First-Timer's Guide
What to Order at a Mediterranean Restaurant
The menu has names you cannot pronounce yet. That is fine. In 10 minutes you will know exactly what everything is, what it tastes like, and what to order for your first meal.
- Yelp 4.8 (92 reviews) (opens in a new tab)
- Open 7 days, 11 AM to midnight
- Free parking at the door
- 40+Items on Taza's Menu
- 14Fresh Toppings
- 5Meal Formats
- 100%Halal
Start Here
How to Read a Mediterranean Menu
It is simpler than it looks once you understand the structure.
Walking into a Mediterranean restaurant for the first time can feel overwhelming. The menu is packed with unfamiliar names -- shawarma, manaeesh, za'atar, labneh, fattoush, tahini. But here is the thing: Mediterranean food is simple at its core. It is grilled meats, fresh vegetables, creamy dips, and warm bread. Every dish on a Mediterranean menu falls into one of a few categories: a protein (chicken, beef, or falafel), a format (pita sandwich, wrap, bowl, or flatbread), a set of toppings (fresh vegetables, sauces, pickles), and sides (dips, salads, pies). Once you understand those four layers, ordering becomes straightforward.
At Taza Shawarma & Falafel, the menu has 40+ items across six categories: pita sandwiches, shrak wraps, bowls, manaeesh (flatbreads), specialty pies, and sides. This guide walks you through every section so you know exactly what to order. We use real items from Taza's menu with current prices, but the knowledge applies to any Mediterranean restaurant you visit.
If you want the safest, most crowd-pleasing first order: get a Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95) and a side of Hummus ($4.95) with pita bread for scooping. It is the order we point first-timers to.
The Shawarma Spit
Seasoned meat stacked on a vertical spit and carved to order for every pita, wrap, and bowl.
Section 1
The Dips & Starters
Start here. Order one or two dips with pita bread while you wait for your main. Share them with the table.
Hummus -- $4.95
The one you already know. Chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil into a smooth, creamy dip. Scoop it with warm pita bread. It is served at virtually every Mediterranean table as a starter. High in protein and fiber. If you order one thing to share, make it this.
Baba Ghanouj -- $4.95
Roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. The eggplant is charred over fire first, which gives it a deep, smoky flavor that hummus does not have. Lighter and silkier than hummus. If you like smoky flavors, you will prefer this to hummus.
Labneh -- $4.95
Strained yogurt, thick as cream cheese, drizzled with olive oil and dried mint. Tangy, cool, and rich. It is eaten for breakfast with za'atar and pita across the Levant. Great as a starter or a side. Probiotic-rich and high in protein. Different from Greek yogurt — thicker, tangier, more concentrated.
Pro tip: Order all three dips ($4.95, $4.95 and $4.95) with a couple of extra pita breads ($0.95 each) and you have a shareable starter spread for 4 people.
Section 2
The Proteins
Three choices. Each available in every format (pita, wrap, bowl). Pick the one that sounds good to you.
Chicken Shawarma
The most popular protein at any Mediterranean restaurant. Shawarma chicken is traditionally seasoned with spices like cumin, turmeric, garlic, and paprika, stacked on a vertical spit, and carved as it cooks. At Taza it is carved off the spit to order. Available as pita ($9.95), shrak wrap ($11.45), or bowl ($12.45). Lean, flavorful, and the safest first-time order.
Beef Shawarma
Same preparation method as chicken but with beef. Richer, beefier, and slightly more indulgent. The beef is seasoned, stacked on the vertical spit, and cooked until the outside caramelizes. Carved thin to order. Pita from $9.95, shrak wrap from $11.45, bowl from $12.45. Go with this if you prefer red meat.
Falafel (Vegan)
Ground chickpeas mixed with fresh parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, and cumin, formed into balls, and fried to order. Crispy on the outside, herb-green on the inside. This is the go-to for vegetarians and vegans. Pita from $8.95, shrak wrap from $9.95, bowl from $10.45. Do not let the word 'vegan' scare you — meat-eaters order falafel all the time.
Section 3
The Formats: Wrap, Pita, Bowl, Flatbread, or Pie?
Same proteins, different vessels. Your choice of format changes the experience.
| Format | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Wrap (Shrak) | On-the-go eating, bigger appetite | $11.45 - $11.45 |
| Pita Pocket | Classic handheld, quick lunch | $8.95 - $9.95 |
| Bowl | Health-focused, customizable | $10.45 - $12.45 |
| Manaeesh (Flatbread) | Breakfast, light meal, sharing | $6.95 - $8.95 |
| Specialty Pies | Snacking, appetizers, kids | $2.95 - $2.95 |
Which Format Should You Choose?
