Food Near Mosaic District
Authentic halal Mediterranean food a short drive from Merrifield's Mosaic District. Taza Shawarma & Falafel serves shawarma carved off the spit, crispy falafel, oven-baked flatbreads, and loaded bowls -- all made fresh when you order. Not reheated. Not pre-assembled. Cooked.
Open 11 AM to midnight, 7 days a week. Free parking. Counter service -- you are eating in 10 minutes. Prices start at $6.95 for flatbread and $8.95 for a full pita sandwich.
8 min
from Mosaic
Beyond the Mosaic Food Hall
About Mosaic District and the Merrifield Dining Scene
Mosaic District sits at the intersection of Merrifield and Dunn Loring in Fairfax County, Virginia. Developed by EYA and opened in 2012, the mixed-use complex brought a curated blend of national retailers, boutique shops, and restaurants to an area that previously lacked a walkable commercial center. The Angelika Film Center anchors the entertainment side. West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and a rotating roster of specialty stores handle the shopping. And along its main streets, a collection of restaurants serves everything from ramen to pizza to Spanish tapas.
For many visitors, Mosaic District is the default answer to the question of where to eat in Merrifield. But the dining options within Mosaic lean heavily toward national chains and concept-driven restaurants with prices that reflect the real estate, not necessarily the food. A sit-down lunch there, with tip, adds up. The food is competent, but chain menus are built for consistency across locations rather than for one kitchen's cooking.
This is where Taza offers something genuinely different. Located 8 minutes south on Seminary Road in Falls Church, Taza Shawarma & Falafel is built around a vertical shawarma spit and an oven. The shawarma is carved off the spit to order. The falafel is fried when you order it. Pita, manaeesh and pies are baked in the oven. In store you get 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter.
Post-Angelika Meal
Movie + shawarma tradition
Shopping Break Fuel
Between West Elm & Target
100% Halal Menu
Everything on the board
Free Parking Lot
No garage, no meters
The price difference is equally striking. A complete chicken shawarma pita meal at Taza costs $9.95. A loaded bowl with protein, rice, and toppings is $12.45. These are not small portions -- in store you choose from 14 free toppings, built at the counter. For a family of four, that is a real saving compared to a sit-down restaurant, with free parking at the door.
The drive from Mosaic to Taza takes about 8 minutes via Gallows Road and Seminary Road. No highways, no complicated turns, no fighting for parking in a garage. Taza sits in a shopping center with a free lot right outside the front door. Many Mosaic District regulars have discovered this and made Taza part of their routine -- shop at Mosaic, eat at Taza. It is a combination that works because the two destinations complement each other rather than compete.
The Short Version
Mosaic District is great for shopping. Taza is great for eating. The two are 8 minutes apart. Taza is rated 4.8 on Yelp (92 reviews) and 4.4 on Google -- check them before you drive over.
A Short Drive, A Real Difference
Why Mosaic District Visitors Drive to Taza
The food at Mosaic is fine. Taza is not fine -- it is specific, personal, and made by people who care about the craft. Here is what sets us apart from the chain options.
Spit-Roasted, Not Flat-Grilled
Mosaic District has its fair share of restaurants labeling flat-grilled chicken as shawarma. Taza runs a traditional vertical spit that rotates for hours. Fat renders downward, basting every layer while the exterior caramelizes. The texture and depth of flavor are not comparable to anything coming off a panini press.
100% Halal Menu
Every cut of chicken and beef at Taza is halal, and so is the rest of the menu. For the large Muslim community across Merrifield, Fairfax, and the wider Northern Virginia corridor, there is nothing on the board you have to ask about twice at the counter.
Fresh-Made, Not Pre-Assembled
Falafel hits the fryer when you place your order. Shawarma is carved off the vertical spit. Pita, manaeesh and pies are baked in the oven. When we say fresh, it is not a slogan -- it is the Arabic word our restaurant is named after.
Counter Service, No Waitlist
Busy weekend nights at Mosaic can mean a waitlist for a table. Taza operates on counter service. Walk in, order, tell the crew which of the 14 free toppings you want, and sit down with a hot meal in hand. Or order online for pickup through Clover and skip the line.
Real Food at Honest Prices
A full chicken shawarma pita at Taza is $9.95. A loaded bowl with rice, protein, and toppings is $12.45. Compare that to a sit-down entree at Mosaic, and the math does itself.
