I honestly am not sure where to start and end with my wife and l anniversary dinner at Cava this evening. My wife and I have close to or more than 1000 dining experiences in our time together. If Cava wasn't the best overall, it was an extremely close second. Our server Dan was awesome from start to finish. On point, Attentive, professional, and exceeded expectations on every level. Cava is a very intimate dining experience with a warm comfortable indoor and outdoor seating option. It is also very practical as a stop before going to the Music Hall, an important date or like us an anniversary. Cava is unlike many of the places we have visited over the years in the food category. Every course was exceptionally prepared, thoroughly thought out and professionally executed with excellent plating. I won't go into detail on every dish but suffice it to say there was enjoyment with every mouthful of every course. I ordered: Espresso Martini An Italian Pinot Grigio (with dinner) We shared the charcuterie plate First course - Mussels Second Course - Italian Meatball dish Third Course - Braised Flank Steak Fourth Course - Torte My wife ordered: A wonderful Rum with blackberry cocktail An Italian Pinot Grigio(with dinner) First Course- Warm Potato Soup Second Course- Stuffed and wrapped dates Third Course- Shrimp with Polenta Fourth Course- Blueberry Cheesecake read more

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Located in a cute alleyway of Portsmith New Hampshire. Definitely grab a table out on the patio to enjoy the fresh air and ambience. I would recommend making reservations. We snagged a last-minute reservations and had the chefs tasting menu. We enjoyed everything! read more

Food and drinks are incredible. Great atmosphere for a date night. The waitress was attentive and the atmosphere was intimate. Great for dinner. read more

Owners John and Bridget are friendly and welcoming too, he a bit more voluble; she efficiently calm. The 4 course menu is a good value and plates can be shared. Inside the dining room is tight and noisy. Outside is better if the weather is nice. Wine list is extensive and also a good value. read more

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We had a great experience sitting down in the wine cave bar! Definitely a better quality wine selection than most local places. The four course menu was fun. I was a little disappointed in the paella (didn't have the crunch on the bottom and not a lot of flavor) and my chocolate cake was a little dry. The rest of my courses and all of my wife's choices were phenomenal. She really liked the French gnocchi despite not being a truffle fan. A do again, especially when warm and we could sit outside. read more

Having returned to the area after being out of state, we made our way back down to Cava and to save my life, I cannot figure out why I only rated it 4 stars. On a scale of 1-5, it's a 5++, so I must have just missed hitting that extra star. The same bartender has been there for years and he is *the best*. On a busy holiday weekend, we showed up without reservations (not hopeful at all), and they managed to make room for us at the bar. We had an amazing dinner with outstanding customer care. Everything - and I mean everything - is thoughtfully planned, prepared, and plated. Vegetarian friendly. read more

Delicious food, knowledgeable and approachable servers, fantastic wine list and pairings, and perfectly timed courses. Truly a gem and so glad we finally made it here. We will be back soon! Despite the excellence, the restaurant looks dated - lots of rustic finishes and shades of beige/earth tones as the color palate. The shrimp in the third course was unfortunately quite overcooked, and I'd love even more seafood options for next time! Mussels, oysters, fish entrees... Delicious! read more

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Outstanding meal that flowed from start to finish. I really like the format, it allowed all the dishes to really have some level cohesion. Hard to pick out a favorite dish as they all were so good, but the paella with the mojo sauce was superb, don't pass on the mojo sauce either, its worth the 3 bucks. Id almost say these dishes border on not being tapas and being a medium sized plate, i was beyond full. Great service and a cool setting to eat outside. Highly recommend. read more

Cava - Chicken and Chorizo Paella - Mediterranean Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

My wife and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this place. We ate at the bar downstairs and really enjoyed our dining experience. My favorite was the octopus and I'd highly recommend giving that a try. Some of the other plates we ordered were good but the place is pricey and the food is average. The service was also just average. They forgot our dessert, like I really needed it:) By the time we finally got it, I'd of thought they would have comped it but they didn't. Overall, I'm giving them four stars for atmosphere, food and service. Aside from the dessert issue, the service was actually pretty good. I'll definitely give them another try. I would not recommend the paella. I'd give that plate three stars at best. The octopus, however, was to die for...yummy! Bon appétit read more

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This was a first visit to Cava for my husband and I. We live an hour away and just wanted to try somewhere different from our local spots. The drive was worth it as Portsmouth is a lovely town for walking about and Cava is in the heart of it. Cozy and relaxing with a few outdoor tables as well as indoors. The summer menu is $59 a person and includes four courses. Each course offered several options to choose from. Each course was beautiful as well as delicious, we shared each dish and loved the opportunity to experience such a variety of flavors. The staff was attentive to when we were finished with a dish or might want another drink but never hovering. From start to finish our experience at Cava was a pleasure and yours will be too. read more

