Shawarma Near Georgetown DC
Carved off the vertical spit to order. 100% halal. Open until midnight with free parking at the door -- an easy drive from Georgetown for residents, students, and professionals.
What Sets Us Apart
Why Georgetown Foodies Make the Drive
Georgetown has high standards for food. Here is what students, professionals, and families from Georgetown find at Taza.
Vertical Spit, Not a Flat Grill
Plenty of places call it shawarma but cook it on a flat top. That is a different product. At Taza, chicken and beef shawarma turn on a vertical spit and are carved to order. The fat renders down through each layer, the exterior caramelizes, and the interior stays juicy. This method is slower. It is also the traditional way to make shawarma.
14 Free Toppings, Your Choice
Every pita, shrak, and bowl comes with 14 free toppings in store: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mint, parsley, pickles, black olives, tahini sauce, garlic mayo, olive oil dressing, hummus, baba ghanoush, and turnips. Tell the counter what you want and the crew builds it in front of you. Ordering online? Choose up to 6 of 11.
100% Halal, Every Single Item
Georgetown University alone has a significant Muslim student population. Everything on the Taza menu is 100% halal -- the chicken, the beef, the pies, all of it. No asterisks, no exceptions. For families, students, and professionals who eat halal, there is nothing on the menu to second-guess.
Fresh Means Fresh, Not Prepped Yesterday
The pita and manaeesh are baked in our oven. The shawarma is carved off the vertical spit when you order. The falafel is fried to order, not pulled from a warming drawer. Taza means fresh in Arabic. For Georgetown foodies who care about how their food is made, you can watch it happen at the counter.
Georgetown Picks
8 Menu Items to Try First
A first-timer's tour of the menu. Every price is straight from our menu. Shawarma carved off the spit, falafel fried to order, bread from the oven.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
Chicken shawarma carved off the vertical spit, stuffed into warm pita from our oven with your choice of toppings -- garlic mayo and turnips are a classic pair. The easiest first order on the menu.
Beef Shawarma Shrak
Beef shawarma rolled in shrak -- a paper-thin Levantine flatbread. Lighter than pita, with a subtle chew. Finish it with tahini sauce, garlic mayo, and turnips from the free toppings. A different kind of wrap from what you find on Wisconsin Avenue.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Generous slices of chicken shawarma over basmati rice or mixed greens. Topped with your choice of turnips, pickles, garlic mayo, and fresh herbs. For the Georgetown gym crowd that wants real food after a workout, not a sad desk salad.
Falafel Pita
Chickpea falafel fried to order. Crispy exterior, herb-green interior. Tucked into warm pita with tahini, pickles, and vegetables. Georgetown has no shortage of vegetarian options -- this one actually has flavor.
Beef Shawarma Bowl
Beef shawarma carved off the spit over your choice of base. The fat renders as the spit turns, so the meat arrives tender and deeply flavored. Finished with your choice of pickles, tahini sauce, and vegetables. A full meal that holds up against any Georgetown restaurant.
Hummus
Smooth chickpea dip blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, finished with olive oil. Served with warm pita. Order it as a side or make it the base of your bowl.
Zaatar Manaeesh
Warm flatbread brushed with za'atar, toasted sesame, and olive oil. Baked in our oven. Simple, aromatic, and unlike anything on the Georgetown brunch circuit. A must-try for first-timers.
Rice Pudding
Creamy rice pudding, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert. A light, sweet finish to a shawarma meal. Skip the Georgetown cupcake line -- this is the move.
No Shortcuts
The Shawarma Process at Taza
Four stages. One vertical spit. This is how shawarma at Taza gets made -- and why it tastes different from flat-grilled chicken.
The Seasoning
Shawarma is traditionally marinated before it goes on the spit: yogurt or lemon for tenderness and brightness, garlic, and warm spices such as allspice, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, and cumin. Those spices build the crust that forms as the meat turns. The seasoning is what makes shawarma taste like shawarma.
The Vertical Spit
Seasoned meat is stacked in tight layers on a vertical rotisserie. The spit rotates slowly beside the heat. The outside caramelizes first. The fat renders downward, basting every layer below it. This is the technique that separates real shawarma from a grilled chicken sandwich with Middle Eastern seasoning, and it is how Taza cooks its chicken and beef shawarma.
The Hand Carve
A sharp blade, a steady hand. Each serving is carved to order -- thin, crispy-edged slices shaved directly off the rotating spit. Not pre-sliced, not sitting in a pan. The shawarma goes from spit to sandwich in moments.
The Assembly
Warm pita from our oven. Then your choice from 14 free toppings -- garlic mayo, tahini sauce, turnips for acid and crunch, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce for texture. The shawarma goes in still hot from the spit, and the crew wraps it tight and hands it over. That is how a Taza pita is built.
Carved to Order
Off the vertical spit
Easy Drive from Georgetown
Getting Here from Georgetown
Taza is located at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041 -- about 12 miles from the heart of Georgetown. Three routes, all under 25 minutes. Park right outside our door with free lot parking.
From M Street NW
Head south on Wisconsin Avenue, merge onto the Whitehurst Freeway to I-66 West, then take I-395 South to Seminary Road. Total distance: about 12 miles. Traffic is typical DC -- plan for 15-25 minutes depending on the time of day.
