Best Food Near Crystal City Arlington
Crystal City has offices, Metro access, and a rotating cast of chain restaurants. What it does not have is a place where shawarma is carved fresh from a vertical spit, falafel is fried the moment you order it, and every ingredient hits your plate the same day it was prepped.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is 15 minutes from Crystal City on Seminary Road in Falls Church. Authentic halal Mediterranean food -- available for pickup, delivery, dine-in, and catering to Crystal City offices.
A Short Drive, A Real Difference
Why Crystal City Workers Drive to Taza
Vertical Spit Shawarma, Not Reheated Grill Meat
Crystal City has chain restaurants on every block. Taza operates differently. Our chicken marinates overnight in yogurt and seven spices. Beef is stacked on the spit with fat ribbons between each layer. Every serving is carved fresh when you order it. That slow-roast flavor is something no steam table can replicate.
100% Halal Certified -- Every Meat, Every Day
Crystal City's workforce is one of the most diverse in Northern Virginia. For the thousands of Muslim professionals working in government, defense, and tech along Crystal Drive, finding truly halal food nearby matters. Every protein at Taza is certified halal. No exceptions, no asterisks.
15 Minutes from Crystal City Metro
Crystal City sits right off I-395. Take the highway south, exit at Seminary Road, and Taza is on your right in the shopping center. During a standard lunch break, that is a 12-to-15-minute drive. Order online before you leave and your food is ready when you walk in.
Ingredients Prepped Fresh That Morning
The garlic sauce is blended before we open. Vegetables are cut the same day you eat them. Pita comes out of the oven warm. Falafel is formed and fried when you order it. Crystal City workers who make the trip to Taza do it because they can taste the difference between fresh and pre-packaged.
14-Topping Self-Serve Bar
Customize every order at our toppings bar: pickled turnips, tahini, garlic sauce, hot sauce, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mint, parsley, pickles, black olives, olive oil dressing, and hummus. Build your perfect meal exactly how you want it, every single visit.
Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews from Arlington Regulars
Our Google, Yelp, and DoorDash ratings speak for themselves. Crystal City and Pentagon City customers are among our most loyal repeat visitors. The feedback is consistent: real shawarma, generous portions, fair prices, and food that actually tastes like home-cooked Mediterranean cooking.
What Crystal City Orders Most
Top Dishes for Crystal City Customers
These are the items that Crystal City and National Landing customers order most. Every one is made fresh and available for pickup or delivery.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
Best SellerThe dish Crystal City regulars order most. Chicken marinated overnight, slow-roasted on the vertical spit, carved fresh, and stuffed into warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and crisp vegetables. Filling enough for a full lunch, light enough that you stay sharp through afternoon meetings.
from $9.95
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Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Protein PackedThe go-to for Crystal City professionals tracking macros. Generous chicken shawarma over basmati rice or mixed greens, topped with Arabic salad, pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and herbs. High protein, carb-flexible, and enough food to carry you through a full day of work.
from $12.45
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Beef Shawarma Pita
Premium CutThinly stacked beef pressed onto the spit with fat ribbons between layers. The fat renders as it rotates, basting every slice beneath it. Carved thin, piled into fresh pita, finished with tahini, garlic sauce, and pickled turnip. Richer and more savory than the chicken -- the choice for beef lovers.
from $9.95
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Falafel Pita
VegetarianCrispy chickpea falafel, herb-green inside, fried to order. Tucked into warm pita with tahini, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. A full vegetarian meal that competes with anything on the shawarma menu. Popular with Crystal City workers who skip meat at lunch.
from $8.95
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Beef Shawarma Bowl
Hearty BowlTender slices of slow-roasted beef shawarma over your choice of basmati rice, mixed greens, or hummus. Garnished with Arabic salad, pickles, tahini sauce, and sumac. The bowl you order when you want to feel full and satisfied without anything fried or bread-heavy.
from $12.45
View ItemChicken Shawarma Shrak
Authentic WrapChicken shawarma rolled in shrak -- a paper-thin traditional flatbread baked on a convex dome. Lighter than pita, with a subtle chew. Layered with garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, sumac, and fresh greens. For anyone who wants a thinner bread-to-meat ratio.
from $11.45
View ItemThe Difference Is Real
Crystal City Chain Food vs. Taza
Side-by-side, the difference between what you get at a typical Crystal City quick-service counter and what you get at Taza is substantial.
Shawarma Preparation
Typical Crystal City
Pre-sliced, kept warm on a flat grill or in a steam tray. Reheated to order.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel
Marinated overnight. Stacked on a vertical spit. Slow-roasted for hours. Carved fresh the moment you order.
