Mediterranean Food Comparison
Shawarma vs Falafel: Which Should You Order?
Two pillars of Mediterranean cuisine. One is spit-roasted meat, the other is crispy fried chickpeas. Both are served in the same formats at Taza — pita, wrap, or bowl. Here is how to decide.
- Yelp 4.8 (92 reviews) (opens in a new tab)
- Open 7 days, 11 AM to midnight
- Free parking at the door
- 2Iconic Dishes
- 100%Falafel Fried to Order
- 14Toppings Available
- 3Ways to Order: Pita, Shrak, Bowl
The Quick Answer
What's the Difference Between Shawarma and Falafel?
One is meat, one is not. But the differences go deeper than that.
Shawarma is spit-roasted meat -- typically chicken, beef, or lamb -- stacked on a vertical spit and cooked slowly until the outside is caramelized and the inside is tender. The meat is seasoned with a complex Middle Eastern spice blend (cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, sumac) and shaved to order. It is rich, savory, and high in protein. At Taza, chicken shawarma pita starts at $9.95 and beef at $9.95.
Falafel is deep-fried chickpea patties. Ground chickpeas are mixed with fresh parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, and coriander, formed into balls or discs, and fried until the outside is golden and crispy while the inside stays soft and green with herbs. Falafel is completely vegan, high in fiber, and has a satisfying crunch that nothing else in Mediterranean cuisine replicates. At Taza, falafel pita starts at $8.95.
Both are pillars of Mediterranean cuisine. Both are served at Taza in the same formats -- pita, shrak wrap, or bowl -- with the same 14 free toppings to choose from in store. The choice comes down to what you want from your meal: animal protein vs plant protein, spit-roasted richness vs crispy crunch, meat-forward vs vegan.
Shawarma: Carved Off the Spit
Chicken or beef shawarma, turning on the vertical spit, carved to order.
Shawarma
What Is Shawarma?
The spit-roasted meat that defines Middle Eastern street food.
Shawarma is a Middle Eastern cooking method where whole cuts of seasoned meat are stacked on a vertical rotating spit and roasted slowly as it turns. The technique originated in the Ottoman Empire and spread across Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and the broader Middle East. The word comes from the Turkish "cevirme," meaning "turning."
At Taza, we offer both chicken and beef shawarma. Both are cooked on vertical spits and carved off the spit when you order, so the slices have those caramelized edges. Beef shawarma is richer and warmer; chicken is lighter. Both are 100% halal, like everything else on the menu.
Chicken Shawarma
Pita $9.95
Bowl $12.45
Wrap $11.45
Beef Shawarma
Pita $9.95
Bowl $12.45
Wrap $11.45
Falafel
What Is Falafel?
The crispy, herb-packed chickpea patty that is the world's favorite vegan street food.
Falafel is a deep-fried patty made from ground raw chickpeas (or fava beans in Egyptian tradition) mixed with fresh parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, and coriander. The mixture is never cooked before frying -- the raw chickpeas are soaked overnight, ground, seasoned, formed into balls or discs, and dropped into hot oil. The exterior turns golden and crispy in 3-4 minutes while the interior stays soft, moist, and bright green from the fresh herbs.
At Taza, every falafel is fried to order -- no batches sitting under a heat lamp. When you order a falafel pita ($8.95), the falafel goes into the fryer at that moment. The result is a crunchy exterior that shatters when you bite through it and a warm, herbaceous interior. Pair it with tahini sauce, fresh vegetables, and pickles. The falafel bowl is $10.45 and the falafel shrak wrap $9.95.
Falafel is 100% vegan, naturally gluten-free (when not served in bread), and high in fiber and plant protein. It is one of the oldest prepared foods in the Middle East, with roots in Egypt dating back over a thousand years. It spread through the Levant and is now served in virtually every Mediterranean restaurant worldwide.
Head to Head
Shawarma vs Falafel: Complete Comparison
A direct side-by-side on every dimension that matters when choosing your order.
