Food Near Dunn Loring Metro
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is a short drive south of the Dunn Loring-Merrifield station on Seminary Road in Falls Church. Spit-carved shawarma, falafel fried to order, oven-baked flatbreads, loaded Mediterranean bowls, and creamy hummus -- all halal, all made fresh when you order.
Open 7 days a week, 11 AM to midnight. Free parking. Counter service that gets food in your hands fast.
4.8/5 Yelp Rating
4.4 Stars on Google
~10 min
from Dunn Loring
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Your Neighborhood, Your Restaurant
Dunn Loring Deserves Better Than Chain Food
Dunn Loring is a growing community in Fairfax County centered around the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station on the Orange Line. New apartments, townhomes, and condos have brought many new residents to the area. But the restaurant options near the station itself are limited -- mostly fast-food chains and generic takeout.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is a short drive south on Gallows Road, located on Seminary Road in Falls Church. We serve the kind of food that is worth a 10-minute drive: halal, freshly prepared Mediterranean dishes, cooked to order.
Taza is a neighborhood counter-service restaurant with shawarma carved off the spit, falafel fried to order, a kitchen open 7 days until midnight, and free parking at the door for guests from Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Seven Corners, and across Northern Virginia.
Orange Line Access
The Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station sits on the Orange Line, connecting residents to downtown DC, Ballston, Clarendon, Rosslyn, and Tysons. Taza is a short drive south from the station -- about 10 minutes depending on traffic.
Growing Residential Community
Dunn Loring has seen significant development over the past decade. New townhomes, condos, and apartment complexes have brought a wave of young professionals and families looking for quality dining options beyond the usual chains.
Merrifield / Mosaic District Nearby
Dunn Loring sits right next to the Merrifield area, including the popular Mosaic District. Taza is conveniently located between these neighborhoods and offers a real alternative to crowded Mosaic restaurants.
Easy Access via Gallows Road
Gallows Road runs straight south from Dunn Loring to Seminary Road, where Taza is located. It is a direct, uncomplicated drive with no highway merging required. Most Dunn Loring residents can reach us in under 10 minutes.
Six Reasons Dunn Loring Keeps Coming Back
Why Taza Instead of Chains Near the Metro
Spit-Roasted Shawarma, Sliced to Order
Our chicken and beef rotate on a traditional vertical spit all day long. Every serving is shaved fresh when you order -- not scooped from a steam tray. You can see the spit turning from the counter.
Halal, Every Protein
All meats at Taza are halal. For the significant halal-conscious community in Dunn Loring, Merrifield, and greater Fairfax County, this is a restaurant you can count on without second-guessing.
Made Fresh, Not Reheated
Falafel goes into the fryer when you place your order. Shawarma is carved off the spit. Pita comes warm from the oven. Nothing sits under a heat lamp waiting for the next customer.
Fast Counter Service
No reservations, no 20-minute wait for a table. Walk in, order at the counter, tell the crew which free toppings you want, and sit down with hot food in hand. Shawarma is carved off the spit and falafel is fried to order.
14 Fresh Toppings, Your Choice
Turnips, tahini sauce, garlic mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, onions, mint, parsley, pickles, hummus, and more -- 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter. Load up or keep it simple.
Rated on Yelp and Google
Taza is rated 4.8 on Yelp (92 reviews), 4.4 on Google, and 4.4 on Restaurantji (260 ratings). Read the reviews, then come taste the shawarma for yourself.
What to Order
Good Picks for Dunn Loring Visitors
Every item below uses real menu prices from Taza Shawarma & Falafel. These are the dishes Dunn Loring and Merrifield regulars order most often.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
Chicken shawarma carved fresh off the vertical spit and folded into a warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and crisp vegetables. A classic first order.
Falafel Pita
Crispy chickpea falafel, herb-green on the inside, served in warm pita with tahini, fresh vegetables, and pickles. A vegetarian option that meat-eaters enjoy too. Fried to order.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Tender chicken shawarma over your choice of basmati rice, mixed greens, or hummus. Topped with Arabic salad, garlic sauce, and fresh herbs. Protein-packed and filling -- a good fit for the health-conscious crowd coming from Dunn Loring.
