Rice Bowl Near Me
Fluffy basmati rice. Spit-roasted chicken shawarma, slow-cooked beef shawarma, or hand-formed falafel fried to order. Fourteen self-serve toppings -- tahini, garlic sauce, pickled turnips, Arabic salad, fresh herbs -- all included. Every protein carved or fried fresh. Nothing reheated from a holding bin.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is on Seminary Road in Falls Church, VA -- minutes from Arlington, Fairfax, Tysons, and Annandale. Open 11 AM to midnight, seven days a week. Delivery available through DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Fresh to Order
Spit-Roasted
11 AM - Midnight
Open Daily
Certified
100% Halal
Small Batch
Basmati Rice
Three Proteins, One Rice
Our Rice Bowl Menu
Every rice bowl starts with a bed of aromatic basmati, gets loaded with your choice of spit-roasted protein or crispy falafel, and finishes at our self-serve toppings bar. Three proteins, fourteen toppings, one excellent bowl of rice.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Chicken thighs marinated in yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and a seven-spice blend, then slow-roasted on our vertical spit until the exterior caramelizes and the inside stays tender. Carved to order -- never pulled from a warming bin -- and layered over a generous bed of fluffy, aromatic basmati rice. Topped with Arabic salad, crunchy pickled turnips, a drizzle of garlic sauce, and fresh herbs. This is the rice bowl that people reorder three days in a row before they even glance at the rest of the menu.
Beef Shawarma Bowl
Seasoned beef stacked in thin layers on our spit with ribbons of fat threaded between each one. As the spit rotates for hours, that fat renders and bastes every layer beneath it. The exterior builds deep caramelization -- almost smoky -- while the center holds its moisture. Sliced thin and served over aromatic basmati rice with Arabic salad, pickled vegetables, tahini sauce, and a bright dusting of sumac. Rich in iron, B-vitamins, and the kind of savory depth that a reheated grain bowl from a chain will never match.
Falafel Bowl
Made from scratch every single day. Ground chickpeas combined with fresh cilantro, parsley, cumin, and coriander -- formed by hand and fried to order. The exterior shatters on contact. The inside stays herb-green and moist. Placed over a generous portion of basmati rice, then finished with tomatoes, cucumbers, Arabic salad, a generous pour of tahini, and extra-virgin olive oil. High in fiber, plant protein, and healthy fats. A fully plant-based rice bowl that does not ask you to compromise on anything.
The Foundation
Our Basmati Rice -- Not an Afterthought
At most bowl places, the rice is filler. At Taza, it is a deliberate part of the meal. Here is what makes it different.
Basmati -- Not Bulk Rice
We cook basmati rice -- the long-grain variety with a natural nutty aroma. Each grain stays separate and fluffy, not clumped together in a sticky mass. Lightly seasoned with aromatic spices that complement the shawarma without overpowering it. This is rice that plays a role in the bowl instead of just filling space.
Cooked Fresh Throughout the Day
Our rice is prepared in small batches throughout service, not cooked once in the morning and held for twelve hours. When you get a rice bowl at Taza, the rice was made within the hour. You can tell by the texture -- each grain is distinct, aromatic, and still has some bite to it.
Seasoned, Not Sauced
No butter-drenched pilaf. No oily fried rice. Taza basmati is lightly spiced during cooking -- turmeric, a touch of cumin, a bay leaf -- then left to rest so the grains absorb the flavor naturally. The result is rice with real taste that does not compete with your protein or toppings.
Naturally Gluten-Free
Rice is inherently gluten-free, and our preparation keeps it that way. Combined with any of our three proteins and the toppings bar, a rice bowl at Taza is a complete gluten-free meal without any modifications or substitutions required.
What Goes In
Inside a Taza Rice Bowl
Every ingredient is identifiable, pronounceable, and prepared from scratch that day. Here is exactly what goes into your bowl.
1Base
Aromatic Basmati Rice
Long-grain basmati, lightly seasoned with turmeric and cumin, cooked in small batches. Each grain stays separate and fluffy.
2Proteins
Chicken Shawarma
Yogurt-marinated chicken thighs, slow-roasted on our vertical spit for hours, carved fresh to order.
