Rumi sits on St Georges Rd in Fitzroy North and has built a long-standing reputation for Middle Eastern cooking centred on mezze and wood-fired flatbreads baked in-house. The menu draws on Lebanese and broader Middle Eastern traditions, with a slow-cooked lamb shoulder, muhammara, and a freekeh salad among the dishes most closely associated with the restaurant. Mezze plates are designed for sharing across the table, generally ordered ahead of larger dishes such as the lamb shoulder, and the flatbreads are baked fresh throughout service in a wood-fired oven visible from the dining room. The space is warm and softly lit, with close-set tables and a busy, sociable atmosphere that leans toward groups and shared dining rather than quiet solo meals. The wine list includes a mix of Australian and Middle Eastern-adjacent styles chosen to match the restaurant's spiced, herb-forward menu. Rumi is popular within Fitzroy North and the broader inner-north dining scene, and reservations are recommended, particularly for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, as the small dining room fills quickly.
| Price | $$$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Dinner Tue-Sun |
| Reservations | Recommended, book via rumirestaurant.com.au |
| Address | 116 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068 |
Signature dishes
- Lamb shoulder
- Muhammara
- Freekeh salad
Good to know
- Known for
- Long-running Middle Eastern restaurant known for its mezze and wood-fired flatbreads
Location
116 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
-37.7908, 144.9807 View on map
Highlights
- Wood-fired flatbreads baked fresh in-house
- Slow-cooked lamb shoulder and muhammara
- Freekeh salad and mezze designed for sharing
- Long-running Middle Eastern favourite on St Georges Rd
- Warm, sociable dining room suited to groups
Tips for visiting
- Book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner
- Order mezze and flatbread to start before the lamb shoulder
- Dishes are designed for sharing, so order across the table
- Weeknight dinners are generally easier to walk into
- Ask about the freekeh salad as a lighter option alongside richer dishes
Accessibility
The restaurant is on ground level with step-free entry from St Georges Rd, with close-set table seating typical of the venue's intimate dining room.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book at Rumi?
Reservations are recommended, particularly for Friday and Saturday dinner, as the dining room is small and popular.
What is Rumi known for?
Its mezze, wood-fired flatbreads, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder.
Is the food suited to sharing?
Yes, the mezze and larger dishes like the lamb shoulder are designed to be shared across the table.
Where is Rumi located?
On St Georges Rd in Fitzroy North, in Melbourne's inner north.