Amazing tacos with such great flavor combinations! A great restaurant to prove vegetarian & vegan food can be delicious.

Delicious vegetarian tacos. All tacos are $4 and are super flavorful. Extra seating upstairs.

Great veggie mexican place. The eggplant taco in particular was spectacular. Good range of food and drinks.

Most of my family ordered the taco trio. The vegan among us had three taco options. They were all delicious and unique. My favorites were the sweet potato one and the kale and potato one. Tortillas tasted fresh and house made. Just before we ordered a large group arrived and ordered before us. So we assumed it would be a long wait for food to come out, but it came out quickly. Warm and friendly service. There was seating upstairs, but I didn't explore. The surrounding area had Georgetown charm.

So so good. Really liked the potato kale taco and the carrot salad is surprisingly good for such a simple salad. Thoughtful staff also put a sauce on the side in case it too spicy. And right next to a patio overlooking the canal.

YUM!! So good for vegetarians. The tacos were unique and flavorful. Perfectly satisfying. The upstairs space is so peaceful to eat in.

We spent the day in Georgetown and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch! Amazing tacos and kombucha on tap. We definitely will be back.

Excellent vegan taco choices in Georgetown. If you're looking for a great vegan place, this is the one! Three tacos for 11$! Can't beat that :)

Fantastic vegan & vegetarian taco shop in Georgetown. The tomatillo gazpacho was cool and refreshing. Hibiscus tea was great. Tacos are delicious.

My go to place for simple Mexican food. By no means authentic but great food.

Full disclosure - I have eaten Chaia no less than 20 times over the years and it is one of my 5 favorite small/quick bites in the DMV. So yes I am biased. DELICIOUSLY BIASED. For a vegan place, it is ridiculous how tasty the food is here. I am a carnivore, though I routinely choose Chaia over the 100s of carnivore-centric options I could go to instead because it simply TASTES. BETTER. My favorites (all 5/5s) are as follows: 1) Creamy Kale & Potato Taco - One of the best tacos I have ever had (so good that when I order the taco trio, I sometimes just order 3 of these rather than mixing and matching). The creama and salsa verde go perfectly with the kale and potato. Plus the pickled red onion on top provides a perfect sweet/sour contrast. 2) Brussels Sprouts Quesadilla - This would easily be $9-11 at a sit down restaurant, but at Chaia it is $5 and might be one of the best deals/values I can think of anywhere. Granted the quesadilla isn't big, bit it is gooey cheesiness + healthiness + delicious jalapeno dipping salsa = YAS. 3) Chips w/Tahini Black Bean Dip - Yes this is just a small bag of chips. But my goodness THAT DIP. Just try it. 4) Iced Hibiscus Tea - What are most iced teas like? Watered down. What are most hibiscus drinks like? Not strong/flavorful enough. What is this? Not watered down and max strength/flavor. MOAR. To be completely objective, not everything at Chaia is great. I haven't been a fan of the enchiladas, several of the other tacos, or the rice and bean stand alone sides. But when you have so many incredibly delicious options (as listed above), just get these over and over and over again and be happy (over and over and over again).

Delicious vegan fare in a quaint setting. The service can be a bit slow, but the excellent food makes the wait worth one's while. We look forward to many more visits to Chaia!

Wonderful and fresh farm-to-table vegetarian tacos. Interesting drinks like fruit shrubs, fresh juices, as well as a beet latte! Crisp and clean atmosphere with very friendly staff. I can't wait to come back to DC just so I can try all the other food and drinks I couldn't try this time!

Great vegetarian options at this artisan spot. Taco to table no doubt - fun vegan ventures in the G-town.

Very nice vegetarian taco restaurant. Both the food and drink were creative and tasty. The atmosphere was very cozy and pleasant too. But the restaurant is very small. Even though they have 2 floors, it is very likely that you may not have seats if you come during lunchtime.

Great place for vegetarian food. Very wide variety in taco selections. All really good pairs with flavor. Nice and clean restaurant.

