Food Near Pentagon City Mall
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City has 170+ stores and a food court full of the same national chains you can find in any mall in America. For fresh, halal, spit-roasted shawarma, falafel fried to order, and oven-baked flatbreads, you need to drive 15 minutes south on I-395.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel on Seminary Road in Falls Church is where Pentagon City Mall shoppers go when they want a real meal instead of reheated food court fare. Order online for pickup, get delivery to your Pentagon City address, or make the short drive after your shopping trip.
Skip the Food Court, Drive 15 Minutes
Why Pentagon City Mall Shoppers Choose Taza
Meat Carved Off the Spit, Not a Steam Tray
The Fashion Centre food court serves reheated chain food under heat lamps. At Taza, two vertical spits -- one chicken, one beef -- rotate beside open flame all day. The meat is shaved fresh the moment you order. That is the core difference between mall food and real food.
15 Minutes from Pentagon City Mall via I-395
Exit the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, merge onto I-395 South, and take the Seminary Road exit. Total drive time: 12 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. Order ahead on our website and your food is ready when you walk through the door.
100% Halal -- No Exceptions, No Asterisks
Pentagon City serves a large community that requires halal dining options. Every piece of chicken and beef at Taza is halal, and there is no pork on the menu. No guesswork. That covers every meat item, every day.
Made to Order at the Counter
The pita, manaeesh and pies come out of the oven. The falafel is fried when you order it. The shawarma is carved off the vertical spit to order, and you pick from 14 free toppings at the counter. Taza means fresh in Arabic -- the name is a promise.
Levantine Spices, Carved to Order
Shawarma marinades across the Levant commonly use yogurt, lemon juice and warm spices such as cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, coriander, and cumin. At Taza the seasoned chicken and beef turn on the vertical spit and are carved fresh -- nothing like generic mall gyro meat.
Independent, Not a Food Court Chain
Taza is not a franchise booth in a food court. It is one independent restaurant on Seminary Road in Bailey's Crossroads, open 7 days from 11 AM to midnight, with free parking at the door and 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter.
What Pentagon City Shoppers Order Most
Top Dishes for Mall Shoppers
These are the items that Pentagon City Mall visitors order on repeat. Every dish is made to order and available online for pickup through Clover.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
ClassicThe classic first order. Seasoned chicken roasted on the vertical spit and carved to order. Stuffed into warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and fresh vegetables. Portable enough to eat in the car on the way home.
$9.95
DetailsBeef Shawarma Shrak
Shrak WrapSeasoned beef layered on the spit with ribbons of fat that render down during rotation, continuously basting the meat. Carved thin, rolled in paper-thin shrak flatbread with tahini, garlic sauce, and pickled vegetables. A serious upgrade from anything in the Fashion Centre food court.
$11.45
Details
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Protein PackedThe go-to for shoppers who track their macros. Generous chicken shawarma over basmati rice or mixed greens, topped with Arabic salad, pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and fresh herbs. High protein without the bloated feeling that comes from food court alternatives.
$12.45
Details
Falafel Pita
VegetarianCrispy on the outside, herb-green on the inside. Made from chickpeas, fresh parsley, cilantro, and aromatic spices, then fried to order. Tucked into warm pita with tahini, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. A substantial vegetarian sandwich that does not rely on processed substitutes.
$8.95
Details
Zaatar Manaeesh
Oven BakedWarm flatbread brushed with a fragrant blend of dried thyme, toasted sesame, sumac, and extra-virgin olive oil, baked in the oven. A classic Levantine breakfast that Taza serves all day, until midnight.
$6.95
DetailsBeef Shawarma Bowl
Hearty BowlSpit-roasted beef shawarma over basmati rice, greens, or hummus. Garnished with Arabic salad, pickles, tahini, and sumac. Substantial enough to carry you through the rest of an afternoon shopping trip or a long evening at home.
$12.45
DetailsA Direct Comparison
Taza vs. Pentagon City Mall Food Court
The Fashion Centre food court fills a role for quick bites between stores. But when you want a meal worth sitting down for, here is what the 15-minute drive to Taza actually gets you.
Understanding the Problem
Pentagon City Mall Has 170 Stores and No Real Shawarma
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is one of the highest-traffic malls in Northern Virginia. It anchors a neighborhood that includes Amazon HQ2, the Pentagon itself, thousands of residential units, and a major Metro station on the Blue and Yellow lines. The area generates enormous demand for dining.
The food court and surrounding restaurants serve that demand with the same national chains available at every other suburban mall. For a community with a growing population of halal-conscious diners, families who cook Mediterranean food at home, and workers who eat out five days a week, the gap is noticeable.
Taza is 15 minutes south on I-395 in Falls Church. The drive is simple: Seminary Road exit, right into our lot, free parking, food carved fresh off the spit. Pentagon City Mall shoppers who discover this route rarely go back to the food court for shawarma, falafel, or hummus.
