Stumbled upon this restaurant while out for a walk coming from the convention center and boy did it not disappoint! Even my buddy who says Persian food is not for him agreed and afterwards may have changed his opinion - he said, "That place was excellent!" It was a tad loud inside but then again everyone was enjoying themselves.

Close to 700 reviews and a 4.5 star rating, and here's why. Rumi's Kitchen will have your taste buds dancing! Always on the prowl for new date night spots, Rumi's was up next. We came around 5 and quite honestly, it looked like a light crowd until we opened the door and was amazed by how busy this place was so early on a random weekday. We were greeted with a friendly smile and immediately seated for our reservation. Our server could not have been more engaging. She offered great suggestions that we took to heart and we were sure glad that we did! The lamb chops and the Chilean Sea Bass were so good we could not think of any restaurant that had better. The giant prawns were the perfect appetizer and the signature drinks were amazing. Rumi's Kitchen is a Persian inspired restaurant and it has perfected the cuisine with traditional and non-traditional dishes. The bar scene was also bustling, as we ended the evening with after dinner drinks. I'm loving everything about this popular restaurant and cannot wait to go back!!

Large, pleasing space. Covenient to the convention center but was packed so make reservations on Open Table if there is a big convention in town. Out of this world pita. Had the Duck Fesenjoon which might have been a mistake only part because Im not a huge fan of sour food. It was good but next time I come here I'll order something else and hopefully upgrade their score.

Terrific Persian food. Tried the soltani and chicken kabob. Both were juicy and flavorful, especially the chicken. I'm pretty convinced all their food is packed with flavor. Portions were very generous and price is reasonable. Everything was delicious and I would come back.

If I could rate this place 4.5 stars, I would. To start, we really enjoyed the food and thought it was delicious. We got two appetizers, a glass of wine, one feast, and a side of rice. That was the perfect amount of food for two people, and it was just over $100 with tip. For a nice meal out, we deemed it good value. The interior ambiance was very cool, but this impressive interior was lost in the fact that the place was packed. Like- packed packed. Fortunately, we got a nice half booth that was only a tad uncomfortably close to our neighbors on both sides. I will say though, having made these reservations just under a month in advance, there are some tables in there that I would have been very displeased about being placed at if I had put quite some time and thought into planning a meal. I understand more people is more money, but being placed at those unbearable tables can cost the restaurant good ratings and recommendations. It also does emphasize a lack of class, having people so tightly packed, which is a mark down in my books. This leads into my next portion- the service. It is not very dignified, seeing the service staff tightly squeezing between tables and struggling to navigate the restaurant. The level of packed added an uncomfortable level of chaos, above the average restaurant. Our server was fine, but just fine. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant. At the end of the day, it's always about the food. But those driving factors that make a place next level, were indeed lacking.

I love trying out new places. I came here with my foodie partner in crime, aka Chess Champ, on a Tuesday. I told him it didn't look busy, and I was WRONG! Our reservation was at 6:00 p.m. and the restaurant was busy. That's a great sign. Service is stellar! Ran like a fine dining establishment. Love that! The light fixtures and paintings were beautiful. The FOOD!!!!!! 5 stars. We started off with grilled shrimp, we loved them. My Chess Champs lamb chops were delicious. My sea bass was one of the best I've ever had. Baklava was just okay. Not sure I would get that again. The service was executed with precision. We hung out at the bar to keep the fun going after dinner. Drinks were good, bartenders were busy. Overall, we'd come again! Chess Champ says he thinks they are on their way to a Michelin rating. He's always right so we will see, well earned if they get it! Another good review in the books! DC never disappoints me. #inlove

I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night and was not disappointed! While it's a little pricey, I found it to be worth it. Between 2 of us, we split the falafel and lamb kabob, and it ended up being the perfect amount. If you tell them that you're splitting the kabob, they will plate it separately which was great! This was some of the best falafel I've had in DC, it melted right in your mouth. The lamb was also perfect! I definitely recommend going family style and splitting these meals so you can try more, you don't want to miss out.

exquisite food and superb service by Sean Crum!!! He clearly knew the restaurant and the menu inside and out and was clear, concise, warm and super helpful in tending all our questions and requests. beyond 5 stars for Sean!

Very very solid Persian dining experience! Starting with an excellent pita, flavorful and strong drinks including Breeze at Dawn, and Rumi's wings, we were excited for the entrees to come. Rumi's wings were grilled perfectly in spicy lemon saffron, which was good that my friend wants to order an entree size portion on our next visit. Our waiter was kind, patient, and helped us make menu selections tailored to our preferences. The entire wait staff was even attentive to the parking situation, making sure each guest knew that the parking garage was closing earlier than expected on the Saturday night we dined there. Dim lighting and Persian art color the interior, giving it sexy date night vibes or setting the stage for a long summer DC night. I ordered the Soltani Kabob and switched one skewer for the chicken kabob. The citrus saffron marinade used on the chicken kabob is my new favorite flavor - savory with a helpful hint of lemon zest. Mix tomato and saffron in the side portion of white rice to add flavor. I'll be back soon!