Penzeys is the BEST. The spices and seasonings are top quality, and the special deals they feature regularly in their free newsletter make them super affordable. The staff at the Falls Church store is friendly and helpful. And I love their politics and merch! read more

A large and well thought out shop featuring high quality Penzeys spices. The staff are happy to direct you to whatever you are looking for and have a wide knowledge of products if you have any questions. There is a parking garage behind the shop with plenty of free parking (for customers only). read more

Penzeys Spices - Entrance - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

See all

Cyndy's Bottom Line: the best in spices! *Located in The Byron building in Falls Church *Small parking lot in rear *A vast array of spices from A to Z. *Excellent customer service. Customer service here is excellent because of Tim! Tim is always engaging, helpful and very knowledgeable about spices. *Highly recommend read more

See all

You cannot go wrong with Penzeys, they're very vocal supporters of human rights and a US company. The spice blends are amazing, too! My entire spice cabinet is mostly Penzeys at this point, so worth it! read more

I have been shopping at Penzey's for ... 15? 20? ....years, and I must say I'm a devotee. Friendly, super-helpful staff, spices and seasonings organized in a logical way, and really, really good sales. Because Penzey's is not just a spice store; Penzey's is activism in spice form. At Penzey's, food is, indeed, love. Sign up for their newsletter to get mind-blowingly great deals on spices; their sales combat injustice in our country, whether it's supporting LGBTQ+ rights or standing up against anti-immigration madness. With an emphasis on kindness and cooking as a love language, Penzey's offers everything from individual spices to beautifully curated spice collections. One of my favourite blends is Sunny Paris, with sweet shallots and chives layered with herbs and pepper. It's also salt-free and good on just about everything you can think of. While you're in the store (which is comforting in its own right), you can even sniff-test the spices, which have "testing jars" filled with a sample of the spice. Just don't shake the Northwoods Fire Seasoning and then take a whiff. That hurts. :) read more

Was a regular customer here for years, has now become a poor source. Ordinary spice jars here run in the $9 - $13 range, so you might expect good quality, but that has gone way downhill. I am finding more and more stale or low-grade spices, and two jars which were completely unsealed. You will find better quality elsewhere at lower prices. Consider the location and their limited hours is not terribly convenient, and you will see there are much better options out there for spices. Store is small and neat. Staff is generally friendly and helpful, there is parking in rear. You can sign up to get email offers, but be aware, you will be bombarded with some hostile and downright disturbing messages, including harsh name-calling. After a while, this becomes grating and just unpleasant. Sorry, had to shut those down. Do not recommend. read more

As a house warming gift, a friend sent me a Penzeys Spices gift box. It is awesome!!! Learning that there are only 51 Penzeys shops in the U.S., discovered one in Northern Virginia and visited it this week. -It was a wonderful experience walking around and reading about the various world-wide spices offered. They offer three sizes (small range from $3.95 - $5.95, large around $12.95 - $20.95, and bags $16.95 - $25.95). I walked out with eight of the small sizes in a range from Asian to Indian to American spices. I highly recommend Penzeys Spices for all. The only disappointment was that they do not offer a cook book though was told that the Internet is a vast resource for finding recipes for their spices offered. read more

LOVE this place!! Staff is friendly and solicitous. Their products - fun, fresh and excellent!

Run, don't walk. Head to the Falls Church, Virginia Penzey's now! They have multiple special offers currently -- five to be specific. Free mug! "Rogan Josh" spice mixture marked down from $5.95 to $2.00. There's a gift box set marked down similarly. And various voting encouragement/reminder items -- also free. All of the above is in addition to the exceptional number of fresh spices, herbs, mixtures and general wonderfulness that is Penzey's at baseline. Just go into the store and sniff. You will find it difficult to leave. Staff are knowledgeable and exceptionally helpful, without being intrusive, an art form. There is minimal parking on the side of the building. Otherwise there are spaces further back in the parking garage. We can shop inside the store again! For that authentic Penzey's, senses immersion, shopping experience. What a treat. If you cook for friends or family -- everybody benefits. (And so much healthier and less expensive than takeout.) Bonus benefit -- are you politically concerned? This is your place! read more