The food was ok but not great. Small portions. Rude staff. Not accommodating at all. Manager was rude when he came to speak to us about any accommodations. Interesting menu items that don't fit description of restaurant. Felt judged and ready to leave as soon as we sat down. read more

We arrived in town on the eve of our 24th anniversary for an outdoor festival - tired and hungry - thankfully the kitchen was still open but they were only offering a course tasting menu - which was great- as we love tapas and the opportunity to try different dishes. We had a seat at the bar - and enjoyed a wonderful meal. There was a nice selection of dishes and everything we chose was very good. We were later told by friends that it's one of the best restaurants in town- and we can understand why. The bartender was friendly and funny - overall it was a great experience. We'll have to return the next time we're in town. read more

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This was my first venture to this restaurant. Overall I had a very decent meal and a nice time. I love tapas but the lack of selection is a bit problematic for me. My husband and I made sure we got different items so we could try as many things as possible. The strawberry salad was good but so small I am not sure it was worth the overall price. My husband liked the scallops but again it was barely a taste. The next section was the Patatas Bravas and that was probably the best thing in the entire meal. The potatoes were crispy and the sauce was amazing. My husband got the asparagus. I really found it to be lacking in flavor. The waitress said it had a strong vinegar base but honestly I found it boring. My husband got the paella and I got the sirloin. Both had amazing flavors but neither were warm. I felt like they sat waiting to be delivered entirely too long. We both got the strawberry biscuit. It was okay but nothing to rave about. I know they change the menu seasonally but there is not enough selection to keep me coming in on a regular basis. I'll try their other seasons but I wish they had an overall broader menu. read more

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The drinks were delicious, small inside so reservations are pretty much needed. Portions are of good size for the multi course dinner, great service. read more

One of Portsmouth's finest and among our favorite places to dine. We've been coming here since they opened and have enjoyed the consistently excellent food and service. Our most recent visit was just as good as always. Due to COVID, they are offering a 4 course prix fixe menu, and it included many of our favorite dishes. The plates are not only delicious, but beautiful as well. Service is always on point and attentive with excellent timing/delivery from the kitchen so that all of your food is well timed and piping hot. Not to be missed dishes are the paella, stuffed piquillo peppers, short rib and the churros for dessert. That said, explore all the options as you will find that they are really all very very good. Personally, I have too many favorites! Cocktails here are great, but the wine list is all highly curated. I usually trust my server to guide me, and they usually are spot on as they have come to learn what I enjoy over the years. This is a small and intimate space with a few tables and bar on the first floor, and tables and bar on the lower level. Outdoor dining is available on their beautiful patio with heaters as weather permits. There are a few things I miss due to the pandemic, such as being able to sit at the chefs table, and the menu is limited to a prix fixe option, but these are small concessions to make, and I'm delighted that they appear to be thriving through these difficult times. If you are visiting Portsmouth, Cava is a must. read more

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Pros: nice outside seating, sparkling Cava was cold and delicious Cons: the host is always slightly disdainful. We haven't been in 6 years because we moved to CA but he's still the same. Not an asset for the business imho The food: Tiny and expensive. Which is ok, it's tapas. But it's not good. It doesn't not come together at all. Our steak dish was overcooked, med well to well, our tomato salad would maybe have been good had the one tomato slice been ripe, instead it was hard and flavorless. It was disappointing because Cava used to be pretty good! Never great but pretty good. Not sure what's going on there, but there were more empty tables than full, by the time we left at 7 on a Sunday night there was no one else in the restaurant. *My own pet peeve, no indication on the menu as far as allergens, especially gluten, which is fairly normal practice these days. Our server was very nice about it (not all are) but I have been dosed with gluten more than once in the last 6 months because the server got it wrong. Just put it on the menu. read more

Such an incredible date night! We got a seat outside in this picturesque alley, and had a long, leisurely dinner, with amazing food and perfectly paced courses. The tasting menu had several options to pick from (3 courses plus dessert), and even though you do the picking, what arrives is always unexpected and exciting! My absolute favorite was the artichoke, which was baked and came with this amazing sauce, very unlike the artichokes I've had before! The desserts were incredible, and we even learned that they make their own dulce de leche on site, as it's somehow milder and more balanced that the sweet explosion we're used to. The service was great, we never felt abandoned, and all the courses came out well paced, with plenty of time to talk in between. You definitely need a reservation in advance here, and you have to put down a credit card, but it's worth it! read more

