Chaia Tacos Chinatown

Vegetarian restaurant · Downtown

Chaia Tacos Chinatown

Vegetarian restaurant · Downtown

5

615 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Photos

Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by Chaia Tacos/Facebook
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by Maya Oren/Chaia
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null
Chaia Tacos Chinatown by null

Highlights

Vegetarian tacos with handmade tortillas, unique flavors & vegan options  

Featured in Eater
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615 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Get directions

chaiatacos.com
@chaiatacos

$10–20 · Menu

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615 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Get directions

+1 202 290 1019
chaiatacos.com
@chaiatacos
𝕏
@chaiatacos

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 21, 2025

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@eater

16 Best Vegan Meals Around D.C. | Eater DC

"Almost everything at Georgetown’s vegetarian taco shop can be made vegan, from the braised mushroom tacos to black bean enchiladas to the smoky collard green tacos and cinnamon-coconut cookies. Another location sits in Chinatown. Order online for pickup or delivery." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-restaurants-dc
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The Best Restaurants to Eat Gluten-Free in D.C., According to Eater Editors | Eater DC

"If it’s on the menu at Chaia, it’s gluten-free. That means choices like braised mushroom tacos, mushroom quesadillas, and black bean enchiladas." - Missy Frederick

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-gluten-free-restaurants-in-dc
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Where to Dine Like a Celebrity in D.C. | Eater DC

"Latin music legend and hotel/restaurant owner Gloria Estefan made a pit stop at Chai Tacos in October 2023. According to Popville, the eight-time Grammy Award winner and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient ordered the taco trio, mushroom quesadillas, dark cocoa brownies, and homemade iced hibiscus tea." - Vinciane Ngomsi

https://dc.eater.com/maps/celebrity-sightings-dc-restaurants
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Where to Order Vegetarian and Vegan Takeout in D.C. | Eater DC

"In addition to Chai’s normal menu of vegetarian tacos available for Caivar delivery or pickup at its locations in Georgetown or Mt. Vernon, the restaurant is rolling out a twice-weekly “Enchilada Supper Club.” For Tuesdays or Thursday dinners, pick up mushroom or black bean enchiladas and add on extras like margarita mason jar kits or savory breakfast oats." - Adele Chapin

https://dc.eater.com/maps/vegetarian-vegan-takeout-delivery-dc-restaurants-coronavirus
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11 Places for Healthy But Satisfying Meals in D.C. | Eater DC

"With an eye toward sustainability, this vegetable-loving taco restaurant in Georgetown and Chinatown uses local farms and seasonal produce to turn out some of the District’s most inventive tacos. The soft corn tortillas are made in house, where employees serve up fillings like like creamy kale and potato, rainbow carrot, and braised mushroom from from big cast-iron pots. Be sure to order a side of cilantro rice and black beans."

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-healthy-satisfying-restaurants-dc
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Jill Wade

Google
The food was so delicious. First, their tortillas are out of this world. Thick enough to support the taco fillings with no risk of ripping, warm & so tasty. If they sold their tortillas alone, I would go nowhere else for my tortillas. And you can watch them make the tortillas in house! *chefs kiss* The sweet potato hash taco was my favorite. Definitely one for the sweet potato lovers, the salsa on it is so flavorful. The creamy kale & potato was not as exciting, but I think it was just the texture of potato in a taco that didn't quite gel for me. EDIT: they DO sell their tortillas, and I definitely brought some home with me.

Liang Huang

Google
I just want to have a light lunch after museum visit, so Taco without meat sounded like a good option. The order is on a tablet, easy enough, but on a busy day a person would be a lot quicker. After spending some time on the screen, I ordered sweet potato and carrot tacos, both have nice flavor. The carrots are a little hard, but still ok. I am a little disappointed with the green rice (recommended by some reviewer), the one I had today is dry, and I don’t quite get the taste. Restaurant is pretty and spacious.

