christopher paprocki

Yes yes yes. The tacos are great here. I had this place saved on my map for 2 weeks and have wanted to try. I walk past it almost every day. Well, today I went inside after the lunch rush, about 3:30pm and no crowds, no lines… quickly ordered and received 3 tacos. Considering the flavors, ingredients and preparation, the cost was justified. As soon as I took my first bite, I knew this place will become a regular stop. The tacos are vegetarian / vegan, but the flavors are authentic. I’m visiting DC from LA and I used to live in Mexico City. My taco palette is well seasoned and I think I found a go-to east coast fix for my taco addiction. I got the braised mushroom, creamy kale & potato and the seasonal roasted butternut squash. Additionally, I asked for some spicier salsa. I love the heat and I’ll be asking for even more next time. For sure drop in here… crowd or no crowd, it’s worth the visit.

+11

Takuma

It's always busy at this Chaia location. I must say, ordering and waiting are not pleasant in their tiny small space, but there is nothing that they can do about it. They are just that popular and their operation is very efficient. I love the second floor. You may not get a seating, but once you do, it's very quiet in contrast to the first floor, and the space is beautiful-- just like an attic in a small farm house. Please be mindful not to stay there too long for other customers. If the weather is nice, they also recommend to sit at a little public space next door. Per tacos, I would go for Braised Mushrooms with real cheese. I did like having other ones as a side, but I cannot skip having the mushroom taco as the main.

Emma Rose Wooten

Fantaaaastic and delicious fast-casual vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free food!!! I got one mushroom taco and one sweet potato taco – sweet potato is definitely the best. The girl who took our order was super friendly, and our food came out within 5 minutes of ordering. Just be aware that there is very little seating inside so you’ll probably have to take it to go and eat outside.

+5

Mario Morales

Very interesting but healthy and delicious. All vegan options but with so much flavors. So good! We had a variety of tacos and all were so good. I had to order seconds! Staff was friendly and the girl behind the kitchen counter was very nice and helpful.

+2

Brian Copes

Great local vegetarian or vegan taco spot. I’m talking finger licking good! My friend and I walked here from Arlington because I heard good things and she ate here before. She recommended the creamy kale but my favorite was the eggplant taco. If you are looking for a good healthy meal or snack give them a try. It was honestly very tasty 😋.

+5

CJ CJ

I don't know where to start so l'll cut to the chase and tell you that you need to try this place out. If you are a vegetarian, or a friend of a vegetarian, or if you enjoy eating vegetarian food, then you will definitely like this place! First of all I have no idea how to pronounce the name of this place, but that's OK since I know how to chow down on their delicious tacos and sides. I am obsessed with the creamy kale and potato taco, and I love their orange color hot sauce and I put it on everything they serve. Their black beans are seasoned so well, and I could eat five servings of them right now. Currently you get a trio of tacos for $13.45, and the tacos are not that big so if you're feeling really hungry I definitely recommend getting a side of their green rice or black beans. Delish. It is a cute spot with seating on the lower and upper levels. It tends to get crowded during lunch and dinner times, so plan accordingly to avoid a long wait. Their menu is rather small, and I like that because it is a straightforward kind of place that focuses on doing a few things really well. If you are someone who likes big portions, this isn't that kind of place but you should still try it out! The only downside is the size of the tacos in comparison with the cost they charge you. Other than that, I really enjoy coming here and I would recommend it to anyone who is down for some flavorful and wholesome vegetarian food.

Daniel Stepel (The last Baby Boomer)

I’ll be honest — “vegetarian taco shop” doesn’t exactly get my blood pumping. I’m a guy who has hunted wild boar, gnawed on bloody steaks, and considered pork fat one of life’s greatest pleasures. So walking into Chaia, tucked in a cozy Georgetown corner, I wasn’t expecting to walk out impressed. But here’s the thing about food: when it’s done right, when it’s made with passion and guts and a little bit of attitude, you don’t miss the meat. And Chaia? Chaia gets it. The tacos here are humble works of art — earthy, thoughtful, layered. The mushroom taco, with garlicky portobellos, feta, and a zing of salsa verde, is the kind of bite that makes you rethink how good vegetables can be. The creamy kale and potato taco is rich and satisfying, without hiding behind a wall of cheese or sauce. Every taco pops with texture, balance, and a sense that someone actually gives a damn in the kitchen. The vibe is refreshingly unpretentious — airy space, clean design, people who genuinely seem happy to be there. You’re not here to be impressed by candlelight or overpriced cocktails. You’re here because you want to eat something real, something that tastes like it was dreamed up on a farm and not in a marketing meeting. Sure, the menu’s small, and yeah, it’s not the cheapest taco you’ll find in D.C. But Chaia is doing something rare: it’s giving vegetables the spotlight without apology or gimmick. It’s a place where you bring your carnivorous friends and watch them silently nod after that first bite — the universal language of “Damn, this is good.” Four stars because Chaia delivers on what it promises: vibrant, soulful food that makes you feel good without beating you over the head with kale evangelism. You leave full, happy, and maybe — just maybe — a little more open-minded about what belongs in a taco.

+3

Vikram Bala

I really liked the variety of vegetarian 🌽 options they had. The portion size was decent and so was the price. No real complaints 🗣️, but I didn't think it was super special or anything like that. PRO TIP: ask for a side of hot 🌶️ sauce!!

Spence

✅♿️ Wheelchair accessible, affordable ($13.5 for 3 large tacos or an enchilada), vegetarian eatery (with vegan and GF options) with a 🍄‍🟫DELICIOUS mushroom taco ($5 or 3 for $13.5). Good for small groups. Good lighting. Medium volume music. 🌶️ PRO TIP: Bring your own hot sauce cause or ask for sauce on the side cuz there’s never enough. The drinks are expensive $4.5+ and not great (coconut lime agua fresca is very sour, if you’re into that) . But they offer free water.

+7

James Wang

Serving vegan and vegetarian tacos, the food is rather impressive for the amount of flavor they imbue. However, it is on the pricier side, costing ~$6 for these smaller tacos. And while they use compostable dining-ware, they don't have a compost bin to properly dispose of the waste. They have seating both upstairs and downstairs, but one can also enjoy the tacos in the square nearby. I also got the hibiscus drink, which was good but much smaller than I had envisioned.

+3