Nut free and gluten free restaurant! This made me so happy, because I didn’t have to worry about having an allergic reaction or restrict my options on the menu. All of the tacos were creative and used fresh seasonal ingredients, and were delicious. We had the beans and rice sides too, which were also excellent. Also, the girl who helped us was very friendly and patient as we asked questions about everything, even gave us samples of the kombucha and hibiscus tea. Highly recommend- I wish Raleigh had a place like this!!

Great place for vegetarians! So nice to be able to order everything on the menu. It seemed a little pricey, but it is Georgetown. All the tacos are surprisingly filling. 2 is enough for a meal and 3 would be quite hearty.

Chaia Georgetown is an excellent restaurant. I go here twice a week. They put the top three famous tacos on the first line of the menu board. If you don’t know how to choose, that’s a good recommendation.

I love it here! Surprisingly delicious tacos. The kale and potato tacos are amazing. Great drink options as well.

Let me start by saying I'm not a vegan. I actually thought they had chicken here but I decided to try these tacos regardless and they were delicious. The staff was very patient when answering my questions. The beet taco was really good!

I was visiting DC and stopped by here after seeing this was a highly-regarded vegan place. My friend and I both got the Taco trio and we loved every bit of it. They are defining the taco culture in the eyes of this vegan. They are excelling in their understanding and combination of flavors. This is a must-come place!

Soooo tasty. Favorite was the collard taco And the mushroom. And appreciate compostable eating utensils. Second time here and coming back

Get to choose different tacos which were all tasty…interior well presented.

Very unique variety of food! One of the best Vegetarian and Vegan restaurants I have visited. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is in DC.

Fresh and inventive vegetarian fare. Roasted Eggplant tacos are subtle and mild but flavorful, and Garlic Lemon Greens have a spicy kick. Coconut Agua Fresca was not on the menu, only listed at the checkout kiosk - coconut milk, lime and honey was light and refreshing on a hot humid day. The Green Gazpacho was bright and super fresh with cucumber tomatillo and a complement of tartness. Quesadilla has crisp edges and like the tacos is made with soft fresh tortillas. A great meat-free alternative in the heart of Georgetown.

I left DC a few years ago to move to CA. I came and visited DC recently and just had to go here as one of the food places I missed so very much. The kale potato tacos are so good. Be sure to put the arugula cream sauce on top! Felt good after I left because it is healthy food!

For what it is it's a great little taco place. It's an all vegetarian restaurant. I can't hold it against them that I like tacos with chicken or beef. They tasted good and I'm sure for vegetarians they taste even better. The best part was the upstairs eating area. I love the atmosphere. And the service was great!

+3

Chaia is a Georgetown institution. I have been coming here for years and the quality and deliciousness have been consistent every time. Its the best spot to drop by for lunch, the creamy kale and potato taco is my favorite. They just added nachos to their menu which are honestly so incredible as well

Got the mushroom and sweet potato tacos made vegan. They served them with dairy at first. Good thing I was eating in to notice. They were delicious and tasted homemade. Their hibiscus juice was good and refreshing.

The food here is amazing. I came here on a food tour years ago and was happy to see it's still open. My son just moved to Rosslyn and we walked over for lunch. He's not vegetarian but I am. He loved it just as much as I did! We got the food to go and ate in the courtyard right around the corner. Highly recommend!

Absolutely amazing experience! The atmosphere is both cozy and inviting, but it's the food that'll impress you most. You won't find traditional "tacos" here, but you will find delicious farm-to-table ingredients nessled into warm, homemade tortillas.

+1

Ran in here before the forecasted snow started and asked the employee for their top three tacos. He told me about the braised mushroom, creamy kale and potato, and chipotle sweet potato hash. I used the kiosk to order the taco trio and an iced hibiscus tea then found myself a table. The service was very fast and the food was excellent. I was pleasantly surprised with the tea because I've had bitter versions before. This was perfectly sweet and if I lived here, I'd be back.