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Had an early Winter Prix Fixe last Friday night before a show . A cozy spot in a good location. Every dish was curated in a way that got the most flavor out of the most modest ingredients. That plates were indeed small but the flavors were large and elegantly presented.The wine list is also well curated and fairly priced. The service was outstanding. The server introduced herself and took out coats. She returned with the wine list, offered samples and made recommendations based on our stated preferences. (The cocktails included some nice rum brands which I hope catch on in other places). She was well versed on the preparation and flavor profiles of all the offerings. Little things like keeping the water glasses topped, changing plates and silverware after each course and generous attention were much appreciated. She simply was the best part of an excellent evening. read more

Cava - Mediterranean Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I reached out to this restaurant at the last minute and during restaurant week, no less, to get a dinner reservation for my and The Husband's 15th wedding anniversary. Eventhough they were closed on the day I emailed, I got a response back from John, and they were able to accomodate us with this really sweet, cozy and intimate corner high-top downstairs along a wall with some decorate metal stuff and fairy lights. BUT... OMG, the food. I dreamed of those medajool dates, and rightfully so. Other than our entrees and dessert (limited to a bite), we did "halfsies" on the other courses. Everything was delicious. The staff were great. The icing on the cake, though? Menus with a "Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. ____" That was a lovely touch that kinda got me in the feels. Definitely would recommend. read more

Stopped in on a recommendation from a local. Started with a cocktail that blew me away. Top notch. Decided to have a few tapas. Everything was so delicious and fresh. Ended with the seared haddock and it made my night. Great food and a fun staff. read more

Very risky to put so much on tapas to wow the guests but that's what they do and fail .Have to hit the palette with a subtle unfolding of flavors and textures in each order and they fall short .I love the concept but not the reality .Tried several times.Not going back. read more

Amazing food! They taste great, and the presentation is impressive. Service and staff are nice too. It's in a cute little alley that has a really nice old world vibe to it. There are two floors, and we were upstairs, so I did not see the downstairs area and cannot comment about it. But what I can say is that the upstairs area is a bit too tight. The host was also a tad bit patronizing. read more

Went here during spring and has the four course menu. We've made a reservation but arrive early; still they seated us instantly without a problem. Our server was very kind and attentive. The food is amazing; every dish is nicely seasoned and beautifully executed. The serving was enough to make you full after 4 courses. Highly recommended and definitely be back. read more

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I came I saw and I didn't feel like I conquered. Had dinner with my cousin in a cold Wednesday evening. Making reservations as they are a small cozy restaurant was odd cause they required a CC on file, even if you give advance notice to cancel they stated they will still charge you is, well not okay to me. Anyhow, food, the moment I walked in there was this strong fishy aroma. And while I knew scallops crudo is on the menu, it should not smell like that. Nonetheless I ordered it and the smell truly overwhelmed me even though it definitely tasted and looked fresh. The octopus as fine, paella fine. But my biggest disappointment since there was built up anticipation? The churros. First, the tiny portion and torn chocolate sauce I think was burnt, as it was off putting. My cousins dessert was superior and I was tragically disappointed in being the loser (we compete to see who orders the best menu items). Drinks were delicious, atmosphere fun, but just not wowed considering price point, and ease (lack there of) making a reservations read more

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What an amazing place for a date night. We did the tasting menu and sat at the bar downstairs. At first i was a bit bummed to do bar seating but it ended up being the best way to share all the plates and enjoy the whole meal easier. The tasting menu was beyond delicious and we thought was a very fair price for how special the dishes were. Favorite dishes; Tomato Gazpacho & White Corn Soup, Patatas & Steak, Cava's Paella, and the Almond Torta. Reservations are a must and you are required to put your credit card down read more

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- 10 stars - make that reservation - don't show up early - great food - great suggestions - fantastic service - portions are kinda small - gazpacho is good - tuna needs more flavor - steak and potatoes is good i'd appreciate more steak - I liked the peppers I missed the steak and potato peppers with the steak potatoes and it was great peppers is like 'lasagna' without the noodles - scallops was delicious - short rib was good altho I'd like a bigger portion - chocolate cake was delicious - churros were alright - beautiful date night spot you're definitely getting some tonight read more

I don't know where to begin. This was a new experience for us, seasonal menu. For the first time in my life I had scallop crudo. I had no idea that this would be uncooked and I do not eat sushi. It was amazing, a plate of art that actually was tasty. My spouse and I both ordered the steak that was in the entree selection and we did not regret it. Cooked to perfection. The dessert was good but we really don't care so much about that. The wine selection was impressive, and the suggestion that the server made could not have been paired any better. We sat in the lower level, basement, fieldstone foundation and intimate. Upstairs a is busy and a bit loud for us. You have more space in that lower level. We look forward to trying the spring menu. read more

