Vega Shawarma to Close After Two Years in Business

Vega Shawarma, a fast-casual restaurant in Madison, has announced it will close after two years in business. 

The restaurant's last day is planned for Nov. 19, according to an Instagram post from Vega. Longtime local restaurant pros and owners Hrant and Elizabeth Arakelian confirm that they will be focusing their efforts on Lyra, their Middle Eastern fine-dining spot, which opened in East Nashville in 2018. 

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First Bite: Vega Shawarma

The new fast-casual concept from the team behind Lyra offers great shawarma and exceptional lamb arayes

Hrant, who also competed in the Scene’s 2022 Iron Fork chef competition, tells the Scene he could not keep up with the rising costs of food, labor and rent.  

Vega, located at 1500 Gallatin Pike S. near Eastside Bowl, offered chicken and beef shawarma, as well as salads, hummus, baba ghanoush, and desserts including baklava. The restaurant gained notice in last year's Best of Nashville writers' choices.

“Small, independently owned restaurants are part of the heart of Nashville, and it’s always hard to see one go away," Hrant tells the Scene. "But I think it’s more important than ever not to focus on those local places we have lost, but those that are still open by giving them our full support. Because once they are gone, that’s it."