Cava Mezze Grill

Super busy today! Line kept moving. My salad was delicious. My favorite is the crazy feta dip. Have to say my visit this time was way better than the time before. Glad I gave it a second chance

Oh. My.
Full disclosure: I can be a somewhat picky eater, particularly with mixing textures, so I’ve been really avoiding coming here. But today I was joining a large group for lunch so I didn’t have a choice. Luckily I was with two experienced Cava-​goers who were happy to show me the ropes and explain the process to me (which is good, because when I mentioned to the person behind the counter that it was my first time, she offered no assistance.)
I ended up getting a mixed greens and brown rice bowl with lentils; two scoops of harissa and one of eggplant and red peppers; chicken; and cabbage slaw, tomato and onion, kalamata olives; and topped it all off with the Greek vinaigrette.
The menu can be a little overwhelming, so feel free to copy my order and treat yourself to an explosion of fresh ingredients and delicious flavors. They also had an assortment of cold teas and I had the hibiscus green tea. I pride myself on my appetite and was only able to eat about 80% of my bowl — it was huge. And the prices were extremely reasonable given they source ingredients locally whenever possible.
I loved everything about my lunch today and can’t wait to go again with the whole family. They have a great kids menu!

So good. Just go. Go eat this delicious food. Wait, don’t go yet, grab a friend first, cause the bowls are big enough for two. Get a drink too, they have amazing fruit drinks and teas (for goodness sake forsake the soda).

Really just awesome food, creative combinations, always fresh, always on point. I really love the Mediterranean hummus combinations and the meat is always great. I always go to cava when I’m near one. Highly recommended.

I’m upgrading one star. Still not as good as the other locations I’ve been to, but they’re working out the bugs. My last visit was pretty delish and the operations piece is going a little more smoothly too. This will be a quick weekend lunch staple when I’m in the area for sure.

I definitely recommend coming here! When I was here, the service was fast and friendly. The food is incredibly fresh and healthy while still tasting unbelievably good! The drinks they offer are also quite interesting like lavender limeade, cardamom apple basil, carrot ginger lemonade, strawberry mint lime, and hibiscus green tea; each of which are packed with flavor and will complement your meal extremely well.

Food was awesome! A different style of food needed for this area. I will be back!
This is still a great spot. The food is awesome and I love the atmosphere. The only downside so far is after being open for several months they still do not serve beer which is frustrating! Why?!

Chose to eat here for lunch while shopping at the mall. I will always go for Mediterranean if it’s an option. I was not disappointed. This chain was slightly similar to Sajj Mediterranean in Palo alto, CA.
Which has the same concept of ordering, with slightly different choices in toppings. I love how you get to choose what you want and the price stays the same. unless you get the premium toppings which I usually don’t.
The serving size was generous. I got the grain and greens bowl with meatballs since I was sharing with my daughter. I topped it off with kalamata olives, tomato and cucumbers, pickled onions, feta, and banana peppers. also got the hummus, tzaziki and eggplant dip with Greek dresssing over everything. yummy! oh and a pita on the side. the pita left a lot to be desired. after having been in Israel where you can get pita fresh out of the oven. it’s so soft and fresh, the pita here seems old and stale? I’m for sure not getting a pita sandwich here. also I love falafel, but the falafel here looked dark and I’m not sure what it was seasoned with but I am hesitant to try it. it was nothing I am used to seeing.
The drink options looked amazing and delicious, but I’ll have to save that for another visit. seems as though they are seasonal and made fresh daily. so when I go back, the choices may be different. what caught my eye was the carrot ginger lemonade.
All I can say is, I’ll be back! and my brother says there is one near his neighnorhood, even better!

Generous portions, efficient line. The small menus are very helpful so you can figure what you want beforehand. A clean, organized layout of the store provides ample seating. I enjoy the high ceilings and how much light is in the place. Very nice service.

Great and Tasty Food!!! Excellent Customer Service!!! Highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner.

I’ve eaten at this location enough times to give it a review. I still consider it a new location still, and I can tell that they’ve greatly improved trying to get through people as quickly as possible since the line tends to bulk up between 6−7pm. The workers are always very nice here, and you know they are doing their best to move you along.
But honestly each time I’ve come, the serving portions are always different each time. One person might put so little of the greens and grains that I have to ask if they can put in more. They do this particularly when they are low on staff for the night, but I don’t think that means you should compensate by giving people smaller portions so that you don’t have to reload the rice pots and leaf crates. So it’s really a hit or miss as to who you get to start your bowl off. Keep your portions consistent, please!
But the food itself is always stellar! I love coming here because of the food and the sauces/​spreads. Definitely a win over Chipotle in that little plaza!
Something odd to mention though… the pitas have always had a weird taste for me… they kinda tastes like paper… it’s weird lol.