We’ve been looking for a good light vegetarian place to eat and Chaia is a winner! The seating limited but you’ll always find a place to sit because people don’t stay there super long; just enough to finish their meal. There’s a good variety of unique tacos. My favorite was the potato and creamy kale! Delicious! Second favorite: mushroom taco. What I liked about that one was the fact that it was packed with mushrooms not like the other places where they’d give you a tiny portion and the rest is the tortilla/taco shell. Everything was super tasty and the price was perfect for the ingredients, quantity and quality. Oh! And they cook everything in front of you in cast iron pots and pans! How awesome is that?!

One of the best Vegetarian and Vegan restaurants I have visited. Must try the Brussel Sprouts Quesadilla. Loved their Herbal and Green tea as well. Ton of options and definitely will recommend to anyone who is in DC.

+4

Great vegetarian tacos! Loved the kale and potato, and the cauliflower one. Remaining taco flavors were also good. Will be back to try more items on the menu.

I love meat and tacos but love this vegetarian taco place. The food is so fresh and full of flavor. I've even gone a couple of times and just had sides. So good!!

Great unique taco place. With an all vegetarian tacos, there are different great choices to choose from. It was recommended to get the 3 combo tacos as they are somewhat small and light. Must tries include the mushroom taco as well as the kale potatoes taco The staff are extremely friendly and more than happy to help with recommendations. There are some limited seatings available and the option to take to go

Chaia is my go-to spot for a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal. The restaurant is 100% gluten free, which means I can eat here safely! (I am celiac) I had a delicious taco trio (one with sweet potato hash and two with scrambled eggs and black beans). The sweet potatoes were tender, sweet, and perfectly cooked. Each taco was packed with flavor, with smoky, spicy, and sweet notes from the sauces. I am pretty sure the tortillas are handmade (or at the very least, they are not standard store bought tortillas). I appreciate the generous portions. I felt completely satisfied afterwards while also feeling light and energized, which is the sign of a great meal! The service was quick- my meal was ready in 3 minutes. I recommend taking your meal to go and enjoying at the outdoor tables in the nearby courtyard. Not going to lie, I have eaten at Chaia 3 times this week and I’m not tired of it yet! :)

Chaia is, by far, the best fast-casual spot in Georgetown, and has the best vegetarian tacos I've ever had. I ordered the potato kale and sweet potato tacos, along with their house kombucha, and it was all delicious. I needed a few modifications for allergies, which the staff easily accommodated for. I appreciate that they also have vegan modifications. Everything is made fresh in front of you, and there's plenty of seating on the main level and upstairs so that my group of 3 had no trouble sitting for lunch at 1pm on a Saturday.

All vegetarian and/or vegan tacos and gluten-free for my wife... I can say that I was skeptical about this place for sure. However, the tacos won me over. The three taco deal is almost too much good food and between my wife and I, we tried all the tacos on the menu. Everyone probably raves about the creamy kale and potato taco, and it was certainly good, but the Moroccan carrot taco was the closest winner for us. I would rank the next three after the carrot as the kale-potato, the garlic greens (lots of collards in this one and very good!), then the mushroom one. Got a coffee, too, and it was pretty good as they brew Vigilante there. Definitely didn't hurt that it was beautiful fall day today, so we ate outside by the river rather than staying in the very small restaurant itself. Price was eleven bucks for three tacos, but I'd've been happy with two. Three would be good if you're hungry, but for a regular meal, two was plenty. Def check this place out. UPDATE APRIL 2024: Tacos are still excellent, though the veganism is no longer mandatory, so there are more options. The carrot one I loved before was not available, but that could just be for today as I'm sure the menu changes seasonally, if not more frequently. This time I had the usual kale/potato, a mushroom taco, and the cabbage taco. The kale potato was the clear winner this time, primarily because the salsa on it is so good. The mushroom was next best and finally the cabbage. I think the cabbage just needed a bit of texture. It was just some green cabbage that was braised, so believe the addition of some crunchy, raw red cabbage would have put it over the top, but to each their own. Still an excellent vegetarian/vegan lunch and with reasonable prices given the locale, so still worth a visit.

