Great food! Great outdoor seating although it was a bit cold at night in May since there are no heaters. I enjoyed everything here. We got a whole bunch of stuff and they were all really good. I loved the mini gyros. I would def be back!
(5)
George L.
Food was absolutely incredible! Nice quaint atmosphere and was truly an enjoyable lunch. The service was a little slow, but we were there for lunch and had a big party. All the dishes we had were good. The lollipop chicken was really good, spicy lamb sliders were good, but pretty spicy and I like spicy food. The scallop risotto was cooked just right. Scallop had good flavor, but a little salty. I had the grilled octopus and it was pretty good. They grilled it nicely with a some char which cut down on the chewiness. Overall, a great gem that is kind of hidden.
(5)
Harris H.
Absolutely love this place!!!! All the other reviews are dead on. Based on recommendations here, we tried and really loved. 2 things to know before going. First, it definitely is very noisy, so be prepared as it is a small place. Second, the way to have a good time is order the minimum amount of tapas that you want. When done, order another one as the service is very fast and it takes no time to get them. My wife and myself went in and just ordered what we thought we needed. We couldn't finish them. Now we know to order differently.
(5)
Kerry R.
Just had lunch there. The food was very good, the dip tasting is fantastic. The decor is nice, but it gets LOUD in there. The prices are good, not too high. One person'a lunch came out 15 minutes after everyone else's - I think his order was lost. It's very good, but can get hectic when busy. Not good for a quiet, intimate dinner.
(4)
Anuj G.
You cant tell from outside if the restaurant is open or not. Very difficult to find the back entrance. Drinks at the bar are too expensive. Restaurant is over staffed. Sitting is too tight.
(3)
Tim W.
Couldn't even stay long enough to order. The place is like a dungeon and they stack people on top of each other like sardines. The children who work at the host stand are very unhelpful and non responsive. We had a table for two and they had 2 tops on either side of us with literally 6 inches of space operating us from other diners. The walkways separating the tables are so narrow, my butt nearly brushed against the faces of seated guests as I tried to shoehorn my way to our table. Maybe the food is good, I dont know; the atmosphere was too stressful to actually order a meal.
(1)
Ward H.
The scallops and risotto lived up to their reputation. The Brussel sprouts went quickly. Next trip back, I will put it on the agenda. !
(4)
Marianne Z.
By far the best dish is the lollipop chicken, it is made so perfectly! Great flavor as well. This is a great place to try a bunch of different tasty foods. The environment is a little loud but the service is great.
(4)
Polina Y.
An incredibly small place with very mediocre food. Not much to choose from and 5 dishes that we ordered lacked flavor. Won't be coming back.
(3)
Mike L.
Cava never disappoints. Each time I eat here I leave wanting more. Every meal starts with a basket of pita slices paired with oil, olives and a spicy red sauce. Be careful with the red if you're sensitive to spicy because it is deliciously hot! Definitely order the Saganaki, kefalograviera cheese set on fire right before it's served to the table. It's a great way to start the meal with some flash! Other top recommendations are the scallops w/ risotto, lollypop chicken, spicy lamb sliders and lamb chops. Ambiance and service are also always top notch. Great experience each time I go!
(5)
Dee P.
The service was excellent. Food even better. Great people just hanging out.
(5)
Aaron G.
Visited Cava Mezze for the first time. Food was very tasty. We ordered the variety platter that included gyros, souvlaki, meatballs and fries, and lollipop chicken for the child. All were excellent. We also ordered the saganaki and teramosalata. We tried ordering calamari but after we ordered we were told they had just run out. My daughter was very sad as that was all she really wanted, but the manager came through for her and offered to give her the French toast for dessert, which was also very nicely done - thick bread and very sweet. My only minor criticism is that the portions on the variety platter seemed a little light for the $25.00 price tag. But we will certainly go back and try other things.
(4)
Erika B.
Food was good. My husband and I had calamari, lamb sliders, lollipop chicken, and asparagus to share. It was all pretty good. The atmosphere was very laid back and chill. I would defiantly return.
(4)
Beverly N.
Cava is probably one of my favorite restaurants in the Rockville area. My friend and I went there recently and had the watermelon feta salad, brussel sprouts, lamb shank, mussels, hanger steak, and the baby octopus. All were delicious and are definitely worth coming back for. Staff was attentive and courteous and the overall experience was great. Try to make reservations if you can b/c the tables fill up quickly!
(5)
Jennifer O.
Really delicious food, although a little pricey for the small portions. Definitely wear earplugs if you want even a chance of hearing your dining companion(s).
(4)
Jen K.
I've been to both the DC and Rockville locations. The food are good. Pretty much everything is good, especially the lollipop chicken and their famous scallop risotto. They also offer half price wine on Mondays. It is once of my favorite restaurants in Rockville area.
(5)
Rebecca G.
The best restaurant in Rockville hands down. It's a little funny that it's in a shopping center and when you park you might feel like you are going to the grocery. Once inside you forget about the outside and it matches anywhere in the city. I'm excited to try their downtown restaurant some time. Their tzatziki sauce and dippings are really good and sold at whole foods. Zucchinni fritters to start are so fluffy, warm and delicious. Amazing! Cava is where I found my love for lamb. Get the lamb chops! So worth it. Great wine, Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir is good and affordable. Seems like they are opening in new areas like Bethesda. Looking forward to it!
(5)
Jason L.
One of the few consistently awesome places to eat in the Gaithersburg/Rockville area. I have been here three times and have found each visit to be close to a 5 star affair. The service has always been pretty good as well and orders are efficiently placed at your table electronically by the waitress. Some highlights: Zucchini fritters, lollipop chicken (a must have), braised beef, seared scallops with risotto, pork belly, grilled meatballs, lamb gyros. There are many more items on their menu that are delicious but this should get you started. Most ordered items come in threes so that number of diners will probably make things easier. The dining room is small and very intimate and fills up quickly on the weekends. You simply won't regret coming to this place! P.S. If you can't get enough of their hummus, harissa, etc they actually sell these items in stores in the area. They stock their items at the Whole Foods in Gaithersburg and probably at other grocery stores well.
(5)
Michael M.
I am modifying my review slightly. I still like this place and it's the first place I came to when I got off the airplane, but I wouldn't say I love it anymore. I initially gave them 5 stars. The food has been consistently excellent. It's been a while since I have been here. My wife loves the "grilled octopus" she ordered that today and I ordered my usual "mini chicken gyros" The food came out fast, as always. The mini chicken gyros were excellent as always. The grilled octopus though was not as good as always; why? Grilled octopus should be served plain with lemon to be squeezed on it. Cava decided to get fancy and serve it with fennel salad on top of the octopus; this totally hides the taste of the octopus. Someone recently reviewed that although still good, they are not as good as they used to be, and I have to agree. I also noticed an increase in their prices. They are bordering on being too expensive for what you get. The 3 mini chicken gyro's were $10.95 and the grilled octopus was $14.95. That's a bit expensive for the amount of food your are getting; especially for the octopus which is a very small amount. I also ordered the stuffed grape leaves; which were uneventful. Service was still excellent.
(4)
William M.
Authentic Greek food served in the traditional Greek Mezze style. That said, nothing about this cuisine is traditional. Great Greek food with a modern twist. Recommend the Saganaki, Lamb Chops, Octopus...Village Salad, that said you can rest assured that anything you order will be delicious. Slightly over priced but worth it. Atmosphere can sometimes be too loud. Oh and for dessert ( if you still have room for it ) ..have the Lokomades. Oh yeah... and PLEASE don't refer to it as "Tapas", "Tapas" is Spanish for Mezze.
(5)
Nroop B.
Got the perfect ambience for Valentine's day dinner! Plenty of vegetarian options (Review based on vegetarian food only) to go with... Nice line of tapas and drinks. If you only want to go with one dip (cold mezze), then I strongly recommend "Roasted Eggplant" (Variation of Baba Ganoush). Simply delicious with warm pitas they served!
(4)
Jeanine K.
Love this place! Always a great place to go when visiting the area on business. Tuesday nights- 1/2 priced bottles of wine makes for an especially fun evening! The food is always good to perfection and service is fantastic.
(4)
Bella S.
We were very impressed by the food at Cava Mezze. They are regularly out of the Hot Green Harissa but they have other wonderfully spicy options. It can be quite a wait to get a table but once you are sitting, the experience is rapid fire. The only issue I have with such fast service is that the tables are so small, you can't always fit all the food you order, nonetheless the massive menus. My suggestion would be to start small and hold onto your menu. The disco fries and Cava fries are great. The pork belly is literally melt-in-your-mouth tender. The chicken soulvaki was lackluster so skip that in favor of the fried chicken drumsticks. They are just as good as they look in those pictures. Fried chicken in a little cushion of Greek yogurt and honey, it keeps me up at night. I have never eaten anything here I didn't like. I would skip basics like chicken souvlaki and go for some of the more fun stuff.
(5)
Ted W.
My wife and I checked Cava out last month and were VERY happy with our meal! Everything was amazing, plus we found a new favourite wine. Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars yet is because I need to try out more of the dishes first. Promise next time I'll get to the review before I forget what we ordered! All in all if you're looking for some great food and atmosphere check this place out.
(4)
Nikki C.
Delicious! Very dark, very loud, and very trendy (if that's your thing). They definitely hire every greek person they can find on this side of the atlantic, just to keep it authentic. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Try the bourbon and wine cocktail.. it makes the relaxing and smooth atmosphere even better.
(4)
Diana K.
Definitely enjoyed my experience at Cava in Rockville over its counterpart in DC. It's a lot more low-key and casual, which are significant factors for me. Overall, service was great, food seemed to taste better, and I had a great time! And the winning dish? Risotto with mussels... Yum!
(4)
Loren P.
Scallop risotto Crab bomb must have more of this Reisling tops it off
(5)
Roy S.
Great food tapas style but Greek instead of Spanish. Full bar with tons of martini choices. Its small so get there early! I want to go back!!! It can be a little loud but this place is awesome!
(5)
Janet H.
I've heard about Cava for the longest time but never really had the opportunity to dine here. Finally, for a lunch outing with the coworkers someone suggested to come here! I am bummed that I did not come sooner because this place was delicious! Got here around 12:30pm we were quickly seated. It wasn't crowded surprisingly. I had no idea what to order so I just ordered a crab cake sliders off the lunch menu for share and then let the "experts" take care of the mezze selections. First off, the crab cake sliders was delicious. Then, they ordered this flaming cheese thing. Excellent. Hummus. Excellent. My goodness, I love their pita bread too, I can eat that all day long! Scallops Risotto, best I've ever had, Mmmm. Anyway, and a bunch of other stuff all so good. I am definitely going to come back again very soon. It's definitely not cheap here, but you pay for what you get and it's reasonable. There were 6 of us, and we ended up each paying around $24... for lunch.
(5)
Veronica S.
I went here for the first time last night. The place was PACKED at first. I was unsure if I would be able to enjoy myself with my date at this seemingly overcrowded place. We placed our name for a table and the wait was 40 minutes. (It was a Saturday night and we did not have a reservation so that is to be expected.) The hostess somehow thought we were a party of 5 even though it was just the 2 of us so that may have had something to do with it too. Regardless, we were just happy to be seated and the place was seemly much less crowded at the time we were sat which was GREAT. :-) I had a peach martini which I thought was pretty nice. We ordered the dip tasting, spicy mussels, grape leaves, spicy lamb sliders, cauliflower, and baby octopus. I like how they give you pita and some dips at the beginning. We were starving by the time we were sat so that was good. I think the waitstaff was mostly very attentive. I think they tried to not put too much on the table at one time which was greatly appreciated. Too much on a table for two would have been too cumbersome and annoying. So thank you great waitstaff! :-) I think I am giving this place 4/5 versus 5/5 stars because I really like Greek tapas. I thought it was interesting and creative that they put an American spin on some Greek tapas. However, I could have done without it. Another place worth trying for Greek tapas is Zaytinya in China town, DC. All in all, I could definitely go back to Cava Mezze. I will probably stick to the less Americanized tapas though. I really liked the baby octopus and the spicy mussels (the broth was so excellent that I took it home to dip with bread). The grape leaves and most of the dips on the dip tasting platter were fantastic too. Thank you Cava Mezze for adding to my wonderful evening! :-)
(4)
Jenn K.
4.5 stars for the food, 3.5 stars for the ambiance. Scallops risotto - 5 stars - MUST GET. The scallops are seared to a crisp while still having that tender beautiful inside. The saffron risotto is melt-in-your-mouth creamy orgasmic deliciousness. Disco fries - meh. - Don't bother getting it, the fries get soggy and the lamb's just alright. Grilled octopus - 4 stars - first time having it, I enjoyed it but it seems like it probably could have been a little better - it was a little tougher than it should have been. Spanakoptia - 4 stars - It'd help if I liked spanakopita more, but overall, still pretty good. The food more than made up for the 30 min wait. However, it was a little hard to talk to the people I was with because it was so loud inside :/ Also, it's pretty hard to see anything inside because it's so dark, but I guess that makes it more "romantic."
(4)
Yelppy Y.
Awesome! Puts Jaleo to shame. FYI!! They don't take reservations.
(5)
Lucy X.
Finally got to try this place after it being in my "Bookmarks" for so long! Can say that most of it was up to my expectation. The Lollipop chicken was interesting...very tender dark meat fried chicken dipped in this delicious sweet white sauce. The baby lamb chops, however was a bit disappointing, especially considering how much I love lamb meat. Imo it was a bit too oily and had way too much fatty meat rather than meat meat. And the best dish was definitely the scallop risotto for it was absolutely delectable! Three large pieces of o so tender scallops served over tasty yellow rice. Next time, I'd probably order one just for myself hehe :b Overall, a pretty chill, intimate date-friendly restaurant with some awesome Greek food! O not to mention, the complementary warm pita bread + dip was a lovely way to start off the meal.
(3)
Jeanne C.
Cava Mezze is pretty close to NYC standards, bundled up in the great hometown suburbia! No need to travel all the way to Bethesda or DC for eats. First off, I went at 5:30pm and there was no wait (keep that in mind for those who hate waiting!) Of course, 30 minutes later and the place was filled with patrons. It is dark on the outside and looks closed, but the restaurant is dimly lit inside with a rustic feel. Because we had eaten bits and pieces all day, we came to Cava for a snack and ordered the feta honey (amazing!), tzatziki yogurt sauce w/ cucumber on pita bread, lamb shoulder (very tender!) and beef meatballs in tomato sauce. Everything was delicious, and not expensive at all. These four little appetizer dishes filled us up and we still had leftovers to take home. All this for under $40. Can't wait to come back here again and try the other meaty dishes!
(4)
Tochi K.
This was my 4th visit to CAVA and 2nd at this location--I definitely will not revisit this one. The food is good but also nothing to write home about. I've enjoyed their spanakopita and lamb meat balls and didn't care for their lamb sliders. Their wine selection is good and I've heard people say they enjoy their martinis--I had one that I didn't care for but enjoyed my wine. Prices are a little higher for tapas but not terribly so. However, I expect more at those prices. The place is tiny and service is horrible. Our server wasn't very attentive and kept on checking her cell phone as she walked away (no, it wasn't a POS thing). Our dishes did not arrive at the same time. Random servers would whiz past and pick up dishes without saying a word or making eye contact. Oddly, they have lots of staff members in a tiny place (3 behind the bar, 2 greeters, and about 6-8 others walking up and down)--they all seemed annoyingly disorganized. Ambiance isn't too bad but something is missing. It is not a quiet place for a peaceful meal. It seems like it is where some go to feel like they are part of the in-crowd, because that is all that matters to them. My impression: a group of "cool" friends in their 20s decided to get together and hangout while working. I'd probably go back to the DC CAVA for Happy Hour only. I won't go back to this one.
(2)
Sharon N.
Love coming here with friends for dinner but wish it was a little less expensive so I could go more often. Great service though each time I go and good ambiance.
(4)
Sophie M.
In our neighborhood, we LOVE it here. It is our go to date night restaurant. The opa opa shrimp is delicious, as well as the gyros, hummus and almost everything else. The zuccini fritters are NOT good at all. There are a few things on the menu that aren't so good, however whats great about mezze is you have other stuff to eat if you dont like one of your dishes! My husband and i usually get 3 to share and it's enough. The drinks are fantastic and for the most part the food is the best! Get the crazy fetta, just do it! The pita and the assortment of olive oils are so satisfying and yummy! The baklavah is amazing and the service is always outstanding. We love Cava!
(4)
Jason C.
I changed my mind. It's unfair to give your place a 4*. I have to say your restaurant clearly ranks among the best in the DC area.
(5)
M K.
In a North Potomac shopping center, but it acts like it's a hipster foodie heaven in downtown DC. That's a good thing. There was actually a 20-minute wait on a Friday night (I can't get used to this idea in suburban Maryland) but we were able to snag dining seats at the bar, so a win there. We went overboard on ordering, but everything was delicious. I ate so fast I can't give a very thorough review, but-- Tzatziki--thick and creamy. I wanted to lick the bowl. A bit odd that it didn't come with more pita bread. I mean, it's a dip...maybe they thought the starter pita we had was enough (can you ever have too much pita bread though?). Spanikopita--hot and FRESH. I was dubious about ordering what I think of as "deli food" at a restaurant, but it was delicious. You could tell it was freshly made and not frozen. The feta was high quality and stood out. Lollipop chicken--life-changingly awesome. Really. I'd eat myself into an early grave if I could eat this every day. The fried coating is addictive, the meat is tender, and the honey is just right on it, not too sticky or sweet. I demanded 2 of the 3 pops. Lamb meatballs--very nice. Herby and deep flavor. Half-smoke sliders--the only off note, really. Don't get me wrong, at any other restaurant I'd be raving about them, but after the other 4 Greek dishes (ok, I'm not sure lollipop chicken is authentically Greek) it was a strange thing to eat last. It was really good, hot, filling, and smoky, but unnecessary on the menu. Would be a great dish at some other regular DC bar. Comes with fries that are also an off note...only because everything else here is so awesome. By the way, the service was really fast--considering it was a packed Friday night (even not considering it) we were served everything immediately if not sooner. Service was quite attentive (perhaps because we had the secret strategy of dining at the bar). For food alone, I'd give Cava a 4 1/2 star rating if I could. I can't wait to go back and lick me up some more lollipop chicken...there's a real possibility of me upping the rating to 5 after a second visit.
(4)
Andrew K.
Nice fancy Greek tapas place with a huge selection of wines. I came here for lunch and it was busy. I ordered the lunch special gyro platter which came with fries and it was pretty good but wasn't sure why the put some fries in my gyro sandwich. I also tried the chicken souvlaki sandwich which was also not bad. You can also order the mezze plates from the dinner menu and we tried the eggplant dip which was good. Overall, the food was pretty good but the service was average.
(4)
Ann R.
This place is amazing. Whenever we have out of town visitors, this is our go to place. Everyone always loves what they order, it is fun to share, and they have a great wine selection. I would definitely recommend trying this restaurant; it may become your favorite place too.
(5)
Aaron W.
There is one thing I wish Cava would do: expand and move southward. I believe the restaurant has started taking reservations through one of the services; call to ask, but if you're just showing up expect to wait at least 30 minutes for a table. Other than that, there's absolutely no reason to go. Excellent Greek food, lunch specials are outstanding, food is consistently delicious and diverse; you'll get things here you won't get at other restaurants, like grilled octopus, or cinnamon orzo with lamb, or haloumi sliders. Go. And find out if they take reservations.
(5)
Ali S.
Kind of underwhelming based on the amount of positive reviews. Had a pretty decent sampling of what this place has to offer and I was left feeling that it was wholly overpriced for the small portions. This place is a cross between Jaleo and the Levantes. Appetizer: Very promising bundle of hot pita bread and olive oil, olives, and a spicy red tapenade. I feel like we deserved at least two of these for the three of us. The olives and tapenade were destroyed in minutes, so all that was left was dipping pita bread in plain olive oil for the rest of the night. Drinks: Ouzu: Culturally enlightening but aside from cleansing your palate I really feel there is no place for such a strong liquorice spirit in my life. Entrees: Lollipop Chicken: The best tasting of all the entrees, but due to the good taste you are left wanting more. I would have liked a KFC bucket worth of these with the dipping sauce on the side, but at 3 dollars a pop these little drumsticks are freaking expensive. Haloumi: Very plain, like a grilled wedge of mozzarella. I'd pass on this one for something else if there is a next time, though I wasn't about to get the "flaming cheese" because I'm very cautious about meals that emphasize the spectacle of preparation and not so much the ingredients or taste. Lamb Chops: 15 bucks for 2 small chops is not cheap, but these were also well seasoned and cooked. Quite delicious but also left me hungry for more. There are a few french fries on the dish, but the fries were even more plain than the haloumi. Spicy Lamb Sliders: These are a miniature version of the Adana sandwich at Levantes, dish comes with two of them. Much more filling than any of the previous offerings. Chicken Souvlaki: Very poor, perhaps this was just our stroke of luck. They weren't dry but they were too salty. Also would pass on this entree. All that plus a beer and a gin martini was about 80 bucks without tip. We were hungry but not exactly starving. Jaleo had better economical value with the pricing and portions, and the only entree that was really special of the bunch was the lollipop chicken. Atmosphere and everything was fine, there's ample parking in front of giant and this place is pretty cozy. If you're really wanting something filling and delicious, then you may want to look for somewhere with more substantial entrees or cheaper tapas.
(3)
Alka J.
What a great find. The service is great, the wine list not bad, and the food, delicious! Food is served tapas style so we ordered: 1. Roasted Beet Tartare - very fresh beets with small pieces of feta 2. Village Salad - the tomatoes were sweet, the dressing was good 3. Tzatziki - thick greek yogurt; not too garlicky 4. Grapeleaves - hand rolled and fresh - very close to what i had in Greece 5. Tyropita - just melts in your mouth. its filled with cheese so its a bit salty 6. Baby Octopus - cooked well, very tender, my favorite part of the meal 7. Scallops Risotto - the scallops weren't the best I've had, but the the dish was still good Our waiter was very attentive and the dishes came out quickly. we were in and out on a Wednesday evening in about an hour.
(4)
Michael C.
Fantastic customer service and great food. My girlfriend and i got here at 6:45 on a thursday night and were seated right away. We ordered the lollipop chicken, flaming cheese, spanikopita, lamb chops, and scallops risotto. All were fantastic. The flaming cheese eaten w/ the complimentary pita and spicy sauce was a very nice combination. This has to be eaten before it cools too much though, as the cheese gets a bit hard when it's cool. The spanikopita was also excellent with a warm cheesy middle and perfecly flaky filo. The lollipop chicken was my gf's favorite and was a nice surprise with the yogurt + honey making an excellent combination. It reminds me of honey fried chicken with some blue cheese (but much better). The lamb chops were fantastic altho one was slightly overcooked. The one that wasn't literally melted in your mouth. The scallops risotto was also excellent. To top it all off the service was attentive and friendly from the hostesses to the waitress and runners. The price was even a nice surprise coming out cheaper than i expected. I've been here a few times and would definitely keep going back. BTW - It's very loud and tables are very close together, but it still feels cozy and private, not sure how they managed that.... but it might just be because we had a great meal and night.
(5)
Jennifer Y.
Came here on a Friday night with a party of 15. Given the smaller space of the restaurant, it didn't feel overly crowded. The service was very good, the waiters were always checking on drinks and additional orders we had. Being a tapas place, I expected to have to order a lot of places but the food was very flavorful and filling that just 2 different orders was enough. I got to try the lamp chops which was very well cooked and not too gamey; the scallops risotto which was perfectly cooked and the scallops had a wonderful grill evenly on all sides; the braised short rib which was tender and full of flavor; and the calamari which was well fried on the outside and not too chewy on the inside. A very satisfying meal
(5)
Stephanie C.
Love this place. I love the service, I love the food, I love how quickly they get the food out to you, and I love how versatile the menu is. My favorite dish is their grape leaves and spanakopita. By the way, I know Greek food I was raised Greek Orthodox, and this is good Greek food!! My only complaint is the atmosphere, it's always very dark, loud, crowded with little room between tables, and music that doesn't fit the mood plays. But none of that stuff matters to me, personally, because the food and the service are worth it.
(4)
Alexandra U.
The food has been great every time! We always love to order their trazaziki and cheese that is set on fire. Also the lamb chops are on point. The atmosphere is great, only wish sometimes that there was more light. Overall, very happy!
(5)
Justine K.
Lunch was delicious as we started off with the five tasting dip (humus, eggplant, salmon, can't remember the last two) as we waited for the rest of our group arrived. The restaurant is Greek tapas and has been here for years. Every table is given complimentary pita with a red pepper paste (spicy deliciousness that is now sold at Whole Foods) and olive oil). The general rule is to order 2 dishes per person. Leo our server made great recommendations: -watermelon feta salad (seasonal) -Lamb chops, with amazing garlic fries, two chops to an order (cooked perfectly medium) -Mini Crab cakes, 3 to an order, nothing spectacular but tasty -Grape leaves, 3 to an order, leaves are wrapped around rice. -Flaming cheese with lemon and brandy, comes in two mini iron skillets (it's lit on fire and burns out); if u love cheese get this but a little salty -Grilled shrimp, delicious - French toast for dessert (buttery sinfulness) -baklava with plenty of nuts The star was definitely the lamb chops and the watermelon salad. My boss loved the chops and ate it straight off the bone. The fries were the perfect crispness. The watermelon salad was light and refreshing and the feta combo was perfect. I would have been content with just these dishes. I would have given five stars but towards the end Leo was MIA and a little slacking.
(4)
Vivian W.
Brick walls, dim lights, and wood furniture. That should give you a pretty good idea of the atmosphere at Cava! Although they also have outdoor seating if that's what you prefer. The dishes here are pretty small so I recommend ordering at least one main per person and some sort of appetizer. A perfect spot for some wine and a small dinner. The food was great, I recommend!!
Homemade sodas, crafty cocktails, and tasty tapas....everything that you expect in the city, but conveniently in the suburbs!
(4)
Vicki C.
I really want to give 3.5 stars. The food is what's making me come back! Pro's: -You're served with hot pita bread, red pepper dip and olive oil. Red pepper dip has a hot spicy zing to it! yum! -Tzatziki was delicious the girls and I could have drank it -The roasted eggplant usually is good (I buy it from Whole Foods) but it wasn't as flavorful that day -Spanakopita: Flaky and crunchy! -Grape leaves: Not bad, not sure what was really missing here... -Zucchini Fritters: Fried in deliciousness! -Cava Mac N cheese: I like my mac n cheese with cheesy sauce, this was more on the lighter side -Braised short ribs: Was a little on the dry side.. not my fav -Lamb shank: My favorite dish of the night!!!!!!! Cooked just right and the flavor was just enough. Went really well with Orzo. Con's: -Gal pal made a reservation for us four for 7pm. Could not be seated till EVERYONE had shown up!! I understand if they couldn't seat us until the majority of the party arrived but there were three of us there already waiting! We wanted to order drinks and appetizers!! On top of that, the restaurant wasn't even busy! Come on Cava! You should have your seating rule changed on a case by case basis.. you lose money by having people wait when they could have ordered three glasses of wine and appetizers. -Waiter was average.. accommodating. More straight to the point and get out. -Very dark lighting, bring a flashlight for the hard to see folks to read the menu -Cramped seating All in all, I would return to Cava for the food. Highly recommend making a reservation since it does get busy from time to time but be prepared to wait if your whole party has not arrived.
(3)
Cat L.
4 of us came here for a weekday dinner and had a great meal. The restaurant is really small so I would not recommend coming with anymore than 4 people. Each dish that you order only comes with about 3-4 bites of food (and runs about $8-$12 each), so prepare to share with the table and have a large check at the end. We ordered about 10 dishes: grape leaves, cheese, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, braised short rib, lamb shank, pork belly, lollipop chicken, mini chicken pitas, and greek donuts for dessert. The brussel sprouts, short rib, and lamb shank were my favorites. Overall, it was a good amount of food for 4 people and everything was very tasty. I would like to try the other pita dips next time, as we got a good amount of pita bread but the accompanying dip was not very exciting. Other things to note is that space is tight inside and the place is super dark - I wish they would turn on some more lights!
(4)
JiaJia T.
I am so sad about my the last meal I had here. I've been here half a dozen times in the last few years and it has always been a five star place. The service and ambiance are still all great. The food is still fantastic, but what is happening with the portion??!! Two scallops on a thin bed of risotto for $15? Two small lamb chops with a few fries for $15? And the presentation was sloppier as well, especially the lamb chops and lollipop chicken. I'm just not sure it's worth the price, anymore. I think I might have to break up with you, Cava!
(3)
Samantha L.
Today, my mom and I had lunch at Cava Mezze located in Traville Gateway shopping center. They removed most of my favorite items from the menu including the Rocket Salad, non-spicy Lamb Sliders, and Green Beans. For lunch, they offer a 3 course Mezze Mania for $15. For my Mezze Mania, I ordered a Village Salad, Brussel Sprouts, and Chicken Souvlaki. The Village Salad consisted of cucumbers, tomatoes, caper, olives, and red onion tossed in an herb olive oil dressing. It was a typical Greek style salad except without leafy greens. The Brussel Sprouts consisted of crispy brussel sprouts with Greek yogurt and dash of seasoning along the bowl. My mom ordered Beet Salad, Roasted Vegetables, and Chicken Souvlaki. Honestly, I loved the combination that she picked. The Beet Salad consisted of kale like watercress and golden and red beets tossed in a roasted, sweet and tangy, balsamic pomegranate dressing. The Roasted Vegetables consisted of season market veggies such as pearl onions, tomatoes, squash, and zucchini seasoned with salt and Mediterranean herbs / spices. The Chicken Souvlaki consisted of cubed chicken and onion marinated with citrus-herbed infused olive oil and served on skewers. The chicken was tender on the inside but a bit burnt on the outside. I loved the flavor though!
(3)
Cosmo K.
Wow this place is great! Neat Decour, lots of wood, nice little cozy place with warm lighting. Reservations a good idea. Greek Mediterranean tapas perfect portions for a party of four. We had the appetizer dip platter, watermelon feta plate, Mac & cheese, lollipop chicken, short rib, scallop risotto, baklava, and the to die for chocolate truffles. Sorry forgot to get pics everything looks so scrumptious we could not wait. A must visit we will definitely come back!!!
(5)
Jin L.
Most everything on their menu is delicious. Expect to order around 2 plates per person. Every time I go here it is always completely packed. If you show up without a reservation you will have to wait a bit but they do call you when you're up. The restaurant is very small but they intelligently utilize all the space they have with tables and chairs. Because of the extremely close proximity to other patrons I don't think this would be a great location for anything intimate or important conversations. Favorite is by far the lollipop chicken. I really think if you close your eyes and point at anything on the menu that it would be a good choice. My least favorite item was the mac & cheese - the first few bites were interesting enough but quickly became just way too rich.
(4)
Angela W.
Why is this place so dark? This place is great for coming with a group of friends. You can order a lot of things off the menu and share - part of why I love tapas! Definitely try the lollipop chicken. French toast is yummy. I don't have a love affair with Greek food so some stuff I wasn't too keen on, like the spanakopita. Good service and decent food! It's pretty close to my house so I would consider coming back again.
(4)
Jason M.
I really hate I am going to have to give Cava a review that is below average. I know from friends, family, and peers on yelp that they are capable of a 4-5 star review. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen for me today. I waited until they opened at 5:00 and went into the restaurant right as they opened. I was the only customer in the place. I didn't feel very welcomed from the beginning. The bartenders and servers were all huddled around the end of the bar and talked to themselves. No one asked me; how was your day, what's your name, or anything to make the only patron feel welcomed. I was only approached and asked if I knew what I wanted to order. Quickly, I ordered a rocket salad (arugula, pistachios, feta, balsamic). I also ordered the chicken lollipops, and lamb chops. The salad and chicken were both pretty good. But, I came really excited about the lamb. Unfortunately, the lamb was overdone and dry. Even in my pictures, the flash show it looking a little better than the real thing. I should have sent it back and had them fix it. So that is my fault. The food also all came out at once and I was hoping to have a chance to eat the salad first. I had an empty glass at times which is surprising when you are the only customer. The vibe just wasn't welcoming and the food was ok but not worth a $50 meal in mind today due to the fact I felt rushed and ignored, it just made for a subpar experience. Again, I do know they can be great. Maybe it will be better next time.
(2)
Rejena C.
The food was very elegant and delicious! The menu is organized into several small plate options and have various greek dishes. We got the hummus as an appetizer - so addicting! It was served with warm pita bread, however, they did not have whole wheat pita bread options but were able to bring vegetables for dipping options. My boyfriend, who would have much rather been at a burger and fries type of place, was still able to find something to eat! He got the lamb burgers and fries plate and thought it was delicious. The plates are intricately decorated and taste great. Make sure you try to Crazy Feta! The waiters should be more clear about how small the plate sizes are. I got two dishes and that was still hardly enough to fill a mouse haha. This place is better for drinks and apps rather than a sit down meal.
(4)
Yi Y.
Love here. The food is amazing. My friend treat me here for my birthday. Highly recommend.
(5)
Fat T.
What needs to be said has already been said. Good quality food at a reasonable price.
(5)
Amaresh S.
If you're coming to cava, you really need to expect to drop some cash. I'd say that if you don't spend between $30-40, you're just not going to have as enjoyable of a time. Cava frequently rotates their dishes, so you have no idea what's going to be on the menu when you walk in. One of my past favorites, the chickpeas three ways, is now served as falafels - which is also really good. I highly recommend the brussel sprouts, potatoes, kidney beans, saganaki cheese, mac & cheese, and crazy feta dip. Their spanakopita used to be really good, but they changed it recently and it's noticeably worse. Also wasn't a big fan of the eggplant dip. For dessert, i highly recommend the french bread. It is simply amazing. So if you go, make sure you order a bunch of different things, eat a ton, and finish off with a nice french toast dessert. I've had a good time there every time I've went.
(5)
David G.
Loved the ambience and the appetizers. Also, the lamb shank with wild rice was very flavorful. Totally recommended !
(4)
Christina D.
After driving by a few times and stalking their Yelp page even more, I finally came here for a meal and I am very glad I did. I even braved the freezing rain to get here, so the stakes were even higher. My only complaint is that the table was too small to hold all our food but they, like most people, underestimate a small, hungry Asian girl. The lollipop chicken came out first. The outside was extra crispy and the inside was moist and delish, but the honey was unnecessary and messy. Their take on the poutine, braised beef over fries, was disappointingly bland. It was up from there, though, as the scallop risotto was next. Normally, I oh so generously offer the last couple bites of each dish to the persistently hungry bf, BUT NOT THIS TIME. Yeah, I finished it. I regret nothing. The scallops were little perfectly seared gems. I was in love. The crab cake was equally good; it wasn't made of that crappy canned stuff. It probably was the fancy lump kind that comes in the plastic tubs instead.
(4)
Sheila C.
As all the other reviews say this place has very good food, very good! Our service was good too. Parking is easy. Tables are to close together but the reason I won't ever go back is that it's SO LOUD so loud so loud that you can't hear the person at your own table. LOUD.. But very good food! It's small crowed tables to close together but the food is good. Hip atmosphere. To loud for us to be able to enjoy dinning.
(3)
Dave F.
Huge fan of this place. Really great food, quick service, and all-around good place. Highly recommend.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
After hearing raving reviews from my friends about this place, I finally was able to snag a reservation and come here for a nice dinner to end the weekend. My expectations for this restaurant was high since I've heard nothing but good things about this place, and boy was I surprised at how every second of this dining experience exceeded my expectations! For a party of 3 we ordered the following: Brussel Sprouts Falafel Fritters Fried Calamari Scallops Risotto Lollipop Chicken Braised Short Rib Spicy Lamb Sliders Mini Pita Everything was so delicious and fresh, but the highlights of the meal were definitely the: fried calamari, scallops risotto, lollipop chicken, and falafel fritters. Overall it was a good amount of food, but be prepared that since the average dish is around $11 this meal does add up since the dishes are tapa style! I loved the complimentary pita in the beginning, but next time I will definitely order the dip tasting. Beware that the place is dimly lit and the tables are small, so bringing a big party to this place not might be the best idea, but it's perfect for a group of 4 or 5! Tuesday nights are 1/2 off wine bottles, so next time I will definitely stop buy for some good food and wine!
Per my profile, I do not often review. I travel a LOT, and I seldom have such a nice experience as I did at Cava. The food and wine were excellent. But more importantly to someone worn down by the road at times, the place made me feel like I walked into a neighborhood place where I had been a friend for years. Great staff! The bartender Matt, in particular, does not treat his customers like a client, but rather a friend. I went away feeling as if I just enjoyed a night out in my hometown with good friends.
(5)
Deborah M.
Yum! Love the food. Wish the wait area was better, but still 5 star in my book! I love the white bean ragu, their own recipe harisa, greek salad and lots of other menu items.
(5)
Teresa T.
We dined here as a large group and were seated promptly. Service was very attentive and wait staff were delightful. We tried several tapas from the menu including: Brussel sprouts, Beet salad, mixed greens, octopus, spaghetti, saganaki, and lamb chops. We were pleased with all of the above. Tapas were delivered promptly and were the perfect temperature. We even shared a bottle of red Greek wine at the waiters suggestion. We left after the delicious meal and will certainly be back!
Came back for another round of tapas, and I just want to say that their lamb meatballs, meatball kabab, and pork belly were also delicious. And don't forget those watermelon/cantaloupe and feta salad.
(5)
Chandani C.
Absolutely LOVE this place. I've dined at the Arlington location many times about 3 years ago, but this was my first time at the Rockville location. This location is much smaller than Arlington, but the food and service is just as great. I ordered their Mac and cheese which is amazing. It's not your typical Mac and cheese because of the cheeses they use, but it is so worth every single bite. I also ordered the lamb sliders with their signature crazy feta which was delicious. I've been pretty consistent with the items that I order whenever I go to a Cava Mezze. I'll have to be sure to try some of their other great dishes next time!
(5)
Dan A.
Cava is situated in a strip mall with a rather awkward storefront (the "front" entrance actually looked like a back entrance to me). However, inside, is a totally different story; it's a trendy restaurant with dim lights, funky Euro EDM music, dark woods, and brick walls. It was actually quite a surprise walking into it. My friends and I set a reservation at 5PM. We were promptly seated but told that due to a catering order, our food might be delayed. It seemed kind of strange to me (the catering truck was also right outside the entrance, which further made the entrance look like a back door) but I did appreciate the server's forthrightness. We ordered a variety of dishes; the server recommended two dishes per person. We got some pita and various dips (olive oil, spicy pepper, and actual whole olives) which were free and unlimited (yay!). The food came out fairly quickly. Some were hits and some were misses. Among the hits: - Spicy lamb sliders : there were two sliders which, indeed, had a bit of heat to it. The meat was juicy and flavorful. - Lollipop chicken : like what the other Yelpers said... this was pretty awesome as well. Sweet and savory at the same time. Among the misses: - Scallops risotto : Unfortunately, the scallops were overcooked. They were very rubbery...quite a shame too since the risotto was great. - Brussel sprouts : I love brussel sprouts. It appeared these brussel sprouts were deep fried. However, it had a little burnt taste to it and wasn't as crispy as I would have liked. The other dishes (falafel; prawns; hanger steak) weren't bad but didn't stand out to me either. Overall, it's not a bad place. However, for what it is, it seemed a little pricey... I feel like you could get better food for the same price if you decided to trek into DC or even Baltimore. But for Rockville and its surrounding areas, it's not a bad choice. I think realistically, this should be a 3.5 star restaurant but because I can't give star fractions, I'll round up to a 4.
(4)
John G.
Unless you live in the neighborhood, Cava Mezze is in an out-of -the way location in the Traville Shopping Center - essentially a strip mall adjacent to the University of Maryland Shady Grove Campus. But this is not college grub. It's a trendy and tasty mezze-style (small portions for sharing) Greek restaurant that always attracts a good crowd. Have eaten many lunches and dinners here and found most things on the menu are very good. Favorites are: * Scallops Risotto - scallops are good size and always perfectly cooked. * Rocket Salad with Salmon added - great salad with perfectly cooked hunks of fresh salmon. * 6 Dip Tasting w/ cucumbers - the crazy feta is very good. * Saganaki - breaded and fried cheese with lemon - comes with a fire-flash presentation... OPA!!! * The Sparkling Rita and VanGogh Mango martinis are a hit with the ladies. And Mondays are half price martini night! Great food and sharing makes it fun! The dining area is small, so better for couples and 4-somes rather than large groups.
(5)
Nisha B.
I enjoyed the meal at cava mezze but somehow, something seemed lacking. The vibe and atmosphere- excellent. Was feeling down in the blues and this had a happy jovial mood that picked mine up. Now to the food. Enjoyed the popcorn chicken- not sure about the honey in the dish. Octopus- eh. Not my favorite. Scallop Risotto- I asked the server if this is any good- he said its their most popular on the menu. This was my least favorite dish. Scallops weren't fresh and the risotto was a little bit from a packet. Maybe next time I should come back hungrier
(4)
Jessica P.
This Cava location (the flagship) is one of the best restaurants in the DC area. It definitely rivals more "flashy" Greek mezze places in the district and is a reliably good, affordable dinner. They also have a location on Capitol Hill, but I would argue that this location is still a little better (plus... they still have my favorite dish on the menu and Cava Capitol Hill removed it), however Capitol Hill takes reservations and Rockville does not, so that often impact our decision about where to go. The food is served mezze style (read...Greek tapas). You should order about 2-3 things per person and share, share, share so you can try all of the amazing dishes! When you arrive, you are served hot, homemade pita along with olive oil, a hot dip called harissa, and some olives. I have tried basically everything on the menu, and have really not been disappointed. The salads are fresh and perfectly balanced, the vegetables are all yummy, and their meat dishes are always on point. Some dishes not to miss: - Saganaki: flaming greek cheese. I have been eating this at Greek restaurants since I was a little girl, and believe me when I say this is by far the best I have ever had. The cheese is thicker than most places serve it and fried crisp in the cutest little cast iron pans, set on fire, then put out with lemony goodness. Get this dish if you like cheese. Do it. - Mussels w/ saffron risotto (or scallops): this is the dish they took off the menu in Capitol Hill (although to their credit, whenever I have asked them to make it for me, they have delivered), it is the most savory, seafoody yuminess. The mussels are perfectly cooked and the risotto is seriously to die for. - Kokkinisto- this is a real gem. Braised beef over french fries and salty, briny Greek cheese. It is out of this world, really. A large portion, but never large enough. So, so, good- a must try for sure. Also- don't miss the chicken souvlaki or hanger steak. The pita sandwiches (gyro, chicken, etc.) are good, but you will probably be full on pita if you are anything like me and can't resist the yummy dips at the beginning- so I would suggest ordering the more meat heavy dishes. They also have some outstanding desserts (try the Greek donuts and the french toast) but we rarely have room for these after our meal.
(5)
Jojo S.
.....and they are back! Not sure what was going on at Cava last year, but whatever that was the kinks are now worked out and food is great again. I haven't been in for a while after the last year's fiasco, and came back go many changes. The menu has been changed. I do not mind that at all, seems it allows Cava to focus on quality. The daily specials are no longer pre-planned, which makes so much more sense. Our dinner was delicious this time around. Well prepped and great flavors. We'll be back.
(5)
Joris M.
I finally ate here, and I'm updating my review to compliment the food and service. We ate outside since the interior was so dark. There are only a few outdoor tables, and they do face a parking lot, but the tables are shaded in the evening, so it was pleasant. Service was very good, attentive without fawning, and our waiter wisely advised us to not over-order (2-plates per person is fine to start with). The food was very good. Try the octopus. You get a large tentacle, but it's as tender as butter. I've usually had it fried, when it comes out rubbery. The pork belly was also fine. Decent cocktail menu. All in all, I'd be happy to return.
(4)
Laura S.
Wonderful at catering!! They did both my moms 60th and my engagement party. Whenever I go home, I always want to go to cava. This establishment has blown up over the years, and rightfully so. They serve tasty food! I went to Bladucci's the last time I was home and almost got the crazy feta (an all time favorite) and it was $10.99! That's crazy expensive! But....then again...it's soooo good.
(5)
Danny H.
Very, very dark ambiance. People were using their phones as light to order off the menu. I don't really enjoy places where that have to happen. Either have it dim and moderately quiet or lit and loud. This place was dark and loud...not the best place to go if you want to converse with your date. On to the food though... Lollipop Chicken - Highly reviewed, but I thought it was so-so. I was expecting more than just skewered battered chicken. It was done well, but underwhelming. Chef D Plate - The pork belly and chicken souvlaki were tasty. the gyro was decent, the tzatziki was very fresh and palate cleansing. The only thing I'm scratching my head with was why this dish was served with fries. Kind of ruins the whole experience imo.
(3)
Kari S.
My husband and I visited last night and loved the food. We started with the dip tasting dish (crazy feta was by far the best.) We also ordered the octopus and cava mac. The octopus was fantastic, not rubbery and had a nice lemon zest flavor. My only complaint is on two different occasions during our visit random patrons asked us to move down on the bar so they could sit with their group. The first time we were happy to accommodate, the second time we were annoyed! I am unsure if the bartenders should/could say something about this, but it interrupted our meal -- we were clearly in conversation/eating both times. Either way, we will probably return and sit at a table instead of the bar.
(4)
John H.
Terrific selection of tasty, unique tapas. We had a great time trying a whole bunch of things and passing them around. Everyone in our group found things they liked, and if we needed more food, it came out quickly. The waitress was quite competent, and happily explained details about dishes we were unsure about. It was a fun evening. My only complaint was the dark decor and low lighting which did detract from the ambiance. But we'd definitely go back.
(4)
Young S.
Food and service were amazing! There was a minor hiccup with reservations, but they handled it really well. Server was attentive, helpful, and funny. Only thing is space is pretty tight.
(5)
Ema P.
Consistently amazing. The pita and Harissa to start are my absolute favorite. Must haves: the scallop risotto the chicken souvlaki skewers the flaming cheese saganaki the dip sampler the lamb chops Enjoy :)
(5)
Nancy D.
So we loved the Harissa so much that we raved about it to Dimitrios the owner. Therefore he gave me a big bowl to take back to NYC. I made the most delicious spicy clams from frozen peconic bay clams I had harvested and his Harissa. Delish!
(5)
Mo A.
Another birthday dinner brought me to the highly regarded Cava Mezze, which offers Mediterranean cuisine served tapas style. Cava Mezze has several locations in the Washington Metro area. This restaurant is located in a strip mall that also houses Giant supermarket. It is also next door to a pizza place. I have to say, I was surprised at Cava's location. The outside is very dark and unassuming and the location in general is kinda hidden There is a small parking lot in front of the restaurant entrance. Quick tip- Cava only accepts reservations for seating times between 5:00-6:30. What if you want to make reservations for 8:00? You're just gonna have to get there and roll the dice. Cava is very small and the decor reads as a slightly upscale pub/tavern. While the dim lighting, dark color schemes and candles offer an intimate touch, the sheer loudness of the place completely drowns out any attempt at private conversations. It really sounds like voices just tend to project off of the walls here. We were initially seated right next to the bar, which are by far the worst seats in the house. The noise levels are not just loud, they're unbearable. Almost to the point where the waiters would have to write you notes to ask you questions. We asked to move and were seated towards the back of the restaurant. That was better but still, there was no way I could sit across from someone and have a normal conversation. The service is good as the wait staff is accommodating and attentive. They can come off like they're a little pushy and in a rush at times but that seems like more of a byproduct of being in a packed restaurant. We ordered the Watermelon Salad, Fried Calamari, Spicy Lamb Meatballs, Lamb Chops, Mini Gyros and Baklava. The Watermelon Salad consists of a slice of the fruit topped with a slice of feta cheese and a mint leaf. Very odd combination that is refreshing and works. First off, I was happy to find that the watermelon was actually ripe. How often do you go to places that serve fruit that either has yet to ripe or has gone bad? The watermelon had good firmness, sweetness and juiciness. The feta cheese offered its own strong flavors that was a nice contrast to the watermelon without conflicting. The mint leaf seemed to be the unifying element that brought everything all together in one bite. The Fried Calamari comes in a generous serving size. Numerous fresh calamari that is lightly breaded with crunchy batter. Underneath the calamari is a creamy and very tasty tzatziki sauce, which paired very well. The Spicy Lamb Meatballs came in portions of 4 and were plump. The meatballs were a tad bit on the dry side but otherwise nicely prepared. The seasoning was pretty good as there was definitely a spice kick but nothing overwhelming, which allowed the other ingredients to shine. The Lamb Chops come two to a plate and are served with fries. While the chops were tender and packed with flavor, they're a little on the skimpy side. Although Cava is a tapas style restaurant, this dish is priced like an entree so another chop or least some chops with more meat would be nice. The fries were ok although they lacked seasoning. The Mini Gyro comes three to the plate and have a whimsical presentation. Aside from the meat, the gyro also contains tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions and fries. For being mini gyros, they were still decent sized and filling. They could have used a little more meat but the fries were a welcome element. The gyro as a whole was a little dry, perhaps some additional tzatziki would help. The Baklava was a complementary birthday dish. The baklava is pretty nice sized and comes with a heaping portion of ice cream. It was a decent dish but lacked a little in the sweetness department. Considering the size of the baklava, it needs a little more honey. The pricing is a tad bit inflated but in general it's decent considering the area. Five dishes and beverages came to close to $70, which is somewhat comparable to similar places like Zaytinya, Oyamel, Zengo, La Tasca, etc. While I enjoyed the food for the most part at Cava, I'm not sure I'd be in a rush to return. The decor really makes it hard to enjoy the experience, unless of course you and your dining companion know sign language. The food simply isn't good enough to make up for that. Compared to the above mentioned restaurants (except for Zengo), I think Cava's menu is more appealing and their food might be slightly better but the club experience is a major obstacle. Hopefully they can figure out a solution to their noise issues. Until then, perhaps I'll check out one of the other Cava locations and see if ear plugs are needed.
(3)
Jen F.
I am a huge fan of Cava. This was my first time going to the Rockville location (typically I go to Clarendon or the fast-food variations). It's definitely different from the other locations, but the menu is still the same. The dip sampler is one of my favorites. Crazy feta, tzatiki, hummus... YUMMUS. I could eat 5 baskets of pita bread devouring the dips. Some of my other favorites here include the flaming cheese (caution: very filling!), the mac and cheese, zucchini fritters, and watermelon feta salad. It's tapas style so come with a group and try lots of things! I've never had something I didn't like from Cava. I am giving this location 4 stars for a few reasons. First, this could be related to the location, but it is not the same trendy vibe you get from other Cavas. It was much more family-oriented and less trendy. The staff was quite sassy (not sure why) which was a little uncomfortable. Every other Cava has the happiest staff. The drink menu did not have some of my favorite cocktails that I've had at other locations. Despite these things, the food more than makes up for the fact that this place deserves 4 stars.
(4)
Chen C.
Came with a large group for lunch. Everything we ordered was good. Fresh and tasty.
(4)
Mindy D.
Yes, the food here is delicious! Yes, it's not the cheapest. Yes, the wait time can be long. SO, be a smart planner and make reservations ahead of time. Cava Mezze offers online res through Yelp's SeatMe app, which is super easy to use. Note that your entire party must be present before they will seat you. There's not really a waiting area, except that small space between the bar and kitchen... awkward because you'll be in the servers' way! The restaurant is kind of hidden and can be a little hard to locate, but GoogleMaps should take you straight there. Standout dishes: *grilled octopus *lollipop chicken *filet with shrimp *scallop risotto *flaming cheese Best of all, it's free, unlimited pita bread! Octopus was probably my favorite item! Most of these dishes are small servings, tapas, except for the lamb shank (pass on this one-- very lamby tasting). Some of them come in 3 servings, while others are bigger and can be split accordingly. I came with 5 others and our bill came out to about $33 a person, not including drinks. Warning: It's DARK, LOUD, and very TIGHT.
(4)
Kim A.
Loved it! The waiter was friendly The French toasts was good the dipping was amazing Nothing more else to say..
(5)
Virginia B.
Pretty tasty eats! I tried the zucchini, the stuffed grape leaves, crab cakes, chicken lollipops, and the scallops. Mostly everything was great! The pita that comes with the sun dried tomato and pepper spread is delicious!! In my opinion the scallops were seared with a glaze that was way too sweet and didn't compliment the rocking mushroom risotto they came with. But other then that I was very pleased with the flavor combinations and attention to detail. Everything was beautifully cooked. My picky children were not pleased with the menu choices. Not too many kid friendly options. Wish they had more to offer kids. A few basic kid pleasing options.
The original Cava Mezze is still going strong and their food is outstanding! Just about everything I have tried tastes great. The dishes that do not disappoint include scallop risotto (3 scallops), baby lamb chops (2 to an order), hanger steak, lollipop chicken (3 to an order), and that flaming cheese (sometimes can be really salty). Their martinis are crafted perfectly and the service is quick and efficient. The bartender is very friendly, makes you feel right at home. They offer half price martinis I think Monday or Tuesdays too. It is dimly lighted restaurant, perfect for dates. I highly recommend this place and is worth the wait!
(5)
GretcheN E.
Brussel sprouts are wonderful! Shrimp is very good. Good service!
(4)
A J.
Love the food, good for dinner but because of the hours stay away for lunch (not open for lunch on weekends)
(3)
Phi N.
Cava deserves an updated rating from me because I always find myself eating here and leaving super satisfied... The harissa dip is on point! Great for a starter. As for food, lamb chops here are my favorite and still the best I've had anywhere. Some runner-ups are the scallop risotto, village salad, asparagus, and chicken soup. The other dishes that I think are worth getting are the haloumi, lollipop chicken, pork belly, and crabcakes. I have ordered a lot of the other dishes here over the years too, they're decent, but I wouldn't order them over the items I listed above. For dessert, the french toast here is definitely the way to go! Service here is excellent, and the staff's really friendly.
(5)
K.S. B.
Had my friend and I stopped our meal before ordering dessert, I would have rated this place a 5. The appetizers were excellent. My Brussels sprouts were grilled to perfection, and served with Greek yogurt for a nice touch. But the baklava tasted like something picked up in a bulk-pack at a warehouse club, with vanilla ice cream on top that didn't even taste of vanilla. Instead of layers of filling and phyllo, the filling was rolled up in phyllo, sort of like a Chinese spring roll made with phyllo. And in contrast to the modest sized portions of the main dishes, the baklava was monstrous. It was a touch on the noisy side for a quiet conversation, but nothing out of the ordinary.
(4)
Sherry R.
Delicious lamb meatballs, the hanger steak is amazing as well. I enjoy their yogurt as it has pecans and honey. A great healthy way to get your need for sweets. Very busy location so I usually get take out or make reservations. First time I came here was with my daughter and her fiance. I will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Jennifer D.
Food here is delicious and the staff is friendly. A nice vibe and ambiance. It's a little darker too, which I sometimes tend to prefer. The patio needs massive amounts of help. It's really struggling. I know the space is small, but they should really do something with it. We wanted to sit outside recently and quickly decided against it for the following reasons, it's chilly in the shade and no heaters were offered, the furniture is crappy. Try the Lamb Gyros and Brussel Sprouts!! Delicious.
(4)
Denise W.
My favorite restaurant in the area! I have been going here consistently for the past 3 years and have never been disappointed in the menu, food, or service. The service is fast and very friendly. I've also had the owner come out and make sure we were liking everything. The menu has amazing options for even picky eaters. I've pretty much had the entire menu and it is all delicious and consistent in quality! For new people, I highly recommend the Tzatziki, Saganaki, grilled shrimp, Octopus (so tender and delicious), and all of the lamb dishes. Honestly, you can't go wrong here!
(5)
G R.
Food is great. Have had most menu items. But the place is sooo small, tables are sooo close to each other and the place is sooo loud, I hate it going there when I'm forced to go by others who don't seem to mind my objections. Oh well, I say.
(2)
Connie M.
Not sure if anyone has ever had a bad meal here...I know I NEVER have! Last time I was here I sat at the bar and had some fantastic drinks with the most delicious lamb sliders and saganaki (cheese doused with brandy and lit on fire!). Tonight, I sat in the extremely dark dining room and read the menu by tiny candlelight and didn't even care that it was so dark, I could barely make out the prices (Well played Cava, well played!) because I knew my happy taste buds were going to dance with the most delicious tapas in Maryland! You can't go wrong with the Tasting Dips for $10. There is the traditional hummus, tzatziki, and roasted eggplant but there is also skordalia (garlic, garlic and more garlic), crazy feta (whipped feta with jalapeno) and taramosalata (fish roe). I prefer my fish roe saltier, but if you are just trying it for the first time, you might actually prefer it this way...still yummy! Everyone should have flaming cheese because it is delicious but for $10, you also get a show. Tonight my dining companion was allergic to seafood so we went with the zucchini fritters ($7) which did not disappoint but I was bowled over by the lollipop chicken ($10) which were tiny thighs fried perfectly in walnuts and drizzled with yogurt and honey. Difficult for me share but polite...I...am. :) Next time I am choosing the Chef D Plate which is meat, meat and more meat but tonight, we lamb lovers delighted and decided to finish our meal with 2 perfectly cooked lamb chops on a bed of fries. I let my friend choose first and she only picked up a couple of fries...I did not apologize as I swept up the pieces of potatoes soaking in delicious lamb juice!!! For $16, I was in heaven for just a brief minute. My mini poodle is so happy my friend does not clean a bone as well as I do (I honestly believe it is the Chinese in me). Sixty dollars later (no alcohol tonight) and two women walked out of Cava Mezze very happy. We were not close to being stuffed but our bellies were content, our taste buds were still doing somersaults and our minds still in awe that a tiny little place in Gaithersburg could actually serve food of this caliber. Well played.
(5)
R P.
They have good veg option. However, place felt weird and more look like club/bar . Food was great but crowded and dense since it's very small place. Staff tend to be very fancy for my test.
(4)
Bianca F.
Everything is good and a phenomenal price! I had the mussels tonight for $9.95! The scallops are amazing, the lamb sliders are super good and you get free pita bread, olives & some type of spicy tomato hummus! Go check it out!
(5)
Taelynn B.
Crowdy, Noisy and not comfortable ! I guess they are not used to seeing African American individuals. The hosts would not STOP staring and it was quit uncomfortable. I then waived to her in hopes it would deter her (them) from staring. To be fair, I did not try the food and I had no desire to. The party that came in after us were also BLACK and left due to the uncomfortable vibe. Welcome to America I guess.
(1)
A H.
So I finally went to Cava Mezze with my boyfriend and another couple last night as a late birthday celebration for me. I am ashamed to say I am native to Montgomery County (born and raised) and I had never been before :-( Boy, was I missing out! The food was delicious. We arrived a little after them and they had taken the liberty to order some crazy feta for the table. Now, I am not a spicy food person AT ALL, but even with the jalapenos, this stuff was delicious (and not too spicy if you stay away from the green chunks). My boyfriend and I ordered the zucchini fritters and if you are a fan of dill, you will LOVE THESE. They were a touch greasy but hey they are fried after all! They were good enough that I ate three of the four of them! Their tzatziki sauce underneath them is amazing and I then proceeded to use the pita on our table to eat the rest of that! The other couple we were with (who were not Cava Mezze virgins like me) ordered the calamari. I tasted one of the circle pieces and it needed no dipping sauce... the flavor and texture were amazing and it was cooked perfectly (not too chewy). Next we all ordered our own "entrees." Please keep in mind these are not normal restaurant sized portions but REAL normal sized portions that we SHOULD be eating lol. My boyfriend and I ordered the Scallop Risotto and the Chicken Souvlaki to split. Now to the reason they are getting FOUR and NOT FIVE stars... it comes down to me being picky BUT, I feel like if you have U-10 or lower count scallops, you should NEVER overcook them. While the flavor and texture of the risotto was to die for (even my boyfriend who is not usually a fan of either mushrooms OR risotto ate some and LIKED it), and the FLAVOR of the scallops was wonderful, the scallops were rubbery and overcooked. After watching Chef Gordon Ramsey on Hell's Kitchen (and Master Chef), if there is one thing I have learned it is to NEVER OVERCOOK scallops lol (if you have seen it you know what I mean). Whoever cooked (and checked) the scallops at Cava Mezze obviously does not watch Hell's Kitchen! ha... .but all in all, I cannot complain too much. The Chicken Souvlaki was 4 skewers of 3 small chicken chunks each and it was beautifully seasoned and cooked (a 180 from the scallops). It was tender and delicious (especially when I put the chicken on a piece of pita with some crazy feta). The other couple got entrees they had had before, the Pork Belly and the Chicken Lollipops. The pork belly looked tender (although I did not taste it and I am not usually a fan of that cut of meat), and the Chicken Lollipops looked really good too (and i was told both dishes were great). Please note that if you order chicken Lollipops there are only 3 on the plate (same with the scallops, you get 3. All in all, I would TOTALLY dine there again (but maybe skip the scallops and try something else next time like the short rib that looked amazing). I liked ordering in waves of food, conversing in between courses, and trying new things. It makes for a fun and social experience (great for a date night). You can also wait to see how full you are in between things to decide if you want more. We were stuffed and skipped dessert. The total cost was about $100 for 4 people which I think is completely reasonable for dinner out. On a Wednesday night at 7:30 pm it was pretty croweded (not sure there were any open tables, at least I did not see them)... I am glad we made a reservation! (it is not a huge place so it fills up fast).
(4)
Monica P.
Exterior: Located next to Potomac Pizza in Traville. Across the street from Quench. Interior: You will be suprised by the interior because of what the exterior looks like. Dimmed lighting. Super loud. I came in at 8pm on a Tuesday with my mom. It sounded loud as a club minus the bumpin music from all the customers having to talk/yell to understand eachother. Can be a great spot for a wine date if you aren't looking for something quiet. Candles set the mood. Small bar area. Reminds me of a small DC spot. Service: Waitress was very attentive- I could see her coming back to our area every 10-15 minutes and observing if we needed anything. That's really worth noting since we were seated in the corner and it took some side steppin to get to us. FOOD: Small portioned plates. My usuals are the Saganaki (flamed cheese), Lollipop chicken (a must- esp if you're into yogurt), and Scallop risotto. Unlimited pita×olives×olive oil×red pepper paste! Love
(5)
Erika M.
Very good food... not too pricey and good portion sizes. We had the brussells sprouts and the mushroom hash (both delicious) and for protein we had the lamb chops and the hanger steak. Both were very good, although I wasn't too found of the fava bean puree under the steak. The only thing I found strange was the outdoor seating arrangement. You only have an inch of space between you and the table next to you, which is awkward. The outside ambience gave the vibe of a pay-and-eat deli, not a nice restaurant. Also, someone had thrown up all over the bathroom when I tried to use it. However, all in all, it was good food but the outdoor ambience needed work.
(3)
Demetria L.
Take it from a Full-Blooded Greek: the food here is spectaculars the Cava concept is a good one and their rate of success only further confirms that! No matter what end the dinner with Baklava! It never disappoints!
(5)
Diana J.
I've been coming to Cava for years. Anything and everything I've ever ordered has always been made well: juicy, moist, not over cooked, not undercooked, incredibly flavorful, mouthwatering. Everything on the menu is simply delicious. My absolute must have here are the lamb pops, octopus, and French toast. Every time I've gotten the lamb, it's tender and juices are running everywhere. The octopus is cooked just right and never that over cooked chewy rubber. And that French toast... Mm.. So good. It's not soggy or overly empowered with syrups and goo. It has this light crunch on the outside with the right amount fruits and whipped cream on top. I don't usually like French toast, waffles, or pancakes but but is a must have. I highly recommend Cava Mezze. It's a party in my mouth every single time. Service is meh though. They're usually packed with a long waiting line. But it's worth the wait.
(5)
Alex C.
Went back to Cava last night and saw the portions have changed (smaller and lower quality) and the prices have remained the same. They don't even serve olives with the appetizing pita plate they start you out with. I don't even think they used Ketel One vodka in the Ketel One martini I ordered. Seems like they're cutting corners as of late and that's a shame for a place we have enjoyed in the past. Perhaps that explains why we found a table so easily on a Friday evening. I hope they reverse course because there are simply too many choices around. They will lose clientele if they continue down this path.
Solid restaurant with a couple of uneven dishes, but mostly delicious food. My coworker made reservations for a group lunch here a week or two in advance, and we were able to get a party of 10 in at around 11:30am on a Wednesday. Our table was ready when we arrived, and we sampled a variety of items: -Rocket Salad (Poached Pear, Pistachio, Feta, Arugula, Balsamic, $9.95): Ok salad, but nothing special. I wouldn't order this again. -Watermelon & Feta (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Feta, Mint, $9.95): Yum! I loved the combination of the watermelon, cantaloupe, feta, and mint- everything worked really well together. Recommended! -Haloumi & Bread Salad (Grilled Haloumi Cheese, Mint, Grilled Bread, $8.95): Just ok- the haloumi pieces were really hard/chewy, and not my favorite. Skip! -Dip Tasting (Hummus [Chick Peas, Citrus], Tzatziki [Yogurt, Cucumbers, Garlic, Roasted Eggplant [Red Pepper, Garlic, Herbs], Skordalia, Crazy Feta [Aged Barrel Feta, Jalapeno, Whipped], Taramosalata [Salted Cured Roe, Lemon, Bread Crumbs, Potato], $9.95): My favorites were the hummus, tzatziki, roasted eggplant, and crazy feta. The taramosalata and skordalia were a bit strange for me. -Zucchini Fritters (w/Aged Barrell Feta, Herbs, Tzatziki, $6.95): Yum, these were really flavorful- recommended! -Brussel Sprouts (w/Greek Yogurt, Olive Oil, $8.95): These were SO good- the sprouts were nicely charred and really flavorful. Highly recommended! -Chef D Plate (Pork Gyro, Chicken Souvlaki, Pork Belly Souvlaki, Grilled Meatballs, Fries, Grilled Pita, Tzatziki, $24.95): This place was gigantic! The meats were ok, but I didn't love any of them. However, this is a good dish to share for a group. -Chocolate Truffles ($7.95/3 pieces): Too chocolate-y for my tastes, but my coworkers really enjoyed them. -Baklava ($7.95/ea): Pretty good- definitely a lot of butter and honey going on. The restaurant is definitely on the cozy side, and we were fine as a table of 10, but you should definitely make reservations in advance for a large party. The place was completely full for lunch, so I'd advise you come in early or also make a reservation if you don't want to wait for a table. Our server was really friendly and sweet, but a little slow to come back and check on us at times, and we had to flag her down to order dessert and get the check (to speed things up). If you're on a time crunch, definitely let them know- otherwise, you'll have a very leisurely lunch. Overall, I would definitely come back to try out additional items on their menu. They have a large selection, and really cheap lunch specials with good portions. Parking is easy since they have a large lot in this plaza.
(4)
Priscilla L.
I love Cava! Their food is hot and fresh, delicious. I love the scallop risotto. Great service and fun atmosphere. Price is a little expensive for the small dishes.
(4)
Pooja T.
One of my favorite places up here! I'm from Georgia originally and gaved lived up here for the past few months and had my first Cava experience at the Cava Mezze Grill over in Bethesda...mind-blown! I'm in love with chipotle and this is pretty much a classier version of a greek chipotle! The staff was super sweet, even had a cute waiter ;) haha, but a definite must try!
(5)
Jillian M.
This is one of the best restaurants in Rockville . I was really sad when I moved to northern Virginia and I had to leave Rockville . Now I drive down once a month to get a good meal please come to northern Virginia. Steve the bartender was excellent. Love the management too. Thanks again for the great service !
(5)
Vee B.
If the free food is good, the real food must be EVEN BETTER!!!!!! Seriously....WHAT is in those dips they serve with pita bread??!?!?!? If the locals rave about it, BELIEVE THEM. My cousins took me here four years ago during a visit and they took me again on a trip this year. I didn't recognize the name when they asked if I've been here, but when I walked in...I instantly knew. Who could forget the dim lights that highlight your perfections and hide your imperfections? Or the sounds of wine gently cascading into your wine cup? I most certainly could not. This is not your traditional Greek place. This is top-of-the-line Greek cuisine. We got a plate of pretty much everything and shared it family-style. I wish I took photos, but I was too busy stuffing my face. I'll share the highlights: SCALLOPS RISOTTO: FAVORITE DISH OF THE NIGHT. I was least expecting the burst of flavor in this one. LAMB CHOPS: This was really, really crispy. I'm talking like crisps of the crisps. Flavor was there, but I wish there was more. Not as seasoned as what I'm used to and I wish it was a bit less dry. OPA OPA SHRIMP: Mother of....God. Who thinks of this stuff? Tomato spread on shrimp. The marinade was so good, I found myself going back to the dish for more of the marinade even after the shrimp were long gone. CRAB CAKES: Wow, I've never had crab cakes like this. Not smothered in Penko bread crumbs or anything. This was true to taste and how I imagine all Maryland seafood to be. The crab held together nicely, yet was still soft and juicy. But, it was only a one-time try. I probably would not get this dish again. BAKLAVA: Soooo sweet. We got this one to-go, so it didn't come with the ice cream. I'm sure the ice cream would've been a nice contrast to the sugary feel, but hey! I'm dating a dental student...must.not.get.cavities. Who am I kidding...I still ate half of it, haha. Why can't I live on the East Coast? Oh yeah, because I'll get fat. TLDR; Bring a date here and I'm sure you'll be getting a kiss at the end of the night! :* And get the scallop risotto!!!
(5)
Ronald I.
What can I say, this place is insanely delicious. Dimitri, Teddy, and Ike always take care of us. The food is some of the best I've had around DC. From the scallops risotto, to the lollipop chicken, to the hanger steak, Brussel sprouts, and grilled octopus. It just doesn't get any better. I have never had a bad meal yet, and at one point was eating here twice a week. It's that good! Don't forget the saganaki and the best Greek red wine around, Katogi. Delicious! I just wish they would do brunch again. That was such a treat! Thanks fellas!
(5)
L K.
my favorite place in moco! get the crazy feta, some wine, some spanakopita, lollipop chicken. love love love the atmosphere and service. a little too loud at times but who cares.
(5)
Brent R.
Easily 5 stars...octopus was insane, a nice large tentacle with a soft and delicate texture... definitely one of the best I ever had...as was the scallops over risotto, thinner slices but cooked perfectly over a creamy risotto....ambiance was great, dim lighting with a cozy atmosphere...duck confit hit the mark, had a nice crispy texture on the duck...decent wine selection with prices to match....staff was great...already thinking about our next trip there....
Not sure. It's cool. I ate food. It was good, I think. Kinda small place and portions obv. It's tapas. That's all.
(4)
Eddie K.
Been awhile since I've been here and I didn't even know they had lunch service. It was a change that you can actually see inside the restaurant when eating lunch compared to dinner. They have a really small lunch menu where most items are under $10 (just sandwiches and one salad) but you can order from the dinner menu. Five stars for the Saganaki, while the others are good. The scallop risotto was good except the scallops were overcooked. The hanger steak tasted great, but it didn't come out medium-rare - it was well done. The pork belly was excellent - hard to mess up with that. I would of given this place three stars because the main dishes were overcooked, but the seasoning/flavor compensated for it. A great place for Rockville.
(4)
Richard J.
I always enjoy here and Tuesdays are half price bottles of wine, so you can't go wrong with great food, fantastic service and an energetic atmosphere. If you are looking for a quiet place to eat, this is not it. But that should not detract from everything else that is great about Cava. The outside patio is now open, and is quieter. I would recommend this restaurant to any one.
(5)
Irith B.
I chose this wonderful restaurant to host a surprise birthday party for my husband. We were 16 people in our party and there was not one person who did not like what they ordered. The service was outstanding and the dishes that were ordered came fast and they were all absolutely delicious. All our friends vowed to come back to this little gem. A big thank you to Mara from headquarter who helped me accomplish this surprise party.
(5)
Ji C.
Food- tasty, but it is no Kapnos of DC. Value- Kapnos has similar pricing, bigger portions. Ambiance- It is TOO dark (could barely read the menu) and the tables are way too close, for me. If you like very dark and very close (meaning the chairs behind are up against your chair), then this is the place for you. Noise- too loud for me. I could hardly hear who I was dining with. Again, if you like noisy and having to talk above the noise level, then this is the place for you.
(3)
Lydia R.
Oh my goodness, wow! I was very impressed with the service here, as well as the food. Came here with a very large group and we all sat at a long table, passing tapas all around, so we all had a very lively, diverse-tasting lunch! We had a guy who had lived in Greece order several items off of the menu for us, which was awesome, yet there are still so many delicious looking plates from the menu left to try! I have to preface my favorites listing by letting you all know that you MUST try all the sauces. If you love spicy, try harissa. I actually buy a container of harissa now from Whole Foods and it is consumed very quickly. The crazy feta is just okay in my opinion, but if you're really into feta cheese and oils, you will enjoy this. My favorites: 1. Fried cheese - this is in no way, shape, or form good for you, but the presentation is amazing - they literally light the cheese on fire right in front of you and you feel the flames. Oh, and the cheese is to die for :) 2. Lollipop Chicken - this is basically a Greek version of fried chicken drumsticks. These are juicy and cooked well all around. They taste delicious with any of the sauces / dips. 3. Brussel Sprouts - Crisped to perfection, these veggies are also seasoned just right. 4. Falafel Fritters - Think chickpea cakes packed full of flavor. This goes great with the tahini sauce! I can't wait to come here again! I've only scratched the very delicious surface.
(5)
Aaks L.
