Food Near Clarendon VA: Taza Shawarma & Falafel

Clarendon is one of Arlington County's most recognizable neighborhoods. Anchored by the Clarendon Metro station on the Orange and Silver lines, the area stretches along Wilson Boulevard and Clarendon Boulevard with a concentration of restaurants, bars, and retail that draws crowds from across Northern Virginia. The Clarendon Ballroom, once the social center of the strip, set the tone for a nightlife scene that still runs strong on weekends. Wilson Blvd between Courthouse and Ballston has become one of the densest dining corridors in the county.

The variety of cuisine in Clarendon is real. Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Japanese, American -- the neighborhood covers most bases. But authentic Levantine food -- the kind built around a vertical shawarma spit, a stone oven for manaeesh, and a falafel station that fries to order -- is notably absent from the immediate Clarendon strip. The Mediterranean options that do exist tend to be fast-casual chains with standardized menus designed for scale, not authenticity.

Taza Shawarma & Falafel operates out of Falls Church, VA, at 5820 Seminary Road. From the heart of Clarendon, the drive is approximately 10 minutes heading south. The route is direct: Wilson Blvd to Glebe Road south, or take Columbia Pike to Seminary Road. The location is also a 9-minute drive from Courthouse, 12 minutes from Ballston and Rosslyn, and 10 minutes from Lyon Village. For anyone living or working in the Clarendon corridor, Taza is the closest spot serving traditional spit-roasted shawarma.

What sets Taza apart from the typical Mediterranean counter near Clarendon is the production method. The chicken and beef both marinate overnight -- a minimum of twelve hours -- in a yogurt-based blend with seven spices. The meat stacks onto a vertical spit with fat layered between the slices. As the spit rotates next to an open flame, the outside caramelizes and the fat renders downward, basting every layer beneath it. When you order, the shawarma is carved directly off the rotating spit with a sharp blade. It does not come from a warming tray or a microwave.

The menu extends well beyond shawarma. Taza serves hand-formed falafel fried to order, starting at from $8.95 for a loaded pita. Za'atar manaeesh and lahm bil ajin come from the stone oven. Hummus and baba ghanouj are made fresh daily. Specialty pies -- sfiha, spinach, cheese, and za'atar -- start at $2.95 each. For the late-night Clarendon crowd, Taza stays open until midnight, seven days a week. That means fresh-carved shawarma is available well after most Wilson Blvd kitchens have closed.

For Clarendon residents who keep halal, Taza provides a certified option that does not require a long drive to Annandale or Bailey's Crossroads. Every cut of chicken and beef is sourced from certified halal suppliers, with no exceptions. The vegetarian menu is equally strong, making Taza a reliable choice for mixed groups where dietary needs vary.

Delivery to the Clarendon area is available through DoorDash and Uber Eats, with typical delivery times of 25-35 minutes. Online pickup orders can be placed through our website, with most orders ready in 15-20 minutes. For office catering in the Clarendon, Ballston, or Courthouse area, Taza delivers shawarma platters, falafel trays, and full Mediterranean spreads directly to your location. Call (703) 340-1014 or order online at our ordering page.