| Feature | Shawarma | Falafel |
|---|---|---|
| Main Ingredient | Whole cuts of chicken or beef, marinated | Ground chickpeas, fresh herbs, spices |
| Protein Content | Higher — typically several times a falafel pita | Moderate — plant protein from chickpeas |
| Cooking Method | Cooked on a vertical spit, carved to order | Deep-fried to order in a few minutes |
| Dietary | Contains meat (halal at Taza) | Vegan, plant-based |
| Texture | Tender slices with crispy caramelized edges | Crispy golden crust, soft herb-green interior |
| Best In | Pita, shrak wrap, or bowl over rice | Pita, shrak wrap, or bowl over greens |
| Price at Taza | Pita $9.95 / Bowl $12.45 | Pita $8.95 / Bowl $10.45 |
At Taza, both shawarma and falafel are served with the same 14 toppings, in the same formats (pita, wrap, bowl), and made fresh to order. The only difference is the protein. Choose the one that fits your meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition Face-Off: Shawarma vs Falafel
The numbers behind each dish, so you can order with confidence.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
Wins on: Protein, lean meat, lower fat
Falafel Pita
Wins on: Fiber, vegan, no cholesterol, lower calories
The Verdict
Neither is objectively "healthier" -- they serve different nutritional goals. Chicken shawarma is the better choice for high-protein, post-workout, or muscle-building meals. Falafel is the better choice for vegans, fiber seekers, and anyone avoiding animal products. Both are significantly healthier than typical American fast food, which averages 700-1000 calories per sandwich with far less nutritional value.
Best of Both
Why Not Order Both?
The mix-and-match option for people who refuse to choose.
Here is a simple trick: you do not have to choose. The easiest way to get both is to add individual falafel pieces ($0.85 each) to any shawarma order. Drop 2-3 falafel into a chicken shawarma bowl and you get the protein from the meat plus the crunch and fiber from the falafel. The flavors complement each other perfectly -- the warm, aromatic shawarma plays against the crispy, herby falafel.
For groups, order a shawarma bowl and a separate order of falafel pita or falafel bowl. Pass everything around the table. Add hummus ($4.95) and baba ghanouj ($4.95) as shared starters. This is how Mediterranean meals are meant to be eaten -- communally, with variety, and with plenty of pita bread for tearing.
If you are feeding a group with mixed dietary preferences -- some meat eaters, some vegetarians, some vegans -- Taza handles it naturally. Order shawarma for the meat eaters, falafel for the plant-based crowd, and hummus and manaeesh for everyone to share. Everyone eats well, nobody has to compromise, and the bill stays reasonable. See our full menu to plan your order.
Shawarma and Falafel, Side by Side
Falafel, chicken, and beef shawarma bowls — pick one, or get both.
Menu Options
Best Ways to Eat Shawarma and Falafel
Six formats across both proteins. Every option includes 14 toppings at no extra charge.
Chicken Shawarma Wrap -- $11.45
Generous chicken shawarma rolled in thin shrak flatbread with your choice of garlic mayo, turnips, pickles, and fresh greens. The larger, more filling shawarma option.
Order NowChicken Shawarma Bowl -- $12.45
Chicken shawarma over rice, greens, or hummus with all 14 toppings. High protein, no bread. The go-to for fitness-minded eaters.
Order NowBeef Shawarma Bowl -- $12.45
Rich beef shawarma carved off the spit over rice, greens, or hummus, with pickles, tahini sauce, and your other topping picks. The most indulgent shawarma format.
Order NowFalafel Wrap -- $9.95
Crispy falafel rolled in thin shrak bread with hummus, pickles, fresh vegetables, and tahini sauce. A classic vegan-friendly wrap.
Order NowFalafel Pita -- $8.95
Crispy chickpea falafel in a warm pita pocket with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and tahini. A vegetarian classic.
Order NowFalafel Bowl -- $10.45
Falafel over rice, greens, or hummus with all toppings. High fiber, fully vegan, and surprisingly filling.
Order NowDecision Guide
Who Should Order What?
A quick decision helper based on what you care about most.
Meat Lovers
Chicken or Beef Shawarma Pita
Maximum savory flavor from spiced meat carved off the vertical spit. The caramelized edges from the spit are addictive.
From $9.95Plant-Based Eaters
Falafel Pita or Bowl
100% vegan, high in fiber, fried to order for maximum crunch. Pair with tahini and hummus for a complete plant-protein meal.
From $8.95Can't Decide
Shawarma + Falafel Combo
Add 2-3 falafel to any shawarma bowl or pita. Get the rich, spiced meat plus the crispy chickpea crunch in every bite.
From $0.85/falafel extraHigh Protein Goal
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
High protein with no bread. Get it on a greens base for the leanest option. A strong post-workout Mediterranean meal.
From $12.45Crispy Texture Fans
Falafel Wrap
The contrast between crispy fried falafel and soft shrak bread is the most satisfying texture combination on the menu.
From $9.95Feeding a Mixed Group
Order Both + Shared Sides
Shawarma for meat eaters, falafel for vegans, hummus and baba ghanouj for the table. Everyone eats well, nobody compromises.