Middle eastern food is probably my favorite cuisine. So anywhere I travel - I like to try the highest rated restaurant atleast once. Cava Mezze is now my favorite restaurant in DC Area. Yes, I've been only once but I look forward to going there every time I am in the area.. Husband and I were traveling to DC to spend Easter with family and catch up with some other friends. 4 of us wanted to dine out on Saturday evening so we made reservations at Cava Mezze at 6 pm (made reservations only 2-3 days before and those were the only "open" timeslots according to the host). Arrived on time, easy check in, got our table (which was pretty close to the next table), got the mango cocktail and was already feeling good. Our host was great and had many suggestions on items and their flavors, which was a plus. His service was prompt and after I had a mango cocktail, I guess he figured I like sweet cocktails and suggested the peach cocktail (which was equally or more yummy than the mango cocktail). The complimentary pita was great, so we ordered "Dip Tasting" and enjoyed Hummus / Tzatziki / Roasted eggplant / Skordalia / Crazy feta / Taramosalata with the fresh pita bread. The other couple is vegetarian and ordered brussel sprouts, Spanakopita and butternut squash pie. They said everything was great! We ordered the Spicy Lamb Meatballs and they were the BEST lamb meatballs I've had in my whole life! We ordered a second order of that. Hubby also ordered Scallops Risotto and just loved it. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked. The ambience was very warm and casual. Not too loud either. The only disappointing thing was how we were told there were no reservations/tables available between 6 pm and 9:30 pm and while we sat there for these 3-4 hours, we saw many tables for 4 available. I'm hoping it was the case of "no-shows" and not the restaurant lying about availability. We ordered a baklava to share and enjoyed it thoroughly. After paying for food, we were sitting and chatting and ordered a black coffee and a green tea and our server didn't even charge us for it, as we had already closed and paid our checks probably. That was a very kind gesture by him and much appreciated. I cannot wait to go back just for those spicy lamb meatballs.. yum!
(5)
Christopher I.
Lollipop chicken was legit! 5/5 honey, yogurt, walnut, & fried chicken! Best thing here hands down! After that, pork belly! It's pretty hard to hard to mess up pork belly! Set on top of some honey, it was savory. 5/5 Scallop risotto: I've had better. Not horrible, but I wouldn't call it good. 3/5 Baby octopus was way over-seasoned. It took away from the octopus taste. & if you take that away, what's the point? 3/5 Opa Opa shrimp was pretty good. Not accustomed to having my shrimp served in a cream/tomato sauce, but they pulled it off. 4/5 Washed it down with mythos lager, a generic Greek beer. 3/5 Ambience was nice. Dim lights, good variety of music. 4/5 Overall, not bad. But I kinda expected it to be great. That lollipop chicken and pork belly were great (!), but everything else: eh
(4)
Basma M.
Great food Good services Very nice environment. Great place to get a drink and kickback with friends
(5)
Kyle F.
Great atmosphere: There is outdoor seating, we ate inside a table in the back of the restaurant (the larger room). We ate around 6:30, by the time we left around 8:00 it was pretty loud so if you're looking for an intimate quiet dinner--go look somewhere else on the weekend. Great food: The food is served family style, where you pick various things from a menu and pass it around with your party. The proportions are smaller than what you would probably expect but the quality is great and the food is brought out to you European style (i.e., when the food is prepared and ready to serve, it comes out to you--not waiting for the food to come out all at once). Great service: The staff is professional and polite, nothing wrong here. If you like Greek food (or if you haven't tried it) this is a highly recommended restaurant and experience, try going on the weekend to get the full experience. Strongly suggest you make reservations, it was packed when we went.
(4)
Abeer N.
I am in love with this place. I have been there and the food is always great, service is good. The only thing is the hours are really weird, so call before you go. Good place for a date night or just friends night.
(5)
Shelli D.
Great place to have a lunch with friends not crowed on a Tuesday noon. The food is delicious and perfect portion without being overfilling. Had a wonderful time.
(4)
Nanda S.
This Place is Awwwwsome. Lamb chops r juicy and perfectly made. Superb place to hangout with friend. Very near to People who live around Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville area The Dips are most popular and forgot the name of a shrimp dish was very good too. Just be there and enjoy as soon as you finish reading this review and do call me .....lol
(5)
Margaret N.
Friendly and quick service and great food! Definitely try and make a reservation beforehand! Gets packed! They bring out pita and four mini dips in the beginning, but I had to order a side of tsatzki! Amazing! Perfectly marinated! Tried their Brussels sprouts, scallops and lollipop chicken to share. Brussels sprouts could've used a bit more salt and would've tasted better if they were a tad bit crispier. Scallops were nicely prepared! Perfectly seasoned and not overdone! And the sauce and rice pilaf? that came with it was amazing! Tasted like Mac and cheese! Lollipop chicken is a must! Perfectly crispy and seasoned! Tried the doughnuts for dessert... Wished they were crispier and sweeter... Tasted like Ozzie rolls with honey... They have an extensive wine list, which is always a plus too! Definitely recommend!
(4)
Lil Birdie N.
Yum yum yum. Everything on the menu is good. By far the best Greek restaurant I've eaten. Lamb chop and steak are to die for. This place can get extremely busy, and loud because of the brick walls. But I don't mind as long as the food is consistently good.
(5)
Kelly W.
the food is amazing! finally a restaurant with some flavor!!!! My food was alittle slow coming out but they took it off from my bill with no problem. Service was good. My drink was never empty and the waitress apologized for the wait on my food. all and all a great experience!
(4)
Chelsea B.
This review is a little difficult to make. If I were only reviewing the food and service, it would be a five. No question. The gnocchi dish (Friday night special) is absolutely transcendent; pillowy, perfectly seasoned, and just enough. Everything else was great, but...that gnocchi! So what went wrong? First, it was so loud we couldn't hear each other over the shouting. There were two birthday parties of drunken jackasses. Shouting. Whistling. Everyone else there was trying to make themselves heard. We ended up cutting the meal short. That wasn't the worst part - although we've learned not to go on a Friday. The worst part was when they started cleaning the table next to us after that group left. The guy cleaning the table sprayed the Giant-brand Windex on the table...and on our table. We were nearly done, but I got some in my mouth and breathed in the spray because I wasn't expecting it. The tables are very close together (no more than 6 inches) and our food got sprayed. Are you kidding me?!? It was 20 minutes and a glass of water at the restaurant across the street (we retreated there to finish drinks and dessert) before that taste left me. So I would say have dinner here, not on a Friday night, and ask the guy cleaning the tables to spray the goddam cloth then clean the table. We couldn't eat what was left.
(3)
Jaime B.
We come here regularly and it never disappoints. The menu does change but our favorites are the saganaki (fried flaming cheese) the zucchini fritters - the dill sauce us to die food and we also like the scallops risotto. If you're looking for something different try to watermelon feta dishes. The dips are delicious and the food comes out quickly. Try to save room for the stuffed French toast!
(5)
Sang K.
Subject: Cava Mezze dinner Pros: Has the potential to be great Cons: Inconsistent service, parking is annoying Experience: It pains me to give Cava Mezze a 3 star rating because my previous experiences have been excellent. However, my recent trip to cava was fraught with disappointments. I ordered the chicken popper appetizers and the center meat surrounding the bone was COLD! When I spoke to the waiter about this they took the dish back and after about 10 minutes the same food came back to us warmed but with the protein tasting tough and over cooked. The lamb entree which has always been excellent came out overcooked and smaller than usual. The perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts were not enough to salvage this meal. Conclusion: At times great, but service and food quality is inconsistent.
(3)
Yashar D.
One of my all time favorite restaurants. Expensive, but classy enough and delicious enough to justify it. It's tapas, and I usually don't like tapas (I'm hungry!), but the quality of food here makes it ok. Great date spot. They have a full bar. The restaurant is tiny so expect a wait during dinner hours.
(5)
Christine P.
Delicious lamb chops! Make a reservation, the restaurant gets packed. I've never been to Cava at any other locations, but I hear this one is a little different. Likely to return to try their Tuesday 1/2 wine bottles.
(4)
Janet Y.
I thoroughly enjoyed dining here. There lollipop chicken is there signature dish - everyone orders it! Oh and don't forget to get there flaming cheese. I like there spicy lamb meatballs as well. My only complaint is the lack of space. I don't like people hovering over my table or constantly asked to scoot in. On the nights that I dine here, it's usually booming with business. I'm surprised the owners have not consider moving to a larger piece of property...the Cava in Columbia Heights is 2 stories.
(5)
Elaine M.
We enjoyed dinner there on a Sunday evening and the place was packed! The menu offers a wide variety of Mediterranean small plates. They recommend two small plates per person. The food was fresh and the presentation was interesting. I ordered the Gyro Slider and it was excellent. The wines come from Greece! I ordered the organic red which was good, not full bodied but went well with the food I ordered. The only negative was the noise level. We had trouble hearing each other. The way the dining area is set up that really can't be fixed. I'd definitely go back.
(5)
Mike M.
Ok, how have I not known about this place? Just amazing food. Some of the best I've had in the area. Had my first visit last week, second visit this past week. Plan more soon. Try the spicy lamb sliders. Oh my, just amazing. The few things I've had are just amazing. Both visits have been at lunch so I'm looking forward to dinner soon. I will say this is a tiny place (with fantastic servers) but it gets packed really fast. But be patient. It's worth it.
(5)
Jenny N.
This place is pretty nice! It's in the Traville shopping center perpendicular to the Giant. It's a little weird because it almost seems like you have to enter through the back but I guess that's just the way the shopping center was built. I believe it's a Sleepys or a Matress Discounters next to it. There isn't a lot of parking directly outside of the restaurant but again, there is a Giant grocery store there so you CAN find parking. Everyone is very nice and is very knowledgeable about the food. The food is tapas style so they're smaller plates meant to be shared - usually 2-3 different items for every couple that goes in. I'm a fatty so I always go for 4. ;) I've been there a couple times and there were some things that were amazing and some that were ok. Here is what I thought (please excuse me if I spelled it wrong): Taramosolata: it's a dipping sampler. The server told me which one everything was but of course I was already drooling over everything that I didn't listen. I definitely know which one was the tzatziki and honestly, I have better. This one was a little bland but all the other dips were good. Octopus: was pretty good but I felt was over cooked. It lost it's texture and became a little chewy Scallops Risotto: MmmmMmm...that's all I need to say. Everything was fantastic with this dish down the last bite. Very seldom can I find a place in the suburbs that cooks scallops correctly. Scallops should almost melt in your mouth not be chewy like how a lot of seafood restaurants tend to cook them. The risotto was a great touch. Mini Gyros Pita: These were really cute and actually really filling. They come in a set of 3 and I ended up taking them home but they're individually wrapped in foil so very easy to take Lamb shank: For the life of me I can't remember what it was called. They have since taken it off the menu (I think it's seasonal) but it was pieces of lamb over some type of pasta. It was soo good I ordered 2. Surf & turf: This was from the daily specials area and was actually a decent amount. I shared this and my friend likes her steak M while I prefer mine almost raw. I was surprised to find that the steak was still pretty tender and juicy.
(4)
Nandini M.
I've been a longtime fan of Cava. The food is fantastic, service is great, ambience fun and easy parking. What more can you ask for in a restaurant? This time we got the usual of which the saganaki and mac and cheese are a must. Tried the butternut squash pie (tasty) and the mushrooms (okay) for the first time. I love their harissa so much I go through tubs from the grocery store at home. It's a schlep for the Washingtonians but so worth the drive. I like this location a lot better than the one on the Hill. It's a tight squeeze inside, but once the food comes you don't even notice. So glad they've maintained their quality and consistency as they've expanded in the area.
(5)
Caroline L.
Can't remember all of the individual dishes I got but none stood out as being bad. I like the atmosphere- dark and inviting. The tables are bit closer together than I'd like but they are REALLY popular and can use every space they can I suppose. Service was great. Parking in front can be a bit hard to get but you can just park at the adjacent parking lots. It's not cheap food but not expensive either. And gotta get the flaming cheese!!
(4)
Roland Q.
I love their sun dried tomato sauce dip! I'd go there just to eat that flavor!
(4)
Lillian C.
I can't say I was too impressed with what I got at Cava Mezze. The service was decent and the food came out in no time, I just expected a little more "wow" factor. I hear really good things about Cava Mezze from co-workers and really enjoy their crazy feta, so it must be good right? The best thing I had the entire night was the grilled octopus. At 14 dollars for a single tentacle which couldn't have been more than 3 oz, it was delicious and well-prepared but right there is the price of an entree or entire sushi roll elsewhere. The spanikopita was also delicious, but rather greasy. I would have preferred a thicker phyllo shell and more spinach. It was like the greek equivalent of a crab rangoon. The big disappointment factor here are the mini gyros. You get three small gyros for $10.95, so I'm expecting some decent "high end" gyros then. Uh no- the Kronos gyro meats at greasy sub and pizza shops totally blows this gyro away. This is some of the driest, flavorless gyro meat I've ever had. I was embarrassed that I used this as my "introduction" to a friend's first venture into greek food. There was too much pita in proportion to gyro and the tzatziki was unremarkable, too warm when it got to our table, and was slathered around sad diced tomatoes that probably have been sitting around a bit because it didn't give that cool, refreshing juicy contrast to the greasy gyro it's supposed to. Not to mention, the cold, soggy french fries stuffed into this already overly carby roll- just no. I also had the peach martini which was decent and on par with every other mid-level restaurant in MoCo that sells booze. My bill for two after tip was about $80 which is not bad for tapas for two plus booze, but I simply expected tastier, more exciting food from this place. I would even argue that the Cava Grill exceeds Cava Mezze in expectations.
(3)
Alisa O.
Cava recently updated their menu and decor. We have been to the "new" Cava a couple times and the food seems a little better, which is great because the food was already good. The new bar has been a fail, though, so I have removed a star. I got the wrong cocktail one time (which the waiter explained was due to a new bartender but couldn't he have corrected the order instead of bringing it to the table and then throwing his bartender under the bus?) and overall I do not like their new cocktails. I order wine now.
(4)
Duy N.
Came back and tried old and new things. Scallops risotto was pretty good, but slightly overcooked this time. Brussels sprouts are very crispy. Pork belly good. Lamb meatballs Ok. Ouzo is interesting but not for everyone. Looks like this place is settling 4.5 stars. Still a local favorite place!
(4)
Mel L.
We went on a Wednesday night at around 9. No reservation was needed, but there were still many people dining at the time so the restaurant was very lively. We ordered 3 plates: + beet&kale salad: light dressing, well seasoned + rocked salad: poached pear was very yummy with a white wine taste. Pistachio added a great crunchy texture and it was perfected toasted + brussels sprout: the Greek yogurt added extra sweetness and creaminess to the well cooked veggie We liked all three plates. We'll definitely go back to try more! The complementary pita bread and oil plate was great too. Bread was warm and soft and the red pepper spread was a winner!
(4)
Vish K.
I love this place! My family and I eat at Cava Mezze when we want really good food in a comfortable environment.
(5)
Sarah C.
Again, another fabulous hidden place. It's small and very loud, as others have stated, but it is very well run! I just had my birthday dinner here after wanting to try it for a while. I will most definitely be back to hopefully up the rating to 5 stars. Everything was perfect. The only resemblance of a complaint is that my 9yr old daughter whispered to the server that it was my bday and if she could bring out a desert at the end, but it must have gotten overlooked. My daughter was a little disappointed that her surprise was ruined. On the other hand, we were so happy with the food and service that we were ok with it. Our food all came fresh and hot, straight off the grill! We totally over-ordered, so much so that there was room for error, but everything came out timely and correct. My absolute favorite was the grilled octopus!! Absolutely fresh, tender and grilled to perfection. I don't know if there's a trick, but every time I've had the best grilled octopus it has been at a Greek restaurant! My least favorite was the lollipop chicken, but I think that's just because I'm not a fan of dark meat to begin with. We also loved the Greek salad, mini chicken gyros, and spanakopita. We thought the macncheese was good, along with the mussels and opa opa shrimp, but I'd like to try other things next time. This place is clean, attentive, and delicious!
(4)
Rita W.
Always receive great service here. It's usually dark and crowded for dinner service, so it tends to get really loud. I prefer to go during weekend brunch, but the menu is slightly different. My favorite picks: -scallops risotto -lollipop chicken -chicken souvlaki -egg benedict -any of the hashes
(4)
Jonathan C.
Quite good for the price point. A few overall impressions: -The portions are small (but not a problem for me, I will take quality over quantity any day) -Very dark inside -Quite loud when it's more than half full. We got the Saganaki as a starter. It's deep fried cheese, flambeed at the table. Totally unremarkable. It's just really salty fried cheese with tons of lemon on it. But of course it's fun to see a big fire. I got the Lamb Kapana which was really interesting. It's shredded lamb in a tomato sauce on orzo. The thing that makes it really unique is the smoked feta on top. The combination of flavors makes it taste like a BBQ pork dish. Very nice, though there is hardly any lamb in there and a lot of pasta. Would have preferred more protein, seeing as the overall portion size is quite small. My date got the crab cakes. Just good crab cakes, nothing special there. Plenty of large chunk crab in there in three small dollops. Overall quite nice, nothing that absolutely knocked our socks off, but didn't disappoint, either.
(3)
Anna A.
The food here is out of this world. Is it a bit overpriced? Hell yes! I don't know if I can justify spending 10 dollars for some watermelon and feta. However, the main dishes are to die for. I love the lamp chops and the stuffed grape leaves before hand. The French toast is the best I've ever had by far. Only bad thing to say about this place other than some of the items on the menu being overpriced is the fact that there is barely any space and sometimes I am so close to another stranger that I can recall the story of their lives afterwards. I understand they have a smaller restaurant, but maybe try to limit the amount of guest you can have in there at a time.
(4)
Annie S.
One of my favorite restaurants in this area! The food is great- everything about it. It's tapas style dining and yes, it doesn't look like much when the food comes out but you will definitely leave full! I usually order a few dishes between me and a couple others and share. The service is good too- I hate going to places where the food is great but the service sucks- this is not one of those places. The spicy lamb sliders are amazing if you like a little heat. The scallop risotto is another favorite along with the grilled baby octopus and lollipop chicken. Everything on the menu is just perfect- I really don't think I've tried anything on the menu that I didn't like (and I've been coming here for a few years). Their wine selection is great too. This place isn't meant for a big group of people but great for up to a group of four at most- not the most spacious. But, I still love bringing people here who haven't tried it.
(5)
Eric K.
Another restaurant that I absolutely love! The food here is amazing! Of course I get the same thing every time so all I really know is that the Meatballs, Mac & Cheese and the dips are insanely good! You can also buy some of the dips at Whole Foods. Do yourself a favor and try the Crazy Feta.
(5)
Shana K.
I been here many many times for lunch and dinner. Haven't found anything that I didn't like on the menu food and drink-wise. The pita bread is so good that sometimes I just want to get the dips and bread for the whole meal. They tend to fill up, so get their early so you don't have to wait or sit up at the small bar and grab a wonderful Greek wine.
(5)
Bill M.
Its been a while since we ate here. This is a pretty laid back place and is pretty loud. So if you're coming for a quiet, romantic dinner this is probably going to cramp your style. But if you're looking for great food, this is the place. Wine list is great to explore. Greek wines are featured and are strong performers. I suggest having the ouzo. It is the best ouzo I have ever had. We tried the beet salad, baby octopus, mini gyros, pork belly, and chicken lollipops. Beet salad was the lowest rated dish, the mustard sauce wasn't a good accompaniment. The baby octopus was incredible. As good or better than Komi locally. Pork belly was very good too. The chicken lollipops were the best tasting drumsticks I have ever had. The mini gyros are a misnomer. They are one huge gyro broken into three sandwiches. Oh so good. Had loukimades (donut holes) for desert. Great. Bottom line: everything is good here.
(4)
Jessica A.
We scored a table for Valentines Day and the atmosphere was oh-so-romantico. The dip appetizer was delicious...as were the lamb sliders, the zucchini fritters, etc. I went for the scallops risotto per the raving reviews here and...I was kind of disappointed. Maybe it was an off day? The scallops were SO salty, I felt like I was actually eating a chewy block of salt. :( That made me sad. Ah well, you can't win em all. The service was fantastic! And the rest of the meal was filling and delicious. I'll give it another go.
(4)
Duncan D.
Love the food and drinks at Cava! Definitely my go-to spot when I am not at Sugo.
(5)
Tiffany L.
Best tapas restaurant I've been to! I have only been here two times but I've been to La Tasca, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Masa 14 and probably a few others I just can't remember. This place is the only place that actually have tapas that are semi filling and worth the money. My boyfriend and I came here for an early dinner Wednesday. The place was fairly empty but as we were leaving it started to get busy. We ordered five dishes- dip sampler 10$, calamari 8$, lamb chops 15$, spicy lamb meatballs 10$, grilled octopus ~15$. For the total price of just under 70$ and the amount of food that came out, we were both satisfied. It may have been the pita bread and some of the fries but either way we were full. Dips were good- our favorites were the garlic and eggplant. Calamari was a decent size serving and very nice and crispy. Lamb chops were so tender and juicy. I wish they gave you more than two though. They came with fries which were prob a filler and just okay. Spicy lamb meatballs weren't very spicy but had decent flavor to it. Grilled octopus was very tender too. It didn't have as much flavor as other grilled octopus dishes I've tried. All in all, I had a very good second visit and will definitely want to come back to try more dishes. *whenever I can get my boyfriend to get tapas again.
(4)
Jinhee K.
This is the best restaurant of all in Montgomery County Maryland. I love their food and environment. I definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Jarreau B.
The food is amazing i like the ambiance but its a over priced tapas place...That's just how I feel about it..
(3)
Sunny R.
Had a client meeting here and this was my first time. It was really noisy which didn't really matter to me. I'm noisy myself after a couple of drinks :) The food was falafel was good. The fried cheese was way too salty for me. I wish they could handle that. I opted for the lamb chops. It was awesome! Skinned the bone to the T :) The front toast dessert was superb! Will I come back? Absolutely!
(4)
Andrew R.
The food was great, everything was way beyond average. Green beans, falafel fritters, grape leaves. Excellent. The beet dish was just ok, it's probably the only thing I wouldn't order again. Two negatives. It was *very* dark in the restaurant, and it was so loud you could barely have a conversation.
(4)
Shira S.
I felt the need to update my review simply to share my love of having tried the Stuffed Calamari last night. OMG! It was tender and succulent and all of those fabulous food words. The mushrooms and Cava Mac & Cheese continued to be yummy last night. My dirty martini was also spot on. Yum!
(5)
Mina C.
The scallops risotto is the reason why I come here. My friend and I had a girls dinner here with good food/drinks and good conversation. The only thing is, like other reviews mention, is how noisy the restaurant can be. We had mini gyros (good but not great), lollipop chicken (yum), the scallops (AWESOME), and the brioche French toast dessert (yummyyy). Another time I went I had the lamb sliders. A little spice and a whole lot of flavor !
(4)
David Y.
I love Cava Mazze It is very interesting very different and delisouse. Love it.
(5)
Camila M.
I heard about this place from my friend who is engaged to one of the owners, and her parents who rave about it. My family and I went there last Saturday and boy were we positively surprised. I expected it to be good, but it wasn't just good. It was great! It far exceeded our expectations. I never expected that at this small neighborhood restaurant I would have eaten the best octopus, best falafel, and best mediterranean dips I ever had. Ever! I have travelled the world, and I am an avid foodie, and this mediterranean place has better food than the Mediterranean itself. The tapas are a good size, not that small. You can be good with just one or two, unlike most tapas places. I am absolutely in love! It has a nice vibe also, it's cozy, lights are dim, there is plenty of parking all around. Don't be fooled by the blinds being closed - the restaurant is open! You may not be able to see inside, but come around to the front door and you will see it's a happening place. Their organic greek red wine was superb as well. And their drinks list is wonderful. I highly recommend them, they deserve their outstanding reputation and increasing success. Everyone will benefit from their now 4 different locations. And I am a true EMP type foodie - so trust me. It is worth going there.
(5)
Lina J.
Another one of my favorite places to go to Rockville. Like most people say, the Lollipop Chicken is fantastic! I really enjoyed the spanokopita and lamb too. The pita bread they serve you when you're seated is delicious too, just be sure not to fill up too much on it! In my experience, two dishes per person was actually pretty sufficient. I came here with my family twice and we're not huge eaters so it was just right when we all shared. Though, admittedly, it might be because we all filled up on the pita haha. I only wish the place weren't so dark! I could barely read my menu the first time I came here. I always try to sit outside if the weather is nice and if there's a table available. I thought the noise level was actually pretty high too? I couldn't hear (or see) people at my table very well. Despite this, all in all, I think this place is an absolute gem and I'll be back!
(4)
Shawn H.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place. My wife and I are still waiting to be disappointed here. Veggies are a touch overpriced, but everything has been so good. Lollipop Chicken is as good as advertised. Saganaki is the cheese dish you see getting lit on fire, very savory. Spanakopita is legit, Zucchini Fritters are legit, gyros, meatballs, pork belly, calimari, all legit. Great bar, good beer selection and solid cocktails. Definitely a good night out destination.
(5)
Bola W.
I've been to the Eastern Market Location and the Rockville location however this review is for the Rockville location. The food is great especially the Tzatziki Dip, Mini Chicken Pita and the Lollipop Chicken. The three dips they bring you with the pita bread is fantastic also however the red sauce (I forget the name of it) is noticeably more spicy at the Eastern Market location then it is in the Rockville location. The only downside to the Rockville location is that is it small! I'm not a very big person however when I go there with friends we are usually rubbing elbows at the table with one another so be for warned! Aside from the space Cava is a fantastic place to grab lunch, dinner or brunch.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
My brother-in-law has raved about Cava for some time, and I was very excited to finally try it out. We were able to snag a table over Labor Day weekend by walking in, which was great! The location is very convenient for anyone in the Rockville area. Sadly, I am not drinking currently (yay pregnancy!) but the cocktail and wine list looked fabulous. We all ordered a variety of plates to share. My favorites were the Tyropita (phyllo with cheese? Sign me up.), the Baked Feta (lovely alternative to baked Brie), and the Spicy Lamb Sliders. I highly recommend the grape leaves as an almost palate cleanser in between plates. Cooling and great flavor! It's easy to spend a great deal of money here, so definitely pick and choose carefully. Some plates are larger than others.
(5)
Jessica L.
I love this place! Chic and trendy, nice crowd and always great food. I love the shrimp souvlaki ! Always clean and great ambiance .
(5)
Jay S.
Holy Mother of Mary! I was visiting for the weekend and instead of going to the usual fa-meh-liar places, I decided to Yelp my surroundings and take stock of the Yelpers' consensus. Imagine my surprise when I saw Cava Mezze had an average rating of 4.5 stars from 342 reviews. In Yelpland, that is pretty much unheard of for a restaurant. So despite not having a fondness for Mediterranean, I took the plunge. Oh my Mauzner! My taste buds exploded in premature gratification when I tasted the Lollipop Chicken appetizer: From the juicy chicken legs to the perfect crispy coating to the tasty yogurt, I immediately knew I had made the best dining decision of my life. Next up was the Souvlaki Platter -- four skewers of beef, lamb, chicken and shrimp with warm pita bread and tzatziki sauce served over the best fries on Earth. The chicken was best but all of the meat tasted fresh and was perfectly spiced. My waiter's recommendations were so spot on, I decided to ask for another tip. He suggested the Flaming Feta cheese covered in 151 Rum and I went for it. Unbelievable! Finally, despite being stuffed more than a 4 year old's first Build-A-Bear animal, I knew I had to experience dessert. Again, I put my trust in the hands of the excellent wait staff and they did not hesitate: The French Toast with Creme. I know what you're thinking: After a huge meal, you probably prefer something light rather than a carb-heavy piece of French Toast. So, I'm telling you: Ignore that thought and just order the damn FRENCH TOAST dessert! Totally worth breaking your low-carb diet for! Overall, the God of Yelp had spoken: Thou Shalt Not Come to Rockville and Not Eat at Cava Mezze!
(5)
Katerina T.
I absolutely love this place! Being Greek, many of the dishes on the menu are authentic as you get. Their food is extremely fresh and very consistent. I love to go on Tuesday nights when they have half priced bottles of wine. My go to (Greek) wines are: Santorini Gavala (white) or the Katogi St. George (red). You can never go wrong with these two. The lamb sliders are my absolute favorite thing on the menu and order them every.singe.time. For dessert, order the French Toast! Absolutely life changing!! Whatever you order, it will be delicious!
(5)
Brandon C.
I finally found it. My first 5 star experience. I've eaten in many states around the country and a few countries in Europe, but I've never eaten anywhere where I could truly say I had a 5 star experience. Until I went here. This is the only place I have been to where everything aligned perfectly. The pricing was amazing. Astounding. Nearly everything other than alcohol was under $18. Many small dishes too to choose from under $10, that all looked amazing. Not to mention instead of bread, you get a ton of warm pita bread slices with different dips and olives. For dinner I got the scallops risotto because I saw it mentioned from someone else on Yelp. Best scallops I've ever had. The bartender also shared the story behind them and how they are processed. So far, price and food seem aligned. Then, it gets better and the bartender is charismatic and informative. He doesn't say too much nor seem uninformed. He tells everyone everything they need to know and it was just the perfect service I've ever had. All the while, he seemed relaxed and confident of this restaurant, as did everyone else who worked there. It was not necessarily fast paced, but a lot was going on and every employee seemed to be handling it with grace. On top of this, it was a Tuesday and bottles of wine were HALF OFF. Completely insane. I've found a place I will go back to whenever I am even within an area of. I want to invest in this restaurant, its so amazing.
(5)
Dee S.
I had brunch here with a large group, so I was able to try many of the small plates. Just about everything was delicious, but the portion sizes were small and I can't say that they were filling, even though I had samples from many dishes. The fried cheese and the lollipop chicken seemed like the top selections at our table. I'm glad I was with a group, because everyone else received their food quickly except for me. Don't know what the problem was, but I waited a long time for my Classic Eggs Benedict. I'm glad I was able to sample my companions' food while waiting. Everyone had finished eating by the time my eggs arrived, and I was so hungry that I was glad no one wanted any of what I had ordered! If you don't like noise, make an early brunch reservation like we did. The place was getting noisy when we left.
(3)
John B.
It's a shame that most people seem not to be aware of the Traville Center. It's really quite nice, but it's just a bit farther out than most people go, so it doesn't get a ton of visitors, and businesses turn over a lot. I have a feeling Cava Mezze is here to stay though. It's a destination. They have a really excellent, ever-changing menu of small-plate Greek dishes. Plenty of vegetarian options. Everything is pretty much delicious, and these dishes are best shared. Their hummus is good enough to be sold in grocery stores throughout the region. Ever tried fries with feta? You should. Of course, the feta with jalapeno peppers is what they're known for. Plenty of vegetarian options; and I think people with other special diets could eat here as well, definitely some vegan options and their website has gluten free listings. It's pretty spendy; you have to order quite a few of those small plates to be full. But you'll want to. The lighting is kept very low despite it being a corner building full of windows. The servers are a Starbucks-y breed of twenty-somethings who seem to fall in to these jobs. I've been in similar positions, so I sympathize. Sometimes they struggle to get the order right, but that seems de rigeur at tapas/mezze type places where people are ordering a blizzard of small plates. Hard to imagine someone not liking Cava.
(4)
Katie I.
The food is fantastic. I almost exclusively order from the mezze menu, which is full of deliciousness. The mezze menu (and its prices!) stays the same for lunch and dinner, which is nice. Mezzes are slightly bigger than tapas; usually I'll order two per person and share a dessert (or two). The meat mezzes can run you for about $10-15 each, with vegetables a few dollars cheaper and seafood on the slightly higher end. My friends and I usually end up spending about $30 per person, not including drinks. Pretty pricey for lunch, but it's money well spent. The veggies: I really like the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower (both served with Greek yogurt). The spanakopita is pretty good too, but be careful when you bite in--the middle stays really hot for a long time! The white bean ragout was surprisingly tasty (I usually don't enjoy bean dishes, but was once reluctantly convinced to try it by a friend... Needless to say, that reluctance is long gone!). The meats and seafood are the shining delights, in my experience. Cava Mezze does an excellent job with "crunchy outside, tender inside" foods. The lollipop chicken is a long-time favorite, crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside, with a touch of honey. The pork belly is crispy-sweet-savory-delicious. Lamb is good in any form, although I'm not as fond of the meatballs/sliders. The scallops risotto is lovely. Three perfectly cooked scallops on a bed of warm and comforting creamy saffron rice. The desserts: I have tried all of the desserts except for the Greek yogurt. They're pretty generously portioned, EXCEPT for the chocolate. The chocolate and cherries has a nice balance of sweet and tart, and it makes for a nice ending if you're on the fuller side (or aren't as big of a fan of sweets). If you have more room in your belly, I highly recommend the French toast (that glorious whipped cream!) or the baklava (particularly good for those with a stronger sweet tooth). Service is fast, professional and pretty attentive. They do get very busy at night (on Friday nights expect them to be busy until closing), so they often bring the check to your table after dessert, which you can pay at your leisure. I've never felt rushed by the servers, something I appreciate a lot. The ambiance: during the lunch hours, I like the sunlight through the back windows. At night, the tables are candlelit and the whole restaurant is swathed in dimness. So dim that from the outside you might not even notice that they're open. It's a bit of a pity, because the food is presented so nicely--but it also makes this a popular date spot (besides, y'know, that the food is so good at least SOMETHING will leave a wonderful impression). I went on a snowy Monday afternoon with a friend and there was only one other occupied table. That's not the norm, though--almost every time I've gone the place has been packed. Slightly less packed during lunch time, but it's still pretty popular among the professionals in the area. I've never had to wait for a table, but this place is better for if you have a small group than a large party (just two is best). This is also because the noise level gets to crazy heights. The tables aren't large, but you'll have to raise your voice a few notches to be heard. Not shouting level, per se, but it does detract from the experience a little. Parking is easy! Parking in front of the Giant is best since the entrance is on that side (a little counterintuitive; I keep forgetting and trying to enter from the door facing Quench). OVERALL: food is great, service is good, ambiance is okay (too loud when crowded, which is almost always in the evenings). A good dinner date location, but too noisy for a first date. Would I come here again? Yes! Can I afford to eat here again? Not as often as I would like.
(4)
Eileen S.
A co worker of mine wanted to find a nice place to take our manager for dinner. We found this place and the food was absolutely amazing! The service was fast and I did not leave hungry at all. My manager said this is top of the list of places he will come to visit when he comes back to Maryland. The Pork Belly (I did not try this but my manager and coworker said this was dee-lish) Scallops Risotto (excellent!) Opa Opa Shrimp (rich and creamy sauce) Lollipop Chicken (my favorite! )
(5)
Jen C.
Ate here a couple years ago for the first time and fell in love. The second time, it was still wonderful. This time, I do still find the food really tasty but there were very subtle changes to the food. The lollipop chicken is still very good, and the sweet syrup gives it a nice balance. It's easy to miss though, in the nice darkly lit restaurant--so be sure to scoop it all up. It's still good proportions and high quality chicken. My husband calls it Greek bonchon chicken done right. The risotto was still lovely and a favorite, but the rice was just a touch undercooked...used to be a lot smoother and not as grainy. Scallops still wonderful though. Chicken souvlaki was good but I think it's overpriced for what it is; grilled white meat chicken. I prefer a juicier, darker meat on my kabobs, personally. Cauliflower is yummy--nice roasted flavor. Has the same flavor profile as their lolipop chicken, so if you happen to be considering both, pick one or the other. (SuGo does the same cauliflower by the way added with tomatoes; also worth checking out). The fries were much, much saltier than I remember them...it could be less salty, since the parmesan itself serves as a good salter. Finally, lamb chops disappointed me. The flavor and fries under it were still spot on, but nearly half of both shanks were full of fat...that didn't happen in the past. So really, we only got two full bites out of it! Same great service and FAST food (we only waited 2 minutes for our first dish to come out and another 2 between each) that is fresh and piping hot, but the detail of quality has declined a TOUCH if you have been a constant Cava supporter. PS: You can now RSVP on Sundays
(4)
Alex V.
We stopped in here for a quick business lunch, my Gyro was extremely good. Not the best I've ever had, but very good. The service was solid, and the ambiance was modern. I had a huge hair in my french fries though, that's really my only negative.
(4)
Ken C.
French toast for brunch! Delicious... Staff is always friendly and helpful. I mentioned their French Toast but really everything for brunch is great.
(5)
Flavia N.
Best food and quaint atmosphere. The lollipop chicken and brussel sprouts are amazing! You have to try this place out and don't forget the wine!!
(5)
Jake T.
Delicious food. Really recommend this place. Been happy with everything we've true, but would say don't pass up on the cava fries and the chicken lollipops. Amazing
(4)
Anita S.
On a busy night, Cava Mezza accommodated our large party for a family birthday seamlessly. Our server, Emily, was amazing and attentive. The atmosphere was festive, even loud, but thoroughly enjoyable! The food was delicious--SO delicious! If you order the truffles for dessert, be prepared to SHARE--so rich and yummy, but too much for one person! We had a great time and look forward to returning often.
(5)
Leah W.
My husband and I had a wonderful lunch here. I love Mediterranean food and they had a nice selection. I had the lamb and it was so good. I am planning on being back soon. My only complaint is I wish they were more centrally located in Rockville- like the Town Center or such.
(5)
Jarvis A.
Yes, yes, and yes! I ate at Cava Mezze with a group of coworkers while training in Rockville, MD. Cava had half bottle wines on Tuesday night, and red wine and Tapas mix like bikinis and South Beach. So the restaurant was loud, crowded, poorly lit, and trendy. So it was exactly what I was looking for.The food was good and plentiful. The service was great. I could really ramble for paragraphs so I'll end it right here, eat here and come with friends.
(5)
Eduard K.
I tried hanger steak, crabcake, fried calamari - everything was very delicious! Will definitely recommend my friends. Half-price bottle of wine on Tuesdays was great as well :).
(5)
Kelly C.
What. The. Hell. I grew up in this area and didn't try this place until this past month. WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE?! I came here for a dinner with two of my girl friends and it was a great experience! Our waiter was attentive and helpful when we had any questions about recommendations for what we should get and how much to order. We ended up sharing the lollipop chicken, meatballs, mini gyros, and scallop risotto. IT just so happened that most of the plates we ordered came with 3 or more pieces, which made sharing really easy for us. I ended up loving everything we ordered and the 4 tapas plates was actually a perfect amount of food for us 3 girls. I'm definitely going to have to come back again to try the rest of the menu items.
(5)
Tara C.
Favorite rockville restaurant. Love the food. Service is always good. Wine selection is really good. Usually a long wait but worth it.
(4)
Cheetos H.
Simply one of the best restaurants that I've been to in a long time. I've heard of this restaurant, but it took me years to get around to going to it. The spicy dip that they provide to you is worth visiting alone. We ordered the crazy feta, pork belly, baby octopus with fennel, lamb meatballs, mussels, roasted Brussel sprouts, chicken souvlaki, spanakita, and a few more dishes that I can't remember the names. Give this restaurant a try. It's so worth it.
(5)
Amy G.
A consistently great place to eat! Lollipop chicken is phenomenal and the service is always top notch! Can be long waits on the weekends because of the small size of the place, but it's once you get seated it's well worth it. Great wine selections too!
(5)
Brenda D.
I guess tapas are in because this place was super crowded! They don't take reservations on Friday and Saturdays, so when we showed up at 7 PM on a Saturday, there was a 45 minute wait. When we finally got seated, the staff were attentive and the food came out fast and fresh. Based on other yelpers recommendations, we tried the lollipop chicken and lamb chops. We ourselves wanted to try the baby octopus, mac & cheese, fried calamari and filet mignon. The lollipop chicken tasted like sweet fried chicken. Personally I didn't like it that much...maybe it's an acquired taste. The lamb chops came with 2, but one of them was full of fat. It was tender and seasoned well, but probably not worth $15 since we were only able to eat 1. The baby octopus was a delightful surprise. It was grilled, cut into bite size pieces and very tender. Even my boyfriend who hates octopus enjoyed it. The calamari was and filet mignon were pretty average for any restaurant. Nothing too special. The mac and cheese was a disappointment. I was expecting baked macaroni shells, but instead I got fettuccine covered in cheese. It also was the last dish to come out, so we were very full by then. It was a good experience and I would suggest 5 tapas is good enough for 2 people.
(4)
Crissy D.
Love the atmosphere. It is a loud place, so if you are looking for more quiet and intimate, than this is not the place for you. The food is outstanding and I'm obsessed with their sauces.The prices are reasonable and they have half off bottle wine nights that make for happy hours even happier. Good to go with a group of 2-6. That way you can hear everyone at the table. Any more people and youll have trouble catching conversations.
(4)
Danny D.
Tried this place for the first time and it was some of the best Greek food in the area. Started with the Saganaki that is served like I remembered from Chicago Greek town... up in flames! It was the best! Also had the hummus that was very good. The scallop risotto was the highlight of the night. So much so we had to order a second round. Also had the meatball plate (good), crab cake (delicious), and the bolognese (a sweet sauce but very good). Also had the Greek donuts for dessert. All in all a great experience. Looking forward to going back and trying other dishes... right after the scallop risotto! The only reason for 4 stars and not 5 was the size of the dining room at this location. Pretty tight. But the food is well worth it!
(4)
Xtine C.
Love their food! I've tried almost everything and it's always the best I've ever had. The Haloumi is AMAZING!!! I'm a sucker for cheese so a melty crunchy cheese that's on fire? HECK YEAH! Mushroom risotto is on point and the scallops are amazing. The braised beef and pork chops are cooked to perfection! Those are must haves! I brought friends here on numerous occasions to try it out and every single person loved it! Great for dates!
(5)
Sabrina U.
This place wasn't bad, just...OK. Overall, each dish seemed to be missing something - the flavor wasn't there. Again, it wasn't bad but it wasn't great and there was nothing to make me wanna go back (in which case would have given a 4). We had the crispy pork belly, lollipop chicken, lamp chops (way too dry) and saganaki. The Greek beer was the best part of our meal and both myself and my friend's stomach seemed to be off after the meal. Not sure what that was about but mine still doesn't feel right. Also, the food came out way too fast. We ordered, had our free pita and the dishes came out practically one after the other. It felt too rushed. And I really dislike small tables, especially with tapas...you have to maneuver and constantly move things around. No bueno.
(3)
Lindsay W.
Lollipop chicken was FANTASTIC.
(5)
Erica C.
Cava is by far my favorite restaurant in the Rockville area. I can't say that I have had something there that wasn't fantastic. The lollipop chicken is fun and fantastic. Get it! The octopus is also quite nice. The bronzino is cooked nicely, great for two people. They also had something that they light on fire in front of you. I have no idea what it is, but a lot of people were ordering it. The desserts are more than an afterthought at Cava. The baklava is seriously awesome. It comes with a giant scoop of ice cream, so of course it is awesome, right? Please go here. The food is awesome. The atmosphere is awesome. Go to Cava!
(5)
Peggy K.
LOVED, this place. Portion sizes were good and the food was delicious. My mother and I are avid meat eaters so when it comes to our meat, we are not easily impressed; however, we were pleasantly surprised by Cava Mezze. Any kind of meat we ordered, whether it was chicken or lamb, it was always juicy and tender. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Wasn't really a fan of their desserts but that may be because I'm more of an ice cream kind of girl and they had limited options. The only thing I DON'T recommended is going here during busy hours. This place literally becomes packed and it is quite annoying since the place is small in the first place. But this is a minor detail, so you should still check this place out if you love eating meat!
(5)
Irene A.
This place is good. This is my second time going and I had the macaroni and cheese, the crazy feta, and chicken. the first time I went I got the gyro sliders which were to die for...I truly recommend it. The only thing that is not so good about the place is that we were a big group of 12 people. They don't take reservations so I had to get in touch with the manager before going and they don't do split checks so it made it so hard at the end to organize the payment. Also, it seemed like the waitress was trying to rush us to order. Within 5 minutes of sitting down she asked us what we wanted to eat....and then every 5 minutes after that she kept asking. I personally don't like being rushed when I go out to eat. The food comes out rather quickly after ordering. I recommend it but not if you're with a big group of people.
(4)
Virginia C.
Its like a Greek style Tapas bar! I love the idea of being able to order a billion small dishes so that you can try a whole range of different dishes on their menu! My boyfriend and I ordered steamed muscles, spicy lamb sliders, gyro and fries, and two tossed salads. Which by the way, was all extremely delicious!! We satisfied our craving for red meat!, seafood, and fries! Straight to the point, the food was on great the service was attentive, atmosphere was dark and chic. Perfect place for a date night, I highly recommend :)
(4)
Syed A.
We had had a great meal at Cava Mezze Grill located in Tysons Corner and wanted to grab a quick one close to our home, but we were very surprised and shocked that this location looked nothing like the one in Tysons. This one here in Rockville is just called Cava Mezze, hence the confusion. It is located in a quiet neighborhood in a nice new shopping mall, but once we were inside the place it felt like we were in a busy New York restro in downtown Manhattan. The place is loud, serves alcohol, and has people and tables falling over each other. Well, not literally, but the table next to you is so close you can hear their conversation. Service is fast paced, the food servings are small, its difficult to converse with the other person without shouting, place is dark, wonderful food and location, but Im sorry, for myself, I might not come here again! Not a good place for a business meeting, first date, or formal meetings. They serve bread and spicy sauce and olive oil as starters, complimentary on the house. Very good, I mean really good. We filled up just on that for dinner We ordered roasted eggplant, which was awesome. Made from red pepper , garlic, and herbs, this was a great starter. Then did Zucchini Fritters, made of aged barrell feta, herbs, and tzatziki which gives it the extra flavor. Then finally, the grand finale with Opa Opa Shrimp. This was so good and was drowned in cream, dill, tomatoes, and onions. I've never seen shrimp treated so amazingly before. This place is highly recommended for all those who love eating in a loud fast paced environment, not me. I, my friend, will look for the same food in a different location!
(4)
Patricia G.
Are you kidding me... why not just have picnic tables and let everyone sit on top of each other. NO way to have a romantic dinner, unless of course, you want the person sitting 10 inches from you overhearing your sweet nothings. Food is good but not as good as the prices.. And if you want your waitresses butt In your face as she serves the table next to you, this is definitely the place to go. In a two words.... NEVER AGAIN!!!!.
(2)
Jenny C.
We took our mother hear for mother's day and it was surprisingly delicious. I'm usually really picky about restaurants and we have vegetarians and gluten allergies in our family so it's usually hard to find a good restaurant for everybody but this was great. I would recommend the dips and white bean ragout. The halloumi was also really tasty. The only thing that was kind of disappointing was the lamb souvlaki. Our family makes better lamb. It was fatty and a little tough.
(4)
Chris C.
This place rocks, Great food, drinks and atmosphere. Just like a restaurant down in DC but out in the 'burbs!
(5)
Patrick T.
Cava is an amazing place and has some of the best food ever. This specific place is a very nice restaurant. It is sort of a candle light dinner kind of thing and everyone is sitting close to each other like a family. It can get loud at times but what really matters her is the food. Food: Everything tastes great and you should really try as many different things as possible. But just a few tips. Saganaki is an amazing cheese meza which they light on fire right in front of you. The Zucchini Fritters had a very tasty sauce that came with it making it possibly my favorite thing on the menu. For sliders I suggest the Mini Gyros or the Spicy Lamb Sliders which both taste great. A lot of people say Lollipop Chicken is good but I do not find it that good. Lastly, for seafood I suggest Fried Calamari. They give you a lot, but it is so tasty your going to want it all. Dessert: The Challah bread french toast is my favorite. Topped with whip cream and fruits, it's amazing. The baklava is also very good here. Some people say the donuts are good but I think otherwise. Tips: Most of the foods come out with 3 items. Make reservations, otherwise sit at the bar which is quite nice.
(5)
Lauren H.
My favorite restaurant in all of Montgomery County. The food is consistently amazing. The saganaki is my favorite dish. It's cheese, soaked in booze, and light it on fire right before serving it. You'll see little balls of fire popping up across the restaurant all night-- so cool. The down side is the tables are practically on top of each other and the bar area is miniscule.
(5)
Kathy B.
This place is great! It's a bit on the pricey side and the shopping center it's in isn't particularly the most hip and happening place in my opinion. It's not quite Rockville Town Square though in some ways that can be a positive - an area that is quieter and less busy. The service was good. The food was spectacular. It's a bit on the pricey side but I feel tapas themed restaurants tend to be that way. The food is perfectly cooked. I wish I had more money to eat here more often!
(4)
Anthony G.
A wonderful find. Hip place, busy on a Tuesday night at 8 so it was noisy but a good sign. Well decorated, nice bar, outdoor seating and cozy interior. Simple but ample menu of Greek and Mediterranean food with great presentation and taste to match. Try the dip tasting app for a great variety in case your worried about missing something. Staff is attentive and professional. Great food, reasonable prices in a nice place. What are you waiting for? I'm here on biz and will be back!
(4)
Peter B.
The lamb burgers and octopus are my two favorite things
(4)
Eileen W.
I would give it a higher rating but the atmosphere of the restaurant was much too dark, too loud and too tightly packed making it difficult to read the menu and see the food and talk/hear the people at my table, which were only 4. The food and service were great. Our party agreed that we would not return to this restaurant. I recommend bringing a flashlight.
(3)
Audrey J.
Decent place with a happening scene. It is loud but always good! Try the fries, crazy feta and half price wine bottle night!
(4)
Kathy D.
So glad I finally got the chance to try Cava Mezze because it did NOT disappoint. No siree. :) Baked feta ($9.95): Probably my least favorite dish of the night. The thyme, walnuts, and honey weren't prominent enough and there was only one dinky crostini that came with it. Cauliflower ($8.95): Good and I like that it came on a bed of greek yogurt. Lamb chops ($15.95): Delicious! The lamb was tender and flavorful. My only complaint is the soggy fries that came with it. Lollipop chicken ($9.95): If you didn't catch on by now, this is a MUST TRY. The skin was crispy and sweet and the meat was melt in your mouth. I'll salivating just thinking about it. Scallops risotto ($16.95): Unfortunately, they ran out of scallops when I was there so I had it substituted for shrimp. Nonetheless, the risotto was AMAZING and the shrimp was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Great ambience and great for date nights! If anything, the restaurant might be a little too dark as I saw numerous people read their menus with the assistance of their cell phone lights. No doubt, I'll be back anyways to try more of the menu! GO GO GO.
(4)
Cassandra P.
Ate at the Tysons Mall location. I loved it. It was quick, fresh and many options. It is plenty of food and a great price!
(4)
Cindy Q.
My very first yelp review! I wanted to start by saying that my boyfriend and I have actually been to Cava 4 times, but actually only ate here once. First time we went, it was closed for the holiday. 2nd time we went it was around noon on a saturday, the door was open, but no one was there (weird). 3rd time we went, it was 4:45 pm so they weren't open yet. After the 3rd time my boyfriend had given up and repeatedly said it wasn't meant to be. However, I never lost hope!! I begged him to go, proclaiming their rave reviews on Yelp and how all our friends have tried it already & loved it. I finally got him to agree, and I am so glad I never gave up trying!! We ordered the lollipop chicken, lamb chops, and mac & cheese. The lollipop chicken is magnificent! Crispy, tender, & juicy. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection. I wasn't a huge fan of the Mac & Cheese, but my boyfriend was so...to each their own. The food was in fact great, but the service was even better. Dave, our server, was hands-down the best server we've ever had. Friendly, attentive, and gave his most honest opinion on everything. I will be back for the food for sure, but will only call ahead to make sure Dave is working. I'm so glad he made our first experience at Cava so spectacular! I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Suzanne C.
Food very good, especially the baby octopus and check out the warm dessert! Don't forget the Greek wines too! We waited over 45 minutes for our table with a promise of 25 minutes. Good thing we found a seat at the bar. Bartender knew his great wines. Once we were seated excellent and fast service. Atmosphere is cozy and loud, not romantic but fun! Good for singles.
(4)
Harvey E.
Large selection of small plates. Very quick service and very tasty food. Lots of tables in a small room, so can get noisy. Also, the lighting is very subdued, so it's hard to read the menu.
(4)
Noel W.
After a somewhat lack luster experience at the Capitol Hill location(of which I wrote a separate review under that particular location's Yelp page), I was very anxious to give Cava Mezze a second shot. Since there are so many rave reviews, I was really hoping we would experience what so many other diners seemed to time and time again. Thankfully, we were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the service was spot on. Unfortunately I am writing this review many months after so the details of the particular dishes that we ordered are no longer clear, but the general tastes and experience will remain in my memory for some time. Apart from this location being very small and dimly lit, the dining room has a nice energy and buzz to it and the members of the waitstaff seem to move throughout the small space quite effortlessly. I have yet to return to the Capitol Hill location, but with food this good, chances are I will be visiting them all before too long.
(4)
Sathish P.
Liked the scallop Rissotto and Chocolater with truffle.
(3)
Rebecca C.
Came here at the recommendation of a friend, and we were not disappointed. No crowd when we came for dinner around 6 on a Friday, and we got a table right away. Nice atmosphere, good for couples and friends. The pork belly is delicious, the calamari perfect (we get calamari all the time, so we have had the best and the worst, and this was some of the best). We tried the dip tasting, which came with little scoops of tzaziki, eggplant dip, whipped salmon roe, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves. All were very good, especially the salmon roe. The only thing that disappointed me was the lollipop chicken that everyone raves about. The menu describes it as "fried/honey/walnuts/Greek yogurt." I detected no trace of walnuts at all, only the faintest bit of honey (and only because my taste buds were looking for it), and a dab of Greek yogurt on the bottom. Basically it was a fancy, ordinary bit of fried chicken leg, and with a sliver of bone buried in each one, which caused my husband to momentarily panic. I'm not sure if we just got an unimpressive batch, or if it's normally that underwhelming. But overall, we really enjoyed the place and its food, and I'd be happy to go back and try new things. Our tab (no alcohol) only came to about $45 before tip, which is not bad at all for very good, unusual food served with good ambiance.
(4)
K K.
The food is always delicious, don't think I've ever come here and not enjoyed it. As such, the rest of my quibbles are minor: parking isn't fun, and prices are high for the portion size, and unlike their Clarendon location, the place is just too damn noisy. Some sound-absorbent ceiling tiles would go great in here... But again, minor quibble. I love all things Cava, and this place does not disappoint.
(4)
Olivia H.
I can't express how much I LOVE this place. The food is absolutely amazing every time I come here, and the service is phenomonal. We've had just about everything on the menu (except the flaming cheese- not a big fan of flames in such a cramped restaurant). My favorites: Lamb Chops any of the Risottos, Lamb Meatballs and any of thier Dips (especially the Haloumie!!!) I was initially surprised that they wouldn't take reservations, but I have never had a problem getting a glass of wine at the bar while I wait for a table, or if it is just a couple of us, ordering food at the bar. I have never had a bad experience with any of the waitstaff here, they are all well trained and friendly! One minor nuisance- the restaurant is TINY. I've tried to book a large party here, and they are absolutely not able or willing to accomodate a group, even for a special event. So sad that I have to avoid one of my favorite restaurants on all special occassions. If I could take away half a star I would, but the food and service have never failed me before, so I won't sacrifice a whole star for this one issue. I've already adjusted to what they can offer. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes good food. It's not as "Greek" as other Greek restaurants I've been too (and I love Greek food), but maybe that is why it appeals to so many different palates. AMAZING food, great service, but not for large groups or if you don't have time to wait for a table.
(5)
Melanie Y.
Ok, not sure why it took me so long to come here for lunch, but it definitely will not be the last time. Upon walking in, I really like the atmosphere. It's like a classier bar setting but definitely cleaner. We were seated pretty quickly, but the wait for the food was a bit long IMO. Again, when waiting too long, I always expect the food to be amazing. And why wouldn't I? If it took that long to make the food, then that would mean the chef took special care in preparing the food. I ordered the crab sliders and my coworker got his chicken wrap first. I ate some of his fries, which was pretty darn good, I must say. Few minutes later, my sliders came and presentation was nice. Two decent-sized sliders with a bed of fries. So far so good. I bit into my first slider and turned to my coworker and said "ok, now this was good enough to wait". The crab sliders had big chunks of crabs packed nicely together among bed of greens with some type of mayo sauce and onions. It was so good. Next time though, I'll be sure to ask them to hold the onions. Definitely will come back here again.
(5)
Sarah B.
Wonderful, Wonderful, wonderful!! I work near this place and have eaten here several time. Service is excellent and food is amazing. I lived in Astoria for 5 years (largest concentration of Greeks outside of Greece). I haven't has food that tasty since I moved to DC! Just awesome!!
(5)
Rob N.
hands down one the best restaurants in Montgomery county. great food and service and it;s been pretty consistent. the only problem is that this place is too small and its always full. if you want a decent Greek food, don't go anywhere else except this place. A+
(4)
Deb S.
Wonderful! Will come back when I am in the area. At first they wanted to seat us right by the bar, but we asked to be moved a little farther away based on other reviews mentioning the noise. Most of the seating away from the bar is for 4 seats, which I'd like to see them switch up. They wouldn't put us there so we couldn't get very far away. This set a bad initial tone, but the food and service made us forget all of that! The eggplant dip with fresh warm pita, olive oil and olives, came to the table before we were even settled. Spicy and fabulous! I haven't found saganaki anywhere for years, and it was everything i remembered. The village salad was fresh and flavorful and a perfect balance. We enjoyed everything and can't wait to return to try everything on the menu!
(5)
Jack W.
This place is fantastic. I've never had a bad meal here the the ambiance is really good. Great place take a date!
(5)
Mike D.
Great place! Great food, great service, friendly staff... went on a busy Friday and Saturday night the only 2 times I've been so far. A bit of a wait but worth it. Definitely going back.
(5)
Susan M.
2.5 stars, maybe 2.75 . I agree with Ali S - This place was underwhelming, based on the amount of solid reviews. My boyfriend and I went last weekend and while we enjoyed the ambiance and service, we were not impressed with most of our food selections. Warm pita + olive oil & spicy tapenade: Tasty. I had to force myself to stop eating the bread. Spanakopita: Decent but not better than what you can get from your grocer's freezer. Braised Beef: Very disappointing. The sauce lacked flavor (think sloppy joe sauce from a can) and the beef was low-grade in taste and texture. The meaty mess sat on top of a bed of overcooked french fries. Chicken Souvlaki: Dehydrated chicken on a stick. Ick. Spicy Lamb Meatballs: Delicious - the highlight of our sub par meal.
(2)
Stephanie G.
My husband and I went out to dinner here last week. We'd never been before, but I heard it was very popular so I made a reservation. I think a reservation is a must unless you want to get stuck waiting or trying to get a seat at the crowded bar. The food was delicious, as were the drinks, and the service was very good. My only complaint is that the food came out VERY quickly. We were there for a romantic dinner, and there is definitely the ambiance for that, but we felt a little rushed with our meal - like the wanted us to hurry up so they could seat one of the many people waiting. We took our time eating, ordered dessert, and also had another round of drinks to draw out the meal a little longer and we had a great time.
(4)
Kathryn L.
The food and wait staff was excellent! Really good crab cakes! We had to move from outside to inside because of mosquito like bugs. All in all a great experience!!
(4)
Jacinda T.
Cava is a nice place, definitely a gem in a random shopping center in Rockville. It can get really packed around dinner time, both weekdays and weekends, so I suggest either going really early or late... or be patient. I'm definitely not the patient type so I usually come here around 8:30. I like going on Tuesdays bc it's half priced wine, and I recommend trying one of the Greek wines. I really enjoy the lollipop chicken, scallops risotto, braised salmon. I'm not a big fan of the fried zucchini (too cheesy), the pitas, souvlaki (dry). Sorry that's all I can remember (terrible memory). My main criticism with this place is the noise and lighting. Poor insulation and acoustics makes it SO LOUD! You seriously cannot hear the person across the table from you unless both of you yell. Unfortunately the tables next to you have the same problem, so it becomes a packed room of people yelling to their friends 2 feet away. It's ok though, if the food's good enough you'll be too distracted to talk anyways.
(4)
Ingrid W.
When I went there at 1 o'clock for weekday lunch, it was pretty empty by then. The food came relatively fast, and the guy told us that the kitchen closes at 2 in case we wanted to order anything else. Based on the reviews I've read on this restaurant, I feel that Cava is slightly overrated. The lollipop chicken is good, but I wouldn't particularly recommend it. I would say that none of their dishes disappointed us and were quite delicious -- maybe I expected too much before I came? All in all, it was a good meal, albeit a tad expensive considering the portion sizes.
(4)
Emily P.
I really liked their lollipop chicken, sous vid steak (which is no longer on the menu, i think), calamari, lamb chops and meatball/spicy lamb sliders. The only dish I I didn't enjoy was the haloumi (grilled cheese). Took 1 bite and I was done with it. I'd say ordering 2-3 dishes per person would make you feel very full.
(5)
Solace C.
Good food BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT I need a cane and a service animal to get around...and I gotta make sure I dont bump into tables... besides eating in the dark as if I was being punished for being a bad stepchild the food is good!!!!! The hummus let alone is to die for... I love it! I love that whole foods carry them!!! the olives are good...and chickpeas are good tooo and so are the chicken thingys!! Service is great but please TURN on the lights!
(5)
Beautiful D.
When Cava first opened in Rockville, we would try and go as much as we could. It was great. thrilled when they opend an Arlington and DC location. Unfortunately, these 2 arent as good as the original on ein Rockville. The ambience is different, not as relaxed, trying to be pretentious. The wait staff was not friendly and seemed distracted. The food was missing something. We are going to have to travel up to Rockville to get our Cava fix.
(3)
Meana K.
Full Disclosure: I write this with absolute bias as I have known the owners long before this successful chain of restaurants was conceived. Okay, bias over. The food is DAMN GOOD. This review applies to the Rockville and Capitol Hill locations, specifically. Dimly lit ambiance, tables close enough together to keep a steady volume of laughter and conversation buzzing through the place but far enough apart that you can have an intimate conversation in private, and decor that's simple and homey and not overly trendy. Attractive waitstaff who are attentive to your requests, fill up your drinks, and serve your dishes with a very understanding look as you're wowed by presentation. The food... mmmm. So freaking good. Some of my favs: Saganaki -- flaming cheese. 'nuff said. Lollipop Chicken -- fried chicken drumsticks with a touch of greek yogurt and honey. Incredible. Cava Mac & Cheese -- simple but perfect for that carb & cheese fix. Grilled Baby Octopus -- somehow they flavor this so nicely and get that texture so perfectly tender that you forget you're eating octopus which tends to be chewy and tough at most establishments. Wilted Greens -- just to balance out the meal with something light and healthy. Whole Fish -- if they have Branzino available, order it. You won't regret it. Gyro -- a classic but stuffed with fries. I wish I had one right now. Everything else is good as well. If your party isn't having a good time here, you're not doing it right. This is the perfect place to entertain clients, impress a date, have a romantic night out, have a blast with the girls, or bring your family. Yup, family friendly. But don't bring your kids if they're going to ruin MY dining experience. :)
(5)
Jane M.
The place is small (may have to wait), service is incredibly fast (may feel rushed when you do get seated), not cheap (had dinner w/ 3 drinks, 1 app, 1 salad, 1 entree, 1 dessert: $76 including tip.) The food is amazing (don't miss the souvlaki, beet/kale salad, flaming cheese, and for heaven's sake whether or not you eat dinner-do NOT miss the challah French toast for dessert.) You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Mitch R.
Recently visited this cozy joint with my girlfriend and it was a great experience. The staff was attentive and the food was delicious. We had the lollipop chicken, pork belly, scallop risotto, asparagus and the grilled shrimp. The lollipop chicken and pork belly were the highlights of the meal. Both were marinated with honey which was an odd twist which actually worked pretty well. Highly recommended Greek joint.
(5)
Sandy T.
Dark and ardent atmosphere with very attentive service. I enjoy, small, tapa, sized plates, which is exactly what they serve here! however, their portion is slightly larger. As an appetizer, my date and I had the Haloumi cheese; crispy outer layer with cheese filling. Our server flared up the cheese in front of us, which was exciting to watch. Good, however, a bit too salty for my taste buds Entree, we had spicy lamb sliders, which was perfectly grilled and nicely seasoned. Aso had lamb chop; love the crispy skin that and nicely seasoned meat. The meat was marvelously, tender and you can taste the marinated seasoning. As for desserts, we had the Baklava, which was delicious. It's chopped walnuts baked with phyllo and honey, with vanilla ice cream. Love the environment and food here. The only downside is the excessive amount of salt they use.
(4)
Donna Y.
Perhaps I don't order the right items on the menu but I'm always underwhelmed by the place. I come often for lunch so I order off the lunch menu... gyro, lamb sandwich, spicy lamb sliders..etc. For appetizer, we'd order the hummus (sometimes spicy) which comes with pita. The hummus is good but I have yet to have bad hummus. The entree items are pretty average/standard and I'd find myself always wanting the kababs from Caspian instead. The servers all have itouch(s) to take the order right when you arrive to the table but it takes forever for the food to come out. Be aware especially when you have one hour lunches to keep that in mind and order right when the server comes by for drinks. This is not an especially large restaurant so keep crowds to a maximum of 6.
(3)
Susan B.
Best of everything- Lamb Sliders, Grilled Shrimp, Lamb Chops, Saganaki, Village Salad
(5)
Maria P.
I walk in, and it's like i'm transported to an intimately furnished cave. The scent of the air is phenomenal, and it makes me want to sit down at the nearest served table and dig in...I held back the urge though. I'm sure the owners appreciated that :P We began with fiery cheese (gooey on the inside, crisp on the outside), lamb kapama (perfectly seasoned lamb with orzo), and the bolognese (this is definitely a favorite...I might have to plant cameras in the kitchen, just to see how it's made :P ). I'm not a big dessert girl, but I'm sure that Cava could deliver if I were. I've also had the fries (sinful) and the mussels risotto (perfection). In my perfect world, Cava would be down the street so I could have Greek every f*cking night...or maybe 5-6 nights...no...every night. If you're into red wines (let me rephrase), If you're into excellent red wine, make sure to order a bottle of the Gougenheim Malbec... Now, go find a date and bring him/her to Cava. Who knows what'll happen after :P
(5)
Ellen W.
I miss the old menu. The food is still good but so expensive now.
(4)
Anita C.
Two words: lollipop chicken. Hands-down my favorite dish at Cava Mezze. The chicken is tender and sweet, with a glaze on it. Possibly some of the best chicken I've ever had. Food: The other winner in my book was there warm, fresh pita bread. Whenever they refilled our bowl, it was always warm. They had three dips for it - a spicy eggplant dip (my fave!), olive oil, and a mystery third that I didn't care for. My companions and I also ordered the following dishes: lamb chops, asparagus, white bean ragout, disco fries, pork belly, and green beans. I didn't care too much for the oily asparagus and the mushy ragout, but the lamb chops were pretty good. Price: About ~$15 for the chicken and lamb and ~8 for the veggies. My boyfriend and I were pretty full with three small dishes and generous servings of pita bread - we definitely ordered too much. With all of the dishes we ordered, the four of us ended up spending ~$96 excluding tip. Ambiance: It was so dark in the restaurant that I couldn't read my menu. Maybe it's supposed to cast a more romantic glow or something...but I'd like to read my menu and see my food clearly! I wish we had sat outside - it was warm and beautiful. Service: Just okay. Our waiter was friendly, but the service was nothing special - I thought it was cool that he input our orders onto an iPhone. Kind of expensive but I'll definitely be back for the chicken and pita bread! I also want to try the scallop risotto that other Yelpers have been raving about :)
(4)
Hiro T.
Really nice, relaxed environment with dim lighting. Just a great place to drop in for a few tapas and a drink, or a nice place for a full on dinner. The food here is absolutely delicious! The LOLLIPOP CHICKEN, MINI GYROS, and, I think it was a PORK FAT dish were amazing. Everything else on the menu that we ordered was super tasty too. This is the type of place where you can't go wrong with the type of food or drink you order. I would highly recommend the place to anyone that is in the area, or to anyone that is just driving through the area. Do yourself a favor, and reward yourself for a long day of driving with some delicious food and drink! I would easily drive a little out of my way to visit Cave Mezze again if in the area.
(4)
Juliana C.
Ode on some grecian mezze (apologies to keats) Ah, happy, happy cars! no meters fed with quarters, and bid the ticketing adieu; And, happy bartender, unwearièd, For ever pouring drinks for dinner crew; More happy love! more happy, happy love! For ever warm pitas still to be enjoy'd, For ev'ry palate, delight for every tongue; Should you go? see my rating above, An overfull stomach thou should avoid, And multiple martinis, unless thou art young. As for the useful rating... if you have a large group and you e-mail the owner and ask nicely, he'll probably allow you a reservation ;)
(5)
Dee B.
*3.5 stars* In an area where a good restaurant with pleasant ambiance is hard to come by, I can understand the rave reviews. Based on my inaugural visit, however, I prefer Cava Mezze Grill in downtown Bethesda where I can get a huge meal for all of $6.90. :) I'd known about Cava forever, but had never really had the chance to try it out. That finally changed on a Tuesday evening when I met a friend here at 6.30pm. We put our names down for a table, got a pager and proceeded to the bar for drinks. Tuesday is 1/2 price wine bottle night, but my friend was drinking beer and I knew that I'd have to keep myself to one glass of wine. Luckily, the Gougenheim Malbec I chose was not too expensive ($7 or $8 for the glass) and it was absolutely delicious. Bonus points for the super friendly bartenders. Our table was ready more quickly than the promised 30 minutes. When we got down to business, we ordered the chicken souvlaki, the zucchini fritters, the spanakopita and the scallop mushroom risotto. The chicken was dry, the fritters too fritter-y (barely tasted or noticed any zucchini in them), but the spanakopita and risotto were good - although not outstanding. Our server was friendly and made sure we were never without water. Overall, at this price point I do expect a bit more...
(3)
Cynthia L.
What is there not to love about Cava Mezze? It Must not be the saganaki that they light on fire in front of you and scare the bejeezus out of unbeknownst first-time guests (I really get a kick out of this). It Must not be the lollipop chicken they drizzle with honey and greek yogurt, because let me tell you, this little combination makes everyone melt; even the chicken melts...it literally falls off the bone before you take a full bite. It Must also not be the french toast with house-made whipped cream and berries because I am not a fan of french toast and even I love this crack. Conclusion? Love Cava.
(5)
Dennis C.
Got the lamb chops, brussels sprouts, and calamari. The brussel sprouts would've been just okay if it wasn't for the sauce, and the calamari was pretty average, but the lamp chops were definitely on another level, with fries soaked in it's juices. I suspect that the brussel sprouts and calamari were prepared in advance in batches since those were served very quickly after I ordered, while the lamb chops took a bit longer. Service was very good, I got the lamb chops on the recommendation of the bartender.
(3)
R L.
This is our family favor restaurant. We enjoy the food - everything is good. The service is also excellent! We came to celebrate special occasions or when friends dropped by. They all loved it!
(5)
Jorge N.
I had been to this place quiet a few times for drinks after class. I loved the ambiance and the bartenders (they were just cool). I finally came to sit down for dinner a couple weeks ago. I really wanted to like the food, but I actually left a little disapointed, not because the food was bad, but because it just didn't match the sophistication of the place. Part of it was my fault; I decided to eat two plates with eggs and potatoes. It felt like I was eating brunch rather than dinner. So I decided to give this place another chance the very next weekend. I'm glad I did. The food was much better the second time around. I would definitely recommend this place to anybody, I would even venture to say it's one of the best restaurants in MC, but just don't order the stuff that seems ordinary (like eggs and potatoes).
(4)
Dina E.
This is my 1st review but this place is GREAT!!! It was my 2nd trip here and I had the eggplant dip as an appetizer! AWESOME!!! Then the scallops with mushroom risotto! 1st time the scallops were under cooked and chewy the 2nd time although a bit salty cooked to perfection!!! I ordered the Baklava for dessert love this place will be back for sure : )
(4)
Cristina D.
Love this place! The service is good and the ownership is very hands on with a presence in the restaurant ensuring the food is always great. This is a fun, casual gem of a restaurant.
(5)
Denise L.
Great tapas, large plates and drinks! Cava will have u covered on birthday dinners, happy hours, date nights and any other event that should include good food. I've been here a few times and would recommend almost everything on the menu. The Mac n cheese, grilled meatballs, cava crab bomb, spicy mussels, and shrimp souvlaki are my faves. I've only dined for dinner and happy hour but I'd also be open to brunch. My only warning is that Cava is a small, crowded and noisey restaurant, so be sure to make reservations.
(5)
Dawei L.
I came here on a Saturday night with my girlfriend and I must say I came away quite impressed. The seating and decor is great. It's dimly lit, but comfortable and there is both inside and outside seating. The restaurant does a good job of making you feel at home.Service is good and the waiters/waitresses are nice and accommodating. Food: The place serves small plates and offers an enormous selection, you'll definitely find something you like. I had the: Mussel risotto- Mussels were cooked well, the risotto was on point and it really just tasted good. I guess it wasn't Greek food, but I would definitely get it again. I would say out of the three plates this plate had the most food. Lollipop chicken- Essentially friend chicken dipped in Greek yogurt and honey, I found this delicious incredibly delicious. Like chicken and waffles, the combination of savory and sweet(and even sour-from the yogurt) seems counter intuitive, but it was really nicely done. Definitely not authentic Greek, but something I would highly recommend. None of the flavors are too strong and the chicken was well cooked/fried. Lamb Moussaka- An interesting take on Moussaka, the eggplant is really nicely done. It does not seem like a lasagna like dish(which is what Moussaka usually seems like) but I found that the eggplant was a bit overpowering. The best part of this dish was actually the mixed vegetables they put on top. Flavorful and well-cooked, I found it a good choice. This place isn't the cheapest(each plate is about 10 bucks or more) but almost everything it has on the menu will probably taste good. I would give it a 4.5 since I don't think it was the absolute best "Greek" food I've had, but since I have to pick between a 4 and a 5, I'm going with a 4. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this restaurant if you're in Rockville and you're into Greek food, small plates, and an amazing atmosphere.
