An assembly-line setup for Mediterranean food works great. And they have so many options. There are a plethora of dips/spreads and dressings that you can add to make every dish a burst of flavor. You must get the braised lamb as your protein. It's extremely tender and well-spiced with garlic, turmeric, cayenne and coriander. In fact, each protein is beautifully seasoned with Mediterranean spices. We had our bowls delivered and they held up well, with everything tasting fresh and healthy and leaving our bellies full. read more

The staff at this Cava is so kind. Everything we got here was very fresh. I definitely recommend this Cava. I have had many good experiences here with the staff and food! read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

As someone who is super health conscious, I'm very picky with the types of food I allow into my diet. On top of that, I'm also budget conscious to have top quality food that isn't overpriced. CAVA nails both of those points with fresh, locally sourced ingredients at super reasonable prices. It's one of my regular go-to places when I'm in LA. Great for lunch! read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This is Mediterranean heaven! I start with the grain & green bowl with grilled chicken and they let you go wild with unlimited toppings and sauces. Whenever I go there, it's better than the time before! Awesome they don't nickel & dime you to death like every other restaurant. My husband is overwhelmed by the choices, so he orders the Market Spice bowl & loves it. Their Skhug dressing combined with the garlic dressing is nirvana & reasonably priced when you consider each bowl is two meals. With the ridiculous cost of fast food these days, Cava is so much healthier and guilt-free! All the employees are friendly and it's spotless. Cava is my favorite in all of Santa Monica. read more

Consistent and delicious! I really appreciate how easy they have made it during COVID with easy online ordering and curbside service. Bravo! read more

Edit: I love this place lol This updated review is long overdue. My first experience was an outlier. Every other time has been great. The price for the portion is great. Everything is delicious. And the pita chips are mouth watering. I'm actually on my way there right now. Yum. --- OLD REVIEW: Shouldn't you know if you're out of all your vegan options BEFORE someone waits in line and wastes half the ingredients on their bowl? Super disappointed and super freaking hungry right now. Thanks for wasting my lunch break. read more

The food in here is great. However, for my second time coming a while ago, I witnessed a young boy in there alone. It was peculiar because the last time I came, he was playing on top of the table!!! It seemed evident he was by his self. I walked by with my co-worker and wanted to introduce him to CAVA, but when I saw the boy again, we went somewhere else. I solely just wanted to bring this to attention. As a parent, I'm not used to seeing kids in a restaurant unattended. It's very unprofessional and extremely concerning for a restaurant of this caliber. Are kids unattended allowed to be in this restaurant? read more

Two employees were not wearing their masks properly (both below their noses) and as soon as my friend and I walked in they shouted "Masks, Masks!" I simply said that we'd put one on once the employees wore theirs properly. Well, sadly things escalated as the employees shouted insults at us and refused to serve us! The manager got on the phone to call someone and was ordered to serve us as we eventually put our masks on once they put theirs on properly. I do not support "Rules for thee but not for me" Management should make sure their employees are properly wearing their masks before they try to shame customers. Will not be back due to this incident that sadly, ruined our day. read more

Great food & wonderful service! Brian was patient in explaining the different choices, and made sure mY daughter & I got exactly what we wanted. Thanks gain Brian read more

Super fresh and tasty food! The service was super friendly and fast. Will definitely come back next time! Big recommendation for a healthy and yummy lunch read more

Manager is loud and RUDE. If the guests missed to carry a mask, there's no harm in providing one. While having food, we won't put our mask on. There's nothing wrong being courteous to the guests. I don't recommend this place if you want to experience something nice. After bringing the mask the manager didn't take the order and his colleague took it. read more