Nathan Dwyer

Google
Excellent food, super fast service but a nice place to sit down and eat as well. The simple tacos let the vegetables and handmade tortillas shine. All the salsas were delicious! Love that the restaurant is totally nut free and they have tons of vegan options. Highly highly recommend

Nathaniel Legg

Google
My friend and I really enjoyed our visit here! We tried the sweet potato nachos, mushroom quesadillas, and a mushroom taco, all with vegan cheese. Everything was delicious! I especially enjoyed the nachos. The staff were also great! I’d definitely come back.

Olivia Pang

Google
The BEST vegan tacos I've had they're so flavorful and really highlight the vegetables used, but they also serve beyond tacos for those who prefer meaty flavors. I got the 5 vegan taco sampler (no cheese) and each one was uniquely flavored and literally exciting to eat! If I lived near here I would go so often. Their service is also fast and was prepared in literally 5 minutes. Their mushroom taco was my favorite and I can easily see why it is so popular, definitely check them out if you're in the area!

Sarah

Google
Great selection of vegetarian and vegan tacos. Sweet treats are gluten free.

Paolo Bevilacqua

Google
Stopped in for a quick dinner and really enjoyed our meal. Not a big menu but all the options appealed so still hard to choose. Tried tacos, enchiladas, nachos and kale salad. Braised mushroom in the tacos and enchiladas was my favourite. Sweet potato nachos were also great. Generous servings and all freshly prepared to order by the friendly staff.

Anu Trivedi

Google
These are some of the best tacos I’ve ever had! The best one was the creamy potato and kale. The texture of the potato was amazing and the sauce was delicious. We also ordered the mushroom enchilada which was pretty good, and the sweet potato nachos. The nachos are a lot of food for the price and they’re delicious! We got the hibiscus tea and it’s super refreshing and not too sweet. I can’t wait to go back and try more of the tacos!
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Kia D.

Yelp
I've been here before for a Yelp event quite some time ago now, but haven't been back. Clocking in some steps on my lunch break, I ran into Chaia. I'm so glad to see this business is still here and thriving. At the time, DC seemed a bit inundated with tacos after the cupcake craze... But guess who's here for tacos and plant based options now? Who always thinks it's tacomagarita o'clock? *Raises hand* Everything was a great combination of flavors and textures. The coconut based drink I had was tasty. I can't recall each taco name, but just know that I chose options with my fingers crossed and my taste buds were elated. I'll be returning soon!
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Aarti B.

Yelp
The handmade tortillas and vegetarian tacos are bursting with flavor in every bite! The tacos are peppered with spices and herbs, cheese, roasted veggies, and topped with zesty sauce that blend so well together and complement the flavors. All the tacos are unique and tasty - Braised Mushroom with feta, Creamy Kale & Potatoes, Roasted Beets with ricotta, Roasted Eggplant, Skillet Corn and Cauliflower, Smoky Collared Greens taco, Butternut Squash with goat cheese and caramelized onions. The only taco that I'm not a big fan of is the Scrambled Egg with Black Beans. It's very bland and the eggs are cold. There's a nice large tank of complimentary ice water instead of the faucet. The hibiscus tea is refreshing and sweetened with honey. The coconut lime aqua fresca is refreshing as well and a nice summer mocktail. I've had the blueberry margharita slushie at the Gtown location and really enjoyed it. Always excited to come back and it's become a staple of my office go-to lunch hot spots!
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Kenneth K.

Yelp
Amazing vegetarian and vegan tacos. Fast service and ample seating. Prices are very reasonable too. The selection changes by season so we look forward to returning.
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Neha G.

Yelp
Happy to see another location easier to access via metro vs going all the way to Georgetown. This is a larger location with more sit down space. Order at the kiosk and your name will be called when the order is ready. The $4.95 tacos are tiny. I see why people do 3 to feel full. Good vegetarian taco but wish they had some bean or tofu options. Also, no one by the kiosk if you have a question about ordering or food substitutes. They have restrooms.
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Juliann G.