Really good vegetarian and vegan spot! Lots of good tacos and dishes. Love the black bean and egg taco and the chipotle sweet potato hash taco! I tried the sweet potato hash nachos and they were super good too! Definitely would recommend! The place has 2 floors and a reasonable amount of seating. Good prices for the area and flavorful food!

Amazingly creative veggie and vegan tacos. Their sides are also great - sweet potato soup was awesome. The line can be long but it moves quickly. Finding a table is harder, but there is an upstairs and an outdoor patio to eat your tacos as well. All of the tacos are amazing and their corn tortillas are super yummy. You can get eggs on the weekend.

+3

Very pleasantly surprised. All veggie taco place. Tried almost all the tacos - favorites were mushroom and creamy kale and potato. Least favorite was eggplant - needs more flavor. The margaritas were strong and delicious! Place would be even better if they provided hot salsa, even just tapatío or yucateco on the table. Upstairs is like a home living room. Would recommend and go back.

Delicious vegetarian tacos. Celebrated Vday at Chaia in Georgetown with my daughter who is vegetarian. I ordered the pick 3 tacos for $13- a potato and kale, the butternut squash and a sweet potato and feta tacos washed down with a margarita. I also tried the brussel sprout quesadilla. I would definitely go back again.

Gary Lai

Food came out super fast. On side street in Georgetown. Tried three different tacos with margarita, all delicious. Lots of empty tables on a Monday night. Prices very reasonable for the neighborhood.

Nathan Smith

Flavors so good I’m not even missing the meat! Amazing! How do they make the beans taste so good with without lard? And that kale and potato taco almost tastes like a Baja fish taco!

Cameron

5/5… I love meat but for vegan/vegetarian tacos these are great. And it is a clean, and quick service environment.

Lucas Chretien

Had the braised mushroom tacos, sweet potato tacos, and mushroom quesadillas. Everything was very tasty and service was quick. The takeout boxes were also super cute and easy to take out, which we did at a plaza with tables next door. Came here because my girlfriend is celiac, but left impressed with the food.

Annie Conright

This little vegetarian taco shop is exquisite. Super cute dining space, very friendly staff, and really good tacos. I usually don’t choose a place solely because it’s vegetarian, but I was in the area and drawn to the cute location. Your lunch special is a really good deal. I was definitely full when I finished my meal. I will definitely be coming back here for many lunches to come.

James Saffo

Fantastic place for really good farm to table vegetarian food. This was a stop on a good tour of DC. The atmosphere is friendly and lively. The staff is fantastic. The food is amazing. I had a delicious taco that unfortunately I don't remember the name of 😑, but I did take a picture. I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try!

Jeffrey F

Chaia is the best - my go-to spot before seeing a movie down the street at AMC! Have never had a bad meal here; the tacos are delicious, cannot go wrong with any pick (although I am personally a huge fan of the creamy kale and potato and the scrambled egg and black bean), and their nachos are simply divine! Also love the cute sitting area on the second floor - great to spread out a bit and enjoy some pretty views and soak in some natural light. Big fan of their margaritas, too. Highly recommend checking out - you won’t regret it!

Jonathan Ortiz

This is a nice little taco place on the outskirts of Georgetown a short walk away from the Waterfront. It’s easy to get to and has some seating inside. Everything tasted great, especially the habanero pepita dip. The only thing is I wish there would’ve been more chips to enjoy all of the dip! Highly recommend this place for vegetarians as the menu is completely veg!

Rose Shafer

Chaia has been one of my favorite lunch spots in Georgetown for years, and I'm glad they're still going strong. They offer healthy, fresh and flavorful vegetarian tacos with unique and delightful flavor combinations. The restaurant itself has a pleasant, sunny ambiance that makes you want to stick around. I ordered the mushroom, eggplant and sweet potato tacos, all of which I would enthusiastically recommend. If you're a vegetable fan, this is the place for you! The only thing I would recommend would be expanding seasoning options, e.g. offering hot sauce or red pepper flakes for those of us who enjoy our tacos on the spicier side.

