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    CAVA

    3.9 (817 reviews)
    ModerateMediterranean, Salad
    Open 10:30 am - 10:30 pm

    Order CAVA Takeout or Delivery

    CAVA Photos

    Business Info

    CAVA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - CAVA

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    Reviews With Photos

    Glazed salmon, Greens + Grains Bowl
    Jiansen W.

    Cava dished out some new menu items (glazed salmon, sumac slaw, sumac sour cream and pita chips, strawberry sesame dressing, tangerine Aleppo drink), that I'm here for. The glazed salmon is seasoned well, cooked thoroughly. Sumac slaw provides tartness and crunch. Sumac sour cream and onion pita chips: crispy fried pita chips w powdered flavoring Tangerine Aleppo is tangy, sweet, and spiced. Staff helped move the long line along. The indoor and outdoor spaces are bustling.

    Why does the Greek salad say chicken, tzatziki, then hummus, but the chicken and rice says chicken, hummus, then tzatziki? Bad design.
    Zen X.

    Horrible menu design. The Greek salad is the exact same thing as the chicken and rice except it substitutes olives and romaine for the arugula and brown rice. But they list all the ingredients in completely different order making it hard to compare. Bad cognitive design. Proof that it's just another soulless corporate cash-grab with a "healthy" facade slapped on top of its glazed strawberry salmon bowl and the sugary tangerine aleppo drink you washed it down with. Every table had crumbs on it. The workers should wipe down the dining room at least every 30 minutes during peak hours to keep it clean for customers. Some of the workers seemed to be in a pretty bad mood. I still gave it two stars still because they don't ask for a tip.

    Delicious drink options
    Jackie B.

    CAVA is what happens when your "I should eat healthy" mood meets your "but I want it to taste amazing" reality. I found it during a desperate search for something fresh and quick--and now I keep finding my way back. The establishment offers plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, with fast service. This is particularly beneficial because lines are typically out the door. Think Chipotle style ordering, but Mediterranean and way more flavorful. You build your bowl with a base, dips, protein, toppings, and dressing--and somehow every combo just works. Plus, multiple greens options? Yes please. Their drinks deserve their own spotlight--the cucumber mint lime is basically spa water with a personality. I usually build my own bowl (control issues), but the pre-built ones look just as good. And if feta is an option... it's going down!!. No hesitation. Healthy, fast, and actually crave-worthy. Dangerous combo--I've accepted I'm a regular now. Heads-up: Parking can be challenging, so we usually park closer to Jerome's and walk a bit instead of trying to compete with customers heading to the mall.

    This is a create your own bowl with double of every topping and it's still not full. This is my exact problem.
    Taelyr V.

    I love Cava but this location is not it. I have visited here about 4 times? Maybe 5? And I have never, not once, received a full bowl. Every other location gives me a full bowl, but this one always skimps severely. To the point where my fiancee asked for double everything (but protein) and it was still half empty. It's unreal for the price we are paying. The staff also always seems so pressed and rushed here. I'm not sure what's going on with management? Or if it's just the demand of this location? I don't think I will return to this location because they don't give me what I pay for. 3 stars still because the food is still great, but I'm sick of empty bowls and rushed staff.

    Basmati bowl with braised lamb and falafel
    Savannah H.

    We tried cava for the first time today for lunch! It reminded me of chipotle but Mediterranean food, which is right up my alley! Very clean and an abundance of seating inside and outside. The kids meal was definitely worth the price great portion! I had a build your own bowl with basmati rice, and braised lamb. It was phenomenal. There was a ton of different options to add so I do suggest taking a look at the options online before you go in so you don't feel overwhelmed, even though the employees were very patient with us. Overall, I really recommend CAVA for a quick and filling meal.

    Kelly D.

    Mediterranean Chipotle, but fresher ingredients, more variety, and more expensive. Super convenient lunch option in the Mission Valley area. I got a bowl with half super greens half brown rice, lamb, steak, and all the toppings. Both proteins had great flavor and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the spice of the harissa and bright crisp taste of the toppings. You'll be paying $15+ for your bowl, but feeling good about the ingredients being used.

    Greens + Grains Bowl
    Allison L.

    I've been obsessed with a good CAVA bowl lately! The line is usually out the door so I order ahead using the app. Service is friendly and food always tastes fresh and healthy. My go-to is the greens and grains bowl, with spinach, brown rice and chicken. The garlic dressing is my fav, soooo good and the pita crisps!!! YUM. I will be back

    Katherine G.