Beef Shawarma
Seasoned beef layered with fat ribbons on the spit, slow-roasted until deeply caramelized, sliced thin.
Falafel
Ground chickpeas with cilantro, parsley, cumin, and coriander. Hand-formed, fried to order, crispy outside, herb-green inside.
3Toppings (All Included)
Arabic Salad
Diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley, dressed with lemon and olive oil.
Pickled Turnips
Beet-stained turnips, vinegar-brined for weeks. Crunchy, tangy, bright pink.
Tahini Sauce
Ground sesame seeds thinned with lemon and water. Rich, nutty, slightly bitter.
Garlic Sauce
Emulsified garlic, oil, and lemon. Thick, punchy, and made fresh daily.
Fresh Herbs
Mint and parsley, chopped that morning. Bright, clean, aromatic.
The Taza Difference
Why This Rice Bowl Is Worth the Drive
Spit-Roasted, Not Reheated
The chicken and beef in our rice bowls are slow-roasted for hours on a vertical spit and carved fresh when you place your order. This is not pre-cooked protein scraped off a flat grill and stored in a steam tray. The caramelized edges and juicy interior are only possible with real spit roasting.
Real Mediterranean Ingredients
Olive oil. Tahini. Chickpeas. Fresh vegetables. Lean protein. Aromatic basmati rice. These are not processed fillers or powdered flavor packets. Every component of a Taza rice bowl is a whole food, prepared from scratch, that you could identify by looking at it.
14 Toppings, Zero Upcharge
Our toppings bar runs fourteen deep and every option is included with your rice bowl. Pickled turnips, garlic sauce, tahini, fresh herbs, black olives, hot sauce -- load up as much as you want. The bowl you build today can taste completely different from the one you build tomorrow.
Halal Certified, Every Protein
All chicken and beef at Taza is certified halal. The falafel is entirely plant-based. For the Muslim community across Falls Church, Arlington, and Northern Virginia, there is no guesswork here. Every protein, every day, without exception.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
The falafel rice bowl is vegetarian and becomes fully vegan when you skip the garlic mayo. Multiple fresh vegetable toppings and two plant-based sauces -- tahini and olive oil dressing -- mean vegans get the same customization as everyone else. No afterthought side salad.
Authentic Levantine Recipes
Our recipes originate in the Levant -- Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine. The seven-spice marinade, the hand-formed falafel, the house-made tahini, the spiced basmati. These are not Americanized approximations. They are the actual recipes, prepared the traditional way.
Make It Yours
Customize Your Rice Bowl
The base bowl is great. But Taza gives you the tools to make it exactly what you want. Here are six ways to build on it.
Double Protein
Add an extra portion of chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, or falafel to your rice bowl for a bigger meal. Useful for post-gym lunches or when you just want more meat.
Mix Proteins
Get chicken and beef together, or pair shawarma with falafel. A mixed-protein rice bowl gives you variety in every bite without ordering two separate bowls.
Extra Sauces
The toppings bar is self-serve and unlimited, but you can also request extra containers of tahini, garlic sauce, or hot sauce to take with you. Useful for delivery orders.
Side of Hummus
Add a side of our house-made hummus ($4.95) and scoop it onto the rice between bites. Chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic -- it adds creaminess and plant protein to the bowl.
Go Spicy
Ask for extra hot sauce or request a drizzle directly on the protein before it hits the rice. The heat pairs especially well with the richness of the beef shawarma.
Add Pita Bread
A warm, fresh-baked pita on the side turns a rice bowl into a double-format meal. Scoop rice and protein with the pita, or tear off pieces and dip them in the leftover sauces.
Fuel, Not Filler
What a Taza Rice Bowl Does for Your Body
A rice bowl should give you energy, protein, and nutrients -- not just calories. Here is the nutritional profile of a Taza rice bowl, broken down.
18-42g
High Protein
Spit-roasted chicken delivers 35-40g of protein. Beef hits 38-42g. Even the plant-based falafel bowl provides 18-22g. Real protein from real food, not powder.
5+ servings
Whole Vegetables
Arabic salad, fresh herbs, pickled turnips, lettuce, cucumbers, onions. Multiple vegetable servings per bowl, all prepared fresh that morning.