Fabulous food and juices! I've come here twice and loved it each time. You pick a grain, brown or white rice or lentils or salad or both. Then you pick a protein: grilled chicken, beef meatballs,( not really flavorful) lamb ) you pay a wee extra for lamb), mixed grilled veggies. Then you select up to three dollops of a yogurt . I selected a red pepper, tahini and tzatziki. Then you can select as many toppings such as pickled onions, kalamata olives, quinoa, salsa, and more. Finally you can add a drizzle of a dressing. All this is under $10 Cava also has other options aside a bowl . you can pick a pita sandwich. I added a large fountain juice. I love their watermelon mint. They have a lemonade with turmeric too. My total was around $14. If you want to eat there at Cava, tell them when you start that you will eat there, otherwise they will give you a paper bowl. Most folks have their bowls To Go. However, if you think you cannot finish eating your personally selected bowl, then get the paper bowl and ask for a lid when you leave. Both times I was so excited about all the options I realized I put too many ingredients together. So next time, I need to hold back. Sometimes Less is Tastier. My only critique is the grilled chicken. I found on both occasions bits and pieces of cartilidge as I chewed so I had to put these pieces aside. This is why I am giving Cava 4 stars. Their grilled chicken is my favorite too!!! The flavors of the chicken is so tasty!!! Their brown rice is made with herbs and more. I could have an entire side dish of just the rice! read more

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So glad CAVA has extended its chain into Santa Monica so we can get fast casual Mediterranean. Similar to Chipotle, CAVA creates your bowl or pita as you move down the line or you can order ahead. I would recommend you ordering ahead during weekday lunchtime as the line can get to 20-25 people, which will result in maybe 30 min in line. After a few weeks, they still haven't really ramped up speed to order, may just be due to low staff count and not optimizing some parts of the system. The food here is pretty good and they give out generous portions. I usually opt for the chicken, which is juicy and decently seasoned. The meatball lacks flavor and was unremarkable and borderline rubbery last time I had it. The dips really elevate the bowl while the fixins here really fill it up as you can get whatever you like or just ask them to throw all of it on it. For dips, I opt for the harissa, which has a nice kick to it, and the eggplant, which is creamy and delicious. Overall a great lunch spot. Just avoid prime time hours if you can because it gets packed! read more

Came in to eat here today at about 5:00pm and it was a moderate amount of traffic, so I was pretty satisfied since it was my first time coming in! Staff is beyond friendly and the cleanliness is superb, with someone constantly making sure tables are clear. The food was fresh and some of the best Mediterranean food I've had in a while. Definitely give it a try if you're in the Samo area :). read more

Delicious food, huge portions, and cheap (especially for Santa Monica) price. CAVA is super close to my office, and I'm glad it is. The concept is similar to Chipotle in which you can build your own __insert type of meal here__ (options include: grain bowl, greens bowl, grains+greens bowl, mini pitas, pita, etc). The options are fantastic and satisfy a large range of tastes-- supergreens for the health addict or white rice for normal folks. It can be intimidating to build your own bowl, but I doubt you can go wrong. I usually opt for a grains+greens bowl, with the supergreens, brown rice/lentils, and grilled chicken as the main protein. There are some spicy options for the dips and sauces, although in my opinion they still aren't that hot. You can also order ahead using their app and grab your food to go if you're in a hurry. Otherwise, sit either inside or outside at one of the many tables. Regardless of if you plan to stay though, I would order my meal to-go, as the portions are enough for both lunch and dinner. read more

First impressions: the portions are HUGEEE. It took me three sittings to finish everything... I checked out this place during lunch hour on a weekday and there was a looooong line out the door at 12:30pm (probably a 20 minute wait until my turn at the counter). You'd think that the line would move quickly because it was a chipotle style restaurant but nahh. However, I do have to say that the food is AMAZING. Healthy all in one bowl. I got the half grain and half salad with chicken (and some additional + unlimited toppings). This is literally like the mediterranean version of Chipotle but WAYY nicer and WAYYY healthier. You get a choice of grains, grains + salad, or just salad - and a dozen choices for toppings and dressing. A 100+++ recommend! The price you pay for sure justifies the amount of food you get. read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Finally got a chance to try this place after seeing all the great reviews. "The Mediterranean Chipotle" is a good way to describe Cava. Except they have way more toppings and add-ons plus LAMB! I got a combo of the braised lamb and"spicy' meatballs which weren't all that spicy which was fine by me. Next time I'll get the meatballs only as the braised lamb had a bit of fat on it (and I don't like fatty meats). Got the base of brown rice plus 3 dollops of humos AND you can choose more veggies to go in the bowl. So many toppings... so little time. I could come hear every day for a month and not get the exact same dish twice. Clean, well lit place probably more suited for lunch although if you are rushing to make a movie nearby, stop bye for a quick healthy bite before the show. Oh, get some of that Yogurt Dill sauce (free) to top off your bowl or pita -- it's yummy. read more

