Shawarma Near Georgetown DC
Slow-roasted on a vertical spit. Hand-carved to order. Certified halal. Taza is the shawarma spot Georgetown residents, students, and professionals drive to -- and keep coming back to.
What Sets Us Apart
Why Georgetown Foodies Love Taza
Georgetown has high standards for food. So do we. Here is why students, professionals, and families from Georgetown make the drive to Taza.
Vertical Spit, Not a Flat Grill
Georgetown has plenty of places that call it shawarma but cook it on a flat top. That is a different product. At Taza, chicken and beef rotate on a traditional vertical spit for hours. The fat renders down through each layer, the exterior caramelizes, and the interior stays juicy. This method is slower. It is also the only correct way to make shawarma.
Sauces Made from Scratch Daily
The garlic sauce at Taza is made fresh every morning. So is the tahini. So is the hot sauce. Georgetown diners are used to high standards, and squeeze-bottle condiments from a distributor do not meet them. Our sauces are blended in-house before each shift, and the difference is immediate -- punchy, bright, and unapologetically bold.
Certified Halal, Every Single Item
Georgetown University alone has a significant Muslim student population. Every cut of meat at Taza is certified halal. Chicken, beef, lamb -- all of it. No asterisks, no exceptions. For families, students, and professionals who eat halal, Taza is a name they trust.
Fresh Means Fresh, Not Prepped Yesterday
The pita comes out of the oven minutes before it hits your plate. The vegetables are cut that morning. The falafel is formed and fried when you order it, not pulled from a warming drawer. Taza means fresh in Arabic. For Georgetown foodies who care about ingredient quality, that name is a promise.
Georgetown Picks
Top 8 Menu Items Georgetown Customers Order
These are the items that Georgetown regulars come back for. Every price is straight from our menu. Every item uses the same slow-roasted, hand-carved, made-fresh standards.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
The sandwich Georgetown students and M Street professionals come back for every week. Overnight-marinated chicken, hand-carved off the spit, stuffed into warm pita with garlic sauce and pickled turnips. This is the one.
Beef Shawarma Shrak
Beef shawarma rolled in shrak -- a paper-thin Lebanese flatbread baked on a convex dome. Lighter than pita, with a subtle chew. Finished with tahini, garlic sauce, and sumac. A step up from every wrap on Wisconsin Avenue.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Generous slices of chicken shawarma over basmati rice or mixed greens. Topped with Arabic salad, pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and fresh herbs. For the Georgetown gym crowd that wants real food after a workout, not a sad desk salad.
Falafel Pita
Hand-formed from chickpeas and fresh herbs, 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
Slow-roasted beef over your choice of base. The fat renders during the spit roast, so the meat arrives tender and deeply flavored. Finished with Arabic salad, pickles, and tahini. A full meal that holds up against any Georgetown restaurant.
Hummus
Velvety-smooth chickpea dip blended with tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and finished with olive oil and paprika. 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 extra-virgin olive oil. Baked in our stone oven. Simple, aromatic, and unlike anything on the Georgetown brunch circuit. A must-try for first-timers.
Rice Pudding
Layers of phyllo pastry, crushed pistachios, and walnuts drenched in rose-water honey syrup. A proper finish to a proper meal. Skip the Georgetown cupcake shops -- this is the move.
No Shortcuts
The Shawarma Process at Taza
Four stages. Twelve-plus hours of marination. One vertical spit. This is how every shawarma at Taza gets made -- and why Georgetown customers say it tastes different from everything else.
The Overnight Marinade
Every batch of chicken and beef soaks for a minimum of twelve hours. Yogurt for tenderness, lemon juice for brightness, and a proprietary seven-spice blend: cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, coriander, and cumin. The marinade penetrates deep into the meat. There are no shortcuts here.
The Vertical Spit
Marinated meat is stacked in tight layers on a vertical rotisserie. Chicken thighs layered with fat. Beef slices pressed with fat ribbons in between. The spit rotates slowly beside an open flame. 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.