Food Court Closes Early
Most Pentagon City Mall food court vendors close by 8 PM or 9 PM -- Taza stays open until midnight, seven days a week
Chain Restaurants Dominate
The mall and Pentagon Row are filled with national chains that serve the same menu coast to coast -- no personality, no craft
Hundreds of Stores, Limited Real Food
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is a big mall, and vertical-spit shawarma is hard to find inside it
Amazon HQ2 Workforce Needs Options
Tech workers in National Landing eat out daily and want more than the same few Pentagon City spots
Growing Halal-Conscious Population
Pentagon City and South Arlington have a large and growing community that requires halal dining -- a fully halal menu is hard to find in a mall food court
Pentagon Employees Deserve Better Lunch
Department of Defense employees work minutes away and deserve a midday meal that is freshly prepared, not mass-produced
Skip the Mall Food Court
Order online now and your shawarma will be carved and ready by the time you drive from Pentagon City Mall to Seminary Road.
Order Online for PickupBuilt Around Your Shopping Schedule
Meal Ideas for Pentagon City Mall Shoppers
Before the mall, after the mall, or delivered to your Pentagon City address -- here is how shoppers use Taza.
Pre-Shopping Fuel Up
$9.95 + $3.95Chicken Shawarma Pita + Fries
Eat at Taza before heading to the Fashion Centre. A chicken shawarma pita and fries will give you the energy to handle a full afternoon of shopping without resorting to the food court later.
Post-Mall Dinner Stop
$11.45 + $4.95 + $0.95Beef Shawarma Shrak + Hummus + Pita Bread
Drive 15 minutes after the mall closes and sit down to a real dinner. Beef shawarma shrak wrap with a side of smooth hummus and warm oven-baked pita. A proper end to a shopping day.
Quick Pickup Between Errands
$12.45 + $5.95Chicken Shawarma Bowl + Lemon Mint
Order online from your phone while browsing the mall. Then drive over and pick it up at the counter, with free parking at the door.
Family Dinner After Shopping
VariesShawarma pitas + Falafel bowl + Hummus + Rice Pudding
Feed the whole family after a Pentagon City Mall trip. Mix shawarma pitas, falafel, hummus with pita, and rice pudding for dessert. Chicken tenders and fries work for younger children.
Complete Your Order
Sides, Dips, and Desserts
Pentagon City Mall shoppers rarely leave Taza with just a sandwich. These are the sides and extras most frequently added to orders.
Hummus
$4.95Smooth chickpea dip blended with tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Served with warm oven-baked pita. It goes with every main on the menu.
Baba Ghanouj
$4.95Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic until smoky and creamy. Pairs with any main course on the menu.
Labneh
$4.95Thick strained yogurt drizzled with olive oil and dried mint. Cool and tangy. A refreshing counterbalance to the richness of shawarma.
Harissa (Semolina Dessert)
$1.99Harissa is the Levantine semolina cake, also called basbousa, soaked in syrup. The traditional finish to a proper Mediterranean meal.
Rice Pudding
$2.95Creamy rice pudding finished with pistachio. Cool, comforting, and worth the extra stop after the mall.
Avocado Boost
$5.95Ripe avocado blended with milk, honey, and mixed nuts. Rich in healthy fats and protein. A filling smoothie for the health-conscious crowd coming from Pentagon City.
A Straight Shot on I-395
How to Get to Taza from Pentagon City Mall
Taza is on Seminary Road in Falls Church, directly off the I-395 Seminary Road exit (3A). Here are step-by-step directions from key Pentagon City Mall area starting points.
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
14 minExit the mall parking garage onto South Hayes Street. Turn right onto Army Navy Drive. Merge onto I-395 South. Take exit 3A for Seminary Road. Turn right on Seminary Rd -- Taza is on the right in the shopping center.
Pentagon City Metro Station
14 min by carHead west on Army Navy Drive from the Metro station. Get on I-395 South. Take Seminary Road exit 3A. Turn right on Seminary Rd. Free parking directly in front of Taza.
Pentagon Row (South Joyce Street)
14 minHead south on South Joyce Street. Turn right onto Army Navy Drive. Merge onto I-395 South. Take Seminary Road exit. Taza is right off the exit on the right side of Seminary Road.
Amazon HQ2 / National Landing
15 minHead south on South Eads Street or South Clark Street toward Army Navy Drive. Merge onto I-395 South. Take Seminary Road exit 3A. Taza is on your right in the shopping center.
The Pentagon
13 minExit onto I-395 South from the Pentagon parking area. Take exit 3A for Seminary Road. Head east on Seminary Rd. Taza is in the shopping center on the right.
Crystal City Shops
15 minTake Crystal Drive to 23rd Street South. Merge onto I-395 South. Take exit 3A for Seminary Road. Follow Seminary Rd east -- Taza is on the right with free lot parking.
