I was waiting for this place to open up as the Columbia Heights location (near my home) was the first I'd seen -- and now I've run into another in Tenleytown (near my school) what did I do to deserve this good fortune? I feel middle-aged and nostalgic in saying that it's a bit expensive for lunch (I remember when I could get lunch for under $5!) but, really where can you get lunch for less than $10 these days? And, well, they don't change the prices for dinner, so.....maybe just go at night? Even McDonald's is coming up on $10, and I'm definitely not paying that much for a 'meal' there. I've only had the falafel salad and bowl. The falafel is great. I like that they don't give you that standard gross looking chunk of fried chickpea flour (which I still eat because I like falafel). In Cava's falafel, you can actually SEE chickpeas! It's crispy but still moist, and isn't drenched in oil from the fryer. All of the spreads have also been good. I love spicy food so the harissa is particularly amazing. The hummus and tzatziki are standard, but still tasty. The roasted red pepper hummus adds a nice additional flavor to standard hummus, which works well with the falafel. Haven't tried the crazy feta or eggplant one. And as far as the toppings go, I pretty much ask them to put all of them on top, so I wouldn't be the best resource to distinguish what's good. But I can tell you that all of it together is GREAT! Don't forget the lemon wedge. I've also tried the chips & dip -- which is just pita chips and hummus (I can't remember if you can get anything instead of hummus). A good option in general, but I didn't really think it was necessary to add to my meal here. The best part about this place for me is that it's a healthier option than a lot of other fast-casual spots, and the assembly-line style really allows you to control that. Also, this is a fun tip: You can buy their dips/spreads at Whole Foods! (at least the one off Wisconsin in Friendship Heights) read more

This review is long overdue. I have been coming to this place since they have opened in Columbia Heights and they might be the best fast food option in the direct area. Yes, I would rank them higher than Chipotle. Food: I usually get the following and I am NEVER disappointed. Pita Sauces: Harisa + Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Meat: Chicken and/or Falafel Toppings: Super Greens, Cucumbers/Tomatoes, Pickled Onions, Cabbage, Banana Peppers, Pita Chips, Crushed Black Pepper, Harisa on top. The list of toppings will clean your system out for sure. Workers: Typical fast food workers. Not a knock because it is fast food. Atmosphere: Small little spot. Nice lighting but again, it is fast food so don't expect anything special here. If you are around Columbia Heights, please go. read more

I didn't really have any expectations about this place, but it turned out to be the best meal I've had in a long time. We ordered a lot of small plates for the whole table to share, most of them vegetarian since most of us were, and it was SO good. The melted cheese dish is insane. Would go back any day. read more

So upon a second, third, fourth (and on and on) visit, Cava has COMPLETELY changed my mind. The minis- still not a fan- but the bowl!!!!! Delicious, everything you want a rice bowl dish to be without leaving you the heavy feeling the bowls from the place two doors down do. Speaking of said place Cava has a much better vegetarian solution instead of just no meat you can get falafel (thumbs all the way up) Staff is super nice and love the fact that they let you know where the ingredients come from is a very nice addition. And the free lemon-mint water is so tasty! read more

The Chipotle analogy is accurate. Fast, efficient ordering process with great looking choices. The food is really ridiculously good for a fast food type place. I ordered a rice bowl with tzatsiki, crazy feta and eggplant and red pepper dips with falafel and grilled chicken, plus a bunch of condiments that are too numerous to remember. Great concept, delicious food. I want to open one in NYC. Make millions and retire in Greece. read more

YUMMY YUMMY When visiting DV this place was one of my favorites! I adore the Chipotle type set up and there was so many healthy and delicious meals to choose from I wanted them all! The place was clean and modern with great flavors for a quick filling meal! The falafels and the meatballs was great :) read more

Love Cava! I get the rice bowl or the salad, though the rice bowl is my favorite and I fill it with wonderful things. I can never eat the entire bowl, even though it makes me very sad. Like the first several times I visited, I gave myself a stomachache from trying to eat it all in one sitting. Dummy! My husband gets a gyro and loves the braised lamb. I love the crazy feta which is only slightly spicy and not too overpowering. It's an excellent compliment to both the rice bowl and gyro. We've had several friends come visit and lament that they don't have a Cava near them. They ask to come back and we happily oblige :) read more

I just had dinner there tonight with friends and overall it was good. Items we ordered: Saganaki (cheese with brandy) Rocket Salad Lamb Chops Mini Chicken Pita Tuesday Meatballs for 2 The best things were the lamp chops and the mini chicken pita. The Lamb chops were a little salty for my taste as was the saganaki. The meatballs weren't anything to write home about, but the rocket salad had a great flavor as did the chicken pita. We also got some martinis. My favorite was their Kaffir Lime martini. Dessert was great if you like super sweet things. Get the baklava or the French toast. I'd go again if a friend requested small, Greek plates. read more