DO NOT EAT HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET CUSSED OUT BY THE EMPLOYEES AND CONSUME FOOD THAT HAS BEEN CONTAMINATED WITH FLIES. The black guy with glasses is hands down the NASTIEST and RUDEST person that I have ever met in my entire life. He disrespected me in a way that I have never experienced before. My bowl was switched out with another customer's bowl and when I asked him to fix it for me, he had the WORST attitude. I asked him what his problem was and he proceeded to cuss me out-- repeatedly using the f-word. He literally said "b*tch f*ck you". I asked for his name and he said "none of your f*cking business". I took some time to research this company and I can confidently say that this employee's behavior does not reflect what CAVA claims to stand for. It would be an absolute shame for you to let him keep his job after what he did to me. To make matters worse, there are TONS of flies just swarming the place. I went to go fill up my drink from the soda fountain and there were flies EVERYWHERE. 3 flies literally landed on my hand while I was filling up my cup. A food establishment should not have this bad of a fly problem. I will be contacting the Health Department because the amount of flies in this place is NOT SANITARY. I'm so appalled by this establishment that I literally took the time to create a Yelp account to write this review. That should say enough about how horrible this place is. read more

The staff CAVA SM were friendly and super helpful. I went in around 11:30 so there was really no wait. Portions at this location are pretty good. For a minute I was worried I'd get hit with the skimpy Chipotle style protein portions, but they really piled it high. read more

CAVA - SuperGreens (shredded kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage & chicory) with braised lamb. - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The quality of the way their food is cooked varies daily; the cooks are either not consistently trained, or some of the cooks don't follow protocol. Had the worst experience of all today, salad was frozen, chicken was gooey and over drenched in honey and liquid from it not being fully cooked.. the veggies weren't charred to perfection, they were slimy and halfway baked. The rice had a funky taste. I couldn't even eat through more than a few bites of my bowl and had to throw the whole meal in the garbage. Really disappointed as this place has the potential to be one of the best menus in LA when their Chefs follow the correct prepping and cooking protocols.. Cava I hope you can recover Bc these mediocre chefs are going to ruin your businesses read more

I originally found out about Cava from a Yelp Elite event I went to at the Cava in Westwood. The fast-casual concept and decent price for delicious, healthy Mediterranean food had me sold. So when I found out that a Cava was opening in Santa Monica, I was super excited. I've been here a couple times now and love it. I typically get a greens and grains bowl with supergreens and saffron basmati rice as my base, a few dips and spreads (yesterday I got eggplant and red pepper dip, tzatziki, and roasted red pepper hummus), chicken as my choice of protein, and then a bunch of yummy toppings, including tomato and cucumber salad and feta. ¡Muy delicioso! If you're like me and love to combine a bunch of different flavors and textures in your meals and want food that tastes great and is also healthy for you, then you'll love Cava! In terms of aesthetics, this Cava is pretty minimalistic, with lots of wood and has a decent amount of seating both indoors and outdoors. The sound quality isn't the best, especially if kids are dining nearby you, but isn't terrible. And hey, what you can expect with a fast-casual restaurant. To sum up, if you want a quick, affordable bite to eat with lots of flavor, this is the place! read more

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Hello I love going here the food is always fresh and the workers always welcoming and exceeding my expectations with their respect. They always have good energy and never let me down I wish I could give them 10 stars read more

I wanted to place a 25 bowl order online but unfortunately my order was not going through. I called the store to inform them and spoke with Toni. We were able to have our orders placed with the help of the manager. The food was amazing and my colleagues and I enjoyed our meals. Huge thank you to Toni and her team. I wish there was a way to tip you guys for your hard work! Look forward to placing orders again with this location. read more

They need to look up the dictionary for falafel and saffron. Went on a Wednesday afternoon after a stroll at Santa Monica pier. Got a falafel rice bowl as the base. The saffron rice neither has the smell, flavor or taste of saffron. As someone who cooks with saffron regularly it's a shame to call it saffron rice. The falafels were not at all crispy or had enough herbs. The only saving grace were their sauces , pickles read more

