Decent spot for a quick bite. Food is delicious and healthy, and the staff are quite friendly. Most of the time this place's ambiance isn't busy at all inside so always nice to get food fast and enjoy it in peace. read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

It happens every time at the fast casuals. Chipotle, Shophouse, Cava, Lemonade. When they open the food is great, the service is great, and the portions are generous. Then, something changes. Maybe it's a one time thing, or maybe it's a new direction. Cutting costs. Portion control. The service isn't so friendly. The portions aren't generous. What used to come with the order is now an extra charge. And they don't treat you like a regular - not everyone who serves you knows you're a regular - but instead you're just some chump off the street who deserves a crappy meal. That's how you treat your customers? Any customers? No wonder you're not busy. It happened today at this Cava in Santa Monica, and I'm giving them one more try. Everything was a fight. I ask for three different lettuces in my bowl. My server says, no, you only get two. Who made that change? Your manager? Corporate? I've eaten Cava at least 100 times. Now it's different? The place is totally empty. Instead of three portions of hummus/dips I'm given two. I had to ask politely for my third. Had I not known, I'd have gotten two. Turns out the third scoop was a clump of cheese. Nice. Double-charged for the protein portion because I asked for it on the side. Really? If you ask for it on the side you don't get the one that comes with the bowl? I'm hoping this is just one person being over-zealous or in a bad mood. Because I will not be so nice if it happens again. I'm not here for a debate on fast-casual economics. I'm here for a bowl of greens with some chicken on the side. I don't want this to be the second Cava to close within three miles of my home. Get it together, please. Four stars for one terrible experience after many good ones. Please don't let this happen again. read more

I absolutely LOVE cava!! It's kind of like a Mediterranean fast food place. You can customize your wrap or bowl however you like and the food there is super fresh. I went here on a Sunday evening and got a spicy hummus bowl with 1/2 sweet potato and 1/2 chicken over mixed greens and lentils. Everything tasted amazing and I love taking my friends here. The portion sizes are WELL worth the price and if you get more topping you could definitely turn 1 bowl into 2 meals. If you're not sure what ingredients they have to offer definitely check their website to plan out your bowl or just order online! :) The staff was quick and friendly which made the experience even better. The interior was pretty clean but I sat outside because the weather was nice. read more

CAVA - spicy hummus bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is my favorite location! The food is always fresh. The restaurant is clean and tiddy. The staff is friendly and professional. It's always nice to visit a business and be recognized by the staff. Although we have never officially introduced ourselves, they make me feel like a good friend, and it's always a great experience. read more

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Michelle was so sweet and I definitely would come here again because of her service. The food is amazing of course and I love this place ! I went to other location and this is probably the best one :) read more

Have come here multiples times and the experience gets worse every time. The staff does not care... one individual will pretend to be cleaning while there is a line of 6 waiting to order. No sense of urgency. This time there was no chicken ready and very low on other options. I was willing to wait while it cooked as the staff said it will be ready in a couple minutes just to find out 15min later the chicken was barely being prepped to be put on the grill while the chicken was empty the whole time. Customers were forced to wait or choose another protein. The line was backing up and they still did not have half the sides/veggies available and even the sauces. There is no fix to service and staff each visit... the problem needs to be addressed on the management level of this location. read more

The service here was great and the was amazing. Recommend this place, ambiance was emaculate

I usually come in on Fridays for consistently great customer service and even better food! Tamera is the best

Great service and super quick and easy!! Always good food. Super clean inside as well.

Service was trash today. I understand it was busy and they had online orders but they could've at least pretend to be nice or care. Me and my boyfriend felt rushed and it was our first time there so we didn't know much about the items and we were too scared to ask. It was like an older lady and a younger girl with a piercing but there was this one girl who was nice and patient with us. And then when we were paying my boyfriend was asking for pita chips and the girl with the piercing just cut him off and asked if our order was for here or to go and we just looked at each other like uhhh okay. I work customer service too and trust when it gets busy it's annoying and stressful but that doesn't mean I'm going to be mean to customers. Okay I'm done thanks for coming to my ted talk. read more

Alex is very funny and kind. She has an amazing attitude and welcoming personality. Overall a great experience and great food quality.