3.5 stars When I walked into Cava for the first time (recently opened) the woman behind the counter asked me if I knew how the process worked at Cava. I said no and she began to explain that you pick your format, you pick your meat, you pick your toppings, etc. When i said, "Oh, just like Chipotle!" I think she almost pooped some falafel balls. She, very evidently spending a lot of energy to contain herself, explained that Cava is not like Chipotle at all!!!! Everything is organic, the food is Mediterranean, blah blah blah etc. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but this setup is exactly like Chipotle, which I also appreciate because it's easy! Plus, the food is good. From the braised beef to the falafels I haven't had anything not tasty. Nice selection of spreads/toppings, including this like "crazy feta" (spicy feta!?), pickled cabbage, various types of hummus, etc. Nice option for a healthier-leaning place in the CH hood that won't break the bank. read more

We really like this new business and hope to see more of them open up in the Mid-Atlantic region. Cava is the Mediterranean style of build your own salad bowl/pita type of restaurant. They have excellent healthy offerings from hearty grains to quality greens including arugula or mesclun topped with your choice of homemade sauces from hummus to Tzatziki and roasted red pepper dip. They also offer four different proteins, such as chicken and spiced lamb meatballs. There is then a selection of toppings and dressings as well. Overall the food is very fresh with a lot of flavor. They also make daily different juices which are different great blends of fruits and vegetables. The service here was good The dining room was a bit messy from the lunch rush and i would state that, for the cost, you get much more food with the purchase of a bowl instead of a pita sandwich. read more

I had lived in Columbia Heights for over a year before I first stopped into Cava by the Metro. It was a huge mistake to wait so long to do so. All of the food at Cava is fresh and well made, and the amount of options fits any mood. Want something to eat on the go? Grab a pita, stuffed with your favorites. If you're feeling health conscious, the salads are a good option as well. If you're really hungry, go with a rice bowl. The winner here has to be the "spreads," of which you get to pick up to three. I can never say no to the harissa and crazy feta. The red pepper hummus and eggplant dips are also extremely tasty. Another big plus is that their falafel features both ground and whole chickpeas, giving it a more hearty texture and flavor than many places. They are always generous with the toppings, never scoffing when I ask for extra tomato and onion salad or banana peppers. Even when there is a line, you can get in and out of Cava in just a few minutes due to their Chipotle-esque design. read more

I was very underwhelmed by this place. I had meatball bowl, which was dried out and a small portion. Overall the meal was more expensive than Chipotle and nearly as good. As another reviewer indicated ordering is a bit complicated and I found a number of upcharges for various items. BTW I find it amusing when a person gives a restaurant 5 starts and then proceeds to criticize it... read more

A good place when you feel like a Mediterranean version of Chipotle. I like the season rice, and the meatballs. They are known for their dips and I have bought them from whole food so it is nice to have all the dips & sauce available to try. read more

"Mediterranean chipotle," as another reviewer said, describes it perfectly. I was a bit overwhelmed, but the friendly (and cute) staff member helped me figure out what to order. You can do a salad and rice bowl, add dipping toppings of your choice, and put some feta and fresh veggie toppings. It's no Chipotle for you Mexican fast-food loving people looking for some comfort food, but it's really good - relatively healthy, I think - and I'd try them again! read more

Delicious mediterranean healthy food with fast service! You get to choose rice, greens, different proteins (lamb, beef, meatballs, falafel), dips, sauces, and toppings! At the end of the process I always end up with a huge bowl with leftovers for a later time! Bang for you buck! Flavors are amazing and everything is always fresh. read more

This place is the best. The staff is always friendly and the food is fresh, time and time again. Elmer is usually working when I'm there and he's always got a smile on his face and happy to take your order. Big fan of this location and my guy Elmer! read more

I finally figured out what the craze was about, when several of my foodie friends flock to this area, knowing they're in for a great meal experience. The setup is similar to Chiptole (as it has repeated a billion times), though it's all about how you like your salad (with rice? with chicken? lamb? falafel?), and whether you like it in a pita form, bowl, and numerous other ways of stuffing your face. There is a toppings bar that you can add to your salad - this is where it gets interesting. While I would have preferred to do this from a bar because sometimes I want half a spoonful of cucumbers, and a full spoonful of the cabbage - it's difficult to convey that to the person behind the counter. One word of warning - the day we went, the chicken, lamb and the falafel were all a bit dry. The toppings saved the day as they provided enogh moisture to the dish, but it wouldn't hurt to get the protein right. I'll be back to see if they fix the issue, and experiment with more toppings. read more