From Hummus $4.95Toppings
Best Toppings for Shawarma vs Falafel
Both get the same 14 toppings at Taza, but the ideal combinations differ.
Best Toppings for Shawarma
Recommended combination for first-timers:
Best Toppings for Falafel
Recommended combination for first-timers:
In store, all 14 toppings are free with every order. These are starting suggestions -- after your first visit, you will develop your own preferred combination.
Taza
Why Taza Does Both
A restaurant that takes both shawarma and falafel seriously.
Many Mediterranean restaurants treat falafel as a secondary item -- a vegetarian afterthought. At Taza, falafel shares the name on the sign with shawarma. Every falafel is fried to order, never pre-made and reheated. The result is a falafel with a crunchy crust and a moist, green interior, ready for tahini sauce and your choice of 14 free toppings at the counter.
The shawarma gets equal dedication. Whole cuts of 100% halal chicken and beef turn on vertical spits and are carved to order. No pre-sliced meat sitting in a warmer. Each order is shaved from the spit when you walk up to the counter.
Taza is located at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. We are open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week. You can order online for pickup, walk in, or call (703) 340-1014 for large or custom orders. Whether you choose shawarma, falafel, or both -- you are getting the real thing.
FAQ
Shawarma vs Falafel: Common Questions
Is falafel healthier than shawarma?
It depends on what you mean by healthy. As a general rule, falafel is completely plant-based, higher in fiber thanks to the chickpeas, and contains no cholesterol. However, falafel is deep-fried, which adds fat, while shawarma renders some of its fat on the spit. Chicken shawarma wins clearly on protein, since it is mostly meat. We do not publish lab-tested nutrition numbers for our dishes, but if you are prioritizing protein and lean meat, chicken shawarma is the better choice. If you are vegan, watching cholesterol, or want more fiber, falafel is the way to go.
Can you get falafel and shawarma together?
Yes. At Taza Shawarma & Falafel, you can add falafel pieces to any shawarma order. Individual falafel pieces are $0.85 each. Adding 2-3 falafel to a chicken shawarma bowl or pita gives you extra crunch and variety. You can also order a shawarma pita and a side of falafel separately. For groups, ordering both shawarma and falafel trays lets everyone try both. There is no rule that says you have to choose one or the other.
Is falafel always vegan?
Traditional falafel is vegan. The core ingredients are ground chickpeas (or fava beans in Egyptian-style falafel), fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro), onion, garlic, cumin, and coriander. No eggs, no dairy, no meat. However, some restaurants add eggs as a binder or fry falafel in the same oil as other foods, so if strict veganism matters to you, always ask — at Taza, ask the crew at the counter and they will walk you through how the falafel is made and fried.
Which has more protein, shawarma or falafel?
Shawarma has significantly more protein, because it is mostly sliced meat, while falafel gets its protein from chickpeas. If you need a high-protein meal, chicken shawarma — especially in a bowl (from $12.45) — is the clear winner. Falafel protein can be supplemented by adding hummus ($4.95), which adds more plant protein from chickpeas and tahini.
What sauces go with shawarma and falafel?
At Taza, both shawarma and falafel pair well with tahini sauce (sesame-based, nutty, slightly bitter) and garlic mayo (creamy, pungent). Shawarma is traditionally served with garlic sauce as the primary condiment, while falafel leans toward tahini. Beyond those two, you can add hummus, olive oil dressing, or baba ghanoush. In store, all of these are part of our 14 free toppings, chosen at the counter; online, pick up to 6 of 11.
Are both shawarma and falafel halal?
At Taza, yes. The entire menu is 100% halal, including the chicken and beef shawarma. Falafel is inherently halal (and vegan) since it contains no animal products at all — it is made entirely from chickpeas, herbs, and spices. Both dishes are safe for customers who follow halal dietary guidelines.
Visit Us
Try Both at Taza
Open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel, Bailey's Crossroads
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041 (directions, opens in a new tab)(703) 340-1014On Seminary Road with free parking at the door. Order ahead for pickup, or come in and build your plate at the counter.
Opening hours
| Monday | 11 AM to midnight |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Wednesday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Thursday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Friday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Saturday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Sunday | 11 AM to midnight |
Free parking at the door. Halal chicken and beef.
Shawarma or Falafel?
Why Not Both? Order from Taza Now
Spit-roasted shawarma and fresh-fried falafel, both made to order. 14 free toppings in store. Pita, wrap, or bowl. Online ordering for Clover pickup, or dine in.
Keep reading