Olive oil + tahini
Healthy Fats
Monounsaturated fats from extra-virgin olive oil and sesame-based tahini. No seed oils, no trans fats, no mystery blended cooking oils.
No preservatives
Clean Ingredients
No MSG. No artificial colors. No frozen proteins reheated in a microwave. Taza means fresh -- that is the entire operating principle.
Basmati rice
Complex Carbs
Basmati rice has a lower glycemic index than short-grain varieties. It provides sustained energy without the blood sugar spike of processed grains.
8-15g per bowl
Fiber-Rich
Chickpeas in falafel and hummus, fresh vegetables, and whole herbs all contribute fiber. A falafel rice bowl with hummus topping can exceed 15g of dietary fiber.
Ready to Order a Rice Bowl?
Skip the line. Order your chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, or falafel rice bowl online for pickup or delivery. Open seven days a week, 11 AM to midnight.
Order Online NowSide by Side
Taza Rice Bowl vs. Chain Rice Bowls
There are plenty of places in Northern Virginia that will put protein over rice and call it a bowl. Here is how a Taza rice bowl compares to what you get at the chains.
| Feature | Chain Bowl Place | Taza Rice Bowl |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Quality | Batch-cooked white or brown rice, often sitting for hours in a warming pan | Aromatic basmati rice cooked in small batches throughout the day, lightly seasoned |
| Protein Preparation | Pre-cooked on a flat grill, held in warming trays | Slow-roasted on a vertical spit for hours, carved fresh to order |
| Ingredients | Standardized, shipped frozen from a central commissary kitchen | Prepared fresh daily in-house. Sauces, dips, and marinades all made from scratch |
| Toppings | Limited options, measured portions, extras cost more | 14-option self-serve toppings bar, all included, unlimited |
| Halal | Rarely offered. Most chains do not carry halal-certified protein | 100% halal certified. Every chicken. Every beef cut. Every day |
| Price | $11-15 for a comparable rice bowl | from $10.45 - from $12.45 |
From Our Kitchen
Rice Bowls and More, Up Close
Rice Bowls Near You
Serving Rice Bowls Across Northern Virginia
We are on Seminary Road in Falls Church, just off I-395. A Taza rice bowl is a short drive or a quick delivery from anywhere in the Northern Virginia area.
Falls Church
2 min
We are right here on Seminary Rd
Bailey's Crossroads
3 min
Practically next door
Seven Corners
4 min
Straight down the road
Annandale
7 min
Quick drive down Columbia Pike
Merrifield / Mosaic
8 min
East on Rt 50
Arlington
10 min
Straight shot via I-395
Pentagon City
10 min
Via I-395 North
Alexandria
12 min
Down Seminary Rd to 395
Tysons Corner
15 min
North on Rt 7
Fairfax City
15 min
West on Rt 50
McLean
16 min
North on Rt 7 past Tysons
Springfield
14 min
South via I-395
Rice Bowl Delivery
Get a Rice Bowl Delivered to Your Door
Do not feel like driving? Order your rice bowl for delivery or skip the line with online pickup.
Online Pickup
Order your rice bowl on our website and skip the line. Your protein is carved fresh when you arrive. Easy parking right out front at our Seminary Road location.
DoorDash
Rice bowls delivered to your door. Our packaging keeps the rice, protein, and toppings separate so nothing gets soggy or steamed out. Typical delivery time: 25-40 minutes.
Uber Eats
Order through Uber Eats for delivery across Northern Virginia and the DC metro area. Same spit-roasted proteins, same house-made sauces, same fresh toppings.
Catering Bowls
Office lunch or team event? We offer individually portioned rice bowl trays and family-style platters. Delivered directly to your location with everything packaged for freshness.
While You Are Here
Beyond Rice Bowls -- More from the Taza Menu
Rice bowls are what brought you here. But Taza has a full menu of pitas, wraps, flatbreads, sides, and desserts that are worth knowing about.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
from $9.95The same slow-roasted chicken, shaved fresh, tucked into a warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and fresh vegetables. Our single most-ordered item across the entire menu.
Beef Shawarma Shrak Wrap
$11.45Beef shawarma rolled in paper-thin shrak flatbread with tahini, sumac, and pickled vegetables. Enormous portions and the shrak adds a different texture than pita.