- First time? Get a pita. It is the classic Mediterranean sandwich and the easiest to eat.
- Big appetite? Go with a shrak wrap. Larger than a pita, more filling, and the thin flatbread adds a chewy texture.
- Watching carbs? Get a bowl over greens. No bread, all protein and vegetables.
- Feeling adventurous? Order manaeesh or lahm bil ajin. These are Mediterranean flatbreads with no Western equivalent. Unique and worth trying.
- On a budget? Specialty pies start at $2.95 each. Get three or four different ones and sample everything.
From the Oven
Manaeesh, lahm bil ajin, and specialty pies — baked in our oven.
Section 4
The Breads & Flatbreads
Bread is not just a side in Mediterranean cuisine. It is a meal format, a utensil, and a tradition.
Pita Bread -- $0.95
Round, puffy pocket bread baked until it puffs from steam. Tear it open and stuff it with protein and toppings (that is a pita sandwich), or tear off pieces and scoop dips. Baked in the oven at Taza. The universal vessel of Mediterranean dining.
Manaeesh -- from $6.95
Lebanese oven-baked flatbreads. Not a side -- these are a meal. Za'atar manaeesh ($6.95) is topped with dried thyme, sesame, and olive oil. Cheese manaeesh ($7.95) is covered in melted cheese blend. Spinach manaeesh ($7.95) has fresh spinach, onion, and pine nuts. Eaten for breakfast across Lebanon.
Za'atar Pie -- $2.95
Smaller than manaeesh, hand-folded into a pastry shape with za'atar, sesame, and olive oil inside. At $2.95, it is one of the cheapest items on the menu and a great add-on to any order. Think of it as a savory Mediterranean hand pie.
Lahm Bil Ajin -- $8.95
Thin, crispy flatbread topped with seasoned ground beef, onion, parsley, and spices. Called 'Lebanese pizza' by some. It is not pizza -- it is its own thing. The crust is thinner, the topping is meatier, and it folds in half for eating. One of the most unique items on any Mediterranean menu.
Section 5
The Salads & Sides
These complete your meal. Most Mediterranean diners order at least one side.
Toppings Selection (Free)
At Taza, every pita, wrap, and bowl comes with 14 free toppings, your choice, built at the counter (online, pick up to 6 of 11): lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mint, parsley, pickles, black olives, tahini sauce, garlic mayo, olive oil dressing, hummus, baba ghanoush, and pickled turnips. Load up. The more vegetables you add, the better your meal.
French Fries -- $3.95
Yes, French fries are on Mediterranean menus. They are eaten across the Middle East and Mediterranean, often alongside shawarma or as a side to a dip spread. At Taza, our fries are crispy and seasoned. Not traditional? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely. Kids love them, adults love them.
Rice -- $2.95
Fluffy basmati rice with aromatic spices. Served as a bowl base or as a standalone side. If you order a bowl, rice is one of your three base options (alongside mixed greens and hummus). A side of rice pairs well with any shawarma or falafel order.
Grape Leaves & Fattoush
Two classic Mediterranean sides you will find at most restaurants. Grape leaves are vine leaves stuffed with spiced rice (sometimes with meat). Fattoush is a salad of chopped vegetables with toasted pita chips and a sumac-lemon dressing. Both are staples of the cuisine and worth trying when available.
Section 6
The Sauces: Tahini, Garlic, and Hot
The sauce matters. Here is what goes with what.
Tahini
Sesame seed paste thinned with lemon juice and water. Nutty, slightly bitter, earthy. Goes on everything — shawarma, falafel, bowls, salads. This is the classic Mediterranean sauce. If you only try one sauce, try tahini.
Garlic Sauce (Toum)
Whipped garlic emulsified with oil and lemon until it turns fluffy and white. Intense garlic flavor. Traditionally paired with chicken shawarma. If you love garlic, ask for extra. Warning: this is strong. One spoonful goes a long way.
Hot Sauce
Not a default at most Mediterranean restaurants. At Taza, ask at the counter if you want heat. Mediterranean food is not spicy by nature, but a little hot sauce on a beef shawarma wrap adds a nice kick. Totally optional.
The Cheat Sheet
- Chicken shawarma? Garlic sauce. The pairing is iconic.
- Beef shawarma? Tahini. The nuttiness complements the beef.
- Falafel? Tahini, always. It is the traditional pairing across the Middle East.
