was excellent as well.

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Service. Great Food. Decor and presentation is also very elevated.

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best Persian restaurants in North America

    Is this helpful?

  23. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous food and Leila our server was super knowledgeable and catered to all our demand in allergies

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing great quality Persian food with great service . Wish they would open one in NYC

    Is this helpful?

  25. Gloria

    Omaha

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing service, food was so delicious. Such a great server who was knowledgeable and attentive, a great resource for a first time patron.

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  26. spandanab

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Decor is tasteful and refined and the food is delicious

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Exceptional food always. The service was excellent. We have been patrons since the early days of Rumi’s kitchen and have never been disappointed. Wilson, our server, was outstanding.

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  28. FrankF

    Greater Boston

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Authentic persian cuisine with new and creative twists. Service was friendly and knowledgeable, and helpful in explaining the dishes. Prices were reasonable, compared to other DC area restaurants of this quality.

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  29. SusiC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Our meal at Rumi’s was super and the service was excellent. We loved the cauliflower and smoked eggplant and the chicken barg was fantastic. The vegetable kabob was disappointing for the lack of variety. Lots of onion and pineapple (Wasn’t expecting that but it was good) but no zucchini, one mushroom - the kabob was generally not worth having.

    Is this helpful?

  30. VasilisP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Exquisite food further beyond our high expectations. Quick and polite service. Prices are insanely good for the quality and the quantity of the food. Amazing experience. Continue the fabulous work!

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  31. LaurenF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    If I could rate the service higher, I would! I had a great experience at Rumi's Kitchen. I tried the keshk badenjoon (eggplant dip), which was delicious. For the main, I had the duck fesenjoon, which is in an incredible walnut and pomegranate stew. It's served with saffron rice. The stew was rich and flavorful, and the duck was perfectly cooked. The flatbread and salad are complementary, and they were also solid. The bread on its own isn't a standout, but as a vessel for eggplant it was perfect. I tried a scoop of the saffron ice cream for dessert. It wasn't like anything I'd had before in an ice cream flavor, and I really enjoyed it. I loved the little pieces of pistachio mixed in. The waitress couldn't have been more amazing. She explained all the dishes, made great recommendations, and was incredibly accommodating. The portions are also more than generous - I took home enough for at least one or two more meals. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a wonderful meal with standout service!

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  32. MegE

    Austin

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were both outstanding! I look forward to coming back again when visiting DC.

    Is this helpful?

  33. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great and service was speedy. Will be eating here again for sure.

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing, I love the lamb hummus is absolutely fire! The ambience is perfect, they dim the lights and turn up the music as the sun goes down. The service was quick, appetizers, entrees and a dessert all in an hour and a half! 10/10

    Is this helpful?

  35. SamVA

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience3
    Service was bad as usual and food was good but they increased the price and reduced the portion :-(

    Is this helpful?

  36. Jen123

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, atmosphere and service! Will definitely be back

    Is this helpful?

  37. LeiliN

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food - accommodating service - worked with us to add chairs last Minute. Overall always great

    Is this helpful?

  38. YavuzP

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favorite restaurants in DC, extremely friendly staff from start to finish. excellent food so many great choices !! 

    Is this helpful?

  39. DavidA

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was good no complaints. I would come back here again.

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I’m from LA and love persian food. I rarely write reviews but after having lunch at Rumi’s I felt the need to write a review about my wonderful experience with my family. Asef was informative and extremely nice. The food and presentation was top notch. I will come back on my next visit to DC

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rumi's Kitchen - DC is rated 4.8 stars by 1724 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 96 times today
Google Map for Rumi's Kitchen - DC

640 L St NW, Washington, DC 20001-3615

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    L St NW between 6th and 7th
  • Neighborhood
    Mount Vernon Square
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Persian, Middle Eastern
  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking garage on site or metered on street parking.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ali Mesghali
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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