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 moment the knife touches the meat, you hear the sizzle. That sound means the shawarma is going from spit to sandwich in under 60 seconds.
The Assembly
Warm pita, fresh from the oven. Garlic sauce spread edge to edge. Pickled turnips for acid and crunch. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce for texture. Then the shawarma goes on top, still radiating heat from the spit. Wrapped tight and handed to you within seconds of being carved. That is the Taza standard.
12+ Hours
Marinade Time
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
Delivery to Georgetown
Order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub for delivery to Georgetown in 30-40 minutes. For catering orders, we deliver directly to any Georgetown address.
Feed the Whole Group
Catering for Georgetown Events
Office lunches, university events, private parties. Taza delivers Mediterranean catering across the Georgetown area. Halal-certified, vegetarian-friendly, and built for groups of any size.
Georgetown Office Lunch
Shawarma platters, falafel trays, hummus, pita, and a full toppings spread. Feeds 10-50+. We have catered to law firms on K Street, consulting offices in Rosslyn, and coworking spaces in Georgetown proper. Hot food, on time, every time.
Call to Order: (703) 340-1014University & Student Events
Georgetown University clubs, Greek organizations, and student government groups order from Taza regularly. Halal-certified, vegetarian options included, and priced for student budgets. 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. Full buffet setup with shawarma, falafel, bowls, sides, and desserts. We deliver and set up across the DC metro area.
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. Delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub reaches Georgetown in about 30-40 minutes.
Does Taza deliver shawarma to Georgetown?
Yes. Taza delivers to Georgetown through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Typical delivery time to the Georgetown area is 30-40 minutes. For catering orders (office lunches, events, parties), we deliver directly and can accommodate Georgetown addresses, Georgetown University venues, and the Georgetown Waterfront area. Call us at (703) 340-1014 to arrange catering delivery.
Is the food at Taza halal?
100%. Every cut of meat at Taza -- chicken, beef, and lamb -- is certified halal. This applies to every order: dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering. For Georgetown University students and DC professionals who eat halal, Taza is one of the most trusted options in the metro area.
What should I order from Taza if I have never been?
Start with the Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95). It is our most popular item and the best introduction to what Taza does. Overnight-marinated chicken, slow-roasted on a vertical spit, hand-carved, and served in fresh pita with garlic sauce and pickled turnips. Add a side of hummus ($4.95) and a piece of cake ($4.95). That is the ideal first order.
Can Taza cater events at Georgetown University?
Absolutely. We have catered events for Georgetown University student organizations, department gatherings, and private parties in the Georgetown area. We offer shawarma platters, falafel trays, hummus spreads, and full Mediterranean buffets for groups of 10 to 200+. All food is halal-certified and vegetarian options are always included. 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 authentic shawarma -- meat slow-roasted on a vertical spit, hand-carved to order, served with house-made sauces and fresh pita -- the options within Georgetown itself are limited.
That is why Georgetown residents, Georgetown University students, and professionals working in the area have made Taza Shawarma & Falafel a regular part of their rotation. 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 our location, and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub reaches Georgetown addresses in 30-40 minutes.
The difference between Taza and most quick-service Mediterranean restaurants in the DC area comes down to method. Our chicken and beef marinate overnight in yogurt, lemon, and a seven-spice blend. The meat is stacked on a vertical spit and rotated next to open flame for hours. 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, all meats at Taza are certified halal. This applies to dine-in, takeout, delivery, 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 stone oven.
Catering is a significant part of what we do for the Georgetown area. Office lunches, university events, private parties, and celebrations throughout Georgetown and surrounding neighborhoods. We deliver shawarma platters, falafel trays, hummus spreads, and full Mediterranean buffet setups. 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 pickup, call for catering, or use any of the major delivery apps to get shawarma delivered to Georgetown.
Georgetown to Taza -- 18 Minutes
The Best Shawarma Near Georgetown Is Waiting
Slow-roasted. Hand-carved. Certified halal. Open until midnight, seven days a week. Order online for pickup or get it delivered to any Georgetown address.