Yelp
Not my first visit but this time it was exceptional. Visited Chaia before a Sunday matinee at the Shakespeare Theatre in December. It wasn't crowded. Nice and warm inside on a very cold day. My daughter and I both got a trio of tacos. Hot, well spiced, good amount of fillings. Excellent! I should have expressed my thanks and appreciation to the staff in person. I regret that I didn't. It was all so yummy! A not-to-heavy lunch before the play.
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Susan H.

Yelp
Great modern atmosphere and imaginative tasty food near downtown Chinatown and National Portrait Gallery. Lovely food and service. Good prices. I look forward to returning.
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Maggie L.

Yelp
This was a surprise hit - i LOVE chaia tacos. IMO the tacos are the best offering, and not all flavors are made equally. But the Chipotle Sweet Potato Hash and the Scrambled Egg & Black Bean are actually to die for. This is a great quick service place in this area, and helps accommodate some dietary issues (gluten free, vegetarian) that is still absolutely delicious for those without those restrictions. Also on toogoodtogo which is a big plus!
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Monica S.

Yelp
Delicious tacos with complex flavors. Great vegetarian option! I would definitely go back.
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Smitha M.

Yelp
The food is so delicious! I am so happy to see plentiful vegetarian and vegan options. The service was smooth, quick, and easy. I got all three tacos adapted for vegan and they used vegan cheese as well! And the eatery has a nice, relaxing vibe, it is a wonderful spot to catch up with friends in a quiet, relaxing environment. I hope to be back again soon!
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Bridgette V.

Yelp
I love chaia - it's easy to order with the kiosk, and their food always tastes great and fresh. The service is very quick too. If you're going to sit inside, the ambiance is very cute & boho/beachy. It is right around the corner from my office so my favorite thing is the habanero pelican dip + chips for a snack! My only criticism would be that It's just a tad expensive.
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Patrick L.

Yelp
Mmm, I love Chaia! It used to be a regular stop while I was in town (near Georgetown). Glad they opened across town as I visit this area more frequently. So, tacos... They're not your typical tacos - they're better! And they are vegan/vegetarian - no meat (or that crappy meat-substitute junk). Chaia tacos are flavorful, filling and just delicious! Not sure I could pick a favorite and I always order a trio - each different, each delicious. This is an easy one for me - 5 stars! Did I mention I love Chaia? :)
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Brady R.

Yelp
Great tacos, all vegetarian, a little pricy, but good service. Walked in and it was 80 degrees inside tho... what was up with that?!
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Michelle N.

Yelp
Very tasty, all vegetarian (options to make vegan) nachos, quesadillas, and tacos! Had the sweet potato nachos - thought I would miss the meat or miss something but it was filling, delicious and price point is $10 for the sweet potato nachos - decent for the price. Hard to get a full lunch for under $20 but doable. I didn't get to try any of the sides but the nachos had everything on them - get them!!! The brownie was RICHHHHHHHHHH for vegan and gluten free - still not convinced it's worth $6/$7 but to make it better - give me a scoop of ice cream with the brownie or Horchata Ice milk and it would be worth $8. Ironically, Gloria and Emilio Estefan were there today and they love this restaurant!! For vegetarian and still semi affordable - it's a solid option. The ambiance is open and airy - feels like you're somewhere else which is nice. Service was great - very nice cashier and very nice staff with big smiles with your food ready with love. Highly recommend!
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Shubha A.

Yelp
My friend and I were looking for some tacos for Cinco De Mayo and saw Chaia - it was a 10/10 experience! The entire menu is vegetarian, and items can be made vegan upon request. When you walk in you can order at the kiosk, or you can seat yourself and order from your phone. They will call your name when it's ready - and it's decently fast service. There is a good amount of seating and everyone is super nice! My friend and I got the nachos to start with and if you're checking out Chaia - you MUST try the sweet potato nachos, simply amazing!! We also got the braised mushroom, roasted asparagus & edamame and citrus-roasted beet tacos which were all amazing. My favorite was the asparagus and edamame! They also have vegan cheese available for no upcharge, which I thought was very nice and it tasted ok - not my favorite, but was still good. They have a dessert option that is vegan and gluten free, which we thought was very nice - we did not get to try that this time, but will definitely be coming again! Highly recommend checking out Chaia.
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Bryan G.