See all

I love this place and I'm so glad I discovered it on Facebook. The spices here are 100000% times better than McCormicks or any spices you would find in a grocery store. I never believed people when they said that store spices aren't as good as spices from specialty spice stores. I'm just sad that I've been missing out my entire life. We came here when Bill was having a promotion to promote immigrants. I walked in and the place smelled so heavenly, all the spices mixed together to create this heavenly aroma. I got the Cayenne Pepper, Rosemary, Oregano the first time I came in. The second time I've been here, i found they had Sichuan pepper corns and we've been looking for this for a while and couldn't find it anywhere else. The employees here were super nice and helpful and always have a smile. They also have bigger bottles of spices that you can open and smell, and also have extra empty spice bottles. I really like buying the spice packs to refill my existing bottles. Highly recommend you come and see this place yourself. Pro tip: check facebook before ordering, see if they are giving out any freebies with $ amount of spent. Sometimes, if you make a big order, it's better to buy online because of freebies. But if they do promo where you spend very little $ but get something for free, it's better to go to the store since you won't have to pay for shipping. read more

Penzeys Spices - Starting to replace all my spices with Penzeys :) - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

See all

Penzeys is *the* place for spices. If you want high quality spices and a wide selection, this is the place to go. You'll start to wonder why the supermarket just says 'cinnamon' in a bottle when Penzeys offers several different varieties with different origins. Same with chili powder - Penzeys has at least half a dozen variations in powder or whole dried chilis. And peppercorns are a whole adventure in and of themselves. Sweet, savory, salty, spicy - Penzeys has it. This store feels cozy and smells wonderful. It is hard not to spend hours just reading all the labels imagining how you could use them. And the store's spice blends are good, too, if you're looking for something to just add to meat or veggies without having to make your own concoction. Finally, Penzeys is a company with heart. Their Wisconsin-based CEO is an advocate for social justice and the company periodically runs campaigns celebrating causes like marriage equality. Oh, and that also sometimes means giving away promo items! So check the store out, or browse the website to find other locations around the US. read more

I love this store! It offers great products at fair prices, wonderful service, amazing variety, and frequent discounts/specials. I used to order online. The opening of the store in Falls Church has been a blessing! I go for one or two things, but I end up with a whole bag of spices (or accessories) I can't resist. I like to try new things. They offer spices in very small jars, which is great. Spices lose their flavor over time, so buy small and more often. You'll be rewarded with better food. Free parking is in the back, some outdoor, lots in the garage. If you are hungry, combine your trip with a visit to Harvey's, a new restaurant next door. The food is wonderful, and the owner, Thomas, is the best! I enjoy the Penzys founder's e-mails. I share his political philosophy. Even when I don't need anything, I read his musings. Penzys is a treasure. read more

Colors of the world Spice up your life! Every boy and every girl Spice up your life! People of the world Spice up your life! If you're a home cook than you better shake it to the left down to Penzey's. It has all the thrill of shopping at Target only spice related. Saigon cinnamon? Star Anise? Coriander? and Cardamom? It looks like Mama S is making pho tonight! They have premade and customizable gift boxes plus a whole rack full of hot chocolate mixes. The best part is they have little sniffing jars so you can get high on all the delicious smells. Penzey's isn't exactly organic persay but I have to applaud them on their sheer selection alone. I love having this quaint little store right in the middle of Falls Church. read more

Amazing staff, amazing blends, and amazing individual spices. If you like to cook then you'd be a fool not to shop here. If you're a bbq spaz like me then check this place out...it's a dry rub bonanza! read more

First of all, super COVID-19 friendly, their pick-up option is completely contactless. I came to the store looking to pick out some spices about 20 minutes before closing ( was not aware of the online only format). I immediately ordered my spices online and called in, asking if it was possible to complete my request on the same day (with 15 minutes left). Gayle picked up the phone was super nice, and offered to fill my order on the next 10 minutes. Awesome customer service! Thank you Gayle! read more