Falafel
Typical Crystal City
Pre-formed, sometimes frozen. Fried in bulk during morning prep. Sits under a heat lamp.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel
Formed by hand from fresh chickpeas and herbs. Fried to order when your ticket comes in. Still crackling when it hits your plate.
Bread
Typical Crystal City
Commercial pita from a bag. Warmed in a microwave or panini press.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel
House-baked pita pulled from the oven. Shrak flatbread baked on a traditional convex dome. Warm and fresh.
Toppings
Typical Crystal City
A few sauces in squeeze bottles. Limited vegetable options. Same for every customer.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel
14-item self-serve toppings bar. Pickled turnips, tahini, garlic sauce, hot sauce, fresh vegetables, olives, and more. You build it your way.
Halal Certification
Typical Crystal City
Varies. Some restaurants offer halal options; many do not. Hard to verify.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel
100% halal certified. Every meat, every day. No mixed sourcing, no ambiguity.
Our Crystal City Customers
Who Drives from Crystal City to Taza
Crystal City is home to office workers, government employees, tech professionals, families, and commuters. Here is why each group makes the trip.
Crystal City Office Workers and Government Contractors
Crystal City is one of the densest office corridors in Northern Virginia. Defense contractors, government agencies, consulting firms, and tech companies line Crystal Drive and the surrounding blocks. The lunch options inside Crystal City lean heavily toward chains and quick-service counters. Taza offers something those options cannot: shawarma carved from a real spit, falafel fried to order, and a toppings bar where you build your meal exactly how you want it. A 15-minute drive for a meal that is fundamentally different from the Crystal Drive rotation.
Crystal City Metro Commuters
Thousands of workers pass through the Crystal City Metro station on the Blue and Yellow lines every day. For those who drive and park near the station, Taza sits along the natural route home via I-395 and Seminary Road. Instead of grabbing something forgettable from a Metro-adjacent shop, make a quick stop at Taza. The online ordering system means your food is packaged and waiting when you pull in.
Amazon HQ2 and National Landing Workers
Amazon's second headquarters brought thousands of new workers to Crystal City and the surrounding National Landing area. That influx means more demand for quality food that goes beyond the standard corporate campus fare. Taza's combination of halal certification, fresh preparation, and real Mediterranean recipes is exactly the kind of option National Landing was missing. Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard workers all fall within a short drive.
Crystal City Residents and Families
Crystal City is not just offices. The residential towers along 23rd Street, Crystal Drive, and the surrounding blocks house families and young professionals. When cooking at home is not in the plan but fast food is not the answer, Taza fills that gap. Our kids menu, generous portions, and affordable prices make it a practical weeknight dinner run. And we are open until midnight, seven days a week.
15 Minutes from Crystal City
Driving Directions from Crystal City & Nearby
Taza is at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. Here are the fastest routes from Crystal City and surrounding Arlington neighborhoods.
Crystal City Metro / Crystal Drive
15 minHead west on 23rd Street S to Army Navy Drive. Merge onto I-395 S, take the Seminary Road exit. Turn right onto Seminary Road -- Taza is in the shopping center on your right.
Pentagon City / Fashion Centre
13 minTake Army Navy Drive west to I-395 S. Exit at Seminary Road and head east. Taza is on the right side past the Bailey's Crossroads intersection. Ample free parking.
National Landing / Amazon HQ2
14 minHead south on South Eads Street, merge onto I-395 S via the ramp. Exit Seminary Road, continue east. The shopping center with Taza is on your right.
Rosslyn / Key Bridge Corridor
16 minTake US-50 W from Rosslyn, passing through Falls Church. Turn right onto Seminary Road. Taza is in the shopping center on your right. Alternatively, take I-395 S to Seminary Road exit.
Clarendon / Courthouse
12 minHead south on N Highland Street, merge onto VA-120 / N Glebe Road, take I-395 S to the Seminary Road exit. Easy right into our parking lot.
Shirlington Village
8 minTake South Walter Reed Drive south, then turn west onto Seminary Road. Taza is just a few minutes down on the right. The quickest route from south Arlington.
Beyond Shawarma
More from the Taza Menu
Shawarma is what brings most Crystal City customers in. The rest of the menu is what keeps them coming back.
Zaatar Manaeesh
Flatbread brushed with za'atar, sesame, and olive oil. Baked in the stone oven until fragrant and golden. A staple of Lebanese breakfasts and a perfect side or snack.
$6.95
Details
Lahm Bi Ajin Manaeesh
Lebanese meat flatbread with seasoned ground beef, onion, and parsley. Often called Lebanese pizza. Thin, crispy, and deeply savory.
$8.95
Details
Hummus
Velvety chickpea dip blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic, finished with olive oil and paprika. Made fresh daily. Served with warm pita.
$4.95
DetailsBaba Ghanouj
Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. Smoky, creamy, and impossible to stop eating once you start.