(4)
Habibi S.
One of the best places to eat in Rockville in terms of food and decor. Chicken lollipops are to die for but pretty much everything we ordered was great. Half price bottle of wines don't hurt either.
(4)
Muriel H.
Cava never lets me down. The lamb sliders are my fave and the lollipop chicken is so good. Anything on the menu is pretty good. I will never get enough of Cava.
(4)
Alexander K.
One of my most favorite restaurants. Notable dishes are the lamb chops, grilled octopus (just fanstastic), lamb shank, grilled scallops, lollipop chicken, and the french toast. If you have a larger group of people order the "cava grill" which always pleases.
(5)
Aisha S.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I went to Cava's brunch. I didn't know you could put that much flavor into a simple Challah benedict. I don't know if it came from the cheese, ham and/or basil but it was amazing. Even the poached egg tasted special. The freshly squeezed mimosas were perfect. If only they had bottomless brunch! Maybe it's better that they don't, because with some more alcohol I may end up crying for joy or laughing like a crazy person or both at the same time because of how good the food is. The french toast had the perfect amount of sweet crustiness on the outside, no sogginess at all, and the light cream that my mom always says you find everywhere in Germany. So this is happiness.
(5)
Cathy D.
First time visitor. Chipotle style service. Food was delicious, will go again. Great option for gluten free dining.
(4)
Ambika S.
We went here last night and were pleasantly surprised! Coming from NY we were looking for a restaurant with the NYC vibe, and this place perfectly fit. The food is served tapas style so it all comes on small plates with small quantities, but mostly focused on Greek cuisine. We ordered about 6 plates for three people, and that seemed to be enough food. The chicken lollipops are AMAZING!! The coating is perfect, not too heavy and the chicken just melts in your mouth. The mini lamb burgers were very good also. We also ordered the watermelon salad and beet salad, both of were refreshing but the beet salad was overpowered by a strong mustard dressing. The only item we weren't too fond of were the donuts for dessert since they were pretty "doughy" and seemed uncooked, but instead we ordered the baklava and it was delightful! I strongly recommend this place if you want satisfying food and great drinks with a soho NYC vibe!
(5)
Maria M.
Charming greek restaurant/tapas place. I ordered the chicken souvlaki sandwich which was pretty good. The chicken wasn't dry and everything inside the souvlaki complemented the taste of the chicken. It came with fries on the side, which were pretty good fries - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside =). Service was ok... I was a little confused when the server took out his cell phone when we were ordering, but I think that's how they take your orders - through cell phones. Kinda high- techy. In any case, it's pretty expensive, but the food is pretty good.
(4)
Ramy D.
Simply Great food A+ Great Customer services A+ Taste and Quality A+ Over all I DO go back if I am in town again. My wife and I were in town for a business trip. We wanted to eat Greek FOOD and that came up right away as our first option. We ordered their, Salad, Greek Gyro plate, and few of their Apptz. All were amazing but small size I think that's their ideal food as a new trend small but amazing. Which I am okay with. A little high price as well keep in mind dress code because its a classy fun place to be at maybe dinner? or even Lunch....
(5)
Mulz C.
Food is great! I love the lamb kapama, risotto, lamb chops, and pretty much everything on the menu! Downfalls...they charged my credit card twice! It happened to my friend as well. She used her bank card and they accidentally withdrew $946 instead of $46!!!! The bank took close to 10 days to refund the money according to her. NOT COOL, Cava!! I would advice people to use strictly cash if you go here or American Express since they are great with refunding money right away. They also don't accept reservations and the place is very small. Expect to wait a VERY long time if you don't get there early.
(1)
Rehman K.
Expensive and small portions but they are incredibly flavorful. I tried many different mezzes and only disliked one. The staff are attentive and this place is always jammed. The space is minimal. This location is out of the way for most. But it is a hidden gem as a result! Great presentation.
(4)
Ankita S.
Very good, fancy place tucked away in a corner. Very good food and lovely ambience :). It's a regular for us since we live a block away.
(5)
Teena N.
Wow! I have been to Cava before in Arlington and it does NOT live up to this location. The shrimp, falafel, salads are all amazing and I will definitely be back again. Great Food but the only complaint was the chickpeas in one of our dishes were not fully cooked. Other than that, this is the best Mediterranean food I have eaten in this area!
(4)
Joseph F.
I just finished eating here, say at the bar and the bartenders were great. Let me sample a bourbon as I haven't had many before and found me one that I loved. I had the salmon, scallops and risotto l, tiropita, and octopus. As a former chef I have to say everything was cooked perfectly. I would definitely go back.
(5)
stevie t.
I think I have to say that this is my favorite restaurant. I mean, I love a lot of places. But this is the one that we always end up craving (over and over...and over again). Just like Sugo, there are so many amazing small plate options, you have to visit a few times to narrow down your favorites. These are mine: - Chicken Lollipop - We ordered this by accident once and never looked back. Salty fried chicken with tart Greek yogurt and sweet honey. Heaven. - Steak over Potatoes - This used to be a NY Strip and is now a very tender hanger steak. I'm not usually into a hanger steak texture, but this was perfect. - Saganaki - The cheese they light on fire. I have to be honest and tell you I don't eat this because I'm not into cheese that's even a little strong. But it's worth mentioning since every single person I go with has to have it. - Halumi - Imagine a cheese that defies logic and refuses to melt at a normal temperature so that it can be grilled without becoming a complete mess. A perfect, buttery, salty flavor. That's halumi. - Risotto - Either alone, with scallops, or with mussels (I'm told). You can't go wrong. - Lamb chops w/ Fries - super tender and flavorful with no gaminess whatsoever. When I was there last night, I found out that they just started getting meats/chicken all hormone-free, grass-fed, etc. I don't know much about any of that, but it certainly sounds better than the alternative (and it was delicious as usual). We've tried all the desserts and the only one I'm not crazy for is the chocolate truffles. My husband loves them though (dark chocolate). No matter how full I am - like hobbling home full - I absolutely cannot leave without the French toast. Topped in whipped cream, berries, and honey (I actually ask for extra of all toppings because that's how disgusting I am), this is reason alone to visit Cava. If you've never been, go tonight.
(5)
Maddie F.
I LOVE this place...the food is amazing, prices are decent, and service is pretty good. It is dark and the tables are close together so hopefully you like your neighbor. Zucchini fritters and spicy lamb meatballs are to die for...as is the crispy pork belly.
(5)
Brenda A.
We continue to love Cava. It's still one of our favorite spots. But I can't help but say I was disappointed the last time around. The meat sampler, which is now the Chef D Plate, has changed. It was too much of the newly added pork gyro and all of the meat put over a bed of fries. Fries? And to top it off, it was put on a crappy looking plate. I just felt the dish went down hill. And while I'm sure it's just me, has the village salad gotten smaller? It matters because the village salad is one of the main reasons for eating there. I hope this place doesn't go down hill... we would miss it...
(4)
Bill L.
Great place for lunch during work. The menu variety will satisfy the vegetarian as well as the omnivore. I like the dip tasting as it provides a nice variety: * Hummus * Crazy feta (whipped with jalapeño) * Tzatziki * Something like babaganoush * A red pepper/feta mixture * Taramosalata, which is whipped salmon roe, very tasty The grape leaves are also good and the grilled octopus was excellent. The various meatball dishes (beef or spicy lamb) are also worth trying.
(4)
Scott S.
My wife and I really love this place. It is casual but romantic with the low lighting, and tables typically seat only 2-4 (prevents those large noisy groups). You must try the lollipop chicken and lamb sliders... and then follow up with the french toast for dessert, mmmmmm! Thought the price is slightly high, I will say overall it was well worth the trip. We have been a few times now, and the food quality and wait staff have been excellent. Be aware that for dinner they do open late, I think around 5pm. I do recommend showing up early because the restaurant is small and seats fill up very quick. They have a small bar with a large LCD TV; if you like Martini's and football as crazy as this paring may seem, Monday's are $5 Martini's and the Martini selection is rather large.
(5)
Angela P.
Yes! I love this place. The wait for a table is long and patience wears thin since there was nowhere to wait the last time I came here. But as soon as you're seated, all your frustrations melt away and the experience begins. I like the environment. Yes, it is a bit dark and noisy but it feels intimate at the same time. The way they spaced the tables you don't feel the other diners peering at you. My favorites: Scallop Risotto, Cheese thing with 151, Baby lamp chops, Selection of wine mmmm! Non-favorites: There are none! Make sure you order about 3-4 small plates per person by minimum. Very hip crowd with delicious Mezzas, I'll probably be back again tonight.
(5)
Lauren H.
We ate here on a Saturday night and found the food to be excellent. The Dip tasting was well done with each variety being fresh and flavorful. The gyros were the best, filling and excellent. Surf and turf was interesting. The shrimp a bit tough but the meat very tender and cooked great. TOOO loud and tight spaced of an environment however. It was impossible to hear the waitress or each other otherwise a 5 star restaurant.
(4)
Martin G.
The food and service are terrific. Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes for a table. Also, it is very noisy inside. It's hard to even hear the person you're having dinner with. I think the great food makes up for everything else.
(4)
George M.
good wine list, excellent, but small portioned, food. part of the appeal I guess. definitely not a place to stuff yourself. not very expensive but not cheap either. great service. good ambience. not too dressy but I wouldn't go with shorts or hoodies, its not a sports bar.
(5)
Bill D.
We stopped here on a Saturday evening after river tubing. You'd have thought we were wearing suits - the service was just that good. The reviews nail this restaurant just right: small dishes to share. Everything is fresh, hot and beautifully prepared. I am on a very restricted diet so I'm just the ideal guy to eat with. My partner ordered the crab cake mezze. I ordered the roasted yellow beet salad, tzatziki and pita, whole fish and spanakopita. Service is just perfect. Discreet, simple and no fuss. As mezzes are done, they come to the table. Nothing sits under a heat lamp. The flavors? Authentic. Very consistent with my experiences in Greece and vastly better than most restaurants in DC. Not really a place I'd take kids, but certainly a great place for someone special - or a great patio and bar to hang with a group of good friends.
(5)
Marisa M.
for my first review, it is only appropriate that I review my favorite restaurant . there are so many aspects of cava that make it SO amazing. from the food, to the environment, to the bartenders, to the management. i've never been to a place that all around has everything together. i'd say i'm somewhere between amazing and impossible to come here with. I have my set dishes, and you have to try them. i will allow you to try other dishes, BUT ONLY IF YOU BEHAVE. -taramasalta. a creamy citrus roe dipping sauce that is amazing with their pita, and also on everything else. -scallops risotto. not only do you get the amazing seared scallops, but their delicious risotto that can be eaten alone or with any dish. i've OFTEN claimed to want to swim in their risotto. its that amazing. -saganaki. if you go, you'll know its the right dish when they light it on fire. its a lemon-y cheese that must be tried. -WHATEVER THE STEAK IS. they sometimes change it, but its always great. i couldn't trust a restaurant or chef more. i could go on here.. but you'd start doubting me. just go. from walking in, to rolling yourself out (if you did it right...), this place never disappoints. f it. i should just work there, shouldn't i?
(5)
Cliff R.
This is a "tapas style" Greek restaurant. They serve "mezze" style so it's a little larger serving size than you would expect from a tapas restaurant. They prepare every dish from scratch so be patient and you will be rewarded with a very tasty and delightful experience. Their braised lamb is so tasty; I took an order back to the hotel with me to snack on.
(5)
Dennis M.
I really liked this place. The food and service were amazing. It has a large bar too. I had the lamb chops and they were cooked to perfection. My girlfriend had the lamb sliders and they too were very tasty. The octopus was very yummy. You have to get it. So good food and great service let's me give this place a great rating. The tables are a little too close together and it's a bit loud but that did not bother us at all. A must try!!
(5)
The C.
We are visiting town briefly and so rely on Yelp to find good places to eat. I hope we can provide those of you who Yelp locally with some useful piece of information in return for your generosity in sharing this place! We discovered: Three people is the perfect number for dinner at Cava Mezze. Many of the dishes come in threes: three little chicken drumsticks in the lollipop chicken, three (are those deep-fried?!) spanakopitas, three perfect scallops atop the scallop risotto, three foil-wrapped pork mini sliders on a platter. And 8:30 is just about the perfect time to go for dinner on a weeknight: early enough that you can take your time, because this place is open until 10 pm, late enough that although you will not be able to hear one another when you arrive (the place is awfully popular and lined with brick...loud!!!), people will be finishing up and leaving soon. By the time your food arrives, the noise level is human. By the way, I agree with Mo, the tables by the bar (two-tops) are so loud you might as well forget being able to hear or be heard... fortunately, with three people, you won't fit at those tables easily. Yet another good reason for three! Tall ceilings. Darkwood Modern ambiance. Narrow passage between bar and two-tops opens into a big cube of a room with four exposed brick walls and a little mural/plaster. Decor is pinpoint halogens and trendy, but the most noticeable thing was that the waiters needed dancer-like skills to get between tables -- the place is so popular that there is not a lot of space between tables. All tables are very clean, wiped down thoroughly with Windex (a la BF Greek Wedding) as soon as the retreating party has left the room. This is so low-key and efficient that it's not bothersome even if it's the table right beside yours... I was impressed. The waitstaff are wonderful - friendly and very helpful. As mentioned above, the scallops atop the risotto (creamy and well-endowed with mushrooms) were perfect, the lollipop chicken was as tasty as everyone says, the spanakopita was delish, and the flaming saganaki cheese came in two small iron skillets but was also delightfully toothsome -- that is, after the fire was out :-) Avgolemono soup was nicely brothy, not crazy thick the way some places serve it, and the lamb bolognese reminded me of making pastitsio, just before you add the cinnamon and well before it comes near any milk or cheese... wide noodles and a fresh tomato-y lamb flavor. The guys ate all of the mini pork sliders, so this part is their recommendation: EAT THIS! The pork was cooked kabob-style and the guys loved 'em, wrapped in pita with the tzatziki you expect with gyros. They even attacked an innocent baklava at the end; served warm with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that somehow really brought out the cinnamon flavor in the flaky pastry. All that food and a bottle of wine and a couple of beverages came in lower than many meals out we have had in our travels, and we were all full, too, with food to bring home. Our waiter Markos brought great containers for that -- didn't have to be asked. My husband is still in a mildly euphoric state over what a great place this was, in unfamiliar territory. Excellent choice, thank you again, Yelpers, for your discerning taste and helpful natures!
This place is literally my favorite place to eat. I love the tapas, the choices of plates, and especially --- Monday night half off Martinis night. THE BEST. The service is amazing and quick, the atmosphere is pleasant, even though it's small. I tried it for brunch recently and it was still amazing!! Can be slightly pricey, but even just a plate or two is filling. Now I want some.
(5)
Monkee C.
Not too much to add, have stopped in here several times now and easily 5/5. Food: In a word, great. Lots of variety too - so it's a good bet that even picky eaters can find something they'll like. Misc Notes: Best if you come in a group of threes, since most orders come that way. Restaurant itself is pretty small so come early or be prepared to wait during peak hours. Make sure your phone is charged, especially for dinner - it's pretty much "Cave Mezze" during those times. You'll be using your device to illuminate the menu.
(5)
TejieSaba S.
My Fiancee and I absolute love this place. The atmosphere is dark and sophisticated, the wine is absolutely amazing (try FireRoad Sauvignon Blanc) and the food is finger-licking good. Current Favorites: - Lollipop Chicken - Haloumi - Hala French Toast - Arugula Salad - Scallop Risotto - FireRoad wine (Bottle) Oh it's just SOOOOO good!!!!
(5)
Kristin M.
Cava Mezze is a rockstar of Rockville! (See what I did there?) It's definitely a lot trendier and sexier than I expected upon driving into a shopping center that also houses a Giant. This corner spot is dim and laid back with brick walls, drapey curtains, and a small dining space that follows along the perimeter of the bar in an L shape. I was initially surprised by the young, attractive waitstaff who all seemed to be texting while working. Tsk tsk, kids today! Then I realized that's how they were putting in orders. I was amazed! The wonders of technology! And I've apparently become an old person. Anyway, Cava's a tapas place, and they recommend about 2 dishes per person, with prices falling around $8-$13. However, by filling up on their fabulous version of the bread basket, you can definitely cut down on that...leaving more room in the budget for drinks! We wolfed the little tray of olives, olive oil, and hot pepper paste that got served with warm pita triangles when we sat down, and were pleasantly surprised that both the tray and pitas were refreshed, even as we started working on our meal (the food came out really fast). As a result, we only ended up needing three dishes for the two of us. The chicken lollipops were indeed awesome (thanks, yelpers!): three small but meaty, fall-off-the-bone fried drumsticks served on little piles of yogurt in a generous pool of honey. They reminded me of chicken and waffles with their mix of savory and sweet plus a healthy dose of fried goodness. And when I say healthy, I obviously mean wildly unhealthy. Yum! Chickpeas three ways I'd also order again, though they weren't as standout as the chicken. This dish was three chickpea balls, each served in a thick dollop of hummus with a kind of chickpea paste on top. The last thing we had was the lamb chops, which the hubs was a big fan of, and I was unimpressed by. That may have had something to do with the fact that the two chops we were served included a big, hearty one, and a small one that was mostly bone and gristle - you can guess who got which! ;) If it hadn't been 9pm on a Monday, I'd have been up for trying some dessert, and/or several of their martinis (on special for $5...every Monday I'm guessing?), but as it is, I'm looking forward to returning for another date night next time I'm out this way!
(4)
Maria L.
OMG, the salads here are ah-may-zing!!! So a friend and I decided just to stop somewhere we've never been for lunch and wound up here. I was hesitant at first when I saw some of the ingredients they used, but everything I put on my salad was excellent. And it was the combination of flavors that really made it spectacular. I was licking my bowl at the end. This place is seriously on the list of my faves!
(5)
Andrea B.
We love this place! However, our last visit was on a Thursday night around 7/7:30 ish and the place was packed. They gave us a table for 2 with no wait which was great. The bad part was the bar crowd! Well, lets just say the 4 guys at the bar. They were SO loud we could hear every thing they were talking about and the f bomb was used quite often. That would have really bothered me if I had my kids or grandkids with us. It just ended up being a hurry up and eat and lets get out of here, instead of a nice relaxing meal with wine. We really could not even talk or hear each other over the "bar crowd". We will go back but will plan it as any early dinner and skip the happy hour part ;)
(4)
Jess Y.
Food: If not immediate obvious, this is a tapas restaurant. That is, plates are meant to be shared and are appetizer-size generally. The waiter recommended ordering about 2 tapas per person but some plates are larger/smaller than others. So, I guess it depends. For three not-so-hungry ladies, we ordered four plates total and left fully satisfied. So I had to order the lollipop chicken after reading all of the recommendations here and I have to admit that it truly is delicious. You get 3 fried chicken legs that are super juicy and crisp. Each of the chicken pieces are placed atop its personal yogurt and honey complement. This was definitely the highlight of the night and I wish we had more because I would have easily eaten the entire plate by myself. We also ordered the spicy lamb sliders which were good as were the spanakopita (flaky pocket filled with spinach and other goodies like feta, I think). It was light and crisp and perfect for sharing for 3 people. To round things out, we ordered the asparagus plate which was delicious...about 8 perfectly cooked spears...for $9. So, overall, the food is delicious and you won't be disappointed, but the prices seem sometimes ridiculous. 8 asparagus spears for $9!? I can buy two whole pounds of asparagus for less and still have a dollar to spare. I hear that the flaming cheese is also delicious. I couldn't convince my non-lactose-friendly friends to order it, but it definitely gave us a scare as we unknowningly sat next to a table that ordered the flaming cheese. We were obliviously discussing what we were going to order when all of a sudden, a gigantic fire erupted right next to my friend's seat. I nearly jumped out of my seat. Service: Service was always prompt and friendly. Our waiter was happy to explain the menu and the structure of Cava Mezze's dining options. He also seemed very knowledgeable about how many plates would fill the average diner and which plates were more filling than others. Ambiance: It really is quite loud. As you enter, it looks like a small hallway and then opens into a chaos of tables in the back. It gives off the appearance of relative chill and quiet from the front of the restaurant and through the bar/side tables, but once you get to the back it is quite noisy. Poor acoustics because it seems like every single table conversation is being constantly amplified. Don't take your soft-spoken friends here--you won't hear a word. Overall though, the place is fun and hip. Would be great for a small group of friends to catch up with (although, beware, they don't take reservations and they can get pretty crowded)
(4)
Sky A.
I was in Gaithersburg on a business trip, so I relied on Yelp 100% to find the restaurants I was going to try. Cava was the first place I tried. I was 100% satisfied with my experience here. I went on a Tuesday, which has 50% off all bottles of wine (a great deal!). Between myself and 3 co-workers, we got 8 mezze. This ended up being a good amount of food to leave room for dessert. The lamb shoulder really stood out from the other dishes. Dessert was great but we should have shared as they are huge portions. The only complaints came from my older co-workers that it was too loud to hear each other and too dark to read the menu. Next time I'm in the area, I'll have to come back.
(5)
Leeza P.
It is the only nice and fancy/trendy restaurant around, where you can not only enjoy the atmosphere but also enjoy the food. I have been to many nice restaurants, but none had the food as amazing as it is at Cava. Scallops, risotto, yum! If you want to go on a nice date and you don't want to have to pretend to like the food, then Cava is the place to go.
(5)
S G.
Love this place! This is one of my favorite restaurants in Montgomery County. The food is always excellent. My husband and I have had maybe 75% of the menu offerings and have been pleased with every dish. The pita is fresh and hot. The olive oil is of the highest quality and the lamb is so tender it melts in your mouth. I have two minor complaints about Cava-neither of which will stop me from visiting. The service is meh. The servers are always less than enthusiastic. They do the absolute bare minimum, meaning they take your food and drink order, refill your drinks and that's it. They don't really check on you or ask how everything is, they ask if you're done and they bring the check. Again, not bad service just not good. Also, I'm going to need a touch more lighting. I get it the whole ambiance element but it's SO dark at night that I'm often forced to pull out my cell phone to read the menu. In my opinion, that takes away from the experience. I don't like having to strain my eyes and angle my arms, neck and head just to read the menu. It doesn't need to be bright but at least enough light for patrons to be able to see. Overall, love the food! Top notch, high quality, fresh Greek food. I would recommend this place to friends.
(4)
Erica Y.
The quality isn't as great as they used to be. The pork belly dish used to be one of my fav there, four pieces of perfectly cooked delights. Now they give you a slab of pork belly to cut yourself...not the same! I also remember the Greek donuts used to be these huge fried dough now they are tiny bite sizes. Lollipop chicken used to be three huge chicken drums with tin foil on the bottom, now three sad looking tiny drums...Somewhat disappointed with my latest visit. With all the success Cava had and all the expansions, I guess sooner or later quality starts to slide...unfortunate.
(3)
Jason I.
I've eaten at the Cava Mezze in Rockville probably about 5 or 6 times in the past year and it's one of my favorite dining options in the area. The food is great and served Tapas style. After sampling most of the menu over these last visits I recommend the 72 hour braised short ribs (very tender and delicious), grilled octopus, lollipop chicken and my favorite, their scallop risotto (incredibly creamy, perfectly seasoned and really satisfying). Pretty much all of their meat dishes are superb. I often find myself craving their risotto. Their desserts are also great (my favorite is their chocolate truffles with sour cherries). Service is always decent. As other reviewers pointed out, the place is cramped and gets filled quickly on nights. If you're searching for an amazing tapas-style restaurant in Gaithersburg / Rockville with awesome braised and slow-cooked meat dishes and spectacular grilled options you should visit here.
(5)
Chinita A.
I walked in confused as hell to why my friend wanted to do ladies night here. Located in a random shopping center with parking in the rear I thought she was setting me up when I got there. It was dark and empty at the time - it just opened - but quickly filled up by the time we left. From what I saw and what the staff said it is best to arrive early even on weeknights to avoid a long wait. Speaking of the staff, our waiter explained the concept to me (I was too lazy to check yelp) and then we started to order. From the 2 - yes 2 - plates of haloumi (cheese heaven!), cava fries, hanger steak and chicken souvlaki I was stuffed and barely cracked the menu. Between the wine and 'name of cocktail unknown but did the trick', I'd say ladies night was a success. Eventually I'll try the DC location and if that one is anything like this I will certainly return.
(4)
Inlovewith Barbaros A.
This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here
(5)
K C.
I stopped in for an early dinner. Everything was great. Food was amazing and staff was very nice. I tried the mac n cheese (good), the zucchini (good), spicy lamb sliders (amazing) and the special on the saturday the filet mignon with shrimp (to die for). Really good food.
(5)
E F.
I've been here a few times. First impression, very dark. I guess it's living up to its name. My favorite dish is certainly the baby lamb chops with crispy french fries. Delicious! I did enjoy the complimentary harissa dip, spicy and yummy!
(5)
Eunice K.
dips and pita bread yum brussel sprouts - yum, crispy brussel sprouts saganaki - cheese on fire is one of my fav things but i love cheese - taste great with the pita bread and harissa cava mac and cheese - diff but good scallops and risotto - flavorful - crispy but soft scallops and not overcooked lamb sliders are better than the pork sliders
(4)
Robert C.
Oh boy, I must say this is the best restaurant around Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown area. The place's actually quite small & very hidden. If I didn't read the great reviews about this place, I would never knew that it existed. 1st off, the portions here are just a little bit bigger than tapas. For you who don't know how big a tapas portion is - it's very small lol. I went with my gf and ordered 3 dishes and I think that barely filled us up. Here are some of the food that we tried there: *Harissa - tomato paste, hot red pepperwith 30 other ingredients. Spicy, sweet, sour, salty. I think Harissa is officially my favorite dip of all time now. It's spicy, sweet, sour & salty; this dip'll hit all your taste buds. It's 1 of the 3 dips that're served along with pita bread - complimentary; you can ask them to bring out more. Trust me, you'll want more lol. *Scallops Mushroom Risotto ($16) - Jumbo scallops, risotto, cremini mushrooms; pan fried. Absolutely wonderful; probably my favorite dish from there. The scallops're cooked perfectly; the exterior has caramelized crust but really tender in the inside. The risotto tasted awesome, you have to eat the risotto with the scallops together; they're unbelievable. You'll be fighting your companion for that last bite. *Lollipop Chicken ($10) - Fried chicken with honey, walnuts & Greek yogurt sauce. I know, I know... why get a fried chicken right? You can just get in Popeyes or KFC. But believe me, you don't want to miss this dish. It's easily the most popular dish from there & I can see why. The chicken's very crunchy in the outside yet so tender in the inside. But the good part is that it's not oily at all; you won't feel gross eating it. The sauce that goes with it is just amazing, you'll be licking the plate off once you're done with it. *Baby Lamb Chops ($15)- served with crisped potatoes. This dish's great, the lamb's tender and very flavorful. They're able to cover that lamb smell that's usually pretty strong in most dishes. Conclusion: Probably my favorite restaurant around the area. Even though the portion can be somewhat small, it's worth it. I recommend going for dinner; they have more & better selections than lunch. If you've never been here before, you don't know what you're missing.
(5)
John O.
Most of the small plates were good. Portion size is more than generous. A few decent wines by the glass. My favorite item was the baby lamb chops.
(4)
A. W.
Outstanding food, service, and atmosphere. Everything is fresh and consistently delicious. In a word: amazing.
(5)
Diedre C.
My husband and I went there for our much needed date night. It was amazing. The crispy pork belly was divine, and we also shared the peppercorn steak and a spinach and feta pastry puff. Definitely not a place for kids but excellent for "close to home"evening get away!
(5)
Penny H.
Fantastic food - great service. a really nice place to go with a group of friends or with just you and your special person.
After eating at Cava Mezze, I feel like I've been missing out on deliciousness for the past few years of my life. I won't lie, I've always dismissed this restaurant due to its less than attractive location next to Giant. I was completely wrong, and now, I'm overjoyed that I don't live too far away to become a regular here. I will certainly be making up for lost time by eating here much more often. My friend and I got the lamb chops, lollipop chicken, and pork belly mezze. The lamb chops and lollipop chicken were amazing, to say the least. I favored the lamb chops a little more, only because I enjoy the bolder flavor of the grill. The lollipop chicken came with a greek yogurt and honey sauce which was surprisingly refreshing and provide a nice balance to the overall mezze. DO NOT SKIP DESSERT. Just don't. We got the challah french toast that was topped with berries, whipped cream, and honey. It sounds simple, but this dish really blew my mind. This may have been my favorite, but then again, I have a major sweet tooth.
(5)
M. M.
I had the lollipop chicken - and it was amazing! But I felt a bit ripped off. The pictures show large portions, and only one of mine was large and the other two were tiny. But they all tasted delish. Also had the roasted cauliflower, which was yummy. And the chicken orzo soup with egg lemon broth... which was OK. I'd imagine it would hit the spot if it were cold and you were sick. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Ash S.
Here's the thing. 99% of the Fine Dining Restaurants in this area take full advantage of the fact that people in this area know next to nothing about food and wine. Most people simply assume that expensive restaurants are 'better' and as long as they can have their chicken, salad, pasta and chardonnay they are quite happy to pay whatever for it. Cava takes the approach that they are going to serve nothing but excellent food _out of sheer arrogance_ Basically they don't care if your palate sucks and you don't know the difference between a pinot grigio and a pinot noir. They are still going to give you great food, even if you don't appreciate it. I would rate this place as VERY expensive. I would also say this is perhaps the only place in this particular area that's worth the expense. I have personally tried 90% of the dishes on the menu, found them all very good to mind-blowing, and now no longer eat there because I'm tired of waiting 40 minutes for a table (and also spending 50-80 bucks in a sitting) However, I highly recommend it to everyone looking to spend 30-40 bucks per person minimum. I suggest going there on half-price wine night because half-price martini night isn't really worth it -- the 'special' martinis are made with cheap stuff. A special note: this place is great for vegetarians. MY dad won a $200 gift certificate from his job. My family of 5 (all vegetarians except for me) went there and ordered one of every vegetarian and cheese mezze. Not only was the presentation spectacular, but receiving a steady stream of tapas-style dishes was incredibly exciting. Even mundane sounding things like chick peas and asparagus were elevated to new heights, and some of the fried cheese things really took it to the next level. I guess on the flip side, I have paid 28 bucks for two beers and a grilled calamari, making me less likely to just randomly stop by for a beer and a snack when cheaper alternatives exist.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
Decided to come here with a friend because she said it was good and saw some good yelp reviews. Food: 4.5/5 stars. We had: Lollipop Chicken, Dip Tasting, Spicy Lamb Meatballs, and Saganaki. I think the coolest part of our meal was watching the Saganaki get lit on fire. Saganaki is a Cheese mezze which has alcohol on it. They light it on fire. I'm a total Pyro so I think this is reason enough to come to this place. The Lollipop Chicken was delicious! Crispy on the outside and EXTRA tender on the inside! My favorite dish of the whole night! Who would have thought that Greek Yogurt and Honey would taste so good together? um...The Greeks! Delicious! The lamb meatballs were really good. At first when we bit into them, they tasted a little bland, but then the spice kicked in and we were like...YUM! Tasted really good with the tzatziki from the dip tasting too. The dip tasting consisted of Hummus / tzatziki / roasted eggplant / taramosalata / crazy feta / ktipiti and the tzatziki was the best I have had in a LONG LONG time! Most dishes were between $6 - $15 but there are some items that are more expensive. Service: 5/5 stars. I don't know her name but she was fabulous. She would rush by in her speed walk as she had tables all over the tiny restaurant and somehow see in the dim lighting that my cup was getting empty. I never had to ask her to refill it, she would just seem to know. Wonderful! She was warm and welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. We loved her and only wish she had told us her name so I could give her personal props. Decor: 4/5 Stars. This place reminds me of a place you would go to in D.C. It's like a small, loud, bar-like place, but it's a restaurant. Bar Restaurant? Dunno. The door is tiny and so is the hallway into the restaurant. One of the other customers slammed me into the wall while I was coming in and she was leaving. I was NOT happy. It's also very loud in their from the loud music to the loud patrons. This is a place I would bring my friends but probably not my family. Overall, 4.5/5 stars. This is almost as good as it gets. I'm a definite fan, and I will be back. Good Job Cava!
(4)
Tarsha B.
THE GOOD: The Harissa was awesome (not too hot). It was perfectly seasoned. The wine was phenomenal and the selection is diverse. The atmosphere is cool & the portions perfectly sized. The BAD: Waiter must have been on vacation because I had to ask for his whereabouts. I could excuse that, had the restaurant been full at the time. I ordered the Spicy Lamb Meatballs. They were greasy & had too much lemon.
(3)
joe b.
The food is good, not earth-shattering. Despite the gross-sounding name, the lollipop chicken is very good and not sweet. The baklava was large, making up for the steep price, but artless. Service was attentive. The atmosphere is a bit odd. The menu and interior decorating seem to be done by one person, while the music and dress of the servers seem to be done by a second person. The second person is wrong.
(4)
Samantha G.
I don't even know what to say. THE BEST!! I've probably been 30 times now. I try different things every time. And I've never been disappointed! I really don't know how they do it.
(5)
Michelle G.
Good service, good food, kinda high prices, but worth it most of the time. The free pita and olive oil etc that they bring you when you sit down is almost my favorite part. :)
(4)
Carolyne A.
Where should I start?... My friends have been eating here for ages. I've somehow managed to skip all those meals until last night. I've definitely been missing out! It's a small restaurant with a few outdoor tables. It was a warm night so we sat outside. I knew my friends would take care of ordering so I just sat back and stuffed my face. We started off with grilled pita (only a regular might know this is an option), tzatziki, taramosalata and the olive oil dipping sauce trio. The tzatziki is incredible. I think I added it to everything we ordered. Moving on.. The saganaki, basically cheese set on fire.. in a good way, is amazing. Crispy outside with a chewing inside. They pour brandy over it at the table then light the pan. Pretty cool to see. Add it to pita or eat it alone. We ate family style so I got to try a little of everything.. Scallops over risotto, Lollipop chicken, lamb chops over fries, hanger steak and just because..risotto on its own. Everything was seasoned perfectly. Personally I really like the lollipop chicken..you can't go wrong with fried chicken! It's served on top of a Greek yogurt with honey and walnut flavors. I wish I had saved room for desert, their baklava and French toast looked so good I may just have to go back before going home to Colorado. I can't believe I've missed so many meals to this place. It really should be a staple for any Maryland foodies. Great staff, reasonable prices and fantastic food. What's left to say? GO HERE!
(5)
Richa T.
I absolutely love this place!! I went here a couple of months ago and have been wanting to go back ever since. Everything that my friend and I tried was absolutely amazing. We had the spicy lamb sliders, lollipop chicken, scallop risotto and the opa opa shrimp. All of the dishes were excellent and the flavors were perfectly balanced. Our favorite, hands down, was definitely the spicy lamb sliders. For dessert, we got baklava which was served with huge scoop of ice cream which was delicious as well. Our server was very attentive and gave us his honest opinion which helped us pick out entrees that were all absolutely amazing. I recommend Cava to all my friends and can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Mona R.
Love this place! The lamb kabob is good, grape leaves, scallops are good. Have referred friends and family to go here. Small space and it gets very busy very quickly so its pretty loud in there.
(5)
R Q.
Been here for take-out or dine-in close to a hundred times. The food quality is always amazing and Cava still serves as the measuring stick for any Mediterranean restaurant. You can pick pretty much anything on the menu and expect to have a good meal and they are very, very consistent with how they make their food. The actual dishes are simple and tasty with never any pretentiousness or over-complication. This place is really a gem and if you haven't tried it you owe it to yourself to do so.
(5)
S R.
I got the chicken souvlaki sandwich for lunch. It was great! I also got the rocket salad on the side, which was also very tasty. I wish I had checked Yelp first a couple of days ago when I tried the local Red Lobster, just because I saw it on my way. That Red Lobster was nasty! I learned my lesson: always check yelp first, to find gems like this place!
(5)
Adriana L.
Our family loves this place - and we have a couple of picky eaters (adults and kids), so when the entire family likes a place, it's because it is REALLY good. Everything that we tasted there so far has been completely amazing. We went there several times and the food was always delicious (not many places in this area serve consistently good food - the kitchen staff changes and the quality changes, but not at Cava). The lamb chops deserve special mention; they are out of this world. The place is small and a bit too dark for my taste (I happen to like a lot of light), but staff is nice and helpful and, again, I can't say enough about the food. Absolutely my favorite restaurant and highly, highly recommended.
(5)
Sue H.
Cava is a new discovery brought to me by the mention in Washingtonian's best cheap eats. Per a review below...um..this place is not cheap. It's in the middle. My date and I had about one small dish too many (figure $10) and each had once glass of wine and had a tab of $74. So it's no Moby Dick. But...it's got a ton going for it. If you disregard the utterly freakish location in the back of a strip mall in suburbia, it has a phenomenal interior. The atmosphere is perfectly lit, buzzing with energy. Male and female staff are cute and helpful as heck. It is now attracting a very cool crowd of young 30s (and middling 20s), but it's nice b/c it had a great age spread. Lots of families, some singles, and a fair share of match.com dates from my guess. What's AWESOME? Saganaki Risotto Dolmades What's FAIR? Lulu Shrimp Meatballs What's strangely LAME? Chicken Souvlaki (go to Moby Dick for $6 and a way better flavor execution on something that should rock at this kind of place). Def stay away from this dish. Anyway, the place is FUN. I hope it opens another location closer to DC.
(4)
Ross M.
It has been a long time since I have experienced a restaurant that has been operated so smoothly. After about a 25min wait on a Thursday night (business is booming) we were promptly seated and our waitress (all of them are hot) was just excellent. The garlic peta and dips (both on the house) set the mood for a very Greek evening. We had the spanakopita (a little more creamy than what I am use to) for an appetizer and the crab cakes (excellent) and NY Strip (excellent and very tender) for our entres (tapas style). For dessert we had the baklava (skip this, I've had premade baklava that is better) and the Greek Donuts (get this instead, they were wonderful). Overall, I was really impressed. Everything was really tasty. Yes, it is dark. Yes, it is loud. This is a crowded Greek restaurant with really good food, What do you expect? I highly recommend this place, and I will be going back hopefully very soon. This is probably one of the best non-Asian (since there are so many) restaurants in Rockville.
(5)
Alan G.
Oh, did I rave about the lamb sliders, the lamb chops or the lamb kapama before? How about the New York strip that comes on a bed of potatoes? Half price wine night is Tuesdays and it's always a fun crowd. No longer just a neighborhood hang - Cava has it all.
(5)
Onawa C.
I took a risk and selected this restaurant for a team building excercise morale dinner and it was a success!! I love tapas, my boss is now on a Mediterranean tapas diet..scored some points!! The food, service and bill was all smiles..the best part..they took our order using an iPod app..FANTASTIC CAVA!!
(5)
Jessica R.
Cava is great, especially on Tuesday nights. Just get there before 7pm or after 8pm which I've seen to be the busiest times. On Tuesdays, you get 1/2 off bottles of wine..great to share with a group of friends. The service is great unless it's super busy, when it does seem like they're brushing you off. They won't seat you until your entire party is there. I LOVEEEEEEEE the Opa Opa Shrimp. The flavor of the dill really stands out making the dish delicious on a whole other level. The first time I had it I literally had to pause to savor the flavor. The Lamb Kapama is one of my favorite dishes. When you order it, ask to have yogurt with it instead of the cheese. (I'm giving you my secrets.) It's SO GOOD with the yogurt. Although the Scallops Risotto is a bit on the pricey side, I would definitely recommend it. The scallops are cooked to perfection! Other things I would recommend: Lollipop Chicken, Lamb Sliders, Lamb Shank, Tatziki, Truffles(for dessert). Do NOT get the Cava Mac and Cheese. I decided to order it since I'm a huge fan of mac and cheese and since I've tried most of the menu, I wanted to give it a shot. Worst decision ever. It's some sort of gourmet mac and cheese with greek cheeses and wilted arugula. I forced myself to bring it home b/c I hated the thought of throwing away food, Ooh one more issue: DON'T PAY WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD. Cava ALWAYS charges me $10 extra when I use my credit card. You won't find out until you look at your monthly billing cycle and notice an additional charge. This has happened to me, several friends, and now my boyfriend (which is why I decided to write this post at all). Our bill was $54, which he paid by credit card and left a tip in cash. On his monthly statement, he saw that Cava charged him $64. If you decide to go to Cava, I would strongly encourage using cash. Just save yourself the headache of having to call them back up to dispute the charges.
(4)
Joan K.
REALLY love this place. Best part about it is the really fair wine prices. Although it's sad to think that paying 2-3 times more than the wholesale price on a bottle is fair though. If you go on 1/2 price night you're basically paying MoCo retail prices for your bottle. Their red pepper spread for the pitas is so addictive!! The whole fish, spanakopita, zucchini fritters, baby lamb chops, braised meat thing are always good. I think the Opa Opa shrimp is really overrated though. My two complaints: prices and how crowded it is. While it's not super pricey, It's definitely not cheap eats. Even if you try to order just the small mezze, it adds up quickly and for the amount of food you're getting, it's not as much of a bargain as the Washingtonian thinks it is. All in all, I'm so glad they decided to open in my neighborhood!!!
(4)
Johnny D.
Mixed feelings. The first time I came here, I had the BEST crabcakes and mussles I have ever had. I don't know if I was particularly hungry or if my taste buds felt lively that day, but in my mind I knew for sure at that time that they were the BEST. Second time I came a month later, the crabcakes were luke warm, and the mussles were bland and also lukewarm. I have no idea what happened. So...I'm gonna just go ahead and average the two experiences together and say this place is pretty darn good. Other than that, the seating inside is cramped and you might be seated pretty close to another group, which can be awkward. The Crab stuffed Shrimp are awesome.
(4)
Roz D.
updated review: My husband and I went back to Cava on Friday night and had a great meal. I still don't recommend this place for more than two people (it's way too loud for pleasurable group conversation), but we had a fantastic meal with multiple drinks, entrees, salad, appetizers, and romantic atmosphere for under just over $100 (including tip). Our waiter, Kyle, was fabulous and the service was paced very nicely, with everything refilled before we could even notice we needed it. I highly recommend the Greek salad, white bean appetizer, grilled meatballs, baby lamb chops, Chicken Kapama, and anything with orzo--especially the orzo. --------------------------- original (2 star) review: We were very excited to visit Cava after reading the many great Yelp reviews. This sounded like just where we wanted to take some special dinner guests who we don't get to see very often, and no need to go into the city, this was just a few miles from our house! But, we were disappointed. The tapas-style dishes and wine selection were good, including many Greek wines, and the service was good. "Good" is the best I can do, though... In any other environment I would have enjoyed the food. But to be blunt, the place was just too loud to enjoy a moment of it--not just busy and abuzz with social life, but so loud that we literally had to SCREAM across the table, so loud that we could not even carry on a conversation with our two guests, so loud that it ruined a very special meal. Now, I like a louder-than-average, social, bustling atmosphere, but I am amazed that they can do such good business with such a level of noise. It was unreal. (In fairness, we were seated at 8pm on Saturday night, probably the busiest time.) We really wanted to like this "gem" in our back yard, but it was a painful experience. If you can get there and get a table outside (two or three on a small patio in back), I say give it a try.
(4)
J W.
congrats on the great ratings CAVA MEZZE! always have a great time and enjoy the delicious food and drinks when i come through at any location.
(5)
Janice V.
i love this place, its awesome! the food is great, ive been here twice. the flaming cheese has an awesome show, but doesnt taste good, becomes stuck to the pan when cooled. the chickpea salad i ate last time was great. the only other bad thing was the noise level, it was too loud, i had to yell to talk to the person sitting in front of me. this place is just too popular. i had lots of things on the menu exception of the olives. the hummus dip is awesome, lamb chops was tender and juicy, tasting dip, gyros, lolipop chicken was my favorite, fried calamari, and shrimp risotto were all so good as well
(5)
Irina G.
This place is deeeelicious! Weve been there several times and really enjoyed the food, but when it gets busy and crowded the people waiting all bunch up in the front and the servers have to step over them so waiting for a table is unpleasant but its great during non-busy times!
(4)
Sean L.
Deco & Atomosphear: nice/good decoration, darker dining envornment as typical bar setup, not a huge main dining section but still comfortiable. Beverage: should have full menu, but didn't try Lavatory: decorated & typical clean Service: average good & attentive waiting Cost/Value: not expensive for each Mezze, but portion is relatively smaller than American, but a bit larger than tapa Food: free Hummus with two dippings - 8 pt Salad Mezze - Rocket Salad - kids didn't like its bitter taste, but I somehow like it for very good Balsamic vinegar dressing - 8 pt Cheese Mezze - Saganaki (MUST TRY) - waiter lite up the 3 feet flame from brandy, outside turn to golden crispy with deviant good smell and morrarella-like inside - 10 pt Pita Mezze - Mini Chicken Pita - remind me a very good chicken gyro - 8.5 pt Meat Mezze - ordered The CAVA Grill, not all kinds are good, some are average. Lamb chops - very tender and juicy - 9 pt, Chicken Souvlaki - 8 pt, Grill Meatball - 10 pt, Pork Souvlaki - 7 pt, Spicy Village Sausage - 8 pt Seafood Mezze - Grilled Baby Octopus (MUST TRY) I never had octopus in this soft & tender but fully cooked before. - 10 pt Also Scallops Mushroom Rissotoo - Scallops was grilled to perfection with remarkable tastful creamy rissotoo - 9.5 pt
(4)
Michelle S.
The food and atmosphere are AMAZING! The scallops risotto, crab cakes, braised beef and village salad are at the top of my list but I have honestly never had a dish there that wasn't good! This is my favorite restaurant in Rockville despite the close quarters and bad acoustcs!!
(5)
Bill P.
Review #40.....do I get a prize? Ike? I went for the entire experience last night at Cava arriving at 5 sat at the bar and staying to 8 to watch the tidal wave of customers move through. Went from being only person in place at 5 turned around at 5:40 place packed!!!!! The NY strip rocked medium rare though could use some accompaniments and barkeep Koula makes great sour apple martinis and she's definitely a keeper. Their pita slices and olive oil harissa and hummus are a great way to start out....on the house of course!!!!! Can't wait to visit Cap Hill !!!!
(5)
Saad S.
Went with a couple of friends. We were all super impressed. Some of the highlights were the lamb sliders, haloumi, spicy village sausage, and the greek donuts. For small plate versions, the portions were plentiful. I don't think I could come up with anything negative to say about last night's experience. Wait, they kept trying to take the empty donut bowl even though there clearly was still some walnut and honey syrup left to be slurped up. Yep, this place has shot up to one of my favorite places to eat. Can't wait to see it in Clarendon.
(5)
chau n.
this place is like crack. i have dreams about the scallops risotto, i will come here as frequently as i can for this dish. all the other small plates are great, i am also partial to the lambchops and of course the mini donuts dessert...and the spanakopita. great spot, and half off wine bottle mondays isn't half bad either!
(5)
Steve S.
Absolutely Outstanding. Best food in the area! I seriously can't get enough.
(5)
Yg X.
The dishes ordered were in fact quite simple, but we wonder how they can make them taste so bad. Maybe we had trespassed into the wrong territory, = (
(1)
W T.
For food, I would give it 5 stars. The only reason for reducing the stars to 4 is the ambience. The darkness and the loudness just makes you want to leave there a s soon a s possible. It is hardly a relaxing dining experience. The tables are too close to each other also. So since I can get great Greek food elsewhere, I will much rather choose a more relaxed restaurant. For this reason, I will not be returning to this restaurant. For those who decide to go there, do try the mini gyros and the sauteed calamari. Yum! The big fat asparagus were delic also. For dessert, u must try the doughnuts.
(4)
Frank S.
Love the food. Great salads, grape leaves, meatballs (a few different types) and practically everything. I eat there frequently. Very good looking, trendy crowd. The place is always crowded and loved by all. The atmosphere is dim and noisy. Not a great place for kids because the crowd is more single, less family and very noisy. However, if that is not an issue there would be no reason not to bring the kids.
(5)
King B.
Delicious, very well-prepared Mediterranean food. Highly recommended. Great wine selection. Also must try Cava Mezze Grill in Bethesda, which is Cava on the go - brilliant.
(4)
David W.
Amazing mezze. Always busy. New menu as of 7/2010. Bring your ID because they carded my lovely wife, despite being considerably older than 21 (but they left me alone...perhaps they could sense the work I put into fathering three children). Strange as it might sound, I think the best items here at Cava could be the salads. They are truly amazing. So, if you are reading this and trying to decide on whether to visit, go for it. Its a great place.
(4)
AJ S.
Really nice place, nice food with lesser portions which I like because I think it is stupid to give huge portions per serving unless you want to gain extra 300 pounds after your meal, nice wine collection, near mediterranean food taste, the ambience. The only thing I did not like was how small the place was and had to wait 45 minutes for a table. :)
(4)
Cara F.
I went here on a Saturday night around 7 and was able to get a table outside immediately. Overall, it was a great meal. I ordered the Van Gogh Mango Martini which, I probably should have expected, was a tad too sweet for my liking. We also ordered 4 dishes: 1. Saganaki - This flaming cheese dish was fantastic and fun. 2. Lamb Chops - The lamb chops were fine, nothing extraordinary. This was probably my least favorite dish. 3. Chicken Souvlaki - Very good, but did not compare to the cheese and crab cakes. 4. Crab cakes - delicious! I enjoyed our dinner and Cava and will definitely return.
(4)
Todd S.
I wanted to really love this place being out in the suburbs, but I found it OK. Not bad - I would go again if someone wanted to head out that way but would not top of list for a place I would choose to go again. Interesting take on tapas from a Greek perspective and can be fun with a few people but a funny crowd at times.
(3)
Leila T.
I came here for a birthday dinner with my family. The interior is dimly lit, dark wood/exposed brick, bustling with sounds of peoples voices, clinking glasses, and lounge music. Everything is served mezze style (each person orders 2-3 mezze and shares w/eachother). To start they bring you bread with a dish of kalmata olives, olive oil, and a pepper tepenade (spicy). Ordered the tzatziki yogurt as an appetizer which was a nice way to neutralize the spicy tepenade. After the appetizer, the mezze started flowing, dish after dish. First: Spanakopita. Light, flaky, warm. Perfect. Second: Zucchini fritters over a yogurt sauce. Crisp on the outside, a bit mushy on the inside. Third and fourth: Chicken and pork souvlaki, 2 skewers of each. Note: (I am a vegetarian so I will write on behalf of my brother) - tender, full of flavor Fifth: Braized meatballs w/ a wine/tomato sauce Sixth: Kastoria Beef topped with feta - tender beef, falls apart in your mouth The service was phenomenal. We never had an empty glass or an empty bread basket. The food came out fresh and piping hot. I would definitely come back for dinner and for $5 Martini night (Mondays) Note: they do NOT take reservations!
(5)
Chris P.
Go Gaithersburg/Rockville/whateva!!! I live on the west coast right now, hence I use Yelp instead of Citysearch, and I used Yelp to find this cute little joint. If only you weren't parking in a parking lot next to a Giant.... *Sigh* but that is suburbia for you! But the restaurant is very cute one inside. You almost forget you are in a strip mall! It is a bit crowded, (need to work on the entrace) but very tastefully decorated. And the food is really good! We got the Meat platter, which came with chicken kabob, sausage (spicy and yummy!), lamb chops (delicious) and a few other meats. Some of them were a bit salty though. We also got the seafood platter!! we were stuffed!!! The calamari was nothing to write home about (the mayo dipping sauce next to it could use some work), buy my sis in law really liked it. The crabcakes were very tasteful to me though. The mussels were pretty good, but many of the shells were missing the meat! One thing not in the seafood platter that we ordered anyways was the *scallop risotto* which was probably the most incredible dish of the night. I love scallop, and they did an excellent job grilling it with a bit of a sweeter base, and then placed it on an awesome risotto bed. I kinda wish we just got that instead of the whole seafood platter! I have to second another reader's comment on how that the red pepper dipping sauce for the pita bread is yummie too! Thanks yelp, you never fail me! I even found a decent place in G-burg!
(4)
Lucy B.
Everything. Yum.
(5)
Adri B.
Cava was so delicious, I woke up this morning still thinking about it. And I've thought back on it quite a few times today. Had the lamb chops with potatoes and mac n' cheese: OOOOPAAAA! Rice pudding for dessert: OOOOPAAAA!!! The staff is also very nice and personable. I cannot wait to return again. My only (-) is the outdoor view. I primarily went to sit outdoors on the one summer night it wasn't 100+ degrees and the view is of the back of a Giant grocery store and the attached parking lot. But, honestly, with good company I didn't really notice once I started chatting. Plus, I'm sure the owners save beaucoup on rent which keeps the prices cheap for what you're ordering (OOOPAAAA!!!). Now on my list of favourite restaurants.
(5)
Teresa H.
UPDATE 8/17/08: I've been here quite a lot after my last review and just wanted to highlight some more of the unforgettable dishes they serve. Scallops Risotto...MUST TRY! 3 enormous sea scallops seasoned, grilled to perfection and served over a bed of cream-of-mushroom-infused-risotto. The dish is very simple, but so perfect. The risotto complements the scallops wonderfully. Branzini (Mediterranean Rockfish) whole fish - lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and other herbs and then grilled, it brings out a diverse flavor that doesn't taste fishy, yet contains a sweetness to it that is unmatched. It is a little pricey at $29, but it's so good and I try to get it as often as I can. I would recommend only getting this dish when the Branzini is offered. They sometimes have the local rockfish and it's a little too mild for the preparation they offer (and not worth the $29). $5 Martini nights on Mondays and 1/2 price bottle wines on Tuesdays. I also wanted to add that a lot of the hot waiters are no longer serving there (probably got a modeling job somewhere). **sigh** Regardless, I will be back again for some yummy food, which is still consistently delicious. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This place is delicious! I went here with some friends on a Monday night and the place was packed. When we finally got our table, they came out with the warm pita bread as soon as we sat down and let me tell you I was in heaven. I'm not a big bread fan, but these were warm and melts in your mouth and definitely homemade. Not to mention they brought out the house dip, which was some red peppery spicy dip that was almost better than the Hummus combo we ordered. The combo came with regular, crab, and eggplant hummus and tzadziki. All were absolutely delicious but I'll have to say the eggplant hummus was my favorite of the bunch. The dips were so good we almost filled up on the bread. That was just the appetizers. Among the 5 of us, we ordered, the lamb chops (YUMMY!), mussels, chicken souvlaki, zucchini plate, the cheese flambe, some kind of beef stew-like dish and cheese fries. I'm not a big cheese fan, so it might be unfair of me to say that the cheese items weren't all that enjoyable. But the cheese flambe had a great "flaming" presentation, which was really cool. Everything else was so tasty and delicious it makes my mouth water thinking about it. Not to mention it was $5 martini night on Mondays. They had a great selection of wine and trendy martini drinks which, for the price, is pretty awesome. The outside is pretty dark and it doesn't have a lit sign so it's pretty easy to miss. I never knew this place was there and past it twice while looking for it. I totally fell in love with this place and will definitely come back again and try some of their other dishes. And btw - the servers are all tall, dark and handsome...LITERALLY!
(5)
Nikki G.
Yum, yum, yum! I love Cava. There is a little bit of a wait, but its well worth it. We ordered a handful of dishes (some of my favs were the calamari and the french toast dessert). The waitstaff was attentive, friendly and offered good recommendations. After ordering it didn't take long for the plates to start arriving from the kitchen....which is always a plus when you are hungry. Highly recommend.
(4)
Katie T.
Delicious. Flambeed cheese was all over the place Monday night at this modern Greek restaurant. Although I didn't order any this time, I'll definitely try it next time--and there will be a next time, because there's a lot more I'd like to sample. The olives are a great (free) starter, along with the pita, olive oil, and hot stuff. It was half-price martini night, and the peach-themed one turned out to be strong and darker than I expected (in a good way). Dill, olives, tomatoes, and capers were themes. The Greek salad was a well-made standard--but possibly not what you want to spend your calories on while you're there, since there are many more interesting options. Mussels are very good. Spanakopita is better--very light flaky (phyllo?) pastry, and inside, more spinach than cheese, making it lighter and less filling. The baby lamb chops are amazing. Artfully presented, tender and well-marinated. The fries they come with get a little soggy, but they still taste great. Washingtonian magazine said that they brought in their baklava from somewhere else, but that seems to have changed--I asked, and our waitress said it was made in-house. It was on par with the rest of the food. Lots of cinnamon, and the honey was extra-flavorful, almost fruity. Odd location--next to Giant in a sort of restaurant strip mall. Eating outdoors would be nice except for the view--parking lot and grocery shoppers (although they try to make it a little nicer with a row of little trees to separate outdoor tables).
(5)
Sylvie A.
I can't believe I've avoided this place for so long just because it's near Giant. Like the other reviews show, this place is a wonderful spot and serves some seriously amazing food. I love their martinis, and they use good liquor. The price on them is great, and even better if you go during one of the specials nights. The service is polite and helpful. The ambiance is also wonderful - the inside is cozy, well-decorated, and perfectly lit. Even though it's a small place, you get the feeling of being in an upscale restaurant. The prices are completely reasonable though. Because it's so good, this place gets filled up fast. I recommend going close to dinner opening to get a seat. Otherwise, you're going to have to wait, and there's no comfortable waiting area in the restaurant. I also suggest being adventuresome with the menu offerings. Their simple fare, like calamari and disco fries, are fine, but surprisingly unspectacular. I was hoping to have the best calamari of my life here, but it was a bit chewy and nothing special. The lamb and octopus were amazing though, and the salads are great. The only disappointments I have are that the platters are good for sharing with two people, harder with an odd number of people. The menu doesn't tell you how many come out on a plate, but it's usually two of whatever you order (two lamb sliders for example). Keep that in mind as you order and consider the prices. I also wish they'd provide tongs or large spoons like other tapas places. It's hard to share food like salad using just your own forks and knifes, and if you're dining with a group, it might be a little icky. You can ask for more utensils, but I think it'd be smart if they went ahead and provided them on their own. Come early or on a weeknight and you should be pleased. But be prepared to a busy wait if you're stopping by around peak times on Friday or Saturday.
(4)
Sally C.
Oy. I ate there last night, and am still recovering from my food coma. I must admit, I was a little put-off when we walked in. They don't take reservations, and we arrived at about 7:45 on a Thursday night. The hostess told us it would be a 30-35 minute wait. There was nowhere to stand to wait, since there are tables immediately to your left and an extremely crowded bar on your right. It was also VERY LOUD. VERY, VERY, LOUD. WHAT WAS THAT? LOUD!!!!!! After a few minutes we decided to see if we could manage to get a drink at the crowded bar. We were behind several groups, but somehow the bartender noticed us and handed us a drink menu. We ordered two glasses of wine, which were tasty and I think about $8 each. Reasonably priced. This was my least favorite part of the whole experience, but I really just don't like hanging around a noisy bar. Personal preference. Our table was ready relatively quickly. We had been told it would be a 30 minute wait but it was probably about 15-20. Our waiter came very quickly with bread and water. The bread was served with 3 dips - two olive oils, and one mysterious red dip. It was VERY hot, but it was SOOOOOOO good! The waiter told us it was harissa (sp?) with 38 different spices. My mouth was burning but I just couldn't stop dipping my warm bread into it! Yummm!!! Be forewarned: the dishes are bigger than tapas. My husband and I ordered 3 dishes each at our last tapas place - we ordered 2 things each here and were stuffed to the gills afterwards! We ordered the following: -Lamb dish (with orzo pasta and feta) - YUM! My favorite of our dishes -Sauteed zucchini and squash - YUMMMY!! Second favorite. -Baked feta and tomatoes - good, but very rich and it is a whole lot of feta. Least favorite. -Chicken skewers - yum! My husband didn't like these as much but I thought they were delicious! The food came out very quickly, and was served to us in whatever order it was ready. Before we realized how full we were, we ordered baklava for dessert. It was good, but didn't seem fresh. The crust was a little tough as if it had been sitting out since that morning. Would have been spectacular if it was fresher. Also ordered two coffees, which were forgettable. Overall, yummy! Don't come here expecting romance because you won't be able to hear your companion. Come here for some damn good food and hope that someone around you orders something that they set on fire in front of your table! (The flames go up to the ceiling!) We ordered: 2 glasses of wine, 4 mezze, 1 baklava, and 2 coffees and our total with tip was $80.
(4)
Anita S.
This place has great food! My friend took me here for my birthday and we both had amazing food! We got tapas to share and left satisfied and happy! I also came here for lunch and it's a great upscale lunch place!
(4)
Rex H.
The portions look small. However, they are not. The clam risotto is to die for, but the tzatziki is bizarrely Philadelphian, which is to say, like the cream cheese. Interesting drink selection. Arrive early -- preferably before 5:30 -- because the place is small and fills up mega quickly, even on Sunday.
(4)
Jennifer R.
I love this place! It's one of the best restaurants in the area. Most of the items I have tried have been pretty tasty. The braised beef, the tzatziki sauce, and the scallop risotto are my favorite dishes. But everything I have tried has not been a disappointment. If you have room for dessert, the Greek donuts are amazing! They are warm donuts glazed with honey. Definitely one of my favorite places in the Rockville area.
(4)
Nora H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. I hope they relocate somewhere else in Rockville to a place with more room so you don't have to wait for too long, and you're not rushed to finish your dinner quickly. Great octopus, the most wonderful bread around, and the hummus and other dips are to die for. Good selection of Greek wines.
(5)
Lisa W.
Have been here numerous times for girls night out. Their food is fabulous. I have not had one item I did not like. Gets a little noisy. Wish the tables were not soo close. Now that they offer a gluten free menu, I may take hubby there
(5)
Vipul M.
The food at this place is amazing....It's been the 3rd or 4th time we've been here and I think the food just got better. Usually the food is not as good the 2nd or 3rd time around - but tonight it was spot on. We had the zucchini fritters - crunchy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. The Lamb Kampano --- my favorite -- it's a simple orzo and lamb dish -- but simply outstanding. Probably a great winter, hearty meal -- but it hit the spot. I've had this everytime and its still one of my favorites. Then the lamb slider -- wow!!! Probably the best burger I've ever eaten -- spicy red pepper paste and hearty. We also had the bifteca (sp) -- it was good, as well -- nice kick of spice at the end. The only bad thing about this place -- (which doesn't really bother me) is that the location is next to a Giant and it's a bit loud in the dining area -- but other than that, this place has great food! We'll be coming back again.
(5)
Tim S.
This is possibly me and my wife's favorite local restaurant. And even though it can seem cramped or dark at first glance, somehow it just works. The tzatziki is amazing, the best spanikopita ever, and we love all the lamb dishes we've had (highly recommend the lamb kapama). And the portion sizes are nice so you get a chance to eat a lot of different things. Always a winner!
(5)
Alice K.
Really small restaurant so all the tables and waiting areas were packed! The next table was less than a foot away from us. Ambiance is alright and service was average. Went with one other person, so everything was split between two people. I'd say 3 dishes is more than enough for two. The complimentary flatbread and dips they gave us were pretty good. We started off with the saganaki, which was cheese that they lit on fire (popular starter), but I'm not sure a bowl of cheese each was the best idea- I had a bite or two and pretty much done with it. Very difficult to finish the enter thing. Had the lollipop chicken and it didn't wow me. Reminded me of BonChon but maybe a bit sweeter. There were maybe 4 or 5 little drumsticks. The lamb chops, however... were amazing! It was cooked perfectly, super soft, and very flavorful. There were two chops. We also got the scallop risotto and that was not bad. Wouldn't say best thing on their menu. I love tapas so I'd go there again to try their other stuff.
(4)
Roy R.
Phenomenal food, I love this place. The advantage of the tapas style menu allows for trying a variety of items, none of which will disappoint. Service has always been excellent and the martinis are stellar. Yes, very noisy and pretty crowded on almost any night so it's not a first date kinda place. Try the saganaki, cheese flambeed with 151 at your table, grilled octopus, mini chicken souvlaki sandwiches and the grilled meatballs. PLEASE save room for the Greek donuts. Well done fellas!!
(5)
Chelsea W.
I've been to Cava Mezze multiple times. The last time I dined there the experience was nothing less than spectacular. The restaurant was cozy with a great buzz. There was a wait, so we went to the bar and had a couple of the yummy handcrafted cocktails. Despite the hopping crowd we were greeted and served very promptly by the friendly bar staff. Upon sitting down we ordered a bottle of Greek varietal wine, Sigala, recommended to us by our knowledgeable and personable server, it was delicious and crisp, a perfect accompaniment to the divine meal to come. The server brought out a basket of warm pita along with a side of their home made spicy harissa sauce. Talk about fantastic! I was so excited to hear that they are now selling this dip at whole foods. I will definitely be keeping this as a staple in my fridge! There are so many great options on the menu it made it difficult to decide! The lamb chops were prepared to perfection and were succulent served over a bed of their crispy fries. The crab bomb overwhelmingly huge and tasty with just enough "filler" to hold the jumbo lump together. The scallops risotto were seared impeccably and set atop of a bowl of their comforting mushroom risotto. The wilted greens were shockingly great with an interesting bitter taste to them. How can you really make a vegetable dish taste that wonderful? Cava is a great place to go on a date or in a large group of people. There is something for everyone at this place! If you don't think that this place is nothing more than fantastic there is something wrong with you. This will definitely be my go to place to bring out of town guests to entertain and impress.
(5)
Tien T.
I've always had a good time eating and drinking wine here. It's cramped, small, dark, loud but once you open that bottle of wine (go on Tuesday for 1/2 off bottles) and your food starts rolling in, what a wonderful place Cava is =) Do not miss the following: Scallops Rissoto (perfectly seared scallops cooked just right!) Mini Chicken Sandwiches (grilled chicken w/ tzatziki sauce wrapped in a pita) Baby Lamp Chops (I usually remember about Mary's little lamb and don't venture near lamb, but here all memories fade once that succulent smell hits your senses!) Braised Meatballs Greek Fries Spanakopita Greek Donuts Baklava Yes, I love to eat.
(5)
kevin l.
Best Greek food I have had yet. Get there early since reservations are not accepted. Love the gyros, lamb sliders, rack of lamb, and Harissa sauce. I had one issue with a sausage appetizer that was way too salty but they took it off my check, so all is good. Drinks are overpriced for Rockville but I don't judge restaurants by their drinks.
(5)
Amanda K.
First of all, I want to clarify that the ONLY reason I'm not giving Cava 5 stars is because of the noise and crowds. That being said, after 6 visits over 2008-2009, the food and drinks remain outstanding. With a choice of 12+ specialty/exotic martinis and a short but interesting wine list, I can totally understand why the bar is always packed. The wait staff, however, does an admirable job of navigating through the hordes... kudos to them, I could never do it. The food is nothing short of excellent. I've had about 3/4 of the tapas offered at this point, and the kitchen does a great job with both the Greek classics and the more modern items. The chicken items can occasionally be on the dry side, but they more than make up for it with the vegetarian and seafood offerings (lamb and beef are usually very good as well). Best dishes include Opa Opa Shrimp, crabcakes (best I've ever had, and I'm a native Maryland girl), flaming cheese (of course, put cheese and flaming alcohol together and you get nothing less than yumminess) and the donuts with honey and cinnamon for dessert. With the small table and cramped quarters, my friend and I didn't have a problem carrying on a conversation over the excessive noise, and there was definitely a festive atmosphere that was contagious. However, I've been there with larger groups where conversation was considerably more difficult given the circumstances. So, go expecting to be a bit cramped, go a little deaf, get a fun drink and have some laughs while you wait for your table. It is ABSOLUTELY worth it.
(4)
PJ T.
Descent crowd, the food is ok honestly, I think too much butter and very oily. Cool place to hang out, although the crowd is a bit older. I like the shady grove location, but Capital hill is not bad either.
(3)
Will O.
I went to dinner here over Inauguration Weekend (Monday night) and had really mixed feelings about it. The food was pretty good, especially the crab cakes, which is my general criteria for the quality of a restaurant. The waiter was also really nice and attentive. But this place was not easy to find (the entrance is on the side of the Giant) and sooo dark inside. To the point that it was difficult to read the menu. We lucked out and got there early and they seated us right away, but within 15 minutes the crowds came in and the restaurant became really loud and overcrowded.
(3)
anna c.
We got here on a Wednesday night around 8:45pm so we could avoid a long wait. When we got there we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table which was very quick compared to waits I've had to endure at other restaurants. When we got seated the server came by and asked us if we had ever been there. We said we haven't so he gave us an explanation of their menu. We chose Lamb Chops, Braised Beef, Mac n Cheese, Calamari, and the Beef Meatballs. The foods came out very quickly and they all just came out when they were ready; no particular order. While waiting, a basket of pita and some tapenade and olive oil were brought out as we waited. The food was all very good but a bit heavy on the salt. I was stuffed and we had plenty of leftovers to take home. My favorite dish is probably the lamb chops and the mac n cheese. The mac n cheese was not the traditional American, heavy cheese sauce type. The noodles were very good and you can tell it is not the typical dry pasta used. The restaurant is a bit dark and loud for my liking. Overall I liked the food alot and will definitely be coming back. Maybe on a cooler night so I can sit outside.
(4)
Gerri S.
If you have even glanced at the reviews you know people wax lyrical about the sumptuous food, the gorgeous ambiance, the reasonable prices and the pleasant and attractive staff. All this is true. But Cava oh Cava why the 11/2 hour wait for a table when I arrived at 6.30pm?? I was there with a group of friends for a birthday dinner and I kid you not I was this close to grabbing something edible off of the trays from the kitchen as we stood and stood and stood. There really isn't any good waiting area so the hungry waiting crowd is tortured with all the great food coming out of the kitchen and really with all the flambe-ing that goes on this is a fire hazard. I think there is a reservation system that would still secure them a healthy stream of diners if they would be willing to look into one even for a busy weekend night. I'll probably only return under that condition because as much as we ultimately enjoyed the experience we weren't prepared for the amusement park line to be seated.
(3)
Andrew S.
Might be no better restaurant in Montgomery County! We are regulars there and the service is always excellent and consistently every dish is an explosion of flavors. We like spicy food so we partake pretty much everything on the menu. Even the Hummus and Harissa pita appetizer is enough to write home about. The only downer is THEY TOOK AWAY THE GREEK SAUSAGE!!!!. They used to have this 'from scratch', spicy Greek sausage, but apparently it would spoil too quickly so they took it off the menu. Was considering doing a protest but then it might seem too much like their native country.
(5)
Julia B.
Love love love Cava! The martinis are strong and delicious, the food is amazing, the servers are fast and attentive and the atmosphere is very unique. I've been here over a dozen times and every visit is a treat. Usually, my girlfriends and I come for the usual menu: 2 orders of tzatziki sauce, hummus, fries (crispy fries topped with feta and spices), lollipop steak (succulent fillets topped with jumbo shrimp and sauce), and crab cakes. Usually our bill amongst the 5 of us comes out to about 25-30 a person. Great price for the quality and amount of food. Also, everything comes out super fast, so you can keep ordering and know that if you get a craving for something new you can order it and be eating in no time. We can never get enough of the bread, it goes so well with all of the dips. I've also gotten the meat and seafood platters, very good deal if you have a lot of people. The Blue Door martini is one of my favorites. Another great thing is you can get a bottle of wine and take it home if you couldn't finish it. The only drawback is the wait, which can be 2 hours+ on busy nights. No reservations, so it's a good idea to get someone from your party to stop by early and put a name down. Believe me - it is worth the wait.
(5)
Christie W.
Cava is AMAZING!! The food is excellent! I have never had anything here that I did not LOVE!! They have a wonderful wine list, delicious martinis, and the food is to die for! The staff is friendly and polite, and on top of their game. I can't wait to try out their newest location in DC! Cava is definitely worth the wait, and trust me you will be coming back for more!
(5)
I See Y.
Been there when it was opened. It was good then and still good now. Read the recent reviews below and you'll be a happy camper.
(4)
Tammy L.
New rating is a solid 3 stars (old rating was 3.5). I came back and I didn't really like what I ordered. Service was just fine, server was very polite, but I wasn't very happy with the food. Perhaps this had to do with the fact that I was limited in what I could order because I was eating with someone that has a stomach sensitivity to seafood. The food was also very salty. Saganaki was grosser than I remembered (lots of bubbling oil and grease left in the mini skillet) and very salty. Braised beef was salty and after the saganaki, I was all cheese-d out so I couldn't even look at the feta that it was topped with. Still very tender, good seasoning, saltiness aside. Fries, always tasty. I tried some new stuff too. Hummus was very good, kind of chunky how I like it. Mushroom risotto was good but only if you like salty clams, but my dining partner and I didn't know it was made with clam broth because I didn't see anything about it on the menu (I'm pretty sure I checked over our selections to be sure) and I found it under the "vegetable inspired" section. We just got back from dinner and he hasn't thrown up yet, so it's all good so far =D I think if I go back, I will order some of what I ordered last time (definitely the crab cake) and I'll still be on the hunt for some other menu items I can count on.
(3)
Kenneth P.
This is a perfect place to drink and have dinner if the weather is nice like today sit outside and get the lamb chops fantastic and they have this cheese that they set on fire yesss dinner and a show!! Service is great and the prices are reasonably.
(5)
Nicole G.
Cava is one of my favorite places to eat in MD. Try the mussels risotto - so delicious! I have never had a thing on the menu I didn't love! The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, no matter how busy. Make sure to visit this place!
(5)
Jane N.
3.5 stars if possible. Go for the martini bar! Try the peach or pomegrante. The food is all right if you don't mind salty foods. I like salty foods, but this place went a little overboard with their baked chicken and their meatballs. I like the salmon dip if you mix it with the red peppers. For about 4 girls, we ordered 5 dishes and had more than enough. I thought the mezze dishes would be a lot smaller like other mediterranian places I've gone to, but they're actually a pretty good sized portion.