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We just came back from a meal at Cava. We were visiting Portsmouth and I checked out Yelp and Trip Advisor for restaurant recommendations. Cava was highly rated on both platforms, and rightfully so. Cava does not have an on-line reservation portal, but I emailed the restaurant and received a telephone call in less than an hour. We were able to make a reservation. The location in the old part of Portsmouth in Commercial Alley was quaint and walking distance to our hotel. The 4 course meal was outstanding, and at $59 per person, it was a bargain. They had a nice cocktail menu and a large selection of wines by the glass. The meal was one of the best we've had in a long time. Each of the four courses had 3 or 4 selections. My wife and I ordered different items for each course. Every one of the dishes was superb. The staff was friendly and knowledgable. We highly recommend Cava to anyone visiting Portsmouth. read more

We went to Cava yesterday to celebrate my fiancées' birthday. I'm pleased to say that food was great, our server was very nice. They have a great selection of wines and interesting cocktails. I don't drink alcohol and our server made a delicious non alcoholic drink for me. The atmosphere is very cozy and enjoyable. We're visiting Portsmouth and we are definitely coming back some time in the future to enjoy more of this delicious food. He had the summer tasting menu and was delicious. Great combination of flavors and freshness. Thank you! read more

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Two couples split two of the $45 four course dinners. The small plates were enough for a light dinner and each one had a perfect combination of flavors. The menu was very unique and inventive - not typical items one would consider to combine - yet they were worked really well! The wine options (3 or 6 ounce pours, or by the bottle) were varied and included a wide range of prices, generally from $8 and up for a glass. Cava is a small restaurant along Commercial Alley, so reservations are recommended. However, we came without one and were immediately offered an outdoor table (one of only a few), which was very pleasant during a midweek evening. If looking to share tapas and enjoy some nice wine, I recommend a stop at Cava. read more

Cava - Paella (bottom) and scallops & clams in a beer broth (top). - Mediterranean Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Unbelievable food and experience. Took my mother here to celebrate her 75th birthday, and the prefixed 4 course menu had wonderful options for each us. The host and waiters could not have been kinder or more on the ball. 4 courses was spaced out so we never felt rushed...we just enjoyed. Every. Single Bite. We left fat and happy! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place!! read more

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Always a pleasure dining out at Cava as I have been many times before. Cava is one of my favorite restaurants in Portsmouth as the menu is constantly changing and they consistently deliver amazing dishes. The staff are still as friendly and extremely attentive. Having gone many times I have come to make friends with many of the staff including Danny, their bartender, Greg and Rory, the chefs, and John, the owner. The cozy atmosphere and open kitchen are inviting and makes you feel as though you truly part of the restaurant. Currently, they are doing a four course menu with multiple options for each course. Highlights of this are the tuna crudo, artichoke hearts, paella, stuffed piquillo peppers, and the short ribs. And, you can not forget about dessert which includes their classic homemade churros. Also, definitely explore the wine menu and find a nice glass of Spanish wine which will pair nicely with you meal. Unfortunately due to COVID, the chef's table is not open. But, once this table is available make sure to book it as it gets you right next to the kitchen and the chef which makes your meal more interactive and enjoyable. read more

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Great find in the commercial alley for a prefixed four-course dinner (three options to choose from for each course). Second course was piquillo pepper stuffed with goat cheese, very good! Main course was cod, tasty and fresh. Dessert was the most amazing as they were not too sweet, and full of details. The spiced pumpkin cake is perfect for the fall, soft while topped with enough crumbliness. The valrhona chocolate cake had dark chocolate as base which is very classy. Highly recommend. read more

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We keep coming back to Cava. Their current reservation system requires that you call 30 minutes ahead of time. We were sat at the downstairs bar, very cava like. We started with cocktails. The Caipirinha was strong but flavorful, billed by our bartender as the "national drink of Brazil". Served in a tall glass with ice, it was lots of rum with lime and some sugar. Spiced Paloma might have been better, certainly more interesting with tequila and a fiery infusion of ancho pepper. Foodwise, we ordered well. -Tomato and garlic bocadillo was toasted sourdough with a peppery tomato spread, a tangy Spanish cheese and lots of garlic, yum! -Chickpea fries, the usual deep fried packets of felafel-like deliciousness. -Artichoke hearts, slightly underflavored, tasted a bit like deep fried marinated artichoke hearts placed on a red pepper sauce. -Char-grilled baby octopus, my favorite dish of the night, an amazing flavor combo, both tangy and spicy. All in all, another great and atmospheric meal at Cava, such a consistently excellent Portsmouth eatery! read more