The worker Alex was so amazing and helpful!! It's lovely to see someone with such a positive spirit and kindness towards all. Will definitely be back because of her read more

Alex and Daymon provided top tier service, made me feel super comfortable! I love it

Fresh! Clean! Awesome service! Vegan options! Tip of the hat to Bebe! Crazy Feta Mixed Green Bowl read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Alex was the sweetest!!! We bonded over dutch bros and gave us a drink! Bless her 10/10

It's like Build-A-Bear but with killer ingredients, recyclable bowls 'n utensils and less childish clientele. After an intense acupuncture session in Santa Monica, wifey suggested we finish the afternoon with something far less painful, like a nice meal on the cliffs with some late day sunshine. She recommended CAVA. We'd CAVA'd at other locations and loved it so, yeah, let's CAVA. Covid-19 plexiglass barriers seemingly protect everyone while socially distanced patrons queue up and Build-Their-Bowls. When it was my turn, I was again blown away by the moist 'n hot ricey and grainy offerings. I picked the saffron basmati rice with Herb. I've partied with Herb on many occasions - gotta say He paired well with saffron. I instructed the nice hostess to hit it with some arugula (clearly the cashmere of the lettuce world) and I had a solid base to work with. PROTEIN Time. All of the options look amazing. Seriously...Spicy Lamb Balls, Falafel, Grilled Chicken, and frickin' Braised Lamb. I mean, come ON, how do you even choose?! But choose, you must. (and Be a Jedi, You Will) Just watching the grilled chicken being prepped by the dude behind the plexiglass made me want him, I mean it. So, rather than die of Chicken FOMO (oh, the horrors!) I went with it. (Trust me, you DO NOT want CHICKEN FOMO - pretty sure there's no vaccination yet...maybe ask Fauci.) DIPS & SPREADS. I think the CAVA Gods kinda jack us around by only allowing us three (of a possible 6). Anything you leave out, will automatically result in a feeling of regret. It's like scrolling through Instagram and seeing all the shiny happy people doing their totally awesome things. Sure, I feel good for them while they're hang-gliding off Haleakala, clinking glasses of a rare Cabernet onboard a train through The Rockies, or dining on a rooftop terrace in Italy whilst being served by white-gloved minions, etc. It's The Algorithm of Regret, folks, and it's right here in River City. Fine...pick three. ROASTED EGGLPLANT, CRAZY FETA and HUMMUS it is. FINE! But then...outta nowhere, at the TOPPINGS STATION comes sweet, we-get-the-last-word REDEMPTION. Yep, they let you slap AS MANY TOPPINGS on there as you want. There are 13 choices and, purely out of spite, I put all 13 on there. Don't get mad - get TOPPINGS! Finish it off at the last and final station - the DRESSINGS area. Bring on the GARLIC, baby. Maybe a shotta Caesar Tahini. Oooooh, yeeeeahhhhhh. Y'know, I didn't actually look up the word CAVA but if I did, I'd imagine it to look something like this: CAVA - v. to dance naked with wild abandon while in a state of euphoric joy; e.g. - "We CAVA'd yesterday at the Santa Monica Cliffs and it was so freeing!" read more

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Don't go to this cava during the lunch hour on a weekday. Mobile orders were ready almost 30 minutes late and employees completely disregarding waiting customers. Horrible experience read more

Very good service, the food was very quickly and efficiently prepared and everything is very clean

Alex there is the absolute best, amazing service!! Great portions and amazing food. Cava is the best.

Last minute choice but awesome decision. It's like a Chipotle but the food tastes fresher and healthier. It's like a Middle Eastern food and tastes amazing. Staff was super helpful and very patient with us as it was our first time going through. Would try it again. read more

I found a metal bead inside of my food and they would do anything about. That's a health hazard I could have seriously injured my teeth. Bad attitude staff and very NPC vibes. I'm from out of town and they said they'd give me another bowl tomorrow. I said I'm traveling and they still didn't do anything about it. STAY AWAY from this trash NOT SAFE!!!! read more

CAVA - METAL BEAD IN MY BOWL! - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

It was my first time in here and definitely would be back cos customer is just amazing! Tamera made me feel welcoming and I enjoy more my food! Love it great quality and amazing prices! read more

Good food and Good Service from this fellas.. Simon,Tyler and Roger!!! My Daughter love the food and the Place!!! read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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When I recommend this place to friends, I say it is Mediterranean "Chipotle" that seems healthier and FULL of flavor! If you love various hummus and pickled veggies, don't skip out on this! We used to drive all the way to Santa Monica from Redondo almost weekly to grab a salad from Cava. Now we are grateful they opened the El Segundo location. The food is amazing and will satisfy your hunger/cravings! For me, every restaurant is all about the SAUCE! I love sauces and this place has various hummus / topping options and like 9 different salad dressing options! Garlic and the lemon or the jalapeño green one are my FAVORITE! This place will leave you feeling healthy yet full (even if there is a lot of olive oil....we don't talk about that). You can get rice or salad as your base (or both). You can make it with meat or extra veggies and customize it to how you would like! I found the staff here to be more friendly than the El Segundo location and they load up the bowls a little more (YES). Parking doesn't look fun but we always ride our bikes here or just get it to-go. If your on the beach needing lunch, do not skip out on this place!! They even give sides of warm pita bread. Also, the organic root beer needs an honorable mention... read more