    Always amazing food for amazing value. I always build my own bowl, and wish there were more CAVA's around near me. This time I opted for the lentils and greens, with half chicken and half falafel. The bowl gets stuffed with everything you want, and literally comes out to under $15. Everything tastes so fresh and delicious - I'll always keep coming back!

    Greens + Grains Bowl with chicken
    Elisa L.

    Delicious and nutritious Mediterranean style bowls! | got the greens and grains bowl with spinach and brown rice, grilled chicken, lettuce, corn, cucumber, tomato, hummus, tzatziki and pita crisps. Nicely seasoned, tasty, well balanced with lots of fresh ingredients. I ordered ahead and it was just ready when I arrived. Lots of indoor and covered outdoor seating. It was my first time and I'm a fan! Definitely will keep coming back.

    Emily W.

    CAVA is always a good option for flavorful build your own bowls/pitas with lots of variety. I usually get the basmati rice with half chicken/half falafel. For toppings, I love the pita crisps, tomato + onion, broccoli, pickled onions, etc. For dips, I love the tzatziki, roasted eggplant, hummus. I also love their pita chips! They also have good sauce options and I usually get the garlic sauce. Good amount of indoor and outdoor seating at this location with lots of parking spots in the lot.

    Build your own bowl !!
    Sheridan M.

    First timer here! I was so pleasantly surprised. I wanted a healthy alternative for lunch and since I work in the area I stopped in. Everything was super fresh and tasty!! The portions are huge too. I def recommend building your own bowl. I got 1/2 saffron rice and 1/2 veggies with chicken/roasted veggies with all the toppings. Super delicious!!! I fear this will be my new obsession

    To go bag
    Henry T.

    First time I've eaten here. Heard good things from people I trust. But I wasn't sure how to order. I wasn't expecting it to be like Chipotle but with Mediterranean food. Anyway, I got the harissa avocado bowl, which seemed like the safest option. I liked pretty much everything about the bowl except for the harissa dressing and the feta cheese on top. The dressing was a bit too spicy for my taste, and it resulted in the bowl eating spicy. But I do like the pita bread and chips. Nice, crunchy texture. Atmosphere at the place seems pretty chill. Not crazy about the parking, which was crowded and spaces tight.

    Terri S.

    Anytime I'm in socal, I HAVE to get cava. They never fail me, always fresh and delicious ingredients. The falafel at this specific location was juicy, not dry! They are always super generous on the portions, so I appreciate that so much. This cava was pretty big, offering patio seating. They got lines down fast, so they mainly focused on speed.

    Salad Bowl

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    2 days ago

    My new favorite lunch spot. Delicious and tasty. Lots of staff makes tge line move quickly.

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

    CAVA is always quick, fresh, and convenient. Great food and an easy choice when I need a fast meal.

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    15 days ago

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    1 year ago

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    9 days ago

    THE BEST CAVA IN SAN DIEGO all the workers are so nice and they load your bowl up. loveeeeeeee

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    2 months ago

    Excellent food - love having a fresh meal to go! Service was fantastic and the food is fresh.

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    Page 1 of 21

    CAVA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - CAVA

    Is the chicken Hala?

    Yes the Chicken is Halal

    Is the food halal?

    The actual meat in the braised lamb is certified halal but the spices used in it are not certified halal. CAVA does state that none of the ingredients/spices violate halal requirements.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant

    Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant

    4.6
    (421 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Celebrated our friend's birthday here and it was a fun time!!…read more Everyone really enjoyed their meals! The portions were generous and filling, that my friend and I shared the chicken wrap (they had the wrap, I had the fries) and it was the perfect amount! My friends said the sauce was so good too, similar to a spicy mayo but with more herbs Two of our friends ordered drinks, which they shared w me so I know the bar does a wonderful job! Can't remember the names of the drinks and didn't get any photos, but one was purple while the other was orange! Our waitress was kind and helpful! She checked on us a few times and was proactive w the bar when she noticed our drinks hadn't arrived yet :) Also the interior aesthetic is GORGEOUS!! We couldn't stop talking about the chandelier and the neon sign wall^^

    Excellent location in downtown San Diego, with a cute vibe and super walkable from the convention…read morecenter and a lot of different spots in Gaslamp Quarter. Beef Borek - Solid item to share with multiple people as an appetizer or have as a single entree, though would have been nice if it were pre-cut since it could get a bit messy. 4/5 Mimoza Mixed Grill - Overall really good, as it was nice to try a bit of everything. However, the Grilled Kofte (Turkish Meatballs) stood out above the rest, and next time I'd probably just get these alone. Would have been nice if it came with a quick explanation of what each thing was, since it was a bit hard to know what was what right off the bat, but that's just a small criticism. There was one meat that I didn't like as much, but wasn't sure which it was. 4/5 Pistachio Espresso Martini - This was amazing. 5/5 Baklava with ice cream - This was just okay. 3/5 Really enjoyed the meal I had here with my wife and sister-in-law, and would totally come back for food and cocktails!