- On a bowl? Olive oil dressing + tahini. Light and clean.
- Want heat? Add hot sauce to any of the above.
Your Order
5 Orders for 5 Types of Eaters
Not sure what to get? Find your profile below and order exactly what we suggest.
The Meat Lover
- Beef Shawarma Shrak Wrap -- $11.45
- Sfiha Meat Pie (x2) -- $2.95 each
- Fries -- $3.95
- Soda -- $1.79
Big, meaty, and satisfying. The beef shrak is the largest sandwich format, and the sfiha pies are a traditional meat appetizer.
The Health Nut
- Chicken Shawarma Bowl (over greens) -- $12.45
- Lemon Mint -- $5.95
Under 550 calories. Lean protein, fresh vegetables, tahini for healthy fats, and a fresh-squeezed drink. No bread, no fried food. Mediterranean diet in a single order.
The Vegan
- Falafel Shrak Wrap -- $9.95
- Hummus -- $4.95
- Extra Pita -- $0.95
- Lemon Mint -- $5.95
100% plant-based. Falafel is chickpea-based, hummus is chickpea-based, pita is flour and water, lemon mint is fruit and herbs. No dairy, no eggs, no meat.
The Adventurous
- Lahm Bil Ajin -- $8.95
- Baba Ghanouj -- $4.95
- Spinach Pie -- $2.95
- Za'atar Pie -- $2.95
- Lemon Mint -- $5.95
Skip the standard pita sandwich and try the stuff you have never seen before. Lahm bil ajin, spinach pies, and za'atar pies have no Western equivalent. This order is a tour of Lebanese cuisine.
The Kid
- Chicken Tenders (3pc) with fries and drink -- $7.95
- Cheese Manaeesh -- $7.95 (backup)
The chicken tenders come with fries and a drink included -- a full kids meal at $7.95. If your kid is a little more adventurous, try the cheese manaeesh -- it is basically melted cheese on flatbread. No child has ever said no to melted cheese.
Don't Forget
Drinks & Desserts
Finish your meal right.
Drinks
The Lemon Mint ($5.95) is a classic Mediterranean drink -- lemon with mint. If you want something heartier, the Avocado Boost smoothie ($5.95) is creamy avocado blended with milk, honey, and mixed nuts. Taza has nine smoothie flavors, each $5.95. We also carry Sanpellegrino, Perrier, Barbican (non-alcoholic malt), and fountain sodas.
Desserts
Mediterranean desserts are subtler than American ones -- less sugar, more rosewater, pistachio, and semolina. Taza's Rice Pudding ($2.95) is creamy, scented with rosewater and cinnamon. Harissa (semolina cake soaked in syrup, $1.99 for 2 pieces) is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet. Neither will leave you in a sugar coma. If you want familiar, we also have cake slices for $4.95.
Group Dining
How to Share a Mediterranean Meal
Mediterranean food is designed for sharing. Here is how to order for a group.
In the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern tradition, meals are communal. Dishes are placed in the center of the table and everyone reaches in. This is how food is eaten across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. The table starts with dips and bread, then mains arrive, and everyone picks from everything. It is the opposite of the American model where each person orders their own entree and eats it alone.
At Taza, a good group order follows this structure. Start with 2-3 dips for the table: hummus ($4.95), baba ghanouj ($4.95), and labneh ($4.95), plus 3-4 extra pita breads ($0.95 each) for scooping. Then each person orders their own main -- a pita, wrap, or bowl. Add 3-4 specialty pies for the table to pass around: a spinach pie, za'atar pie, cheese pie, and a sfiha meat pie ($2.95 each). Finish with a round of lemon mint drinks.
Sample Group Order for 4 People
A full Mediterranean feast with shared starters, individual mains, pies, and drinks. Every item is priced on the menu, and the Clover online order totals it before you pay.
Getting Started
Your First 3 Visits: A Progression
Do not try to eat the whole menu on day one. Here is a smart plan for your first three trips.
Visit 1: The Classics
Order a Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95) and a side of Hummus ($4.95). These are the two most recognizable Mediterranean dishes and the ones you are most likely to enjoy on your first try. The chicken shawarma is similar enough to grilled chicken that it feels familiar, and hummus is mild, creamy, and universally liked. Drink a Lemon Mint ($5.95).
Visit 2: Branch Out
Try a Falafel Bowl ($10.45) over rice or greens -- this introduces you to falafel, which is a completely different flavor and texture from shawarma. Add a side of Baba Ghanouj ($4.95) to try a second dip beyond hummus. If you are feeling adventurous, grab a Zaatar Manaeesh ($6.95) to take home for later.