Stay in Pentagon City
Takeout and Catering Delivery to Pentagon City Mall Area
Order ahead online for pickup through Clover, call ahead, or book catering delivery for your Pentagon City office or event.
Online Pickup Order
Place your order online through Clover while still in the mall. Then drive the 15 minutes to Seminary Road and pick it up at the counter.
Order Ahead by Phone
Call (703) 340-1014 from the mall and your shawarma and bowls will be ready when you reach Seminary Road. Free parking at the door.
Dine In Until Midnight
Sit down after the mall closes. Open 7 days, 11 AM to midnight, with 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter.
Office and Event Catering
We deliver catering platters to Pentagon City offices, conference rooms, and event spaces. Shawarma trays, falafel, hummus, and desserts for groups of 10 to 200+, with delivery available. Call for a custom quote.
40+ Items on the Menu
Far More Than Just Shawarma
Shawarma is what Taza is known for, but the menu runs much deeper. The oven turns out zaatar manaeesh, lahm bil ajin (Lebanese meat flatbread), cheese manaeesh, and spinach flatbreads. The sides include hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, and rice. The pies -- sfiha, spinach, cheese, zaatar and veggie -- are all baked in the oven.
For drinks, there are smoothies blended to order, including the rich Avocado Boost and the bright Lemon Mint. For dessert, harissa (the semolina dessert), cake, or creamy rice pudding with pistachio. Chicken tenders and fries cover the younger crowd. Pentagon City Mall families with children appreciate having options for everyone at one table.
Minutes from All of These
Near Pentagon City Mall and Beyond
Taza is a short drive from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and every major destination in the Pentagon City and National Landing area.
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
Pentagon City Metro (Blue/Yellow)
Amazon HQ2
The Pentagon
Pentagon Row
National Landing
Crystal City
Pentagon Centre
Long Bridge Park
Virginia Highlands Park
South Hayes Street Corridor
Army Navy Country Club
Common Questions
Pentagon City Mall Dining FAQs
How far is Taza from Pentagon City Mall (Fashion Centre at Pentagon City)?
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is located on Seminary Road in Falls Church, VA -- approximately 15 minutes from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City by car. The route is straightforward: take I-395 South from Pentagon City to the Seminary Road exit (3A). Turn right on Seminary Road and Taza is on the right side in a shopping center with free parking.
Is Taza a better option than the Pentagon City Mall food court?
That depends on what you want, but Taza serves freshly carved shawarma off a vertical spit, falafel fried to order, and oven-baked flatbreads. The Pentagon City Mall food court mostly offers national chain fast food. If freshness and a fully halal menu matter to you, the 15-minute drive is worth it.
Can I order Taza for delivery to my Pentagon City address?
Catering orders (10 to 200+ guests) are delivered to Pentagon City offices and event spaces. For everyday orders, place an online Clover pickup order and drive the 15 minutes to pick it up yourself -- with free parking at the door.
Is everything at Taza halal?
Yes. Taza is 100% halal. All chicken and beef is halal and there is no pork on the menu. This applies to every meat item, every day. Ask the counter about any item and you will get a straight answer.
What should I order on my first visit after shopping at Pentagon City Mall?
Start with the Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95), carved off the vertical spit. Add a side of hummus ($4.95) with warm pita for scooping. Finish with a piece of cake ($4.95). If you prefer bowls, the Chicken Shawarma Bowl ($12.45) over basmati rice is a good alternative. Each item is priced on the menu, so you can see the total before you order.
What are Taza's hours compared to the Pentagon City Mall food court?
The Pentagon City Mall food court typically closes around 8 PM on weekdays and 9 PM on weekends. Taza is open from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight), seven days a week. That means Taza is available for late dinners, post-movie meals, and late-night cravings long after every food court option has shut down.
Does Taza have free parking?
Yes. Taza is located in a shopping center on Seminary Road with a large, free parking lot directly in front of the restaurant. No parking garage, no meters, no validation stamps, and no circling the block -- a welcome contrast to parking at Pentagon City Mall.
Can Taza cater a large group or office event near Pentagon City?
Absolutely. Taza provides catering for groups of 10 to 200+. Popular packages include shawarma platters (chicken and beef), falafel trays, hummus and pita spreads, and dessert trays. We deliver to Pentagon City offices, event spaces, and conference rooms. Call (703) 340-1014 for custom quotes.
Visit Taza on Seminary Road
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is located in a shopping center on Seminary Road in Falls Church, directly off the I-395 Seminary Road exit (3A). About 15 minutes from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Free parking lot in front. Open seven days a week until midnight.
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Pentagon City Mall Shoppers, Your Table Is Ready
Fresh halal shawarma, falafel, hummus, and oven-baked flatbreads -- 15 minutes from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City via I-395. Order online for Clover pickup, or drive to Seminary Road and sit down, with free parking at the door.