Rated 4.8 on Yelp (92 Reviews)
Taza is rated 4.8 on Yelp (92 reviews), 4.4 on Google, and 4.4 on Restaurantji (260 ratings). Read the reviews yourself before you make the 8-minute drive from Mosaic District or Merrifield.
What to Order
Dishes to Try After Mosaic District
These are the dishes that turn Mosaic visitors into Taza regulars. Every item is made fresh and available for dine-in, pickup, or delivery to the Merrifield area.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
ShawarmaHalal chicken cooked on a vertical spit and carved to order, folded into warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and crisp vegetables -- or the toppings you choose from the 14 free ones at the counter. A complete meal at the price shown.
$9.95
Details
Beef Shawarma Shrak
Shrak WrapBeef shawarma rolled in thin traditional shrak flatbread with tahini, garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and fresh vegetables. The shrak bread has a delicate chew that wraps around the beef without competing with it. A more refined option than a standard wrap.
$11.45
DetailsChicken Shawarma Bowl
Healthy ChoiceGenerous slices of chicken shawarma over your choice of basmati rice, mixed greens, or hummus. Topped with Arabic salad, pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and fresh herbs. A good order for the fitness crowd and health-conscious diners who still want bold flavor.
$12.45
Details
Falafel Pita
VegetarianCrispy chickpea falafel, fried to order, tucked into warm pita with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and creamy tahini sauce. A plant-based option that satisfies like a full meal, for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.
$8.95
Details
Lahm Bi Ajin Manaeesh
TraditionalThin, crispy Lebanese flatbread topped with seasoned ground beef, finely diced onion, and fresh parsley. Baked in the oven until golden. Often called Lebanese pizza. At $8.95, it is a quick, affordable bite between Mosaic errands.
$8.95
Details
Zaatar Manaeesh
Great ValueWarm flatbread brushed with fragrant zaatar, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and olive oil. Simple, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. A staple of Lebanese breakfast culture that works just as well as an afternoon snack. A real taste of the Levant at a small price.
$6.95
DetailsBeyond the Bestsellers
More from the Taza Menu
Beef Shawarma Pita
Rich, savory beef carved from the vertical spit. Loaded into fresh pita with tahini and pickled turnips.
View ItemFalafel Bowl
Crispy falafel over rice or greens with Arabic salad, tahini, and olive oil. A hearty vegetarian bowl.
View ItemHummus
Velvety chickpea dip with tahini, lemon, garlic. Finished with olive oil and paprika. Served with warm pita.
View ItemBaba Ghanouj
Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. Smoky and creamy. Hard to stop eating.
View ItemChicken Shawarma Shrak
Chicken shawarma in thin shrak flatbread with garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, and sumac.
View ItemFalafel Shrak Wrap
Crispy falafel rolled in shrak bread with hummus, Arabic salad, pickles, and tahini sauce.
View ItemAvocado Boost
Creamy avocado blended into a thick, filling smoothie. Packed with healthy fats.
View ItemRice Pudding
Creamy rice pudding, a classic Middle Eastern dessert, served chilled.
View ItemReal Shawarma. Real Spit. Real Kitchen.
No corporate test kitchen. No heat-lamp staging area. Just a vertical spit, an oven, and food cooked for every order.
Easy to Find, Easy to Park
Driving Directions from Mosaic District
All routes from Mosaic District to Taza use local roads. No highway merging. No complicated turns. Just Gallows Road to Seminary Road with a free parking lot at the destination.
Mosaic District Main Entrance
Head south on Gallows Rd toward Lee Highway (US-29). Turn right onto Lee Highway, continue to Seminary Rd. Taza is in the shopping center on Seminary Rd, right side. No highway driving needed -- all local roads.
Angelika Film Center / Strawberry Park
Exit the Mosaic District parking area. Take Gallows Rd south to Lee Highway, then head west to Seminary Rd. Taza is on the right in the shopping center with plenty of free parking.
Target / Merrifield
From the Target on Lee Highway in Merrifield, head west on Lee Highway. Turn left onto Seminary Rd. Taza is in the shopping center on the right. Almost a straight shot with no traffic lights to slow you down.
