Rumi's Kitchen

"Busy weekends give way to quieter Mondays and Tuesdays at this popular Persian restaurant. Start the meal off with a variety of fresh salads, along with falafel, dolmeh, and kashke bademjan (fried eggplant), before feasting on kebabs or a tender lamb shank platter served with fava beans and saffron rice. There are also locations in Alpharetta and at Colony Square in Midtown." - Eater Staff

"This Persian standby came to D.C. by way of Atlanta in 2020. Chef and owner Ali Mesghali’s menu focuses on sharable Iranian meze, kebabs, and stews, making it a great spot to book for a large-scale or group lunch or dinner. Go for: Lunch, dinner, or happy hour Distance from CC: 0.3 miles" - Tim Ebner

"“Middle Eastern” food and hospitality is a point of pride for Atlanta, yet it’s Sandy Springs we can thank for its rise. Many of the first Persian restaurants in the area started here, including Ali Mesghali’s first venture, Shamshiri, back in 1998, and Persepolis Persian Cuisine, which he was also involved with. Years later, the Iranian-born and LA-raised chef still remains a top name for the food of his culture, with five locations (including D.C. and Houston) of the Sandy Springs-originated Rumi’s Kitchen under his umbrella.  This restaurant has been a mainstay since opening in 2006. Natural light flooding through cream-painted rafters light up the dining room, which feels like a palatial garden courtyard. Start with the Sabzi Tonica, a palate-cleansing cocktail. Move on to the eggplant and pepper hummus topped with chunks of marinated smoked salmon and fresh-baked flatbread, or a version with Merguez lamb sausage. Visit after 4 p.m. for the vinegary roasted cauliflower and the half-and-half stew-tahdig combo from the secret menu — this lets you try both beef stews as an appetizer for only $12." - Su-Jit Lin

"All Rumi’s locations will serve sabzi polo mahi made with red snapper and herbed rice from March 19-22." - Sarra Sedghi

"Rumi's Kitchen, which chef Ali Mesghali opened in 2006 and relocated to its present location in Sandy Springs in 2012, was Atlanta’s first Persian restaurant to really gain widespread recognition in the metro area." - Sarra Sedghi