Nicole TheCaulkArtist

Absolutely loved this stop! It’s such a pleasure to find a place where you can get some vegetarian tacos that are absolutely delicious. Honestly I was surprised they were vegetarian because everything was so good. We were able to enjoy the sweet potato nachos along with the taco trio and every bite was absolutely exquisite. Service is wonderful and everyone is very helpful. Even though you put in your own order there are people there to help, the vibe and ambience of the location in Georgetown was so cute. I will definitely be back.

+1

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

Great vegetarian tacos! Loved the sweet potato taco and nachos. Very filling and the flavors were awesome as well.

Really nice tacqueria, warm and cozy decor. Liked that it was easy to combine many different tacos together and they have many vegetarian options. We ended up trying the mushroom taco, butternut squash taco and the kale/potato tacos. The tacos were good but I really liked the black bean soup side with sour cream. I recommend this place if you are trying Mexican in Georgetown.

Overall decent, I would say the prices are a bit high considering the portion sizes for the tacos. The tacos tasted good, not great. Great spot for vegans and vegetarians.

Vegan options! The food was tasty. Maybe I'm old, but I didn't appreciate that to order my food I had to interact with a touchscreen instead of a human being. My lack of appreciation was exacerbated by the machine asking if I'd like to leave a tip! Not sure the machine worked hard enough to earn a tip. But, on reflection, here's one: never pet a burning dog.

I am not vegetarian but the tacos were pretty good. My fav the Roasted Eggplant!

Service and location is great! I personally like vegan food that has more protein replacements like seitan or tofu and I didn't see as much of that here. The butternut squash tacos were really great though! Also highly recommend the brussel sprouts quesadilla - the salsa that came with it was awesome.

We found this place by happenstance and so glad we did!! This is a great spot to grab food quick! Vegetarian tacos with corn tortillas made right in front of you! Cute spot, great drinks choices - really enjoyed our lunch here! Don’t forget to try their hot sauce!

This vegan restaurant is small but it's great to try out new things. I ordered 3 tacos of which Chipotle sweet potato was the best rest beet and kale once we're average.

+1

Flavorful and colorful plant-based tacos on homemade corn tortillas!!! YES! Options include sweet potato, mushroom, cabbage, kale and potato, beets.. Pick 3 tacos for $11. All come with cheese but you can get them without. Honestly they're very good but I feel like they don't have enough protein. You'd need a side of beans, another $3. Kinda overpriced. Seating is limited but customers scarf food down quickly

I was genuinely impressed by how flavorful the tacos were—especially considering the menu is entirely vegetarian. The kale and mushroom tacos are standouts and come highly recommended.

Nice little vegetarian restaurant tucked in a corner. The portion sizes were little smaller..The black bean side was good. We ordered 4 different Tacos..The mushroom, patato tacos we're yummy. Others are ok. The sweet potato soup very bland and can be skipped. The green rice was good. Try with some of the dips

+5

I loved Chaia when they first opened. While I still like it, it's not as good as it was when they first started. The service isn't good anymore. They used to be warm and friendly. Now they are extra slow and not really that welcoming anymore. My favorites are... Roasted Eggplant Mushroom Charred Green Beans - super spicy! Creamy Kale and Potato Smokey Greens Roasted Butternut Squash I really love the green rice and beans together! The rice is a little too bland on it's own. I'm not into the sodas here, they taste very sweet even though they are more "natural". Prices are fair for the quality of ingredients you are getting. Overall - I love how plant oriented they are. This location is my favorite because the food is most consistent here and I love the atmosphere. The second floor has a small little dining area in addition to the tables on the first level.