Dunn Loring Metro Station
Head south on Gallows Rd from the Dunn Loring Metro station. Continue past Lee Highway to Seminary Rd. Taza is a quick drive south -- convenient for Metro commuters heading home through Falls Church.
West Elm / Crate & Barrel (Mosaic)
From the home furnishing stores in Mosaic, exit to Gallows Rd and head south. Turn right at Lee Highway, continue to Seminary Rd. The drive is straightforward and well-signposted.
Tysons Corner Center
Take Route 7 east to I-495 south, exit at Gallows Rd, head south to Seminary Rd. Or take local roads via Gallows Rd directly. Taza is accessible from both directions.
Parking & Practical Details
Free Parking Lot
Taza is in a shopping center on Seminary Road with a large free parking lot. Pull in, park in front, walk right in. No meters, no garage, no validation needed.
No Highway Driving Required
The entire route from Mosaic is on local roads -- Gallows Road and Seminary Road. Straightforward, low stress, and quick even during evening rush hour.
Exact Address
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. Search "Taza Shawarma" in Google Maps or Apple Maps for turn-by-turn navigation.
Open Late
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week. Late-night Mosaic movie? We are still open when you get out.
Serving Northern Virginia
Areas We Serve Near Mosaic District
Taza delivers and caters across Fairfax County and beyond. These are the communities closest to our Seminary Road location in Falls Church.
Mosaic District
8 min drive
Merrifield
8 min drive
Dunn Loring
7 min drive
Falls Church
0 min drive
Bailey's Crossroads
3 min drive
Seven Corners
5 min drive
Annandale
7 min drive
Arlington
10 min drive
Tysons Corner
15 min drive
Vienna
12 min drive
Fairfax City
15 min drive
Springfield
18 min drive
Dine In, Pick Up, or Deliver
How to Get Taza Near Mosaic District
Four ways to get your Taza fix from the Mosaic District area. Drive over for the full experience, or have it brought to you.
Order Online for Pickup
Place your order on our website and pick it up at 5820 Seminary Rd. From Mosaic District, you can order while browsing West Elm and pick it up at the counter when you drive over. Free parking right at the front door.
Order for PickupCall Ahead
Prefer to order by phone? Call (703) 340-1014 with your order and pick it up at the counter on Seminary Road. Our pitas, bowls, and wraps are packed to travel well for the drive back to Merrifield or Dunn Loring.
Call (703) 340-1014Dine In
Eat at the restaurant in Bailey's Crossroads, on Seminary Road. Order at the counter, tell the crew which of the 14 free toppings you want, and sit down with your meal. Open 7 days, 11 AM to midnight.
Open 7 days, 11 AM to midnightCatering for Groups & Offices
Hosting a team lunch near Mosaic? Planning a Merrifield office event? Taza caters shawarma, falafel, hummus spreads, and sides for 10 to 200+ guests, with delivery available. Call (703) 340-1014 to discuss your needs.
Call for CateringFrom the Kitchen
What Happens Behind the Counter at Taza
The vertical shawarma spit is the centerpiece of the Taza kitchen, and it is visible from the moment you walk through the door. Layers of seasoned chicken or beef are stacked tightly on the spit. Shawarma seasoning traditionally draws on warm spices such as cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, coriander, and cumin, often with yogurt and lemon to keep the meat tender.
As the spit rotates, fat from the upper layers renders downward, basting the meat below it continuously. The exterior caramelizes to a deep golden brown while the interior stays moist and tender. When a customer places an order, the shawarma is shaved directly from the spit -- thin, hot, and ready to eat. That is the fundamental difference between Taza and any restaurant that calls flat-grilled chicken "shawarma." The cooking method is non-negotiable. The vertical spit is not a prop; it is the reason the food tastes the way it does.
The falafel follows a similar philosophy. Falafel is traditionally made from chickpeas ground with parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander. At Taza it is fried to order -- not pre-fried and reheated. The result is a falafel with a crispy, golden shell and a bright green, herb-flecked interior. If you have only ever had falafel from a chain or a food truck warming tray, the difference will be immediately obvious.