Yelp
My wife is a gluten free Vegetarian and my son loves potato tacos. Wow . This satisfied them both ! The sweet potato taco was my favorite and the gluten free cookie was really good. We all enjoyed our food. I would highly recommend this, especially if you are tired of the overdone bean burrito.
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Anna S.

Yelp
I am not vegan but I love having the tacos here and regularly visited when I lived in the neighborhood. This is one of my favorite places in the Chinatown/Gallery Place. The ingredients taste so delicious, the tacos are loaded with filling, and everything combines together super well. I'd strongly recommend the creamy kale and braised mushroom. Their black bean and green rice sides are also delicious - both the beans and rice are well cooked and seasoned to perfection. The food also reheats very well - so leftovers still taste delicious. It's a fast casual place and they serve your food very quickly. The interior is nice: it's very clean and high tech (you can order on the tablets). There is an outdoor patio area for the summer. Again, I am not vegan or vegetarian but these were still some of the best tacos I've had in DC. I would strong recommend to everyone who visits town.
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Jerry T.

Yelp
Service: 0/5 Going to this restaurant in person is like ordering through Uber Eats. There is basically zero personal attention. You walk in and no one greets you. Standing around I finally saw the small sign that tells you to go find a seat and scan the QR code for the menu. Then sat for almost 20 minutes trying to figure out what to order. No one came out to ask if I needed any help or to make recommendations. I did go up to the counter to ask why the prices on the menu board near the door don't match either the website or the computer ordering screen they have set-up up by the grill. They advised the board isn't accurate. Course they want you to pay the higher amount ... Food: 3/5 Very fresh but there are no meat options. And the portions left me needing an entire order of 2-3 more tacos to feel full. This would have been $28 for dinner at a place that doesn't justify this. After reading about 20 reviews I went with 2 of the squash and 1 kale & potato. The squash was spicier than expected. Flavor was pretty good and the ingredients are very fresh. The taco shells stayed together and were stuffed, just not enough with three. My friend went with two quesadillas. There wasn't enough flavor and neither sauce was good (salsa better of the two). The cheese was good but wasn't stuffed enough so it was mostly shells. Drink: Tried green tea. For $4 this was a ridiculously high price for a small cup filled heavy with ice and no refill. Was also not sweet enough and when requested they have no sugar to add. They gave us a plastic container with some honey that really didn't mix well with cold tea. A huge disappointment at $4. Ambiance: 2/5 No one wiping tables so had to clean off the one we used before sitting down. Very bright. Can be a little loud when full of people. Chairs are a mix of cushion seats on one side and light aluminum hard chairs on the other. Some cute decorations but some live plants are dying and wonder if they have anyone assigned to water and clear dead parts. At this price point and service level I don't recommend this place. Maybe if you're a vegan this would be better...
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Angela M.

Yelp
Food is quite literally mouth-watering! I ordered the vegan black bean enchiladas and herby rice, a brussels sprout quesadilla, and a mushroom quesadilla. Absolutely delectable. The salsa that came with the quesadillas were "meh" but the fresh ingredients melded so well that they really don't need a salsa accompaniment. Ordered through Uber Eats and everything was neatly packaged in individual containers and food was warm on arrival. I also appreciate that the utensils were packaged.
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Dave K.

Yelp
I stopped here for lunch with some coworkers. They said tacos, I said yes, had no idea it was vegetarian. I was a little concerned initially given the price ($13 for 3 tacos is not unreasonable, but not a screaming deal). Anyways, we ordered from the kiosk and waited for our food. Took only about 5 min and was well packed up to take back to our office to enjoy. These tacos were great! Not spicy, but full of flavor and lots of great options. I think my favorite was the butternut squash, closely followed by the sweet potato. The kale ones were not bad, but not nearly as tasty as the other two.
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Quenton B.