How did I not know this place was what it was! I'm familiar with the Cava on Barrack's Row and silly silly me assumed this Cava was the same setup. That all changed when a friend offered to take me here for dinner. I walked in and to my surprise, it was like a Subway or Chipotle setup for Greek food. I got the pita with chicken, hummus, crazy feta, and a whole bunch of extra goodies stuffed on top. This is the best sandwich I've had in a long time! Warm, fluffy, chewy pita with a great spiciness coming from the crazy feta, the crunch of cucumbers and the all around happy feeling you get while eating! Is that too far? I don't think so. But I do know I'll be coming back for more next time I'm in the area. read more

Elmer is such a boss. Love this location and they always do a great job serving the customer. I will bring all my friends each time I'm hungry. Thanks so much Elmer and team read more

Was gonna give it 4 stars but realized my heart says "WOOHOO! AS GOOD AS IT GETS!!" whenever I pick this up. It's right across from the gym so... Reasons my heart races when I think about going there: Service: The people are super friendly. I've even called there when technically they aren't allowed to take orders on the phone and are closing.in.five.minutes. Maybe it was the desperation in my voice, but the woman answering the phone asked me to hold, asked a few questions came back and said they'd have it ready if I could get there in 10 minutes. They had my order waiting for me and it was perfect. Generally, I sneak in before closing time, tho. The folks are always kind and thoughtful. Heartbeat. Food: SUPERGREENS MIX!!! Makes it interesting AND nutritious!! The servers will even toss a little rice in my salad when I can't decide if I want "bowl" or "salad". I've gotten almost all the proteins, can't have the falafel or regular meatballs anymore b/c of gluten issues, but I love the spicy lamb sliders. And get this: NOT OVERCOOKED!! For the spreads, I've been known to ask for 2 servings of harissa, so now they just load it up when they recognize me (one time the lady joked and said it's cuz I never get the pita). I also love the eggplant red pepper and crazy feta. Then i top it with EVERYTHING but the pita chipy things. They often rubber band seal my salad b/c they toss so much on there. The salad dressings are AWESOME. So fresh and wondermous. I just found out they have an app. I am downloading it now. read more

Think I just went to Cava Mezze- at least in CoHi- for the last time. I've eaten at the one in Tenleytown with slightly more success, but it seems like every time after I eat at this one I get nauseous. Which is too bad, because the food is pretty delicious for "expedited" food. And they profess to accommodate gluten free diets, which is crucial for me as a person with Celiac. I don't know what's up, but several time over the space of 6-8 months, I've not felt too good after enjoying a rice bowl with chicken and lots of fixin's. read more

Always happy with my meals from this place. Chipotle inspired assembly line takeout but with a greek/lebanese/turkish inspired taste. Lots of toppings, and delicious hummus and spreads. Locally sourced meats as well. To be honest, I first tried this place because chipotle always has a crazy line, and for whatever reason this place NEVER has a line. I would recommend the power salad blend, which contains some different greens like shredded brussels sprouts, with chicken and all the toppings you can fit. Falafel is also good, but I prefer it in the pita sandwich. Dill yogurt, tahini, 'crazy feta', and harissa and some great options. I think it is a bummer how they charge extra for some meats. This has prevented me from trying them, as I feel the base $10 for the salad is about my max I'm willing to pay. read more

I first learned of Cava when I bought a container of their "crazy feta" from Whole Foods, years ago when I first moved to DC. When I finally discovered their little Mediterranean-style Chipotle (sorry but that's the best comparison), I fell in love. Their rice bowls are my favorite go-to dinner when I'm too tired to cook after work. Conveniently located right by the Columbia Heights metro stop, it's a great place to stop and sit down to eat or just grab and go. Huge, huge, huge fan. read more

CAVA is essentially a mediterranean/middle eastern version of Chipotle. It's really hard to go wrong with any of the selections. The flavors are so fresh and complement each other really well. This location is clean and the service is so fast. If I lived closer I would eat here everyday! read more

Friends and I were casually walking by on a Saturday when we were convinced to grab lunch here. At first, I was afraid I wouldn't be full, but to my great surprise, this was actually VERY filling. I highly recommend the delicious pepper hummus and succulent lamb sliders! Try to get everything for toppings. It's a great sampling. read more

THIS PLACE. The service is amazing, especially for fast food. The food is great! Being a vegetarian often gives me very little to choose from in the quick "to go" food arena. I travel far distances to ear here. It's amazing. Their Crazy Feta is amazing and you can buy it now at Whole Foods. Yum. read more

