Chef Joseph Abboud has been cooking his take on modern Middle Eastern food at Rumi – the restaurant he owns with his wife, Nat Abboud – in Melbourne’s Brunswick East, since 2006. 

In late 2023, Joseph and Nat moved the much-loved restaurant up the road to East Brunswick Village, opening an adjoining events space and neighbouring wine bar, the Rocket Society, at the same time.

The two venues now keep the inner-north, and beyond, sated with Abboud classics; Sigara BöreğI (cheese cigars filled with haloumi, feta and kasseri); Persian meatballs cooked in tomato and saffron with labne and advieh-marinated lamb shoulder.

Joseph was trained classically in leading French kitchens but his love of community has seen him author a book to bring everyone to the table. 

Rumi: Food of Middle Eastern Appearance, a book filled with pages of generosity, cheekiness, practicality and a deep love for good food and connection.