(4)
Bruce D.
Far too noisy, too dark (you need a flashlight to read the menu) and tables are much too close together. You have to worry about knocking food off the other diner's tables when you squeeze between them. Food was OK but certainly not anything special. Typical tapas mentality - small plates are not priced too high but after you order enough to eat (3-4 dishes) you end up spending more than at a white table cloth restaurant - without the elegance or privacy. Tiny, one at a time bathrooms. Drink prices are higher than most. Avgolemono soup was average - big chunks of chicken but it's supposed to be a delicate soup - it was more like a chowder. Baby octopus salad was not "baby" octupus at all but rather larger octopus cut into small pieces (and very few pieces). Haloumi cheese needed something extra. Roasted mussels were a disappointment. Will not go back. Tapenade (gratis) was very tasty.
(2)
Kevin S.
Quite good. Consistently good. Somewhat funky. Worth the wait. Enjoy!
Loved, loved, loved this place! The food, the atmosphere, the service. Although when we went it was packed to the brim, we managed to get a couple of seats by the bar and enjoy an absolute Greek mezedes (Greek for tapas) feast. The staff was more than polite and the food just delicious. And they serve some of the best fries I've ever tasted. Hands down, one of the best places for Greek food in the area.
(4)
Julie R.
Cava is one of my favorite restaurants in the metro area. Many of the menu items are imported directly from Greece, and the kitchen is dedicated to using organic ingredients when possible. The Scallop Risotto is absolutely delicious! When I don't order it as a meal, my friends and I split it as an appetizer. The hummus is the best I have ever tasted. Most of the guys that run Cava grew up together, and it shows. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and truly appears to enjoy working there. If you haven't tried Cava, get in your car right now. Enjoy.
(5)
Lynn C.
I've been here so many times, I've started to remember all the servers names. I love the crab cakes, baby lamb chops, zucchini fritters, fried doughnuts, and the scallops. My only issue with this place is the loudness factor, can't hear anyone speaking. I usually go on Monday or Tuesday night to take advantage of the martini and wine specials. Def good eats for MOCO.
(4)
Diana H.
I've never been disappoint with the food. So delicious! The ambiance is too date-night for me to go with friends. It's dark, loud, and cramped. Now that I've said that, I'll be going there next weekend with my date.
(4)
Jill H.
Was pleasantly surprised by Cava. The pitas were very fresh and warm, all of our tapas were very flavorful and the walnut cake with honey for dessert was fantastic. We also got the donuts but recommend the walnut cake over the donuts. Weekends are crowded but we were able to get in after 5 minutes or so. It is loud at first but you get used to it and gives a nice lively vibe. Nice addition to the gaithersburg food scene.
(4)
Margaret L.
Ok, so what's up with this place? It's in the middle of NOWHERE! But somehow, there are tons of people crawling around. I came on a Friday night and it's packed in this tiny hole called a restaurant with staff too cool to even care to look at you. I only bumped into this restaurant because a friend gave me a $100 gift card to use. Luckily, the food prices are so high I was able to use it up. Ok, so the food prices are expensive. On top of that, you get like one or two pieces per order. Of the food I tried, I liked the lollipop chicken the best and the pork belly the worst. I totally didn't care for the mayonnaise dressing that came with the chicken and the pork belly had way too much fat. Did I mention that the staff appeared to be too cool to talk to the customers? Luckily I ordered takeout so I didn't have to deal with that mess. I'm glad this restaurant appears to be doing well, the customers are young and pretty and the staff looks hip and cool. I came in wearing sweats and greasy hair so I guess I deserved to be treated like a low class citizen (not!). If you want to feel discriminated because of the way you look, please come to this restaurant and feel more terrible about yourself. Beware!
(2)
Stephanie S.
The food here was great! The lollipop chicken was just as good as everyone said it was. It was really tender, but the outside was crunchy and tasty. I also really enjoyed the crab cakes, as well. I thought that they were perfectly seasoned without the typical filling. The tzatziki sauce was little bit of let down to an otherwise great meal. I will definitely come back again!
(4)
Erin H.
Read the review in Washingtonian and had to try it. Greek tapas? I fell in love right away. This food is great! It was a bit of a hike for me (very north Rockville), but when it comes to good food it's all good. Try the crazy jalapeno feta (it's to die for) and baby lamb chops (right off the grill, melt in your mouth). Don't waste your money on the tapenade or opa shrimp. Don't get me wrong, they were good, but there's so much more on the menu to try. Spanakopita was nice, light and non-greasy. Service was awesome, and the waiters make for nice eye-candy, too! :)
(4)
Dee A.
LOVE IT! Almost always a wait, always crowded, wont seat you until every person in the party is there, no room really to wait for your table inside,and tables so close together youre practically dining family style with all the other guests! And totally completely always worth it. Still my favorite eats in Montgomery County. Went again last night and yes, its still the freshest most consistent food, always served in record time, and DEEElicious! Best items: Village salad, rissotto, flaming cheese (nagasaki.? sp?), whipped salmon roe, short ribs (NEW), and the sinful french toast for dessert. Also try the Vinsanto after dinner-- its a sweet greek dessert wine (think honey, raisins, grapes, velvet taste). Tried the new mac and cheese item.....not a fan but if lots of goat cheese is your thing go for it.
(5)
Stephany T.
This place is absolutely amazing. I heard great reviews from friends and I'm so glad I finally had a chance to dine here. I came here on a Sunday night with the boo. They were relatively busy at 8pm, but service was great and the food arrived much sooner than I anticipated, given the crowd. We had a small table for two by the bar - I think that would be my only complaint. Our table wasn't ideal as it was a bit noisier than I would've preferred and the servers coming in and out of the kitchen was kind of distracting. I figure we'll ask for a table out of the bar area next time. We ordered one of the white wines - Dr L Riesling. I liked it - it wasn't too sweet. Before we even ordered, they brought out pita bread and a tray of dipping sauces. The pita was so soft and fresh. We ordered: - Lollipop Chicken. You must try this. The yogurt(?) and honey sauce with the chicken is delicious. - Sauted Zuchinni. We needed a vegetable dish. It was pretty good but nothing outstanding. But still good. Will probably try a different vegetable dish next time though. - Scallop Risotto. THE BEST. The flavor of the rice was mmmmmm. And the scallops were cooked just perfect. So tender and flavorful. - Lamb Chops. Let me make it clear that I do not like eating lamb. But I figured we might as well give it a try and I might actually have enjoyed it more if I wasn't so full from all the other amazing dishes. The bf seemed to enjoy it though. The food here was great and I will definitely be coming back again. It's a perfect date night restaurant, especially for those nights you rather not venture into DC :)
(5)
Irene K.
Checked out this place while visiting friends in Maryland. So obviously as a New Yorker everything gets compared to NYC standards or may I just say I'm a new york snob with the attitude that if it aint in nyc it aint good. Anyway this place was beyond NYC standards. I love the sexy ambient, the food was great had the Cava grill ( lamb chops, grilled meatballs, lamb meatballs, chicken souvlaki), the spicy lamb sliders, and Saganaki ( a cheese dish that they light on fire). I recommend all of the above and their martinis ARE AHMAZING! I'd definitely go back and explore the rest of the menu.
(5)
Monica G.
Went here with my daughter yesterday after finding all the good reviews on "yelp" and was very disappointed... We ordered grape leaves as an appetizer and my daughter had a small salad. I had the lunch salad which was like my daughter's small salad with the addition of 4 pieces of shrimp and $$. Then we waited....and waited...for my daughter's Gero sandwich. I finally asked for it and someone went into the kitchen but never came out. In the meantime, the girl who seated us was talking and texting with friends and all the servers seemed to be pretty much ignoring customers. Some customers came in and one of the servers stopped them and said "We're closed now.". Guess that explains some of the goofing off and the eye rolling when we walked in about 15 minutes earlier! Finally, our original waitress came over and said they'd give us the sandwich for free and it would be only a minute. About 5 minutes later, she brought it out and we asked for it to go. In the car, my daughter opened the bag and found that there were french fries stuffed inside the Gero sandwich, which only had about 2 pieces of meat! Evidentally, they had run out! She said it tasted dry. They didn't charge me for the Gero but just with grape leaves and salads, the bil came to $30+! Never going here again!
(1)
Evan H.
Two words describe this place perfectly: Five Stars. I had heard of this place (D.C. location) but never made it in to try. That changed today and I have a feeling I will be coming back plenty more times. The Rockville location is pretty small and we sat outside. Our waiter was quick to tell us about the specials and bring us drinks and pita bread with olives, olive oil and a spicy sauce to dip. Here is the collection of 7 dishes for our table of 4: Scallop Risotto - fantastic. The risotto was safron based and had mushrooms and perfectly cooked scallops on top. Greek Fries - also delicious, topped with cheeses and a dipping sauce. Florina Peppers - roasted peppers with onions topped with Feta. They were perfectly seasoned and topped with a bit of basil to really bring them home. White Bean Ragout - a very fresh, summery dish that was a nice compliment to the other more hearty dishes. Chicken Souvlaki - the seasoning and sauce were to die for. It seemed to have an oregano and lemon base, and a very delicious after taste. pan roasted salmon with a mushroom ragu - the salmon was great and tender, but this was the only dish that i might not order again...or at least hope that it comes out earlier. The dish is a tad salty, but still darn good. Overall this meal was a perfect 10, everything was great.
(5)
Food L.
Cava didn't meet my expectations. I had the Eggplant Fritters and Lollipop Chicken. Although, good but, nothing special. Chicken needed some more flavor to it. The atmosphere was nice and staff was friendly.
(3)
Deni P.
Amazing food, professional service, great price. If you can't make up your mind if you should give this place a try, don't hesitate. I visited last week and I am going back again this week.
(5)
Mahesh S.
Greek style tapas. and the execution was so perfect. I went on a Tuesday and everyone had a bottle of wine on their table, and later I found out they have 50% off on bottle of wine on tuesday. good to know! I liked the mini plate concept with the greek food. most everything we tried tasted good. the plae is very crowded, and the tables are right next to each other but it doesnt bother me a bit. for a tuesday evening it was quite packed.
(4)
Geoff G.
Wow, what a wonderful dining experience! The wife and I visited Cava Mezze for the first time last Wednesday evening. I had heard many good things about the restaurant, so I was very anxious to try. Just a note to fellow Yelpers, this restaurant does not take reservations. We arrived around 7:40pm on a weeknight and the place was packed. We put our name in with the hostess, who told us the wait would be about 40 minutes. No problem. We walked over to the bar and placed a drink order........ and then it happened. Something I have never witnessed before........ the bartender, Steve, was waving us over to two seats he saved for us at the end of the bar. Really?!?!?!? Yes Please! With service like that, our minds were made up...... we were eating at the bar! (Mind you, it is no easy task to get the wife to eat at the bar, so this made me extremely happy.) Throughout the evening, we noticed both bartenders reserving seats for folks who had already placed an order at the bar and were standing with their drinks. This is a nice change of pace from the normal "knock people over to get a chair" routine that normally goes on Enough about that.... onto dinner. Steve recommended we order an appetizer to share, and 1-2 small plates per person. I can't say that I disagree with his suggestion. We debated between the mac-n-cheese and zucchini fritters for our appetizer and decided on the zucchini fritters. They weren't really what I expected, and I don't think either of us would have ordered them again. I thought they were just going to be breaded zucchini. Instead, it was a mixture of filler that consisted of some sort of cheese, sour cream (maybe)/yogurt/mayo binder with shredded zucchini that was rolled up in a ball, breaded, and fried. Not really my cup of tea, but we will definitely be ordering the mac-n-cheese on our next visit... someone next to us ordered it and it looked delicious. For our small plate dishes, we shared shrimp and grits, lamb hash, and lamb shank on a bed of orzo. The shrimp and grits were the best I have ever tasted outside of New Orleans. Creamy grits with nice size gulf shrimp with some pancetta mixed in. The lamb hash was equally delicious, and was topped with an over easy egg. The lamb shank is a very hearty dish, and we were warned by Steve that although it was delicious and recommended, it wasn't really a summer dish. He was spot on with the description, as it was very hearty and extremely tender. It was composed of a perfect balance of texture and flavor, although a tad salty. Steve also recommended the Challah French Toast for dessert, which certainly did not disappoint. It was definitely one of the best desserts we have ordered in quite some time. Diner Beware, this dessert is HUGE and I recommend splitting it with at least one other person. The challah bread was topped with tons of fresh berries, homemade whipped cream, and a touch of honey. There also may have been some syrup drizzled over top. Definitely worth the calorie count! Cava Mezze is a homerun, even if you aren't a fan of tapas. Their extensive menu will offer tempting selections for any foodie. We will definitely be back to dine with Steve at the bar! THE GOOD: Excellent Food, Great Service, Fantastic Cocktails, Fair Price Points, Atmosphere. THE MEH: Zucchini Fritters THE BAD: Reservations are not accepted
(4)
Sandra L.
It's hidden in the back of the plaza and doesn't seem very special from the outside, but as soon as you enter in, you're in for a good ambience that beckons wine or beer and great food rich with flavors. The place is small and dimly lighted. The service is casual, quick and friendly. It's a great atmosphere with a few friends or for a date (minus the behind a plaza). Good price, too.
(4)
Jeff S.
Recently went to Cava while visiting in the area. Not to sound like a snob, but in general I find Rockville to be very mediocre with regard to food options. I know Bethesda and DC are better, but in Rockville, it seems to me that the prevalent food choices are typically fast-food-in-a-corporate-wrapper type places like Panera, Moby Dick, and Quiznos. Nothing very stimulating for the palette. Anyway, I read great things about Cava on Zagat, so I was pretty excited to go. I'm glad to say, the food didn't disappoint. though, it really wasn't as amazing as Zagat made it out to be. Our table got an assortment of dishes including the Greek Salad, a squash and tomato dish, hummus, and a few others. They were all well prepared and the ingredients were fresh and high quality. The coffee was pretty good too! The atmosphere was a bit noisy, but it was lunchtime, what can you do? I only have one criticism, that being that the service was way to pushy and, essentially, thoughtless. I get it that you need to clear dishes off, but can you wait till we finish eating before clearing the table? It's quite uncomfortable to see a waiter's hand reaching in to grab a half empty dish while people are still eating. Dude, chill out and let the clientele enjoy their meal. I probably would have given the place four stars if it wasn't so hyped up and the waiter didn't disturb us 20 times to take away dishes, so 3 stars it is.
(3)
S6 5.
wow, def one of the best restaurants in the DC area; been here numerous times; i've brought many people who've never been and converted them to huge fans the food here is just amazining; everything from the bread with harissa to the cheese dish they light on fire! you cant go wrong with this spot. the space is fairly small and this place can get VERY crowded; even on weekdays; I would advise you come early as possible; wait times can get to be 2 hours +. its def a local favorite and attracts people from all over the area; i believe they recently opened a DC location as well; hopefully that has decreased the insane amount of people who show up to eat here staff is very friendly and quick; the bar is excellent; also can get very crowded due to long wait times during peak hours.
(5)
Chris K.
Went there with my wife for dinner. We love Greek/Mediterranean food (Zaytinya in dc is one of our favorites), so we wanted to try this place out. It's a small sit-down place with a little bit of outside seating as well. The place was bustling and the ambiance was good. Prices are standard for this type of food and the food (especially the lollipop chicken) was great! What put this place over the top for me was the service we received. As I mentioned the place was pretty busy, and towards the end of our dinner I guess there was a party of 9 that was waiting to be seated, and me and my wife were in the middle of the only open space. The waiter very politely asked us if we would be willing to move, and for our trouble they would give us each a free drink and dessert. We didn't mind at all so we agreed, and they moved all of our food/drinks to another open table. A few minutes later the manager came out to our table, apologized again for the inconvenience and offered to just give our dinner for free! We didn't mind getting moved in the first place, but it was definitely nice getting our $50-$60 bill taken care of and on top of that knowing that management cares about how its patrons are treated. They did a good job keeping us happy and getting the other large party seated. Would have visited again just for the food, but this makes me a customer.
(5)
C Q.
I have been here several times and always ordered lunch specials. Their lunch special portion, while smaller than the typical portion, but it was a good size. The food was good and I was always thinking about going with more people so we can try different items. The wait staff was always polite, but I have never gotten a smile from any of them. But they were efficient and did their jobs. I would have given them 4 stars. However... The last experience was not so good. We ordered several different items from the menu, only one item from the lunch special. Some of the food was overly salted, while others needed more salt. The only items that I thought were still good were the lollipop chicken and the chicken gyros. We were shocked by the amount of the food on the plate for some of the items, even by mezze standard. The portion was smaller than an appetizer in other restaurant. When the bill came, it was about $25 per person. Our server never checked on us once while we were eating. And the staff started to clear the table while some of us were still eating. It would have been fine to spend $25 for a meal if the food and service were great. I definitely did not think the lunch was worth the price. 2 stars for this experience.
(3)
Lina B.
Tuesday = half priced bottle of wine. If you don't finish it, they will cork it and let you take it home. But who doesn't finish their wine? :) Delicious. I love mezze because I love sharing and I hate ordering the same thing as someone else. Lollipop chicken = outer fried shell around a chicken leg, with honey and yogurt on the plate. mmm mmm. Braised beef is my favorite dish. Served atop french fries and feta. A delightful cinnamon taste to match. Absolutely love it :) Saganaki = flaming cheese. A little too salty for my taste here, but it's still delicious. Be forewarned, its a lot of cheese. Souvlaki is good. Green beans are very tasty. Scallops risotto was yummy too. Grape leaves are good. Braised lamb is very tender. Macaroni and cheese is really good. Used to be better but they changed it up. Don't be scared to order it, it's absolutely delicious. Greek Doughnuts are good too, if you have room for dessert that is. Which normally, you don't. I honestly don't have anything negative to say about this place. It's a little dark and a little crowded on busy nights, but worth the wait. They have a lunch menu during the week with pita sandwiches and also offer the full menu. Don't fill up too much on bread and the dips: I love the spicy eggplant one. I just can't get enough.
(5)
Zara K.
its fun. thats why i give it three stars, FOOD..mmmm...is everyone serious? it LOOKS good, its pretttyyy average for the taste, the scallop risotto was pretty bland to the point where it tasted like bad baby food, the humus tasted nothing like original humus it was too thick and creamy almost suffocating. the only thing that i liked were the lamb chops, VERY nice lamb chops! Their happy hour food at other locations is great for the price though, i do recommend their happy hour! (Not this location)
(3)
Annie K.
We came here last night and it was PACKED. It was about a 20-30 minute wait, so we grabbed a drink at the bar. We had a table next to the bar, which was inconvenient because everybody kept walking by, but we didn't seem to mind. I enjoy tapas style dining, and I love Greek food. I loved the pita bread with the different dips. We ordered lamb burgers which was succulent and melted in my mouth, beef gyros, scallops with rice, (I forgot the name of it because my boyfriend ordered everything!) as well as asparagus. We had the baklava for dessert, which came with vanilla ice cream on top... it was delicious! The service was great, they even told us that there were open tables in the dining room if we wanted to move -- but we were already 3/4 done with our meal so we opted not to. They had a good wine and liquor selection. The ambiance is nice and dark, it's perfect for a date night.
(5)
Sang K.
Very good food. My personal favorites were the lamb chops and the scallops over risotto. The lamb sliders were just fine as well. For me a friend the bill came out to be around $95 including tip. As decent as the food was, I think that $95 is better spent at Ruth's Chris. The price to portion of food is just not worth it for me. Just my opinion. But definitely a nice place if you have already eaten and just want to snack on something while you talk with friends.
(3)
Ashley M.
Once you enter Cava, it's like you're not even in Rockville anymore. I'm not sure where you are, but it's probably someplace where the streets are paved with honey donuts and the rivers run with tzatziki. Cava has a solid selection and variety of mezze, plenty of wines to choose from, and some delicious martinis, too. I went with a group of coworkers and everyone was happy with their selections across the board. Tuesdays are 50% off bottles of wines, so try to head over then - but don't think just cause it's Tuesday that it will be dead. This place is busy every night of the week. The highlight of the meal though was the amazing greek donuts. Fluffy fluffy donuts. We were already stuffed but *someone* just had to order 1 of every dessert. Oh my... truffles were good, baklava was average, but my goodness, the donuts.
(5)
Ja'Bette L.
Wowzers!!! I'm amazed that this quality cuisine is a hop, skip, and jump from Germantown! The portions are just the right size; Ideal for sharing and slightly festive. What wonderful flavors and aromas! I may have just left this locale, but I'm already missing it and ready to turn the car around for another round of punishment. I totally ate more than I should have. Man oh man!!! If you like Greek, this place is a must!
(5)
keola'i g.
So...I was a bit nervous about going to a "Greek" joint. Why? One of my best friends growing (SPIRO) and I got in a wicked fight with orange and feta fight. Making me not the biggest fan; however, Cava is more of a Greek influenced spot. Service is spot on. Food is almost unsharable (yes, sharing is caring; but...). I'd say on all accounts, GO! Should you go and my gimpy self needs to wait for a table, I ask that we dine together! Umm....YUM!
(3)
Corinne L.
It takes a lot for me to give a place five stars...but this was a no-brainer. My friend and I hadn't seen each other in a few years and wanted to catch up over some great food and cocktails. After doing independent research (me on Yelp, her on the interwebs), we decided to meet at Cava for dinner. Finding the place on a dark rainy night was challenging, as it's dimly lit and at first I thought it was closed, but not by a long shot - it was bustling inside. I order a cocktail and wait for my friend to show up. While I'm waiting this older guy with thick graying hair seems to keep staring at me. I ignore him but have this feeling he'll show up again soon. My friend shows up, we are seated, and we proceed to review the menu. The food is served mezze style, which apparently means they bring out the food as it's ready and the plates are smaller and are supposed to be shared. Okay, sounds like the Greek version of tapas, I'm cool with that. Everything looks great and we're narrowing down our choices when the man sitting next to me asks "Do you like seafood?" We say yes, and he recommends the scallops risotto. Turns out he's the chef & part owner of Cava, and that gray-haired guy I saw is his father, Chris. Dimitri the chef recommends a few things, says he cooks what he loves to eat, and we make our final decisions. The waiter comes around and asks for a drink order. We demur but are told "your drinks are on the house." Sweet! We put in our order and start yakking it up. When the Greek salad arrives, Chris tells me the ingredients are all very fresh, baby, and "you're gonna love it." My friend was recently in Greece so he chats with her for a few minutes about where she visited, how the clubs in Mykonos don't obey the laws and stay open all night long, and about his house in Athens. This whole conversation is peppered with "baby", which makes it even more entertaining. Oh Chris, you crazy drunken Greek, I love you. The food was amazing: filet mignon souvlaki and chicken souvlaki are well seasoned and moist. The scallops risotto is well prepared and very fresh, baby. The Greek salad had generous chunks of feta and the vinagrette was perfect. Greek fries are okay - the best part is the tzaziki (sp?) dipping sauce. The hummus and pita were some of the best I've ever had. Chris recommended the flaming cheese that everyone seemed to be ordering, based on how often we were seeing fiery pans around us, and also said to have the pita bread twice baked the next time we visit. Greek desserts are one of my favorite things, so we ordered the loukomades (Greek donuts) and the baklava. Chris said it was better than what you'd get at a grocery store, but he didn't need to tell me that because the only time I really want Greek desserts is when I'm at a Greek festival or restaurant. Both desserts were so good, I wanted to do inappropriate things to Dimitri (who is very cute and if he's single he won't be for long). Turns out they comped our desserts too. Cava was a welcome respite from the stress I'd been going through, dealing with a very sick parent in the hospital. I walked out of Cava with a smile on my face and a warm full fuzzy feeling all over. I urge you to go and try the baklava, baby, it's GOOD!
(5)
Donis M.
Best Tapas around DMV. Food is great. The Chef does a great job with the menu.
(5)
Jacki W.
After several attempts to eat here, I finally got in with a couple of friends and now understand why it was worth the wait! Harissa and Haloumi are my new favorite friends along with a glass of Chenin Blanc! Did I say the flaming Haloumi cheese is out of this world? Seriously, I could have eaten 2 orders of it and walked out a happy woman. However, we also order zucchini puffs, which were delightful tasty balls of fluff -- not heavy or overly fried and the lamb, tasty and rare - not overcooked or tough, but delightful bits of heaven on the palette. I'll be back for sure and I'll wait, oh I'll wait to dine here again. Note, it's loud, very loud, so make great conversation elsewhere! Afterall, your here to eat!
(5)
Renee S.
The food was good, but really expensive. I would go back if someone else was paying.
(3)
Ilana G.
Decided to go here for an anniversary dinner. The food was excellent on the whole. Their Saganaki is popular and I thought it was notably tasty, a nice lemony essence. The lollipop chicken was also good. Although, I think the heartier meat dishes are probably a better value. I especially appreciated the wine menu, which had a great variety of options under $30 per bottle, which you do not always find at restaurants with such great food. However, I took off a star for ambiance. The place is currently so popular on Yelp that everyone goes there and it is super crowded and I thought cramped. You are inches away from your neighbors and constantly tempted to rudely look over at their food and comment on how good it looks while waiting for yours to arrive. I definitely would not go here with people I actually want to talk to. Maybe if you are forced to go out with people you despise and want to tune them out, this place would be perfect!
(4)
Zeina H.
Incredible Greek food! The restaurant itself is a bit cramped but it gives it an intimate feeling. The service is fast and very friendly. It's a little pricey for their mezze style dishes ( small portions like tapas) but the quality of food is totally worth it. Go on a night when they have drink specials such as Half off wine bottles on Tuesday or Martini night!
(4)
Maz W.
What can I say? If you have money to spare, keep the kids at home and come enjoy their near-perfect dishes. From their lollipop chicken to really everything else on the menu, the food just screams perfection. Someone paid close attention to this menu, and to every dish on the menu, and you can tell. The service is friendly, though sometimes it feels like there are too many people roaming around you, waiting for you to finish. It's a small (but cozy) setting, and I think some of the servers get nervous when people stay long at the table. But this could be my imagination because, at this place, you just want to stay and eat till you drop. Our second time there, just me and the wife, we ordered too much food and they gladly packed it for us, and gave us some extra bread and spicy dip, which my wife loves. Their meats heat up well, which to me means it's good stuff. Best suited for a date, or a group outing where you want to share your food and try different things. Their servings are slightly more generous than Jaleo's in Bethesda (which I think serves mediocre and bland food). They don't take reservations, but if you're like us and like to dine early, show up at 5 and you can probably get a table.
(5)
Eric S.
Went here for a friend's birthday after wanting to try it for a while now. I honestly wish I'd hit them up earlier, because, wow, I love tapas/mezze, and Cava hits it dead on. As a bonus, the prices are a bit lower, and parking way easier to find, than anywhere in DC that I've been. As others have said, the place is a bit crowded, so it helps to go during non-rush hours. We started dinner a bit early for our big group, and that worked nicely. Service still kept up nicely as more people came in, though, so it wasn't a huge issue. Can't remember any specific favorites, because it was too long since I wrote this review, and frankly, everything was good. That said, I do remember the saganake (flaming cheese) specifically, because not only was it crazy awesome[0], but since it is a cramped space, they lit the thing about a foot over my head. Now, I'm already bald, but I never realized how much heat one of those bastards puts off. Def. recommend it, but for the love of everyone in a five food radius, do not order it if the place is hopping or it's the middle of summer. ~EEE~ [0] Cheese + fire = AWESOME!
(5)
Dana R.
After a short stint as a food reviewer in college I have decided to share my impromptu (yet constant) reviews of restaurants with the rest of the Yelp community. As a new restaurant in my repertoire Cava seems like the perfect place to start. Cava in Rockville is a small restaurant with seats both indoors and out. However, I would suggest sitting indoors regardless of the weather for both the ambiance as well as avoidance of the scenic parking lot view. Indoors is dark and candlelit, and make sure your eyes have time to adjust before scouring the menu. Despite the intimate seating arrangements, Cava does get loud especially during prime happy hour time. Mezze are small dishes slightly larger than tapas which range in substance. Cava serves salad, soup, vegetarian, and a variety of meat mezze. Our waiter suggested about 2-3 per person. I would recommend ordering two each and maybe one dish to share per every two people. While the plates might be small the prices can add up really fast! Also, the food is very hearty and often high in fat (think lots of olive oil!) and will fill you up quickly. The FOOD: Every table gets a bowl of pita and small dishes of a slightly spicy red spread, olive oil, and olives. The pita is delicious - its very flat, smooth, and even better when fresh out of the oven to the table. Don't be frugal, the waiters will keep bringing it out! Tzatziki - refreshing, crisp, can't get enough of it, great starter! Haloumi - unsure if the pieces of haloumi cheese are grilled or fried, but regardless is out of this world! Very hearty - suggest sharing with at least one other person, comes in order of three Spanikopita - some of the best I've ever had, phyllo dough melts in your mouth, does not taste overly fried Lamb Kapama - extremely hearty dish with large chunks of lamb, orzo, and cheese, meat was so scrumptious it almost melted in your mouth Bottom Line: Delicious Mediterranean food! Unsuspecting location, great date, definitely worth the trip/the price. Not a great place to come STARVING, but definitely will leave more than satisfied!
(5)
Steven W.
I'll keep this short because I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said...When you are in Cava you feel like you are in a hot D.C. or NYC restaurant. The decor/vibe/Loudness makes you feel cool no matter who you are. For the food I'll just say the Lamb Sliders are worth the price of admission every time! If you live in the burbs but want to be taken to a happening place for a little while without the drive or traveling...hit Cava. It will do the trick!
(5)
Ting W.
I was surprised with an adventure to this restaurant. And boy was it a pleasant surprise. We came with relatively full bellies but we STILL kept ordering. We ordered the lollipop chicken, the falafel fritters, lamb chops, and the scallop risotto. I didn't think the falafel fritters stood out but the lollipop chicken and scallop risotto were so mouthwatering. The scallop really brings out the flavor of the risotto. Absolutely among the best things I've tasted in my life. Lollipop chicken was cooked just right and the sauce made it a winning combo. The lamb chops came last and I thought by then, it would be hard for it to live up to the standards of the lollipop chicken and scallop risotto. I was proved wrong. It was so finger licking good. Had it been socially acceptable, I would've eaten every last bit off the bone. Service was prompt and polite. They took away the plates as we finished them and refilled our drinks often. Will definitely return!
(5)
Food S.
So dark in here you'll think that it is closed. Food is good pretty close to authentic. I'm Greek so I KNOW Greek food. The taramo salata was not that great -the tarama (fish eggs) were all broken and the potato portion of it was not light and fluffy. It was also served with capers -which was so weird and not a good combo. Drinks were good. Calamari was good. Overall, it was nice. However, be prepared for a very loud restaurant.
(3)
Lisa B.
We decided to go here as part of our goal of eating at the top 100 restaurants according to the Washingtonian magazine. It definitely lives up to its place on that list. The Lamb Kapama was our favorite dish. It's creamy and lamby and a perfect comfort food. The kids loved the Cava Mac N Cheese (as did the adults!) and the lollipop chicken. Veggies (green beans and asparagus) were tasty and cooked just right. The only dish we had mixed reviews on was the grilled octopus. The boy child and I liked it a lot, though I think they do it better at Zaytinya. My husband reacted very negatively to the extreme chewiness of the larger sections, but the ends were done quite well. So, we were all fans of the restaurant, and then dessert came. First the Greek doughnuts, dipped in honey and walnuts - delicious. How could that be topped? Oh, simple - order the Challah french toast with berries and whipped cream and honey. Simply amazing. The restaurant is extremely noisy, with tables very close together, and a crowd at the wine bar. You'll need to take care that your hair isn't singed when they light up a saganaki dish, but if it's a cold night, you'll enjoy the sudden burst of warmth. Because of the noise and the close quarters, the restaurant is not really set up for family dining. For most of our dinner, our kids were the only ones there. However, the staff was very accomodating and friendly, and there are a number of dishes that children will enjoy. (As noted above, Cava Mac N Cheese was a huge hit!) Also, although we were lucky and did not have to wait to be seated, by the time we left the crowd waiting for seats was pretty large. If you're bringing children, come early. Since we only tasted about 1/8th of the menu, we'll be going back again, I am sure.
(5)
Pavel C.
Best european style restaurant/bar in Rockville area, great atmosphere, great service and great food.
(5)
Davis J.
It was good the only bad thing was that the steak was a bit dry
(3)
Karena J.
My last meal.... You know that hypothetical question... If you were on death row, what meal would you choose as your last meal? Mine, would undoubtedly be an endless serving of Cava's 72 hour short ribs which is inconspicuously listed as just another offering on their new menu. I am a regular at Cava and always expected the most delicious, flavorful greek food. But that succulent, savory, juicy, soft morsel of meat that's perfectly seared on the outside was a moment of Zen - I felt time stop and nothing else around me mattered. An apology to my husband was immediately in order as he quickly noticed I couldn't focus on our conversation. Cava's plates are tapas style but slightly larger (hence, Mezze). The food focuses on robust flavor and quality. Savoring every bite means 4 dishes can satisfy two people. I love the original Orzo, perfectly seasoned with Greek cheese, tomato, and cinnamon- it's my GO TO along with the lamb shank and New York Strip. The burnt butter orzo has a "comfort food quality" that I'm sure will have me craving it tomorrow. Lolli pop chicken is perfectly crispy batter fried chicken on a bed of yogurt and honey sauce-sweet and savory don't usually tempt me as much as this. The Saganaki: cheese lightly battered and beautifully flamed to golden with 151 right in front of your singed brows, is always a crowd pleaser. Those reviewers who didn't like it must not be cheese lovers. For my fellow turophiles out there, you should also try the Sweet and Savory which includes authentic Greek feta and kefalograviera cheeses with a cherry reduction sauce. I'm not as into baklava, although my Greek friends tell me it's really good at Cava... I love their French Toast dessert. Half price wine nights on Tuesday are a steal. Cava is amazingly popular - you can't beat the amazing food in a restaurant whose chic atmosphere makes you forget you're in suburbia. It's lively and can get loud (I really enjoy the festive atmosphere) - but beware who you bring... my demure mother in law was not pleased with the decibel level when we treated her to dinner here. No beer taps at this location but they do have bottled beer to accompany a grest wine list. Service is always amazing. The staff are not only fast and efficient, they're also some of the most friendly in the business. Steve at the bar is never too busy to offer a glass of wine with a warm welcome despite a busy night. Chef Dimitri often conducts quality checks in person. I need to prepare him for my last request - possibly worth getting arrested!
(5)
Nikhil U.
Cava is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. If you are looking for a trendy classy restaurant this is perfect. The decor has dimmed lights, nice music and great atmosphere. The food items are small tapas style dishes, my favorite include the chicken souvlaki dish as well as the Greek salad. One of the best parts of cava is the pita bread and Harissa they give you at the start. Make sure you plan for at least a hour or two wait!
(5)
Lizette H.
The best tapas in MD hands down! The lamb chops are to die for, it melts in your mouth. Let's not forget the baby octopus.....delicious. From my experience, the wait staff are polite and attentive. Please ask for Demitri if you can, he is the best waiter. The wait can be a pain in the butt but you do have a bar (if you can find any place to stand). I suggest you get there early rather than late. It's great for an intimate dinner for two or a group setting. It is a little pricey so be prepared to spend a good amount of money (I spent $60 on my own). Or fill up on the free bread before you order..... Since I relocated to DC, I will be sure to drop by the Capital Hill location.
(4)
Ashley F.
I went here for my birthday dinner recently with my work BFFs and had a wonderful time. I was really sad to find that they did not take reservations on Friday nights but luckily due to the weather and my persistence to get there early, my friends and I were immediately seated when we walked in. The ambiance was very dark and the entire restaurant was far from spacious, perfect for a romantic date possibly and not groups. However, everyone seemed to make room for the crowded bar and the dining area was filled with mostly groups who seemed thoroughly comfortable and we didn't complain either. Well, the dungeon lighting wasn't favorable but we all managed. We all tried a cocktail which was all oh so delicious. I believe Pomegranate is my martini for 2011 because it is all I seem to order these days but it was delish! A friend of mind also tried the Cava martini which was nice and strong too. I had to sample! Our server was cool. Like literally, he had an app on his Iphone that took our order. I was in awe! Minor, irrelevant perk but it was impressive. He was attentive and our order came out correct and in perfect timing. I would give the food 4 out of 5 stars but very impressive. I have to go back and try more and I will tell you why this also doesn't take away from my final rating. Cava is Mezze style, which is small plates, and promotes sharing which is what we did. We had a little bit of everything. My favs were the Haloumi sliders, the chicken souvlaki and their Hummus was DEEEEEELightful! There were other items on the menu that I was dying to try but we would have never finished. The Lamb chops was good but there was a missing element that was needed to set it off. And unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the calamari. The best part of the night was when manager offered our table FREE Greek donuts for my birthday. (Mine you I thought I could get them free for checking in but I needed 5 to unlock.) They are totally worth it. The were like little sugared knots that were drenched in sweet syrup. It wrapped up the perfect birthday dinner! I cannot wait to go back~
(4)
Archie M.
A bit pricey, but great ambiance, fried cheese (!), nice wine selection, and their meat platter is awesome. It's a hidden jewel so to speak, being that it's away from any major thruway, and is next to a supermarket. But don't be deceived, you won't be embarrassed showing off the ambiance and design of this concept to any disconcerting Washington DC foodie. It's the gastronomically cosmopolitan getaway at the heart of the suburbs.
(4)
Jodi R.
I do not know where to begin when it comes to Cava. There are not many restaurants who are as amazing in so many different areas: the food, drinks, atmosphere, decor, staff, cleanliness... its just a wonderful experience. Having gone to all 3 locations, Rockville is my favorite only because it is smaller and cozier but all the locations are beautiful but different on the inside which is nice. the food has been amazing at all the locations. i have tried so much of the menu now and there hasn't been a single thing i have be disappointed with. overall, its an amazing place to have a great meal with a great vibe! love love love and i will go back for more!
(5)
Alina E.
This restaurant has been in existance within two miles of my house for years and it took us that long to pay our first visit. I am not quite certain why we waited this long, considering we've heard it's amazing, but it was certainly worth the wait. So much so, that we went back a few weeks after our first visit and the second was even better than the first. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The place is small and cozy. It's also NOT quiet due to a prominent, well-used bar and exposed brick walls. But it's not a quiet kinda food... The food here screams flavor, delicious, amazing flavor. Everything I've had in my two visits has been at least good, if not great. In two visits the standout favorites, though, have been the scallop risotto with mushrooms (one of the best scallop and/or risotto dishes I've ever had, period, end of story), the interesting take on perennial Greek favorite, the "inside out" mousaka (savory, meaty, potato-y goodness) and the grilled squid (light, meaty, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked). The rest of the food we tried was also delicious. The cava fries are crisp and perfectly paired with the slightly salty kefalograviera cheese. The zucchini fitters (my man's favorite and he's not even close to a vegetarian!) were just greasy enough and flavorful, paired with the ubiquitous yogurt sauce. They do justice to meat (disco fries and braised beef contain delicious, melt-in-your-mouth protein) but I think the kitchen shines with seafood (see above risotto and squid). The only thing that I thought maybe wasn't worth the hype is the saganaki (flaming cheese); it's just too salty a cheese to have on its own and it was pretty greasy. I am glad we tried it but there is just too much amazingness on the menu to give it another whirl in the future. We have not been able to order dessert here ( and I am very much a dessert person) because the whole meal satisfies as much as a good dessert does and I don't express this type of sentiment often. This place is awesome, well-priced and probably the best Greek/Mediterranean you can get in the DC area (and I LOVE Zaytinya). Run, don't walk - you'll need the calorie burn!
(5)
Sarah T.
I'm assuming this place is probably always busy. It was packed when my bf and I went with 2 friends. I LOVED the food! Everything I had was amazing! EVERYTHING! But truly any of the Lamb Mezze's are phenomenal! We tried over 9 things, but I can't get over the lamb dishes. It's pretty dark in the back portion and gets pretty loud because it's so packed in there. However it's not uncomfortable at all. The energy in the place is fun and upbeat, you can tell everyone there is having a good time. The service is attentive and playful. We had a really good time and will definitely be back!
(4)
Jeffrey T.
Very good tapes style greek food. Have tried there location in capitol hill and the new location in rockville does not disappoint. Went for brunch today and very reasonably priced. Two mimosa, two coffees, and seven tapes for three people 75 dollars. Lamb hash was delicious so were the homestyle potatoes. Will come back again. Of not though french toast was good but way to dense with egg giving it a very mussy texture.
(5)
sylvia c.
Cava is my favorite restaurant of all time. Anyone who knows me thinks I work for them because I recommend it to everyone and anyone i know. My boyfriend and I have been going there pretty much since it opened years ago. Every Tuesday night is half price wine bottle so it gets hectic in there. Every Monday is $5 margarita. The only down side is that you can't make reservations except on Sundays. And you won't be seated until your party is all present. The way cava works is that the plates are small so you order a lot of food to share with the table. Each place is anywhere from $7-$16 (most of them are about $10 a plate). Okay now here is the important part. If you have never been here before, let me tell you exactly what to order and I promise you will be going there weekly like I do. Every table is served pita bread, olive oil, and olives and with harissa which is a spicy dip- be careful not to get full off this. Start off with tzatziki its the best you'll ever have. (for those who don't know what it is its basically a dip made of Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill and other seasonings) eat it with the pita bread they give you. SO GOOD! and soo healthy! Then order the zucchini fritters Spicy lamb sliders The opa opa shrimp Order the lamb or chicken kapama (make sure to tell them instead of the cheese on top you want to replace it with Greek yogurt- this is how they used to sell it when it first opened if you don't request this you will not have an enjoyable kapama) This dish is orzo based and my FAVORITE! and to end the night order the french toast, but instead of the whip cream tell them to replace it with ice cream. Honestly everything on their menu is heavenly and yes in the last 3-4 years of business I have tried everything. The items listed above are my favorite and its what I get for people who has never had it before and they fall in love instantly. Everything is so much healthier there too. Their chicken orzo soup is good too I forgot what the Greeks call it. My last advice- this is a Greek restaurant. Don't try to be American and get mac and cheese, chicken drumstick or mussels. Those are American food and doesn't taste so good at a Greek restaurant. ENJOY!
(5)
PierAngeli M.
I had the pleasure of eating lunch here today. I had the cava gyro with fries. The meat was tender, juicy and flavorful. Lunch was delicious and just the right portion size. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I can't wait to come back.
(4)
Ryan F.
Best restaurant in the area. We eat at the bar, unless we bring a group. Lamb chops, ny strip (potatoes on this are so delicious), baby octopus salad, village salad, and chicken lollipops. Try the crazy feta and then slather it on the grilled meatballs. Great bar staff (Steve, Christie, Jose, Alex -- awesome, attentive). Chef tried sous-vide last week when we were there. Short ribs were so delicious. Always ask if they have a special b/c the wait staff doesn't always announce it.
(5)
Trevor M.
Mezze for the Soul. Atmosphere: Small, quaint, romantic, and crowded. Ok, bear in mind that it's crowded because it is fantastic. Rule 1: Get there early. Rule 2: Go to the bar. Rule 3: Have a bloody good time!!! Food: Wow!! What can I say? It is amazing! It is modern Greek food that is to literally die for. Wonderful Mezze portions that allows you the opportunity to eat several dishes without getting too full. Lamb, chicken, cheese, oh my. Some of the best Tzatziki that you're going to get. The grilled octopus is delicate and firm without being tough. The Scallops Mushrrom Risotto is a gift brought down from Olympus and given to this restaurant just for you. Lamb Shank....you haven't lived until you tried this dish. Drinks: Wine and Martini lists that are amazing. Try the Pamatini and the Cava martinis. They are not girlie drinks, they're nectar once again brought down from Olympus...just for your liver. Price: A little pricey, but for this kind of quality....it's definitely worth it. Return rate: incredibly high. Bottom line: Gaithersburg/Rockville....you have a place to go to for that three martini lunch and some of the best Greek food. This is Ambrosia at it's best.
(4)
Jueli L.
Wow, you guys totally under sold the roasted red peppers dipping sauce/harissa. That tapenade is more like the gold standard of crack to a couple of addicts. Yes, that was me and my Eating Partner last night at Cava. We downed a whole basket of the complimentary pita and harissa before ordering for dinner. And of course with their amazing service, it was promptly replenished just a few short minutes afterward, when the server deemed it safe to approach us. I usually wait a long while to review so as to let my experience(s) marinade in my brain, however, I could not wait to rave about this place. The food is phenomenal. The best of the night was definitely the lollipop chicken. I appreciated how the fried chicken was crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and was seasoned just right without the oily mess. Not only that but the balance of the sweetness of the sauce was just short of heavenly. The lamb sliders were pretty good, as well, with just a kick from the sauce and not a gamey bite in the least. I do not like seafood, not for lack of trying. It just has that weird texture and fishy smell/taste. My EP ordered the baby octopus, and it was wonderful. I had two tentacles all by myself, even if the suction cups kinda weirded me out. That earns HUGE points in my book. The spanakopita was amazing! It's even good reheated the next day (trust me - I just had some for breakfast). The zucchini fritters weren't bad either, albeit a little heavy with both the frying and the heaviness of the cheese sauce. The food alone is worthy of the 5 stars, but add in the great service, the dark, cozy atmosphere, and the half-off wine Tuesdays, the place is a DEFINITE 5 stars. Even though we finally scored a table for 2 at 7:30 on a Tuesday, the noise level didn't bother me like previous Yelpers had expressed. I could carry on a conversation (more like OMGWOWTHISTASTESSOGOOD!) with my EP comfortably. One thing I would mention is that it may be hard finding the actual restaurant. It's in the shopping center on Traville Gateway between the Giant and the Magnolia salon. The place looks closed from the outside because all the shades are drawn and it looks completely dark, but trust me, it's hoppin on the inside. I'm still amazed at the whole experience. Can't wait to find another excuse to stop by soon.
(5)
Carolyn L.
I went there awhile ago, but was writing a review on my phone while I ate, and I was just always too lazy to upload it....but here it is. The ambiance was great. It's a fairly small place, so if you're going in a big group like I did, make sure you have a reservation. We waited for an hour to be seated on that Saturday night - and there's really no waiting area. Here's the food we got and what we thought about it: Yummy: Green beans, spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, lamb chops, new york strip, grilled scallops. The two desserts we got were also delicious - Baklava (a little on the sweet side) and french toast (frickin' awesome). Cava fries were alright, and the orzo was funky tasting. Total cost was $200, but we did order two of some of the dishes. Keep in mind dishes are tapas sized. Highly recommended. :)
(5)
Freebz A.
My new favorite Greek restaurant. Inside has a dark intimate setting. The dishes are tapa style, so make sure you go all out. Definitely order the lamb...very flavorful!
(5)
Steven D.
Are you kidding me? This place is amazing! I was in town from San Francisco for business last week and needed to take a colleague to dinner. I was staying in Rockville and decided to look thru Yelp! for suggestions. Cava showed up as a highly recommended place. (It didn't hurt that I love just love Mediterranean food.) Next thing you know, we're seated inside this super swanky little place. Its crowded but has a great vibe & buzz. Their menu- as you can read from others- is tapas style plates that cover the spectrum. Let me tell you that the squid and the spicy lamb meatballs were da bomb!! We shared probably 4-6 plates and they all tasted great. We ended up staying until the place closed (mind you it closes at 10:00pm Mon-Thurs) and had the chance to meet Gus (the owner) and the bartender, Stephen. Both really cool guys. If I'm back in the Rockville area again, I wouldn't hesitate going back!
(5)
Toni P.
Been here three times now. Consistently good. Try the lamb chops. Wine selection excellent too. This restaurant is a little noisy so if you have elderly guests consider coming early or late when the crowds die down.
(4)
Isabella B.
Love the food selection and service. Delish
(5)
Angel W.
This food here is delicious! The downside? 1) Loud, 2) pricey compared to similar places, at least for the vegetarian options. The tsatsiki with bread is delicious as is the village salad - Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Capers / Olives / Red Onions / Feta / EVOO. Their lunch menu is somewhat limited. I have heard they have nice happy hours but I have never been. I mainly skip this option for lunch because of the price tag that usually follows. Service is also a bit slow for the lunch time crowd.
(4)
Buket K.
Like it!! Try Van Gogh Mango! Delicious!
(4)
Vanessa S.
What a fabulous place!! During our first visit the restaurant manager heard my boyfriend and I talking about how we haven't had Greek since we moved from NYC. He brought us two dishes to try on the house. The food,service and ambience were all excellent. We returned last night for our second visit and it was even more fabulous than the first time. We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Linda P.
I'd give this place a 5 star rating but they only take reservations for Sun & Mon nights so that's -1. My only other complaint is that it's so dark inside (I get it--trying to convey hip vibe) that I find myself squinting at the menu. Other then those minor details, this is one of my favorite restaurants. Dishes that are outstanding are the lamb chops, spicy lamb sliders, and scallop mushroom risotto, which is an absolute must here. It's so good that whenever there's more then 3 ppl to my grp, I usually order one for myself just cuz I know one will NOT be enough...well for me at least. *insert sheepish grin* When I first tried out this place, I ordered the flaming cheese dish (can't recall the name) which is basically flamed up for you table side but taste wise, it sucked. It was oily and way too salty but they do a good job presenting it...this is what got me suckered into ordering it. That was my only time ordering it and very well my last. Another dish that I was not impressed with was the spanakopita--very dry with too much flakiness. This is a mezze place so you should come here expecting the dishes to be small with the the purpose of sharing.
(4)
Mariella B.
So far so good I've been at least five times. Each time I must get the cava fries (feta topping all over) w/ tzaziki (sp?) on the side to dip. We also got the shrimp souvlaki which came out cooked well but wasn't amazed by it but glad the shrimp wasn't over cooked. We had the chicken souvlaki at one point and thought it was delicious and loved that it was still juicy. As the main course I got the spicy lamb meat balls which def did have a kick but not over powering. I ate these with the pita bread that came with the table, def a must have perfectly cooked. They are small so it's easy to over cook these bad boys. My boyfriend got the mini lamb gyros, perfect everytime and something about having the cava fries in them just adds that small touch. For dessert we got the challah french toast...OMG heaven in your mouth with the cream and berries it was perfect. Thanks to our server we were going to get the doughnuts but glad we got this instead. I thought it would have been to sweet or thick but it was just right and satisfying. I'm not sure what it was maybe that it had a nice crunch on the inside and melted as you bit into it but I've never had french toast like this! Kudos Cava Mezze!
(5)
Anthony L.
Cava Lots of places around the Metro area that do Greek Mezze. Some do it well, some well, not so much. Cava does it right! Most other Greek places I've eaten at (been many) were mostly the same. Cava sets itself apart with what matters the most, the food. All meats cooked and seasoned perfectly. Lamb is a tricky meat to get right and Cava nails it. There was a wait on a Tuesday evening at 8:30pm, that's with the outdoor seating. Nuff said. " I'll be back".
(4)
Kelsy S.
Still one of my FAVORITE places in Rockville. This is one of the few places where I can try different dishes every single time I go and enjoy all of it! Our favorites are the grilled meatballs, lamb souvlaki, lollipop chicken, crazy feta, sweet & salty feta...but most of all I have a SERIOUS obsession with the Harissa that comes out as a free appetizer (with pita). It's unlimited and I can't stop eating it...they also sell it at Whole Foods, hook it up! :)
(5)
William L.
Came here on a Sunday night to meet up with two friends to discuss travel plans. I was surprised to discover that this place is quite the date spot. The lighting is dim, and the ambience is dark but in a romantic way, if you get my drift. I guess perhaps the upcoming Valentine's Day may have played a part in the atmosphere that night. The food was good, but don't be surprised by the bill at the end in spite of the small plates menu. Numerous small plates can add up to a pricey bill. I highly recommend the scallops risotto, very delicious; I only wish there were more than 3 scallops in an order. Desserts were kind of expensive though. $8 a piece, so I was tempted to order baklava with vanilla ice cream but skipped it. It seemed overpriced.
(4)
Allison L.
Great food and dessert. My favorite dish was lamb shank and smoked salmon. Make sure you try their baklava. It's real sweet so if you don't like sweet dessert don't get it.
(4)
Zack G.
For the price you pay... Feed the customer!!! I won't deny the food is good but they need to work on getting more food!
(3)
Gigi C.
wtf! No baby octopus the other night? No problem. We'll just have to come back this weekend!!! As always, food was great. We brought the kids with us this time. The waiter was especially accommodating towards them. My daughter wanted strawberry ice cream for dessert. They only have vanilla, so he had the kitchen cut up some strawberries for her and had them mixed into her ice cream. Bonus points for you, Mr Waiter Man.
(4)
Aria W.
This is a fantastic spot to come by for date night or catching up with friends! Cava has a great selection of drinks, making it a great place to swing by for happy hour. Grab a drink and split one or two selections from the menu and you're set! They serve everything Mezze style (Mediterranean version of Tapas) so come expecting to share. They have all of your classic Greek appetizers done really well and a vast selection of meats, seafoods, and vegetables to choose from. I was introduced to this spot by Greek friends of mine, telling me that this place serves delicious and close enough to authentic food to come here. My suggestion to you, try something out of your comfort zone, I can almost guarantee you won't be disappointed! Just as a warning, late nights and weekends you should be prepared to wait... but it is worth the wait.
(5)
tammy M.
This place is truly loud but our waiter was fantastic,explaining the mezze system .i didn't have the heart to tell him it is totally common in Australia :). He recommended a Greek red wine which was good. We had dip sampler,tyropita,lamb sliders,mini pork pita,and opaopa shrimp Phyllo on tyro pita was really good.sliders and pork tasty and the sauce on shrimp was wonderful- lots of dill . Presentation on all was first class's and the amounts were good for the 3 of us to share . We were totally full and didn't look at dessert . Would thoroughly reccomend to anyone in the area.
(4)
Katherine R.
The food is right on, every time I've been there. The restarurant itself, however, is way too loud to usually have an enjoyable dinner. Sitting outside is definitely preferred. Lately I've been ordering take out since I live in the neighborhood (Cap Hill location). Tonight, I asked if they would include their starter dips (complimentary for dine-in) with my take out order, and they were unable to... Really? Seems like a simple request. I was disappointed. The service is just OK... Servers usually seem overworked and ultimately, annoyed with customers. I would probably just give them 3.5 stars, but the food stands on its own and is definitely worth trying... even if you have endure the loud, really dark restaurant with average service...
(4)
Arthur K.
I've been looking to go to Cava based on word of mouth for a long time. I finally had the chance to go and it was good. Wait times were a bit long especially for a weekday night, but I guess it's a testimony to the good eats within. And that's something to be said especially north of Bethesda. The food was tasty and every little mezze we got was well prepared. Even the free bread was tasty. Definitely recommend it. The seafood was just ok.. but maybe that's more personal preference than anything. The lamb chops were tasty. By the way the restaurant is really dark. Like Houston's dark.
(4)
Micah P.
All right, I should really give this place 3 stars based on the day that I went, but I know my group situation wasn't a good way to base the customer service (we had people that came to eat, some that stayed for 20 minutes, or some that just went to hang out). However, the food is actually very delicious! I didn't get much, but their little baskets of bread with spread were quite a treat and my meal of scallops was probably the best batch of scallops I have ever had. If I go again, I plan on updating this review and hopefully they get more stars.
(4)
Kara H.
Yum and a half. I was in Rockville on business with 2 other people, and we went here one night. Absolutely loved it, and the next night, when we were trying to decide where to eat, realized that nothing would live up to Cava. So we went back. Yep, ate there 2 nights in a row, and was happy I did. The first night was half price wine night. Hello?? Genius. Two bottles of good wine for $24, can't go wrong there! Several other people thought so too, it was packed, but we still only had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. They brought up bread and dips right away, and we got to ordering. Everything was great, we had meatballs, chicken, and the best one was the Inside Out Mousaka, made with baby eggplant. It was king of the night. Next night, not as jam packed, but still crowded, got a table right away. Again, great service from the start, they're really good about keeping your water filled and clearing away empty dishes and plates. This night, king of the night was the Braised Lamb Shank. It was served over risotto, and was just so-o-o-o-o delicioius. Yum squared. Lots of other great things eaten too. Literally, on the 2 nights I was there, I didn't eat one thing that I disliked or thought "eh....". When you're trying a bunch of dishes like that, that's pretty rare. If you're in the DC area, go. You must. Get the truffles for dessert. You're welcome.
(5)
Jessica J.
Absolutely LOVE the food here! I decided to give them 4 stars instead of 5 only because I always have to wait here (usually a lengthy wait) and this food is so good that you really don't want to wait! With that said, it is totally worth the wait. :-) Some of my favorites are tzatziki...mix it with the red spicy sause that they serve with the pita, ugh yum; the saganaki...this is the best cheese EVER...I really love cheese but I could eat this daily, also good with the red spicy sauce...ok, what's not good with that red spicy sauce?!?; the scallops risotto is delicious; and the grilled meatballs are really good also. Seriously, I haven't had anything here that I don't like. The Greek wine is a perfect after dinner wine. Believe me, you will love this place after your first visit!
Usually when people suggest Greek, I conjure visions of some old tired olives, some feta and any other stereotypical old style fare you can think of. Cava..... I am truly sorry. Literally got dragged here on a Tuesday with the promise of half price wine and low expectations. I left with a full on mouthgasm and making my host promise that we would be back soon. Sat at the bar (Thats where you will find me most places) bartenders were attentive, knowledgeable and good salesmen without me feeling pressured. Hands down stand out for me was the grilled octopus. And don't forget the grilled octopus. Scallops ok, flaming cheese yum, chicken lollipops yes please. Couldn't do any beef options because of lent promise, but can't wait to go back to try those. This place will go on the regular rotation.
(4)
S C.
Went here for dinner this past Saturday with a girl friend of mine. Cava never lets me down. We started off with a martini. I ordered the "Van Gough Mango". It was strong and tasty. For the small plates, we ordered SPARRAGGIA, SCALLOPS MUSHROOM RISSOTTO, KOKKINISTO/Braised Beef and Fried Oysters. For dessert we ordered Greek Doughnuts. I highly recommend the doughnuts. They're warm doughnut holes mixed with cinnamon/sugar/walnuts and drizzled with honey. MmMmM!!!! Our server was really good! Always checking up on us to see how we're doing. I will definitely go back!
(4)
Puja L.
So, I know that 2 stars is supposed to mean "I've experienced better" and, although I can't say that I have been to a better Greek/martini bar - I would not return here. I came here not too long after they opened and was underwhelmed by the food and the clientele. I suppose the latter isn't really the fault of the restaurant itself - but there seemed to be a bit of a Real Housewives of North Potomac scene in the place. We got the dip platter - and the hummus was terrible. I've had better hummus from Costco. I didn't enjoy the food and didn't particularly care for the vibe in the place either. A little too uppity for me.
(2)
Nicole L.
I get the usual standards here but this time I tried few more different stuff - started with this fish roe dip it was very interesting slight fishy but spreading it on the pita with some of that spicy tomato paste was great. I also ordered the cypriot cheese grilled haloumi, so I started stacking that with the roe and tomato paste - bam! it was the most awesome sandwich ever! You can taste every single item in the stack. The scallop risotto was delish! Nicely charred outside and tender juicy inside. Rice could be a bit more tender. The lollipop - shrimp ontop on fillet mignon with a feta cheese tomato mix (not saucy) the shrimp was great but the steak they dont cook to oder so it was a bit over cooked. I had lots of wine perhaps way too much - the Campus Oak was not opening up enough for me, the angelina Malbec was my fav of the night.
(4)
Tina L.
I'm probably in the minority when I say... Cava Mezze was just okay. Overall, it wasn't a spectacular mind blowing experience and in fact, for the price I feel like I probably won't be going again any time soon. So my date and I got the pork belly, lamb chops, scallop risotto, and short ribs. I think our first mistake was getting so much red meat, but either way, it was wayyy heavy. Worst dish was probably the pork belly... Surprising because I feel like with the amount of fat on pork belly it would be hard to dry out... but somehow that is exactly what we got. Dry. Fatty meat. It was also advertised as "crispy" which it is definitely not. Best dish was between the scallop risotto and lamb chops. I love the risotto! Flavors were nice and it was definitely refreshing next to all of the heavy dishes. Scallops were cooked pretty well although mine was kind of gritty. Lamb chops was also deliciously cooked, charred (although my partner didn't like that) and well seasoned. The fries underneath were nice and crispy although nothing special (and also sitting in a puddle of oil...). Short ribs were pretty okay. Cooked very tender sitting on top of mashed potatoes. Maybe its because it came last that I did not enjoy it as much. Also got the lemon drop martini which I did not really like very much. It lacked flavor and kind of just tasted like a watery lemon juice. Skip this one! Anyway, overall, I would say that the meal was pretty "meh" on a scale of "nay" to "yay." We spent 73 and with tax and tip around 90!! Not worth it in my opinion and just did not live up to the hype. P.S. Bring a flashlight because its dark as crap in there!
(3)
Marc H.
Tuesday = Half Priced Wine Night What I learned about Cava on Tuesdays: Not even a snow storm will stop people from coming here. You know you have a successful business when there's a wait even when it's snowing outside. On to the food. 1. Hummus - I've had better... a little bland for my liking 2. Eggplant dip - AWESOME. A must order 3. Feta with Honey - AWESOME. A must order 4. Zucchini and Squash - Loved it. So healthy, so good, great dish on a cold night. Simple and delicious 5. Octopus - Very tender, very good 6. Lamb Shank Special - Huge portion, so tender, if you like lamb, you can't go wrong with this. The cheesy mushroom risotto hit the spot as well 7. Seghisio Zinfandel for 50% off - Homerun So happy to have this place in our backyard, and the service is top notch as well.
(4)
Pete D.
After reading tons of great reviews from other Yelpers and local magazines, we finally made it out here and actually got a table. It was an early 5:30 PM dinner and the place was pretty much empty. About 45 minutes later, the bar was leaking with people and the small area by the hostess stand was jammed. The restaurant had a handful of tables just outside, which can sit about 15 people if that's what you desire. As we approach the hostess stand, there were two young ladies there. One which greeted us with a friendly smile and the other "looking" busy and couldn't even glance up, but she did give us a cold "enjoy your dinner." We sat down at the middle table right behind the bar stools. This place gets pretty loud, so if you want a more intimate, quiet spot, ask for another table towards the back because lots of foot traffic comes through here. As I mentioned, the bar is leaking with pre-gaming people waiting for their table. Service was great and we couldn't ask for better. All the servers are very casually dressed, jeans and Cava tees. Our server recommended dishes and gave us a tour of their menu, mezze style or in other words, small plate dishes. It was just the two of us, our first time here, we obviously over order because we wanted to try many things. Our water glasses were kept full, plates taken away as we finish with each dish, no complaints. Now for the awesome food we had. All tables start with pita bread slices and three dips. Olive oil with olives (which I didn't dip into), regular olive po;, and the best one in my opinion, was the red paste. It consisted of grilled chilis, garlic, and oil. These awesome items are pureed. which brings out a nice paste. Here's the breakdown: 1. Fried Calamari - Nothing too special here, however, their aioli sauce was pretty good. The calamari had a nice light, flaky batter, but no tentacles were served! Not a big deal, I'm just a fan of that piece. 2. Saffron Risotto - Top-notch folks and recommended! The creaminess and smoothness of the risotto and cheese was delicious. Small pieces of mushrooms gave it some texture, but this dish was done very well. I want more as I type this ... 3. Grilled Octopus - Simply awesome, but lacks seasoning, let me explain. The octopus was grilled perfectly, I mean it was so tender and not over cooked. The server said he usually doesn't see that size tentacles and when I first got it, I was thinking this might be a little tough because it was big, but not at all. It was lacking some taste though, but that chili/garlic paste served with the pita bread was lathered on here. 4. Lamb Kapama - This dish was decent and new for my palette. Tomato sauce and a touch of cinnamon? But I had to try it. The tender lamb was good and no overtime chewing required. The sauce was different, but it caught up to me in a good way. 5. Braised Beef - This is similar to the lamb, but not as potent in spices and flavor as the Lamb Kapama, Still pretty good and the soggy fries (which was expected) complemented it well. 6. A long name - Our dessert, which I have no idea what the name is, was decent. It was simply too sweet for us. It was basically a sweet custard, in phyllo, topped with honey and cinnamon. I think it had a too much honey poured on top, which overflowed to the side of the plate. The sweetness caught up and I couldn't finish the dessert. Overall, great place to dine at and we will definitely be back to try the other many items on their menu. Right now, a solid 3.5 star restaurant, but I'll re-evaluate when we visit this place another time. Again, service is good, at least for us and our server, so we weren't disappointed here. They don't take reservations and this place gets packed! I highly recommend going early and enjoy a variety of unique dishes they offer.
(3)
Kat L.
Wow. I hate greek food. I love Cava. Who would've thought? Maybe I've just never had Greek done right?! My girlfriend is apparently a regular there, and begged me to come. My GPS took me way out of the way, and low and behold its right behind my nursing school campus in Shady Grove. :) Damn you Rockville Pike. I could have taken 270! We started with a Mediterranean salad, and left the cucumbers lol. Savory without being too salty. I gave in and ate pita with this amazing SPICY red pepper something spread. I couldn't get enough! I'm paying for the gluten now... She got the salmon, and the portion was large enough to split it and take half home. I got a steak over roasted potatoes. The steak was more done than I would have liked. I like it bloody and rare, and cold. It was more medium rare- but with such a small steak I'm sure its hard to get that internal temperature perfect. No harm. The potatoes were boring, and I almost asked for ketchup. We split the cheesy risotto with mushroom. I say mushroom, cause I think there was only one lonely cremini in there cut up. *sad face*. This was the only disappointing dish. A little bland. We didn't take the rest to go. ACTUALLY- we didnt take anything to go. Our waiter said he'd keep our food in the kitchen until we were ready to go. We had a few drinks, then got the check, and went home. Pups did not have a snack when I got home, but I dont really care. Left overs for the dog can be overlooked. The place is a little loud, and from what I could gather there are definitely 'regulars'. I liked it a lot and cannot wait to bring the boy here. Close to home too... score!
(4)
Tenni W.
Lollipop Chicken. Get it.
(4)
Ryan R.
There are some dishes here that are exquisite. There are some dishes that just are not that great. The reason why this place is 4 stars and not 5 is that there just are too many dishes that lack originality albeit flavor. Each dish is presented well, at the least, and the service is fairly quick. The dishes I will recommend: The Lamb chops, the Opa Opa shrimp, the Scallop Risotto, the Lollipop chicken, the Donuts and the French toast desert. I would not complain about the sizes of each of the dishes I mentioned since they are so rich in flavor. The place can get pretty loud and crowded, and the lights are incredibly dim sometimes hahah. Cava Mezze is a very nice dining experience.
(4)
Laura T.
I only purchase Cava hummus from Whole Foods, as I've found it to be some of the best. Imagine my delight to find that the restaurant is a mere few miles from home. This is one of my tops spots to grab a bunch of small dishes and share. Hot pita smeared with spicy hummus, Greek yogurt, or eggplant is almost a meal in itself. Excellent service, and fast efficient turn around during your limited time frame for lunch. A new favorite of mine!
(5)
Eva D.
Great food and the service is good. I love the place.
(5)
Anne-Sophie M.
Haha finally went yesterday for the first time after all the crowd working at SUGO told me how much I would love CAVA and had to give it a try... Indeed... I was sure I was gonna be happy... Waitress and hostess were nice. Arrived at the table, OK it's noisy but what can they really do about it... the room is not so big, and the place was packed... good for them, and good indication that the food is good :) Then arrive the pita, olive oil, olives and harissa... how can I say one more time, with my mediterranean origins it once again felt like home... these could basically have been my hole dinner, and seeing the olives disappearing so fast the waitress brought us back a bowl with extra and extra harissa. Then we ordered... good news, the fish of the day was the Bronzino... (the only thing that could have surpassed my joy for Bronzino would have been their fried red mullets which I have seen pictures of, but I'm sure it's pretty rare to find it here in america). The Bronzino was just perfection... the chef accomodated my request to add some fresh fennel (which is according to me the happiest marriage a grilled Bronzino can ever have lol ) and it was amazing... and seriously, the fish was huge. Usually when you're lucky enough to find bronzino in a restaurant here it's either filet or a small one (and most of the time not cooked the right way...) ... this one was a freaking real big mediterranean bronzino, served whole, seasoned ideally it just made my evening. And Yes I took a picture of it and I called my mom in France to tell her I had found THE PLACE for a bronzino :p:p:p (next time she and my dad come visit I'll take them there) Cauliflower, zucchini fritters, shrimps, lollipop chicken, moussaka, saganaki and apparently what the others ordered was also delicious... at some point I had no room for trying anything anymore... not even dessert, which I would have loved to try, but hey... next time I'll know to not eat all my plate so I can have fun with desserts. So happy to have had such a nice experience there :) And Gus thanks for being so nice and helpful all the time ! :)
(5)
Kimberly J.
1. Mark is a great waiter. 2. The cheese dish that they light on fire was unreal. 3. This place turned me into a Greek food lover. 4. Positively eat here.
(5)
Tu-van L.
A smaller, more suburbanite version of the recently-publicized Cava that was opened before the Eastern Market/Capitol Hill location. Location might be different but the food is still just as spectacular. The lamb sliders and lamb chops made for excellent dessert after a romantic dinner at Sushi Oishii across the street. The Vino Santo greek wine was also delicious - was like drinking a raisin :-p
(5)
Dirk P.
Lollipop chicken and fresh made pasta dishes are the highlights, tho to be fair, the whole menu is good and the service friendly. The venue is small so I recommend afternoon meals there as it fill up at night!
(4)
Jae S.
What can I say, I had an awesome time there. It feels little "Cramped" but the atmosphere is just right. Not a first date restaurant, little too open. Food, excellent. Service, excellent. Variety of drinks and mixes were on the money. I definitely highly recommend this place. time flies when you are having a good time and in this place, time flies!
(4)
Simon C.
Went with a friend for dinner, but because he's a bit haphazard with timings, we couldn't book. When we got there it was packed, with an anticipated wait of 30-45 minute (neither of us are usually that patient when hungry), but they pointed us in the direction of the bar (which was also busy). A very, very dry Martini (thank you Steve) and very nice plate of taramosalata later, we had our table. Actually, all credit to the front of house staff who kept us up to date with progress on this every few minutes. Short wine list, but OK for this style of food. With 4 plates between the two of us (beef, chicken lamb cutlets and octopus) and a shared baklava, we were very satisfied. I can see why this place is popular!
(4)
Jennifer E.
Yum! My work crew and I frequent this spot often. Speedy service. Great crab sliders and prices aren't outrageous!
(5)
Melinda Z.
Great food, a little dim, but that's what they're going for so it's fine. Been to Cava several time and it is always exceptional. It's not cheap, but I would pay more for such delicious food. (better than wasting money at a lower priced restaurant for bland food) They have very good drinks as well. Recommendations: lollipop filet, the flaming cheese is delish & a great production, the asparagus we had was HUGE, really haven't tried anything I haven't enjoyed here.
(5)
Nirav P.
Food was good but they are getting one star because they charged me twice. If i did not check my credit card statement, I would have been screwed!
(1)
Magda B.
Recently made a visit to try the new menu items. Some were great others not so much. My table had the lamb sliders and two other lamb dishes, they were all amazing. I tried the grilled baby octopus, to be daring. It was definitely over done and was far too crispy and had no flavor. My favorite dish was the sauteed zucchini. It had the perfect light tomato sauce with a hint of olive oil, yum! Cheese sliders were also delicious. For dessert we had the baklava and the chocolate truffles. I thought they had far too much sugar, and the chocolate could have been richer. Everyone else was a huge fan of the baklava. However, the thing that turns me away from this place is the service. We put our names down for a large party, and at least 3 different people needed to make it clear that we could not sit down unless our entire party was present. OK.... I get it, you are a busy place.... When it was time to pay, we were practically kicked out. Our tables were literally taken away from us while were sitting and the server stated "we need these tables for people who have been waiting" Yikes... you are busy! I get it! The food is great and visit if you don't mind the hustle and scolding from the staff.
(3)
Muge A.
FOOD IS AMAZING!!! The portions are not your typical entree so be ready to order a FEW plates if your starving but it's a great place to go for some drinks and appetizers.
(5)
Elen C.
Very friendly place with great food. Our bartender Steve was great. We had octopus, scallops with rissotto, greek salad. Food was fresh, and delicious.
(5)
Mickey L.
The food was seriously... meh, while the service and ambiance were equally cold. My dining companion and I have not yet find a Greek restaurant that we enjoy. I would have to say my best experience with Greek food was sharing lunch with one of my friends from middle/high school made by his Greek mom. It was quite delightful as I loved having EVOO and lemon as prominent ingredients. Though my dining companion was a bit reserved about Cava, I had some high hopes reading about the chefs' background (one of them is a Kinkead's alum) and considerable written hype. When deciding on what to order, we were set on the Grilled Octopus (an ingredient we adore) but had some difficulty with the second dish trying our best to avoid anything with feta cheese. Neither of us are fans of the acquired taste of it (particularly my dining companion)--though we are pretty good in developing tastes for foods that may require it. We ultimately chose the Chicken Kapama because it supposedly did not have feta cheese and sounded somewhat substantial. We decided to start with these two dishes then add more later on. We were a bit puzzled when our Octopus arrived. We thought that there would be some kind of Pita or bread. Oh well. As soon as we ate it, we noticed its soft texture. However, it was a bit unpleasantly soft--as in, spongy, rather than tender. It was tart--which we normally like--but made it seem like it overly disintegrated the precious mollusk meat. Also, not having pita made it feel unbalanced. Next came the chicken. To our (not so pleasant) surprise, the PIta arrived one course late. The Chicken Kapama was hot and fresh with the yogurt dollop on top to cool it. As for the taste, it was okay but the feta cheese-like taste permeated and was a major turn-off. They should have stated the dish had it (or whatever else it was that had such a pronounced flavor) as an ingredient as they had written for many of their other dishes containing feta cheese. The food was so mediocre that we decided against ordering any more dishes. Better not to endure any further disappointment and damage to the wallet (it is not a value, and as Sang K. said, you are better off spending your money at one of the many other great establishments in our area). Unless you absolutely love feta cheese in practically all your dishes, I just do not see what the all hype is about.