Visit 3: Go Deep
Now try the items with no Western equivalent. Order a Lahm Bil Ajin ($8.95) -- this is the thin, crispy flatbread with seasoned ground beef that has been eaten across the Levant for centuries. Get a Spinach Pie ($2.95) and a Za'atar Pie ($2.95). Try Labneh ($4.95) with pita for the first time. Order a Beef Shawarma Shrak ($11.45) to experience the thin flatbread wrap format. By visit three, you have tried all three proteins, multiple dips, flatbreads, pies, and both sandwich formats. You are no longer a first-timer.
FAQ
Mediterranean Restaurant FAQ
What is the most popular Mediterranean dish?
Chicken shawarma is one of the best-known Mediterranean street foods worldwide, and a natural first order at Taza. Our Chicken Shawarma Pita ($9.95) is chicken carved off the vertical spit and served in warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and the toppings you choose at the counter. If you have never tried Mediterranean food before, start here. Hummus is a classic side for the table, and falafel, fried to order, is the go-to vegetarian option. Together these three cover the core of the cuisine.
Is Mediterranean food spicy?
No. Mediterranean food is flavorful but not spicy-hot. The seasoning comes from herbs and spices like cumin, turmeric, paprika, garlic, sumac, za'atar (dried thyme), parsley, and mint. These add depth and aroma, not heat. At Taza, the dishes are not spicy by default; ask at the counter if you want extra heat. Children, people with low spice tolerance, and anyone who avoids heat can eat comfortably. The flavor profile is warm, savory, and herbaceous rather than fiery.
What should I order if I'm vegetarian?
Mediterranean restaurants are one of the best cuisines for vegetarians. At Taza, your top options are: Falafel Pita ($8.95) — crispy chickpea patties in warm pita with tahini and vegetables. Falafel Bowl ($10.45) — same falafel over rice or greens with all the toppings. Hummus ($4.95) with pita bread. Baba Ghanouj ($4.95) — smoky roasted eggplant dip. Labneh ($4.95) — thick strained yogurt with olive oil. Zaatar Manaeesh ($6.95) — flatbread with herbs and olive oil. Spinach Manaeesh ($7.95). Plus our vegetarian pies: spinach, cheese, zaatar, and veggie, each $2.95. You could eat at Taza every day for two weeks and never repeat a vegetarian meal.
What is za'atar?
Za'atar is a dried herb blend used across the Middle East and Mediterranean. The primary ingredient is dried thyme (in Arabic, the word za'atar literally means thyme). It is mixed with toasted sesame seeds, ground sumac (a tangy, lemony berry), and salt. Some blends add oregano or marjoram. The flavor is earthy, slightly tangy, and nutty. At Taza, za'atar is used on our Zaatar Manaeesh ($6.95) — flatbread brushed with olive oil and the za'atar blend, baked until crispy. It is also available as a Zaatar Pie ($2.95). Za'atar has documented health benefits: thymol (from thyme) has antimicrobial properties, sumac is high in antioxidants, and sesame seeds provide calcium and iron.
Do I eat Mediterranean food with my hands?
Yes, for most items. Pita sandwiches and wraps are handheld foods. You tear off pieces of pita bread to scoop hummus, baba ghanouj, and labneh. Manaeesh and pies are eaten by hand. Bowls are the exception — those you eat with a fork. There is no wrong way to eat Mediterranean food, but the traditional approach is hands-on. Tear the bread, scoop the dip, wrap the meat. At Taza, we provide forks and knives for bowls and platters, but most of our food is designed to be eaten with your hands and a piece of warm pita.
How much should I expect to spend at a Mediterranean restaurant?
At Taza, every item is priced individually on the menu. A pita sandwich ($9.95 for chicken shawarma) is a complete meal on its own. A bowl ($12.45) is larger and more filling. Add a side of hummus ($4.95) and a drink ($5.95 for lemon mint) for a generous lunch or dinner. For a group of four, share a few dips, order individual entrees, and add drinks; the Clover online menu totals it up as you go. Our specialty pies are $2.95 each, an easy way to add variety without adding much to the bill.
Visit Us
Try Mediterranean Food at Taza
Open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week. First-timers welcome.
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.
Your First Order
Ready to Try Mediterranean Food?
Start with a Chicken Shawarma Pita and a side of Hummus: shawarma carved off the vertical spit, hummus with warm pita.