I’m was so happy when Cava finally opened. I’ve been dying to try this place to see what the hype was about.
First impressions: looks like a Mediterranean Chipotle, awesome juice selection, friendly staff
I’ve been here a couple of times since they’ve opened, and I must say, I’m never disappointed. It’s more expensive than Chipotle, but it’s definitely worth it. Plus, I love trying out all of the different juices.
Favorites: falafel, spicy eggplant dip thing, the greens and grains option, pineapple apple mint juice

LOVE! Can’t wait to go back!
This is an assembly-​line type of place like Chipotle or Subway. You choose pita or salad or bowl with rice at the bottom, you choose protein, you choose veggies /​add-​ons, you choose sauces.
The food was AWESOME. I tried one of the spicy lamb meatballs along with some chicken over super greens and safron rice with feta and onions and kalmata olives and other goodies and it was excellent. I love this Mediterranean flavor /​style of food.
They have an interesting variety of fountain drinks, not your typical Coke or Pepsi. I LOVED the bluberry soda. I might go back there just to get a refill of the soda.
Prices were reasonable. Service was friendly and quick.
My only complaints:
1. It’s VERY popular and busy, so the line wraps around the restaurant. However, the line moves pretty quick. I didn’t time it, but I did not feel like we waited for very long.
2. Did I mention it’s VERY popular and busy? They don’t have enough tables. The place was packed. Now, people were always coming and going, so we didn’t really have to wait for a table because someone got up to leave just as we finished getting our sodas, but the table was dirty /​needed to be wiped down. That’s not Cava’s fault though — they’re just busy. I saw employees wiping down the counters and trying to keep the place clean.

I am so happy they finally open location in Loudoun, this is #1 choice for lunch.
And they add lentils to the menu !!! :)
I am loving everything about the concept, food, flexibility and atmosphere.
Keep counting my calories and getting meals around 400 calories full of nutritions.
Usual choses are super greens, spinach, 2 scoops of hummus and scoop of eggplant dip, chicken or braised lamb, sour cabbage, cucumber salad. No dressing.
They mastered Mediterranean flavors, so no matter what you mixed their it’s all come together in your plate.

My husband and I were shopping at Whole Foods and decided to try Cava for dinner on Sunday. It was about 4pm and empty! Which was a plus because we have never been and knew we’d have some questions. Our server walked us through the process and pointed out the different dips, proteins, toppings, and sauces. I ordered the grains and greens bowl w/​chicken, tzatziki sauce and eggplant hummus (pretty good!), and a lot of the toppings. My husband got the grains and greens w/​lamb meatballs, tzatziki and harissa dip, and a few toppings. Their food is pretty fresh for the most part. I tried the meatball, and I did not care for it (I don’t like lamb in general); I also found it really dry. We each got juices, vanilla bean limeade and cucumber jalapeño. The juices were great; unfortunately, they did not have lids for the cups we had because they were out.
Overall a pretty good experience. I would definitely go back.

Yum! Very delicious. So many options that are a) healthy and b) taste amazing! Their customer service is great, I had so many questions when I first went here and the behind-​the-​counter folks were super-​helpful, didn’t act rushed or annoyed.
The lines here periodically are very long, but I guess that is because it is new.
I wish they had coffee, as I understand some other Cava Mezze Grills do, but I’ll live.
Again, excellent experiences the three times we have eaten here. Will return!

What a great concept! They are located a few doors down from a Chipotle (coming soon) and the food is served Chipotle style, with a Mediterranean flare. I love the fresh self-​service juice options available. The watermelon-​mint is an excellent and refreshing compliment to your meal. I love that they are popping up all over the area. Now we need an Asian style one in the same complex for world cuisine domination!

So I have been patiently waiting for Cava to open ever since I heard that it was going to open in the Whole Foods shopping center. This location has an outdoor seating area and a fire pit as well which is a bonus. Cava is a locally owned restaurant that has locations in the DC Metro area currently.
Cava has the same type of concept as Chipolte, but with a Mediterranean flair. You build your own meal. You can choose from a salad, rice bowl or pita. Then you get to add your spread/​sauces– with choices such as hummus, roasted red pepper hummus tzatziki sauce, and harrissa. Next come your protein– meats, meatballs, falafel. I personally recommend the meatballs. They are amazing! Lastly there are a ton of toppings to add!
The beverages are not your typical Coca-​cola or Pepsi products. Instead they are root beverages and juices! All are very good.
I think we got to there at a pretty busy time as the line was long and took a few minutes to get through it. However, I also think that with Cava being in a new area and some folks who have never ordered their food before may not know what all the choices are and that may have added a little extra time. I predict Cava to be very popular and packed all the time since it seems their other locations are packed all the time. So expect to wait in line… unless you are lucky.
I love Cava and noticed they will be opening Chipolte in the same shopping center. It will be a hard pick between two of my favorites! Now if only Ashburn would get a Shophouse (Chipotle w/​Asian flavors) I would be one very happy girl!

So glad they finally opened this place in Ashburn, there was not too many places like it in the area. The food here is great and the store is pretty nice, they were still working on the outdoor seating when I was there. If you have not been here, it is like a Chipotle, but with mediterranean food.

I have to update this review when I come back on a regular day, but I came here for their grand opening Community Day today.
It is a tradition for Cava to give out free entrees during their first day. It was packed, as expected, but 4 star shout-​out to the staff and workers there. They all were great, and were pleasant. I’m glad they gave out small menus to everyone in line in attempt to expedite the ordering process.
For now, the 4 stars is for keeping the cava tradition alive and the good quality staff. An older man helping around the drink station was particularly helpful, and went out of his way to get my bf and I caps for our drinks when he noticed they ran out. Shoutout even to the staff that greeted us goodbye when we left, and joked «you made it!».
I hope everyone donated a little something to help the good cause out. Food was good quality, and I hope it doesn’t decline as they settle in.