Beef Shawarma Shrak Wrap
Beef shawarma carved off the spit and rolled in paper-thin traditional shrak flatbread with tahini, pickled vegetables, and sumac. Generous portions that make this a complete meal. Deeply savory and satisfying.
Zaatar Manaeesh
Warm flatbread brushed with fragrant zaatar, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and olive oil. Baked in our oven until golden. Simple and aromatic. At $6.95, a budget-friendly pick near Dunn Loring.
Hummus with Pita
Velvety-smooth hummus blended from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Finished with olive oil and paprika. Served with warm pita baked in the oven. Perfect as a starter or a side for sharing.
Real Food, Real Kitchen
What Makes Taza Different from the Chains Near Dunn Loring
The food options near the Dunn Loring Metro station lean heavily toward fast-food chains and generic quick-service restaurants. Taza is a different category. Here is what separates us.
Simple, Real Ingredients
Chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, fresh herbs, quality halal meats. No fillers, no preservatives, no industrial sauces from a supply chain. The ingredient list is short and pronounceable.
Off the Spit, Out of the Oven
Shawarma is carved off the vertical spit when you order, falafel is fried to order, and manaeesh, pita and pies come out of the oven. Taza means fresh in Arabic, and the counter is built around that.
Cooked to Order, Not Assembled
Chain restaurants assemble food from pre-made components. At Taza, the shawarma spit rotates all day. Falafel hits the fryer fresh. Pita comes out of the oven warm. You can see it and smell it when you walk in.
A Working Kitchen, Not a Warming Station
Step inside and see a real kitchen in action. A vertical spit with meat rotating. An oven baking flatbreads. Staff preparing each order by hand. This is food made by people who care about what they serve.
Cooked on a real vertical spit
Carved off the spit for every order
Getting Here
Directions from Dunn Loring and Nearby Areas
Taza is located at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. Here are driving directions from key Dunn Loring area starting points.
Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro Station
Head south on Gallows Rd from the Metro station. Continue past Lee Highway (US-29) and keep going south on Gallows Rd. Turn right onto Seminary Rd. Taza is in the shopping center on the right at 5820 Seminary Rd. Free parking available.
Dunn Loring Residential Area (Gallows Rd)
Take Gallows Rd south toward Falls Church. Continue past the I-66 interchange and Lee Highway. Turn right onto Seminary Rd. Taza is in the shopping plaza at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O.
Mosaic District / Merrifield
From Mosaic District, head south on Gallows Rd. Pass Lee Highway and continue to Seminary Rd. Turn right. Taza is a half-mile down on the right in the shopping center. Straightforward drive, no highway required.
Tysons Corner Center
Take Route 7 east to Gallows Rd. Head south on Gallows Rd past I-66 and Lee Highway. Turn right onto Seminary Rd. Taza is on the right at 5820 Seminary Rd.
Family
Friendly
Bring the Whole Family
Family Dining Near Dunn Loring Done Right
Dunn Loring families need a restaurant where everyone can find something they like, the food arrives quickly, and the bill does not cause sticker shock. That is what Taza delivers.
Kids Menu Available
The kids menu has 3-piece chicken tenders with fries and a drink -- a familiar option for younger eaters. Everything on the menu is halal.
Counter Service, No Long Wait
No waiting for a table, no waiting for a check. Order at the counter, customize from our toppings selection, sit down, eat. Or order ahead online and pick up at the counter.
Something for Every Dietary Need
Vegetarian? Falafel and hummus bowls. Gluten-conscious? Rice-based bowls. Halal-only? Every meat on the menu. Picky eater? The 14-topping selection lets everyone customize.
Affordable for the Whole Family
Kids chicken tenders with fries and a drink are $7.95. Pitas are $8.95. Manaeesh start at $6.95. Feeding a family of four stays reasonable next to a sit-down restaurant in Merrifield.
For Orange Line Commuters
Getting Off at Dunn Loring? Dinner Is 10 Minutes Away.
If you commute on the Orange Line and get off at the Dunn Loring-Merrifield station, Taza is a quick detour on the way home. Head south on Gallows Road. In about 10 minutes, you are at a restaurant serving hot, fresh Mediterranean food with no reservation and no wait.