The oven handles manaeesh and lahm bil ajin -- traditional flatbreads that are baked at high heat until the dough blisters and the toppings char slightly. Zaatar manaeesh, brushed with a fragrant mixture of dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and olive oil, comes out aromatic and crackling. Lahm bil ajin, topped with seasoned ground beef and fresh parsley, emerges thin and crispy. These are not items you will find at the restaurants in Mosaic District. They are specific to Lebanese cuisine and to kitchens with an oven built for them.
The toppings are the final layer of customization: 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mint, parsley, pickles, black olives, tahini sauce, garlic mayo, olive oil dressing, hummus, baba ghanoush, and pickled turnips. This is not an add-on or an upcharge. It is part of the meal. Tell the crew which ones you want and they build your order. Online through Clover pickup, you choose up to 6 of 11.
12 hrs
Minimum marinade time
14
Toppings your way
7 spices
In the shawarma marinade
Common Questions
Food Near Mosaic District FAQs
Mosaic District has its own dining options, but for authentic Mediterranean shawarma and falafel, Taza Shawarma & Falafel is just 8 minutes south on Seminary Road in Falls Church. We serve chicken and beef shawarma carved off the vertical spit, falafel fried to order, oven-baked flatbreads, creamy hummus, loaded bowls, and fresh smoothies -- all 100% halal and made to order. Free parking at the door.
Taza is approximately 8 minutes by car from Mosaic District. Head south on Gallows Rd to Lee Highway, then continue to Seminary Rd. No highway driving is needed. We have a free parking lot right in front of the restaurant at 5820 Seminary Rd, Falls Church, VA 22041.
Yes, Taza is 100% halal. Every cut of chicken and beef is halal, and so is the rest of the menu. For the Muslim community around Merrifield, Mosaic District, and Fairfax County, Taza is an 8-minute drive. No compromises, no exceptions.
Start with the Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95) -- it is the dish our name starts with and a good introduction to what we do. Ask the crew to add garlic sauce and pickled turnips from the 14 free toppings. If you want to share, add a side of hummus ($4.95) with warm pita and a couple of zaatar manaeesh ($6.95 each). For bowls, try the Chicken Shawarma Bowl ($12.45) over rice.
Absolutely. Taza has a full range of plant-based dishes: Falafel Pita ($8.95), Falafel Bowl ($10.45), Falafel Shrak Wrap ($9.95), hummus, baba ghanouj, zaatar manaeesh, spinach manaeesh, and cheese manaeesh. Our falafel is naturally vegan -- made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices with no dairy or eggs.
Everyday orders are pickup: order online for pickup through Clover and collect your food at our Seminary Road counter, about 8 minutes from Mosaic. Catering for 10 to 200+ guests includes delivery to Mosaic District, Merrifield, Dunn Loring, and the surrounding Fairfax County area. Call (703) 340-1014 to arrange it.
Very. Kids tend to like the chicken tenders ($7.95) and cheese manaeesh ($7.95). The counter-service format means no waiting for a table or flagging down a server. Order at the counter and sit down together. With 14 free toppings built at the counter, picky eaters can tell the crew exactly what goes on their plate.
Taza is open from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight), seven days a week. That makes Taza a late-night food option near Mosaic District. The shawarma spit turns until close, so your 11 PM order is carved the same way as a noon order.
Yes. Taza caters to offices, corporate events, birthday parties, graduations, and community gatherings throughout the Merrifield and Mosaic District area. We cater shawarma, falafel, hummus and dip spreads for 10 to 200+ guests, with delivery available. Call (703) 340-1014 or visit our catering page for details.
Three reasons. First, quality: Taza carves real shawarma off the vertical spit, not reheated chain food. Second, price: a pita starts $8.95 and a bowl $10.45. Third, convenience: counter service, online ordering for pickup through Clover, and free parking at the door. The drive is about 8 minutes.
Visit Us
Come to Taza on Seminary Road
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is located in a shopping center at 5820 Seminary Rd in Falls Church, just 8 minutes south of Mosaic District. Free parking, counter service, and the door is open until midnight every single day. Drop in after your Mosaic trip or call ahead for a pickup order.
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Done Shopping at Mosaic?
Your Shawarma Is Waiting.
Fresh halal Mediterranean food, 8 minutes from Mosaic District. Shawarma carved off the spit to order. Falafel fried to order. Oven-baked flatbreads. 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter. Pies from $2.95.
Open 11 AM to midnight, 7 days a week. 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041.