Hummus
$4.95Silky chickpea dip with tahini, lemon, and garlic, finished with olive oil and paprika. Served with warm pita. Add it as a side to your rice bowl.
Baba Ghanouj
$4.95Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, garlic, and cumin. Smoky, creamy, and pairs well alongside a rice bowl as a dip for pita.
Zaatar Manaeesh
$6.95Traditional Lebanese flatbread brushed with zaatar, sesame, and olive oil, baked in our stone oven. A great side to share with a rice bowl.
Rice Pudding
$2.95Layers of phyllo pastry with crushed pistachios and walnuts, drenched in rose-water honey syrup. The right way to finish a meal.
Common Questions
Rice Bowl Near Me -- FAQs
Where can I get a good rice bowl near me in Northern Virginia?
Taza Shawarma & Falafel at 5820 Seminary Rd in Falls Church, VA serves three rice bowls -- chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and falafel -- all built over fluffy basmati rice with spit-roasted proteins, house-made sauces, and a 14-option self-serve toppings bar. We are a short drive from Arlington, Fairfax, Tysons, Alexandria, and Annandale. Open 11 AM to midnight, seven days a week.
What kind of rice does Taza use in their rice bowls?
Taza uses aromatic basmati rice -- a premium long-grain variety with a natural nutty fragrance. It is cooked in small batches throughout the day with a light touch of turmeric, cumin, and bay leaf. The grains stay separate and fluffy, never clumped or gummy. Basmati also has a lower glycemic index than standard white rice.
How much does a rice bowl cost at Taza?
Rice bowls at Taza start at from $10.45 for the Falafel Bowl and from $12.45 for the Chicken Shawarma Bowl or Beef Shawarma Bowl. All 14 toppings from the self-serve bar are included at no extra charge. Compared to chain restaurants charging $11-15 for a similar bowl, Taza delivers better ingredients at a better price.
Are the rice bowls at Taza halal?
Yes. All chicken and beef at Taza is certified halal, with no exceptions. The falafel bowl is entirely plant-based. For the Muslim community across Northern Virginia, every protein on our menu meets halal certification standards every single day.
Can I get a rice bowl delivered near Falls Church?
Yes. Taza rice bowls are available for delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats across Falls Church, Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Tysons Corner, and the broader Northern Virginia area. You can also order online for in-store pickup. Our delivery packaging separates the rice, protein, and toppings so the bowl arrives fresh.
Are Taza rice bowls healthy?
Taza rice bowls range from approximately 420 to 580 calories with 18-42 grams of protein. The ingredients follow Mediterranean diet principles: lean spit-roasted protein, extra-virgin olive oil, tahini, fresh vegetables, and basmati rice with a lower glycemic index. No seed oils, no artificial preservatives, no MSG. The falafel bowl is naturally vegan without garlic mayo.
Can I customize my rice bowl at Taza?
Every rice bowl is fully customizable. You choose your protein -- chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, or falafel. Then you hit the self-serve toppings bar with 14 options including tahini, garlic sauce, pickled turnips, Arabic salad, fresh herbs, black olives, hot sauce, and more. All toppings are included. You can also add double protein or mix two proteins.
What is the difference between a rice bowl and a grain bowl?
A grain bowl can use any grain base -- quinoa, farro, brown rice, bulgur. A rice bowl specifically uses rice as the foundation. At Taza, our rice bowls use aromatic basmati rice with Levantine spices, topped with spit-roasted shawarma or fresh falafel and authentic Mediterranean toppings. It is a specific style rooted in Middle Eastern cuisine, not a generic grain bowl concept.
Visit Us
Find Us on Seminary Road in Falls Church
Taza Shawarma & Falafel is in the shopping center on Seminary Road, just off I-395. Plenty of free parking directly in front of the restaurant. Walk in, order your rice bowl, and sit down or take it to go.
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Your Rice Bowl Is Waiting
Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, or falafel. Fluffy basmati rice. Fourteen toppings. One bowl, built exactly how you want it. Order online for pickup, get it delivered, or drive to Seminary Road. Open 11 AM to midnight, seven days a week.