Food is all vegetarian / vegan, so helpful for someone like me. Quite tasty, though not memorable. Cucumber gazpacho was good. Margarita was nothing special, but affordable at 7 bucks. Tacos good, not great. 7 tacos, 2 chips and dips, one margarita was 70+ bucks.

The tacos here are pretty good, especially for being vegetarian tacos. However, their sides are much tastier. I would recommend the beans and the green rice. Have them separate or mix them together. I took off a star because: 1) they're a little pricier than I think they should be and 2) the tacos just aren't as good as traditional tacos (a bit of an unfair comparison but these are just my thoughts). Definitely recommend anyone nearby to give it a shot. The place is somewhat cozy but you can sit at the tables outside if the weather is good.

beautifully presented tacos with fresh ingredients and interesting flavor combos. they are vegetarian, though, and i wish they did more to add protein other than black beans. or that they allowed for more customization. limited seating so it can get crowded if you have a larger party.

Chaia Tacos is a great place for vegan/vegetarian options. Not being a vegan/vegetarian myself, I was completely satisfied with the food. My favorite taco was the Creamy Kale and Potato Taco; it was rich in flavor, the texture was very good, and I didn’t have the need for meat! The service was quick and easygoing. The prices for 3 tacos was roughly $12.00, a little pricey... They do offer a variety of drinks and sides including complimentary oat milk! Would go again to Chaia Tacos, a great vegan/vegetarian experience.

Good spot for a quick meal. Offers vegetarian options and a lot of vegan ones. I’ve had the taco trio, it was very good and tasty but a bit too small for my liking. Downside: Doesn’t have wifi.

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

Honestly the food was great but I really wish they had more options. I am also not in favor of the all Togo policy I was sharing all the tacos with friends and it was impossible to eat all from the same trays. I think some little fixes would help here but other than that it's nice place and great hot sauce.

Mehhh experience. It was 3pm on a Saturday, and they had a pretty steady flow of people coming thru - for such a small space its probably super crowded during peek hours. No one spoke when I walked in, and had me and another individual just standing there having no idea we needed to input the order ourselves at the tablet. Guess it’s more of an uber eats/ grab & go spot. Got 3 tacos: mushroom, greens, and butternut squash (the best of the 3) - they were loaded but truly nothing to write home about. Chaia is OK for a quick meal, but i wouldn’t go out of your way to come here for mediocre tacos.

I think the nachos looked better than the seasonal tacos I got. I’m not huge fan of vegetarian, but it was celiac safe with it being completely a gf establishment.

3 tacos for $12 or $4/tacos 5-6 unusual flavors offered. Braised mushrooms and roasted butternut tacos were good, just don't expect traditional tacos options. However the soft shell tacos are maicena. Cashier was lovely!

Went for an early lunch and got three tacos (pictures). The mushrooms, the sweet potato and kale, and the beets. Overall they were ok with the mushroom being the worst of the three. The kale and sweet potato one was the best. The primary issue was that they lacked a lot of flavor. I think the sauces could have been made a bit better. The tortillas are a but flimsy but that is expected with so much filling. I think it is worth another try if you are looking for vegetarian options, but not a place to go out of your way for.

The egg/bean and the sweet potato hash tacos were decent, but the asparagus taco was not good - the flavor and texture were both unpleasant. I can see this being a fine restaurant if you're a vegetarian and really want some more variety, but if you want decent tacos and aren't vegetarian, look elsewhere.

Just okay. Mushroom quesadilla was hot and fresh, could’ve used some additional flavor. Coconut cookie is smaller than you’d expect for the price, the same for the quesadilla. Chips were good, but they grabbed out of large plastic trash bag (presumably)…mixed feelings about it that. The salsa was also good, but a bit frozen in the middle. Atmosphere is nice, kitchen looked a bit battered but nothing crazy. If you’re looking to curb hunger before a big meal, this is the place. Not for actually filling a full appetite.

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

Everything I had was awful. Bad taste, bad textures. The tacos I choked down. The kale salad was not edible, like drinking a bottle of hot vinegar.