Plates of white and yellow basmati rice with links of kebabs and roasted tomatoes from Rumi's Kitchen.
(Via Rumi’s Kitchen/Facebook)

The original location of Persian restaurant Rumi’s Kitchen in Sandy Springs will temporarily close after service on March 23 ahead of a big renovation and menu revamp. Rumi’s will reopen later this summer with a brand new look and menu on Roswell Road, including the addition of weekend brunch. 

Chef Ali Mesghali originally opened Rumi’s Kitchen in 2006 on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, relocating the restaurant to its present location just down the street in 2012. But with more than decade in service at the current location, Mesghali gave the green light on a glow-up for Rumi’s in Sandy Springs, starting with an exterior facelift to give the restaurant a more modern look. This will include the installation of glass conservatory roofing and updated windows to bring in more natural light.

Inside, everything from the light fixtures and dining room and bar furniture to kitchen equipment and flooring will receive a complete makeover. Expect plastered walls, large murals, custom-designed furniture, and floors combining both porcelain and hardwood when Rumi’s reopens this summer.

As for food, Mesghali will expand the menu to offer more dishes like labneh-charred tomatoes, lamb ribs, pomegranate short ribs, and Wagyu zabuton kebabs, a cut of meat from the shoulder of the cow. The biggest change to the menu, however, will be the addition of weekend brunch, only offered at Rumi’s in Midtown. 

Related:
• All Sandy Springs coverage
• The latest Atlanta restaurant openings
• All Rough Draft dining coverage

A dates exterior of beige stucco and stone at Rumi's Kitchen in Sandy Springs, which sits in front of the blue-peaked roof of an IHop restaurant.
The current exterior of Rumi’s Kitchen in Sandy Springs. (Via Google Maps)
A rendering of the upgraded sandstone stucco exterior of Rumi's Kitchen to includes upgraded large windows and a new modern facade.
A rendering of the planned exterior renovation of Rumi’s Kitchen in Sandy Springs. (Provided by Rumi’s Kitchen)

Like the food, wine director Stephan Kaplan will expand Rumi’s wine list to feature more selections from organic and biodynamic producers from countries such as Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia. Kaplan also plans to round out the restaurant’s collection of Chateau Musar wines from Lebanon. 

Rough Draft reached out for more details on the renovation, new menu, and reopening timeline. Check back for updates.

Rumi’s Kitchen at Colony Square in Midtown and Avalon in Alpharetta remain open.

Rumi’s Kitchen, 6112 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. Last service before temporary closure is March 23. Reopening summer 2025.

Beth McKibben serves as both Editor in Chief and Dining Editor for Rough Draft Atlanta. She was previously the editor of Eater Atlanta and has been covering food and drinks locally and nationally for over 14 years.