$4.95
DetailsFalafel Bowl
Crispy falafel over rice or greens with Arabic salad, tahini, and olive oil drizzle. A complete vegetarian meal that delivers on flavor and substance.
from $10.45
Details
Avocado Boost
Creamy avocado blended with milk, honey, and mixed nuts. Rich in healthy fats and protein. The most popular smoothie on our menu.
$5.95
DetailsFalafel Shrak Wrap
Crunchy falafel wrapped in thin traditional shrak flatbread with creamy hummus, fresh Arabic salad, pickles, and tahini sauce. A satisfying plant-based option.
from $9.95
DetailsLemon Mint
Fresh-squeezed lemon and fragrant mint with a touch of sweetness. A traditional Middle Eastern lemonade that pairs with everything on the menu.
$5.95
DetailsDelivery to Crystal City
Delivery, Pickup & Catering Options
Do not want to make the drive? Get Taza delivered directly to your Crystal City apartment, office, or event space.
Online Pickup
Order through our website before you leave Crystal City. By the time you arrive on Seminary Road, your food is packaged, labeled, and ready to grab. No waiting, no lines.
DoorDash Delivery
Get Taza delivered directly to your Crystal City apartment or office. Shawarma, falafel, and bowls are DoorDash favorites for the Crystal Drive corridor.
Uber Eats
Order through Uber Eats for delivery to any Crystal City or National Landing address. Hot Mediterranean food at your door, typically in under 35 minutes.
Office Catering
Crystal City office? We build catering platters for team lunches, client meetings, and company events. Shawarma trays, falafel platters, hummus spreads, and more.
Near Everything in Crystal City
Close to Crystal City Landmarks
Taza is a short drive from the offices, Metro stations, shopping centers, and neighborhoods that make up the Crystal City and National Landing corridor.
Crystal City Metro
Arlington, VA
Amazon HQ2
Arlington, VA
Pentagon City Mall
Arlington, VA
The Pentagon
Arlington, VA
Reagan National Airport
Arlington, VA
Crystal Drive Offices
Arlington, VA
National Landing
Arlington, VA
Long Bridge Park
Arlington, VA
Pentagon Row
Arlington, VA
Crystal City Water Park
Arlington, VA
Underground Crystal City
Arlington, VA
Potomac Yard
Arlington, VA
Fresh from Our Kitchen
What Crystal City customers are eating this week.
Common Questions
Crystal City Dining FAQs
How far is Taza from Crystal City, Arlington?
Taza is located on Seminary Road in Falls Church, about 15 minutes from Crystal City via I-395 South. Take the Seminary Road exit and we are in the shopping center on the right. If you order online before leaving, your food is ready when you arrive.
Does Taza deliver to Crystal City?
Yes. Taza delivers to Crystal City, National Landing, and Pentagon City through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. We also provide direct catering delivery for Crystal City offices and events.
Is all the food at Taza halal?
Yes, 100%. All meats at Taza are certified halal. We are a trusted halal dining option for the Muslim community in Crystal City, Arlington, and greater Northern Virginia.
What should I order on my first visit to Taza?
Start with the Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95) -- it is our most popular item for a reason. If you prefer a bowl, the Chicken Shawarma Bowl ($12.45) is the go-to. Add hummus ($4.95) and a side of fresh pita. Finish with cake ($4.95).
Does Taza have vegetarian or vegan options?
Absolutely. Our falafel is made from scratch with chickpeas and fresh herbs -- available as a pita sandwich ($8.95), shrak wrap ($9.95), or bowl ($10.45). We also have hummus, baba ghanouj, zaatar manaeesh, spinach pie, and fresh salads. All naturally vegetarian.
Can Taza cater our Crystal City office lunch?
Yes. We regularly cater to Crystal City and Pentagon City offices. Shawarma trays, falafel platters, hummus spreads, pita baskets, and desserts. Call us at (703) 340-1014 or visit our catering page to get started.
Is there parking at Taza?
Yes. We are in a shopping center on Seminary Road with ample free parking directly in front of the restaurant. Easy to pull in, grab your food, and get back to Crystal City.
What are Taza's hours?
We are open 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight), 7 days a week. For Crystal City workers, that covers lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings after a long shift.
Visit Us
15 Minutes from Crystal City on Seminary Road
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is located in a shopping center on Seminary Road in Falls Church, with plenty of free parking right in front. Open until midnight every day. A quick drive from Crystal City, Pentagon City, National Landing, and all of south Arlington.
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Crystal City -- Your Shawarma Is Ready
Fresh halal Mediterranean food, 15 minutes from Crystal City. Order online for pickup or delivery. Or make the drive to Seminary Road for the best shawarma, falafel, bowls, and manaeesh in the area.