Penzeys Spices - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Best spices! The flavor and freshness is unsurpassed. I tossed my grocery store spices. Penney's has FLAVOR!! Staff is always courteous, knowledgeable, and kind. I am also signed up for Penney's recipes and newsletter. I miss shopping in the store due to Covid. It was truly a den of Spice Porn. read more

My wife said it best the other day, "everything from there is just better." I've been to the Falls Church location several times and also ordered from them online and my wife's comment perfect sums up their products. She had specifically been talking about their ground pepper, which has the fitting tagline: World's Best Ground Pepper. But everything else we've gotten has had a fresh, aromatic, flavorful quality to it that is not always found in brands found in grocery stores. They carry a range of herbs and spices as well as spice blends and gift boxes. The spice blends are very versatile and each jar provides either some guidance on how to use (and in some cases how to store it--some have to be refrigerated after opening to prevent clumping). This location is pretty central in Falls Church City and it has a small parking lot in the back. Ordering online is a breeze and the same discounts that are offered in store are also available online (plus shipping). I ordered vanilla bean and while it was carefully wrapped and seemed well protected, the glass tube arrived cracked, but was replaced immediately. Their customer service in person and online is great--everyone has always been amazing. It's worth signing up for their email list where there's no shortage of discounts and freebies (some that don't even require a purchase)--I will note that the emails do have a very liberal slant so not all conservatives will appreciate the content but should appreciate the value/offers. read more

One of the most trusted places. To buy herbs spices seasoning mixes and spice combinations. My favorite buy from there is Aleppo Pepper. You can also get big bags of herbs at the fair prices there. I don't go all the time because for me it's kind of a truck not much but. I don't think oh yeah I wanna go to Penzeys. but I do like to go however it's inconvenience right now because they do in-store shopping for people who work there you can order it. But it's most understandable because of the COVID-19 situation. I recommend buying from here 100%. read more

I could spend zillions here. Their spice blends are terrific, I use all different kinds all the time. You cannot beat the taste of their jarred spices and herbs. The garlic powder alond, as ridic as this seems, is top notch, and worth it when you need it in a pinch! read more

Excellent response to Trunp's pandemic while still staying open for business. They've been responsible towards their employees and customers by moving away from in-store shopping to online sales. After you order and select the local pickup option, you call them in the store after parking, they put your purchase outside their door, and you remove your package. The alternative is to take advantage of their free s/h for a modest $40 purchase. read more

Penzey's Spices for the freshness win! So many things to like about Penzey's and this store. Need some vanilla? Now you have some decisions to make. Madagascar vanilla? Mexican vanilla? Double-strength? just beans? Madagascar or Mexican beans? And then there's vanilla sugar. Just an example of the choices you face. Their spices are fresher than a lot of grocery store spices. They have some outstanding mixes to save you time (Northwest Seasoning or Lemon Pepper, for example). If you sign up for their mailers, you sometimes get a jar to try out for free. Most of the spices, maybe all of them, have a way to sample the smell. Their customer service rep always ask if you need help and stay out of the way if you don't. They have some attractively boxed kits suitable for gifting. T read more

Penzeys has an amazing selection of spices. They have spices for everything. We enjoy their spices for chili and barbecue especially. They have other spice mixtures that are good for grilling. They also have a nice selection of gift boxes with various assortments of spices that make great gifts for friends and family that cook. read more

See all

To know they actually have a store....AMAZING!! I know of the company but for the longest time they were only available online or through food suppliers so it's great to have a shop so close. There is a lot of information available about the spices there and the ladies there are oh so willing to help. Pricing is comparable to what you would pay in a grocery store except the quality is 5x better here then your local grocer. The only thing that I wasn't happy with was the vanilla extract. I have tried both and I haven't seen that much of a difference in either and it it doesn't stand out that much in my baked goods. I actually prefer the mccormick Madagascar vanilla extract. Quality quality and quality that is what you will find here. Good in and have some fun!! Learn something!! read more

See all

The absolute best! Unique and delicious spice blends and the staff always goes above and beyond.