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"The staff at CAVA are filled with personality, humor, and kindness. They're always working so hard; I don't think I've ever seen them still. I love coming in here, and it's one of the most healthy and affordable places in Santa Monica that's well-priced. The staff does an incredible job of making this brand feel humanistic. I hope CAVA makes them feel appreciated. They always put a smile on my face, and I leave feeling happy and well feed." read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

While I've been to Cava a few times in San Diego, I was pleased to see that my coworker scheduled us a little cowork lunch at the Santa Monica location. Truly delicious and the best way to sum up what Cava is, is to describe it as the Mediterranean Chipotle, only a lot better. I went really lean with my bowl and cut all of the carbs, which is not sacrifice for me as I love just about anything low carb. So, are you taking my hint? Yep, if you're on a fad diet like the one I've been on for a really long time, Cava is for you. The price is right, the food is stellar, and I love that you walk in and are eating within minutes. Cava, you have a friend in me, Brad B. read more

The food and service is amazing. This was my first time and I loved it. The ambiance was great.

These poor employees. There were only two behind the counter and one cooking. The line was out the door both walk ins and online orders. Personally, my online order took 1.5 hrs. The employees were so stressed, so backed up. And the customers were all clearly upset with them but they weren't set up for success. On top of that, my lentils were raw, not cooked at all. Like hard Little Rock's in my bowl. But they were so overwhelmed and the food took so long that I didn't even bother correcting it. Even after paying over $40 for two bowls. Hoping the manager sees this and can hire adequate support for this team. read more

This is my new go to for quick, healthy food. They do great mezzo steak bowls, full of healthy arugula and spinach. They also have build your own for kids. My son and I loved it! The service is also amazing. Very friendly and courteous. Will be back again very soon. read more

I went in this evening to get a bowl and had the pleasure of being helped by Alex. Not only was she attentive and efficient, but she is personable as well. Her light radiates and holds an undeniable presence that I see as a blessing to any business lucky enough to have her. - E read more

Love their lemon chicken bowls. Fast service and good customer service depending on the location. Nice lunch or quick dinner spot.

Delicious food!! Was even better than the expensive restaurants I went to during my stay. I wish we had this in north California. Employees were very accommodating for my gluten restriction! read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We experienced great customer service during our visit. The food was wonderful as well. I would highly recommend this to others

Alex was very helpful and very kind. she treated us very nicely and held a conversation the whole time.she need a raise for sure .

The food is good but the service is usually slow and lacking. But I want to give a shoutout to Tamera for being the best worker in the place! She works hard while her coworkers carelessly stand around as customers have to wait way too long to order. I hope you get a promotion sis! You guys are lucky to have her! read more

Alex was the best employee there!! super great customer service 10/10 would come again!

Was always interested in going to Cava. Im a big Mediterranean fan, and the fact that there's a popular chain locally that I haven't tried yet is surprising. I went with the Chicken and Right Rice bowl. Everything tasted amazing. The ingredients are all the right balance - fresh and savory. It's the perfect lunch spot to fill you up while still feeling healthy and lean. The Greek Vinaigrette adds a nice acidity to the mix while the tzatziki layers out the rest of the bowl. I ordered this to-go and the only issue was that the extra dressings placed in the bag spilled everywhere and across other bowls. I would advise the staff to place them at the top of the bag rather than the bottom. Overall, I was still incredibly satisfied with my first time having Cava. It's reasonably priced and I and definitely look forward to having it for more meals in the future. read more

CAVA - Chicken and right rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Had a great experience at CAVA thanks to Alex. Alex was super friendly, helpful, and made my bowl just right. Great service and super quick! Will be coming back! :-) read more

Amazing staff and general manager,whole staff is friendly and the food is amazing. The store is always clean. read more

I love cava but specifically this location for it's great customer service. Tyler is always very friendly and makes my bowls exactly how I like. Remembering my order makes me feel important and gets me out efficiently when I'm in a rush. Thankful for his great work ethic :) read more