(2)
Carol C.
The first time I went to CAVA, after years of driving past its consistently crowded and bustling doorway, I was decidedly unimpressed. However, I held off on reviewing it since my subpar experience didn't seem to jive with the raving reviews by fellow yelpers. After going last night, though, I can safely say this place has some excellent food, and to stick with the stuff they're known for, namely the seafood and risotto. Their hummus and pita is nothing to write home about (something that contributed to my mediocre first experience), but oh my god, the scallops and octopus were phenomenal!!! The feta with honey was ridiculously addictive as well - I never knew I could eat cheese by the spoonful (well, that's a lie), but this was just taking it to a new level. And did I mention the smooth rich creaminess that is their risotto or the hot gooey encased by flaky perfection deliciousness that is their spanokopita???!? Even their complimentary spicy red pepper dip is out of this world. I'm so glad this place is so close to my house; definitely will be coming back!
(4)
Angela C.
Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Ambiance is great and reminds me a restaurant I would find in downtown DC (not a deserted shopping center in Rockville). Parking is never a problem but I can't say the same for the wait. Expect at least an hour Thurs-Saturday. Food: Entrees are tapas style so order and share. I'm going to say maybe 2-3 per person depending on what you get. Complimentary pita bread that comes out are hot and so good with the sweet/spicy suace. My regulars are: Spanakopita (Spinach/Cheese Pie) & Tyropita (Cheese Pie) - YUM! Phyllo dough comes out flaky and crispy. Be careful though, cheese is VERY hot. NY Strip - Super tender and comes out perfectly medium red on a bed of fried potato medallions. Crab Cakes - Order comes with 3 smaller crab cakes but is soo good. Hot and slightly creamy without the bready stuff..ranks very high on my crab cake list. Mussel or Scallop Risotto - Risotto is creamy and not overcooked. I prefer the scallops (only because the risotto gets into the mussels shell and becomes harder to fully enjoy). BUT, the scallops are somtimes overcooked and rubbery. Tomato Braised Meatballs - Not personally crazy about this but many of my friends are. I think it's because the meatballs are packed with flavor. Salmon - Just tried this for the first time and loved it. The sauce is cream based..kind of reminds me of the risotto sauce. Salmon doesn't taste dense the way salmon usually does but instead, is very moist. Individual dish prices are okay but can get pricey if you order more than 2. I think I would dine here more but the wait times are just too long. If you need to buy grocceries, put your name down then go to Giant. Otherwise, grab a drink from the bar and be prepared to wait.
(4)
Han E.
We went there for lunch with some co-workers. Lunch specials were all heavy sandwiches, with fries, and they dont allow substitutions. Side salad was $4 extra, making it quite an expensive lunch. I opted for mezze instead, and the crispy brussel sprouts were sparse (maybe 6 brussel sprouts?), just deep fried, which seemed a little bit of a let down. The falafel were also deep fried without much flavor. Overall not an interesting culinary experience. Could have gotten a more tasty and healthier lunch elsewhere.
(2)
Haley S.
I came here two weeks ago with the boyfriend and a friend of ours. When we got there, they had an hour wait and it was really busy so we walked over to a bar and had some drinks while we waited for our table. OK, this is when you all realize that I'm a huge nerd... the servers have pdas to take your order! How awesome is that? I'm one of those people that is always amazed when people take my order without writing it down, and usually something goes wrong. This way, it only takes a second to input your order, and it's really cool looking. It's a tapas restaurant which I'm always uneasy about because the boyfriend likes to eat a lot. It worked out well, though, since I don't eat red meat or pork (the other two did), so they were able to share some dishes that they wouldn't be able to enjoy if they were with just me. Lets see, we ended up ordering the hummus, grape leaves, opa opa shrimp, chicken slouvlaki and lamb kapama. All of it was delicious. The hummus was some of the best I've ever had. The grape leaves were wrapped perfectly and stayed intact while eating. My only complaint would be that the shrimp was a tad on the salty side. The Rockville location is a bit of a hike, but it's so worth it. If you don't have a car, I believe they have a location in Capitol Hill. So go!
(4)
Maggie F.
Cava Mezze was definitely not what I had expected. You walk in and its like a black hole, with random candle lights everywhere. But I survived my entrance and found my table. Free pita bread with 3 sets of dip aka Harissa. The first was olive oil, second (i didn't try much) seemed to be olive oil with these peppers(?) no idea. But the third dip was my favorite: slightly spicy, with hints of garlic, and oil. Wonderful. Finished that basket of pita in a blink of an eye. Ordered the scallops, per the recommendations of many. Slightly crispy exterior with a burnt glaze over the top, but when you bite in, boy was it tender as anything. Tender, chewy, and def capturered the natural taste of scallops--which is DELISH! Wish there were more though. 3 scallops?! *sigh. Oh well. It was good while it lasted. The lollipop chicken was just as good as everyone reviewed it to be. CRISPY, CRUNCHY, FLAVORFUL! and then when you get inside, past the skin?! THAT'S LIKE DISCOVERING A TREASURE CHEST AND PULLIN THEM JEWELS RIGHT OUT! The meat was WELL saturated with flavor, and was as tender as a baby's arm (i have no idea what that tastes like....... but i would imagine it to be tender). And when combined with the exterior (the skin), by golly, i was in fried chicken heaven. And the sauce! the honey was a perfect glaze and the white cream provided such a rich kick! KICKED ME, IT DID! Later, got some lamb dish.. which had a gamey taste. Natural. I thought it was ok. It was mixed with a rice/pasta (looked like a combo between the two). Great experience, can't wait to try the other stuff!
(5)
Lady Phade 1.
YUM! a lil pricey for me at times but still I say YUM!
(4)
E H.
Never again
(1)
Jackie D.
It was just....ok. I would probably come back here with my husband for drinks or with a few friends. The staff do seem really chill. I got their gyro sandwich for lunch and it was just....meh. Granted, it was my first time coming so I can't say that I'll never come back, but I would maybe come back to try some more of their stuff, perhaps. I definitely would have found a better gyro though at a better price during lunch hours than this place.
(2)
Mary L.
Thank you fellow yelpers! So I found this place on yelp when looking for a good restaurant to eat at in the area. Cava had good reviews and they didn't not disappoint. Great dishes I ordered: Feta with Honey; omg, sooo yummy! They make their feta fresh and you can definitely taste it when you take that first yummy bite. And paired with the honey...amazing! Saffron Risotto; absolutely delicious! It is nice and rich risotto without being overpowering. Creamy and infused with flavor. Spanakopita; I've had this dish at other places and was left wanting but here, it was pretty good. Nice flaky crust and good flavor or spinach. Braised beef; good tender beef with lots of flavor. Overall, great service. It was very busy when I went so you might want to get there early to avoid a long wait.
(5)
Mikey B.
Excellent food! Martinis are perfectly made. Highly Recommend. Lamb Chops are a must!
(5)
David G.
Move over Jose Andres (Jaleo, Zatinya, Cafe Atlantico) because there's a new mezze place in town that tastes better, is less expensive and serves larger portions. Cava is an excellent restaurant that serves some of the best tapas and Greek food in the DC area. Our party of six tried several things on the menu, including: The Dip Platter- excellent takes on Mediterranean classics, we especially liked the salmon and eggplant dips. Apparently other people like them too because you can now buy them at Whole Foods. Greek Grilled Cheese- small grilled cheese sandwiches drizzled with honey- an amazing contrast of sweet and salty Squash and Zucchini- not overcooked, an excellent accompaniment to a meal of almost all proteins Spanakopita- good, creamier than most I've had, didn't have too much filo dough crust which often makes this too greasy Chicken Souvlaki- not a high point of the meal, bland and boring, stick with the red meats Crabcakes- enjoyable but not special, also didn't taste Greek at all Scallops Risotto- the risotto was well-cooked but the scallops lacked a slight crispness, could have been cooked a little longer Lamb Sliders- very good, just the right amount of spiciness, you could easily get these and one other mezze and make it a meal Lamb Kapama (stewed with orzo)- this was amazing, tender and not fatty at all, served with melted cheese on top Kastoria Beef (braised)- also very tender, definitely cooked for hours, I liked this, get the one over Greek fries Grilled Meatballs (ground beef with dill, mint, lemon, garlic oregano)- these were essentially kafka kabobs made into patties, but they were seasoned perfectly and weren't too dry, i would order these again in an instant Octopus- the better of the two octopus dishes, grilled lightly with lemon Fried Calamari- tasty but not special, get the other octopus Baklava- one of the best I've had, a huge serving, made with walnuts, not too buttery but still decadent Try coming at an off time because this place gets packed. It has a nice bar which would be an ideal spot to wait for a table.
(5)
John H.
service is great here, food is alright, ambiance is the main attraction though...great for a casual date night
(4)
J M.
I had read a lot of reviews about Cava so I was excited to give it a try. We went on a Saturday night right after opening and it was already packed. There's not a lot of room to wait so everyone was packed near the door and the bar which is the first thing you see when you walk in. We were seated after about 45 minutes which is exactly what we were told by the hostess. After being seated and getting our drinks the complimentary pita and dipping sauce was brought to the table. I enjoyed the the red pepper paste but it was too hot for some people at the table. We ordered two dishes per person and overall the food was good but all of our orders were overly salted. Maybe it was just that night or maybe we aren't fans of a lot of salt. The first round: The Village Salad was good but kinda of small for the price. The baby octopus was also good but again a little small for the price. We all enjoyed the zucchini fritters and hummus. Round two: Spanakopita was good but a little greasy. The lamp sliders were very good as was the mini gyro. The mac and cheese was good but like the other dishes, over salted. Lollipop chicken was good. Overall it was a good experience and we would return to try some other dishes.
(4)
Donna Y.
This was my second time dining here and it was much better this time around. We ate outside since it was a B-E-A-utiful day, plus it's a lot less noisy than dining inside. Diner beware...if you decide to eat outside you will also be joined by swarms of house flies. Service was great, but the food took a little while to come out. We ordered the Greek Fries, which were hot, crispy and delicious. The Scallop Risotto was probably one of the best risottos I've ever tasted, although the scallops were a little undercooked for my preference. The Mini Chicken Pitas were moist and seasoned well, much better than the dry Chicken Souvlaki I had last time.
(4)
Emily C.
This is my new favorite neighborhood restaurant! I came here after I saw all the positive yelp reviews and was not disappoint. Everything I had here was delicious. My favorite was the Scallop Risotto, but the Lollipop Chicken, Lamb Chops and Crab Cakes were also super yummy! When I went in the door, the hostess said it would be a 1 hour wait, because of this my family and I decided to go next door to Giant. Ten minutes later, our table was ready. As soon as we got seated, we got hot yummy pita bread and drinks. Since, Cava is a tapas style restaurant, individual dishes came out as soon as they were ready. The first dish came out super fast and the rest followed shortly. The dishes are small so make sure to get at least 2 per person. Overall, Cava is GREAT! I am definitely coming back again. This may not be a ideal for someone looking for a quiet atmosphere, but if you're looking for an interesting dining experience and are willing to put up with a little more noise than usual, it is definitely worth it!
(5)
h g.
Excellent lamb sliders, chicken sandwich and awesome red chilli dip. No wonder it was packed during lunch time
(4)
Sunshine W.
I went here awhile ago with my boyfriend. The food was good but the place is small and it was pretty loud in there. A good place for happy hour, but not the relaxing atmosphere i was looking for. Portions are pretty small too.
(4)
Jennifer M.
This is truly a neat little restaurant. We came for dinner on a Monday. It's dimly lit with candles and PACKED. The tables are close, but the staff manages to serve everyone quickly. It's tapas style dining, and the food is great. There's something on the menu for everyone, and I could go back 20 more times and not get through half of the menu items that I would love to try.
(5)
David Y.
First of all, I had no idea this area existed so it was a pleasant surprise to go to a new restaurant. I'll have to try the other ones soon, but I digress. Cava definitely seemed like the place to go. Had to wait about 45 minutes for a table (which wasn't too bad because we ate fries from potomac pizza next door). As for the food, it is relatively inexpensive, but for a tapas place the portions were much larger than expected. I had the scallop risotto. The risotto was quite tasty but the scallops were a bit over salted. I'll probably get the mussels risotto next time. And to top the dinner off, tuesday's 1/2 off wine. Count it!
(4)
Toby K.
I came in with a group of friends for Sunday brunch as I had always heard good things about Cava. The restaurant is near a giant shopping center and the inside is pretty small (outside seating is also very limited). When I walked in, the first thing I noticed was how close the tables were to each other, but the restaurant was relatively empty when we were there so the proximity of the tables didn't bother me. I had the spicy lamb benedict and french toast, while my other friend ordered a gyro omelet and french toast. Service was very slow even though the restaurant wasn't busy and the waiter even misheard my order and gave our table Greek french fries instead of french toast. We assumed that the fries were complimentary, but were later surprised to see that the fries had been added to our bill. 20 minutes in, I received my spicy lamb benedict, which was great! The lamb was not dry and the benedict as a whole had just enough of a spicy kick to it, making the dish not too spicy nor too bland. The french toast on the other hand did not come in until I waited 45 minutes and was a bit too sweet, as the cream was heavy and overpowering. My friend told me that his omelet was good and the portion size for it seemed decent (especially for mezze). Overall, although the food was pretty good, the slow service and staff's mistakes made the experience less enjoyable than I had hoped for.
(3)
Johnny P.
Went here for anniversary dinner. Made reservation for a Monday. This was our second time here. We had the haloumi, lollipop chicken, lamb chops, and scallop risotto. All but the lamb chops were excellent, the lamb chops were good. Service was a bit slow in the beginning, but picked up afterwards. It was pretty cold in here, temperature set at 73 degrees.
(4)
David K.
I will make this very simple for you: GO THERE, IT'S GOOD. Small, usually crowded, noisy, and a little pricey. Excellent, luscious wines, good Greek-style food. For some reason, chycs dig this place. Crazy feta app will blow your mind (and waistline). Good waitstaff. There. Done.
(5)
Laura H.
Great non-chain option in Rockville that caters to the non-kid crowd.
(5)
Andrew D.
The restaurant is a little cramped and you may find yourself waiting a while, but it is well worth the wait and the lack of elbow room. The pita bread and dips are fantastic and bottomless. The plates are quite large for a tapas style menu. My girlfiend and I ordered 4 items between those and the bread were positively stuffed when we left. A lot of reviews say go early. To clarify, 6:15 on a Saturday night is not early. You will probably find yourself waiting about 30 minutes. Regardless of this fact, find a time and a way to go to this restaurant.
(5)
Christine C.
"Toula, there's two kinds of people, Greeks, and everybody else who wish they was Greeks." ... Eating at Cava made us wish we were... Having read all of the reviews about the long wait we knew we'd have to take some drastic measures to get in to this joint. So we showed up in our best greek, hipster disguises, and were ushered in to a table right away with no wait. HA - Our plan was working! ... The fact that it was a Wednesday night and there were several open tables was merely coincidental... Here is why we are giving it 5 stars: 1. The food was out of this world! We had: the village salad, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), scallops and risotto, the lamb chops. EXTRA STAR FOR: Serving breakfast for dessert. The challah french toast with honey, berries, and cream dessert was stellar. 2. Our waiter was great. Kyle (I think that was his name) was quite the rock-star tonight. Chef - if you are reading this - give that man a raise! He made our first time there really easy by being helpful and attentive AND our table stayed clean, glasses stayed full, and no one was in the way. 3. Comfy, casual atmosphere. (Don't get me wrong - definitely a good adult, date night place. Tables are cozy (read: small). Our table worked fine for the two of us, but we definitely maxed out the real estate on our tabletop.) 4. The chef's name is Demetri Moshovitis. Perfect amount of Greekness. Extra things to know: Monday nights = half price Martinis. Tuesday nights = half price wine. Dress code = must wear clothes. Get your Greek self (or, your wishing you were Greek self) to Cava asap! Opa!
(5)
Esther O.
Wow. I have to echo the excellent reviews here. My brother took me here on a whim, and it was so amazing that I had to return a little over a week later. Yes it's loud, yes it's dark, yes there's nowhere to wait... just expect those things and none of them will matter. The noise really just makes for a pleasant environment of being surrounded by happy conversation and contented patrons. A very happy feeling. :) And the food... the food is exquisite. Every dish has an absolute perfect combination of flavors. After having been twice I still haven't managed to try everything I want to - and I'm not sure I ever will since I just want to keep getting the wonderful things I've already had because they were so good! I particularly love the feta & honey and the baked orzo ... and really anything with the cinnamon tomato sauce, which is unbelievably good. How wonderful to have such an exceptionally nice restaurant that doesn't require going into the city.
(5)
Grace T.
The lollipop chicken was incredible, the stuffed grape leaves were also great.
(4)
Nicole B.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! AMAZING FOOD! But I do NOT recommend this place if you have children. Too small and they are always lighting the saganaki on fire which always freaks kids out!
(5)
Dave W.
I take a group of chefs to Cava once a month, and each time, we're impressed. Go there knowing the place is boisterous, no matter what night of the week, and you're going to be up close and personal with the people sitting next to you--it's part of the fun, if you're in the right frame of mind. And, food's going to come out as it's done--clearly a tiny kitchen for as many covers as they serve, and it's mezes, anyways, so it's hard to get hung up on a sequence of service. Hard to know what to recommend, because we've been impressed with every dish (a definite rarity). Cava goes down as one of my hands-down favorites in the Rockville/Gaithersburg/Germantown corridor.
(5)
Chris C.
Really enjoy the tapas and the service is quite good. BUT really wish they would accept reservations. I understand that with their popularity they don't have to.
(4)
Grace O.
we relied on yelp to figure out what to eat for dinner and once again, yelpers did not disappoint. it even inspired me to start yelping again. this place was extremely tasty. we went on a monday night, so it wasn't as busy as the reviews made it out to be - we went around 845 and the restaurant was half empty. the server recommended two orders per person as a guideline, so we ordered the lollipop chicken, mac n cheese, sous bide short rib, and scallop risotto. the scallop risotto was AMAAAAAZING. the scallops were perfectly cooked and the risotto was amazing. the lollipop chicken was very good as well.. the drumstick is cut so that the meat just falls off the bone, no need to fight to get the last pieces of meat. but i did have to fight anyway since there were three pieces and only two of us. i'm selfish, what can i say? i also go the third scallop as well. so maybe i'm just a pig, instead of just selfish? the mac and cheese was good but it wasn't what i was expecting. i liked the noodles they used, it was definitely a change of pace from the traditional macaroni or penne i've seen. the short rib was pretty good as well but the end pieces were a little overcooked for my taste - also, there was no bone, so what is the short rib about? the pita and dip they provide before your meal was really delicious - spicy, flavorful, hard to put down and easy to spoil your appetite for the rest of the meal. despite the portions being a little smaller than i expected, i managed to fill up from our order (must've been the third lollipop chicken). i wish i had room for the dessert but i guess i will just have to try it some other time..
(4)
Kevin L.
Monday special for their martini (half off if I remember correctly). Limited space, always crowded. Have been there couple times for lunch and happy hour. Cannot comment on their food as I don't eat this kind of cuisine often.
(4)
Diana G.
I came here for the first time on a late Sunday evening with a girlfriend of mine and my husband. As we approached the door, for a moment we thought the place was closed because it really was dimly lit. After a few minutes, our eyes adjusted to the lighting so we were fine and able to enjoy our food. Since it was just the 3 of us, we each ordered 2 plates which was more than enough to share. Our faves definitely were the lollipop chicken, grilled meatballs and lamb chops (the menu said its accompanied by "crisped potatoes," it was just fries so I was not too impressed about getting fries with lamb chops). We also ordered zucchini fritters, fried calamari and lamb kapama. Our waitress was very attentive, the food was tasty and we had an enjoyable dining experience! We did not try the Haloumi which several tables around us ordered, so we will be returning to try that as well as several other delicious dishes. Overall, a great little find!
(5)
Ken R.
This review is specifically for the Braised Beef dish. Its one of my favorite meals in DC. It keeps me coming back to Cava Mezze. Love it!
(5)
Melanie K.
The food is DELICIOUS. Amazing lollipop chicken, hanger steak, and seasonal food they come up with, The service ranges! The first time I was here for date night, our service was exceptional. The second time around, I came with a party of 11 for my boyfriends birthday and our server who seemed a bit older, seemed like she was hungover or just didnt have much interest in our table. Little did I know that tip was already included on the check so...she seemed to just take that to her advantage and just come check up on the table once in a while. On a positive note, she did do me the favor of bringing out the candle on the dessert for my boyfriends birthday. I would highly reccomend this place. Perfect for any occasion! Better to come in the evening!
(3)
Chris N.
Trendy scene, good food, and decent prices. It's the see and be seen place for this part of town. Just be prepared to wait for a table.
(4)
Paola G.
cava is just out of this world. opa opa shrimp is my favorite. the calamari is good, the fish is awesome, the red dip they serve with pita is addicting, the spanakopita, the greek village salad is just soo good. i love this place, nothing i've ever had has been bad. drinks are good and they have quite the selection aswell as wines. i know a lot of the people who go here so its always fun times.
(5)
Keith R.
Have again: Fantastic Halibut and steak/potatoes and green beans. The lamb shanks were very good. The dark chocolate truffles were also very good but three are too much for one person. This is a really great place! Don't be surprised if it looks like it is closed because of all the dark windows - it is not a brightly lit place. But it is noisy.
(5)
Amber G.
The food has never been anything short of spectacular! Authentic Greek dishes ordered in small plates (Mezze) offer a great opportunity to sample a lot of different tastes. The lamb chops and Saganaki are always ordered when we are here. The harissa is also really something to mention and can be purchased at DMV area Whole Foods' stores. It's a regularly purchased condiment at our house. The atmosphere is dark and dimly lit, the tables are close together but its casual and energetic. While this location doesn't take reservations (the Capital Hill loc does) the wait for a table isn't long and made enjoyable with an Espresso or Chocolate Martini at the bar. Great for a date, girls night out or even entertaining out-of-town guests. The only caveat, entrees are not served and mezzes are usually best shared by three (3-shrimps, 3-lamb chops etc.) Or in my daughter's case, she orders a plate of the lamb chops for herself.
(5)
Amber M.
Delicious! Chicken pitas are great..and you can't help but order a bunch of items off of the menu! Mac and cheese is also a favorite of mine, everything I have had from there is awesome. It is a bit of a dark ambiance, but that's great if you're on a date!
(4)
Jeffrey P.
love this place!
(5)
Nancy P.
The food was quite flavorful, it was basically a Greek tapas bar. Well worth the price. But beware: it is very noisy, even when not full. The service was attentive also.
(4)
Andie B.
We were really impressed with Cava. Even though it's very small with virtually no waiting area (the bar was full, which means people are lurking in front of the kitchen door, which I'm sure the servers love), I would go back in a heartbeat. The portions here are much larger than anything I've seen at any other mezze or tapas place. We ended up with a lot of leftovers, not that I'm complaining. Instead of bread and butter, you get warm pita and a spicy tapenade, olive oil and some kalamata olives. Very good and fresh. We started with the tzatziki, which was very rich and had lots of fresh dill. But they didn't bring any extra pita with it, and we had to flag our server down for it. Did they think we were just going to eat it like pudding? I was pretty hungry, so after a few minutes without pita, I might have tried that. The meatballs were good, served with a nice chunky tomato sauce and some Parmesan, but the flavors were distinctly different from an Italian style meatball. Two braised beef dishes with feta were similar but good. The meat was very tender. I think I tasted hints of clove/cinnamon/nutmeg. Opa Opa shrimp are served with cream, dill and tomatoes. Good but the shrimp were ever-so-slightly overdone. The disco fries would be such a good drunk snack -- fries smothered in veal ragu and topped with feta. Although we were stuffed, I of course insisted on dessert. We ordered the Greek doughnuts, which were served warm and topped with honey and a bit of sugar. I would definitely be back. I wish they took reservations.
(4)
Reggie N.
Best restaurant in MoCo for under $30 a person...well used to be at least. $40 or so now. Only real Greek food around--not that crap they serve at other "Greek" places. There's nothing in Greece like that. From the complimentary harissa to the flaming cheese to the lolipop steaks. I don't know what the heck I was eating before--but THIS IS REAL GREEK!!! Cava has gotten really popular and their portions have gotten smaller. So what used to be a packed, hotspot with exceptional food and moderate prices--has now become a packed, hotspot with exceptional food and high prices. The smaller portions make my friends and I a little less crazy about the place. Can't blame them though, they still have a line out the door--literally. Crazy wait. No reservations. Rude, obnoxious, amateur young staff. Loud as hell--you can't hear the person across the table. Still better than anything else around. I hear the one in DC is nice--will have to check that out.
(4)
Kristin D.
So yummy, great atmosphere, and some of the best tzatziki sauce that I have had in years. short ribs are great, and gyros are my standby!!! I don't know if it was the night or not, but I was not impressed with the fritters they were quite dry, and heavy. but that is not enough to stop me from going back, I think I can eat buckets of tzatziki!!
(4)
A D.
I love their food! My husband and i went to Greece for our honeymoon and come here to relive the experience. Not only is the food great, the ambiance is nice, although it is pretty noisy and small. Make reservations because it is often crowded for dinner. I love the lollipop chicken and mussels or scallops risotto! Most of the dishes we've tried have been good. I like that it is tapas style allowing us to try a variety of dishes.
(5)
B Z.
food is amazing, except when they dont salt the meat ; and then deny that they didnt salt it and not give our table a discount for complaining (we ordered about 10 orders of meatballs none of them had salt!) *sigh* that was a real turn off--especially when the bill was over $300. anyway, i still frequent this place because well, i love good food--the food is outstanding here. the service? ok. my tip to you is, get there early if you are with a party. the place is tiny.
(4)
Hannah C.
i rarely give 5 stars to an establishment because i always find something wrong with the place , but cava has to be one of the best restaurants in maryland. whenever i go to maryland, i always make time to eat at cava. it's actually right down the street from where my parents live too! the prices are reasonable, the food is oh-so-delicious (my all time favorite mussels risotto), and talk about hot servers. oh and can't forget about the sun garden riesling where you can't find anywhere else, which is only $15 a bottle. i almost forgot, their desserts. yummmm. if you're ever in the area, i suggest you check this place out.
(5)
Judy C.
After listening to my friend rave about this place countless times, we were finally able to set a dinner date here for a group of 5. All I can say is that the hour commute in rush hour traffic is worth it! The food is amazing and prices aren't bad, what more can you ask for? Mondays are $5 martinis all night and Tuesdays are half price bottles of wine. For a group of 5 girls we shared 7 plates of deliciousness! Everything was cooked and made to perfection. Although they recommend two for every person, the portions are larger than spanish tapas places. They also serve you a basket of warm pita with tapenade/olive oil/olives (I think I may have gobbled up the tapenade itself). We were definitely full after everything, bill came to less than $15/person on food. This place is tiny so definitely come early if you can. We arrived at 7:30pm and were able to get a table right away. However before we were able to eat, the place started getting packed. Though my friend told me the Rockville location is better, I can't wait to try the Capitol Hill location as well since its closer to me.
(5)
Dan G.
Son of a #$%&! we had a great experience at Cava Friday evening! My Wife and I went around 5:30 and while there were people already seated, it wasn't too busy yet. I'm told that after 7:00 on Fridays there can be a pretty long wait (or possibly any night for that matter). Even if we had to wait, it would be worth it! Everything we ordered was just that good. We started with toasted pita triangles that come with three dipping options. For dinner, I ordered the cinammon beef and grilled scallops. My Wife ordered the meatballs and chicken souvlaki. My favorite dish out of the four would be the cinnamon beef. They take what is essentially very tender pulled beef, and smother it with this heavenly sauce atop a bed of these incredibly fanstical french fries and in between is this wonderful cheese that I don't know the name of but it was really good and I couldn't stop eating it and, and...HOLD ME MOMMY! For dessert, we got the truffles and baklava. The baklava is HUGE and delicious. The truffles, while small, pack a rich chocolate punch...and you get four of them, FOUR! Four freakin' truffles! Our whole bill, for all this goodness, AND a nice glass of wine, was $69. Even the amount on the bill was a good number. Whoo Lawd, we'll be back. Oh yes, we'll be back.
(5)
Barry S.
Cava is most excellent ... not sure if I like this joint or Isabella's in Frederick better ... but they both are great. Unfortunately, I have to drop the rating to a 4 since they dropped my favorite --- the sausage. And, I guess the fact that it's always crowded, loud, etc. makes it a 4 too :( Overall though the braised meatballs, spaghetti and saganaki (flombayed cheese) are "go out of your way" cravings. The staff is also very, very helpful when picking out new tastes. I also like their specials when they have them. Finally, I must add that Cava spelled backwards is avaC. Think about it.
(4)
Jonah B.
My girlfriend and I discovered this place about a year or two ago, and it immediately became our favorite restaurant in the area. Usually with restaurants that we really like, there are things on the menu that we always enjoy, and things that fall short. At Cava, we've tried just about everything on the menu, and have yet to be disappointed. There is no downside here. We've taken many of our friends and family, and so far everybody has loved it. I really can't say enough good about Cava.
(5)
Kim M.
I took my father to Cava for dinner after reading the reviews on Yelp. I was very impressed. The atmosphere is nice, albeit a bit dark (but manageable). The servers were all very friendly and attentive without being overbearing or annoying. They brought out fresh pita wedges and a tray with olives, olive oil, and a 'paste' of tomatoes, peppers, and 27+ other spices. It was great! We could have pigged out on that stuff and been happy. (BTW, they sell it there and also in Whole Foods and a few other stores in the area.) We then had the lollipop chicken, which was awesome - and our favorite of all the dishes. Also had the mac n' cheese, which was good but I found the cheese a bit overwhelming. It was good, but I'm not sure I'd get it again for myself. The grilled meatballs were great - the flavor was really good. The mini gyros were just right, too. I'm a big fan of tsatsiki and really liked their gyros. We'd definitely go back and we will recommend it to others.
(5)
Carolyn C.
I came with my cousin and my sister to this restaurant and absolutely loved it - I got the baby lamb chops and shared a Greek omelette with my sister and both were absolutely divine. Sadly, we are all poor college kids and even though the prices weren't too bad at all, it was only because the portion sizes were absolutely TINY. The omelette could have barely fed a small child, but the 3 bites of it that I had were absolutely heavenly. If you're rich and have a job, come here all you want! The food is definitely worth it. Not to mention the waiters are PRETTYYYYYYYYY studly if I might say so myself.
(4)
D C.
I read a lot of reviews before trying this place with my wife this past weekend. We got there really early (to avoid the rush) and sat at the bar. The bartenders were *extremely* helpful in explaining different dishes, portions, wine suggestions, etc. They brought out some olive oil and harissa to put on hot pita bread first (free). Unbelievably good on bread. We had 2 cheese dishes (grilled and one that came out flaming). Both were extremely good. Then we got the lamb chops w/ potato fries. Lamb was extremely good but the fries were sort of oil logged and soggy. Then the scallops with mushroom risotto. Wow! The risotto was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. These were nice jumbo scallops with one of the most perfect sears I have seen. They were not over (or under) cooked. Perfection. My only complaint is that it was all so good I could have eaten double. I would absolutely go back. This place delivers on good food, good service and pretty fair pricing.
(5)
elaine l.
I've been here twice on business trips and would highly recommend it. The baby lamb chops are great, salads are very good, they have this fried cheese that shoots flames up to the ceiling. Lots of fun. Monday night Martinis are a plus
(4)
myra f.
Today had lunch here. Besides the extremely poor service. Meals brought at totally different times. To the point we almost left as the first lunch of four was brought out an hour before the second lunch of four. Over charged us on our bill. Did take off the over charge when asked. Server never came back to check on us after food was ordered. One dish a Gyro sandwich came out without sauce, tomatoes but with fries inside the sandwich. It was awful. As for all the other meals they were ok . It was not a great experience would not go back. This is my third time eating here.
(1)
Donna C.
This place is really good! The only reason I gave it 4/5 is because of the space. It's pretty small and pretty dark. The couple at the next table kept listening to our conversation! Besides that though, there's plenty of cocktails to choose from and the ny strip is Y-U-M-M-Y. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Leah S.
Love this place! Flaming cheese and the donuts are the BEST. Check out the one on Capital Hill location as well. Same vibe, little bit bigger and it's a more diverse crowd.
(5)
jennifer j.
Awesome food! I love eating here especially because they used feta in so many of their dishes and I LOVE FETA! My favorites include Feta w/Honey, Calamari, Halumi, and the Gyros! I have cravings for this food constantly! The service is excellent and the interior of the restaurants are very romantic for a date. All in all this place is excellent and I highly recommended it
(5)
Nicole J.
Cava is my favorite restaurant! I have brought many of my family and friends here and they all love it. The food, drinks,and ambiance are all excellent not to mention that it is extremely affordable. I have eaten here at least 20 times and I have never been disappointed. My only issue with it is that due to the fact that it is an extremely small restaurant the waiting time can get long on Friday and Saturday nights. It is also very loud and the tables are so close together that you can sometimes hear the conversations of the people in the surrounding tables. This doesn't bother me though because I know that if I ever want to have a private and quiet dinner then I will go elsewhere. The restaurant is very trendy and fun. Once you are inside it feels like you have just traveled from the suburbs to the city. The crowd is mixed between all ages but very sophisticated. They have martini specials every Monday and wine specials every Tuesday. The food is Greek mezze which means that the portions are smaller. I have literally tried almost everything on the menu. Some of my favorite dishes are the Spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie), scallops risotto, hummus, shrimp souvlaki, crab cakes, grilled whole fish, greek village salad, disco fries, and greek donuts just to name a few. I would recommend anyone to go whether you are with family, on a date, or with friends you will have a good time!
(5)
Adie S.
Went to Cava for the first time on Thursday evening based on the reviews on Yelp. Food and service were excellent! The only downfall is that the restaurant is tiny and it was extremely loud. At times, my date and I literally had to yell across the table just to be able to hear eachother. Very excited for their new location to open up on Capital Hill!
(4)
Kim N.
Cava is my favorite restaurant in the Rockville area. Beyond the great ambiance is the even better food selection. I was never a fan of greek food but Cava changed my mind. I always get the calamari, mussels risotta, the braised beef and fries, the crabcakes and don't forget to eat the endless pita bread with their roasted red pepper dip that is complimentary. Definitely go there Mondays for $5 martinis, my personal fav is the sparkling rita and Tuesdays is 1/2 price bottle wine night! One downfall is it gets packed fast so get there early!
(5)
Y S.
My sister and I love this place. They offer half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays...needless to say we try to go every Tuesday. The lamb souvlaki is my favorite thing on the menu. The ambiance is dark and intimate. This is a great place to take a date. They have outdoor seating but I would still recommend sitting inside in order to get the full experience.
(5)
C C.
This place is AMAZING. The service is always excellent, the crowd is always happy, and the food...the food... The shrimp & filet mignon lollipops are a must. Tender meat with a light fresh chopped tomato "sauce" (for lack of a better word) which pairs equally well with the JUMBO shrimp. The flamed cheese is a delicious show as they flambe it table side. It is a bit on the salty side, but you can easily balance it with the complimentary pita. The scallops risotto is perfect; rich, comforting and slightly al dente. The arugula & feta salad comes with raw red onions, which I was weary of, but it balanced so well with the pomegranate dressing. Zucchini fritters were delicious, and enhanced with the yogurt sauce. Lamb chops, grilled octopus, filet slouvaki...all AMAZING. They also have a twist on the classic cosmo, which gets its interesting flavor from their "cava fruit juice" There's no room for improvement here. No wait, I lied. Their hostesses should be brought down a couple notches. Their "I am holier than thou" demeanor would be quite fitting at a lounge in the city, not a heart-warming spot like Cava. Fix that, and it would perfect an already amazing experience.
(5)
Sarina M.
I love Cava. The only downside is the size so waiting for a table can take a long time but this place still deserves the 5 stars. I recommend this place to anyone in a heartbeat. The food is excellent. I heart the baby lamb chops, crab cakes, scallops and their martinis. The dishes are mezze platters but the portions are actually pretty generous. This place won't break the bank either. From the outside where it sits on a mall strip, you'd never guess that the atmosphere inside is hip, and buzzing with energy. Always crowded but worth the wait. Great place for either a date or a girl's night out dinner.
(5)
Lindsey M.
if you haven't been to this restaurant yet... where have you been the last few years!!?? its all i hear any one talk about. the food is AMAZING. go here as soon as you can. no matter what you get its going to be good. be sure to go on tuesday (half price wine night ;)
(5)
Varun R.
great food.
(5)
Ginny H.
Okay, I know this is against the flow, but my experience was not so good. I had arranged to meet a friend but she had not yet arrived when I stepped into this tiny restaurant and tried to get the attention of the hostess. Let me say up front that my friend and I are both middle aged women; we're used to being ignored, especially in places that cater to a younger crowd. But, I wasn't prepared for Cava. I said my friend was 10 minutes away but the hostess wouldn't seat me. I actually would have been happy to sit at the bar but I didn't know it was there (first and last timer). The conversation took quite a long time because a man who may have been the owner or manager interrupted the hostess in mid-sentence to discuss the general state of the wait-staff schedule. They chatted while I stood there, invisible. I finally walked out to see if I could find a bench or something in the neighborhood. When we finally did get seated -- I really wanted to try this well reviewed place -- the food was very tasty. But there was hair in at least one dish and the service was less than average. Maybe Cava needs to catch up to its reputation.
(2)
Carrie L.
Liars! Used to go there for their lunch menu and get the crab cake sliders (two crab cakes on toasted buns with a side of fries) for $12. Just got back from lunch there and they said they no longer have the crab cake sliders (even though it is still on their menu) because of the amount of time it takes to cook the plate. They said I could get the crab cake off the dinner menu (two crab cakes, no toasted buns and no side of fries) for $13. If I wanted a side of fries I'd have to pay another $7. I agreed to the $13 crab cakes (cause that's what I came there for) and my friend agreed to share her side of fries with me. The waiter came back to our table to tell me that the $13 dinner crab cake was only one crab cake and not two. Clearly, this place was under charging on the crab cake sliders but refuses to admit it or give an honest explanation. Not impressed. Also, they aren't open on Saturday afternoons...
(1)
Ashley C.
great sliders - both the lamb and meatball. nice atmosphere and service, too.
(4)
Noble S.
We used to go to Cava for dinner all the time when we lived across the street. Now that we've moved, we go less often. Our favorites are the braised beef, crab cakes, zucchini fritters, and saganaki. Most everything else we've tried is great too. The only downside is that it tends to fill up quickly and can be loud if you're not sitting outside. Still, this is my favorite restaurant in Montgomery County, hands down.
(5)
Jean L.
This place opened up about 2 years ago and already I've made it a part of one of my favorite regular places to go. Just be prepared to wait as it's always crowded, even on Mondays. So far, everything I've had there is great, but I always get the lamb chops, the village salad, the tzatziki dip, and the bronzino(sea bass) is excellent. A definite must if you're in the area!
(5)
Sumi N.
This place is like Rockville's only and trendiest spot to be at! It is always packed which is the only downfall because if your whole party isn't there you have to wait and even if your whole party is there you still may have to wait. Can't blame them because it is a great restaurant and once you get seated you don't want to leave after a good hour or two. They have great Happy Hour specials like half wine bottle and $3 Martinis on certain days. To be honest I could live off the free appetizer they give...this hot bread with oils and this crushed pepper thing which is AMAZING! I usually stuff myself with that forgetting they have good food on the menu too. Def order: Zuchinni fritters, lamb chops, LAMB SLIDERS (love these, probably bc they incorparated the red crushed peppers into it), and and shrimp or chicken dish you really cant go wrong with. Also the meatballs the regular ones and the braised are very yummy! Any special occassion we usually go to Cava its just a great experience every time I go. The waiters and waitresses are hot and attentive so can't go wrong =)
(5)
Vanessa H.
Cava is hands down amazing! I have been to both the Rockville and Capitol Hill locations each providing a warm, cozy atmosphere. I am a frequent Cava diner because I just can not get enough of the innovative menu offerings, friendly staff, and trendy ambiance - really what more could you ask for? Cava offers environment perfect for date night, or a perfect place where you would come with your closest friends to grab drinks and eat tasty Greek small plates full of flavor, creativity, and variety. Cava's food is not only fabulous it is affordable and quality is present in every dish. Not only is the food decadent, but the wine selection is impressive. Come for half price bottle wine night its a steal! It is very refreshing to have a local restaurant that provides such an extraordinary dining experience. I have been to Greece and eating at Cava brings me back every time. I would recommend Cava to anyone, its awesome and makes going out to eat worth every penny!
(5)
Grace L.
Wow a cool place in Gaithersburg! I come here in the evening and grab drinks with a work buddy often. They make a fierce dirty martini. The waitstaff and bartenders here are excellent. They are attentive and knowledgable even though this place is always packed out. The girlie martini list makes me laugh especially when I see the No. Po. men chuggiing down a bikinitini or a gummy bear. But last night I caved and had a sip of my friends mango van gough and it was pretty tasty. The olive oil, crushed red pepper paste, and olives with pita are a nice start. I love the orzo (it is cooked in a cinnamon tomato sauce), the eggplant red pepper spread (it is babba ganoush with red peppers in it), and the cheese pie. My friends gushed about the filet lollipops The hummus is lack luster (c'mon you're a greek place, you should have good hummus), and their grape leaves taste like they come from a can. And their spanikopita is a bit dull. Their fries with cheese were wan and soggy. The food that is good is really tasty but sometimes their dishes fall flat. The trick is know the menu and drink some of their well-mixed drinks. You'll leave with a smile and having been well taken care of by their staff.
(4)
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Address :9713 Traville Gateway Dr
Rockville, MD, 20850
Takes Reservations : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Nari L.
Great food! Great outdoor seating although it was a bit cold at night in May since there are no heaters. I enjoyed everything here. We got a whole bunch of stuff and they were all really good. I loved the mini gyros. I would def be back!
(5)George L.
Food was absolutely incredible! Nice quaint atmosphere and was truly an enjoyable lunch. The service was a little slow, but we were there for lunch and had a big party. All the dishes we had were good. The lollipop chicken was really good, spicy lamb sliders were good, but pretty spicy and I like spicy food. The scallop risotto was cooked just right. Scallop had good flavor, but a little salty. I had the grilled octopus and it was pretty good. They grilled it nicely with a some char which cut down on the chewiness. Overall, a great gem that is kind of hidden.
(5)Harris H.
Absolutely love this place!!!! All the other reviews are dead on. Based on recommendations here, we tried and really loved. 2 things to know before going. First, it definitely is very noisy, so be prepared as it is a small place. Second, the way to have a good time is order the minimum amount of tapas that you want. When done, order another one as the service is very fast and it takes no time to get them. My wife and myself went in and just ordered what we thought we needed. We couldn't finish them. Now we know to order differently.
(5)Kerry R.
Just had lunch there. The food was very good, the dip tasting is fantastic. The decor is nice, but it gets LOUD in there. The prices are good, not too high. One person'a lunch came out 15 minutes after everyone else's - I think his order was lost. It's very good, but can get hectic when busy. Not good for a quiet, intimate dinner.
(4)Anuj G.
You cant tell from outside if the restaurant is open or not. Very difficult to find the back entrance. Drinks at the bar are too expensive. Restaurant is over staffed. Sitting is too tight.
(3)Tim W.
Couldn't even stay long enough to order. The place is like a dungeon and they stack people on top of each other like sardines. The children who work at the host stand are very unhelpful and non responsive. We had a table for two and they had 2 tops on either side of us with literally 6 inches of space operating us from other diners. The walkways separating the tables are so narrow, my butt nearly brushed against the faces of seated guests as I tried to shoehorn my way to our table. Maybe the food is good, I dont know; the atmosphere was too stressful to actually order a meal.
(1)Ward H.
The scallops and risotto lived up to their reputation. The Brussel sprouts went quickly. Next trip back, I will put it on the agenda. !
(4)Marianne Z.
By far the best dish is the lollipop chicken, it is made so perfectly! Great flavor as well. This is a great place to try a bunch of different tasty foods. The environment is a little loud but the service is great.
(4)Polina Y.
An incredibly small place with very mediocre food. Not much to choose from and 5 dishes that we ordered lacked flavor. Won't be coming back.
(3)Mike L.
Cava never disappoints. Each time I eat here I leave wanting more. Every meal starts with a basket of pita slices paired with oil, olives and a spicy red sauce. Be careful with the red if you're sensitive to spicy because it is deliciously hot! Definitely order the Saganaki, kefalograviera cheese set on fire right before it's served to the table. It's a great way to start the meal with some flash! Other top recommendations are the scallops w/ risotto, lollypop chicken, spicy lamb sliders and lamb chops. Ambiance and service are also always top notch. Great experience each time I go!
(5)Dee P.
The service was excellent. Food even better. Great people just hanging out.
(5)Aaron G.
Visited Cava Mezze for the first time. Food was very tasty. We ordered the variety platter that included gyros, souvlaki, meatballs and fries, and lollipop chicken for the child. All were excellent. We also ordered the saganaki and teramosalata. We tried ordering calamari but after we ordered we were told they had just run out. My daughter was very sad as that was all she really wanted, but the manager came through for her and offered to give her the French toast for dessert, which was also very nicely done - thick bread and very sweet. My only minor criticism is that the portions on the variety platter seemed a little light for the $25.00 price tag. But we will certainly go back and try other things.
(4)Erika B.
Food was good. My husband and I had calamari, lamb sliders, lollipop chicken, and asparagus to share. It was all pretty good. The atmosphere was very laid back and chill. I would defiantly return.
(4)Beverly N.
Cava is probably one of my favorite restaurants in the Rockville area. My friend and I went there recently and had the watermelon feta salad, brussel sprouts, lamb shank, mussels, hanger steak, and the baby octopus. All were delicious and are definitely worth coming back for. Staff was attentive and courteous and the overall experience was great. Try to make reservations if you can b/c the tables fill up quickly!
(5)Jennifer O.
Really delicious food, although a little pricey for the small portions. Definitely wear earplugs if you want even a chance of hearing your dining companion(s).
(4)Jen K.
I've been to both the DC and Rockville locations. The food are good. Pretty much everything is good, especially the lollipop chicken and their famous scallop risotto. They also offer half price wine on Mondays. It is once of my favorite restaurants in Rockville area.
(5)Rebecca G.
The best restaurant in Rockville hands down. It's a little funny that it's in a shopping center and when you park you might feel like you are going to the grocery. Once inside you forget about the outside and it matches anywhere in the city. I'm excited to try their downtown restaurant some time. Their tzatziki sauce and dippings are really good and sold at whole foods. Zucchinni fritters to start are so fluffy, warm and delicious. Amazing! Cava is where I found my love for lamb. Get the lamb chops! So worth it. Great wine, Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir is good and affordable. Seems like they are opening in new areas like Bethesda. Looking forward to it!
(5)Jason L.
One of the few consistently awesome places to eat in the Gaithersburg/Rockville area. I have been here three times and have found each visit to be close to a 5 star affair. The service has always been pretty good as well and orders are efficiently placed at your table electronically by the waitress. Some highlights: Zucchini fritters, lollipop chicken (a must have), braised beef, seared scallops with risotto, pork belly, grilled meatballs, lamb gyros. There are many more items on their menu that are delicious but this should get you started. Most ordered items come in threes so that number of diners will probably make things easier. The dining room is small and very intimate and fills up quickly on the weekends. You simply won't regret coming to this place! P.S. If you can't get enough of their hummus, harissa, etc they actually sell these items in stores in the area. They stock their items at the Whole Foods in Gaithersburg and probably at other grocery stores well.
(5)Michael M.
I am modifying my review slightly. I still like this place and it's the first place I came to when I got off the airplane, but I wouldn't say I love it anymore. I initially gave them 5 stars. The food has been consistently excellent. It's been a while since I have been here. My wife loves the "grilled octopus" she ordered that today and I ordered my usual "mini chicken gyros" The food came out fast, as always. The mini chicken gyros were excellent as always. The grilled octopus though was not as good as always; why? Grilled octopus should be served plain with lemon to be squeezed on it. Cava decided to get fancy and serve it with fennel salad on top of the octopus; this totally hides the taste of the octopus. Someone recently reviewed that although still good, they are not as good as they used to be, and I have to agree. I also noticed an increase in their prices. They are bordering on being too expensive for what you get. The 3 mini chicken gyro's were $10.95 and the grilled octopus was $14.95. That's a bit expensive for the amount of food your are getting; especially for the octopus which is a very small amount. I also ordered the stuffed grape leaves; which were uneventful. Service was still excellent.
(4)William M.
Authentic Greek food served in the traditional Greek Mezze style. That said, nothing about this cuisine is traditional. Great Greek food with a modern twist. Recommend the Saganaki, Lamb Chops, Octopus...Village Salad, that said you can rest assured that anything you order will be delicious. Slightly over priced but worth it. Atmosphere can sometimes be too loud. Oh and for dessert ( if you still have room for it ) ..have the Lokomades. Oh yeah... and PLEASE don't refer to it as "Tapas", "Tapas" is Spanish for Mezze.
(5)Nroop B.
Got the perfect ambience for Valentine's day dinner! Plenty of vegetarian options (Review based on vegetarian food only) to go with... Nice line of tapas and drinks. If you only want to go with one dip (cold mezze), then I strongly recommend "Roasted Eggplant" (Variation of Baba Ganoush). Simply delicious with warm pitas they served!
(4)Jeanine K.
Love this place! Always a great place to go when visiting the area on business. Tuesday nights- 1/2 priced bottles of wine makes for an especially fun evening! The food is always good to perfection and service is fantastic.
(4)Bella S.
We were very impressed by the food at Cava Mezze. They are regularly out of the Hot Green Harissa but they have other wonderfully spicy options. It can be quite a wait to get a table but once you are sitting, the experience is rapid fire. The only issue I have with such fast service is that the tables are so small, you can't always fit all the food you order, nonetheless the massive menus. My suggestion would be to start small and hold onto your menu. The disco fries and Cava fries are great. The pork belly is literally melt-in-your-mouth tender. The chicken soulvaki was lackluster so skip that in favor of the fried chicken drumsticks. They are just as good as they look in those pictures. Fried chicken in a little cushion of Greek yogurt and honey, it keeps me up at night. I have never eaten anything here I didn't like. I would skip basics like chicken souvlaki and go for some of the more fun stuff.
(5)Ted W.
My wife and I checked Cava out last month and were VERY happy with our meal! Everything was amazing, plus we found a new favourite wine. Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars yet is because I need to try out more of the dishes first. Promise next time I'll get to the review before I forget what we ordered! All in all if you're looking for some great food and atmosphere check this place out.
(4)Nikki C.
Delicious! Very dark, very loud, and very trendy (if that's your thing). They definitely hire every greek person they can find on this side of the atlantic, just to keep it authentic. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Try the bourbon and wine cocktail.. it makes the relaxing and smooth atmosphere even better.
(4)Diana K.
Definitely enjoyed my experience at Cava in Rockville over its counterpart in DC. It's a lot more low-key and casual, which are significant factors for me. Overall, service was great, food seemed to taste better, and I had a great time! And the winning dish? Risotto with mussels... Yum!
(4)Loren P.
Scallop risotto Crab bomb must have more of this Reisling tops it off
(5)Roy S.
Great food tapas style but Greek instead of Spanish. Full bar with tons of martini choices. Its small so get there early! I want to go back!!! It can be a little loud but this place is awesome!
(5)Janet H.
I've heard about Cava for the longest time but never really had the opportunity to dine here. Finally, for a lunch outing with the coworkers someone suggested to come here! I am bummed that I did not come sooner because this place was delicious! Got here around 12:30pm we were quickly seated. It wasn't crowded surprisingly. I had no idea what to order so I just ordered a crab cake sliders off the lunch menu for share and then let the "experts" take care of the mezze selections. First off, the crab cake sliders was delicious. Then, they ordered this flaming cheese thing. Excellent. Hummus. Excellent. My goodness, I love their pita bread too, I can eat that all day long! Scallops Risotto, best I've ever had, Mmmm. Anyway, and a bunch of other stuff all so good. I am definitely going to come back again very soon. It's definitely not cheap here, but you pay for what you get and it's reasonable. There were 6 of us, and we ended up each paying around $24... for lunch.
(5)Veronica S.
I went here for the first time last night. The place was PACKED at first. I was unsure if I would be able to enjoy myself with my date at this seemingly overcrowded place. We placed our name for a table and the wait was 40 minutes. (It was a Saturday night and we did not have a reservation so that is to be expected.) The hostess somehow thought we were a party of 5 even though it was just the 2 of us so that may have had something to do with it too. Regardless, we were just happy to be seated and the place was seemly much less crowded at the time we were sat which was GREAT. :-) I had a peach martini which I thought was pretty nice. We ordered the dip tasting, spicy mussels, grape leaves, spicy lamb sliders, cauliflower, and baby octopus. I like how they give you pita and some dips at the beginning. We were starving by the time we were sat so that was good. I think the waitstaff was mostly very attentive. I think they tried to not put too much on the table at one time which was greatly appreciated. Too much on a table for two would have been too cumbersome and annoying. So thank you great waitstaff! :-) I think I am giving this place 4/5 versus 5/5 stars because I really like Greek tapas. I thought it was interesting and creative that they put an American spin on some Greek tapas. However, I could have done without it. Another place worth trying for Greek tapas is Zaytinya in China town, DC. All in all, I could definitely go back to Cava Mezze. I will probably stick to the less Americanized tapas though. I really liked the baby octopus and the spicy mussels (the broth was so excellent that I took it home to dip with bread). The grape leaves and most of the dips on the dip tasting platter were fantastic too. Thank you Cava Mezze for adding to my wonderful evening! :-)
(4)Jenn K.
4.5 stars for the food, 3.5 stars for the ambiance. Scallops risotto - 5 stars - MUST GET. The scallops are seared to a crisp while still having that tender beautiful inside. The saffron risotto is melt-in-your-mouth creamy orgasmic deliciousness. Disco fries - meh. - Don't bother getting it, the fries get soggy and the lamb's just alright. Grilled octopus - 4 stars - first time having it, I enjoyed it but it seems like it probably could have been a little better - it was a little tougher than it should have been. Spanakoptia - 4 stars - It'd help if I liked spanakopita more, but overall, still pretty good. The food more than made up for the 30 min wait. However, it was a little hard to talk to the people I was with because it was so loud inside :/ Also, it's pretty hard to see anything inside because it's so dark, but I guess that makes it more "romantic."
(4)Yelppy Y.
Awesome! Puts Jaleo to shame. FYI!! They don't take reservations.
(5)Lucy X.
Finally got to try this place after it being in my "Bookmarks" for so long! Can say that most of it was up to my expectation. The Lollipop chicken was interesting...very tender dark meat fried chicken dipped in this delicious sweet white sauce. The baby lamb chops, however was a bit disappointing, especially considering how much I love lamb meat. Imo it was a bit too oily and had way too much fatty meat rather than meat meat. And the best dish was definitely the scallop risotto for it was absolutely delectable! Three large pieces of o so tender scallops served over tasty yellow rice. Next time, I'd probably order one just for myself hehe :b Overall, a pretty chill, intimate date-friendly restaurant with some awesome Greek food! O not to mention, the complementary warm pita bread + dip was a lovely way to start off the meal.
(3)Jeanne C.
Cava Mezze is pretty close to NYC standards, bundled up in the great hometown suburbia! No need to travel all the way to Bethesda or DC for eats. First off, I went at 5:30pm and there was no wait (keep that in mind for those who hate waiting!) Of course, 30 minutes later and the place was filled with patrons. It is dark on the outside and looks closed, but the restaurant is dimly lit inside with a rustic feel. Because we had eaten bits and pieces all day, we came to Cava for a snack and ordered the feta honey (amazing!), tzatziki yogurt sauce w/ cucumber on pita bread, lamb shoulder (very tender!) and beef meatballs in tomato sauce. Everything was delicious, and not expensive at all. These four little appetizer dishes filled us up and we still had leftovers to take home. All this for under $40. Can't wait to come back here again and try the other meaty dishes!
(4)Tochi K.
This was my 4th visit to CAVA and 2nd at this location--I definitely will not revisit this one. The food is good but also nothing to write home about. I've enjoyed their spanakopita and lamb meat balls and didn't care for their lamb sliders. Their wine selection is good and I've heard people say they enjoy their martinis--I had one that I didn't care for but enjoyed my wine. Prices are a little higher for tapas but not terribly so. However, I expect more at those prices. The place is tiny and service is horrible. Our server wasn't very attentive and kept on checking her cell phone as she walked away (no, it wasn't a POS thing). Our dishes did not arrive at the same time. Random servers would whiz past and pick up dishes without saying a word or making eye contact. Oddly, they have lots of staff members in a tiny place (3 behind the bar, 2 greeters, and about 6-8 others walking up and down)--they all seemed annoyingly disorganized. Ambiance isn't too bad but something is missing. It is not a quiet place for a peaceful meal. It seems like it is where some go to feel like they are part of the in-crowd, because that is all that matters to them. My impression: a group of "cool" friends in their 20s decided to get together and hangout while working. I'd probably go back to the DC CAVA for Happy Hour only. I won't go back to this one.
(2)Sharon N.
Love coming here with friends for dinner but wish it was a little less expensive so I could go more often. Great service though each time I go and good ambiance.
(4)Sophie M.
In our neighborhood, we LOVE it here. It is our go to date night restaurant. The opa opa shrimp is delicious, as well as the gyros, hummus and almost everything else. The zuccini fritters are NOT good at all. There are a few things on the menu that aren't so good, however whats great about mezze is you have other stuff to eat if you dont like one of your dishes! My husband and i usually get 3 to share and it's enough. The drinks are fantastic and for the most part the food is the best! Get the crazy fetta, just do it! The pita and the assortment of olive oils are so satisfying and yummy! The baklavah is amazing and the service is always outstanding. We love Cava!
(4)Jason C.
I changed my mind. It's unfair to give your place a 4*. I have to say your restaurant clearly ranks among the best in the DC area.
(5)M K.
In a North Potomac shopping center, but it acts like it's a hipster foodie heaven in downtown DC. That's a good thing. There was actually a 20-minute wait on a Friday night (I can't get used to this idea in suburban Maryland) but we were able to snag dining seats at the bar, so a win there. We went overboard on ordering, but everything was delicious. I ate so fast I can't give a very thorough review, but-- Tzatziki--thick and creamy. I wanted to lick the bowl. A bit odd that it didn't come with more pita bread. I mean, it's a dip...maybe they thought the starter pita we had was enough (can you ever have too much pita bread though?). Spanikopita--hot and FRESH. I was dubious about ordering what I think of as "deli food" at a restaurant, but it was delicious. You could tell it was freshly made and not frozen. The feta was high quality and stood out. Lollipop chicken--life-changingly awesome. Really. I'd eat myself into an early grave if I could eat this every day. The fried coating is addictive, the meat is tender, and the honey is just right on it, not too sticky or sweet. I demanded 2 of the 3 pops. Lamb meatballs--very nice. Herby and deep flavor. Half-smoke sliders--the only off note, really. Don't get me wrong, at any other restaurant I'd be raving about them, but after the other 4 Greek dishes (ok, I'm not sure lollipop chicken is authentically Greek) it was a strange thing to eat last. It was really good, hot, filling, and smoky, but unnecessary on the menu. Would be a great dish at some other regular DC bar. Comes with fries that are also an off note...only because everything else here is so awesome. By the way, the service was really fast--considering it was a packed Friday night (even not considering it) we were served everything immediately if not sooner. Service was quite attentive (perhaps because we had the secret strategy of dining at the bar). For food alone, I'd give Cava a 4 1/2 star rating if I could. I can't wait to go back and lick me up some more lollipop chicken...there's a real possibility of me upping the rating to 5 after a second visit.
(4)Andrew K.
Nice fancy Greek tapas place with a huge selection of wines. I came here for lunch and it was busy. I ordered the lunch special gyro platter which came with fries and it was pretty good but wasn't sure why the put some fries in my gyro sandwich. I also tried the chicken souvlaki sandwich which was also not bad. You can also order the mezze plates from the dinner menu and we tried the eggplant dip which was good. Overall, the food was pretty good but the service was average.
(4)Ann R.
This place is amazing. Whenever we have out of town visitors, this is our go to place. Everyone always loves what they order, it is fun to share, and they have a great wine selection. I would definitely recommend trying this restaurant; it may become your favorite place too.
(5)Aaron W.
There is one thing I wish Cava would do: expand and move southward. I believe the restaurant has started taking reservations through one of the services; call to ask, but if you're just showing up expect to wait at least 30 minutes for a table. Other than that, there's absolutely no reason to go. Excellent Greek food, lunch specials are outstanding, food is consistently delicious and diverse; you'll get things here you won't get at other restaurants, like grilled octopus, or cinnamon orzo with lamb, or haloumi sliders. Go. And find out if they take reservations.
(5)Ali S.
Kind of underwhelming based on the amount of positive reviews. Had a pretty decent sampling of what this place has to offer and I was left feeling that it was wholly overpriced for the small portions. This place is a cross between Jaleo and the Levantes. Appetizer: Very promising bundle of hot pita bread and olive oil, olives, and a spicy red tapenade. I feel like we deserved at least two of these for the three of us. The olives and tapenade were destroyed in minutes, so all that was left was dipping pita bread in plain olive oil for the rest of the night. Drinks: Ouzu: Culturally enlightening but aside from cleansing your palate I really feel there is no place for such a strong liquorice spirit in my life. Entrees: Lollipop Chicken: The best tasting of all the entrees, but due to the good taste you are left wanting more. I would have liked a KFC bucket worth of these with the dipping sauce on the side, but at 3 dollars a pop these little drumsticks are freaking expensive. Haloumi: Very plain, like a grilled wedge of mozzarella. I'd pass on this one for something else if there is a next time, though I wasn't about to get the "flaming cheese" because I'm very cautious about meals that emphasize the spectacle of preparation and not so much the ingredients or taste. Lamb Chops: 15 bucks for 2 small chops is not cheap, but these were also well seasoned and cooked. Quite delicious but also left me hungry for more. There are a few french fries on the dish, but the fries were even more plain than the haloumi. Spicy Lamb Sliders: These are a miniature version of the Adana sandwich at Levantes, dish comes with two of them. Much more filling than any of the previous offerings. Chicken Souvlaki: Very poor, perhaps this was just our stroke of luck. They weren't dry but they were too salty. Also would pass on this entree. All that plus a beer and a gin martini was about 80 bucks without tip. We were hungry but not exactly starving. Jaleo had better economical value with the pricing and portions, and the only entree that was really special of the bunch was the lollipop chicken. Atmosphere and everything was fine, there's ample parking in front of giant and this place is pretty cozy. If you're really wanting something filling and delicious, then you may want to look for somewhere with more substantial entrees or cheaper tapas.
(3)Alka J.
What a great find. The service is great, the wine list not bad, and the food, delicious! Food is served tapas style so we ordered: 1. Roasted Beet Tartare - very fresh beets with small pieces of feta 2. Village Salad - the tomatoes were sweet, the dressing was good 3. Tzatziki - thick greek yogurt; not too garlicky 4. Grapeleaves - hand rolled and fresh - very close to what i had in Greece 5. Tyropita - just melts in your mouth. its filled with cheese so its a bit salty 6. Baby Octopus - cooked well, very tender, my favorite part of the meal 7. Scallops Risotto - the scallops weren't the best I've had, but the the dish was still good Our waiter was very attentive and the dishes came out quickly. we were in and out on a Wednesday evening in about an hour.
(4)Michael C.
Fantastic customer service and great food. My girlfriend and i got here at 6:45 on a thursday night and were seated right away. We ordered the lollipop chicken, flaming cheese, spanikopita, lamb chops, and scallops risotto. All were fantastic. The flaming cheese eaten w/ the complimentary pita and spicy sauce was a very nice combination. This has to be eaten before it cools too much though, as the cheese gets a bit hard when it's cool. The spanikopita was also excellent with a warm cheesy middle and perfecly flaky filo. The lollipop chicken was my gf's favorite and was a nice surprise with the yogurt + honey making an excellent combination. It reminds me of honey fried chicken with some blue cheese (but much better). The lamb chops were fantastic altho one was slightly overcooked. The one that wasn't literally melted in your mouth. The scallops risotto was also excellent. To top it all off the service was attentive and friendly from the hostesses to the waitress and runners. The price was even a nice surprise coming out cheaper than i expected. I've been here a few times and would definitely keep going back. BTW - It's very loud and tables are very close together, but it still feels cozy and private, not sure how they managed that.... but it might just be because we had a great meal and night.
(5)Jennifer Y.
Came here on a Friday night with a party of 15. Given the smaller space of the restaurant, it didn't feel overly crowded. The service was very good, the waiters were always checking on drinks and additional orders we had. Being a tapas place, I expected to have to order a lot of places but the food was very flavorful and filling that just 2 different orders was enough. I got to try the lamp chops which was very well cooked and not too gamey; the scallops risotto which was perfectly cooked and the scallops had a wonderful grill evenly on all sides; the braised short rib which was tender and full of flavor; and the calamari which was well fried on the outside and not too chewy on the inside. A very satisfying meal
(5)Stephanie C.
Love this place. I love the service, I love the food, I love how quickly they get the food out to you, and I love how versatile the menu is. My favorite dish is their grape leaves and spanakopita. By the way, I know Greek food I was raised Greek Orthodox, and this is good Greek food!! My only complaint is the atmosphere, it's always very dark, loud, crowded with little room between tables, and music that doesn't fit the mood plays. But none of that stuff matters to me, personally, because the food and the service are worth it.
(4)Alexandra U.
The food has been great every time! We always love to order their trazaziki and cheese that is set on fire. Also the lamb chops are on point. The atmosphere is great, only wish sometimes that there was more light. Overall, very happy!
(5)Justine K.
Lunch was delicious as we started off with the five tasting dip (humus, eggplant, salmon, can't remember the last two) as we waited for the rest of our group arrived. The restaurant is Greek tapas and has been here for years. Every table is given complimentary pita with a red pepper paste (spicy deliciousness that is now sold at Whole Foods) and olive oil). The general rule is to order 2 dishes per person. Leo our server made great recommendations: -watermelon feta salad (seasonal) -Lamb chops, with amazing garlic fries, two chops to an order (cooked perfectly medium) -Mini Crab cakes, 3 to an order, nothing spectacular but tasty -Grape leaves, 3 to an order, leaves are wrapped around rice. -Flaming cheese with lemon and brandy, comes in two mini iron skillets (it's lit on fire and burns out); if u love cheese get this but a little salty -Grilled shrimp, delicious - French toast for dessert (buttery sinfulness) -baklava with plenty of nuts The star was definitely the lamb chops and the watermelon salad. My boss loved the chops and ate it straight off the bone. The fries were the perfect crispness. The watermelon salad was light and refreshing and the feta combo was perfect. I would have been content with just these dishes. I would have given five stars but towards the end Leo was MIA and a little slacking.
(4)Vivian W.
Brick walls, dim lights, and wood furniture. That should give you a pretty good idea of the atmosphere at Cava! Although they also have outdoor seating if that's what you prefer. The dishes here are pretty small so I recommend ordering at least one main per person and some sort of appetizer. A perfect spot for some wine and a small dinner. The food was great, I recommend!!
(5)Tony L.
It started as a completely random search for a place that opens late. I happened to ran into an old school friend in this area, and decided to have late dinner. This place popped up and it sounded good being the most reviewed place in this area. All of the tables were still full when we got there around 9pm, so reservation is recommended for regular hours. The décor had a dim lighting scene, which supposed to be a nice dating spot. I am a fan of scallop, and all of the recommendations seem to point at this one dish... Scallop Risotto. No regrets after I tried the dish, portion may seem rather small, but they were one of the best risottos I ever had with perfect texture, not too mushy, not too crunchy. The scallops were cooked perfectly. Since my dining companion got dessert, I got one as well. The Dessert French Toast was actually a strange nice surprise. At first I thought, French toast for dessert does not sound like it would work... But once I had it was like firework inside my mouth. I suppose they soaked the bread in sweeter bath, which made the bread tasted on the sweet side, and they topped it with fruit and Crème Fraîche. It was definitely a homerun for anyone that likes bread pudding type of desserts, especially in a fancy way. I would say Cava Mezze was probably the best restaurant I visited in the northern DC area of all the weeks I stayed there. Our service was excellent as well.
(5)Leona C.
Homemade sodas, crafty cocktails, and tasty tapas....everything that you expect in the city, but conveniently in the suburbs!
(4)Vicki C.
I really want to give 3.5 stars. The food is what's making me come back! Pro's: -You're served with hot pita bread, red pepper dip and olive oil. Red pepper dip has a hot spicy zing to it! yum! -Tzatziki was delicious the girls and I could have drank it -The roasted eggplant usually is good (I buy it from Whole Foods) but it wasn't as flavorful that day -Spanakopita: Flaky and crunchy! -Grape leaves: Not bad, not sure what was really missing here... -Zucchini Fritters: Fried in deliciousness! -Cava Mac N cheese: I like my mac n cheese with cheesy sauce, this was more on the lighter side -Braised short ribs: Was a little on the dry side.. not my fav -Lamb shank: My favorite dish of the night!!!!!!! Cooked just right and the flavor was just enough. Went really well with Orzo. Con's: -Gal pal made a reservation for us four for 7pm. Could not be seated till EVERYONE had shown up!! I understand if they couldn't seat us until the majority of the party arrived but there were three of us there already waiting! We wanted to order drinks and appetizers!! On top of that, the restaurant wasn't even busy! Come on Cava! You should have your seating rule changed on a case by case basis.. you lose money by having people wait when they could have ordered three glasses of wine and appetizers. -Waiter was average.. accommodating. More straight to the point and get out. -Very dark lighting, bring a flashlight for the hard to see folks to read the menu -Cramped seating All in all, I would return to Cava for the food. Highly recommend making a reservation since it does get busy from time to time but be prepared to wait if your whole party has not arrived.
(3)Cat L.
4 of us came here for a weekday dinner and had a great meal. The restaurant is really small so I would not recommend coming with anymore than 4 people. Each dish that you order only comes with about 3-4 bites of food (and runs about $8-$12 each), so prepare to share with the table and have a large check at the end. We ordered about 10 dishes: grape leaves, cheese, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, braised short rib, lamb shank, pork belly, lollipop chicken, mini chicken pitas, and greek donuts for dessert. The brussel sprouts, short rib, and lamb shank were my favorites. Overall, it was a good amount of food for 4 people and everything was very tasty. I would like to try the other pita dips next time, as we got a good amount of pita bread but the accompanying dip was not very exciting. Other things to note is that space is tight inside and the place is super dark - I wish they would turn on some more lights!
(4)JiaJia T.
I am so sad about my the last meal I had here. I've been here half a dozen times in the last few years and it has always been a five star place. The service and ambiance are still all great. The food is still fantastic, but what is happening with the portion??!! Two scallops on a thin bed of risotto for $15? Two small lamb chops with a few fries for $15? And the presentation was sloppier as well, especially the lamb chops and lollipop chicken. I'm just not sure it's worth the price, anymore. I think I might have to break up with you, Cava!
(3)Samantha L.
Today, my mom and I had lunch at Cava Mezze located in Traville Gateway shopping center. They removed most of my favorite items from the menu including the Rocket Salad, non-spicy Lamb Sliders, and Green Beans. For lunch, they offer a 3 course Mezze Mania for $15. For my Mezze Mania, I ordered a Village Salad, Brussel Sprouts, and Chicken Souvlaki. The Village Salad consisted of cucumbers, tomatoes, caper, olives, and red onion tossed in an herb olive oil dressing. It was a typical Greek style salad except without leafy greens. The Brussel Sprouts consisted of crispy brussel sprouts with Greek yogurt and dash of seasoning along the bowl. My mom ordered Beet Salad, Roasted Vegetables, and Chicken Souvlaki. Honestly, I loved the combination that she picked. The Beet Salad consisted of kale like watercress and golden and red beets tossed in a roasted, sweet and tangy, balsamic pomegranate dressing. The Roasted Vegetables consisted of season market veggies such as pearl onions, tomatoes, squash, and zucchini seasoned with salt and Mediterranean herbs / spices. The Chicken Souvlaki consisted of cubed chicken and onion marinated with citrus-herbed infused olive oil and served on skewers. The chicken was tender on the inside but a bit burnt on the outside. I loved the flavor though!
(3)Cosmo K.
Wow this place is great! Neat Decour, lots of wood, nice little cozy place with warm lighting. Reservations a good idea. Greek Mediterranean tapas perfect portions for a party of four. We had the appetizer dip platter, watermelon feta plate, Mac & cheese, lollipop chicken, short rib, scallop risotto, baklava, and the to die for chocolate truffles. Sorry forgot to get pics everything looks so scrumptious we could not wait. A must visit we will definitely come back!!!
(5)Jin L.
Most everything on their menu is delicious. Expect to order around 2 plates per person. Every time I go here it is always completely packed. If you show up without a reservation you will have to wait a bit but they do call you when you're up. The restaurant is very small but they intelligently utilize all the space they have with tables and chairs. Because of the extremely close proximity to other patrons I don't think this would be a great location for anything intimate or important conversations. Favorite is by far the lollipop chicken. I really think if you close your eyes and point at anything on the menu that it would be a good choice. My least favorite item was the mac & cheese - the first few bites were interesting enough but quickly became just way too rich.