From Wisconsin Avenue
Take Wisconsin Ave south to M Street, then follow the same route via Whitehurst Freeway to I-66 West and I-395 South. If you are coming from upper Georgetown near the Cathedral, cut through Glover Park to Canal Road for a faster merge.
Via Key Bridge
Cross Key Bridge into Rosslyn, VA. From there, take Route 50 West to I-395 South, exit at Seminary Road. This is often the fastest route from lower Georgetown, especially during evening rush when M Street crawls. Straightforward and minimal turns.
Address
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
Hours
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Phone
(703) 340-1014Drive Times from Nearby Neighborhoods
Order Ahead from Georgetown
Order online through Clover before you leave and pick up when you arrive. For catering of 10 to 200+ guests, delivery is available to Georgetown addresses.
Feed the Whole Group
Catering for Georgetown Events
Office lunches, university events, private parties. Taza caters 10 to 200+ guests across the Georgetown area, with delivery available. 100% halal and vegetarian-friendly.
Georgetown Office Lunch
Shawarma platters, falafel trays, hummus, pita, and a full toppings spread. Catering for 10 to 200+ guests, with delivery available -- for law firms on K Street, consulting offices in Rosslyn, and coworking spaces in Georgetown proper.
Call to Order: (703) 340-1014University & Student Events
Georgetown University clubs, Greek organizations, and student government groups can feed a crowd with Taza catering. 100% halal, vegetarian options included, and simple to order. We handle the food so you can handle the event.
Call to Order: (703) 340-1014Private Parties & Gatherings
Birthday parties, graduation celebrations, engagement dinners, watch parties. Mediterranean food works for every occasion. Shawarma, falafel, sides, and desserts for 10 to 200+ guests, with delivery available. Call (703) 340-1014 to plan your event.
Call to Order: (703) 340-1014Georgetown Questions Answered
Georgetown Shawarma FAQ
How far is Taza from Georgetown, DC?
Taza is located at 5820 Seminary Rd in Falls Church, VA -- approximately 12 miles and 16-22 minutes from Georgetown depending on your route and traffic conditions. The fastest route is usually via Key Bridge into Rosslyn and then I-395 South to Seminary Road. Order online through Clover before you leave and your food is ready for pickup, with free parking at the door.
Can I get Taza shawarma for a Georgetown event?
Yes, through catering. Taza caters events of 10 to 200+ guests with delivery available, including office lunches, parties, and university gatherings at Georgetown addresses. For everyday meals, order online through Clover for pickup at our Falls Church location. Call us at (703) 340-1014 to arrange catering.
Is the food at Taza halal?
100%. Everything on the Taza menu is halal -- the chicken shawarma, the beef shawarma, and every other item. That applies to every order: dine-in, online pickup, and catering. For Georgetown University students and DC professionals who eat halal, there is nothing on the menu to check twice.
What should I order from Taza if I have never been?
Start with the Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95). It is the easiest introduction to what Taza does: chicken carved off the vertical spit, tucked into warm pita from our oven, with your choice of 14 free toppings. Add a side of hummus ($4.95) and a slice of cake ($4.95). That is a great first order.
Can Taza cater events at Georgetown University?
Absolutely. Taza caters student organization events, department gatherings, and private parties in the Georgetown area. We offer shawarma and falafel trays, hummus spreads, and sides for groups of 10 to 200+, with delivery available. All food is 100% halal and vegetarian options are always available. Contact us at (703) 340-1014 or hello@tazava.com to get a catering quote.
The Georgetown Guide to Great Shawarma
Georgetown has one of the most competitive food scenes in Washington DC. M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are lined with restaurants covering every cuisine imaginable. But when it comes to shawarma carved off a vertical spit and served in pita from the oven, the options within Georgetown itself are limited.
That is why Taza Shawarma & Falafel is worth knowing for Georgetown residents, Georgetown University students, and professionals working in the area. Located at 5820 Seminary Rd in Falls Church, VA, Taza is approximately 18 minutes from the heart of Georgetown via Key Bridge and I-395. The drive is straightforward, parking is free at the door, and online ordering through Clover means your food is ready for pickup when you arrive.
The difference between Taza and most quick-service Mediterranean restaurants in the DC area comes down to method. Our chicken and beef shawarma cook on a vertical spit, the traditional way, and turn beside the heat until the edges caramelize. Each serving is carved directly off the spit -- not reheated, not pre-sliced, not pulled from a holding pan. That freshness is the entire point.
For Georgetown University students and the growing Muslim community in the DC metro, the entire Taza menu is 100% halal. This applies to dine-in, online pickup, and catering. The menu also offers strong vegetarian options: falafel formed and fried to order, creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanouj, and za'atar manaeesh from our oven.
Catering is available for the Georgetown area too. Office lunches, university events, private parties, and celebrations throughout Georgetown and surrounding neighborhoods. We offer shawarma and falafel trays, hummus spreads, and sides, with delivery available. Groups of 10 to 200+ are all welcome.
Taza is open seven days a week, 11:00 AM to midnight. Late nights after studying at Lauinger Library, post-game meals after watching the Hoyas, weekend family dinners -- the hours are built for real life. Order online for Clover pickup, or call (703) 340-1014 to plan catering for a Georgetown event.
Georgetown to Taza -- 18 Minutes
Halal Shawarma Near Georgetown Is Waiting
Carved off the spit. 100% halal. Open until midnight, seven days a week. Order online for Clover pickup, or call about catering delivery to any Georgetown address.