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When I think about my favorite restaurants in Portsmouth, Cava is one restaurant that comes to mind. In my opinion, the small plates craze is getting tiring and dull, however, Cava reinvigorates the whole idea of small plates in a variety of ways. For starters, the facility that Cava is in is beautiful. It's rustic. It's charming. It exudes a sense of warmth. You can sit at the exposed kitchen and watch and interact with the chefs as they make various dishes, or you can sit at one of the two bars (upstairs or downstairs), OR you can sit any one of the cafe tables situated throughout. Regardless, be sure to make a reservation, or go on a random weeknight, as Cava gets busy with long waits. Another quality that sets Cava apart from other small plate establishments is the food. Everything. Is. Amazing. Honestly, there hasn't been a dish that I have had that wasn't exploding with flavor or that didn't have unique flavor profiles. My standouts are the patatas bravas, the chickpea fries, and the paella. One of the negatives I typically correlate with small plate establishments is that they are typically expensive dishes with extremely small portions. Cava is not like that. Though the dishes are small-er, there is still an abundance of food. Also, I am not typically a dessert guy when going out to eat, but GET. THE. CHURROS. You will thank me. The chocolate sauce that they come with...it's just indescribable. Cava also considers itself a wine bar, so naturally they have unique and vast selections of wine to choose from. One of my favorite parts is that you can get Copa pours where you can get a couple of different wines to taste and pair with your dishes. There is nothing bad I can say about Cava. The place is cute, the food is amazing, the service is attentive...it's definitely a place to check out when you are in the Portsmouth area. read more

Cannot say enough good things about this place. Great service and the 4 course meal for $45 was just perfect. Every bite was just delicious. We initially weren't sure we wanted to do a 4 course meal but the price is a true bargain for what you get. Don't give it a second thought. Limited outdoor seating so make a reservation. Enjoy! read more

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Visited Cava last night on the later side. The host still welcomed last minute diners and even sat us at the "chef's table" which are bars tools at a counter overlooking the prep of the wonderful small plates they are so famous for. We ate about 7 different tapas all very inventive and flavorful. The combinations were unique but worked wonderfully. The staff could not have been nicer and were so helpful while navigating the menu. Being gluten-free was no challenge for this place because When you have good, wholesome, natural fresh flavors coming together there is little room for flour and processed "stuff"... I was in heaven at all of the options...even dessert !! If you skip the almond torte you have not lived to the fullest! Chef Gregg talked to us for a while and it was clear that his ideas and passion for good tastes blending together come through exquisitely by the food that leaves their prep space. Will Definitely revisit and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone passionate about good food. read more

Ambiance is great; we had a nice dinner sitting in the small side street outdoor dining area. Wine list was extensive and good. However, the prix fixe menu was overpriced and underwhelming at best. Food quality was lacking, and for nearly $200 I expected more. Perhaps once great, Cava didn't live up to the hype. read more

Atmosphere: 5 Food: 3 Service: 3 Value: 4 Oh how I wanted to love this restaurant! It was one of my top three researched list of new restaurants to me to try during my stay in Portsmouth this fall! I fell for the look of Cava as soon as I laid my eyes on it when I walked down the alley! So romantic and cozy it is! Charming patio and intimate inside! Purposefully there early on a Saturday evening, got seated immediately! Waitress took our drink order and disappeared for some time! When back with drinks, we immediately put in our order of 4 tapas! Well ...... the taste was there! Special touches like saffron and sofrito ink enhancing the small plates! But at the end, I was oh so disappointed! Their fresh "Catalonian Prawns" being the only one outstanding tapa we received! While over-cooked were the rest: the baby octopus tough and chewy, the pork belly dry and hard to cut, and the medjool dates' wrapped Serrano ham charred to the point of impossible to taste and eat! Enough already - went elsewhere for dessert! Cheers! read more

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Cava delivers an upscale dining experience while maintaining an intimate and quiet feel. The food is excellent, the wine list was superb, and the staff was extremely friendly. After about 7 shared plates, a bottle of wine, tip and tax the bill was about $150 - which compared to similar meals in Boston is about 2/3 to half the cost of something similar. We loved this restaurant and the plates were creative, delicious, and beautiful. Everything was fresh, full of flavor, and good portion sizes for the price paid. I will definitely be back next time I'm in Portsmouth! read more

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