(4)Angela W.
Why is this place so dark? This place is great for coming with a group of friends. You can order a lot of things off the menu and share - part of why I love tapas! Definitely try the lollipop chicken. French toast is yummy. I don't have a love affair with Greek food so some stuff I wasn't too keen on, like the spanakopita. Good service and decent food! It's pretty close to my house so I would consider coming back again.
(4)Jason M.
I really hate I am going to have to give Cava a review that is below average. I know from friends, family, and peers on yelp that they are capable of a 4-5 star review. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen for me today. I waited until they opened at 5:00 and went into the restaurant right as they opened. I was the only customer in the place. I didn't feel very welcomed from the beginning. The bartenders and servers were all huddled around the end of the bar and talked to themselves. No one asked me; how was your day, what's your name, or anything to make the only patron feel welcomed. I was only approached and asked if I knew what I wanted to order. Quickly, I ordered a rocket salad (arugula, pistachios, feta, balsamic). I also ordered the chicken lollipops, and lamb chops. The salad and chicken were both pretty good. But, I came really excited about the lamb. Unfortunately, the lamb was overdone and dry. Even in my pictures, the flash show it looking a little better than the real thing. I should have sent it back and had them fix it. So that is my fault. The food also all came out at once and I was hoping to have a chance to eat the salad first. I had an empty glass at times which is surprising when you are the only customer. The vibe just wasn't welcoming and the food was ok but not worth a $50 meal in mind today due to the fact I felt rushed and ignored, it just made for a subpar experience. Again, I do know they can be great. Maybe it will be better next time.
(2)Rejena C.
The food was very elegant and delicious! The menu is organized into several small plate options and have various greek dishes. We got the hummus as an appetizer - so addicting! It was served with warm pita bread, however, they did not have whole wheat pita bread options but were able to bring vegetables for dipping options. My boyfriend, who would have much rather been at a burger and fries type of place, was still able to find something to eat! He got the lamb burgers and fries plate and thought it was delicious. The plates are intricately decorated and taste great. Make sure you try to Crazy Feta! The waiters should be more clear about how small the plate sizes are. I got two dishes and that was still hardly enough to fill a mouse haha. This place is better for drinks and apps rather than a sit down meal.
(4)Yi Y.
Love here. The food is amazing. My friend treat me here for my birthday. Highly recommend.
(5)Fat T.
What needs to be said has already been said. Good quality food at a reasonable price.
(5)Amaresh S.
If you're coming to cava, you really need to expect to drop some cash. I'd say that if you don't spend between $30-40, you're just not going to have as enjoyable of a time. Cava frequently rotates their dishes, so you have no idea what's going to be on the menu when you walk in. One of my past favorites, the chickpeas three ways, is now served as falafels - which is also really good. I highly recommend the brussel sprouts, potatoes, kidney beans, saganaki cheese, mac & cheese, and crazy feta dip. Their spanakopita used to be really good, but they changed it recently and it's noticeably worse. Also wasn't a big fan of the eggplant dip. For dessert, i highly recommend the french bread. It is simply amazing. So if you go, make sure you order a bunch of different things, eat a ton, and finish off with a nice french toast dessert. I've had a good time there every time I've went.
(5)David G.
Loved the ambience and the appetizers. Also, the lamb shank with wild rice was very flavorful. Totally recommended !
(4)Christina D.
After driving by a few times and stalking their Yelp page even more, I finally came here for a meal and I am very glad I did. I even braved the freezing rain to get here, so the stakes were even higher. My only complaint is that the table was too small to hold all our food but they, like most people, underestimate a small, hungry Asian girl. The lollipop chicken came out first. The outside was extra crispy and the inside was moist and delish, but the honey was unnecessary and messy. Their take on the poutine, braised beef over fries, was disappointingly bland. It was up from there, though, as the scallop risotto was next. Normally, I oh so generously offer the last couple bites of each dish to the persistently hungry bf, BUT NOT THIS TIME. Yeah, I finished it. I regret nothing. The scallops were little perfectly seared gems. I was in love. The crab cake was equally good; it wasn't made of that crappy canned stuff. It probably was the fancy lump kind that comes in the plastic tubs instead.
(4)Sheila C.
As all the other reviews say this place has very good food, very good! Our service was good too. Parking is easy. Tables are to close together but the reason I won't ever go back is that it's SO LOUD so loud so loud that you can't hear the person at your own table. LOUD.. But very good food! It's small crowed tables to close together but the food is good. Hip atmosphere. To loud for us to be able to enjoy dinning.
(3)Dave F.
Huge fan of this place. Really great food, quick service, and all-around good place. Highly recommend.
(4)Elizabeth C.
After hearing raving reviews from my friends about this place, I finally was able to snag a reservation and come here for a nice dinner to end the weekend. My expectations for this restaurant was high since I've heard nothing but good things about this place, and boy was I surprised at how every second of this dining experience exceeded my expectations! For a party of 3 we ordered the following: Brussel Sprouts Falafel Fritters Fried Calamari Scallops Risotto Lollipop Chicken Braised Short Rib Spicy Lamb Sliders Mini Pita Everything was so delicious and fresh, but the highlights of the meal were definitely the: fried calamari, scallops risotto, lollipop chicken, and falafel fritters. Overall it was a good amount of food, but be prepared that since the average dish is around $11 this meal does add up since the dishes are tapa style! I loved the complimentary pita in the beginning, but next time I will definitely order the dip tasting. Beware that the place is dimly lit and the tables are small, so bringing a big party to this place not might be the best idea, but it's perfect for a group of 4 or 5! Tuesday nights are 1/2 off wine bottles, so next time I will definitely stop buy for some good food and wine!
(5)Andrew M.
I ate here on a gift certificate that a family member bought me for Christmas because they confused Cava Mezze with Cava Grill. As a result, I got to try a variety of small plates that might usually be a bit out of my price range. -- Lollipop Chicken: I wasn't as impressed by this as some of the other reviews led me to anticipate. In practice, it's not so different from the honey-glazed wings I get from my local grocery store, not that there's anything wrong with that. -- Saganaki: Fancy cheese flambé (they light it up right at your table), made all the more impressive by the remarkably low lighting in Cava. -- Spicy Lamb Sliders: So good, especially the brioche buns. I forget our fourth dish, maybe grape leaves. As you can see, it was kind of a heavy menu; we could probably have done without the cheese. I'd love to return to try some of the lighter fare, preferably on someone else's dime.
(4)glenn a.
Per my profile, I do not often review. I travel a LOT, and I seldom have such a nice experience as I did at Cava. The food and wine were excellent. But more importantly to someone worn down by the road at times, the place made me feel like I walked into a neighborhood place where I had been a friend for years. Great staff! The bartender Matt, in particular, does not treat his customers like a client, but rather a friend. I went away feeling as if I just enjoyed a night out in my hometown with good friends.
(5)Deborah M.
Yum! Love the food. Wish the wait area was better, but still 5 star in my book! I love the white bean ragu, their own recipe harisa, greek salad and lots of other menu items.
(5)Teresa T.
We dined here as a large group and were seated promptly. Service was very attentive and wait staff were delightful. We tried several tapas from the menu including: Brussel sprouts, Beet salad, mixed greens, octopus, spaghetti, saganaki, and lamb chops. We were pleased with all of the above. Tapas were delivered promptly and were the perfect temperature. We even shared a bottle of red Greek wine at the waiters suggestion. We left after the delicious meal and will certainly be back!
(4)Diana N.
TAPAS! My friend and I decided to give this place a try since there was such a big hype about it. Came in and was greeted as soon as we walked through the door. Pretty small place. Huge bar. Looks like it had a pretty good selection for wine too. Hostess was great. We got seated pretty quickly. Waiter was super friendly. Very helpful with the menu. He gave us a couple of his recommendations. We ended up ordering The Scallop Risotto, Brussels Sprouts, lamb chop, falafels, sautéed mushrooms, crunchy pork belly and the French toast! Scallop risotto: this dish had an interesting taste to it. Scallop was pretty fresh. Risotto had a slightly sweet and salty taste. A little more than a regular size portion for tapas. Comes in three. Brussels sprouts: one of my personally favorite dish. Very crunchy and crisp. Comes with a side of Greek yogurt. You can taste the garlic and the combination with the crunch makes it so flavorful. Small plate full Lamb chops: two pieces of lamb chops. And a side of fries. Never thought to put lemon on my pork chops but it was amazing. The seasoning was just right. Not too salty or too sweet. The fries I felt like was a little under cooked. And not as crunchy. The lamb chops was a little greasy. But I didn't mind too much. It was too darn good. Comes in two. Fried falafels: DELISH. Comes with hummus on the bottom and a green sauce on top. Forgot what it was called but it really brought out the flavors of the falafel. Has a slight crunch on the outside and moist on the inside. Perfect! Comes in three. Sautéed mushrooms. Crunchy garlic sautéed in mushrooms and a perfect touch of some cheese. Great flavors. Perfect on its own. But I ate it with everything!! Pretty good portion. Crunchy pork belly: not one of my favorite. This was very disappointing because it was one of the few that struck out at me on the menu. I mean, who wouldn't order crunchy pork belly? So comes out on a plate of probably 5 pieces. I don't even think I tried a whole piece. It was just so sweet... The honey over killed it. It would've been the best dish without the honey. Honestly, texture and taste was there. Just not including the honey. If you guys decide to try this, ask for honey on the side!!! It had a crunchy outer layer, and inside was soft and juicy. Dessert. French toast!! Two pieces of French toast topped with blueberries, strawberries and whip cream. Perfect ending. Just the right amount of sweetness. But by this time we were so full. We barely got to eat half of it. Lol! Overall I would definitely return. And try some more of the other items on the menu. Service was good. The waiter even help me surprise my friend for his birthday!!
(4)Amber F.
Came back for another round of tapas, and I just want to say that their lamb meatballs, meatball kabab, and pork belly were also delicious. And don't forget those watermelon/cantaloupe and feta salad.
(5)Chandani C.
Absolutely LOVE this place. I've dined at the Arlington location many times about 3 years ago, but this was my first time at the Rockville location. This location is much smaller than Arlington, but the food and service is just as great. I ordered their Mac and cheese which is amazing. It's not your typical Mac and cheese because of the cheeses they use, but it is so worth every single bite. I also ordered the lamb sliders with their signature crazy feta which was delicious. I've been pretty consistent with the items that I order whenever I go to a Cava Mezze. I'll have to be sure to try some of their other great dishes next time!
(5)Dan A.
Cava is situated in a strip mall with a rather awkward storefront (the "front" entrance actually looked like a back entrance to me). However, inside, is a totally different story; it's a trendy restaurant with dim lights, funky Euro EDM music, dark woods, and brick walls. It was actually quite a surprise walking into it. My friends and I set a reservation at 5PM. We were promptly seated but told that due to a catering order, our food might be delayed. It seemed kind of strange to me (the catering truck was also right outside the entrance, which further made the entrance look like a back door) but I did appreciate the server's forthrightness. We ordered a variety of dishes; the server recommended two dishes per person. We got some pita and various dips (olive oil, spicy pepper, and actual whole olives) which were free and unlimited (yay!). The food came out fairly quickly. Some were hits and some were misses. Among the hits: - Spicy lamb sliders : there were two sliders which, indeed, had a bit of heat to it. The meat was juicy and flavorful. - Lollipop chicken : like what the other Yelpers said... this was pretty awesome as well. Sweet and savory at the same time. Among the misses: - Scallops risotto : Unfortunately, the scallops were overcooked. They were very rubbery...quite a shame too since the risotto was great. - Brussel sprouts : I love brussel sprouts. It appeared these brussel sprouts were deep fried. However, it had a little burnt taste to it and wasn't as crispy as I would have liked. The other dishes (falafel; prawns; hanger steak) weren't bad but didn't stand out to me either. Overall, it's not a bad place. However, for what it is, it seemed a little pricey... I feel like you could get better food for the same price if you decided to trek into DC or even Baltimore. But for Rockville and its surrounding areas, it's not a bad choice. I think realistically, this should be a 3.5 star restaurant but because I can't give star fractions, I'll round up to a 4.
(4)John G.
Unless you live in the neighborhood, Cava Mezze is in an out-of -the way location in the Traville Shopping Center - essentially a strip mall adjacent to the University of Maryland Shady Grove Campus. But this is not college grub. It's a trendy and tasty mezze-style (small portions for sharing) Greek restaurant that always attracts a good crowd. Have eaten many lunches and dinners here and found most things on the menu are very good. Favorites are: * Scallops Risotto - scallops are good size and always perfectly cooked. * Rocket Salad with Salmon added - great salad with perfectly cooked hunks of fresh salmon. * 6 Dip Tasting w/ cucumbers - the crazy feta is very good. * Saganaki - breaded and fried cheese with lemon - comes with a fire-flash presentation... OPA!!! * The Sparkling Rita and VanGogh Mango martinis are a hit with the ladies. And Mondays are half price martini night! Great food and sharing makes it fun! The dining area is small, so better for couples and 4-somes rather than large groups.
(5)Nisha B.
I enjoyed the meal at cava mezze but somehow, something seemed lacking. The vibe and atmosphere- excellent. Was feeling down in the blues and this had a happy jovial mood that picked mine up. Now to the food. Enjoyed the popcorn chicken- not sure about the honey in the dish. Octopus- eh. Not my favorite. Scallop Risotto- I asked the server if this is any good- he said its their most popular on the menu. This was my least favorite dish. Scallops weren't fresh and the risotto was a little bit from a packet. Maybe next time I should come back hungrier
(4)Jessica P.
This Cava location (the flagship) is one of the best restaurants in the DC area. It definitely rivals more "flashy" Greek mezze places in the district and is a reliably good, affordable dinner. They also have a location on Capitol Hill, but I would argue that this location is still a little better (plus... they still have my favorite dish on the menu and Cava Capitol Hill removed it), however Capitol Hill takes reservations and Rockville does not, so that often impact our decision about where to go. The food is served mezze style (read...Greek tapas). You should order about 2-3 things per person and share, share, share so you can try all of the amazing dishes! When you arrive, you are served hot, homemade pita along with olive oil, a hot dip called harissa, and some olives. I have tried basically everything on the menu, and have really not been disappointed. The salads are fresh and perfectly balanced, the vegetables are all yummy, and their meat dishes are always on point. Some dishes not to miss: - Saganaki: flaming greek cheese. I have been eating this at Greek restaurants since I was a little girl, and believe me when I say this is by far the best I have ever had. The cheese is thicker than most places serve it and fried crisp in the cutest little cast iron pans, set on fire, then put out with lemony goodness. Get this dish if you like cheese. Do it. - Mussels w/ saffron risotto (or scallops): this is the dish they took off the menu in Capitol Hill (although to their credit, whenever I have asked them to make it for me, they have delivered), it is the most savory, seafoody yuminess. The mussels are perfectly cooked and the risotto is seriously to die for. - Kokkinisto- this is a real gem. Braised beef over french fries and salty, briny Greek cheese. It is out of this world, really. A large portion, but never large enough. So, so, good- a must try for sure. Also- don't miss the chicken souvlaki or hanger steak. The pita sandwiches (gyro, chicken, etc.) are good, but you will probably be full on pita if you are anything like me and can't resist the yummy dips at the beginning- so I would suggest ordering the more meat heavy dishes. They also have some outstanding desserts (try the Greek donuts and the french toast) but we rarely have room for these after our meal.
(5)Jojo S.
.....and they are back! Not sure what was going on at Cava last year, but whatever that was the kinks are now worked out and food is great again. I haven't been in for a while after the last year's fiasco, and came back go many changes. The menu has been changed. I do not mind that at all, seems it allows Cava to focus on quality. The daily specials are no longer pre-planned, which makes so much more sense. Our dinner was delicious this time around. Well prepped and great flavors. We'll be back.
(5)Joris M.
I finally ate here, and I'm updating my review to compliment the food and service. We ate outside since the interior was so dark. There are only a few outdoor tables, and they do face a parking lot, but the tables are shaded in the evening, so it was pleasant. Service was very good, attentive without fawning, and our waiter wisely advised us to not over-order (2-plates per person is fine to start with). The food was very good. Try the octopus. You get a large tentacle, but it's as tender as butter. I've usually had it fried, when it comes out rubbery. The pork belly was also fine. Decent cocktail menu. All in all, I'd be happy to return.
(4)Laura S.
Wonderful at catering!! They did both my moms 60th and my engagement party. Whenever I go home, I always want to go to cava. This establishment has blown up over the years, and rightfully so. They serve tasty food! I went to Bladucci's the last time I was home and almost got the crazy feta (an all time favorite) and it was $10.99! That's crazy expensive! But....then again...it's soooo good.
(5)Danny H.
Very, very dark ambiance. People were using their phones as light to order off the menu. I don't really enjoy places where that have to happen. Either have it dim and moderately quiet or lit and loud. This place was dark and loud...not the best place to go if you want to converse with your date. On to the food though... Lollipop Chicken - Highly reviewed, but I thought it was so-so. I was expecting more than just skewered battered chicken. It was done well, but underwhelming. Chef D Plate - The pork belly and chicken souvlaki were tasty. the gyro was decent, the tzatziki was very fresh and palate cleansing. The only thing I'm scratching my head with was why this dish was served with fries. Kind of ruins the whole experience imo.
(3)Kari S.
My husband and I visited last night and loved the food. We started with the dip tasting dish (crazy feta was by far the best.) We also ordered the octopus and cava mac. The octopus was fantastic, not rubbery and had a nice lemon zest flavor. My only complaint is on two different occasions during our visit random patrons asked us to move down on the bar so they could sit with their group. The first time we were happy to accommodate, the second time we were annoyed! I am unsure if the bartenders should/could say something about this, but it interrupted our meal -- we were clearly in conversation/eating both times. Either way, we will probably return and sit at a table instead of the bar.
(4)John H.
Terrific selection of tasty, unique tapas. We had a great time trying a whole bunch of things and passing them around. Everyone in our group found things they liked, and if we needed more food, it came out quickly. The waitress was quite competent, and happily explained details about dishes we were unsure about. It was a fun evening. My only complaint was the dark decor and low lighting which did detract from the ambiance. But we'd definitely go back.
(4)Young S.
Food and service were amazing! There was a minor hiccup with reservations, but they handled it really well. Server was attentive, helpful, and funny. Only thing is space is pretty tight.
(5)Ema P.
Consistently amazing. The pita and Harissa to start are my absolute favorite. Must haves: the scallop risotto the chicken souvlaki skewers the flaming cheese saganaki the dip sampler the lamb chops Enjoy :)
(5)Nancy D.
So we loved the Harissa so much that we raved about it to Dimitrios the owner. Therefore he gave me a big bowl to take back to NYC. I made the most delicious spicy clams from frozen peconic bay clams I had harvested and his Harissa. Delish!
(5)Mo A.
Another birthday dinner brought me to the highly regarded Cava Mezze, which offers Mediterranean cuisine served tapas style. Cava Mezze has several locations in the Washington Metro area. This restaurant is located in a strip mall that also houses Giant supermarket. It is also next door to a pizza place. I have to say, I was surprised at Cava's location. The outside is very dark and unassuming and the location in general is kinda hidden There is a small parking lot in front of the restaurant entrance. Quick tip- Cava only accepts reservations for seating times between 5:00-6:30. What if you want to make reservations for 8:00? You're just gonna have to get there and roll the dice. Cava is very small and the decor reads as a slightly upscale pub/tavern. While the dim lighting, dark color schemes and candles offer an intimate touch, the sheer loudness of the place completely drowns out any attempt at private conversations. It really sounds like voices just tend to project off of the walls here. We were initially seated right next to the bar, which are by far the worst seats in the house. The noise levels are not just loud, they're unbearable. Almost to the point where the waiters would have to write you notes to ask you questions. We asked to move and were seated towards the back of the restaurant. That was better but still, there was no way I could sit across from someone and have a normal conversation. The service is good as the wait staff is accommodating and attentive. They can come off like they're a little pushy and in a rush at times but that seems like more of a byproduct of being in a packed restaurant. We ordered the Watermelon Salad, Fried Calamari, Spicy Lamb Meatballs, Lamb Chops, Mini Gyros and Baklava. The Watermelon Salad consists of a slice of the fruit topped with a slice of feta cheese and a mint leaf. Very odd combination that is refreshing and works. First off, I was happy to find that the watermelon was actually ripe. How often do you go to places that serve fruit that either has yet to ripe or has gone bad? The watermelon had good firmness, sweetness and juiciness. The feta cheese offered its own strong flavors that was a nice contrast to the watermelon without conflicting. The mint leaf seemed to be the unifying element that brought everything all together in one bite. The Fried Calamari comes in a generous serving size. Numerous fresh calamari that is lightly breaded with crunchy batter. Underneath the calamari is a creamy and very tasty tzatziki sauce, which paired very well. The Spicy Lamb Meatballs came in portions of 4 and were plump. The meatballs were a tad bit on the dry side but otherwise nicely prepared. The seasoning was pretty good as there was definitely a spice kick but nothing overwhelming, which allowed the other ingredients to shine. The Lamb Chops come two to a plate and are served with fries. While the chops were tender and packed with flavor, they're a little on the skimpy side. Although Cava is a tapas style restaurant, this dish is priced like an entree so another chop or least some chops with more meat would be nice. The fries were ok although they lacked seasoning. The Mini Gyro comes three to the plate and have a whimsical presentation. Aside from the meat, the gyro also contains tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions and fries. For being mini gyros, they were still decent sized and filling. They could have used a little more meat but the fries were a welcome element. The gyro as a whole was a little dry, perhaps some additional tzatziki would help. The Baklava was a complementary birthday dish. The baklava is pretty nice sized and comes with a heaping portion of ice cream. It was a decent dish but lacked a little in the sweetness department. Considering the size of the baklava, it needs a little more honey. The pricing is a tad bit inflated but in general it's decent considering the area. Five dishes and beverages came to close to $70, which is somewhat comparable to similar places like Zaytinya, Oyamel, Zengo, La Tasca, etc. While I enjoyed the food for the most part at Cava, I'm not sure I'd be in a rush to return. The decor really makes it hard to enjoy the experience, unless of course you and your dining companion know sign language. The food simply isn't good enough to make up for that. Compared to the above mentioned restaurants (except for Zengo), I think Cava's menu is more appealing and their food might be slightly better but the club experience is a major obstacle. Hopefully they can figure out a solution to their noise issues. Until then, perhaps I'll check out one of the other Cava locations and see if ear plugs are needed.
(3)Jen F.
I am a huge fan of Cava. This was my first time going to the Rockville location (typically I go to Clarendon or the fast-food variations). It's definitely different from the other locations, but the menu is still the same. The dip sampler is one of my favorites. Crazy feta, tzatiki, hummus... YUMMUS. I could eat 5 baskets of pita bread devouring the dips. Some of my other favorites here include the flaming cheese (caution: very filling!), the mac and cheese, zucchini fritters, and watermelon feta salad. It's tapas style so come with a group and try lots of things! I've never had something I didn't like from Cava. I am giving this location 4 stars for a few reasons. First, this could be related to the location, but it is not the same trendy vibe you get from other Cavas. It was much more family-oriented and less trendy. The staff was quite sassy (not sure why) which was a little uncomfortable. Every other Cava has the happiest staff. The drink menu did not have some of my favorite cocktails that I've had at other locations. Despite these things, the food more than makes up for the fact that this place deserves 4 stars.
(4)Chen C.
Came with a large group for lunch. Everything we ordered was good. Fresh and tasty.
(4)Mindy D.
Yes, the food here is delicious! Yes, it's not the cheapest. Yes, the wait time can be long. SO, be a smart planner and make reservations ahead of time. Cava Mezze offers online res through Yelp's SeatMe app, which is super easy to use. Note that your entire party must be present before they will seat you. There's not really a waiting area, except that small space between the bar and kitchen... awkward because you'll be in the servers' way! The restaurant is kind of hidden and can be a little hard to locate, but GoogleMaps should take you straight there. Standout dishes: *grilled octopus *lollipop chicken *filet with shrimp *scallop risotto *flaming cheese Best of all, it's free, unlimited pita bread! Octopus was probably my favorite item! Most of these dishes are small servings, tapas, except for the lamb shank (pass on this one-- very lamby tasting). Some of them come in 3 servings, while others are bigger and can be split accordingly. I came with 5 others and our bill came out to about $33 a person, not including drinks. Warning: It's DARK, LOUD, and very TIGHT.
(4)Kim A.
Loved it! The waiter was friendly The French toasts was good the dipping was amazing Nothing more else to say..
(5)Virginia B.
Pretty tasty eats! I tried the zucchini, the stuffed grape leaves, crab cakes, chicken lollipops, and the scallops. Mostly everything was great! The pita that comes with the sun dried tomato and pepper spread is delicious!! In my opinion the scallops were seared with a glaze that was way too sweet and didn't compliment the rocking mushroom risotto they came with. But other then that I was very pleased with the flavor combinations and attention to detail. Everything was beautifully cooked. My picky children were not pleased with the menu choices. Not too many kid friendly options. Wish they had more to offer kids. A few basic kid pleasing options.
(4)Anna B.
So, I just got back from eating here for lunch about 45 mins ago and thought I should do a review right away since it's very fresh in my mind, not that I think I would forget that it was an awesome quick lunch for a monotonous Friday. We had reservations at 1 pm and we were seated promptly. The hostess was dressed casually and had a big inviting smile, so you instantly just feel more comfortable. The place is small but quaint, modern with a rustic twist. You almost forget you're in a strip mall but a really nice one with good eats all around (according to Yelp). I'm here for the food so what's outside the restaurant just doesn't mean much to me if the food and service is amazeballs...just reporting the news. We ordered within a few mins, since I pretty much stalked the menu before I had arrived and guided my lunch date to make his decision. We ordered from a menu that's prefixed at $15 and you get three options from 3 different sections. In the Salad/Dips section, I ordered the roasted "beet salad" with a pomegranate balsamic/fresh mixed micro greens/goat cheese. I can't say that I've never heard of this type of salad before but what I really appreciated was the freshness and it's simplicity... the beets were nicely quarters in good size pieces so you can enjoy the texture of this delectably sweet beet (both red & golden beets, pretty little things)... the vinaigrette was at first too tart but when you eat it all together with the beets, it just makes sense. The goat cheese is just a no-brainer when pairing it with this salad...I will definitely order that one again. Next on the vegetable section of part 2 of 3, I ordered the "falafel fritters".... my least favorite of my meal. I've made these at home many times and although I am NOT a Greek aficionado, I do know that the inside shouldn't taste so raw doughy on the inside. The outside was nice a dark golden brown but the soft inside was off-putting for me to eat more then a bite. The bottom of the 3 fitters was hummus and it was topped with a cilantro sauce of some sort.... the seasoning all together was a little bland. Ok, enough of the negative, the rest will end on a positive note. My entrée (tapa), I ordered was the "lollipop chicken".. this was an unexpected surprise. You get 3 little fetched drums on top of some Greek yogurt and honey. When you take a bite, you'll stand back... pause...whoah! This chicken is so incredibly moist and tender, its literally falling off the bone. They must confit the hell out of these drums then they manage to put on this light and crunchy coating on the outside.. Seems like there are bits of nuts mixed into with the batter or glaze. I wanted to ask if I could just stand in the corner of their kitchen and just watch this but I am much too shy and short on time to muster up the courage to ask. My date ordered the "Spicy Lamb Sliders", and those come in 2's with some insanely good French fries. It's a nice size patty, some tzatziki/lettuce/chopped tomato/chopped red onion on a brioche mini bun. The flavors were great but the patty was a little cold and too rare for our liking and the brioche was a bit stale and dense (if that makes sense)....1/3 of the bun was leftover. We also, lastly had the flaming cheese called "Saganaki". This was the first for us , although I had seen it at many Greek restaurants over the years. I'm glad that I had it here first because I believe the standard has been set here. I'm a salt person #1...#2....I'm a cheese person... they lit this in cute little mini cast iron skillets ( you get two really good size pieces) but first they put it ablaze with some 151 (yeah, that birthday shot you loathe every birthday) and then when the fire is out, they top it with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Perfection!! The waiter suggested we eat it with pita bread (that came with some Kalamata olives/EVOO/spicy harrisa.... harrisa is crazy good and definitely spicy, which I am a total spice nut and looking for something spicy every where I go. Nice to know that Greeks like a little spice, here and there. I smeared a little harrisa with a chunk of that flaming cheese into a piece of pita... perfect bite but next time, I'll sit at the bar and have it with a beer... or two. They seem to have a lot of specials every day during the week to include a $5 scotch/bourbon day on Mondays. This restaurant is small but packs a punch.... the food is simple but thoughtful and I love that. I will be coming here many more times in the near future.
(4)Fred K.
The original Cava Mezze is still going strong and their food is outstanding! Just about everything I have tried tastes great. The dishes that do not disappoint include scallop risotto (3 scallops), baby lamb chops (2 to an order), hanger steak, lollipop chicken (3 to an order), and that flaming cheese (sometimes can be really salty). Their martinis are crafted perfectly and the service is quick and efficient. The bartender is very friendly, makes you feel right at home. They offer half price martinis I think Monday or Tuesdays too. It is dimly lighted restaurant, perfect for dates. I highly recommend this place and is worth the wait!
(5)GretcheN E.
Brussel sprouts are wonderful! Shrimp is very good. Good service!
(4)A J.
Love the food, good for dinner but because of the hours stay away for lunch (not open for lunch on weekends)
(3)Phi N.
Cava deserves an updated rating from me because I always find myself eating here and leaving super satisfied... The harissa dip is on point! Great for a starter. As for food, lamb chops here are my favorite and still the best I've had anywhere. Some runner-ups are the scallop risotto, village salad, asparagus, and chicken soup. The other dishes that I think are worth getting are the haloumi, lollipop chicken, pork belly, and crabcakes. I have ordered a lot of the other dishes here over the years too, they're decent, but I wouldn't order them over the items I listed above. For dessert, the french toast here is definitely the way to go! Service here is excellent, and the staff's really friendly.
(5)K.S. B.
Had my friend and I stopped our meal before ordering dessert, I would have rated this place a 5. The appetizers were excellent. My Brussels sprouts were grilled to perfection, and served with Greek yogurt for a nice touch. But the baklava tasted like something picked up in a bulk-pack at a warehouse club, with vanilla ice cream on top that didn't even taste of vanilla. Instead of layers of filling and phyllo, the filling was rolled up in phyllo, sort of like a Chinese spring roll made with phyllo. And in contrast to the modest sized portions of the main dishes, the baklava was monstrous. It was a touch on the noisy side for a quiet conversation, but nothing out of the ordinary.
(4)Sherry R.
Delicious lamb meatballs, the hanger steak is amazing as well. I enjoy their yogurt as it has pecans and honey. A great healthy way to get your need for sweets. Very busy location so I usually get take out or make reservations. First time I came here was with my daughter and her fiance. I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Jennifer D.
Food here is delicious and the staff is friendly. A nice vibe and ambiance. It's a little darker too, which I sometimes tend to prefer. The patio needs massive amounts of help. It's really struggling. I know the space is small, but they should really do something with it. We wanted to sit outside recently and quickly decided against it for the following reasons, it's chilly in the shade and no heaters were offered, the furniture is crappy. Try the Lamb Gyros and Brussel Sprouts!! Delicious.
(4)Denise W.
My favorite restaurant in the area! I have been going here consistently for the past 3 years and have never been disappointed in the menu, food, or service. The service is fast and very friendly. I've also had the owner come out and make sure we were liking everything. The menu has amazing options for even picky eaters. I've pretty much had the entire menu and it is all delicious and consistent in quality! For new people, I highly recommend the Tzatziki, Saganaki, grilled shrimp, Octopus (so tender and delicious), and all of the lamb dishes. Honestly, you can't go wrong here!
(5)G R.
Food is great. Have had most menu items. But the place is sooo small, tables are sooo close to each other and the place is sooo loud, I hate it going there when I'm forced to go by others who don't seem to mind my objections. Oh well, I say.
(2)Connie M.
Not sure if anyone has ever had a bad meal here...I know I NEVER have! Last time I was here I sat at the bar and had some fantastic drinks with the most delicious lamb sliders and saganaki (cheese doused with brandy and lit on fire!). Tonight, I sat in the extremely dark dining room and read the menu by tiny candlelight and didn't even care that it was so dark, I could barely make out the prices (Well played Cava, well played!) because I knew my happy taste buds were going to dance with the most delicious tapas in Maryland! You can't go wrong with the Tasting Dips for $10. There is the traditional hummus, tzatziki, and roasted eggplant but there is also skordalia (garlic, garlic and more garlic), crazy feta (whipped feta with jalapeno) and taramosalata (fish roe). I prefer my fish roe saltier, but if you are just trying it for the first time, you might actually prefer it this way...still yummy! Everyone should have flaming cheese because it is delicious but for $10, you also get a show. Tonight my dining companion was allergic to seafood so we went with the zucchini fritters ($7) which did not disappoint but I was bowled over by the lollipop chicken ($10) which were tiny thighs fried perfectly in walnuts and drizzled with yogurt and honey. Difficult for me share but polite...I...am. :) Next time I am choosing the Chef D Plate which is meat, meat and more meat but tonight, we lamb lovers delighted and decided to finish our meal with 2 perfectly cooked lamb chops on a bed of fries. I let my friend choose first and she only picked up a couple of fries...I did not apologize as I swept up the pieces of potatoes soaking in delicious lamb juice!!! For $16, I was in heaven for just a brief minute. My mini poodle is so happy my friend does not clean a bone as well as I do (I honestly believe it is the Chinese in me). Sixty dollars later (no alcohol tonight) and two women walked out of Cava Mezze very happy. We were not close to being stuffed but our bellies were content, our taste buds were still doing somersaults and our minds still in awe that a tiny little place in Gaithersburg could actually serve food of this caliber. Well played.
(5)R P.
They have good veg option. However, place felt weird and more look like club/bar . Food was great but crowded and dense since it's very small place. Staff tend to be very fancy for my test.
(4)Bianca F.
Everything is good and a phenomenal price! I had the mussels tonight for $9.95! The scallops are amazing, the lamb sliders are super good and you get free pita bread, olives & some type of spicy tomato hummus! Go check it out!
(5)Taelynn B.
Crowdy, Noisy and not comfortable ! I guess they are not used to seeing African American individuals. The hosts would not STOP staring and it was quit uncomfortable. I then waived to her in hopes it would deter her (them) from staring. To be fair, I did not try the food and I had no desire to. The party that came in after us were also BLACK and left due to the uncomfortable vibe. Welcome to America I guess.
(1)A H.
So I finally went to Cava Mezze with my boyfriend and another couple last night as a late birthday celebration for me. I am ashamed to say I am native to Montgomery County (born and raised) and I had never been before :-( Boy, was I missing out! The food was delicious. We arrived a little after them and they had taken the liberty to order some crazy feta for the table. Now, I am not a spicy food person AT ALL, but even with the jalapenos, this stuff was delicious (and not too spicy if you stay away from the green chunks). My boyfriend and I ordered the zucchini fritters and if you are a fan of dill, you will LOVE THESE. They were a touch greasy but hey they are fried after all! They were good enough that I ate three of the four of them! Their tzatziki sauce underneath them is amazing and I then proceeded to use the pita on our table to eat the rest of that! The other couple we were with (who were not Cava Mezze virgins like me) ordered the calamari. I tasted one of the circle pieces and it needed no dipping sauce... the flavor and texture were amazing and it was cooked perfectly (not too chewy). Next we all ordered our own "entrees." Please keep in mind these are not normal restaurant sized portions but REAL normal sized portions that we SHOULD be eating lol. My boyfriend and I ordered the Scallop Risotto and the Chicken Souvlaki to split. Now to the reason they are getting FOUR and NOT FIVE stars... it comes down to me being picky BUT, I feel like if you have U-10 or lower count scallops, you should NEVER overcook them. While the flavor and texture of the risotto was to die for (even my boyfriend who is not usually a fan of either mushrooms OR risotto ate some and LIKED it), and the FLAVOR of the scallops was wonderful, the scallops were rubbery and overcooked. After watching Chef Gordon Ramsey on Hell's Kitchen (and Master Chef), if there is one thing I have learned it is to NEVER OVERCOOK scallops lol (if you have seen it you know what I mean). Whoever cooked (and checked) the scallops at Cava Mezze obviously does not watch Hell's Kitchen! ha... .but all in all, I cannot complain too much. The Chicken Souvlaki was 4 skewers of 3 small chicken chunks each and it was beautifully seasoned and cooked (a 180 from the scallops). It was tender and delicious (especially when I put the chicken on a piece of pita with some crazy feta). The other couple got entrees they had had before, the Pork Belly and the Chicken Lollipops. The pork belly looked tender (although I did not taste it and I am not usually a fan of that cut of meat), and the Chicken Lollipops looked really good too (and i was told both dishes were great). Please note that if you order chicken Lollipops there are only 3 on the plate (same with the scallops, you get 3. All in all, I would TOTALLY dine there again (but maybe skip the scallops and try something else next time like the short rib that looked amazing). I liked ordering in waves of food, conversing in between courses, and trying new things. It makes for a fun and social experience (great for a date night). You can also wait to see how full you are in between things to decide if you want more. We were stuffed and skipped dessert. The total cost was about $100 for 4 people which I think is completely reasonable for dinner out. On a Wednesday night at 7:30 pm it was pretty croweded (not sure there were any open tables, at least I did not see them)... I am glad we made a reservation! (it is not a huge place so it fills up fast).
(4)Monica P.
Exterior: Located next to Potomac Pizza in Traville. Across the street from Quench. Interior: You will be suprised by the interior because of what the exterior looks like. Dimmed lighting. Super loud. I came in at 8pm on a Tuesday with my mom. It sounded loud as a club minus the bumpin music from all the customers having to talk/yell to understand eachother. Can be a great spot for a wine date if you aren't looking for something quiet. Candles set the mood. Small bar area. Reminds me of a small DC spot. Service: Waitress was very attentive- I could see her coming back to our area every 10-15 minutes and observing if we needed anything. That's really worth noting since we were seated in the corner and it took some side steppin to get to us. FOOD: Small portioned plates. My usuals are the Saganaki (flamed cheese), Lollipop chicken (a must- esp if you're into yogurt), and Scallop risotto. Unlimited pita×olives×olive oil×red pepper paste! Love
(5)Erika M.
Very good food... not too pricey and good portion sizes. We had the brussells sprouts and the mushroom hash (both delicious) and for protein we had the lamb chops and the hanger steak. Both were very good, although I wasn't too found of the fava bean puree under the steak. The only thing I found strange was the outdoor seating arrangement. You only have an inch of space between you and the table next to you, which is awkward. The outside ambience gave the vibe of a pay-and-eat deli, not a nice restaurant. Also, someone had thrown up all over the bathroom when I tried to use it. However, all in all, it was good food but the outdoor ambience needed work.
(3)Demetria L.
Take it from a Full-Blooded Greek: the food here is spectaculars the Cava concept is a good one and their rate of success only further confirms that! No matter what end the dinner with Baklava! It never disappoints!
(5)Diana J.
I've been coming to Cava for years. Anything and everything I've ever ordered has always been made well: juicy, moist, not over cooked, not undercooked, incredibly flavorful, mouthwatering. Everything on the menu is simply delicious. My absolute must have here are the lamb pops, octopus, and French toast. Every time I've gotten the lamb, it's tender and juices are running everywhere. The octopus is cooked just right and never that over cooked chewy rubber. And that French toast... Mm.. So good. It's not soggy or overly empowered with syrups and goo. It has this light crunch on the outside with the right amount fruits and whipped cream on top. I don't usually like French toast, waffles, or pancakes but but is a must have. I highly recommend Cava Mezze. It's a party in my mouth every single time. Service is meh though. They're usually packed with a long waiting line. But it's worth the wait.
(5)Alex C.
Went back to Cava last night and saw the portions have changed (smaller and lower quality) and the prices have remained the same. They don't even serve olives with the appetizing pita plate they start you out with. I don't even think they used Ketel One vodka in the Ketel One martini I ordered. Seems like they're cutting corners as of late and that's a shame for a place we have enjoyed in the past. Perhaps that explains why we found a table so easily on a Friday evening. I hope they reverse course because there are simply too many choices around. They will lose clientele if they continue down this path.
(2)Wing C.
The 4.5 stars rating is spot on for Cava! I was first exposed to this restaurant when I was walking through Whole Foods in NYC this past summer. A sales rep was giving away samples of their dips. The dips were so tasty that I went home that day and looked up its name - found out they have actual restaurants located close to my parent's house! I bookmarked it immediately and knew I had to dine here next time I'm visiting. When our annual thanksgiving high school reunion dinner rolled around, my besties and I all decided it was the perfect place to hold our feast. The week prior to our dinner, we managed to reserve a table for 7 at 6pm through city eat. When my fiancé and I arrived at the restaurant and even though only 2 of us were checking in initially, they were more than happy to seat just the two of us immediately. I really overestimated the size of the restaurant through its popularity and yelp pics. It actually has this intimate setting: only a small main dining room for large group with a few side tables perfect for 2. Upon seating they brought out two baskets of fresh, warm pita with dip trio - Harissa. Olive oil, and olive with garlic?oil. Before I could even take a look at the menu, I woofed down 5 yummy pieces. And before I know it, my group and I punished the baskets but the server was more than happy to bring out more pita and dip for us. Onto the actual food! as usual I went with all the yelpers recommendations - Lollipop chicken, spicy lamb sliders, scallop risotto, saganaki, lamb shoulder orzo, lamb chops, chicken kabob, lamb meatballs. All the food came our relatively fast. And we were feasting in no time! The highlights - definitely the lollipop chicken and scallop risotto! Lightly battered fried chicken sitting on top of Greek yogurt and honey - forget any other thanksgiving bird. I will have this wing again and again and again please! Hands down the best wing I had in my life. The scallop were perfectly seared with the perfect amount of flavor and the risotto was just heavenly. I sat right in front of the risotto so I was able to sneak in and spoon myself second and third serving hehe. If only I can just order this as a full entree... Other memorable mentions - spicy lamb sliders - the toasty bread and the sauce combo, why can't more than 2 come in an order? Lamb shoulder orzo - a bit more of a sour tomatoey taste which I thought really balanced out the risotto I was also stuffing my face with. The lamb shoulder was pulled off the bone and melt in my mouth ready. There were a few dishes I didn't love however - the lamb meatball. That was a bit blend and not too memorable - just 4 small patties of grounded lamb meat. The chicken kabob - same thing nothing memorable about this dish. The saganaki - really fun to watch them light it on fire. But maybe cuz I'm not much of a cheese person - it tasted pretty much like fried mozzarella sticks. We ended our meal with the Greek donuts. It came in 6 per order and they are able the size of donut bites u would get from dunkin donuts. They were served on top of honey and chopped up pistachio? Sweet yet with an alcohol kick to them. Def the perfect sweet ending to our long overdue gathering. The bill ended up around 130 before tax and tip for the 7 of us which included 1 beer and 1 diet coke too. Def a steal for the quality, quantity and service! Going to stock up on the Cava dips now when I return to the city and hope cavva will soon expand its locations to NYC!
(4)Amy D.
Solid restaurant with a couple of uneven dishes, but mostly delicious food. My coworker made reservations for a group lunch here a week or two in advance, and we were able to get a party of 10 in at around 11:30am on a Wednesday. Our table was ready when we arrived, and we sampled a variety of items: -Rocket Salad (Poached Pear, Pistachio, Feta, Arugula, Balsamic, $9.95): Ok salad, but nothing special. I wouldn't order this again. -Watermelon & Feta (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Feta, Mint, $9.95): Yum! I loved the combination of the watermelon, cantaloupe, feta, and mint- everything worked really well together. Recommended! -Haloumi & Bread Salad (Grilled Haloumi Cheese, Mint, Grilled Bread, $8.95): Just ok- the haloumi pieces were really hard/chewy, and not my favorite. Skip! -Dip Tasting (Hummus [Chick Peas, Citrus], Tzatziki [Yogurt, Cucumbers, Garlic, Roasted Eggplant [Red Pepper, Garlic, Herbs], Skordalia, Crazy Feta [Aged Barrel Feta, Jalapeno, Whipped], Taramosalata [Salted Cured Roe, Lemon, Bread Crumbs, Potato], $9.95): My favorites were the hummus, tzatziki, roasted eggplant, and crazy feta. The taramosalata and skordalia were a bit strange for me. -Zucchini Fritters (w/Aged Barrell Feta, Herbs, Tzatziki, $6.95): Yum, these were really flavorful- recommended! -Brussel Sprouts (w/Greek Yogurt, Olive Oil, $8.95): These were SO good- the sprouts were nicely charred and really flavorful. Highly recommended! -Chef D Plate (Pork Gyro, Chicken Souvlaki, Pork Belly Souvlaki, Grilled Meatballs, Fries, Grilled Pita, Tzatziki, $24.95): This place was gigantic! The meats were ok, but I didn't love any of them. However, this is a good dish to share for a group. -Chocolate Truffles ($7.95/3 pieces): Too chocolate-y for my tastes, but my coworkers really enjoyed them. -Baklava ($7.95/ea): Pretty good- definitely a lot of butter and honey going on. The restaurant is definitely on the cozy side, and we were fine as a table of 10, but you should definitely make reservations in advance for a large party. The place was completely full for lunch, so I'd advise you come in early or also make a reservation if you don't want to wait for a table. Our server was really friendly and sweet, but a little slow to come back and check on us at times, and we had to flag her down to order dessert and get the check (to speed things up). If you're on a time crunch, definitely let them know- otherwise, you'll have a very leisurely lunch. Overall, I would definitely come back to try out additional items on their menu. They have a large selection, and really cheap lunch specials with good portions. Parking is easy since they have a large lot in this plaza.
(4)Priscilla L.
I love Cava! Their food is hot and fresh, delicious. I love the scallop risotto. Great service and fun atmosphere. Price is a little expensive for the small dishes.
(4)Pooja T.
One of my favorite places up here! I'm from Georgia originally and gaved lived up here for the past few months and had my first Cava experience at the Cava Mezze Grill over in Bethesda...mind-blown! I'm in love with chipotle and this is pretty much a classier version of a greek chipotle! The staff was super sweet, even had a cute waiter ;) haha, but a definite must try!
(5)Jillian M.
This is one of the best restaurants in Rockville . I was really sad when I moved to northern Virginia and I had to leave Rockville . Now I drive down once a month to get a good meal please come to northern Virginia. Steve the bartender was excellent. Love the management too. Thanks again for the great service !
(5)Vee B.
If the free food is good, the real food must be EVEN BETTER!!!!!! Seriously....WHAT is in those dips they serve with pita bread??!?!?!? If the locals rave about it, BELIEVE THEM. My cousins took me here four years ago during a visit and they took me again on a trip this year. I didn't recognize the name when they asked if I've been here, but when I walked in...I instantly knew. Who could forget the dim lights that highlight your perfections and hide your imperfections? Or the sounds of wine gently cascading into your wine cup? I most certainly could not. This is not your traditional Greek place. This is top-of-the-line Greek cuisine. We got a plate of pretty much everything and shared it family-style. I wish I took photos, but I was too busy stuffing my face. I'll share the highlights: SCALLOPS RISOTTO: FAVORITE DISH OF THE NIGHT. I was least expecting the burst of flavor in this one. LAMB CHOPS: This was really, really crispy. I'm talking like crisps of the crisps. Flavor was there, but I wish there was more. Not as seasoned as what I'm used to and I wish it was a bit less dry. OPA OPA SHRIMP: Mother of....God. Who thinks of this stuff? Tomato spread on shrimp. The marinade was so good, I found myself going back to the dish for more of the marinade even after the shrimp were long gone. CRAB CAKES: Wow, I've never had crab cakes like this. Not smothered in Penko bread crumbs or anything. This was true to taste and how I imagine all Maryland seafood to be. The crab held together nicely, yet was still soft and juicy. But, it was only a one-time try. I probably would not get this dish again. BAKLAVA: Soooo sweet. We got this one to-go, so it didn't come with the ice cream. I'm sure the ice cream would've been a nice contrast to the sugary feel, but hey! I'm dating a dental student...must.not.get.cavities. Who am I kidding...I still ate half of it, haha. Why can't I live on the East Coast? Oh yeah, because I'll get fat. TLDR; Bring a date here and I'm sure you'll be getting a kiss at the end of the night! :* And get the scallop risotto!!!
(5)Ronald I.
What can I say, this place is insanely delicious. Dimitri, Teddy, and Ike always take care of us. The food is some of the best I've had around DC. From the scallops risotto, to the lollipop chicken, to the hanger steak, Brussel sprouts, and grilled octopus. It just doesn't get any better. I have never had a bad meal yet, and at one point was eating here twice a week. It's that good! Don't forget the saganaki and the best Greek red wine around, Katogi. Delicious! I just wish they would do brunch again. That was such a treat! Thanks fellas!
(5)L K.
my favorite place in moco! get the crazy feta, some wine, some spanakopita, lollipop chicken. love love love the atmosphere and service. a little too loud at times but who cares.
(5)Brent R.
Easily 5 stars...octopus was insane, a nice large tentacle with a soft and delicate texture... definitely one of the best I ever had...as was the scallops over risotto, thinner slices but cooked perfectly over a creamy risotto....ambiance was great, dim lighting with a cozy atmosphere...duck confit hit the mark, had a nice crispy texture on the duck...decent wine selection with prices to match....staff was great...already thinking about our next trip there....
(5)Robert L.
We have been coming to Cava in Rockville for years, and have always enjoyed the food and drink (and even the crowded and noisy surroundings. But tonight's experience has soured us on Cava. It appears that the owners have decided to start cutting back on portions and service while raising prices. Example 1: A watermelon salad for $10, made up of three 1.5 inch cubes of watermelon with little pieces of feta on top, a bit of garnish for color and a splash of vinaigrette and none of the promised calamata olive purée (our waiter claimed their was a speck of it under one of the cheese bits. Example 2: the wine came late, well after our food, and our second round of mezze orders got lost (the waiter was apologetic). Example 3: the busboy spilled oil on my pants as he cleaned off the table. What a night. If you go to Cava, ask about the serving sizes before you order. Some things (the village salad or the salmon for instance) are reasonably sized. Other things (not just the watermelon salad) are so skimpy as to be upsetting.
(1)Daniel R.
Not sure. It's cool. I ate food. It was good, I think. Kinda small place and portions obv. It's tapas. That's all.
(4)Eddie K.
Been awhile since I've been here and I didn't even know they had lunch service. It was a change that you can actually see inside the restaurant when eating lunch compared to dinner. They have a really small lunch menu where most items are under $10 (just sandwiches and one salad) but you can order from the dinner menu. Five stars for the Saganaki, while the others are good. The scallop risotto was good except the scallops were overcooked. The hanger steak tasted great, but it didn't come out medium-rare - it was well done. The pork belly was excellent - hard to mess up with that. I would of given this place three stars because the main dishes were overcooked, but the seasoning/flavor compensated for it. A great place for Rockville.
(4)Richard J.
I always enjoy here and Tuesdays are half price bottles of wine, so you can't go wrong with great food, fantastic service and an energetic atmosphere. If you are looking for a quiet place to eat, this is not it. But that should not detract from everything else that is great about Cava. The outside patio is now open, and is quieter. I would recommend this restaurant to any one.
(5)Irith B.
I chose this wonderful restaurant to host a surprise birthday party for my husband. We were 16 people in our party and there was not one person who did not like what they ordered. The service was outstanding and the dishes that were ordered came fast and they were all absolutely delicious. All our friends vowed to come back to this little gem. A big thank you to Mara from headquarter who helped me accomplish this surprise party.
(5)Ji C.
Food- tasty, but it is no Kapnos of DC. Value- Kapnos has similar pricing, bigger portions. Ambiance- It is TOO dark (could barely read the menu) and the tables are way too close, for me. If you like very dark and very close (meaning the chairs behind are up against your chair), then this is the place for you. Noise- too loud for me. I could hardly hear who I was dining with. Again, if you like noisy and having to talk above the noise level, then this is the place for you.
(3)Lydia R.
Oh my goodness, wow! I was very impressed with the service here, as well as the food. Came here with a very large group and we all sat at a long table, passing tapas all around, so we all had a very lively, diverse-tasting lunch! We had a guy who had lived in Greece order several items off of the menu for us, which was awesome, yet there are still so many delicious looking plates from the menu left to try! I have to preface my favorites listing by letting you all know that you MUST try all the sauces. If you love spicy, try harissa. I actually buy a container of harissa now from Whole Foods and it is consumed very quickly. The crazy feta is just okay in my opinion, but if you're really into feta cheese and oils, you will enjoy this. My favorites: 1. Fried cheese - this is in no way, shape, or form good for you, but the presentation is amazing - they literally light the cheese on fire right in front of you and you feel the flames. Oh, and the cheese is to die for :) 2. Lollipop Chicken - this is basically a Greek version of fried chicken drumsticks. These are juicy and cooked well all around. They taste delicious with any of the sauces / dips. 3. Brussel Sprouts - Crisped to perfection, these veggies are also seasoned just right. 4. Falafel Fritters - Think chickpea cakes packed full of flavor. This goes great with the tahini sauce! I can't wait to come here again! I've only scratched the very delicious surface.
(5)Aaks L.
Middle eastern food is probably my favorite cuisine. So anywhere I travel - I like to try the highest rated restaurant atleast once. Cava Mezze is now my favorite restaurant in DC Area. Yes, I've been only once but I look forward to going there every time I am in the area.. Husband and I were traveling to DC to spend Easter with family and catch up with some other friends. 4 of us wanted to dine out on Saturday evening so we made reservations at Cava Mezze at 6 pm (made reservations only 2-3 days before and those were the only "open" timeslots according to the host). Arrived on time, easy check in, got our table (which was pretty close to the next table), got the mango cocktail and was already feeling good. Our host was great and had many suggestions on items and their flavors, which was a plus. His service was prompt and after I had a mango cocktail, I guess he figured I like sweet cocktails and suggested the peach cocktail (which was equally or more yummy than the mango cocktail). The complimentary pita was great, so we ordered "Dip Tasting" and enjoyed Hummus / Tzatziki / Roasted eggplant / Skordalia / Crazy feta / Taramosalata with the fresh pita bread. The other couple is vegetarian and ordered brussel sprouts, Spanakopita and butternut squash pie. They said everything was great! We ordered the Spicy Lamb Meatballs and they were the BEST lamb meatballs I've had in my whole life! We ordered a second order of that. Hubby also ordered Scallops Risotto and just loved it. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked. The ambience was very warm and casual. Not too loud either. The only disappointing thing was how we were told there were no reservations/tables available between 6 pm and 9:30 pm and while we sat there for these 3-4 hours, we saw many tables for 4 available. I'm hoping it was the case of "no-shows" and not the restaurant lying about availability. We ordered a baklava to share and enjoyed it thoroughly. After paying for food, we were sitting and chatting and ordered a black coffee and a green tea and our server didn't even charge us for it, as we had already closed and paid our checks probably. That was a very kind gesture by him and much appreciated. I cannot wait to go back just for those spicy lamb meatballs.. yum!
(5)Christopher I.
Lollipop chicken was legit! 5/5 honey, yogurt, walnut, & fried chicken! Best thing here hands down! After that, pork belly! It's pretty hard to hard to mess up pork belly! Set on top of some honey, it was savory. 5/5 Scallop risotto: I've had better. Not horrible, but I wouldn't call it good. 3/5 Baby octopus was way over-seasoned. It took away from the octopus taste. & if you take that away, what's the point? 3/5 Opa Opa shrimp was pretty good. Not accustomed to having my shrimp served in a cream/tomato sauce, but they pulled it off. 4/5 Washed it down with mythos lager, a generic Greek beer. 3/5 Ambience was nice. Dim lights, good variety of music. 4/5 Overall, not bad. But I kinda expected it to be great. That lollipop chicken and pork belly were great (!), but everything else: eh
(4)Basma M.
Great food Good services Very nice environment. Great place to get a drink and kickback with friends
(5)Kyle F.
Great atmosphere: There is outdoor seating, we ate inside a table in the back of the restaurant (the larger room). We ate around 6:30, by the time we left around 8:00 it was pretty loud so if you're looking for an intimate quiet dinner--go look somewhere else on the weekend. Great food: The food is served family style, where you pick various things from a menu and pass it around with your party. The proportions are smaller than what you would probably expect but the quality is great and the food is brought out to you European style (i.e., when the food is prepared and ready to serve, it comes out to you--not waiting for the food to come out all at once). Great service: The staff is professional and polite, nothing wrong here. If you like Greek food (or if you haven't tried it) this is a highly recommended restaurant and experience, try going on the weekend to get the full experience. Strongly suggest you make reservations, it was packed when we went.
(4)Abeer N.
I am in love with this place. I have been there and the food is always great, service is good. The only thing is the hours are really weird, so call before you go. Good place for a date night or just friends night.
(5)Shelli D.
Great place to have a lunch with friends not crowed on a Tuesday noon. The food is delicious and perfect portion without being overfilling. Had a wonderful time.
(4)Nanda S.
This Place is Awwwwsome. Lamb chops r juicy and perfectly made. Superb place to hangout with friend. Very near to People who live around Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville area The Dips are most popular and forgot the name of a shrimp dish was very good too. Just be there and enjoy as soon as you finish reading this review and do call me .....lol
(5)Margaret N.
Friendly and quick service and great food! Definitely try and make a reservation beforehand! Gets packed! They bring out pita and four mini dips in the beginning, but I had to order a side of tsatzki! Amazing! Perfectly marinated! Tried their Brussels sprouts, scallops and lollipop chicken to share. Brussels sprouts could've used a bit more salt and would've tasted better if they were a tad bit crispier. Scallops were nicely prepared! Perfectly seasoned and not overdone! And the sauce and rice pilaf? that came with it was amazing! Tasted like Mac and cheese! Lollipop chicken is a must! Perfectly crispy and seasoned! Tried the doughnuts for dessert... Wished they were crispier and sweeter... Tasted like Ozzie rolls with honey... They have an extensive wine list, which is always a plus too! Definitely recommend!
(4)Lil Birdie N.
Yum yum yum. Everything on the menu is good. By far the best Greek restaurant I've eaten. Lamb chop and steak are to die for. This place can get extremely busy, and loud because of the brick walls. But I don't mind as long as the food is consistently good.
(5)Kelly W.
the food is amazing! finally a restaurant with some flavor!!!! My food was alittle slow coming out but they took it off from my bill with no problem. Service was good. My drink was never empty and the waitress apologized for the wait on my food. all and all a great experience!
(4)Chelsea B.
This review is a little difficult to make. If I were only reviewing the food and service, it would be a five. No question. The gnocchi dish (Friday night special) is absolutely transcendent; pillowy, perfectly seasoned, and just enough. Everything else was great, but...that gnocchi! So what went wrong? First, it was so loud we couldn't hear each other over the shouting. There were two birthday parties of drunken jackasses. Shouting. Whistling. Everyone else there was trying to make themselves heard. We ended up cutting the meal short. That wasn't the worst part - although we've learned not to go on a Friday. The worst part was when they started cleaning the table next to us after that group left. The guy cleaning the table sprayed the Giant-brand Windex on the table...and on our table. We were nearly done, but I got some in my mouth and breathed in the spray because I wasn't expecting it. The tables are very close together (no more than 6 inches) and our food got sprayed. Are you kidding me?!? It was 20 minutes and a glass of water at the restaurant across the street (we retreated there to finish drinks and dessert) before that taste left me. So I would say have dinner here, not on a Friday night, and ask the guy cleaning the tables to spray the goddam cloth then clean the table. We couldn't eat what was left.
(3)Jaime B.
We come here regularly and it never disappoints. The menu does change but our favorites are the saganaki (fried flaming cheese) the zucchini fritters - the dill sauce us to die food and we also like the scallops risotto. If you're looking for something different try to watermelon feta dishes. The dips are delicious and the food comes out quickly. Try to save room for the stuffed French toast!
(5)Sang K.
Subject: Cava Mezze dinner Pros: Has the potential to be great Cons: Inconsistent service, parking is annoying Experience: It pains me to give Cava Mezze a 3 star rating because my previous experiences have been excellent. However, my recent trip to cava was fraught with disappointments. I ordered the chicken popper appetizers and the center meat surrounding the bone was COLD! When I spoke to the waiter about this they took the dish back and after about 10 minutes the same food came back to us warmed but with the protein tasting tough and over cooked. The lamb entree which has always been excellent came out overcooked and smaller than usual. The perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts were not enough to salvage this meal. Conclusion: At times great, but service and food quality is inconsistent.
(3)Yashar D.
One of my all time favorite restaurants. Expensive, but classy enough and delicious enough to justify it. It's tapas, and I usually don't like tapas (I'm hungry!), but the quality of food here makes it ok. Great date spot. They have a full bar. The restaurant is tiny so expect a wait during dinner hours.
(5)Christine P.
Delicious lamb chops! Make a reservation, the restaurant gets packed. I've never been to Cava at any other locations, but I hear this one is a little different. Likely to return to try their Tuesday 1/2 wine bottles.
(4)Janet Y.
I thoroughly enjoyed dining here. There lollipop chicken is there signature dish - everyone orders it! Oh and don't forget to get there flaming cheese. I like there spicy lamb meatballs as well. My only complaint is the lack of space. I don't like people hovering over my table or constantly asked to scoot in. On the nights that I dine here, it's usually booming with business. I'm surprised the owners have not consider moving to a larger piece of property...the Cava in Columbia Heights is 2 stories.
(5)Elaine M.
We enjoyed dinner there on a Sunday evening and the place was packed! The menu offers a wide variety of Mediterranean small plates. They recommend two small plates per person. The food was fresh and the presentation was interesting. I ordered the Gyro Slider and it was excellent. The wines come from Greece! I ordered the organic red which was good, not full bodied but went well with the food I ordered. The only negative was the noise level. We had trouble hearing each other. The way the dining area is set up that really can't be fixed. I'd definitely go back.
(5)Mike M.
Ok, how have I not known about this place? Just amazing food. Some of the best I've had in the area. Had my first visit last week, second visit this past week. Plan more soon. Try the spicy lamb sliders. Oh my, just amazing. The few things I've had are just amazing. Both visits have been at lunch so I'm looking forward to dinner soon. I will say this is a tiny place (with fantastic servers) but it gets packed really fast. But be patient. It's worth it.
(5)Jenny N.
This place is pretty nice! It's in the Traville shopping center perpendicular to the Giant. It's a little weird because it almost seems like you have to enter through the back but I guess that's just the way the shopping center was built. I believe it's a Sleepys or a Matress Discounters next to it. There isn't a lot of parking directly outside of the restaurant but again, there is a Giant grocery store there so you CAN find parking. Everyone is very nice and is very knowledgeable about the food. The food is tapas style so they're smaller plates meant to be shared - usually 2-3 different items for every couple that goes in. I'm a fatty so I always go for 4. ;) I've been there a couple times and there were some things that were amazing and some that were ok. Here is what I thought (please excuse me if I spelled it wrong): Taramosolata: it's a dipping sampler. The server told me which one everything was but of course I was already drooling over everything that I didn't listen. I definitely know which one was the tzatziki and honestly, I have better. This one was a little bland but all the other dips were good. Octopus: was pretty good but I felt was over cooked. It lost it's texture and became a little chewy Scallops Risotto: MmmmMmm...that's all I need to say. Everything was fantastic with this dish down the last bite. Very seldom can I find a place in the suburbs that cooks scallops correctly. Scallops should almost melt in your mouth not be chewy like how a lot of seafood restaurants tend to cook them. The risotto was a great touch. Mini Gyros Pita: These were really cute and actually really filling. They come in a set of 3 and I ended up taking them home but they're individually wrapped in foil so very easy to take Lamb shank: For the life of me I can't remember what it was called. They have since taken it off the menu (I think it's seasonal) but it was pieces of lamb over some type of pasta. It was soo good I ordered 2. Surf & turf: This was from the daily specials area and was actually a decent amount. I shared this and my friend likes her steak M while I prefer mine almost raw. I was surprised to find that the steak was still pretty tender and juicy.
(4)Nandini M.
I've been a longtime fan of Cava. The food is fantastic, service is great, ambience fun and easy parking. What more can you ask for in a restaurant? This time we got the usual of which the saganaki and mac and cheese are a must. Tried the butternut squash pie (tasty) and the mushrooms (okay) for the first time. I love their harissa so much I go through tubs from the grocery store at home. It's a schlep for the Washingtonians but so worth the drive. I like this location a lot better than the one on the Hill. It's a tight squeeze inside, but once the food comes you don't even notice. So glad they've maintained their quality and consistency as they've expanded in the area.
(5)Caroline L.
Can't remember all of the individual dishes I got but none stood out as being bad. I like the atmosphere- dark and inviting. The tables are bit closer together than I'd like but they are REALLY popular and can use every space they can I suppose. Service was great. Parking in front can be a bit hard to get but you can just park at the adjacent parking lots. It's not cheap food but not expensive either. And gotta get the flaming cheese!!
(4)Roland Q.
I love their sun dried tomato sauce dip! I'd go there just to eat that flavor!
(4)Lillian C.
I can't say I was too impressed with what I got at Cava Mezze. The service was decent and the food came out in no time, I just expected a little more "wow" factor. I hear really good things about Cava Mezze from co-workers and really enjoy their crazy feta, so it must be good right? The best thing I had the entire night was the grilled octopus. At 14 dollars for a single tentacle which couldn't have been more than 3 oz, it was delicious and well-prepared but right there is the price of an entree or entire sushi roll elsewhere. The spanikopita was also delicious, but rather greasy. I would have preferred a thicker phyllo shell and more spinach. It was like the greek equivalent of a crab rangoon. The big disappointment factor here are the mini gyros. You get three small gyros for $10.95, so I'm expecting some decent "high end" gyros then. Uh no- the Kronos gyro meats at greasy sub and pizza shops totally blows this gyro away. This is some of the driest, flavorless gyro meat I've ever had. I was embarrassed that I used this as my "introduction" to a friend's first venture into greek food. There was too much pita in proportion to gyro and the tzatziki was unremarkable, too warm when it got to our table, and was slathered around sad diced tomatoes that probably have been sitting around a bit because it didn't give that cool, refreshing juicy contrast to the greasy gyro it's supposed to. Not to mention, the cold, soggy french fries stuffed into this already overly carby roll- just no. I also had the peach martini which was decent and on par with every other mid-level restaurant in MoCo that sells booze. My bill for two after tip was about $80 which is not bad for tapas for two plus booze, but I simply expected tastier, more exciting food from this place. I would even argue that the Cava Grill exceeds Cava Mezze in expectations.
(3)Alisa O.
Cava recently updated their menu and decor. We have been to the "new" Cava a couple times and the food seems a little better, which is great because the food was already good. The new bar has been a fail, though, so I have removed a star. I got the wrong cocktail one time (which the waiter explained was due to a new bartender but couldn't he have corrected the order instead of bringing it to the table and then throwing his bartender under the bus?) and overall I do not like their new cocktails. I order wine now.
(4)Duy N.
Came back and tried old and new things. Scallops risotto was pretty good, but slightly overcooked this time. Brussels sprouts are very crispy. Pork belly good. Lamb meatballs Ok. Ouzo is interesting but not for everyone. Looks like this place is settling 4.5 stars. Still a local favorite place!
(4)Mel L.
We went on a Wednesday night at around 9. No reservation was needed, but there were still many people dining at the time so the restaurant was very lively. We ordered 3 plates: + beet&kale salad: light dressing, well seasoned + rocked salad: poached pear was very yummy with a white wine taste. Pistachio added a great crunchy texture and it was perfected toasted + brussels sprout: the Greek yogurt added extra sweetness and creaminess to the well cooked veggie We liked all three plates. We'll definitely go back to try more! The complementary pita bread and oil plate was great too. Bread was warm and soft and the red pepper spread was a winner!
(4)Vish K.
I love this place! My family and I eat at Cava Mezze when we want really good food in a comfortable environment.
(5)Sarah C.
Again, another fabulous hidden place. It's small and very loud, as others have stated, but it is very well run! I just had my birthday dinner here after wanting to try it for a while. I will most definitely be back to hopefully up the rating to 5 stars. Everything was perfect. The only resemblance of a complaint is that my 9yr old daughter whispered to the server that it was my bday and if she could bring out a desert at the end, but it must have gotten overlooked. My daughter was a little disappointed that her surprise was ruined. On the other hand, we were so happy with the food and service that we were ok with it. Our food all came fresh and hot, straight off the grill! We totally over-ordered, so much so that there was room for error, but everything came out timely and correct. My absolute favorite was the grilled octopus!! Absolutely fresh, tender and grilled to perfection. I don't know if there's a trick, but every time I've had the best grilled octopus it has been at a Greek restaurant! My least favorite was the lollipop chicken, but I think that's just because I'm not a fan of dark meat to begin with. We also loved the Greek salad, mini chicken gyros, and spanakopita. We thought the macncheese was good, along with the mussels and opa opa shrimp, but I'd like to try other things next time. This place is clean, attentive, and delicious!
(4)Rita W.
Always receive great service here. It's usually dark and crowded for dinner service, so it tends to get really loud. I prefer to go during weekend brunch, but the menu is slightly different. My favorite picks: -scallops risotto -lollipop chicken -chicken souvlaki -egg benedict -any of the hashes
(4)Jonathan C.
Quite good for the price point. A few overall impressions: -The portions are small (but not a problem for me, I will take quality over quantity any day) -Very dark inside -Quite loud when it's more than half full. We got the Saganaki as a starter. It's deep fried cheese, flambeed at the table. Totally unremarkable. It's just really salty fried cheese with tons of lemon on it. But of course it's fun to see a big fire. I got the Lamb Kapana which was really interesting. It's shredded lamb in a tomato sauce on orzo. The thing that makes it really unique is the smoked feta on top. The combination of flavors makes it taste like a BBQ pork dish. Very nice, though there is hardly any lamb in there and a lot of pasta. Would have preferred more protein, seeing as the overall portion size is quite small. My date got the crab cakes. Just good crab cakes, nothing special there. Plenty of large chunk crab in there in three small dollops. Overall quite nice, nothing that absolutely knocked our socks off, but didn't disappoint, either.
(3)Anna A.
The food here is out of this world. Is it a bit overpriced? Hell yes! I don't know if I can justify spending 10 dollars for some watermelon and feta. However, the main dishes are to die for. I love the lamp chops and the stuffed grape leaves before hand. The French toast is the best I've ever had by far. Only bad thing to say about this place other than some of the items on the menu being overpriced is the fact that there is barely any space and sometimes I am so close to another stranger that I can recall the story of their lives afterwards. I understand they have a smaller restaurant, but maybe try to limit the amount of guest you can have in there at a time.
(4)Annie S.
One of my favorite restaurants in this area! The food is great- everything about it. It's tapas style dining and yes, it doesn't look like much when the food comes out but you will definitely leave full! I usually order a few dishes between me and a couple others and share. The service is good too- I hate going to places where the food is great but the service sucks- this is not one of those places. The spicy lamb sliders are amazing if you like a little heat. The scallop risotto is another favorite along with the grilled baby octopus and lollipop chicken. Everything on the menu is just perfect- I really don't think I've tried anything on the menu that I didn't like (and I've been coming here for a few years). Their wine selection is great too. This place isn't meant for a big group of people but great for up to a group of four at most- not the most spacious. But, I still love bringing people here who haven't tried it.
(5)Eric K.
Another restaurant that I absolutely love! The food here is amazing! Of course I get the same thing every time so all I really know is that the Meatballs, Mac & Cheese and the dips are insanely good! You can also buy some of the dips at Whole Foods. Do yourself a favor and try the Crazy Feta.
(5)Shana K.
I been here many many times for lunch and dinner. Haven't found anything that I didn't like on the menu food and drink-wise. The pita bread is so good that sometimes I just want to get the dips and bread for the whole meal. They tend to fill up, so get their early so you don't have to wait or sit up at the small bar and grab a wonderful Greek wine.
(5)Bill M.
Its been a while since we ate here. This is a pretty laid back place and is pretty loud. So if you're coming for a quiet, romantic dinner this is probably going to cramp your style. But if you're looking for great food, this is the place. Wine list is great to explore. Greek wines are featured and are strong performers. I suggest having the ouzo. It is the best ouzo I have ever had. We tried the beet salad, baby octopus, mini gyros, pork belly, and chicken lollipops. Beet salad was the lowest rated dish, the mustard sauce wasn't a good accompaniment. The baby octopus was incredible. As good or better than Komi locally. Pork belly was very good too. The chicken lollipops were the best tasting drumsticks I have ever had. The mini gyros are a misnomer. They are one huge gyro broken into three sandwiches. Oh so good. Had loukimades (donut holes) for desert. Great. Bottom line: everything is good here.
(4)Jessica A.
We scored a table for Valentines Day and the atmosphere was oh-so-romantico. The dip appetizer was delicious...as were the lamb sliders, the zucchini fritters, etc. I went for the scallops risotto per the raving reviews here and...I was kind of disappointed. Maybe it was an off day? The scallops were SO salty, I felt like I was actually eating a chewy block of salt. :( That made me sad. Ah well, you can't win em all. The service was fantastic! And the rest of the meal was filling and delicious. I'll give it another go.
(4)Duncan D.
Love the food and drinks at Cava! Definitely my go-to spot when I am not at Sugo.
(5)Tiffany L.