I've ordered on line from them for several years and also purchased at their stores. Great choices and prices for fresh tasting flavorful herbs. Much higher quality than the grocery stores. I especially like several of their spice blends like Sunny Paris, Fox Point, Sandwich Sprinkles. All great. read more

I discovered Penzeys spices online during my search for a vegetable soup base that had fewer mystery ingredients, and I found it here. For comparison, the first three ingredients in the Penzeys base are (in order) carrots, salt, and food starch. The veggie bouillon cubes in my cabinet? Salt, palm oil, MSG. The Penzeys stuff still has a shitload of salt in it, along with a list of other ingredients that I don't recognize, but it's definitely a lot fewer than the bouillon cubes. My only complaint is that you pretty much have to go to a storefront or order online, as I couldn't find this brand in the grocery store. Buying online is more expensive, so I opted for this location. On the one hand I'm thankful that this company is creating the product I want and also happens to have a nearby store. On the other hand I'm annoyed I have to make a separate trip to a specialty store just to get something less-unhealthy than what is widely available. I guess that's not really a reflection of the brand or this location, but a store that sells spices and spices only is not a very useful or convenient. In the end, they had what I was looking for, and though it's not completely mystery-ingredient free, I will probably continue to buy it, so...4 stars I guess! read more

This is my Goto for any spice. They have any spice you could think of with smell testers and available in small or large. The deals are incredible and such a steal. The people are very nice and willing to help you pick out a spice. read more

Penzeys Spices - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

I have been receiving the Penzeys catalog for some time now, and finally got around to visiting the shop. Unfortunately, they close very early, so it's not a place where you can swing by after work to pick up a few spices. Upon entering, I was like a kid in a candy store--or rather, a junkie wanting to get her fix. Everything smelled so good and I wanted to huff EVERYTHING! I loved that there were a variety of sizes, so you don't have to commit to a specific amount. For basic spices like garlic powder and red pepper flakes, you can't beat Trader Joe's prices, but for specific spice blends and other spices to add to your cooking arsenal, stock up here. The only low point is their meager selection of salts, but that's because the company has resolved to help their customers reduce their sodium intake, so they aren't going to offer much variety by way of truffle salts or anything like that. Whatever you do, you can't leave without buying their extra fancy Vietnamese cinnamon. And I'm not just saying that because it's the cinnamon of my people, but seriously... the best cinnamon you've ever tasted. Even America's Test Kitchen says so! Pro-tip 1: Subscribe to their catalog! They often have recipes included in each edition and a coupon you can use online or in the stores. Usually the savings is for a free spice or $ off a minimum purchase. Pro-tip 2: Metrobus accessible! From West Falls Church Metro, take the 28A (towards King Street Station) or the 3B (towards Rosslyn Metro) and get there in about 5 minutes. It costs $1.50 if you use SmarTrip. read more

I love Penzeys. They offer high-quality dried herbs and spices, and basically have everything imaginable, even some hard-to-find ones, plus interesting seasoning blends. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, which I like. I tend to keep my herbs and spices longer than I should, but find that with Penzeys, the flavors last. Pricing is higher than a global market or Trader Joe's, but because of the quality, I don't mind. Plus, I love perusing their catalog. I truly make an effort to get to Penzeys when I need to update my pantry. read more

My family owned a spice shop when I was growing up, so the effluvium of all spices at once is very familiar to me. I haven't smelled it often, and walking in the door of Penzey's brought back memories. They sell very high quality spices, and they package each properly. They do not seem to be overstocked with those items that are not commonly requested and have a limited shelf-life. Thus, you can expect very fresh spices from Penzey's. For one example they have at least twenty kinds of pepper -- several colors of peppercorns, and each available from whole to very coarsely ground all the way down to the finest powder. They have lots of mixes, and they have ingredients and equipment to make your own. They have gift sets and a good selection of cookbooks and magazines. They have a little corner of entertaining stuff for children so parents can browse with both hands. I would also be amiss if I did not also mention that their hot chocolate mixes are orgasmic. read more