Yelp
IM NOT VEGAN! and I always love the Tacos here One of my top choices in the dc area. Tips: My top choices 1) kale 2) mushroom 3) sweet potato The Kale has mostly potatoes (still my top choice); say something in advance or check before you leave. The portion size may vary wildly (in a good way) depending on who's preparing Parking is nuts on this street; take the 1st available and walk Order at the Kiosk, there is usually no one at the register
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Jamie B.

Yelp
Comfortable, clean atmosphere. You order and pay for everything on their tablet. A high tech fast food place, basically. Staff were friendly and food was made fast. All vegetarian here. Nothing outstanding about any of the tacos. Good flavors, fair price for a quick bite.
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Victoria P.

Yelp
a long day of moving-in called for @chaiatacos delivery to fuel me back up, I got the taco trio -CREAMY KALE & POTATO pepperjack, salsa verde & pickled red onion -CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO HASH feta, arugula pepita salsa & cilantro -ROASTED EGGPLANT goat cheese, salsa de jalapeño crudo & sorrel All 3 were great plant-based taco options in DC!
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Daniel R.

Yelp
I had high hopes for this vegetarian taco chain and was sadly very let down. This location in Chinatown is certainly very clean and spacious, but the food sadly just was not very good. I ordered the taco trio. The braised mushroom taco was dry, and the tortilla fell apart very early on into the eating process. The potato and kale taco had soggy and mushy potatoes, despite the crispness that they were aiming for. And the eggplant taco just wasn't up to par. It was mushy and bland. I was also let down by the cookie. At $3.25, it's a big price to pay for such a small and sadly flavorless cookie. The texture is far too crumbly as well. One very bright spot: the tahini black bean dip. I could eat spoonfuls of it! I love the concept of this restaurant chain, and I would certainly try it again after large structural changes are made. Sadly, in its current state, I just cannot recommend it.
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Jen J.

Yelp
Tasty! A colleague wanted to get some tacos and as we were in a the neighborhood nearby for an event, we headed there for a lunch visit. On the way there, he said, "Oh, they're just vegetarian." Slightly disappointed, but willing to give it a go, we trudged on. So glad we did! The tacos are delicious, and I highly recommend the chips with black bean dip. Their drinks are tasty too!
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Sue J.

Yelp
The food is interesting, not great and a bit bland. The sweet potato taco was good but the cabbage taco was terrible. The tacos don't have any flavor or sauce and are dry. Wouldn't come here for the food. The restaurant is nice, interior is well designed.

Girish K.

Yelp
The staff were crazy busy handling a party order when we entered the place. We ordered on the computer and waited for 20 min till we saw one person prepare our food. She forgot to add vegan cheese to our soft tacos which we asked her to give. Then we found that the nachos and the enchiladas were tiny with no sides except some rice. The portions are kid size and may not be enough even for 1 person per main item if you are hungry. Next due to the quantities served,we had to buy few more sides to fill up our tummies but the computer would not work and the staff had to stop what she was doing to come and take our order manually. Next, The display pic for nachos on the order page had an additional Tahini dip which apparently is no longer a part of that order but the pic was not changed. This is not fair if they are selling a food item showing 2 sauces but only give your customers 1 sauce. Nacho chips are bland and tasteless and the quantity is good for a 6 year old to finish but not for an adult. There were 3 huge fans blowing air in the floor at multiple spots with risk of tripping on the cords and you will end up with flying tissues off your table as well as the receipts we got after paying were floating away as well!! Taste of the pumpkin seed dip was good but bitter at the end. Green rice was cold and bland. Soft tacos were yummy though they broke apart before we could gobble them up right after we got them to our table Overall, there is a lot of chance to improve customer satisfaction and serve more quantity of food with better quality in my opinion.
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Monica M.