Our hours run until midnight, so you are covered even on late commute nights. Pick up a shawarma wrap to take home, grab a bowl for a quick dine-in meal, or call ahead so your order is ready when you arrive.
Quick Commuter Combo
Open until midnight
7 days a week
From Our Kitchen
See What Dunn Loring Residents Are Eating
Catering to Dunn Loring Offices and Homes
Hosting a meeting, a birthday party, a graduation dinner, or a community gathering in Dunn Loring or Merrifield? Taza caters events for 10 to 200+ guests throughout Fairfax County. Shawarma, falafel, hummus spreads, fresh pita, manaeesh, and more -- with delivery available.
Skip the Line
Order Online from Dunn Loring
Running late from the Metro? Place your order online before you leave the station. By the time you drive down Gallows Road and park, your order is ready to pick up at the counter.
Browse the full menu with photos and descriptions
Customize your order with protein and topping preferences
Order online for pickup through Clover
Catering for 10 to 200+ guests, with delivery
Common Questions
Food Near Dunn Loring -- FAQs
How far is Taza Shawarma & Falafel from the Dunn Loring Metro station?
Taza is approximately a 10-minute drive south of the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station. The route is straightforward -- head south on Gallows Rd, continue past Lee Highway, and turn right onto Seminary Rd. We are at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. Free parking is available in the shopping center lot.
What type of food does Taza serve?
Taza serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. The menu includes spit-carved chicken and beef shawarma (pitas, wraps, and bowls), falafel fried to order, oven-baked manaeesh and flatbreads, hummus, baba ghanouj, pies, fresh smoothies, and desserts like rice pudding and harissa (semolina cake). All meats are halal.
Is Taza halal?
Yes. Every meat served at Taza is 100% halal. This includes all chicken and beef. We are a fully halal restaurant with no exceptions.
What are Taza's hours?
Taza is open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week. This includes late-night hours until midnight, which is especially convenient for Dunn Loring and Merrifield residents looking for food after evening events or late Metro commutes.
Does Taza have vegetarian or vegan options?
Absolutely. Falafel (pita, shrak wrap, or bowl), hummus, baba ghanouj, zaatar manaeesh, spinach manaeesh, and several specialty pies are all vegetarian. Falafel, hummus, and baba ghanouj are also vegan. Our toppings selection is loaded with fresh vegetables so you can build exactly what you want.
Can I order online from Dunn Loring for pickup or delivery?
Yes. You can place an order for pickup through our online ordering system at clover.com. For large orders or catering for 10 to 200+ guests, delivery is available to Dunn Loring offices or homes, call us directly at (703) 340-1014.
Does Taza offer catering for events near Dunn Loring?
Yes. We cater corporate lunches, office meetings, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and community events throughout Fairfax County, including Dunn Loring, Merrifield, and Tysons, for 10 to 200+ guests with delivery available. Catering can include shawarma, falafel, hummus and dip spreads, manaeesh, and more. Contact us for a custom quote.
What should I order on my first visit?
Start with the Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95) -- carved off the spit in front of you. Tell the counter which free toppings you want, like garlic mayo and turnips. If you are sharing, add a side of hummus ($4.95) with warm pita and a zaatar manaeesh ($6.95).
Is there parking at Taza?
Yes. Taza is located in a shopping center at 5820 Seminary Rd with a large free parking lot. Parking is never an issue, even during peak hours.
How does Taza compare to food options at Mosaic District?
Mosaic District has many restaurants, but most are sit-down with higher price points and longer waits. Taza serves Mediterranean food at counter-service speed and neighborhood-restaurant prices. A chicken shawarma pita is $9.95, carved off the spit when you order. It is an 8-minute drive from Mosaic.
Visit Us on Seminary Road
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is located at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041, just minutes from Dunn Loring, Merrifield, and the Mosaic District. A straight shot south on Gallows Road with free parking, fast counter service, and doors open until midnight every single day.
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Hungry Near Dunn Loring? Fresh Shawarma Is Waiting.
Spit-carved halal shawarma, falafel fried to order, oven-baked flatbreads, and loaded Mediterranean bowls -- 10 minutes south of the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station. Open until midnight, 7 days a week.