Cava is just so solid, because of the grilled meats (braised lamb, lamb meatballs, even the chicken, and even the falafel omg) and the colorful flavor-packed toppings (pickled pink onions, so many fresh veggies, and ... fresh torn mint! here? now? for me?!) and the secret off-the-menu pita-dough Greek donuts that blow any and every beignet or donut or cronut or doissant out of the water. Cava is so solid. read more

Not only is this Cava delicious, but the staff are super friendly! They've even surprised me on a few occasions simply out of kindness-- a great place to eat in the neighborhood! read more

I've been waiting for this place to open forever, and finally had a chance to try it. Basically, Cava Mezze is the Chipotle of Mediterranean food -- same assembly line approach, same sparse decor, but with a couple of key differences. First, the food is much better than any other fast food option in the neighborhood. And unlike most of Columbia Heights' other fast food outlets, you won't feel like you are shortening your life every time you eat here, because it's healthier too. Second, it improves on the Chipotle ambience in one key way -- it's a lot quieter, probably because they've added some wood paneling to the Chipotlesque exposed concrete interior, and that makes all the difference in absorbing the noise... and for that reason the overall experience is a whole lot calmer. I'm psyched that there's now a good place to get falafel in the neighborhood. read more

Delicious food! Chipotle's mediterranean cousin. I had minis with hummus, crazy feta, chicken, cabbage salad, kalmata olives, and quinoa. Side of harissa sauce. SERIOUSLY PERFECTION. Cheap, fast, and good service. Yummy complimentary lemony mint water too :) read more

CAVA - Delicious minis with hummus, crazy feta, chicken, cabbage salad, kalmata olives and quinoa. They were perfect. - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Need fast, fresh and tasty food? Check this place out. They do Chipotle assembly line type Mediterranean bowls. Pick rice/grain, meat, dips and some salad toppings. Food is always super flavorful and has unique spice and flavor pairings. Nice quick lunch or on the fly dinner. Only small complaint is that last time the meat was overdone and burnt in some cases. Need to watch that heat. read more

Cava would be so much better if they could change their Pita bread. That pasty thing doesn't even feel like real Pita. Check Roti downtown DC or The Lebanese Tavern in Silver Spring to see what real pita is supposed to taste like. Cava used to sell the best lemon cakes a2 years ago. I'm mad they stopped. read more

To Cava's Headquarters, It is very obvious that the customer's satisfactory is not Cava's first or second priority. The line workers are rude and snarky. The managers are arrogant and deceitful. The staff is not insightful or interested in what they do. Their main goal is to charge you an absurd amount of money for every little thing you ask for. On top of that the last couple of times I have purchased my usual greens and grains bowl with lamb meatballs and grilled chicken both of my proteins were cold, and the bowls were poorly made. You can literally taste the bad vibes in the food. I eat Cava because it is tasty and one of the only healthy food options in my area, but that is no excuse to why I have to encounter bad attitudes and carelessly put together food if I am paying over $12. So, my best advice to the staff at Cava is to hire workers with dignity and hospitality and to stop over charging customers for subpar food because a greedy spirit will get you exactly what you deserve, which is nothing. And unless Cava is okay with being one of the many businesses that are shutting down because they've decided to participate in the culture of big businesses exhausting they're consumers, I'd humble yourself, and get some morals worth something. read more

This place has potential but needs to clean up its act by cooking meat consistently and making the drinks less sweet - seriously - the drinks are diabetes in a glass. read more

CAVA - Meatballs undercooked! - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Cava is yet another of the many "Chipotle" style fast casual restaurants, but I can't fault them for using a style that works! Cava serves Mediterranean style foods and lets you build either a salad bowl or a pita with tons of great options. I really love that you can choose between greens, grains, or a mix for your base. Proteins include tons of vegetarian and meat options, and lots of flavorful sauces and spreads. I'd love to know more about their sourcing, but just based on flavor and restaurant experience I'm happy so far! read more

Got a bowl and didn't finish it bc it didn't taste right. Later that night I realized it gave me food poisoning.

This is my favorite Cava location because Julio always makes sure things are running smoothly and delivers excellent costumer service. Be sure to try the chocolate chunk cookies from Whisked DC. read more

I stop here several times a week when I don't feel like cooking dinner. The staff is always friendly and even when crowded the line moves pretty quickly. The great thing is that it's always consistent. It always tastes the same no matter when you go. I'd recommend going with a bowl and getting half rice and half super greens. I always get their falafel as I find their chicken to usually be a little dry. read more

Cava is always on point. The service is friendly it's fast and they are generous with portion sizes unlike Ch_____ u feel in the blank

Cava is the perfect place to go when I don't feel like cooking and also don't feel like going out. I usually get a grain bowl with lentils and falafel. It's super affordable and it's not unhealthy so I don't feel guilty after :) these bowls are also extremely filling! Cava never disappoints! read more