Yelp
Ever since I discovered this place, I have not been able to stop ordering from here! The food is so delicious. I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but the number one selling point for me is that 90% of their menu items are NOT cooked with seed oils! It is so hard to find a great place that ONLY uses extra virgin olive oil. I usually get the mushroom quesadilla and the Brussel sprout quesadilla since they're small, I get both. The prices are great, the food is always hot, and the ingredients are all natural. Thank you, Chaia for not using dangerous and inflammatory seed oils in your food - I wish more establishments would get on board!
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Treshea L.

Yelp
Our tacos were delicious as they always are when we've ordered from the other location Georgetown. This location is much more spacious. They have 2 to restrooms that are clean, and outdoor seating is available, but they weren't set up today. I've seen it set up before though. The service was good, as we were greeted upon arrival and told "thanks for coming in" at our departure. The ONLY reason I docked a star is because I ordered my food online and chose a pickup time of 2:15 because that's precisely when mg arrival would be. My order was placed at 1:49, and the 6 tacos and side of beans were ready at 1:54. Don't get me wrong, it's obvious that they're efficient lol but I specified my time for a reason - I wanted fresh, warm tacos. My only suggestion would be to pay more attention to the time on online orders especially because the shells were kind of soggy and falling apart. If we didn't eat them there, they would've been worse off by the time we got home (25+ minutes away). Aside of that, great tacos and good service!
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Eric P.

Yelp
Happily surprised at how good the food was. Did not really think much of the place walking in. You order on their iPad and then just wait. Only a couple of people in there, so we didn't wait long. Food was really good for a fast casual place. Was expecting more generic blandness like a major chain, but the three of us ordered different things and walked away really happy.
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Taj M.

Yelp
I am not a vegetarian nor do I have to scribe to dietary restrictions. My wife and I were meeting a friend from out of town and she recommended this place. My wife, a pescatarian, prefers vegetarian options. Everyone at dinner was absolutely blown away with how exquisite and economical our meal was. Let's start with the mixed drinks. The margaritas and Paloma were strong and delicious AND cheap! (By DC standards) The food was AMAZING. Weeks later I am still craving some of the items I had there. The food items were filling and flavor profiles were savory. I wish I could have eat more than I could handle. This place is a highly recommendable establishment.
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Jenny C.

Yelp
I was going to give 3 stars due to the wait time... but maybe it doesn't usually take this long. We ordered in the restaurant at about 7:30pm, and there weren't many people inside, but it took us an hour to get our food... We stumble upon this place not knowing it was vegetarian until we saw the menu was not your normal tacos/quesadillas/enchiladas menu. I won't lie but we were about to leave because we weren't Vegetarians. We decided to give it a try since we were already here, and I was so glad we did. We ordered Mushroom Quesadilla, Cheese Quesadilla, Braised Mushroom Enchiladas, and Black Bean Enchiladas. They did not disappoint us! They came out hot and crispy with the cheese melting out. Mmmm, it was tasty. I would definitely come back if parking in DC wasn't such a pain. T_T
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Devon K.

Yelp
Chaia has delicious vegetarian and vegan options for all. You can get 3 tacos for $13 which is a bargain. I've tried a few, but my favorite is the creamy kale & potato taco. It has large slices of potato and has a delicious crema on top. Could easily demolish three of those. The enchiladas are delicious as well but a little dry - they do include a lot of cheese however. Whether you're a vegetarian or looking for something different, it's definitely worth a try. The staff are very friendly as well!
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Llewellyn W.

Yelp
I love the vegan food here, one of my favorite restaurants for vegan options in DC, and the service is excellent!
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Jess W.

Yelp
I've had my eye on this place for a while and was finally able check it out and got the braised mushroom enchiladas and a side of black beans through too good to go. The food was delicious and flavorful. This place is entirely vegetarian and fast casual, think chipotle. I did pick up, but the place was so cute I would definitely eat in! I'd definitely come back and bring anyone visiting (Vegetarian or not) cause Chaia is scraping the bottom of the container good.
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Nalini P.