I first tried CAVA in Woodland Hills and was pleasantly surprised to find out there is a location in Santa Monica. This location did not disappoint. Although Santa Monica streets are ... "dirty" the restaurant itself is very clean and spacious. Plenty of seating for those lunch crowds. It does get busy after 12pm during weekdays but the line moves fairly quickly. The food is fresh and delicious. I normally opt for their saffron rice because it is way too good to pass up. My favorite protein is chicken, super flavorful and tender and works perfectly with rice. I usually switch up the toppings and sauces to keep it interesting. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try. The portions are huge and really inexpensive for the area, around $10. read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Hire new staff members. Workers put their entertainment before customers. The last 3 visits of mine have taken almost 20 mins with no line!!!!! read more

Delicious! Fresh! Healthy! Tons of flavor!!! Will definitely come back at least a week! So glad we found it! read more

the food is great, but the employees are so rude and not welcoming at all! the manager was making my bowl & just was very stand-off ish and seemed annoyed every-time i chose a new topping. i love the food but won't be back because of the service :( read more

This a great open kitchen design for Mediterranean food that allows you customize as you order. Many yummy options from meats to toppings.

So happy CAVA opened up in Santa Monica! It's a great option for lunch for those who work around the area. For about $10, you pick a base (greens/grains/half and half), a protein, three sauces, and then all the toppings that you want. It ends up being 2 meals for me. It's a very similar idea to Chipotle's Shop house, however, it leans more towards Mediterranean. Tip: Always go in early before the lunch rush, or order on their app! read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

YUM! After my first experience, I left there craving CAVA on the daily! It's the best place to build your own bowl. If you're just not sure what to get, I recommend the curated bowl called Chicken and Right Rice. Sometimes I just don't know what I want to build so why not make it easy. Friendly and fast customer service! Toni was super friendly and quick with my order. Which was good because I was hangry. What ever you do... don't compare it to Chipotle because it's not! It's so much healthier and you have many more options. Just try it and you too will soon be hooked! read more

Friendly staff that move quickly to handle my order. Food is very good and fresh. Eat here frequently.

NEVER order online from this place. Food was great, but my grains and greens bowl was halfway full. Very disappointing. Go in person if you want an actual portion. read more

I enjoyed eating here. It's like a Mediterranean Chipotle. You order at the counter and go down the line. There's so many options to choose from, and it really is not that expensive for what you get! The marinated lamb and feta with hummus bowl was great! Not to mention a great spot to be healthy and keto. read more

Okay! Yes! A great place for a healthy fresh bowl that you can design yourself. I absolutely love this place because the portion size is as it should be for the price:) casual and healthy and affordable. I love the different topping and sauce options. They make it easy to build a vegan and gluten free bowl/salad. Always super fresh and friendly staff. I'm hooked. Delicious! read more

Loved everything. Full of flavors and combinations. Can't wait to go back. The staff is friendly and the food Is fresh. We don't feel Guilty eating here late. Organic sodas and fresh made waters and lemonades. read more

CAVA - Great flavors, great ingredients. Everything is flavorful and fresh. Great options for gluten free, vegetarian and Vegan diets. - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This spot is serving healthy meals. They have a fresh menu that's customizable. They chicken has a lot of flavor and they added right rice to their menu that's paid very well with their bowls. Would definitely recommend! read more

Great food and service. One of the employees, Ryan, is always exceptionally nice and helpful in the evenings!

The food is really delicious, no doubt. Stopped in for dinner last night, and had a rice bowl with chicken. Toward the end of the bowl, my teeth closed over something hard which then cracked. I spat it out to find a small piece of bone and marrow. No big deal, but I thought I should let them know so they can keep an eye on the serving dish of chicken to spot any other pieces. I had just finished relating this to the fellow behind the counter, who seemed concerned and apologetic, when the other guy, walking away toward the back, shouted "The chicken doesn't come with bones, man!" I responded with "That may be but I'm holding two chunks of bone right here..." which just prompted a louder "The chicken doesn't come with bones!" Now, I've worked in foodservice, and was the food safety manager for a bagel shop. If a customer has a complaint, listen. If your chicken arrives at the store boneless, but a customer finds a small shard, maybe just assume a shard of bone made it into your chicken during processing, and say "We're sorry, and thanks for bringing it to our attention." But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. read more

Great food! Toni and crew were awesome! Cool and accessible location walked up after hanging out at the promenade.