    Photos
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Beyti Sarma
    Beyti Sarma
    Turkish Coffee

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    Turkish Coffee
    Shawarma Guys

    Shawarma Guys

    4.7
    (1.1k reviews)
    7.5 mi
    $$
    Kid friendly
    Casual dining

    I can for the viral Wagyu Shawarma Cheesesteak. It was very tasty with a mix of peppers, onion…read morecheese and sauce. Whatever sauce they used gave it a bit of spiciness. I went at 3:30 pm on a Saturday and was surprised that it was pretty busy at that weird time The sandwich was huge ( probably 12 inch sub) so depending on how hungry you are, you could easily split it. I loved the fries. Whatever seasoning they used gave is perfect

    Man I really wanted to like this place due to all the rave reviews. Our first experience was mixed…read morewith some meats being great and others dry beef bits that weren't very tasty or appealing. Our second experience we got the chicken shawarma Brian's way. Everything was cooked well, but I guess although I like pickles, I'm not as big a fan of Mediterranean pickles. The first bite or two were actually good, but subsequent bites the pickle tanginess was overwhelming and just not so pleasant as I finished it. I thought maybe I'll get it without the pickles next time. However, after eating I got an unexpected headache that usually comes from ingestion of MSG. The fries were tasty... maybe there was MSG in those? Not sure. I've honestly had much better phenomenal shawarma in San Joes CA. I have yet to find a great Shawarma here in San Diego. Feel free to recommend.

    Photos
    Ordering counter
    Ordering counter
    Wagyu beef and chicken shawarma plate, hummus and pita bread. All tasted so good!
    Wagyu beef and chicken shawarma plate, hummus and pita bread. All tasted so good!
    The combo wagyu beef & chicken shawarma !

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    The combo wagyu beef & chicken shawarma !
    Alforon

    Alforon

    4.6
    (1.9k reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    Amazing food here! I love the family run business, which is very genuine on serving the best food…read moreand brining people together. We came here for a late lunch, so we were lucky that there was a parking spot opened up right in the plaza. I can not imagine how difficult parking would be during the busy time! I assume you will need to find street parking. Although the plaza is small, the restaurant is big! It has many tables inside, including larger areas for groups. We went in and saw a family having dinner together. That really gave the restaurant a warm family vibe. You can see in the decorations that they have earned many recognitions and had even been on Guy's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show! What an amazing place! We started the lunch with a nice mint lemonade! OMG! I highly recommend this! I would go back just for this, so refreshing and perfect way to be primed for a great meal. We had three items, Soujouk Flat Bread, Baba Ghannouj, and Ouzi Lamb. The portion is large! We could not finish and had to take to-go for two of us. I love their baba ghannouj! Very authentic and come with the bread. The serve was smiling when I asked whether it came with the bread. He eventually also told us that we should open the bread like a pita and put baba ghannouj in there. I appreciate the guidance on how to enjoy the food. I also loved soujouk flat bread. So delicious! The highly recommended ouzi lamb lived up to the expectation and it's very delicious. Overall, I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. We will come back for sure because they have so many good delicious food on the menu that we need to try!

    First of all let me say that the love dessert has me hooked. Best thing here! One of the most…read moreunique and tasty things I've tried in a while, and that's saying a lot w my sweet tooth. I love the floral and pistachio taste, and it doesn't leave you feeling heavy afterwards. The mint lemonade is also a must have- tastes like it came from the garden in the best way possible. For savories, I had the spinach and cheese bajeen, baba gannouj, and the lamb fatteh - all had a lot of flavor and tasted homemade. I love trying new foods so will have to come back with more friends and try other things on the menu. The downside of this place was being seated on the right side of the restaurant near the carry out section. This was the pit of despair. I noticed that most of the staff goes to the other end first, and as a result 4 tables got seated after us and all of them had food on their table before we managed to flag one of the staff. It was definitely busy in there but he replied that he was simply going in order, but apparently order or left side to right side instead of arrival. I recommend trying to get seated on the side w the stained glass windows for better service. Other than that, the experience overall was pleasant.

    Photos
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Ouzi Lamb Special
    Ouzi Lamb Special
    Lamb fatteh

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    Lamb fatteh

    CAVA - mediterranean - Updated August 2026

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