Best tapas restaurant I've been to! I have only been here two times but I've been to La Tasca, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Masa 14 and probably a few others I just can't remember. This place is the only place that actually have tapas that are semi filling and worth the money. My boyfriend and I came here for an early dinner Wednesday. The place was fairly empty but as we were leaving it started to get busy. We ordered five dishes- dip sampler 10$, calamari 8$, lamb chops 15$, spicy lamb meatballs 10$, grilled octopus ~15$. For the total price of just under 70$ and the amount of food that came out, we were both satisfied. It may have been the pita bread and some of the fries but either way we were full. Dips were good- our favorites were the garlic and eggplant. Calamari was a decent size serving and very nice and crispy. Lamb chops were so tender and juicy. I wish they gave you more than two though. They came with fries which were prob a filler and just okay. Spicy lamb meatballs weren't very spicy but had decent flavor to it. Grilled octopus was very tender too. It didn't have as much flavor as other grilled octopus dishes I've tried. All in all, I had a very good second visit and will definitely want to come back to try more dishes. *whenever I can get my boyfriend to get tapas again.
(4)Jinhee K.
This is the best restaurant of all in Montgomery County Maryland. I love their food and environment. I definitely recommend this place!
(5)Jarreau B.
The food is amazing i like the ambiance but its a over priced tapas place...That's just how I feel about it..
(3)Sunny R.
Had a client meeting here and this was my first time. It was really noisy which didn't really matter to me. I'm noisy myself after a couple of drinks :) The food was falafel was good. The fried cheese was way too salty for me. I wish they could handle that. I opted for the lamb chops. It was awesome! Skinned the bone to the T :) The front toast dessert was superb! Will I come back? Absolutely!
(4)Andrew R.
The food was great, everything was way beyond average. Green beans, falafel fritters, grape leaves. Excellent. The beet dish was just ok, it's probably the only thing I wouldn't order again. Two negatives. It was *very* dark in the restaurant, and it was so loud you could barely have a conversation.
(4)Shira S.
I felt the need to update my review simply to share my love of having tried the Stuffed Calamari last night. OMG! It was tender and succulent and all of those fabulous food words. The mushrooms and Cava Mac & Cheese continued to be yummy last night. My dirty martini was also spot on. Yum!
(5)Mina C.
The scallops risotto is the reason why I come here. My friend and I had a girls dinner here with good food/drinks and good conversation. The only thing is, like other reviews mention, is how noisy the restaurant can be. We had mini gyros (good but not great), lollipop chicken (yum), the scallops (AWESOME), and the brioche French toast dessert (yummyyy). Another time I went I had the lamb sliders. A little spice and a whole lot of flavor !
(4)David Y.
I love Cava Mazze It is very interesting very different and delisouse. Love it.
(5)Camila M.
I heard about this place from my friend who is engaged to one of the owners, and her parents who rave about it. My family and I went there last Saturday and boy were we positively surprised. I expected it to be good, but it wasn't just good. It was great! It far exceeded our expectations. I never expected that at this small neighborhood restaurant I would have eaten the best octopus, best falafel, and best mediterranean dips I ever had. Ever! I have travelled the world, and I am an avid foodie, and this mediterranean place has better food than the Mediterranean itself. The tapas are a good size, not that small. You can be good with just one or two, unlike most tapas places. I am absolutely in love! It has a nice vibe also, it's cozy, lights are dim, there is plenty of parking all around. Don't be fooled by the blinds being closed - the restaurant is open! You may not be able to see inside, but come around to the front door and you will see it's a happening place. Their organic greek red wine was superb as well. And their drinks list is wonderful. I highly recommend them, they deserve their outstanding reputation and increasing success. Everyone will benefit from their now 4 different locations. And I am a true EMP type foodie - so trust me. It is worth going there.
(5)Lina J.
Another one of my favorite places to go to Rockville. Like most people say, the Lollipop Chicken is fantastic! I really enjoyed the spanokopita and lamb too. The pita bread they serve you when you're seated is delicious too, just be sure not to fill up too much on it! In my experience, two dishes per person was actually pretty sufficient. I came here with my family twice and we're not huge eaters so it was just right when we all shared. Though, admittedly, it might be because we all filled up on the pita haha. I only wish the place weren't so dark! I could barely read my menu the first time I came here. I always try to sit outside if the weather is nice and if there's a table available. I thought the noise level was actually pretty high too? I couldn't hear (or see) people at my table very well. Despite this, all in all, I think this place is an absolute gem and I'll be back!
(4)Shawn H.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place. My wife and I are still waiting to be disappointed here. Veggies are a touch overpriced, but everything has been so good. Lollipop Chicken is as good as advertised. Saganaki is the cheese dish you see getting lit on fire, very savory. Spanakopita is legit, Zucchini Fritters are legit, gyros, meatballs, pork belly, calimari, all legit. Great bar, good beer selection and solid cocktails. Definitely a good night out destination.
(5)Bola W.
I've been to the Eastern Market Location and the Rockville location however this review is for the Rockville location. The food is great especially the Tzatziki Dip, Mini Chicken Pita and the Lollipop Chicken. The three dips they bring you with the pita bread is fantastic also however the red sauce (I forget the name of it) is noticeably more spicy at the Eastern Market location then it is in the Rockville location. The only downside to the Rockville location is that is it small! I'm not a very big person however when I go there with friends we are usually rubbing elbows at the table with one another so be for warned! Aside from the space Cava is a fantastic place to grab lunch, dinner or brunch.
(5)Elizabeth D.
My brother-in-law has raved about Cava for some time, and I was very excited to finally try it out. We were able to snag a table over Labor Day weekend by walking in, which was great! The location is very convenient for anyone in the Rockville area. Sadly, I am not drinking currently (yay pregnancy!) but the cocktail and wine list looked fabulous. We all ordered a variety of plates to share. My favorites were the Tyropita (phyllo with cheese? Sign me up.), the Baked Feta (lovely alternative to baked Brie), and the Spicy Lamb Sliders. I highly recommend the grape leaves as an almost palate cleanser in between plates. Cooling and great flavor! It's easy to spend a great deal of money here, so definitely pick and choose carefully. Some plates are larger than others.
(5)Jessica L.
I love this place! Chic and trendy, nice crowd and always great food. I love the shrimp souvlaki ! Always clean and great ambiance .
(5)Jay S.
Holy Mother of Mary! I was visiting for the weekend and instead of going to the usual fa-meh-liar places, I decided to Yelp my surroundings and take stock of the Yelpers' consensus. Imagine my surprise when I saw Cava Mezze had an average rating of 4.5 stars from 342 reviews. In Yelpland, that is pretty much unheard of for a restaurant. So despite not having a fondness for Mediterranean, I took the plunge. Oh my Mauzner! My taste buds exploded in premature gratification when I tasted the Lollipop Chicken appetizer: From the juicy chicken legs to the perfect crispy coating to the tasty yogurt, I immediately knew I had made the best dining decision of my life. Next up was the Souvlaki Platter -- four skewers of beef, lamb, chicken and shrimp with warm pita bread and tzatziki sauce served over the best fries on Earth. The chicken was best but all of the meat tasted fresh and was perfectly spiced. My waiter's recommendations were so spot on, I decided to ask for another tip. He suggested the Flaming Feta cheese covered in 151 Rum and I went for it. Unbelievable! Finally, despite being stuffed more than a 4 year old's first Build-A-Bear animal, I knew I had to experience dessert. Again, I put my trust in the hands of the excellent wait staff and they did not hesitate: The French Toast with Creme. I know what you're thinking: After a huge meal, you probably prefer something light rather than a carb-heavy piece of French Toast. So, I'm telling you: Ignore that thought and just order the damn FRENCH TOAST dessert! Totally worth breaking your low-carb diet for! Overall, the God of Yelp had spoken: Thou Shalt Not Come to Rockville and Not Eat at Cava Mezze!
(5)Katerina T.
I absolutely love this place! Being Greek, many of the dishes on the menu are authentic as you get. Their food is extremely fresh and very consistent. I love to go on Tuesday nights when they have half priced bottles of wine. My go to (Greek) wines are: Santorini Gavala (white) or the Katogi St. George (red). You can never go wrong with these two. The lamb sliders are my absolute favorite thing on the menu and order them every.singe.time. For dessert, order the French Toast! Absolutely life changing!! Whatever you order, it will be delicious!
(5)Brandon C.
I finally found it. My first 5 star experience. I've eaten in many states around the country and a few countries in Europe, but I've never eaten anywhere where I could truly say I had a 5 star experience. Until I went here. This is the only place I have been to where everything aligned perfectly. The pricing was amazing. Astounding. Nearly everything other than alcohol was under $18. Many small dishes too to choose from under $10, that all looked amazing. Not to mention instead of bread, you get a ton of warm pita bread slices with different dips and olives. For dinner I got the scallops risotto because I saw it mentioned from someone else on Yelp. Best scallops I've ever had. The bartender also shared the story behind them and how they are processed. So far, price and food seem aligned. Then, it gets better and the bartender is charismatic and informative. He doesn't say too much nor seem uninformed. He tells everyone everything they need to know and it was just the perfect service I've ever had. All the while, he seemed relaxed and confident of this restaurant, as did everyone else who worked there. It was not necessarily fast paced, but a lot was going on and every employee seemed to be handling it with grace. On top of this, it was a Tuesday and bottles of wine were HALF OFF. Completely insane. I've found a place I will go back to whenever I am even within an area of. I want to invest in this restaurant, its so amazing.
(5)Dee S.
I had brunch here with a large group, so I was able to try many of the small plates. Just about everything was delicious, but the portion sizes were small and I can't say that they were filling, even though I had samples from many dishes. The fried cheese and the lollipop chicken seemed like the top selections at our table. I'm glad I was with a group, because everyone else received their food quickly except for me. Don't know what the problem was, but I waited a long time for my Classic Eggs Benedict. I'm glad I was able to sample my companions' food while waiting. Everyone had finished eating by the time my eggs arrived, and I was so hungry that I was glad no one wanted any of what I had ordered! If you don't like noise, make an early brunch reservation like we did. The place was getting noisy when we left.
(3)John B.
It's a shame that most people seem not to be aware of the Traville Center. It's really quite nice, but it's just a bit farther out than most people go, so it doesn't get a ton of visitors, and businesses turn over a lot. I have a feeling Cava Mezze is here to stay though. It's a destination. They have a really excellent, ever-changing menu of small-plate Greek dishes. Plenty of vegetarian options. Everything is pretty much delicious, and these dishes are best shared. Their hummus is good enough to be sold in grocery stores throughout the region. Ever tried fries with feta? You should. Of course, the feta with jalapeno peppers is what they're known for. Plenty of vegetarian options; and I think people with other special diets could eat here as well, definitely some vegan options and their website has gluten free listings. It's pretty spendy; you have to order quite a few of those small plates to be full. But you'll want to. The lighting is kept very low despite it being a corner building full of windows. The servers are a Starbucks-y breed of twenty-somethings who seem to fall in to these jobs. I've been in similar positions, so I sympathize. Sometimes they struggle to get the order right, but that seems de rigeur at tapas/mezze type places where people are ordering a blizzard of small plates. Hard to imagine someone not liking Cava.
(4)Katie I.
The food is fantastic. I almost exclusively order from the mezze menu, which is full of deliciousness. The mezze menu (and its prices!) stays the same for lunch and dinner, which is nice. Mezzes are slightly bigger than tapas; usually I'll order two per person and share a dessert (or two). The meat mezzes can run you for about $10-15 each, with vegetables a few dollars cheaper and seafood on the slightly higher end. My friends and I usually end up spending about $30 per person, not including drinks. Pretty pricey for lunch, but it's money well spent. The veggies: I really like the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower (both served with Greek yogurt). The spanakopita is pretty good too, but be careful when you bite in--the middle stays really hot for a long time! The white bean ragout was surprisingly tasty (I usually don't enjoy bean dishes, but was once reluctantly convinced to try it by a friend... Needless to say, that reluctance is long gone!). The meats and seafood are the shining delights, in my experience. Cava Mezze does an excellent job with "crunchy outside, tender inside" foods. The lollipop chicken is a long-time favorite, crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside, with a touch of honey. The pork belly is crispy-sweet-savory-delicious. Lamb is good in any form, although I'm not as fond of the meatballs/sliders. The scallops risotto is lovely. Three perfectly cooked scallops on a bed of warm and comforting creamy saffron rice. The desserts: I have tried all of the desserts except for the Greek yogurt. They're pretty generously portioned, EXCEPT for the chocolate. The chocolate and cherries has a nice balance of sweet and tart, and it makes for a nice ending if you're on the fuller side (or aren't as big of a fan of sweets). If you have more room in your belly, I highly recommend the French toast (that glorious whipped cream!) or the baklava (particularly good for those with a stronger sweet tooth). Service is fast, professional and pretty attentive. They do get very busy at night (on Friday nights expect them to be busy until closing), so they often bring the check to your table after dessert, which you can pay at your leisure. I've never felt rushed by the servers, something I appreciate a lot. The ambiance: during the lunch hours, I like the sunlight through the back windows. At night, the tables are candlelit and the whole restaurant is swathed in dimness. So dim that from the outside you might not even notice that they're open. It's a bit of a pity, because the food is presented so nicely--but it also makes this a popular date spot (besides, y'know, that the food is so good at least SOMETHING will leave a wonderful impression). I went on a snowy Monday afternoon with a friend and there was only one other occupied table. That's not the norm, though--almost every time I've gone the place has been packed. Slightly less packed during lunch time, but it's still pretty popular among the professionals in the area. I've never had to wait for a table, but this place is better for if you have a small group than a large party (just two is best). This is also because the noise level gets to crazy heights. The tables aren't large, but you'll have to raise your voice a few notches to be heard. Not shouting level, per se, but it does detract from the experience a little. Parking is easy! Parking in front of the Giant is best since the entrance is on that side (a little counterintuitive; I keep forgetting and trying to enter from the door facing Quench). OVERALL: food is great, service is good, ambiance is okay (too loud when crowded, which is almost always in the evenings). A good dinner date location, but too noisy for a first date. Would I come here again? Yes! Can I afford to eat here again? Not as often as I would like.
(4)Eileen S.
A co worker of mine wanted to find a nice place to take our manager for dinner. We found this place and the food was absolutely amazing! The service was fast and I did not leave hungry at all. My manager said this is top of the list of places he will come to visit when he comes back to Maryland. The Pork Belly (I did not try this but my manager and coworker said this was dee-lish) Scallops Risotto (excellent!) Opa Opa Shrimp (rich and creamy sauce) Lollipop Chicken (my favorite! )
(5)Jen C.
Ate here a couple years ago for the first time and fell in love. The second time, it was still wonderful. This time, I do still find the food really tasty but there were very subtle changes to the food. The lollipop chicken is still very good, and the sweet syrup gives it a nice balance. It's easy to miss though, in the nice darkly lit restaurant--so be sure to scoop it all up. It's still good proportions and high quality chicken. My husband calls it Greek bonchon chicken done right. The risotto was still lovely and a favorite, but the rice was just a touch undercooked...used to be a lot smoother and not as grainy. Scallops still wonderful though. Chicken souvlaki was good but I think it's overpriced for what it is; grilled white meat chicken. I prefer a juicier, darker meat on my kabobs, personally. Cauliflower is yummy--nice roasted flavor. Has the same flavor profile as their lolipop chicken, so if you happen to be considering both, pick one or the other. (SuGo does the same cauliflower by the way added with tomatoes; also worth checking out). The fries were much, much saltier than I remember them...it could be less salty, since the parmesan itself serves as a good salter. Finally, lamb chops disappointed me. The flavor and fries under it were still spot on, but nearly half of both shanks were full of fat...that didn't happen in the past. So really, we only got two full bites out of it! Same great service and FAST food (we only waited 2 minutes for our first dish to come out and another 2 between each) that is fresh and piping hot, but the detail of quality has declined a TOUCH if you have been a constant Cava supporter. PS: You can now RSVP on Sundays
(4)Alex V.
We stopped in here for a quick business lunch, my Gyro was extremely good. Not the best I've ever had, but very good. The service was solid, and the ambiance was modern. I had a huge hair in my french fries though, that's really my only negative.
(4)Ken C.
French toast for brunch! Delicious... Staff is always friendly and helpful. I mentioned their French Toast but really everything for brunch is great.
(5)Flavia N.
Best food and quaint atmosphere. The lollipop chicken and brussel sprouts are amazing! You have to try this place out and don't forget the wine!!
(5)Jake T.
Delicious food. Really recommend this place. Been happy with everything we've true, but would say don't pass up on the cava fries and the chicken lollipops. Amazing
(4)Anita S.
On a busy night, Cava Mezza accommodated our large party for a family birthday seamlessly. Our server, Emily, was amazing and attentive. The atmosphere was festive, even loud, but thoroughly enjoyable! The food was delicious--SO delicious! If you order the truffles for dessert, be prepared to SHARE--so rich and yummy, but too much for one person! We had a great time and look forward to returning often.
(5)Leah W.
My husband and I had a wonderful lunch here. I love Mediterranean food and they had a nice selection. I had the lamb and it was so good. I am planning on being back soon. My only complaint is I wish they were more centrally located in Rockville- like the Town Center or such.
(5)Jarvis A.
Yes, yes, and yes! I ate at Cava Mezze with a group of coworkers while training in Rockville, MD. Cava had half bottle wines on Tuesday night, and red wine and Tapas mix like bikinis and South Beach. So the restaurant was loud, crowded, poorly lit, and trendy. So it was exactly what I was looking for.The food was good and plentiful. The service was great. I could really ramble for paragraphs so I'll end it right here, eat here and come with friends.
(5)Eduard K.
I tried hanger steak, crabcake, fried calamari - everything was very delicious! Will definitely recommend my friends. Half-price bottle of wine on Tuesdays was great as well :).
(5)Kelly C.
What. The. Hell. I grew up in this area and didn't try this place until this past month. WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE?! I came here for a dinner with two of my girl friends and it was a great experience! Our waiter was attentive and helpful when we had any questions about recommendations for what we should get and how much to order. We ended up sharing the lollipop chicken, meatballs, mini gyros, and scallop risotto. IT just so happened that most of the plates we ordered came with 3 or more pieces, which made sharing really easy for us. I ended up loving everything we ordered and the 4 tapas plates was actually a perfect amount of food for us 3 girls. I'm definitely going to have to come back again to try the rest of the menu items.
(5)Tara C.
Favorite rockville restaurant. Love the food. Service is always good. Wine selection is really good. Usually a long wait but worth it.
(4)Cheetos H.
Simply one of the best restaurants that I've been to in a long time. I've heard of this restaurant, but it took me years to get around to going to it. The spicy dip that they provide to you is worth visiting alone. We ordered the crazy feta, pork belly, baby octopus with fennel, lamb meatballs, mussels, roasted Brussel sprouts, chicken souvlaki, spanakita, and a few more dishes that I can't remember the names. Give this restaurant a try. It's so worth it.
(5)Amy G.
A consistently great place to eat! Lollipop chicken is phenomenal and the service is always top notch! Can be long waits on the weekends because of the small size of the place, but it's once you get seated it's well worth it. Great wine selections too!
(5)Brenda D.
I guess tapas are in because this place was super crowded! They don't take reservations on Friday and Saturdays, so when we showed up at 7 PM on a Saturday, there was a 45 minute wait. When we finally got seated, the staff were attentive and the food came out fast and fresh. Based on other yelpers recommendations, we tried the lollipop chicken and lamb chops. We ourselves wanted to try the baby octopus, mac & cheese, fried calamari and filet mignon. The lollipop chicken tasted like sweet fried chicken. Personally I didn't like it that much...maybe it's an acquired taste. The lamb chops came with 2, but one of them was full of fat. It was tender and seasoned well, but probably not worth $15 since we were only able to eat 1. The baby octopus was a delightful surprise. It was grilled, cut into bite size pieces and very tender. Even my boyfriend who hates octopus enjoyed it. The calamari was and filet mignon were pretty average for any restaurant. Nothing too special. The mac and cheese was a disappointment. I was expecting baked macaroni shells, but instead I got fettuccine covered in cheese. It also was the last dish to come out, so we were very full by then. It was a good experience and I would suggest 5 tapas is good enough for 2 people.
(4)Crissy D.
Love the atmosphere. It is a loud place, so if you are looking for more quiet and intimate, than this is not the place for you. The food is outstanding and I'm obsessed with their sauces.The prices are reasonable and they have half off bottle wine nights that make for happy hours even happier. Good to go with a group of 2-6. That way you can hear everyone at the table. Any more people and youll have trouble catching conversations.
(4)Danny D.
Tried this place for the first time and it was some of the best Greek food in the area. Started with the Saganaki that is served like I remembered from Chicago Greek town... up in flames! It was the best! Also had the hummus that was very good. The scallop risotto was the highlight of the night. So much so we had to order a second round. Also had the meatball plate (good), crab cake (delicious), and the bolognese (a sweet sauce but very good). Also had the Greek donuts for dessert. All in all a great experience. Looking forward to going back and trying other dishes... right after the scallop risotto! The only reason for 4 stars and not 5 was the size of the dining room at this location. Pretty tight. But the food is well worth it!
(4)Xtine C.
Love their food! I've tried almost everything and it's always the best I've ever had. The Haloumi is AMAZING!!! I'm a sucker for cheese so a melty crunchy cheese that's on fire? HECK YEAH! Mushroom risotto is on point and the scallops are amazing. The braised beef and pork chops are cooked to perfection! Those are must haves! I brought friends here on numerous occasions to try it out and every single person loved it! Great for dates!
(5)Sabrina U.
This place wasn't bad, just...OK. Overall, each dish seemed to be missing something - the flavor wasn't there. Again, it wasn't bad but it wasn't great and there was nothing to make me wanna go back (in which case would have given a 4). We had the crispy pork belly, lollipop chicken, lamp chops (way too dry) and saganaki. The Greek beer was the best part of our meal and both myself and my friend's stomach seemed to be off after the meal. Not sure what that was about but mine still doesn't feel right. Also, the food came out way too fast. We ordered, had our free pita and the dishes came out practically one after the other. It felt too rushed. And I really dislike small tables, especially with tapas...you have to maneuver and constantly move things around. No bueno.
(3)Lindsay W.
Lollipop chicken was FANTASTIC.
(5)Erica C.
Cava is by far my favorite restaurant in the Rockville area. I can't say that I have had something there that wasn't fantastic. The lollipop chicken is fun and fantastic. Get it! The octopus is also quite nice. The bronzino is cooked nicely, great for two people. They also had something that they light on fire in front of you. I have no idea what it is, but a lot of people were ordering it. The desserts are more than an afterthought at Cava. The baklava is seriously awesome. It comes with a giant scoop of ice cream, so of course it is awesome, right? Please go here. The food is awesome. The atmosphere is awesome. Go to Cava!
(5)Peggy K.
LOVED, this place. Portion sizes were good and the food was delicious. My mother and I are avid meat eaters so when it comes to our meat, we are not easily impressed; however, we were pleasantly surprised by Cava Mezze. Any kind of meat we ordered, whether it was chicken or lamb, it was always juicy and tender. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Wasn't really a fan of their desserts but that may be because I'm more of an ice cream kind of girl and they had limited options. The only thing I DON'T recommended is going here during busy hours. This place literally becomes packed and it is quite annoying since the place is small in the first place. But this is a minor detail, so you should still check this place out if you love eating meat!
(5)Irene A.
This place is good. This is my second time going and I had the macaroni and cheese, the crazy feta, and chicken. the first time I went I got the gyro sliders which were to die for...I truly recommend it. The only thing that is not so good about the place is that we were a big group of 12 people. They don't take reservations so I had to get in touch with the manager before going and they don't do split checks so it made it so hard at the end to organize the payment. Also, it seemed like the waitress was trying to rush us to order. Within 5 minutes of sitting down she asked us what we wanted to eat....and then every 5 minutes after that she kept asking. I personally don't like being rushed when I go out to eat. The food comes out rather quickly after ordering. I recommend it but not if you're with a big group of people.
(4)Virginia C.
Its like a Greek style Tapas bar! I love the idea of being able to order a billion small dishes so that you can try a whole range of different dishes on their menu! My boyfriend and I ordered steamed muscles, spicy lamb sliders, gyro and fries, and two tossed salads. Which by the way, was all extremely delicious!! We satisfied our craving for red meat!, seafood, and fries! Straight to the point, the food was on great the service was attentive, atmosphere was dark and chic. Perfect place for a date night, I highly recommend :)
(4)Syed A.
We had had a great meal at Cava Mezze Grill located in Tysons Corner and wanted to grab a quick one close to our home, but we were very surprised and shocked that this location looked nothing like the one in Tysons. This one here in Rockville is just called Cava Mezze, hence the confusion. It is located in a quiet neighborhood in a nice new shopping mall, but once we were inside the place it felt like we were in a busy New York restro in downtown Manhattan. The place is loud, serves alcohol, and has people and tables falling over each other. Well, not literally, but the table next to you is so close you can hear their conversation. Service is fast paced, the food servings are small, its difficult to converse with the other person without shouting, place is dark, wonderful food and location, but Im sorry, for myself, I might not come here again! Not a good place for a business meeting, first date, or formal meetings. They serve bread and spicy sauce and olive oil as starters, complimentary on the house. Very good, I mean really good. We filled up just on that for dinner We ordered roasted eggplant, which was awesome. Made from red pepper , garlic, and herbs, this was a great starter. Then did Zucchini Fritters, made of aged barrell feta, herbs, and tzatziki which gives it the extra flavor. Then finally, the grand finale with Opa Opa Shrimp. This was so good and was drowned in cream, dill, tomatoes, and onions. I've never seen shrimp treated so amazingly before. This place is highly recommended for all those who love eating in a loud fast paced environment, not me. I, my friend, will look for the same food in a different location!
(4)Patricia G.
Are you kidding me... why not just have picnic tables and let everyone sit on top of each other. NO way to have a romantic dinner, unless of course, you want the person sitting 10 inches from you overhearing your sweet nothings. Food is good but not as good as the prices.. And if you want your waitresses butt In your face as she serves the table next to you, this is definitely the place to go. In a two words.... NEVER AGAIN!!!!.
(2)Jenny C.
We took our mother hear for mother's day and it was surprisingly delicious. I'm usually really picky about restaurants and we have vegetarians and gluten allergies in our family so it's usually hard to find a good restaurant for everybody but this was great. I would recommend the dips and white bean ragout. The halloumi was also really tasty. The only thing that was kind of disappointing was the lamb souvlaki. Our family makes better lamb. It was fatty and a little tough.
(4)Chris C.
This place rocks, Great food, drinks and atmosphere. Just like a restaurant down in DC but out in the 'burbs!
(5)Patrick T.
Cava is an amazing place and has some of the best food ever. This specific place is a very nice restaurant. It is sort of a candle light dinner kind of thing and everyone is sitting close to each other like a family. It can get loud at times but what really matters her is the food. Food: Everything tastes great and you should really try as many different things as possible. But just a few tips. Saganaki is an amazing cheese meza which they light on fire right in front of you. The Zucchini Fritters had a very tasty sauce that came with it making it possibly my favorite thing on the menu. For sliders I suggest the Mini Gyros or the Spicy Lamb Sliders which both taste great. A lot of people say Lollipop Chicken is good but I do not find it that good. Lastly, for seafood I suggest Fried Calamari. They give you a lot, but it is so tasty your going to want it all. Dessert: The Challah bread french toast is my favorite. Topped with whip cream and fruits, it's amazing. The baklava is also very good here. Some people say the donuts are good but I think otherwise. Tips: Most of the foods come out with 3 items. Make reservations, otherwise sit at the bar which is quite nice.
(5)Lauren H.
My favorite restaurant in all of Montgomery County. The food is consistently amazing. The saganaki is my favorite dish. It's cheese, soaked in booze, and light it on fire right before serving it. You'll see little balls of fire popping up across the restaurant all night-- so cool. The down side is the tables are practically on top of each other and the bar area is miniscule.
(5)Kathy B.
This place is great! It's a bit on the pricey side and the shopping center it's in isn't particularly the most hip and happening place in my opinion. It's not quite Rockville Town Square though in some ways that can be a positive - an area that is quieter and less busy. The service was good. The food was spectacular. It's a bit on the pricey side but I feel tapas themed restaurants tend to be that way. The food is perfectly cooked. I wish I had more money to eat here more often!
(4)Anthony G.
A wonderful find. Hip place, busy on a Tuesday night at 8 so it was noisy but a good sign. Well decorated, nice bar, outdoor seating and cozy interior. Simple but ample menu of Greek and Mediterranean food with great presentation and taste to match. Try the dip tasting app for a great variety in case your worried about missing something. Staff is attentive and professional. Great food, reasonable prices in a nice place. What are you waiting for? I'm here on biz and will be back!
(4)Peter B.
The lamb burgers and octopus are my two favorite things
(4)Eileen W.
I would give it a higher rating but the atmosphere of the restaurant was much too dark, too loud and too tightly packed making it difficult to read the menu and see the food and talk/hear the people at my table, which were only 4. The food and service were great. Our party agreed that we would not return to this restaurant. I recommend bringing a flashlight.
(3)Audrey J.
Decent place with a happening scene. It is loud but always good! Try the fries, crazy feta and half price wine bottle night!
(4)Kathy D.
So glad I finally got the chance to try Cava Mezze because it did NOT disappoint. No siree. :) Baked feta ($9.95): Probably my least favorite dish of the night. The thyme, walnuts, and honey weren't prominent enough and there was only one dinky crostini that came with it. Cauliflower ($8.95): Good and I like that it came on a bed of greek yogurt. Lamb chops ($15.95): Delicious! The lamb was tender and flavorful. My only complaint is the soggy fries that came with it. Lollipop chicken ($9.95): If you didn't catch on by now, this is a MUST TRY. The skin was crispy and sweet and the meat was melt in your mouth. I'll salivating just thinking about it. Scallops risotto ($16.95): Unfortunately, they ran out of scallops when I was there so I had it substituted for shrimp. Nonetheless, the risotto was AMAZING and the shrimp was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Great ambience and great for date nights! If anything, the restaurant might be a little too dark as I saw numerous people read their menus with the assistance of their cell phone lights. No doubt, I'll be back anyways to try more of the menu! GO GO GO.
(4)Cassandra P.
Ate at the Tysons Mall location. I loved it. It was quick, fresh and many options. It is plenty of food and a great price!
(4)Cindy Q.
My very first yelp review! I wanted to start by saying that my boyfriend and I have actually been to Cava 4 times, but actually only ate here once. First time we went, it was closed for the holiday. 2nd time we went it was around noon on a saturday, the door was open, but no one was there (weird). 3rd time we went, it was 4:45 pm so they weren't open yet. After the 3rd time my boyfriend had given up and repeatedly said it wasn't meant to be. However, I never lost hope!! I begged him to go, proclaiming their rave reviews on Yelp and how all our friends have tried it already & loved it. I finally got him to agree, and I am so glad I never gave up trying!! We ordered the lollipop chicken, lamb chops, and mac & cheese. The lollipop chicken is magnificent! Crispy, tender, & juicy. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection. I wasn't a huge fan of the Mac & Cheese, but my boyfriend was so...to each their own. The food was in fact great, but the service was even better. Dave, our server, was hands-down the best server we've ever had. Friendly, attentive, and gave his most honest opinion on everything. I will be back for the food for sure, but will only call ahead to make sure Dave is working. I'm so glad he made our first experience at Cava so spectacular! I can't wait to come back.
(5)Suzanne C.
Food very good, especially the baby octopus and check out the warm dessert! Don't forget the Greek wines too! We waited over 45 minutes for our table with a promise of 25 minutes. Good thing we found a seat at the bar. Bartender knew his great wines. Once we were seated excellent and fast service. Atmosphere is cozy and loud, not romantic but fun! Good for singles.
(4)Harvey E.
Large selection of small plates. Very quick service and very tasty food. Lots of tables in a small room, so can get noisy. Also, the lighting is very subdued, so it's hard to read the menu.
(4)Noel W.
After a somewhat lack luster experience at the Capitol Hill location(of which I wrote a separate review under that particular location's Yelp page), I was very anxious to give Cava Mezze a second shot. Since there are so many rave reviews, I was really hoping we would experience what so many other diners seemed to time and time again. Thankfully, we were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the service was spot on. Unfortunately I am writing this review many months after so the details of the particular dishes that we ordered are no longer clear, but the general tastes and experience will remain in my memory for some time. Apart from this location being very small and dimly lit, the dining room has a nice energy and buzz to it and the members of the waitstaff seem to move throughout the small space quite effortlessly. I have yet to return to the Capitol Hill location, but with food this good, chances are I will be visiting them all before too long.
(4)Sathish P.
Liked the scallop Rissotto and Chocolater with truffle.
(3)Rebecca C.
Came here at the recommendation of a friend, and we were not disappointed. No crowd when we came for dinner around 6 on a Friday, and we got a table right away. Nice atmosphere, good for couples and friends. The pork belly is delicious, the calamari perfect (we get calamari all the time, so we have had the best and the worst, and this was some of the best). We tried the dip tasting, which came with little scoops of tzaziki, eggplant dip, whipped salmon roe, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves. All were very good, especially the salmon roe. The only thing that disappointed me was the lollipop chicken that everyone raves about. The menu describes it as "fried/honey/walnuts/Greek yogurt." I detected no trace of walnuts at all, only the faintest bit of honey (and only because my taste buds were looking for it), and a dab of Greek yogurt on the bottom. Basically it was a fancy, ordinary bit of fried chicken leg, and with a sliver of bone buried in each one, which caused my husband to momentarily panic. I'm not sure if we just got an unimpressive batch, or if it's normally that underwhelming. But overall, we really enjoyed the place and its food, and I'd be happy to go back and try new things. Our tab (no alcohol) only came to about $45 before tip, which is not bad at all for very good, unusual food served with good ambiance.
(4)K K.
The food is always delicious, don't think I've ever come here and not enjoyed it. As such, the rest of my quibbles are minor: parking isn't fun, and prices are high for the portion size, and unlike their Clarendon location, the place is just too damn noisy. Some sound-absorbent ceiling tiles would go great in here... But again, minor quibble. I love all things Cava, and this place does not disappoint.
(4)Olivia H.
I can't express how much I LOVE this place. The food is absolutely amazing every time I come here, and the service is phenomonal. We've had just about everything on the menu (except the flaming cheese- not a big fan of flames in such a cramped restaurant). My favorites: Lamb Chops any of the Risottos, Lamb Meatballs and any of thier Dips (especially the Haloumie!!!) I was initially surprised that they wouldn't take reservations, but I have never had a problem getting a glass of wine at the bar while I wait for a table, or if it is just a couple of us, ordering food at the bar. I have never had a bad experience with any of the waitstaff here, they are all well trained and friendly! One minor nuisance- the restaurant is TINY. I've tried to book a large party here, and they are absolutely not able or willing to accomodate a group, even for a special event. So sad that I have to avoid one of my favorite restaurants on all special occassions. If I could take away half a star I would, but the food and service have never failed me before, so I won't sacrifice a whole star for this one issue. I've already adjusted to what they can offer. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes good food. It's not as "Greek" as other Greek restaurants I've been too (and I love Greek food), but maybe that is why it appeals to so many different palates. AMAZING food, great service, but not for large groups or if you don't have time to wait for a table.
(5)Melanie Y.
Ok, not sure why it took me so long to come here for lunch, but it definitely will not be the last time. Upon walking in, I really like the atmosphere. It's like a classier bar setting but definitely cleaner. We were seated pretty quickly, but the wait for the food was a bit long IMO. Again, when waiting too long, I always expect the food to be amazing. And why wouldn't I? If it took that long to make the food, then that would mean the chef took special care in preparing the food. I ordered the crab sliders and my coworker got his chicken wrap first. I ate some of his fries, which was pretty darn good, I must say. Few minutes later, my sliders came and presentation was nice. Two decent-sized sliders with a bed of fries. So far so good. I bit into my first slider and turned to my coworker and said "ok, now this was good enough to wait". The crab sliders had big chunks of crabs packed nicely together among bed of greens with some type of mayo sauce and onions. It was so good. Next time though, I'll be sure to ask them to hold the onions. Definitely will come back here again.
(5)Sarah B.
Wonderful, Wonderful, wonderful!! I work near this place and have eaten here several time. Service is excellent and food is amazing. I lived in Astoria for 5 years (largest concentration of Greeks outside of Greece). I haven't has food that tasty since I moved to DC! Just awesome!!
(5)Rob N.
hands down one the best restaurants in Montgomery county. great food and service and it;s been pretty consistent. the only problem is that this place is too small and its always full. if you want a decent Greek food, don't go anywhere else except this place. A+
(4)Deb S.
Wonderful! Will come back when I am in the area. At first they wanted to seat us right by the bar, but we asked to be moved a little farther away based on other reviews mentioning the noise. Most of the seating away from the bar is for 4 seats, which I'd like to see them switch up. They wouldn't put us there so we couldn't get very far away. This set a bad initial tone, but the food and service made us forget all of that! The eggplant dip with fresh warm pita, olive oil and olives, came to the table before we were even settled. Spicy and fabulous! I haven't found saganaki anywhere for years, and it was everything i remembered. The village salad was fresh and flavorful and a perfect balance. We enjoyed everything and can't wait to return to try everything on the menu!
(5)Jack W.
This place is fantastic. I've never had a bad meal here the the ambiance is really good. Great place take a date!
(5)Mike D.
Great place! Great food, great service, friendly staff... went on a busy Friday and Saturday night the only 2 times I've been so far. A bit of a wait but worth it. Definitely going back.
(5)Susan M.
2.5 stars, maybe 2.75 . I agree with Ali S - This place was underwhelming, based on the amount of solid reviews. My boyfriend and I went last weekend and while we enjoyed the ambiance and service, we were not impressed with most of our food selections. Warm pita + olive oil & spicy tapenade: Tasty. I had to force myself to stop eating the bread. Spanakopita: Decent but not better than what you can get from your grocer's freezer. Braised Beef: Very disappointing. The sauce lacked flavor (think sloppy joe sauce from a can) and the beef was low-grade in taste and texture. The meaty mess sat on top of a bed of overcooked french fries. Chicken Souvlaki: Dehydrated chicken on a stick. Ick. Spicy Lamb Meatballs: Delicious - the highlight of our sub par meal.
(2)Stephanie G.
My husband and I went out to dinner here last week. We'd never been before, but I heard it was very popular so I made a reservation. I think a reservation is a must unless you want to get stuck waiting or trying to get a seat at the crowded bar. The food was delicious, as were the drinks, and the service was very good. My only complaint is that the food came out VERY quickly. We were there for a romantic dinner, and there is definitely the ambiance for that, but we felt a little rushed with our meal - like the wanted us to hurry up so they could seat one of the many people waiting. We took our time eating, ordered dessert, and also had another round of drinks to draw out the meal a little longer and we had a great time.
(4)Kathryn L.
The food and wait staff was excellent! Really good crab cakes! We had to move from outside to inside because of mosquito like bugs. All in all a great experience!!
(4)Jacinda T.
Cava is a nice place, definitely a gem in a random shopping center in Rockville. It can get really packed around dinner time, both weekdays and weekends, so I suggest either going really early or late... or be patient. I'm definitely not the patient type so I usually come here around 8:30. I like going on Tuesdays bc it's half priced wine, and I recommend trying one of the Greek wines. I really enjoy the lollipop chicken, scallops risotto, braised salmon. I'm not a big fan of the fried zucchini (too cheesy), the pitas, souvlaki (dry). Sorry that's all I can remember (terrible memory). My main criticism with this place is the noise and lighting. Poor insulation and acoustics makes it SO LOUD! You seriously cannot hear the person across the table from you unless both of you yell. Unfortunately the tables next to you have the same problem, so it becomes a packed room of people yelling to their friends 2 feet away. It's ok though, if the food's good enough you'll be too distracted to talk anyways.
(4)Ingrid W.
When I went there at 1 o'clock for weekday lunch, it was pretty empty by then. The food came relatively fast, and the guy told us that the kitchen closes at 2 in case we wanted to order anything else. Based on the reviews I've read on this restaurant, I feel that Cava is slightly overrated. The lollipop chicken is good, but I wouldn't particularly recommend it. I would say that none of their dishes disappointed us and were quite delicious -- maybe I expected too much before I came? All in all, it was a good meal, albeit a tad expensive considering the portion sizes.
(4)Emily P.
I really liked their lollipop chicken, sous vid steak (which is no longer on the menu, i think), calamari, lamb chops and meatball/spicy lamb sliders. The only dish I I didn't enjoy was the haloumi (grilled cheese). Took 1 bite and I was done with it. I'd say ordering 2-3 dishes per person would make you feel very full.
(5)Solace C.
Good food BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT I need a cane and a service animal to get around...and I gotta make sure I dont bump into tables... besides eating in the dark as if I was being punished for being a bad stepchild the food is good!!!!! The hummus let alone is to die for... I love it! I love that whole foods carry them!!! the olives are good...and chickpeas are good tooo and so are the chicken thingys!! Service is great but please TURN on the lights!
(5)Beautiful D.
When Cava first opened in Rockville, we would try and go as much as we could. It was great. thrilled when they opend an Arlington and DC location. Unfortunately, these 2 arent as good as the original on ein Rockville. The ambience is different, not as relaxed, trying to be pretentious. The wait staff was not friendly and seemed distracted. The food was missing something. We are going to have to travel up to Rockville to get our Cava fix.
(3)Meana K.
Full Disclosure: I write this with absolute bias as I have known the owners long before this successful chain of restaurants was conceived. Okay, bias over. The food is DAMN GOOD. This review applies to the Rockville and Capitol Hill locations, specifically. Dimly lit ambiance, tables close enough together to keep a steady volume of laughter and conversation buzzing through the place but far enough apart that you can have an intimate conversation in private, and decor that's simple and homey and not overly trendy. Attractive waitstaff who are attentive to your requests, fill up your drinks, and serve your dishes with a very understanding look as you're wowed by presentation. The food... mmmm. So freaking good. Some of my favs: Saganaki -- flaming cheese. 'nuff said. Lollipop Chicken -- fried chicken drumsticks with a touch of greek yogurt and honey. Incredible. Cava Mac & Cheese -- simple but perfect for that carb & cheese fix. Grilled Baby Octopus -- somehow they flavor this so nicely and get that texture so perfectly tender that you forget you're eating octopus which tends to be chewy and tough at most establishments. Wilted Greens -- just to balance out the meal with something light and healthy. Whole Fish -- if they have Branzino available, order it. You won't regret it. Gyro -- a classic but stuffed with fries. I wish I had one right now. Everything else is good as well. If your party isn't having a good time here, you're not doing it right. This is the perfect place to entertain clients, impress a date, have a romantic night out, have a blast with the girls, or bring your family. Yup, family friendly. But don't bring your kids if they're going to ruin MY dining experience. :)
(5)Jane M.
The place is small (may have to wait), service is incredibly fast (may feel rushed when you do get seated), not cheap (had dinner w/ 3 drinks, 1 app, 1 salad, 1 entree, 1 dessert: $76 including tip.) The food is amazing (don't miss the souvlaki, beet/kale salad, flaming cheese, and for heaven's sake whether or not you eat dinner-do NOT miss the challah French toast for dessert.) You will not be disappointed.
(5)Mitch R.
Recently visited this cozy joint with my girlfriend and it was a great experience. The staff was attentive and the food was delicious. We had the lollipop chicken, pork belly, scallop risotto, asparagus and the grilled shrimp. The lollipop chicken and pork belly were the highlights of the meal. Both were marinated with honey which was an odd twist which actually worked pretty well. Highly recommended Greek joint.
(5)Sandy T.
Dark and ardent atmosphere with very attentive service. I enjoy, small, tapa, sized plates, which is exactly what they serve here! however, their portion is slightly larger. As an appetizer, my date and I had the Haloumi cheese; crispy outer layer with cheese filling. Our server flared up the cheese in front of us, which was exciting to watch. Good, however, a bit too salty for my taste buds Entree, we had spicy lamb sliders, which was perfectly grilled and nicely seasoned. Aso had lamb chop; love the crispy skin that and nicely seasoned meat. The meat was marvelously, tender and you can taste the marinated seasoning. As for desserts, we had the Baklava, which was delicious. It's chopped walnuts baked with phyllo and honey, with vanilla ice cream. Love the environment and food here. The only downside is the excessive amount of salt they use.
(4)Donna Y.
Perhaps I don't order the right items on the menu but I'm always underwhelmed by the place. I come often for lunch so I order off the lunch menu... gyro, lamb sandwich, spicy lamb sliders..etc. For appetizer, we'd order the hummus (sometimes spicy) which comes with pita. The hummus is good but I have yet to have bad hummus. The entree items are pretty average/standard and I'd find myself always wanting the kababs from Caspian instead. The servers all have itouch(s) to take the order right when you arrive to the table but it takes forever for the food to come out. Be aware especially when you have one hour lunches to keep that in mind and order right when the server comes by for drinks. This is not an especially large restaurant so keep crowds to a maximum of 6.
(3)Susan B.
Best of everything- Lamb Sliders, Grilled Shrimp, Lamb Chops, Saganaki, Village Salad
(5)Maria P.
I walk in, and it's like i'm transported to an intimately furnished cave. The scent of the air is phenomenal, and it makes me want to sit down at the nearest served table and dig in...I held back the urge though. I'm sure the owners appreciated that :P We began with fiery cheese (gooey on the inside, crisp on the outside), lamb kapama (perfectly seasoned lamb with orzo), and the bolognese (this is definitely a favorite...I might have to plant cameras in the kitchen, just to see how it's made :P ). I'm not a big dessert girl, but I'm sure that Cava could deliver if I were. I've also had the fries (sinful) and the mussels risotto (perfection). In my perfect world, Cava would be down the street so I could have Greek every f*cking night...or maybe 5-6 nights...no...every night. If you're into red wines (let me rephrase), If you're into excellent red wine, make sure to order a bottle of the Gougenheim Malbec... Now, go find a date and bring him/her to Cava. Who knows what'll happen after :P
(5)Ellen W.
I miss the old menu. The food is still good but so expensive now.
(4)Anita C.
Two words: lollipop chicken. Hands-down my favorite dish at Cava Mezze. The chicken is tender and sweet, with a glaze on it. Possibly some of the best chicken I've ever had. Food: The other winner in my book was there warm, fresh pita bread. Whenever they refilled our bowl, it was always warm. They had three dips for it - a spicy eggplant dip (my fave!), olive oil, and a mystery third that I didn't care for. My companions and I also ordered the following dishes: lamb chops, asparagus, white bean ragout, disco fries, pork belly, and green beans. I didn't care too much for the oily asparagus and the mushy ragout, but the lamb chops were pretty good. Price: About ~$15 for the chicken and lamb and ~8 for the veggies. My boyfriend and I were pretty full with three small dishes and generous servings of pita bread - we definitely ordered too much. With all of the dishes we ordered, the four of us ended up spending ~$96 excluding tip. Ambiance: It was so dark in the restaurant that I couldn't read my menu. Maybe it's supposed to cast a more romantic glow or something...but I'd like to read my menu and see my food clearly! I wish we had sat outside - it was warm and beautiful. Service: Just okay. Our waiter was friendly, but the service was nothing special - I thought it was cool that he input our orders onto an iPhone. Kind of expensive but I'll definitely be back for the chicken and pita bread! I also want to try the scallop risotto that other Yelpers have been raving about :)
(4)Hiro T.
Really nice, relaxed environment with dim lighting. Just a great place to drop in for a few tapas and a drink, or a nice place for a full on dinner. The food here is absolutely delicious! The LOLLIPOP CHICKEN, MINI GYROS, and, I think it was a PORK FAT dish were amazing. Everything else on the menu that we ordered was super tasty too. This is the type of place where you can't go wrong with the type of food or drink you order. I would highly recommend the place to anyone that is in the area, or to anyone that is just driving through the area. Do yourself a favor, and reward yourself for a long day of driving with some delicious food and drink! I would easily drive a little out of my way to visit Cave Mezze again if in the area.
(4)Juliana C.
Ode on some grecian mezze (apologies to keats) Ah, happy, happy cars! no meters fed with quarters, and bid the ticketing adieu; And, happy bartender, unwearièd, For ever pouring drinks for dinner crew; More happy love! more happy, happy love! For ever warm pitas still to be enjoy'd, For ev'ry palate, delight for every tongue; Should you go? see my rating above, An overfull stomach thou should avoid, And multiple martinis, unless thou art young. As for the useful rating... if you have a large group and you e-mail the owner and ask nicely, he'll probably allow you a reservation ;)
(5)Dee B.
*3.5 stars* In an area where a good restaurant with pleasant ambiance is hard to come by, I can understand the rave reviews. Based on my inaugural visit, however, I prefer Cava Mezze Grill in downtown Bethesda where I can get a huge meal for all of $6.90. :) I'd known about Cava forever, but had never really had the chance to try it out. That finally changed on a Tuesday evening when I met a friend here at 6.30pm. We put our names down for a table, got a pager and proceeded to the bar for drinks. Tuesday is 1/2 price wine bottle night, but my friend was drinking beer and I knew that I'd have to keep myself to one glass of wine. Luckily, the Gougenheim Malbec I chose was not too expensive ($7 or $8 for the glass) and it was absolutely delicious. Bonus points for the super friendly bartenders. Our table was ready more quickly than the promised 30 minutes. When we got down to business, we ordered the chicken souvlaki, the zucchini fritters, the spanakopita and the scallop mushroom risotto. The chicken was dry, the fritters too fritter-y (barely tasted or noticed any zucchini in them), but the spanakopita and risotto were good - although not outstanding. Our server was friendly and made sure we were never without water. Overall, at this price point I do expect a bit more...
(3)Cynthia L.
What is there not to love about Cava Mezze? It Must not be the saganaki that they light on fire in front of you and scare the bejeezus out of unbeknownst first-time guests (I really get a kick out of this). It Must not be the lollipop chicken they drizzle with honey and greek yogurt, because let me tell you, this little combination makes everyone melt; even the chicken melts...it literally falls off the bone before you take a full bite. It Must also not be the french toast with house-made whipped cream and berries because I am not a fan of french toast and even I love this crack. Conclusion? Love Cava.
(5)Dennis C.
Got the lamb chops, brussels sprouts, and calamari. The brussel sprouts would've been just okay if it wasn't for the sauce, and the calamari was pretty average, but the lamp chops were definitely on another level, with fries soaked in it's juices. I suspect that the brussel sprouts and calamari were prepared in advance in batches since those were served very quickly after I ordered, while the lamb chops took a bit longer. Service was very good, I got the lamb chops on the recommendation of the bartender.
(3)R L.
This is our family favor restaurant. We enjoy the food - everything is good. The service is also excellent! We came to celebrate special occasions or when friends dropped by. They all loved it!
(5)Jorge N.
I had been to this place quiet a few times for drinks after class. I loved the ambiance and the bartenders (they were just cool). I finally came to sit down for dinner a couple weeks ago. I really wanted to like the food, but I actually left a little disapointed, not because the food was bad, but because it just didn't match the sophistication of the place. Part of it was my fault; I decided to eat two plates with eggs and potatoes. It felt like I was eating brunch rather than dinner. So I decided to give this place another chance the very next weekend. I'm glad I did. The food was much better the second time around. I would definitely recommend this place to anybody, I would even venture to say it's one of the best restaurants in MC, but just don't order the stuff that seems ordinary (like eggs and potatoes).
(4)Dina E.
This is my 1st review but this place is GREAT!!! It was my 2nd trip here and I had the eggplant dip as an appetizer! AWESOME!!! Then the scallops with mushroom risotto! 1st time the scallops were under cooked and chewy the 2nd time although a bit salty cooked to perfection!!! I ordered the Baklava for dessert love this place will be back for sure : )
(4)Cristina D.
Love this place! The service is good and the ownership is very hands on with a presence in the restaurant ensuring the food is always great. This is a fun, casual gem of a restaurant.
(5)Denise L.
Great tapas, large plates and drinks! Cava will have u covered on birthday dinners, happy hours, date nights and any other event that should include good food. I've been here a few times and would recommend almost everything on the menu. The Mac n cheese, grilled meatballs, cava crab bomb, spicy mussels, and shrimp souvlaki are my faves. I've only dined for dinner and happy hour but I'd also be open to brunch. My only warning is that Cava is a small, crowded and noisey restaurant, so be sure to make reservations.
(5)Dawei L.
I came here on a Saturday night with my girlfriend and I must say I came away quite impressed. The seating and decor is great. It's dimly lit, but comfortable and there is both inside and outside seating. The restaurant does a good job of making you feel at home.Service is good and the waiters/waitresses are nice and accommodating. Food: The place serves small plates and offers an enormous selection, you'll definitely find something you like. I had the: Mussel risotto- Mussels were cooked well, the risotto was on point and it really just tasted good. I guess it wasn't Greek food, but I would definitely get it again. I would say out of the three plates this plate had the most food. Lollipop chicken- Essentially friend chicken dipped in Greek yogurt and honey, I found this delicious incredibly delicious. Like chicken and waffles, the combination of savory and sweet(and even sour-from the yogurt) seems counter intuitive, but it was really nicely done. Definitely not authentic Greek, but something I would highly recommend. None of the flavors are too strong and the chicken was well cooked/fried. Lamb Moussaka- An interesting take on Moussaka, the eggplant is really nicely done. It does not seem like a lasagna like dish(which is what Moussaka usually seems like) but I found that the eggplant was a bit overpowering. The best part of this dish was actually the mixed vegetables they put on top. Flavorful and well-cooked, I found it a good choice. This place isn't the cheapest(each plate is about 10 bucks or more) but almost everything it has on the menu will probably taste good. I would give it a 4.5 since I don't think it was the absolute best "Greek" food I've had, but since I have to pick between a 4 and a 5, I'm going with a 4. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this restaurant if you're in Rockville and you're into Greek food, small plates, and an amazing atmosphere.
(4)Habibi S.
One of the best places to eat in Rockville in terms of food and decor. Chicken lollipops are to die for but pretty much everything we ordered was great. Half price bottle of wines don't hurt either.
(4)Muriel H.
Cava never lets me down. The lamb sliders are my fave and the lollipop chicken is so good. Anything on the menu is pretty good. I will never get enough of Cava.
(4)Alexander K.
One of my most favorite restaurants. Notable dishes are the lamb chops, grilled octopus (just fanstastic), lamb shank, grilled scallops, lollipop chicken, and the french toast. If you have a larger group of people order the "cava grill" which always pleases.
(5)Aisha S.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I went to Cava's brunch. I didn't know you could put that much flavor into a simple Challah benedict. I don't know if it came from the cheese, ham and/or basil but it was amazing. Even the poached egg tasted special. The freshly squeezed mimosas were perfect. If only they had bottomless brunch! Maybe it's better that they don't, because with some more alcohol I may end up crying for joy or laughing like a crazy person or both at the same time because of how good the food is. The french toast had the perfect amount of sweet crustiness on the outside, no sogginess at all, and the light cream that my mom always says you find everywhere in Germany. So this is happiness.
(5)Cathy D.
First time visitor. Chipotle style service. Food was delicious, will go again. Great option for gluten free dining.
(4)Ambika S.
We went here last night and were pleasantly surprised! Coming from NY we were looking for a restaurant with the NYC vibe, and this place perfectly fit. The food is served tapas style so it all comes on small plates with small quantities, but mostly focused on Greek cuisine. We ordered about 6 plates for three people, and that seemed to be enough food. The chicken lollipops are AMAZING!! The coating is perfect, not too heavy and the chicken just melts in your mouth. The mini lamb burgers were very good also. We also ordered the watermelon salad and beet salad, both of were refreshing but the beet salad was overpowered by a strong mustard dressing. The only item we weren't too fond of were the donuts for dessert since they were pretty "doughy" and seemed uncooked, but instead we ordered the baklava and it was delightful! I strongly recommend this place if you want satisfying food and great drinks with a soho NYC vibe!
(5)Maria M.
Charming greek restaurant/tapas place. I ordered the chicken souvlaki sandwich which was pretty good. The chicken wasn't dry and everything inside the souvlaki complemented the taste of the chicken. It came with fries on the side, which were pretty good fries - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside =). Service was ok... I was a little confused when the server took out his cell phone when we were ordering, but I think that's how they take your orders - through cell phones. Kinda high- techy. In any case, it's pretty expensive, but the food is pretty good.
(4)Ramy D.
Simply Great food A+ Great Customer services A+ Taste and Quality A+ Over all I DO go back if I am in town again. My wife and I were in town for a business trip. We wanted to eat Greek FOOD and that came up right away as our first option. We ordered their, Salad, Greek Gyro plate, and few of their Apptz. All were amazing but small size I think that's their ideal food as a new trend small but amazing. Which I am okay with. A little high price as well keep in mind dress code because its a classy fun place to be at maybe dinner? or even Lunch....
(5)Mulz C.
Food is great! I love the lamb kapama, risotto, lamb chops, and pretty much everything on the menu! Downfalls...they charged my credit card twice! It happened to my friend as well. She used her bank card and they accidentally withdrew $946 instead of $46!!!! The bank took close to 10 days to refund the money according to her. NOT COOL, Cava!! I would advice people to use strictly cash if you go here or American Express since they are great with refunding money right away. They also don't accept reservations and the place is very small. Expect to wait a VERY long time if you don't get there early.
(1)Rehman K.
Expensive and small portions but they are incredibly flavorful. I tried many different mezzes and only disliked one. The staff are attentive and this place is always jammed. The space is minimal. This location is out of the way for most. But it is a hidden gem as a result! Great presentation.
(4)Ankita S.
Very good, fancy place tucked away in a corner. Very good food and lovely ambience :). It's a regular for us since we live a block away.
(5)Teena N.
Wow! I have been to Cava before in Arlington and it does NOT live up to this location. The shrimp, falafel, salads are all amazing and I will definitely be back again. Great Food but the only complaint was the chickpeas in one of our dishes were not fully cooked. Other than that, this is the best Mediterranean food I have eaten in this area!
(4)Joseph F.
I just finished eating here, say at the bar and the bartenders were great. Let me sample a bourbon as I haven't had many before and found me one that I loved. I had the salmon, scallops and risotto l, tiropita, and octopus. As a former chef I have to say everything was cooked perfectly. I would definitely go back.
(5)stevie t.
I think I have to say that this is my favorite restaurant. I mean, I love a lot of places. But this is the one that we always end up craving (over and over...and over again). Just like Sugo, there are so many amazing small plate options, you have to visit a few times to narrow down your favorites. These are mine: - Chicken Lollipop - We ordered this by accident once and never looked back. Salty fried chicken with tart Greek yogurt and sweet honey. Heaven. - Steak over Potatoes - This used to be a NY Strip and is now a very tender hanger steak. I'm not usually into a hanger steak texture, but this was perfect. - Saganaki - The cheese they light on fire. I have to be honest and tell you I don't eat this because I'm not into cheese that's even a little strong. But it's worth mentioning since every single person I go with has to have it. - Halumi - Imagine a cheese that defies logic and refuses to melt at a normal temperature so that it can be grilled without becoming a complete mess. A perfect, buttery, salty flavor. That's halumi. - Risotto - Either alone, with scallops, or with mussels (I'm told). You can't go wrong. - Lamb chops w/ Fries - super tender and flavorful with no gaminess whatsoever. When I was there last night, I found out that they just started getting meats/chicken all hormone-free, grass-fed, etc. I don't know much about any of that, but it certainly sounds better than the alternative (and it was delicious as usual). We've tried all the desserts and the only one I'm not crazy for is the chocolate truffles. My husband loves them though (dark chocolate). No matter how full I am - like hobbling home full - I absolutely cannot leave without the French toast. Topped in whipped cream, berries, and honey (I actually ask for extra of all toppings because that's how disgusting I am), this is reason alone to visit Cava. If you've never been, go tonight.
(5)Maddie F.
I LOVE this place...the food is amazing, prices are decent, and service is pretty good. It is dark and the tables are close together so hopefully you like your neighbor. Zucchini fritters and spicy lamb meatballs are to die for...as is the crispy pork belly.
(5)Brenda A.
We continue to love Cava. It's still one of our favorite spots. But I can't help but say I was disappointed the last time around. The meat sampler, which is now the Chef D Plate, has changed. It was too much of the newly added pork gyro and all of the meat put over a bed of fries. Fries? And to top it off, it was put on a crappy looking plate. I just felt the dish went down hill. And while I'm sure it's just me, has the village salad gotten smaller? It matters because the village salad is one of the main reasons for eating there. I hope this place doesn't go down hill... we would miss it...
(4)Bill L.
Great place for lunch during work. The menu variety will satisfy the vegetarian as well as the omnivore. I like the dip tasting as it provides a nice variety: * Hummus * Crazy feta (whipped with jalapeño) * Tzatziki * Something like babaganoush * A red pepper/feta mixture * Taramosalata, which is whipped salmon roe, very tasty The grape leaves are also good and the grilled octopus was excellent. The various meatball dishes (beef or spicy lamb) are also worth trying.
(4)Scott S.
My wife and I really love this place. It is casual but romantic with the low lighting, and tables typically seat only 2-4 (prevents those large noisy groups). You must try the lollipop chicken and lamb sliders... and then follow up with the french toast for dessert, mmmmmm! Thought the price is slightly high, I will say overall it was well worth the trip. We have been a few times now, and the food quality and wait staff have been excellent. Be aware that for dinner they do open late, I think around 5pm. I do recommend showing up early because the restaurant is small and seats fill up very quick. They have a small bar with a large LCD TV; if you like Martini's and football as crazy as this paring may seem, Monday's are $5 Martini's and the Martini selection is rather large.
(5)Angela P.
Yes! I love this place. The wait for a table is long and patience wears thin since there was nowhere to wait the last time I came here. But as soon as you're seated, all your frustrations melt away and the experience begins. I like the environment. Yes, it is a bit dark and noisy but it feels intimate at the same time. The way they spaced the tables you don't feel the other diners peering at you. My favorites: Scallop Risotto, Cheese thing with 151, Baby lamp chops, Selection of wine mmmm! Non-favorites: There are none! Make sure you order about 3-4 small plates per person by minimum. Very hip crowd with delicious Mezzas, I'll probably be back again tonight.
(5)Lauren H.
We ate here on a Saturday night and found the food to be excellent. The Dip tasting was well done with each variety being fresh and flavorful. The gyros were the best, filling and excellent. Surf and turf was interesting. The shrimp a bit tough but the meat very tender and cooked great. TOOO loud and tight spaced of an environment however. It was impossible to hear the waitress or each other otherwise a 5 star restaurant.
(4)Martin G.
The food and service are terrific. Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes for a table. Also, it is very noisy inside. It's hard to even hear the person you're having dinner with. I think the great food makes up for everything else.
(4)George M.
good wine list, excellent, but small portioned, food. part of the appeal I guess. definitely not a place to stuff yourself. not very expensive but not cheap either. great service. good ambience. not too dressy but I wouldn't go with shorts or hoodies, its not a sports bar.
(5)Bill D.
We stopped here on a Saturday evening after river tubing. You'd have thought we were wearing suits - the service was just that good. The reviews nail this restaurant just right: small dishes to share. Everything is fresh, hot and beautifully prepared. I am on a very restricted diet so I'm just the ideal guy to eat with. My partner ordered the crab cake mezze. I ordered the roasted yellow beet salad, tzatziki and pita, whole fish and spanakopita. Service is just perfect. Discreet, simple and no fuss. As mezzes are done, they come to the table. Nothing sits under a heat lamp. The flavors? Authentic. Very consistent with my experiences in Greece and vastly better than most restaurants in DC. Not really a place I'd take kids, but certainly a great place for someone special - or a great patio and bar to hang with a group of good friends.
(5)Marisa M.
for my first review, it is only appropriate that I review my favorite restaurant . there are so many aspects of cava that make it SO amazing. from the food, to the environment, to the bartenders, to the management. i've never been to a place that all around has everything together. i'd say i'm somewhere between amazing and impossible to come here with. I have my set dishes, and you have to try them. i will allow you to try other dishes, BUT ONLY IF YOU BEHAVE. -taramasalta. a creamy citrus roe dipping sauce that is amazing with their pita, and also on everything else. -scallops risotto. not only do you get the amazing seared scallops, but their delicious risotto that can be eaten alone or with any dish. i've OFTEN claimed to want to swim in their risotto. its that amazing. -saganaki. if you go, you'll know its the right dish when they light it on fire. its a lemon-y cheese that must be tried. -WHATEVER THE STEAK IS. they sometimes change it, but its always great. i couldn't trust a restaurant or chef more. i could go on here.. but you'd start doubting me. just go. from walking in, to rolling yourself out (if you did it right...), this place never disappoints. f it. i should just work there, shouldn't i?
(5)Cliff R.
This is a "tapas style" Greek restaurant. They serve "mezze" style so it's a little larger serving size than you would expect from a tapas restaurant. They prepare every dish from scratch so be patient and you will be rewarded with a very tasty and delightful experience. Their braised lamb is so tasty; I took an order back to the hotel with me to snack on.
(5)Dennis M.
I really liked this place. The food and service were amazing. It has a large bar too. I had the lamb chops and they were cooked to perfection. My girlfriend had the lamb sliders and they too were very tasty. The octopus was very yummy. You have to get it. So good food and great service let's me give this place a great rating. The tables are a little too close together and it's a bit loud but that did not bother us at all. A must try!!
(5)The C.
We are visiting town briefly and so rely on Yelp to find good places to eat. I hope we can provide those of you who Yelp locally with some useful piece of information in return for your generosity in sharing this place! We discovered: Three people is the perfect number for dinner at Cava Mezze. Many of the dishes come in threes: three little chicken drumsticks in the lollipop chicken, three (are those deep-fried?!) spanakopitas, three perfect scallops atop the scallop risotto, three foil-wrapped pork mini sliders on a platter. And 8:30 is just about the perfect time to go for dinner on a weeknight: early enough that you can take your time, because this place is open until 10 pm, late enough that although you will not be able to hear one another when you arrive (the place is awfully popular and lined with brick...loud!!!), people will be finishing up and leaving soon. By the time your food arrives, the noise level is human. By the way, I agree with Mo, the tables by the bar (two-tops) are so loud you might as well forget being able to hear or be heard... fortunately, with three people, you won't fit at those tables easily. Yet another good reason for three! Tall ceilings. Darkwood Modern ambiance. Narrow passage between bar and two-tops opens into a big cube of a room with four exposed brick walls and a little mural/plaster. Decor is pinpoint halogens and trendy, but the most noticeable thing was that the waiters needed dancer-like skills to get between tables -- the place is so popular that there is not a lot of space between tables. All tables are very clean, wiped down thoroughly with Windex (a la BF Greek Wedding) as soon as the retreating party has left the room. This is so low-key and efficient that it's not bothersome even if it's the table right beside yours... I was impressed. The waitstaff are wonderful - friendly and very helpful. As mentioned above, the scallops atop the risotto (creamy and well-endowed with mushrooms) were perfect, the lollipop chicken was as tasty as everyone says, the spanakopita was delish, and the flaming saganaki cheese came in two small iron skillets but was also delightfully toothsome -- that is, after the fire was out :-) Avgolemono soup was nicely brothy, not crazy thick the way some places serve it, and the lamb bolognese reminded me of making pastitsio, just before you add the cinnamon and well before it comes near any milk or cheese... wide noodles and a fresh tomato-y lamb flavor. The guys ate all of the mini pork sliders, so this part is their recommendation: EAT THIS! The pork was cooked kabob-style and the guys loved 'em, wrapped in pita with the tzatziki you expect with gyros. They even attacked an innocent baklava at the end; served warm with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that somehow really brought out the cinnamon flavor in the flaky pastry. All that food and a bottle of wine and a couple of beverages came in lower than many meals out we have had in our travels, and we were all full, too, with food to bring home. Our waiter Markos brought great containers for that -- didn't have to be asked. My husband is still in a mildly euphoric state over what a great place this was, in unfamiliar territory. Excellent choice, thank you again, Yelpers, for your discerning taste and helpful natures!
(5)Elly S.
To Die For... I don't think there's any other way to describe my love affair with Cava. If you have yet to experience it, what are you waiting for? Every time I visit Cava I'm taken back to my childhood days in Greece... the aromas, the friendly atmosphere where everyone knows each other, and the tastes of home that just can't be beat. If you were fortunate enough to grow up in Greece or spend any time there, each and every bite will remind you of your best experiences there. The pork souvlaki? Every time I order it, I close my eyes before taking the first bite because I am immediately taken back to the days when I was 5 years old and running around Athens. Seasoned just right, incredibly moist, and tender... this dish is a MUST! While I always order this to share, rarely do I let anyone else take more than a bite. It's just too good to pass up. While you are at Cava, you will notice small fires being lit table-side - make sure you don't miss out on your own light show and order a Saganaki or 2 to share. It's a simple dish really, cheese that is fried then flambéed as it is brought to your table, and finished off with a gentle squeeze of lemon, but it is nothing like you've ever experienced. Just make sure you can hold off for a minute before cutting into it, so that it's just right. A few other dishes to not pass up on their menu include the Cava Fries, Zucchini Fritters, Lamb Shank, Lollipop Chicken (holy wow - Fried Chicken & Baklava combined?! Chef Dimitri, you are my hero), and the Mini Gyro Pitas. Even if you can't finish all of these things, I highly suggest ordering all of them and just taking a bite or two of each. Your mouth and stomach will thank you after. Make sure you try a martini or two as well, or if you are stopping by on a Tuesday night, don't pass up the 1/2 price bottles of wine - a deal that will only sweeten up your dining experience at Cava that much more. Opa!
(5)Jessica J.
This place is literally my favorite place to eat. I love the tapas, the choices of plates, and especially --- Monday night half off Martinis night. THE BEST. The service is amazing and quick, the atmosphere is pleasant, even though it's small. I tried it for brunch recently and it was still amazing!! Can be slightly pricey, but even just a plate or two is filling. Now I want some.
(5)Monkee C.
Not too much to add, have stopped in here several times now and easily 5/5. Food: In a word, great. Lots of variety too - so it's a good bet that even picky eaters can find something they'll like. Misc Notes: Best if you come in a group of threes, since most orders come that way. Restaurant itself is pretty small so come early or be prepared to wait during peak hours. Make sure your phone is charged, especially for dinner - it's pretty much "Cave Mezze" during those times. You'll be using your device to illuminate the menu.
(5)TejieSaba S.
My Fiancee and I absolute love this place. The atmosphere is dark and sophisticated, the wine is absolutely amazing (try FireRoad Sauvignon Blanc) and the food is finger-licking good. Current Favorites: - Lollipop Chicken - Haloumi - Hala French Toast - Arugula Salad - Scallop Risotto - FireRoad wine (Bottle) Oh it's just SOOOOO good!!!!
(5)Kristin M.
Cava Mezze is a rockstar of Rockville! (See what I did there?) It's definitely a lot trendier and sexier than I expected upon driving into a shopping center that also houses a Giant. This corner spot is dim and laid back with brick walls, drapey curtains, and a small dining space that follows along the perimeter of the bar in an L shape. I was initially surprised by the young, attractive waitstaff who all seemed to be texting while working. Tsk tsk, kids today! Then I realized that's how they were putting in orders. I was amazed! The wonders of technology! And I've apparently become an old person. Anyway, Cava's a tapas place, and they recommend about 2 dishes per person, with prices falling around $8-$13. However, by filling up on their fabulous version of the bread basket, you can definitely cut down on that...leaving more room in the budget for drinks! We wolfed the little tray of olives, olive oil, and hot pepper paste that got served with warm pita triangles when we sat down, and were pleasantly surprised that both the tray and pitas were refreshed, even as we started working on our meal (the food came out really fast). As a result, we only ended up needing three dishes for the two of us. The chicken lollipops were indeed awesome (thanks, yelpers!): three small but meaty, fall-off-the-bone fried drumsticks served on little piles of yogurt in a generous pool of honey. They reminded me of chicken and waffles with their mix of savory and sweet plus a healthy dose of fried goodness. And when I say healthy, I obviously mean wildly unhealthy. Yum! Chickpeas three ways I'd also order again, though they weren't as standout as the chicken. This dish was three chickpea balls, each served in a thick dollop of hummus with a kind of chickpea paste on top. The last thing we had was the lamb chops, which the hubs was a big fan of, and I was unimpressed by. That may have had something to do with the fact that the two chops we were served included a big, hearty one, and a small one that was mostly bone and gristle - you can guess who got which! ;) If it hadn't been 9pm on a Monday, I'd have been up for trying some dessert, and/or several of their martinis (on special for $5...every Monday I'm guessing?), but as it is, I'm looking forward to returning for another date night next time I'm out this way!
(4)Maria L.
OMG, the salads here are ah-may-zing!!! So a friend and I decided just to stop somewhere we've never been for lunch and wound up here. I was hesitant at first when I saw some of the ingredients they used, but everything I put on my salad was excellent. And it was the combination of flavors that really made it spectacular. I was licking my bowl at the end. This place is seriously on the list of my faves!
(5)Andrea B.
We love this place! However, our last visit was on a Thursday night around 7/7:30 ish and the place was packed. They gave us a table for 2 with no wait which was great. The bad part was the bar crowd! Well, lets just say the 4 guys at the bar. They were SO loud we could hear every thing they were talking about and the f bomb was used quite often. That would have really bothered me if I had my kids or grandkids with us. It just ended up being a hurry up and eat and lets get out of here, instead of a nice relaxing meal with wine. We really could not even talk or hear each other over the "bar crowd". We will go back but will plan it as any early dinner and skip the happy hour part ;)
(4)Jess Y.