Yelp
After spending a morning being a local tourist, I needed some lunch to cap it all off. Chaia's been a longtime favorite for creative, fully vegetarian tacos. Vegetarian variety: 10/10. Everything is vegetarian and all but one taco can be made vegan. Taste: 9/10. Each taco has a totally distinctive flavor, and they've really thought through the pairing of core ingredients with salsas and garnishes. The braised mushroom (front) came with a red salsa and some feta to give it creaminess, and the collard greens taco (back) had a really tasty paprika salsa with radish to cut through the heavier flavors. Bonus point for the house made tortillas, which were lightly browned in my dish. Ambiance: 8/10. Ordering was contactless, done through a touchscreen kiosk at the front, and it took 8-10 minutes for my order to be ready. The decor was sunny and cheerful, with bright tiles on the floor and greenery throughout. Price: 7/10. $4.75 per taco or $13 for 3. For me, two tacos was a perfect light lunch.

Katie M.

Yelp
This food was phenomenal! It was so nice to have such a good/healthy selection that didn't include meat and could be made vegan or GF. The teas were also super yummy. The restaurant was very clean and the staff were friendly!
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Leticia I.

Yelp
I LOVED THIS RESTAURANT. It was DELICIOUS! I got the mushroom quesadilla and it was delicious. It was simple but flavorful and fresh. My favorite taco was the sweet potato taco. It was so flavorful and I would have gotten more if I knew how good it was. The people were so quick with our food and kind. The design of the restaurant was so classy and modern. I loved everything from this place and will definitely return.

Dan B.

Yelp
Excellent and fresh gourmet vegetarian tacos at an affordable price. Bright and clean ambiance. Order on a computer when you enter. Food is cooked to order, including freshly made tortillas, but arrives promptly.
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Grace P.

Yelp
Had the sweet potato tacos, braised mushroom tacos, and creamy kale and potato tacos. All were delicious but my favorite was the creamy kale and potato!! Great flavors and very filling. Also got the margarita which was very tasty and strong. Easy ordering system, a nice casual place with good ambiance.

Arpita S.

Yelp
As a vegetarian, the food was really delicious. The tortilla they made was fresh- you could taste the freshness. The salsa with the chips was really unique too! We were really impressed with the environmentally friendly cutlery! (Please come to Los Angeles!!)
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Aastha U.

Yelp
Awesome tacos. Ordered the tacos trio for pickup. Restaurant was nearly empty on a Monday evening but it seemed like a nice enough place to eat if you were not getting takeaway. All the tacos tasted fresh and nourishing. Braised mushroom: these were ecstatically delicious!!! to be fair i was starving, but 11/10 Creamy potato and kale: also delicious. 9/10 Chipotle sweet potato hash: good, but I didn't taste much chipotle flavor. 7/10
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Elizabeth L.

Yelp
Are they really tacos? I'm conflicted. Are they really delicious? Yes. This is probably one of my favorite restaurants in DC now. The food is legitimately "good." Extremely flavorful, obviously fresh and the service time is fast. This is not your typical taco place - don't expect to taste the normal bean burrito flavors. I tried the mushroom, sweet potato, & kale tacos. Each were good so it's hard to pick a favorite. The tacos kind of reminded me of other American dishes served up in a convenient wrapper. I would also say for all the non vegans out there, don't be scared! The meal is very filling and it gives you the pleasant, not weighed down feeling. The restaurant is also very aesthetically pleasing. In our post-pandemic world, I think it would make a great place go grab a bite and study. I would definitely recommend checking this place out! I myself plan to go back and try new flavors next time!
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Carolina B.

Yelp
After a really long and stressful day at the office. Decided to try this taco place. Went in knowing that it was a vegetarian joint. Opened minded. Paid more than I would at any other regular taco joint. Was I wowed or floored on the experience? NO. Were the tacos out of this world enough to warrant 4.5 start after all those reviews - no. Must be a lot of vegetarians in DC that don't eat meat. But leaves the question as to how can they rate that this taco place as better than all others? The place is really cute and chick. I will definitely return to try other items on the menu. It won't be anytime soon. But could venture back eventually. Ordered 4 tacos and the chips and dips.
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Dr.Kovid T.