Is there such a thing as "spice pr0n" ?? If so, then this is the best of the genre! I went in looking for something to jazz up a pork roast and came out w/ $20 of goodies, including "Tuscan Spice", Dill Weed, Cocoa and some extra glass jars for mixing my own spices at home. I can't wait for cooler weather and holidays. I plan on getting some different chili spices and definitely will be going nuts baking with Penzeys Spices! Edit: I went back on 10/31 and had even better service!! The sales person helped me find a wide variety of things, as well as pick a pepper for chili. At the register the other salesperson noticed I'd picked up a cookie recipe so she gave me two catalogs that were full of their seasonal recipes. read more

Whoever though you could spend so much time in a spice store? My usual encounters with spice stores are either Indian ones or the isles of a grocery store. I had done a quick search for spices online and I came across this place. Out of curiosity if clicked on store locator and low and behold they had one in Virginia. I looked at the address and I knew I had to go. I was on my way to visit someone that lived right down the street. It was a sign. It was calling me. I drove over and parked in the back. As I walked in the store, I was greeted. She told me they have samples of all the spices. I just had to open the small containers and enjoy. I'll tell you this. I have always bought the garlic powder from grocery stores. The smell has always been bland. I took one whiff of their garlic and wow...I was almost knocked out. It was a nice strong garlicy smell. That's what this stuff should smell like. I think figured I'd try and make my BBQ rub, so I started to gather up all the ingredients. The sweet Hungarian paprika had a nice rich color and great smell. Even though I only needed a few things, I still smelled everything. Their stuff seems pretty high quality. As I was nearing the end, I saw they had High Fat Cocoa. What is this, no idea. I picked up a small jar. I'll make some brownies with it and see if I can tell the difference. This place isn't cheap, keep that in mind when you go. You can do a lot of damage if you are trying to build up a spice rack. So be careful when you go =) The store front is nice and clean, and everything is setup nicely. The employees are extremely friendly and very helpful. They also have a section of premade spices if you just don't want to make your own. They have some for tacos, BBQ, dips, and so on. Parking can suck. They don't have too many spaces out back. If that fills up, you'll have to find street parking. If you like fresh spices, give them a visit if you are in the area. You'll be glad you did. read more

I started buying from Penzey's upon the recommendation of an acquaintance I'd met on a bike trip. For years I placed my orders online and was quite content. But I always noted the store locations in the back of their catalogs trying to figure out how I could justify a road trip to some locale just so I could visit a brick and mortar store! Praise be to the spice gods who brought not one but TWO Penzey's stores to our DC/MD/VA area (though I've never been to the one on Rockville Pike)! Now when I'm shopping I can easily ask questions of the uber helpful people that work there who've come to recognize me even though I'm only there about two or three times a year. What I like most about buying my spices and dried herbs from Penzey's is that I can buy some things in bulk that I use frequently (fennel, coriander, peppercorns, cumin, etc.) and that the seeds are of exceedingly high quality meaning I can toast and grind my own curry blends, seasoning blends, and chili powders. Penzey's offers plenty of their own spice rubs (zatar and shallot seasoning are my recent favorites), grill seasonings (love Northwoods Fire), curries, and chili powders, but I'm the kind of guy that just wants to break it all down and do it from scratch myself. Penzey's only rival in our area is the Spice and Tea Exchange and their intriguingly smoky tellicherry peppercorns, but Penzey's offers surpassingly good quality and better prices for buying in bulk. Readers of my reviews know that I'm slavishly devoted to freshness when it comes to foodstuffs. Penzey's offers that in spades! read more

