Nomsters, I’m SUPER excited to put a new Elkridge spot on your radar. Zaman Grill & Shawarma is a halal Palestinian spot, and when Minje and I went it had only been open a few months, but the food already tasted like they’d been doing this forever.
Everything we got was seriously legit, from the dips to the shawarma to a massive mixed grill platter, and their made-fresh hummus is a straight-up standout. The meat’s juicy and tender, the portions are HUGE, and the service was so warm it made the meal even better. It’s mostly a carryout spot with a nice covered patio, and it’s already earned a permanent place in my takeout rotation. If you love shawarma, kebabs, and made-fresh mezze, you gotta get here. Consider this me telling you to go before the whole county catches on!
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What Makes Zaman Grill a Must Try
Here’s what makes Zaman Grill special: it’s Palestinian-owned and halal certified, and you can taste the care in the details. The hummus is a perfect example, it’s blended silky-smooth and made fresh, and it’s a world away from the thick, gluey stuff you get out of a tub.
Beyond the classics you’d expect (shawarma, kebabs, falafel), the menu digs into proper Palestinian and Levantine cooking with things like muhammara and toum that you won’t find at every corner spot. Portions are seriously huge, so it’s fantastic value, and it’s the kind of place that quietly becomes your go-to. If you’re a Mediterranean lover, another one of my nearby favorites is Prino’s for Mediterranean food in Hanover.
What to Order at Zaman Grill
Here’s everything Minje and I got, and the team was kind enough to let us sample a few extras too.
Baba Ghanush ($6.99) and the Dips
Start here. The baba ghanush (grilled eggplant blended with tahini) was realllly tasty, and I’d order it again in a heartbeat. The team also let us try their hummus and muhammara, and honestly, the hummus may be some of the best I’ve had: silky, rich, and clearly made fresh. The muhammara (a roasted red pepper and walnut dip) was so good too. You really can’t go wrong with any of them, so get a couple and go to town on that warm pita.
Chicken Shawarma Platter ($14.99)
This came in sandwich form with thin, crispy bread, and the chicken was so, so juicy and tender. The real MVP, though, was the toum that came with it, that garlicky punch takes the whole sandwich to another level! I’m a big fan, and it’s a great everyday order that won’t wreck your wallet. If you’re new here, this is a safe, delish first pick.
Zaman Grill for 1 ($28.99)
I’ll be real, I thought this was a little pricy when I ordered it, until they brought the platter out and I understood, lol. The portions are WILD! It comes loaded with a chicken kebab, kofta kebab, a beef chunk, shawarma, salad, rice, and pita, so it’s easily enough for two if you’re not starving. Everything was cooked to perfection and the meat straight-up melted in our mouths, and the rice and salad were great too. This is the move if you want to try a bit of everything.
Is Zaman Grill Halal?
Yes! Zaman Grill is halal certified, so all the meat is prepared to halal standards, which is a big deal for a lot of folks in the DMV who are always hunting for good halal options. It’s also Palestinian-owned, and the mezze and dips absolutely reflect that. What really stuck with me, though, was the hospitality: our server was AMAZING, super welcoming, and the team was kind enough to let us try extra dips on top of what we ordered. That kind of warmth is what turns a good meal into a place you keep coming back to.
The Vibe and Experience
Set your expectations right: this is mostly a carryout spot. There are a few tables inside, but the real hangout is the nice covered outdoor seating area, which is lovely when the weather’s cooperating. Parking’s fairly easy, though there aren’t a ton of spaces right up front, so give yourself a minute at peak times. It’s casual, friendly, and quick, perfect for grabbing a platter to take home or eating out on the patio. It’s family-friendly and works just as well for a solo lunch as it does for feeding a crew.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍6050 Meadowridge Center Dr Ste 206, Elkridge, MD 21075
- Hours: 11am to 10pm daily, with a weekend breakfast menu (think shakshuka) that opens earlier on Saturday and Sunday
- Order online: you can browse the menu and order through their website, and they deliver via DoorDash too
- Halal: yes, halal certified
- Style: mostly carryout with a few indoor tables and a covered outdoor patio
- Price: affordable, with dips around $6.99, sandwiches and platters mostly in the low-to-mid teens, and big mixed grills up higher
- Good to know: plenty of vegetarian options (falafel, hummus, baba ghanush, salads), and parking’s easier around the sides than right out front
Would I Go Back to Zaman Grill?
Without a doubt, it’s already in my takeout rotation. If you want fresh, generous halal Palestinian food with standout dips and killer service, Zaman Grill’s a must in Elkridge. The hummus alone is worth the trip, the platters are an absurd amount of food for the money, and the whole team makes you feel genuinely welcome. If you’re hunting more halal spots nearby, Maiwand Kabob in Hanover is another longtime go-to of mine for kabob platters.
That’s the full scoop, Nomsters. If Zaman gets you into a Middle Eastern cooking mood, you can even stock your own pantry at Sajed Market’s halal groceries in Clarksville. Have you guys been to Zaman Grill yet? Let me know what you order in the comments, and if this made you crave shawarma, send it to your favorite takeout partner.