Yelp
Amazing hidden gem in downtown DC area. Calm ambiance with ample seating. Nice neighborhood. The food is interestingly good. It a a modern fusion Mexican food restaurant. The server was very friendly and professional. The place was clean. The food takes a little bit of time to come (which is mentioned while ordering). Food was really tasty and flavorful. The ingredients felt fresh. Perfect amount of choose. Except for 1 item on the menu, everything else could be made vegan.
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Ashlee A.

Yelp
Looking for a fulfilling vegetarian/vegan meal? This is definitely the place! Sleek, boho vibes. Loved the inside and of course I had to take multiple pictures. They are currently cashless with a self help ordering kiosk, which I loved, and we were still greeted as we entered. Super sweet employees that know how to converse with their customers. There's about 3 outside tables with a lot of seating inside. I enjoyed the potato tacos and their pineapple sierra cocktail definitely had a kick! Wasn't a fan of the tortillas, they might've tasted better if warmed or toasted. I actually just ate the mix of my 3 tacos and it was aaaaaamazing.
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Cham K.

Yelp
I thought it was just okay. I've had a wide range of amazing vegetarian food from impossible burgers to vegetarian Bun Bo Hue Vietnamese soup. Personally I think India makes the best vegetarian due to the sauces they use. All those experiences got me excited for Chaia Tacos because everyone is raving about it. Must be good right? I tried three different tacos and unfortunately nothing blew my mind. I was expecting some sort of religious vegetarian taco experience that would send me on a rollercoaster ride of salsa flavors that I would not forget. I did not get that. Not horrible, but not good enough that I'd come back. Their cocktails are really good though! Unpopular opinion, but I'd rather go somewhere else if I'm looking for a flavorful green meal.
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Cathy H.

Yelp
I participated in an Outdoor Voices event in collaboration with Corepower Yoga at this Chaia tacos location in Chinatown. After the workout, I ordered their new breakfast taco and the seasonal butternut squash taco. Both came out very quickly and warm. The breakfast taco had eggs, beans, and cheese - pretty tasty but missing the wow factor. The butternut squash came with this cheesy sauce and micro greens - that one was really good! Butternut squash was seasoned well and cooked perfectly - not too hard or soft. I appreciate the plant-based idea behind this restaurant. Space is pretty spacious with nice lighting and cute decor. Great place for casual dining and vegetarian friendly.
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Victoria B.

Yelp
This location is even better than the Georgetown location and so much more convenient. Located right in Chinatown, on I St, this location is bright, spacious, and full of seating. The staff here are always friendly and the food is always delicious, though sometimes cold. This location has more non-taco food options (including some vegan dishes, such as a seasonal vegan quesadilla). What really sets this location apart though is the fact that they have cocktails... real legit cocktails such as sangria, margaritas, and negronis for only $8. Even better is the fact that all wine, beer, and cocktails are half price during happy hour Mon-Fri from 3-7. Yes, that's right, $4 margaritas and negronis. I've already become a regular here.
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Judy N.

Yelp
Chaia in Chinatown? The best thing ever! I heart how Chaia does a creative spin on tacos. This is not your average corn tortilla folded around any filling. And I dare meat lovers to give them a try. They're packed with vegetables, roots, garnishes, and spices that tastes so good and so good for your body. $12 is pricey for three tacos. But every bite is worth every penny for the quality of the ingredients. They're great for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets, and people like me, who just like simple and good food. I've tried every taco selection at their Georgetown location and my favorites are the braised mushroom and skillet sweet corn. Honestly, everything is good and it's really what you're in the mood for. The interior is so vibrant, green and family friendly. Service is so friendly. Thanks for coming to Chinatown!