Can't say enough good things about this place. If you enjoy cooking and cooking with fresh stuff, this is the place to come to stock your spice cabinet/rack. They have everything -- classic/normal stuff but then the unusual stuff (I think there's a whole section devoted to different kinds of pepper). When you've got a recipe with that 1 weird ingredient you can't find at Shoppers, this is the place to get it. I LOVE their chili spices. Never make a pot without their Chili 3000 and the chipotle powder. Love their apple pie spice too. Everything you need for a yummy pie. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They have great recipe cards with ideas too. I always end up over spending in here, but I will say I always end up using everything I buy -- nothing just sits in the back of my spice cabinet until it expires. read more

I like to cook, so I appreciate the difference high quality ingredients can make. When we recently went to Penzey's I wasn't sure what to expect, other than high prices. A couple things to note: 1) all products are actually Penzey's products - this is not just a retail store selling spices manufactured by other companies. 2) it's actually not that expensive when you consider what you're getting compared to spice purchases at the supermarket 3) smelling the various spices was an overwhelming experience - my nose was out of calibration after the first few sniffs. Penzey's has an impressive assortment of products and though they were out of a few things (due to the recent snowstorm, I was told), generally the store was well-stocked. I'm looking forward to trying their various products in my cooking - and may update my review with those results. I had to deduct one star for the relatively clueless salesperson. She was nice but wasn't much help when I asked for her opinion/recommendation on a couple items. Still, you should check out Penzey's. read more

Long time Penzey's customer although I've only been to the retail store a couple times. Can't go wrong with Penzey's. High quality spices and the free shipping is a bonus. Takes a couple days longer but it's worth it. read more

This is just about Nirvana for cooking fanatics. You'll find all of your hard-to-find spices, as well as ones you didn't even know you were looking for! They also feature different mixes, rubs, and recipes. read more

This place is simply AWESOME! I had driven by it many times, and being a person who cares about good, fresh food and flavor, I was curious to see what they had, but each time I was in a hurry and never was able to get there before they closed, so I decided to swing by one day on a weekend and check it out. As it is a specialty place, I thought it would be pricey (and some spices are a bit more than what I would ordinarily pay), but most were reasonably priced. The customer service is pretty knowledgable too, and they were ready to answer any questions and satisfy my curiosity about the more exotic blends.The smells and blends (and the coupon they were offering that day) drew me in and before I knew it, I was imagining all the wonderful food I was going make, and ended up buying 4-5 items that day. When I went home and opened the bottles and bags, I was really impressed with the freshness, and that said, I thought I got a good deal. I could really taste the freshness of the products and the difference it made in the quality of the food I prepared. So far, I've only tried their savory spices, but might consider going back for the sweet ones too. The shopping experience and positive ambience alone is worth it. This is a great find, and where I will be going from now on to get my flavor fix! read more

I was shopping with Penzeys when they were nothing more than a catalog sales with just 6 locations in the Midwest, excellent company with top quality products. No one can dispute that the products are fresh and far more flavorful than market spices and no fillers so you get what you pay for, spices! read more

Thank goodness there's a place to go to save us from ourselves. For too many years we've wallowed in anguish at the poorly organized and selection-lacking spice sections in grocery stores. For too long we've been overcharged for bland and poor quality peppercorns, salts, vanilla, and cinnamon. Enough! Enough I say! I just go to Penzeys and stock up every so often now. Just park in the vicinity of the store and you'll be able to smell the goodness that is inside. Open up the door and you'll be in shock and awe wondering why even shoving your face into the spice racks at the grocery store smells nothing like this. Start getting into all the little sample jars for each and every product and you'll know why so many people have been ordering from their catalog for years: Quality, price, quality, and selection. Peppercorns? Multiple kinds of the highest quality. Kosher salt? You mean there's more than two kinds? Cinnamon? How would you like each type of stick cut? Star anise, chili powders, five different kinds of paprika...check, check, and double check. To reiterate, the quality and selection is outstanding with a price that is excellent to boot. For those of us who want maximum flavor in our foods with a minimum of fuss and also enjoy being able to use less because of the quality of the spice, there isn't anyplace else I'd go in this area. So long bland grocery store spices, I hope you find a home in somebody else's spice rack. read more