Food: If not immediate obvious, this is a tapas restaurant. That is, plates are meant to be shared and are appetizer-size generally. The waiter recommended ordering about 2 tapas per person but some plates are larger/smaller than others. So, I guess it depends. For three not-so-hungry ladies, we ordered four plates total and left fully satisfied. So I had to order the lollipop chicken after reading all of the recommendations here and I have to admit that it truly is delicious. You get 3 fried chicken legs that are super juicy and crisp. Each of the chicken pieces are placed atop its personal yogurt and honey complement. This was definitely the highlight of the night and I wish we had more because I would have easily eaten the entire plate by myself. We also ordered the spicy lamb sliders which were good as were the spanakopita (flaky pocket filled with spinach and other goodies like feta, I think). It was light and crisp and perfect for sharing for 3 people. To round things out, we ordered the asparagus plate which was delicious...about 8 perfectly cooked spears...for $9. So, overall, the food is delicious and you won't be disappointed, but the prices seem sometimes ridiculous. 8 asparagus spears for $9!? I can buy two whole pounds of asparagus for less and still have a dollar to spare. I hear that the flaming cheese is also delicious. I couldn't convince my non-lactose-friendly friends to order it, but it definitely gave us a scare as we unknowningly sat next to a table that ordered the flaming cheese. We were obliviously discussing what we were going to order when all of a sudden, a gigantic fire erupted right next to my friend's seat. I nearly jumped out of my seat. Service: Service was always prompt and friendly. Our waiter was happy to explain the menu and the structure of Cava Mezze's dining options. He also seemed very knowledgeable about how many plates would fill the average diner and which plates were more filling than others. Ambiance: It really is quite loud. As you enter, it looks like a small hallway and then opens into a chaos of tables in the back. It gives off the appearance of relative chill and quiet from the front of the restaurant and through the bar/side tables, but once you get to the back it is quite noisy. Poor acoustics because it seems like every single table conversation is being constantly amplified. Don't take your soft-spoken friends here--you won't hear a word. Overall though, the place is fun and hip. Would be great for a small group of friends to catch up with (although, beware, they don't take reservations and they can get pretty crowded)
(4)Sky A.
I was in Gaithersburg on a business trip, so I relied on Yelp 100% to find the restaurants I was going to try. Cava was the first place I tried. I was 100% satisfied with my experience here. I went on a Tuesday, which has 50% off all bottles of wine (a great deal!). Between myself and 3 co-workers, we got 8 mezze. This ended up being a good amount of food to leave room for dessert. The lamb shoulder really stood out from the other dishes. Dessert was great but we should have shared as they are huge portions. The only complaints came from my older co-workers that it was too loud to hear each other and too dark to read the menu. Next time I'm in the area, I'll have to come back.
(5)Leeza P.
It is the only nice and fancy/trendy restaurant around, where you can not only enjoy the atmosphere but also enjoy the food. I have been to many nice restaurants, but none had the food as amazing as it is at Cava. Scallops, risotto, yum! If you want to go on a nice date and you don't want to have to pretend to like the food, then Cava is the place to go.
(5)S G.
Love this place! This is one of my favorite restaurants in Montgomery County. The food is always excellent. My husband and I have had maybe 75% of the menu offerings and have been pleased with every dish. The pita is fresh and hot. The olive oil is of the highest quality and the lamb is so tender it melts in your mouth. I have two minor complaints about Cava-neither of which will stop me from visiting. The service is meh. The servers are always less than enthusiastic. They do the absolute bare minimum, meaning they take your food and drink order, refill your drinks and that's it. They don't really check on you or ask how everything is, they ask if you're done and they bring the check. Again, not bad service just not good. Also, I'm going to need a touch more lighting. I get it the whole ambiance element but it's SO dark at night that I'm often forced to pull out my cell phone to read the menu. In my opinion, that takes away from the experience. I don't like having to strain my eyes and angle my arms, neck and head just to read the menu. It doesn't need to be bright but at least enough light for patrons to be able to see. Overall, love the food! Top notch, high quality, fresh Greek food. I would recommend this place to friends.
(4)Erica Y.
The quality isn't as great as they used to be. The pork belly dish used to be one of my fav there, four pieces of perfectly cooked delights. Now they give you a slab of pork belly to cut yourself...not the same! I also remember the Greek donuts used to be these huge fried dough now they are tiny bite sizes. Lollipop chicken used to be three huge chicken drums with tin foil on the bottom, now three sad looking tiny drums...Somewhat disappointed with my latest visit. With all the success Cava had and all the expansions, I guess sooner or later quality starts to slide...unfortunate.
(3)Jason I.
I've eaten at the Cava Mezze in Rockville probably about 5 or 6 times in the past year and it's one of my favorite dining options in the area. The food is great and served Tapas style. After sampling most of the menu over these last visits I recommend the 72 hour braised short ribs (very tender and delicious), grilled octopus, lollipop chicken and my favorite, their scallop risotto (incredibly creamy, perfectly seasoned and really satisfying). Pretty much all of their meat dishes are superb. I often find myself craving their risotto. Their desserts are also great (my favorite is their chocolate truffles with sour cherries). Service is always decent. As other reviewers pointed out, the place is cramped and gets filled quickly on nights. If you're searching for an amazing tapas-style restaurant in Gaithersburg / Rockville with awesome braised and slow-cooked meat dishes and spectacular grilled options you should visit here.
(5)Chinita A.
I walked in confused as hell to why my friend wanted to do ladies night here. Located in a random shopping center with parking in the rear I thought she was setting me up when I got there. It was dark and empty at the time - it just opened - but quickly filled up by the time we left. From what I saw and what the staff said it is best to arrive early even on weeknights to avoid a long wait. Speaking of the staff, our waiter explained the concept to me (I was too lazy to check yelp) and then we started to order. From the 2 - yes 2 - plates of haloumi (cheese heaven!), cava fries, hanger steak and chicken souvlaki I was stuffed and barely cracked the menu. Between the wine and 'name of cocktail unknown but did the trick', I'd say ladies night was a success. Eventually I'll try the DC location and if that one is anything like this I will certainly return.
(4)Inlovewith Barbaros A.
This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here This place is no where for kids. I came with my kid and rused out because ppl in there seemed more like mid 30 plus inside is dim lighted and not good to see what you are eating. Greeks are Turks neigbors that is why they were so much influenced in their cuisine. That I can understand. BTW most of all Turkish restaurants are located im DC so this is so far the best place to eat lamb chops (untill Turks open a restaurant here
(5)K C.
I stopped in for an early dinner. Everything was great. Food was amazing and staff was very nice. I tried the mac n cheese (good), the zucchini (good), spicy lamb sliders (amazing) and the special on the saturday the filet mignon with shrimp (to die for). Really good food.
(5)E F.
I've been here a few times. First impression, very dark. I guess it's living up to its name. My favorite dish is certainly the baby lamb chops with crispy french fries. Delicious! I did enjoy the complimentary harissa dip, spicy and yummy!
(5)Eunice K.
dips and pita bread yum brussel sprouts - yum, crispy brussel sprouts saganaki - cheese on fire is one of my fav things but i love cheese - taste great with the pita bread and harissa cava mac and cheese - diff but good scallops and risotto - flavorful - crispy but soft scallops and not overcooked lamb sliders are better than the pork sliders
(4)Robert C.
Oh boy, I must say this is the best restaurant around Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown area. The place's actually quite small & very hidden. If I didn't read the great reviews about this place, I would never knew that it existed. 1st off, the portions here are just a little bit bigger than tapas. For you who don't know how big a tapas portion is - it's very small lol. I went with my gf and ordered 3 dishes and I think that barely filled us up. Here are some of the food that we tried there: *Harissa - tomato paste, hot red pepperwith 30 other ingredients. Spicy, sweet, sour, salty. I think Harissa is officially my favorite dip of all time now. It's spicy, sweet, sour & salty; this dip'll hit all your taste buds. It's 1 of the 3 dips that're served along with pita bread - complimentary; you can ask them to bring out more. Trust me, you'll want more lol. *Scallops Mushroom Risotto ($16) - Jumbo scallops, risotto, cremini mushrooms; pan fried. Absolutely wonderful; probably my favorite dish from there. The scallops're cooked perfectly; the exterior has caramelized crust but really tender in the inside. The risotto tasted awesome, you have to eat the risotto with the scallops together; they're unbelievable. You'll be fighting your companion for that last bite. *Lollipop Chicken ($10) - Fried chicken with honey, walnuts & Greek yogurt sauce. I know, I know... why get a fried chicken right? You can just get in Popeyes or KFC. But believe me, you don't want to miss this dish. It's easily the most popular dish from there & I can see why. The chicken's very crunchy in the outside yet so tender in the inside. But the good part is that it's not oily at all; you won't feel gross eating it. The sauce that goes with it is just amazing, you'll be licking the plate off once you're done with it. *Baby Lamb Chops ($15)- served with crisped potatoes. This dish's great, the lamb's tender and very flavorful. They're able to cover that lamb smell that's usually pretty strong in most dishes. Conclusion: Probably my favorite restaurant around the area. Even though the portion can be somewhat small, it's worth it. I recommend going for dinner; they have more & better selections than lunch. If you've never been here before, you don't know what you're missing.
(5)John O.
Most of the small plates were good. Portion size is more than generous. A few decent wines by the glass. My favorite item was the baby lamb chops.
(4)A. W.
Outstanding food, service, and atmosphere. Everything is fresh and consistently delicious. In a word: amazing.
(5)Diedre C.
My husband and I went there for our much needed date night. It was amazing. The crispy pork belly was divine, and we also shared the peppercorn steak and a spinach and feta pastry puff. Definitely not a place for kids but excellent for "close to home"evening get away!
(5)Penny H.
Fantastic food - great service. a really nice place to go with a group of friends or with just you and your special person.
(5)Y. Z.
lamb chop, lollipop chicken, scallop risotto, etc.,
(5)Megan H.
After eating at Cava Mezze, I feel like I've been missing out on deliciousness for the past few years of my life. I won't lie, I've always dismissed this restaurant due to its less than attractive location next to Giant. I was completely wrong, and now, I'm overjoyed that I don't live too far away to become a regular here. I will certainly be making up for lost time by eating here much more often. My friend and I got the lamb chops, lollipop chicken, and pork belly mezze. The lamb chops and lollipop chicken were amazing, to say the least. I favored the lamb chops a little more, only because I enjoy the bolder flavor of the grill. The lollipop chicken came with a greek yogurt and honey sauce which was surprisingly refreshing and provide a nice balance to the overall mezze. DO NOT SKIP DESSERT. Just don't. We got the challah french toast that was topped with berries, whipped cream, and honey. It sounds simple, but this dish really blew my mind. This may have been my favorite, but then again, I have a major sweet tooth.
(5)M. M.
I had the lollipop chicken - and it was amazing! But I felt a bit ripped off. The pictures show large portions, and only one of mine was large and the other two were tiny. But they all tasted delish. Also had the roasted cauliflower, which was yummy. And the chicken orzo soup with egg lemon broth... which was OK. I'd imagine it would hit the spot if it were cold and you were sick. Will definitely be back.
(4)Ash S.
Here's the thing. 99% of the Fine Dining Restaurants in this area take full advantage of the fact that people in this area know next to nothing about food and wine. Most people simply assume that expensive restaurants are 'better' and as long as they can have their chicken, salad, pasta and chardonnay they are quite happy to pay whatever for it. Cava takes the approach that they are going to serve nothing but excellent food _out of sheer arrogance_ Basically they don't care if your palate sucks and you don't know the difference between a pinot grigio and a pinot noir. They are still going to give you great food, even if you don't appreciate it. I would rate this place as VERY expensive. I would also say this is perhaps the only place in this particular area that's worth the expense. I have personally tried 90% of the dishes on the menu, found them all very good to mind-blowing, and now no longer eat there because I'm tired of waiting 40 minutes for a table (and also spending 50-80 bucks in a sitting) However, I highly recommend it to everyone looking to spend 30-40 bucks per person minimum. I suggest going there on half-price wine night because half-price martini night isn't really worth it -- the 'special' martinis are made with cheap stuff. A special note: this place is great for vegetarians. MY dad won a $200 gift certificate from his job. My family of 5 (all vegetarians except for me) went there and ordered one of every vegetarian and cheese mezze. Not only was the presentation spectacular, but receiving a steady stream of tapas-style dishes was incredibly exciting. Even mundane sounding things like chick peas and asparagus were elevated to new heights, and some of the fried cheese things really took it to the next level. I guess on the flip side, I have paid 28 bucks for two beers and a grilled calamari, making me less likely to just randomly stop by for a beer and a snack when cheaper alternatives exist.
(5)Elizabeth W.
Decided to come here with a friend because she said it was good and saw some good yelp reviews. Food: 4.5/5 stars. We had: Lollipop Chicken, Dip Tasting, Spicy Lamb Meatballs, and Saganaki. I think the coolest part of our meal was watching the Saganaki get lit on fire. Saganaki is a Cheese mezze which has alcohol on it. They light it on fire. I'm a total Pyro so I think this is reason enough to come to this place. The Lollipop Chicken was delicious! Crispy on the outside and EXTRA tender on the inside! My favorite dish of the whole night! Who would have thought that Greek Yogurt and Honey would taste so good together? um...The Greeks! Delicious! The lamb meatballs were really good. At first when we bit into them, they tasted a little bland, but then the spice kicked in and we were like...YUM! Tasted really good with the tzatziki from the dip tasting too. The dip tasting consisted of Hummus / tzatziki / roasted eggplant / taramosalata / crazy feta / ktipiti and the tzatziki was the best I have had in a LONG LONG time! Most dishes were between $6 - $15 but there are some items that are more expensive. Service: 5/5 stars. I don't know her name but she was fabulous. She would rush by in her speed walk as she had tables all over the tiny restaurant and somehow see in the dim lighting that my cup was getting empty. I never had to ask her to refill it, she would just seem to know. Wonderful! She was warm and welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. We loved her and only wish she had told us her name so I could give her personal props. Decor: 4/5 Stars. This place reminds me of a place you would go to in D.C. It's like a small, loud, bar-like place, but it's a restaurant. Bar Restaurant? Dunno. The door is tiny and so is the hallway into the restaurant. One of the other customers slammed me into the wall while I was coming in and she was leaving. I was NOT happy. It's also very loud in their from the loud music to the loud patrons. This is a place I would bring my friends but probably not my family. Overall, 4.5/5 stars. This is almost as good as it gets. I'm a definite fan, and I will be back. Good Job Cava!
(4)Tarsha B.
THE GOOD: The Harissa was awesome (not too hot). It was perfectly seasoned. The wine was phenomenal and the selection is diverse. The atmosphere is cool & the portions perfectly sized. The BAD: Waiter must have been on vacation because I had to ask for his whereabouts. I could excuse that, had the restaurant been full at the time. I ordered the Spicy Lamb Meatballs. They were greasy & had too much lemon.
(3)joe b.
The food is good, not earth-shattering. Despite the gross-sounding name, the lollipop chicken is very good and not sweet. The baklava was large, making up for the steep price, but artless. Service was attentive. The atmosphere is a bit odd. The menu and interior decorating seem to be done by one person, while the music and dress of the servers seem to be done by a second person. The second person is wrong.
(4)Samantha G.
I don't even know what to say. THE BEST!! I've probably been 30 times now. I try different things every time. And I've never been disappointed! I really don't know how they do it.
(5)Michelle G.
Good service, good food, kinda high prices, but worth it most of the time. The free pita and olive oil etc that they bring you when you sit down is almost my favorite part. :)
(4)Carolyne A.
Where should I start?... My friends have been eating here for ages. I've somehow managed to skip all those meals until last night. I've definitely been missing out! It's a small restaurant with a few outdoor tables. It was a warm night so we sat outside. I knew my friends would take care of ordering so I just sat back and stuffed my face. We started off with grilled pita (only a regular might know this is an option), tzatziki, taramosalata and the olive oil dipping sauce trio. The tzatziki is incredible. I think I added it to everything we ordered. Moving on.. The saganaki, basically cheese set on fire.. in a good way, is amazing. Crispy outside with a chewing inside. They pour brandy over it at the table then light the pan. Pretty cool to see. Add it to pita or eat it alone. We ate family style so I got to try a little of everything.. Scallops over risotto, Lollipop chicken, lamb chops over fries, hanger steak and just because..risotto on its own. Everything was seasoned perfectly. Personally I really like the lollipop chicken..you can't go wrong with fried chicken! It's served on top of a Greek yogurt with honey and walnut flavors. I wish I had saved room for desert, their baklava and French toast looked so good I may just have to go back before going home to Colorado. I can't believe I've missed so many meals to this place. It really should be a staple for any Maryland foodies. Great staff, reasonable prices and fantastic food. What's left to say? GO HERE!
(5)Richa T.
I absolutely love this place!! I went here a couple of months ago and have been wanting to go back ever since. Everything that my friend and I tried was absolutely amazing. We had the spicy lamb sliders, lollipop chicken, scallop risotto and the opa opa shrimp. All of the dishes were excellent and the flavors were perfectly balanced. Our favorite, hands down, was definitely the spicy lamb sliders. For dessert, we got baklava which was served with huge scoop of ice cream which was delicious as well. Our server was very attentive and gave us his honest opinion which helped us pick out entrees that were all absolutely amazing. I recommend Cava to all my friends and can't wait to go back!!
(5)Mona R.
Love this place! The lamb kabob is good, grape leaves, scallops are good. Have referred friends and family to go here. Small space and it gets very busy very quickly so its pretty loud in there.
(5)R Q.
Been here for take-out or dine-in close to a hundred times. The food quality is always amazing and Cava still serves as the measuring stick for any Mediterranean restaurant. You can pick pretty much anything on the menu and expect to have a good meal and they are very, very consistent with how they make their food. The actual dishes are simple and tasty with never any pretentiousness or over-complication. This place is really a gem and if you haven't tried it you owe it to yourself to do so.
(5)S R.
I got the chicken souvlaki sandwich for lunch. It was great! I also got the rocket salad on the side, which was also very tasty. I wish I had checked Yelp first a couple of days ago when I tried the local Red Lobster, just because I saw it on my way. That Red Lobster was nasty! I learned my lesson: always check yelp first, to find gems like this place!
(5)Adriana L.
Our family loves this place - and we have a couple of picky eaters (adults and kids), so when the entire family likes a place, it's because it is REALLY good. Everything that we tasted there so far has been completely amazing. We went there several times and the food was always delicious (not many places in this area serve consistently good food - the kitchen staff changes and the quality changes, but not at Cava). The lamb chops deserve special mention; they are out of this world. The place is small and a bit too dark for my taste (I happen to like a lot of light), but staff is nice and helpful and, again, I can't say enough about the food. Absolutely my favorite restaurant and highly, highly recommended.
(5)Sue H.
Cava is a new discovery brought to me by the mention in Washingtonian's best cheap eats. Per a review below...um..this place is not cheap. It's in the middle. My date and I had about one small dish too many (figure $10) and each had once glass of wine and had a tab of $74. So it's no Moby Dick. But...it's got a ton going for it. If you disregard the utterly freakish location in the back of a strip mall in suburbia, it has a phenomenal interior. The atmosphere is perfectly lit, buzzing with energy. Male and female staff are cute and helpful as heck. It is now attracting a very cool crowd of young 30s (and middling 20s), but it's nice b/c it had a great age spread. Lots of families, some singles, and a fair share of match.com dates from my guess. What's AWESOME? Saganaki Risotto Dolmades What's FAIR? Lulu Shrimp Meatballs What's strangely LAME? Chicken Souvlaki (go to Moby Dick for $6 and a way better flavor execution on something that should rock at this kind of place). Def stay away from this dish. Anyway, the place is FUN. I hope it opens another location closer to DC.
(4)Ross M.
It has been a long time since I have experienced a restaurant that has been operated so smoothly. After about a 25min wait on a Thursday night (business is booming) we were promptly seated and our waitress (all of them are hot) was just excellent. The garlic peta and dips (both on the house) set the mood for a very Greek evening. We had the spanakopita (a little more creamy than what I am use to) for an appetizer and the crab cakes (excellent) and NY Strip (excellent and very tender) for our entres (tapas style). For dessert we had the baklava (skip this, I've had premade baklava that is better) and the Greek Donuts (get this instead, they were wonderful). Overall, I was really impressed. Everything was really tasty. Yes, it is dark. Yes, it is loud. This is a crowded Greek restaurant with really good food, What do you expect? I highly recommend this place, and I will be going back hopefully very soon. This is probably one of the best non-Asian (since there are so many) restaurants in Rockville.
(5)Alan G.
Oh, did I rave about the lamb sliders, the lamb chops or the lamb kapama before? How about the New York strip that comes on a bed of potatoes? Half price wine night is Tuesdays and it's always a fun crowd. No longer just a neighborhood hang - Cava has it all.
(5)Onawa C.
I took a risk and selected this restaurant for a team building excercise morale dinner and it was a success!! I love tapas, my boss is now on a Mediterranean tapas diet..scored some points!! The food, service and bill was all smiles..the best part..they took our order using an iPod app..FANTASTIC CAVA!!
(5)Jessica R.
Cava is great, especially on Tuesday nights. Just get there before 7pm or after 8pm which I've seen to be the busiest times. On Tuesdays, you get 1/2 off bottles of wine..great to share with a group of friends. The service is great unless it's super busy, when it does seem like they're brushing you off. They won't seat you until your entire party is there. I LOVEEEEEEEE the Opa Opa Shrimp. The flavor of the dill really stands out making the dish delicious on a whole other level. The first time I had it I literally had to pause to savor the flavor. The Lamb Kapama is one of my favorite dishes. When you order it, ask to have yogurt with it instead of the cheese. (I'm giving you my secrets.) It's SO GOOD with the yogurt. Although the Scallops Risotto is a bit on the pricey side, I would definitely recommend it. The scallops are cooked to perfection! Other things I would recommend: Lollipop Chicken, Lamb Sliders, Lamb Shank, Tatziki, Truffles(for dessert). Do NOT get the Cava Mac and Cheese. I decided to order it since I'm a huge fan of mac and cheese and since I've tried most of the menu, I wanted to give it a shot. Worst decision ever. It's some sort of gourmet mac and cheese with greek cheeses and wilted arugula. I forced myself to bring it home b/c I hated the thought of throwing away food, Ooh one more issue: DON'T PAY WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD. Cava ALWAYS charges me $10 extra when I use my credit card. You won't find out until you look at your monthly billing cycle and notice an additional charge. This has happened to me, several friends, and now my boyfriend (which is why I decided to write this post at all). Our bill was $54, which he paid by credit card and left a tip in cash. On his monthly statement, he saw that Cava charged him $64. If you decide to go to Cava, I would strongly encourage using cash. Just save yourself the headache of having to call them back up to dispute the charges.
(4)Joan K.
REALLY love this place. Best part about it is the really fair wine prices. Although it's sad to think that paying 2-3 times more than the wholesale price on a bottle is fair though. If you go on 1/2 price night you're basically paying MoCo retail prices for your bottle. Their red pepper spread for the pitas is so addictive!! The whole fish, spanakopita, zucchini fritters, baby lamb chops, braised meat thing are always good. I think the Opa Opa shrimp is really overrated though. My two complaints: prices and how crowded it is. While it's not super pricey, It's definitely not cheap eats. Even if you try to order just the small mezze, it adds up quickly and for the amount of food you're getting, it's not as much of a bargain as the Washingtonian thinks it is. All in all, I'm so glad they decided to open in my neighborhood!!!
(4)Johnny D.
Mixed feelings. The first time I came here, I had the BEST crabcakes and mussles I have ever had. I don't know if I was particularly hungry or if my taste buds felt lively that day, but in my mind I knew for sure at that time that they were the BEST. Second time I came a month later, the crabcakes were luke warm, and the mussles were bland and also lukewarm. I have no idea what happened. So...I'm gonna just go ahead and average the two experiences together and say this place is pretty darn good. Other than that, the seating inside is cramped and you might be seated pretty close to another group, which can be awkward. The Crab stuffed Shrimp are awesome.
(4)Roz D.
updated review: My husband and I went back to Cava on Friday night and had a great meal. I still don't recommend this place for more than two people (it's way too loud for pleasurable group conversation), but we had a fantastic meal with multiple drinks, entrees, salad, appetizers, and romantic atmosphere for under just over $100 (including tip). Our waiter, Kyle, was fabulous and the service was paced very nicely, with everything refilled before we could even notice we needed it. I highly recommend the Greek salad, white bean appetizer, grilled meatballs, baby lamb chops, Chicken Kapama, and anything with orzo--especially the orzo. --------------------------- original (2 star) review: We were very excited to visit Cava after reading the many great Yelp reviews. This sounded like just where we wanted to take some special dinner guests who we don't get to see very often, and no need to go into the city, this was just a few miles from our house! But, we were disappointed. The tapas-style dishes and wine selection were good, including many Greek wines, and the service was good. "Good" is the best I can do, though... In any other environment I would have enjoyed the food. But to be blunt, the place was just too loud to enjoy a moment of it--not just busy and abuzz with social life, but so loud that we literally had to SCREAM across the table, so loud that we could not even carry on a conversation with our two guests, so loud that it ruined a very special meal. Now, I like a louder-than-average, social, bustling atmosphere, but I am amazed that they can do such good business with such a level of noise. It was unreal. (In fairness, we were seated at 8pm on Saturday night, probably the busiest time.) We really wanted to like this "gem" in our back yard, but it was a painful experience. If you can get there and get a table outside (two or three on a small patio in back), I say give it a try.
(4)J W.
congrats on the great ratings CAVA MEZZE! always have a great time and enjoy the delicious food and drinks when i come through at any location.
(5)Janice V.
i love this place, its awesome! the food is great, ive been here twice. the flaming cheese has an awesome show, but doesnt taste good, becomes stuck to the pan when cooled. the chickpea salad i ate last time was great. the only other bad thing was the noise level, it was too loud, i had to yell to talk to the person sitting in front of me. this place is just too popular. i had lots of things on the menu exception of the olives. the hummus dip is awesome, lamb chops was tender and juicy, tasting dip, gyros, lolipop chicken was my favorite, fried calamari, and shrimp risotto were all so good as well
(5)Irina G.
This place is deeeelicious! Weve been there several times and really enjoyed the food, but when it gets busy and crowded the people waiting all bunch up in the front and the servers have to step over them so waiting for a table is unpleasant but its great during non-busy times!
(4)Sean L.
Deco & Atomosphear: nice/good decoration, darker dining envornment as typical bar setup, not a huge main dining section but still comfortiable. Beverage: should have full menu, but didn't try Lavatory: decorated & typical clean Service: average good & attentive waiting Cost/Value: not expensive for each Mezze, but portion is relatively smaller than American, but a bit larger than tapa Food: free Hummus with two dippings - 8 pt Salad Mezze - Rocket Salad - kids didn't like its bitter taste, but I somehow like it for very good Balsamic vinegar dressing - 8 pt Cheese Mezze - Saganaki (MUST TRY) - waiter lite up the 3 feet flame from brandy, outside turn to golden crispy with deviant good smell and morrarella-like inside - 10 pt Pita Mezze - Mini Chicken Pita - remind me a very good chicken gyro - 8.5 pt Meat Mezze - ordered The CAVA Grill, not all kinds are good, some are average. Lamb chops - very tender and juicy - 9 pt, Chicken Souvlaki - 8 pt, Grill Meatball - 10 pt, Pork Souvlaki - 7 pt, Spicy Village Sausage - 8 pt Seafood Mezze - Grilled Baby Octopus (MUST TRY) I never had octopus in this soft & tender but fully cooked before. - 10 pt Also Scallops Mushroom Rissotoo - Scallops was grilled to perfection with remarkable tastful creamy rissotoo - 9.5 pt
(4)Michelle S.
The food and atmosphere are AMAZING! The scallops risotto, crab cakes, braised beef and village salad are at the top of my list but I have honestly never had a dish there that wasn't good! This is my favorite restaurant in Rockville despite the close quarters and bad acoustcs!!
(5)Bill P.
Review #40.....do I get a prize? Ike? I went for the entire experience last night at Cava arriving at 5 sat at the bar and staying to 8 to watch the tidal wave of customers move through. Went from being only person in place at 5 turned around at 5:40 place packed!!!!! The NY strip rocked medium rare though could use some accompaniments and barkeep Koula makes great sour apple martinis and she's definitely a keeper. Their pita slices and olive oil harissa and hummus are a great way to start out....on the house of course!!!!! Can't wait to visit Cap Hill !!!!
(5)Saad S.
Went with a couple of friends. We were all super impressed. Some of the highlights were the lamb sliders, haloumi, spicy village sausage, and the greek donuts. For small plate versions, the portions were plentiful. I don't think I could come up with anything negative to say about last night's experience. Wait, they kept trying to take the empty donut bowl even though there clearly was still some walnut and honey syrup left to be slurped up. Yep, this place has shot up to one of my favorite places to eat. Can't wait to see it in Clarendon.
(5)chau n.
this place is like crack. i have dreams about the scallops risotto, i will come here as frequently as i can for this dish. all the other small plates are great, i am also partial to the lambchops and of course the mini donuts dessert...and the spanakopita. great spot, and half off wine bottle mondays isn't half bad either!
(5)Steve S.
Absolutely Outstanding. Best food in the area! I seriously can't get enough.
(5)Yg X.
The dishes ordered were in fact quite simple, but we wonder how they can make them taste so bad. Maybe we had trespassed into the wrong territory, = (
(1)W T.
For food, I would give it 5 stars. The only reason for reducing the stars to 4 is the ambience. The darkness and the loudness just makes you want to leave there a s soon a s possible. It is hardly a relaxing dining experience. The tables are too close to each other also. So since I can get great Greek food elsewhere, I will much rather choose a more relaxed restaurant. For this reason, I will not be returning to this restaurant. For those who decide to go there, do try the mini gyros and the sauteed calamari. Yum! The big fat asparagus were delic also. For dessert, u must try the doughnuts.
(4)Frank S.
Love the food. Great salads, grape leaves, meatballs (a few different types) and practically everything. I eat there frequently. Very good looking, trendy crowd. The place is always crowded and loved by all. The atmosphere is dim and noisy. Not a great place for kids because the crowd is more single, less family and very noisy. However, if that is not an issue there would be no reason not to bring the kids.
(5)King B.
Delicious, very well-prepared Mediterranean food. Highly recommended. Great wine selection. Also must try Cava Mezze Grill in Bethesda, which is Cava on the go - brilliant.
(4)David W.
Amazing mezze. Always busy. New menu as of 7/2010. Bring your ID because they carded my lovely wife, despite being considerably older than 21 (but they left me alone...perhaps they could sense the work I put into fathering three children). Strange as it might sound, I think the best items here at Cava could be the salads. They are truly amazing. So, if you are reading this and trying to decide on whether to visit, go for it. Its a great place.
(4)AJ S.
Really nice place, nice food with lesser portions which I like because I think it is stupid to give huge portions per serving unless you want to gain extra 300 pounds after your meal, nice wine collection, near mediterranean food taste, the ambience. The only thing I did not like was how small the place was and had to wait 45 minutes for a table. :)
(4)Cara F.
I went here on a Saturday night around 7 and was able to get a table outside immediately. Overall, it was a great meal. I ordered the Van Gogh Mango Martini which, I probably should have expected, was a tad too sweet for my liking. We also ordered 4 dishes: 1. Saganaki - This flaming cheese dish was fantastic and fun. 2. Lamb Chops - The lamb chops were fine, nothing extraordinary. This was probably my least favorite dish. 3. Chicken Souvlaki - Very good, but did not compare to the cheese and crab cakes. 4. Crab cakes - delicious! I enjoyed our dinner and Cava and will definitely return.
(4)Todd S.
I wanted to really love this place being out in the suburbs, but I found it OK. Not bad - I would go again if someone wanted to head out that way but would not top of list for a place I would choose to go again. Interesting take on tapas from a Greek perspective and can be fun with a few people but a funny crowd at times.
(3)Leila T.
I came here for a birthday dinner with my family. The interior is dimly lit, dark wood/exposed brick, bustling with sounds of peoples voices, clinking glasses, and lounge music. Everything is served mezze style (each person orders 2-3 mezze and shares w/eachother). To start they bring you bread with a dish of kalmata olives, olive oil, and a pepper tepenade (spicy). Ordered the tzatziki yogurt as an appetizer which was a nice way to neutralize the spicy tepenade. After the appetizer, the mezze started flowing, dish after dish. First: Spanakopita. Light, flaky, warm. Perfect. Second: Zucchini fritters over a yogurt sauce. Crisp on the outside, a bit mushy on the inside. Third and fourth: Chicken and pork souvlaki, 2 skewers of each. Note: (I am a vegetarian so I will write on behalf of my brother) - tender, full of flavor Fifth: Braized meatballs w/ a wine/tomato sauce Sixth: Kastoria Beef topped with feta - tender beef, falls apart in your mouth The service was phenomenal. We never had an empty glass or an empty bread basket. The food came out fresh and piping hot. I would definitely come back for dinner and for $5 Martini night (Mondays) Note: they do NOT take reservations!
(5)Chris P.
Go Gaithersburg/Rockville/whateva!!! I live on the west coast right now, hence I use Yelp instead of Citysearch, and I used Yelp to find this cute little joint. If only you weren't parking in a parking lot next to a Giant.... *Sigh* but that is suburbia for you! But the restaurant is very cute one inside. You almost forget you are in a strip mall! It is a bit crowded, (need to work on the entrace) but very tastefully decorated. And the food is really good! We got the Meat platter, which came with chicken kabob, sausage (spicy and yummy!), lamb chops (delicious) and a few other meats. Some of them were a bit salty though. We also got the seafood platter!! we were stuffed!!! The calamari was nothing to write home about (the mayo dipping sauce next to it could use some work), buy my sis in law really liked it. The crabcakes were very tasteful to me though. The mussels were pretty good, but many of the shells were missing the meat! One thing not in the seafood platter that we ordered anyways was the *scallop risotto* which was probably the most incredible dish of the night. I love scallop, and they did an excellent job grilling it with a bit of a sweeter base, and then placed it on an awesome risotto bed. I kinda wish we just got that instead of the whole seafood platter! I have to second another reader's comment on how that the red pepper dipping sauce for the pita bread is yummie too! Thanks yelp, you never fail me! I even found a decent place in G-burg!
(4)Lucy B.
Everything. Yum.
(5)Adri B.
Cava was so delicious, I woke up this morning still thinking about it. And I've thought back on it quite a few times today. Had the lamb chops with potatoes and mac n' cheese: OOOOPAAAA! Rice pudding for dessert: OOOOPAAAA!!! The staff is also very nice and personable. I cannot wait to return again. My only (-) is the outdoor view. I primarily went to sit outdoors on the one summer night it wasn't 100+ degrees and the view is of the back of a Giant grocery store and the attached parking lot. But, honestly, with good company I didn't really notice once I started chatting. Plus, I'm sure the owners save beaucoup on rent which keeps the prices cheap for what you're ordering (OOOPAAAA!!!). Now on my list of favourite restaurants.
(5)Teresa H.
UPDATE 8/17/08: I've been here quite a lot after my last review and just wanted to highlight some more of the unforgettable dishes they serve. Scallops Risotto...MUST TRY! 3 enormous sea scallops seasoned, grilled to perfection and served over a bed of cream-of-mushroom-infused-risotto. The dish is very simple, but so perfect. The risotto complements the scallops wonderfully. Branzini (Mediterranean Rockfish) whole fish - lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and other herbs and then grilled, it brings out a diverse flavor that doesn't taste fishy, yet contains a sweetness to it that is unmatched. It is a little pricey at $29, but it's so good and I try to get it as often as I can. I would recommend only getting this dish when the Branzini is offered. They sometimes have the local rockfish and it's a little too mild for the preparation they offer (and not worth the $29). $5 Martini nights on Mondays and 1/2 price bottle wines on Tuesdays. I also wanted to add that a lot of the hot waiters are no longer serving there (probably got a modeling job somewhere). **sigh** Regardless, I will be back again for some yummy food, which is still consistently delicious. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This place is delicious! I went here with some friends on a Monday night and the place was packed. When we finally got our table, they came out with the warm pita bread as soon as we sat down and let me tell you I was in heaven. I'm not a big bread fan, but these were warm and melts in your mouth and definitely homemade. Not to mention they brought out the house dip, which was some red peppery spicy dip that was almost better than the Hummus combo we ordered. The combo came with regular, crab, and eggplant hummus and tzadziki. All were absolutely delicious but I'll have to say the eggplant hummus was my favorite of the bunch. The dips were so good we almost filled up on the bread. That was just the appetizers. Among the 5 of us, we ordered, the lamb chops (YUMMY!), mussels, chicken souvlaki, zucchini plate, the cheese flambe, some kind of beef stew-like dish and cheese fries. I'm not a big cheese fan, so it might be unfair of me to say that the cheese items weren't all that enjoyable. But the cheese flambe had a great "flaming" presentation, which was really cool. Everything else was so tasty and delicious it makes my mouth water thinking about it. Not to mention it was $5 martini night on Mondays. They had a great selection of wine and trendy martini drinks which, for the price, is pretty awesome. The outside is pretty dark and it doesn't have a lit sign so it's pretty easy to miss. I never knew this place was there and past it twice while looking for it. I totally fell in love with this place and will definitely come back again and try some of their other dishes. And btw - the servers are all tall, dark and handsome...LITERALLY!
(5)Nikki G.
Yum, yum, yum! I love Cava. There is a little bit of a wait, but its well worth it. We ordered a handful of dishes (some of my favs were the calamari and the french toast dessert). The waitstaff was attentive, friendly and offered good recommendations. After ordering it didn't take long for the plates to start arriving from the kitchen....which is always a plus when you are hungry. Highly recommend.
(4)Katie T.
Delicious. Flambeed cheese was all over the place Monday night at this modern Greek restaurant. Although I didn't order any this time, I'll definitely try it next time--and there will be a next time, because there's a lot more I'd like to sample. The olives are a great (free) starter, along with the pita, olive oil, and hot stuff. It was half-price martini night, and the peach-themed one turned out to be strong and darker than I expected (in a good way). Dill, olives, tomatoes, and capers were themes. The Greek salad was a well-made standard--but possibly not what you want to spend your calories on while you're there, since there are many more interesting options. Mussels are very good. Spanakopita is better--very light flaky (phyllo?) pastry, and inside, more spinach than cheese, making it lighter and less filling. The baby lamb chops are amazing. Artfully presented, tender and well-marinated. The fries they come with get a little soggy, but they still taste great. Washingtonian magazine said that they brought in their baklava from somewhere else, but that seems to have changed--I asked, and our waitress said it was made in-house. It was on par with the rest of the food. Lots of cinnamon, and the honey was extra-flavorful, almost fruity. Odd location--next to Giant in a sort of restaurant strip mall. Eating outdoors would be nice except for the view--parking lot and grocery shoppers (although they try to make it a little nicer with a row of little trees to separate outdoor tables).
(5)Sylvie A.
I can't believe I've avoided this place for so long just because it's near Giant. Like the other reviews show, this place is a wonderful spot and serves some seriously amazing food. I love their martinis, and they use good liquor. The price on them is great, and even better if you go during one of the specials nights. The service is polite and helpful. The ambiance is also wonderful - the inside is cozy, well-decorated, and perfectly lit. Even though it's a small place, you get the feeling of being in an upscale restaurant. The prices are completely reasonable though. Because it's so good, this place gets filled up fast. I recommend going close to dinner opening to get a seat. Otherwise, you're going to have to wait, and there's no comfortable waiting area in the restaurant. I also suggest being adventuresome with the menu offerings. Their simple fare, like calamari and disco fries, are fine, but surprisingly unspectacular. I was hoping to have the best calamari of my life here, but it was a bit chewy and nothing special. The lamb and octopus were amazing though, and the salads are great. The only disappointments I have are that the platters are good for sharing with two people, harder with an odd number of people. The menu doesn't tell you how many come out on a plate, but it's usually two of whatever you order (two lamb sliders for example). Keep that in mind as you order and consider the prices. I also wish they'd provide tongs or large spoons like other tapas places. It's hard to share food like salad using just your own forks and knifes, and if you're dining with a group, it might be a little icky. You can ask for more utensils, but I think it'd be smart if they went ahead and provided them on their own. Come early or on a weeknight and you should be pleased. But be prepared to a busy wait if you're stopping by around peak times on Friday or Saturday.
(4)Sally C.
Oy. I ate there last night, and am still recovering from my food coma. I must admit, I was a little put-off when we walked in. They don't take reservations, and we arrived at about 7:45 on a Thursday night. The hostess told us it would be a 30-35 minute wait. There was nowhere to stand to wait, since there are tables immediately to your left and an extremely crowded bar on your right. It was also VERY LOUD. VERY, VERY, LOUD. WHAT WAS THAT? LOUD!!!!!! After a few minutes we decided to see if we could manage to get a drink at the crowded bar. We were behind several groups, but somehow the bartender noticed us and handed us a drink menu. We ordered two glasses of wine, which were tasty and I think about $8 each. Reasonably priced. This was my least favorite part of the whole experience, but I really just don't like hanging around a noisy bar. Personal preference. Our table was ready relatively quickly. We had been told it would be a 30 minute wait but it was probably about 15-20. Our waiter came very quickly with bread and water. The bread was served with 3 dips - two olive oils, and one mysterious red dip. It was VERY hot, but it was SOOOOOOO good! The waiter told us it was harissa (sp?) with 38 different spices. My mouth was burning but I just couldn't stop dipping my warm bread into it! Yummm!!! Be forewarned: the dishes are bigger than tapas. My husband and I ordered 3 dishes each at our last tapas place - we ordered 2 things each here and were stuffed to the gills afterwards! We ordered the following: -Lamb dish (with orzo pasta and feta) - YUM! My favorite of our dishes -Sauteed zucchini and squash - YUMMMY!! Second favorite. -Baked feta and tomatoes - good, but very rich and it is a whole lot of feta. Least favorite. -Chicken skewers - yum! My husband didn't like these as much but I thought they were delicious! The food came out very quickly, and was served to us in whatever order it was ready. Before we realized how full we were, we ordered baklava for dessert. It was good, but didn't seem fresh. The crust was a little tough as if it had been sitting out since that morning. Would have been spectacular if it was fresher. Also ordered two coffees, which were forgettable. Overall, yummy! Don't come here expecting romance because you won't be able to hear your companion. Come here for some damn good food and hope that someone around you orders something that they set on fire in front of your table! (The flames go up to the ceiling!) We ordered: 2 glasses of wine, 4 mezze, 1 baklava, and 2 coffees and our total with tip was $80.
(4)Anita S.
This place has great food! My friend took me here for my birthday and we both had amazing food! We got tapas to share and left satisfied and happy! I also came here for lunch and it's a great upscale lunch place!
(4)Rex H.
The portions look small. However, they are not. The clam risotto is to die for, but the tzatziki is bizarrely Philadelphian, which is to say, like the cream cheese. Interesting drink selection. Arrive early -- preferably before 5:30 -- because the place is small and fills up mega quickly, even on Sunday.
(4)Jennifer R.
I love this place! It's one of the best restaurants in the area. Most of the items I have tried have been pretty tasty. The braised beef, the tzatziki sauce, and the scallop risotto are my favorite dishes. But everything I have tried has not been a disappointment. If you have room for dessert, the Greek donuts are amazing! They are warm donuts glazed with honey. Definitely one of my favorite places in the Rockville area.
(4)Nora H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. I hope they relocate somewhere else in Rockville to a place with more room so you don't have to wait for too long, and you're not rushed to finish your dinner quickly. Great octopus, the most wonderful bread around, and the hummus and other dips are to die for. Good selection of Greek wines.
(5)Lisa W.
Have been here numerous times for girls night out. Their food is fabulous. I have not had one item I did not like. Gets a little noisy. Wish the tables were not soo close. Now that they offer a gluten free menu, I may take hubby there
(5)Vipul M.
The food at this place is amazing....It's been the 3rd or 4th time we've been here and I think the food just got better. Usually the food is not as good the 2nd or 3rd time around - but tonight it was spot on. We had the zucchini fritters - crunchy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. The Lamb Kampano --- my favorite -- it's a simple orzo and lamb dish -- but simply outstanding. Probably a great winter, hearty meal -- but it hit the spot. I've had this everytime and its still one of my favorites. Then the lamb slider -- wow!!! Probably the best burger I've ever eaten -- spicy red pepper paste and hearty. We also had the bifteca (sp) -- it was good, as well -- nice kick of spice at the end. The only bad thing about this place -- (which doesn't really bother me) is that the location is next to a Giant and it's a bit loud in the dining area -- but other than that, this place has great food! We'll be coming back again.
(5)Tim S.
This is possibly me and my wife's favorite local restaurant. And even though it can seem cramped or dark at first glance, somehow it just works. The tzatziki is amazing, the best spanikopita ever, and we love all the lamb dishes we've had (highly recommend the lamb kapama). And the portion sizes are nice so you get a chance to eat a lot of different things. Always a winner!
(5)Alice K.
Really small restaurant so all the tables and waiting areas were packed! The next table was less than a foot away from us. Ambiance is alright and service was average. Went with one other person, so everything was split between two people. I'd say 3 dishes is more than enough for two. The complimentary flatbread and dips they gave us were pretty good. We started off with the saganaki, which was cheese that they lit on fire (popular starter), but I'm not sure a bowl of cheese each was the best idea- I had a bite or two and pretty much done with it. Very difficult to finish the enter thing. Had the lollipop chicken and it didn't wow me. Reminded me of BonChon but maybe a bit sweeter. There were maybe 4 or 5 little drumsticks. The lamb chops, however... were amazing! It was cooked perfectly, super soft, and very flavorful. There were two chops. We also got the scallop risotto and that was not bad. Wouldn't say best thing on their menu. I love tapas so I'd go there again to try their other stuff.
(4)Roy R.
Phenomenal food, I love this place. The advantage of the tapas style menu allows for trying a variety of items, none of which will disappoint. Service has always been excellent and the martinis are stellar. Yes, very noisy and pretty crowded on almost any night so it's not a first date kinda place. Try the saganaki, cheese flambeed with 151 at your table, grilled octopus, mini chicken souvlaki sandwiches and the grilled meatballs. PLEASE save room for the Greek donuts. Well done fellas!!
(5)Chelsea W.
I've been to Cava Mezze multiple times. The last time I dined there the experience was nothing less than spectacular. The restaurant was cozy with a great buzz. There was a wait, so we went to the bar and had a couple of the yummy handcrafted cocktails. Despite the hopping crowd we were greeted and served very promptly by the friendly bar staff. Upon sitting down we ordered a bottle of Greek varietal wine, Sigala, recommended to us by our knowledgeable and personable server, it was delicious and crisp, a perfect accompaniment to the divine meal to come. The server brought out a basket of warm pita along with a side of their home made spicy harissa sauce. Talk about fantastic! I was so excited to hear that they are now selling this dip at whole foods. I will definitely be keeping this as a staple in my fridge! There are so many great options on the menu it made it difficult to decide! The lamb chops were prepared to perfection and were succulent served over a bed of their crispy fries. The crab bomb overwhelmingly huge and tasty with just enough "filler" to hold the jumbo lump together. The scallops risotto were seared impeccably and set atop of a bowl of their comforting mushroom risotto. The wilted greens were shockingly great with an interesting bitter taste to them. How can you really make a vegetable dish taste that wonderful? Cava is a great place to go on a date or in a large group of people. There is something for everyone at this place! If you don't think that this place is nothing more than fantastic there is something wrong with you. This will definitely be my go to place to bring out of town guests to entertain and impress.
(5)Tien T.
I've always had a good time eating and drinking wine here. It's cramped, small, dark, loud but once you open that bottle of wine (go on Tuesday for 1/2 off bottles) and your food starts rolling in, what a wonderful place Cava is =) Do not miss the following: Scallops Rissoto (perfectly seared scallops cooked just right!) Mini Chicken Sandwiches (grilled chicken w/ tzatziki sauce wrapped in a pita) Baby Lamp Chops (I usually remember about Mary's little lamb and don't venture near lamb, but here all memories fade once that succulent smell hits your senses!) Braised Meatballs Greek Fries Spanakopita Greek Donuts Baklava Yes, I love to eat.
(5)kevin l.
Best Greek food I have had yet. Get there early since reservations are not accepted. Love the gyros, lamb sliders, rack of lamb, and Harissa sauce. I had one issue with a sausage appetizer that was way too salty but they took it off my check, so all is good. Drinks are overpriced for Rockville but I don't judge restaurants by their drinks.
(5)Amanda K.
First of all, I want to clarify that the ONLY reason I'm not giving Cava 5 stars is because of the noise and crowds. That being said, after 6 visits over 2008-2009, the food and drinks remain outstanding. With a choice of 12+ specialty/exotic martinis and a short but interesting wine list, I can totally understand why the bar is always packed. The wait staff, however, does an admirable job of navigating through the hordes... kudos to them, I could never do it. The food is nothing short of excellent. I've had about 3/4 of the tapas offered at this point, and the kitchen does a great job with both the Greek classics and the more modern items. The chicken items can occasionally be on the dry side, but they more than make up for it with the vegetarian and seafood offerings (lamb and beef are usually very good as well). Best dishes include Opa Opa Shrimp, crabcakes (best I've ever had, and I'm a native Maryland girl), flaming cheese (of course, put cheese and flaming alcohol together and you get nothing less than yumminess) and the donuts with honey and cinnamon for dessert. With the small table and cramped quarters, my friend and I didn't have a problem carrying on a conversation over the excessive noise, and there was definitely a festive atmosphere that was contagious. However, I've been there with larger groups where conversation was considerably more difficult given the circumstances. So, go expecting to be a bit cramped, go a little deaf, get a fun drink and have some laughs while you wait for your table. It is ABSOLUTELY worth it.
(4)PJ T.
Descent crowd, the food is ok honestly, I think too much butter and very oily. Cool place to hang out, although the crowd is a bit older. I like the shady grove location, but Capital hill is not bad either.
(3)Will O.
I went to dinner here over Inauguration Weekend (Monday night) and had really mixed feelings about it. The food was pretty good, especially the crab cakes, which is my general criteria for the quality of a restaurant. The waiter was also really nice and attentive. But this place was not easy to find (the entrance is on the side of the Giant) and sooo dark inside. To the point that it was difficult to read the menu. We lucked out and got there early and they seated us right away, but within 15 minutes the crowds came in and the restaurant became really loud and overcrowded.
(3)anna c.
We got here on a Wednesday night around 8:45pm so we could avoid a long wait. When we got there we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table which was very quick compared to waits I've had to endure at other restaurants. When we got seated the server came by and asked us if we had ever been there. We said we haven't so he gave us an explanation of their menu. We chose Lamb Chops, Braised Beef, Mac n Cheese, Calamari, and the Beef Meatballs. The foods came out very quickly and they all just came out when they were ready; no particular order. While waiting, a basket of pita and some tapenade and olive oil were brought out as we waited. The food was all very good but a bit heavy on the salt. I was stuffed and we had plenty of leftovers to take home. My favorite dish is probably the lamb chops and the mac n cheese. The mac n cheese was not the traditional American, heavy cheese sauce type. The noodles were very good and you can tell it is not the typical dry pasta used. The restaurant is a bit dark and loud for my liking. Overall I liked the food alot and will definitely be coming back. Maybe on a cooler night so I can sit outside.
(4)Gerri S.
If you have even glanced at the reviews you know people wax lyrical about the sumptuous food, the gorgeous ambiance, the reasonable prices and the pleasant and attractive staff. All this is true. But Cava oh Cava why the 11/2 hour wait for a table when I arrived at 6.30pm?? I was there with a group of friends for a birthday dinner and I kid you not I was this close to grabbing something edible off of the trays from the kitchen as we stood and stood and stood. There really isn't any good waiting area so the hungry waiting crowd is tortured with all the great food coming out of the kitchen and really with all the flambe-ing that goes on this is a fire hazard. I think there is a reservation system that would still secure them a healthy stream of diners if they would be willing to look into one even for a busy weekend night. I'll probably only return under that condition because as much as we ultimately enjoyed the experience we weren't prepared for the amusement park line to be seated.
(3)Andrew S.
Might be no better restaurant in Montgomery County! We are regulars there and the service is always excellent and consistently every dish is an explosion of flavors. We like spicy food so we partake pretty much everything on the menu. Even the Hummus and Harissa pita appetizer is enough to write home about. The only downer is THEY TOOK AWAY THE GREEK SAUSAGE!!!!. They used to have this 'from scratch', spicy Greek sausage, but apparently it would spoil too quickly so they took it off the menu. Was considering doing a protest but then it might seem too much like their native country.
(5)Julia B.
Love love love Cava! The martinis are strong and delicious, the food is amazing, the servers are fast and attentive and the atmosphere is very unique. I've been here over a dozen times and every visit is a treat. Usually, my girlfriends and I come for the usual menu: 2 orders of tzatziki sauce, hummus, fries (crispy fries topped with feta and spices), lollipop steak (succulent fillets topped with jumbo shrimp and sauce), and crab cakes. Usually our bill amongst the 5 of us comes out to about 25-30 a person. Great price for the quality and amount of food. Also, everything comes out super fast, so you can keep ordering and know that if you get a craving for something new you can order it and be eating in no time. We can never get enough of the bread, it goes so well with all of the dips. I've also gotten the meat and seafood platters, very good deal if you have a lot of people. The Blue Door martini is one of my favorites. Another great thing is you can get a bottle of wine and take it home if you couldn't finish it. The only drawback is the wait, which can be 2 hours+ on busy nights. No reservations, so it's a good idea to get someone from your party to stop by early and put a name down. Believe me - it is worth the wait.
(5)Christie W.
Cava is AMAZING!! The food is excellent! I have never had anything here that I did not LOVE!! They have a wonderful wine list, delicious martinis, and the food is to die for! The staff is friendly and polite, and on top of their game. I can't wait to try out their newest location in DC! Cava is definitely worth the wait, and trust me you will be coming back for more!
(5)I See Y.
Been there when it was opened. It was good then and still good now. Read the recent reviews below and you'll be a happy camper.
(4)Tammy L.
New rating is a solid 3 stars (old rating was 3.5). I came back and I didn't really like what I ordered. Service was just fine, server was very polite, but I wasn't very happy with the food. Perhaps this had to do with the fact that I was limited in what I could order because I was eating with someone that has a stomach sensitivity to seafood. The food was also very salty. Saganaki was grosser than I remembered (lots of bubbling oil and grease left in the mini skillet) and very salty. Braised beef was salty and after the saganaki, I was all cheese-d out so I couldn't even look at the feta that it was topped with. Still very tender, good seasoning, saltiness aside. Fries, always tasty. I tried some new stuff too. Hummus was very good, kind of chunky how I like it. Mushroom risotto was good but only if you like salty clams, but my dining partner and I didn't know it was made with clam broth because I didn't see anything about it on the menu (I'm pretty sure I checked over our selections to be sure) and I found it under the "vegetable inspired" section. We just got back from dinner and he hasn't thrown up yet, so it's all good so far =D I think if I go back, I will order some of what I ordered last time (definitely the crab cake) and I'll still be on the hunt for some other menu items I can count on.
(3)Kenneth P.
This is a perfect place to drink and have dinner if the weather is nice like today sit outside and get the lamb chops fantastic and they have this cheese that they set on fire yesss dinner and a show!! Service is great and the prices are reasonably.
(5)Nicole G.
Cava is one of my favorite places to eat in MD. Try the mussels risotto - so delicious! I have never had a thing on the menu I didn't love! The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, no matter how busy. Make sure to visit this place!
(5)Jane N.
3.5 stars if possible. Go for the martini bar! Try the peach or pomegrante. The food is all right if you don't mind salty foods. I like salty foods, but this place went a little overboard with their baked chicken and their meatballs. I like the salmon dip if you mix it with the red peppers. For about 4 girls, we ordered 5 dishes and had more than enough. I thought the mezze dishes would be a lot smaller like other mediterranian places I've gone to, but they're actually a pretty good sized portion.
(4)Bruce D.
Far too noisy, too dark (you need a flashlight to read the menu) and tables are much too close together. You have to worry about knocking food off the other diner's tables when you squeeze between them. Food was OK but certainly not anything special. Typical tapas mentality - small plates are not priced too high but after you order enough to eat (3-4 dishes) you end up spending more than at a white table cloth restaurant - without the elegance or privacy. Tiny, one at a time bathrooms. Drink prices are higher than most. Avgolemono soup was average - big chunks of chicken but it's supposed to be a delicate soup - it was more like a chowder. Baby octopus salad was not "baby" octupus at all but rather larger octopus cut into small pieces (and very few pieces). Haloumi cheese needed something extra. Roasted mussels were a disappointment. Will not go back. Tapenade (gratis) was very tasty.
(2)Kevin S.
Quite good. Consistently good. Somewhat funky. Worth the wait. Enjoy!
(4)H D.
Didn't even know the shopping center or restaurant existed except for a friend's recommendation... suburban parts of Rockville are hardly known for fine dining. But what a pleasant surprise! The place was only 1/4 full or so at 6pm on Friday, and they made me wait until my entire party was present. Understandable if they were busy but it was not busy at 6pm. No matter, waited at the bar with a drink. The friendly bartenders offered me a menu to peruse (some classic Greek dishes and some new and interesting twists on Greek dishes), pita to munch, and their menu suggestions which later turned out to be right on the mark. Interior is cozy, even intimate... charming and dark (too dark for my aging eyes, had to use my mobile phone as a flashlight to read menu). A bit too much noise reflecting off the hard surfaces when packed at 7pm, but not enough that I couldn't talk and hear my friend at my table. Started with a very nice Greek wine, Katogi Cabernet-style. Expensive by the glass, but didn't ruin the meal. I had never tasted Greek wines, but I would order it again! With drinks, some pita and 3 delicious dips (spicy red peppery stuff, olive oil, and olives) were presented in lieu of the bread basket you might find at other places. Ordered a Mezze platter of Hummus, Taramosalata (salmon roe dip), Eggplant Dip (like babaganoush), Tzatziki. All very good, but too much dip for just 2 people; we ended up taking the remainder home. Then the Saganaki (pan fried Kefalograviera cheese flambée... and i do mean big flames!). It looked like 2x2 inch squares of cheese bread and was very salty, but I still enjoyed it, and it's hard not to be entertained by the waiter dousing it with 151 -proof and igniting it. Our entree-course was the Lollipop Filet & Shrimp, unique presentation and delicious. Service was excellent at both the bar and table; attentive and patient without being too intrusive. The only drawbacks: uninspiring/unwelcoming front door/exterior (faces the side of a Giant supermarket) and slightly expensive (2 glasses wine, 2 appetizer type dishes, 1 entree, plus tip about $90). But a caveat on my price evaluation: we did order the most expensive by-the-glass red wine, and the Lollipop Filet and Shrimp is one of the more expensive dishes, and I did elect to tip 20%. So perhaps the price/value issue is on me. Overall 4 stars for sure, maybe worth another half-star simply for being such a great addition to suburban DC dining. Worth the trip & expense. I will go back!
(4)Lindsey S.
halloumi cheese is dope! Best ever!
(5)Niki B.
Loved, loved, loved this place! The food, the atmosphere, the service. Although when we went it was packed to the brim, we managed to get a couple of seats by the bar and enjoy an absolute Greek mezedes (Greek for tapas) feast. The staff was more than polite and the food just delicious. And they serve some of the best fries I've ever tasted. Hands down, one of the best places for Greek food in the area.
(4)Julie R.
Cava is one of my favorite restaurants in the metro area. Many of the menu items are imported directly from Greece, and the kitchen is dedicated to using organic ingredients when possible. The Scallop Risotto is absolutely delicious! When I don't order it as a meal, my friends and I split it as an appetizer. The hummus is the best I have ever tasted. Most of the guys that run Cava grew up together, and it shows. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and truly appears to enjoy working there. If you haven't tried Cava, get in your car right now. Enjoy.
(5)Lynn C.
I've been here so many times, I've started to remember all the servers names. I love the crab cakes, baby lamb chops, zucchini fritters, fried doughnuts, and the scallops. My only issue with this place is the loudness factor, can't hear anyone speaking. I usually go on Monday or Tuesday night to take advantage of the martini and wine specials. Def good eats for MOCO.
(4)Diana H.
I've never been disappoint with the food. So delicious! The ambiance is too date-night for me to go with friends. It's dark, loud, and cramped. Now that I've said that, I'll be going there next weekend with my date.
(4)Jill H.
Was pleasantly surprised by Cava. The pitas were very fresh and warm, all of our tapas were very flavorful and the walnut cake with honey for dessert was fantastic. We also got the donuts but recommend the walnut cake over the donuts. Weekends are crowded but we were able to get in after 5 minutes or so. It is loud at first but you get used to it and gives a nice lively vibe. Nice addition to the gaithersburg food scene.
(4)Margaret L.
Ok, so what's up with this place? It's in the middle of NOWHERE! But somehow, there are tons of people crawling around. I came on a Friday night and it's packed in this tiny hole called a restaurant with staff too cool to even care to look at you. I only bumped into this restaurant because a friend gave me a $100 gift card to use. Luckily, the food prices are so high I was able to use it up. Ok, so the food prices are expensive. On top of that, you get like one or two pieces per order. Of the food I tried, I liked the lollipop chicken the best and the pork belly the worst. I totally didn't care for the mayonnaise dressing that came with the chicken and the pork belly had way too much fat. Did I mention that the staff appeared to be too cool to talk to the customers? Luckily I ordered takeout so I didn't have to deal with that mess. I'm glad this restaurant appears to be doing well, the customers are young and pretty and the staff looks hip and cool. I came in wearing sweats and greasy hair so I guess I deserved to be treated like a low class citizen (not!). If you want to feel discriminated because of the way you look, please come to this restaurant and feel more terrible about yourself. Beware!
(2)Stephanie S.
The food here was great! The lollipop chicken was just as good as everyone said it was. It was really tender, but the outside was crunchy and tasty. I also really enjoyed the crab cakes, as well. I thought that they were perfectly seasoned without the typical filling. The tzatziki sauce was little bit of let down to an otherwise great meal. I will definitely come back again!
(4)Erin H.
Read the review in Washingtonian and had to try it. Greek tapas? I fell in love right away. This food is great! It was a bit of a hike for me (very north Rockville), but when it comes to good food it's all good. Try the crazy jalapeno feta (it's to die for) and baby lamb chops (right off the grill, melt in your mouth). Don't waste your money on the tapenade or opa shrimp. Don't get me wrong, they were good, but there's so much more on the menu to try. Spanakopita was nice, light and non-greasy. Service was awesome, and the waiters make for nice eye-candy, too! :)
(4)Dee A.
LOVE IT! Almost always a wait, always crowded, wont seat you until every person in the party is there, no room really to wait for your table inside,and tables so close together youre practically dining family style with all the other guests! And totally completely always worth it. Still my favorite eats in Montgomery County. Went again last night and yes, its still the freshest most consistent food, always served in record time, and DEEElicious! Best items: Village salad, rissotto, flaming cheese (nagasaki.? sp?), whipped salmon roe, short ribs (NEW), and the sinful french toast for dessert. Also try the Vinsanto after dinner-- its a sweet greek dessert wine (think honey, raisins, grapes, velvet taste). Tried the new mac and cheese item.....not a fan but if lots of goat cheese is your thing go for it.
(5)Stephany T.
This place is absolutely amazing. I heard great reviews from friends and I'm so glad I finally had a chance to dine here. I came here on a Sunday night with the boo. They were relatively busy at 8pm, but service was great and the food arrived much sooner than I anticipated, given the crowd. We had a small table for two by the bar - I think that would be my only complaint. Our table wasn't ideal as it was a bit noisier than I would've preferred and the servers coming in and out of the kitchen was kind of distracting. I figure we'll ask for a table out of the bar area next time. We ordered one of the white wines - Dr L Riesling. I liked it - it wasn't too sweet. Before we even ordered, they brought out pita bread and a tray of dipping sauces. The pita was so soft and fresh. We ordered: - Lollipop Chicken. You must try this. The yogurt(?) and honey sauce with the chicken is delicious. - Sauted Zuchinni. We needed a vegetable dish. It was pretty good but nothing outstanding. But still good. Will probably try a different vegetable dish next time though. - Scallop Risotto. THE BEST. The flavor of the rice was mmmmmm. And the scallops were cooked just perfect. So tender and flavorful. - Lamb Chops. Let me make it clear that I do not like eating lamb. But I figured we might as well give it a try and I might actually have enjoyed it more if I wasn't so full from all the other amazing dishes. The bf seemed to enjoy it though. The food here was great and I will definitely be coming back again. It's a perfect date night restaurant, especially for those nights you rather not venture into DC :)
(5)Irene K.
Checked out this place while visiting friends in Maryland. So obviously as a New Yorker everything gets compared to NYC standards or may I just say I'm a new york snob with the attitude that if it aint in nyc it aint good. Anyway this place was beyond NYC standards. I love the sexy ambient, the food was great had the Cava grill ( lamb chops, grilled meatballs, lamb meatballs, chicken souvlaki), the spicy lamb sliders, and Saganaki ( a cheese dish that they light on fire). I recommend all of the above and their martinis ARE AHMAZING! I'd definitely go back and explore the rest of the menu.
(5)Monica G.
Went here with my daughter yesterday after finding all the good reviews on "yelp" and was very disappointed... We ordered grape leaves as an appetizer and my daughter had a small salad. I had the lunch salad which was like my daughter's small salad with the addition of 4 pieces of shrimp and $$. Then we waited....and waited...for my daughter's Gero sandwich. I finally asked for it and someone went into the kitchen but never came out. In the meantime, the girl who seated us was talking and texting with friends and all the servers seemed to be pretty much ignoring customers. Some customers came in and one of the servers stopped them and said "We're closed now.". Guess that explains some of the goofing off and the eye rolling when we walked in about 15 minutes earlier! Finally, our original waitress came over and said they'd give us the sandwich for free and it would be only a minute. About 5 minutes later, she brought it out and we asked for it to go. In the car, my daughter opened the bag and found that there were french fries stuffed inside the Gero sandwich, which only had about 2 pieces of meat! Evidentally, they had run out! She said it tasted dry. They didn't charge me for the Gero but just with grape leaves and salads, the bil came to $30+! Never going here again!
(1)Evan H.
Two words describe this place perfectly: Five Stars. I had heard of this place (D.C. location) but never made it in to try. That changed today and I have a feeling I will be coming back plenty more times. The Rockville location is pretty small and we sat outside. Our waiter was quick to tell us about the specials and bring us drinks and pita bread with olives, olive oil and a spicy sauce to dip. Here is the collection of 7 dishes for our table of 4: Scallop Risotto - fantastic. The risotto was safron based and had mushrooms and perfectly cooked scallops on top. Greek Fries - also delicious, topped with cheeses and a dipping sauce. Florina Peppers - roasted peppers with onions topped with Feta. They were perfectly seasoned and topped with a bit of basil to really bring them home. White Bean Ragout - a very fresh, summery dish that was a nice compliment to the other more hearty dishes. Chicken Souvlaki - the seasoning and sauce were to die for. It seemed to have an oregano and lemon base, and a very delicious after taste. pan roasted salmon with a mushroom ragu - the salmon was great and tender, but this was the only dish that i might not order again...or at least hope that it comes out earlier. The dish is a tad salty, but still darn good. Overall this meal was a perfect 10, everything was great.
(5)Food L.
Cava didn't meet my expectations. I had the Eggplant Fritters and Lollipop Chicken. Although, good but, nothing special. Chicken needed some more flavor to it. The atmosphere was nice and staff was friendly.
(3)Deni P.
Amazing food, professional service, great price. If you can't make up your mind if you should give this place a try, don't hesitate. I visited last week and I am going back again this week.
(5)Mahesh S.
Greek style tapas. and the execution was so perfect. I went on a Tuesday and everyone had a bottle of wine on their table, and later I found out they have 50% off on bottle of wine on tuesday. good to know! I liked the mini plate concept with the greek food. most everything we tried tasted good. the plae is very crowded, and the tables are right next to each other but it doesnt bother me a bit. for a tuesday evening it was quite packed.
(4)Geoff G.
Wow, what a wonderful dining experience! The wife and I visited Cava Mezze for the first time last Wednesday evening. I had heard many good things about the restaurant, so I was very anxious to try. Just a note to fellow Yelpers, this restaurant does not take reservations. We arrived around 7:40pm on a weeknight and the place was packed. We put our name in with the hostess, who told us the wait would be about 40 minutes. No problem. We walked over to the bar and placed a drink order........ and then it happened. Something I have never witnessed before........ the bartender, Steve, was waving us over to two seats he saved for us at the end of the bar. Really?!?!?!? Yes Please! With service like that, our minds were made up...... we were eating at the bar! (Mind you, it is no easy task to get the wife to eat at the bar, so this made me extremely happy.) Throughout the evening, we noticed both bartenders reserving seats for folks who had already placed an order at the bar and were standing with their drinks. This is a nice change of pace from the normal "knock people over to get a chair" routine that normally goes on Enough about that.... onto dinner. Steve recommended we order an appetizer to share, and 1-2 small plates per person. I can't say that I disagree with his suggestion. We debated between the mac-n-cheese and zucchini fritters for our appetizer and decided on the zucchini fritters. They weren't really what I expected, and I don't think either of us would have ordered them again. I thought they were just going to be breaded zucchini. Instead, it was a mixture of filler that consisted of some sort of cheese, sour cream (maybe)/yogurt/mayo binder with shredded zucchini that was rolled up in a ball, breaded, and fried. Not really my cup of tea, but we will definitely be ordering the mac-n-cheese on our next visit... someone next to us ordered it and it looked delicious. For our small plate dishes, we shared shrimp and grits, lamb hash, and lamb shank on a bed of orzo. The shrimp and grits were the best I have ever tasted outside of New Orleans. Creamy grits with nice size gulf shrimp with some pancetta mixed in. The lamb hash was equally delicious, and was topped with an over easy egg. The lamb shank is a very hearty dish, and we were warned by Steve that although it was delicious and recommended, it wasn't really a summer dish. He was spot on with the description, as it was very hearty and extremely tender. It was composed of a perfect balance of texture and flavor, although a tad salty. Steve also recommended the Challah French Toast for dessert, which certainly did not disappoint. It was definitely one of the best desserts we have ordered in quite some time. Diner Beware, this dessert is HUGE and I recommend splitting it with at least one other person. The challah bread was topped with tons of fresh berries, homemade whipped cream, and a touch of honey. There also may have been some syrup drizzled over top. Definitely worth the calorie count! Cava Mezze is a homerun, even if you aren't a fan of tapas. Their extensive menu will offer tempting selections for any foodie. We will definitely be back to dine with Steve at the bar! THE GOOD: Excellent Food, Great Service, Fantastic Cocktails, Fair Price Points, Atmosphere. THE MEH: Zucchini Fritters THE BAD: Reservations are not accepted
(4)Sandra L.
It's hidden in the back of the plaza and doesn't seem very special from the outside, but as soon as you enter in, you're in for a good ambience that beckons wine or beer and great food rich with flavors. The place is small and dimly lighted. The service is casual, quick and friendly. It's a great atmosphere with a few friends or for a date (minus the behind a plaza). Good price, too.
(4)Jeff S.
Recently went to Cava while visiting in the area. Not to sound like a snob, but in general I find Rockville to be very mediocre with regard to food options. I know Bethesda and DC are better, but in Rockville, it seems to me that the prevalent food choices are typically fast-food-in-a-corporate-wrapper type places like Panera, Moby Dick, and Quiznos. Nothing very stimulating for the palette. Anyway, I read great things about Cava on Zagat, so I was pretty excited to go. I'm glad to say, the food didn't disappoint. though, it really wasn't as amazing as Zagat made it out to be. Our table got an assortment of dishes including the Greek Salad, a squash and tomato dish, hummus, and a few others. They were all well prepared and the ingredients were fresh and high quality. The coffee was pretty good too! The atmosphere was a bit noisy, but it was lunchtime, what can you do? I only have one criticism, that being that the service was way to pushy and, essentially, thoughtless. I get it that you need to clear dishes off, but can you wait till we finish eating before clearing the table? It's quite uncomfortable to see a waiter's hand reaching in to grab a half empty dish while people are still eating. Dude, chill out and let the clientele enjoy their meal. I probably would have given the place four stars if it wasn't so hyped up and the waiter didn't disturb us 20 times to take away dishes, so 3 stars it is.
(3)S6 5.
wow, def one of the best restaurants in the DC area; been here numerous times; i've brought many people who've never been and converted them to huge fans the food here is just amazining; everything from the bread with harissa to the cheese dish they light on fire! you cant go wrong with this spot. the space is fairly small and this place can get VERY crowded; even on weekdays; I would advise you come early as possible; wait times can get to be 2 hours +. its def a local favorite and attracts people from all over the area; i believe they recently opened a DC location as well; hopefully that has decreased the insane amount of people who show up to eat here staff is very friendly and quick; the bar is excellent; also can get very crowded due to long wait times during peak hours.
(5)Chris K.
Went there with my wife for dinner. We love Greek/Mediterranean food (Zaytinya in dc is one of our favorites), so we wanted to try this place out. It's a small sit-down place with a little bit of outside seating as well. The place was bustling and the ambiance was good. Prices are standard for this type of food and the food (especially the lollipop chicken) was great! What put this place over the top for me was the service we received. As I mentioned the place was pretty busy, and towards the end of our dinner I guess there was a party of 9 that was waiting to be seated, and me and my wife were in the middle of the only open space. The waiter very politely asked us if we would be willing to move, and for our trouble they would give us each a free drink and dessert. We didn't mind at all so we agreed, and they moved all of our food/drinks to another open table. A few minutes later the manager came out to our table, apologized again for the inconvenience and offered to just give our dinner for free! We didn't mind getting moved in the first place, but it was definitely nice getting our $50-$60 bill taken care of and on top of that knowing that management cares about how its patrons are treated. They did a good job keeping us happy and getting the other large party seated. Would have visited again just for the food, but this makes me a customer.
(5)C Q.
I have been here several times and always ordered lunch specials. Their lunch special portion, while smaller than the typical portion, but it was a good size. The food was good and I was always thinking about going with more people so we can try different items. The wait staff was always polite, but I have never gotten a smile from any of them. But they were efficient and did their jobs. I would have given them 4 stars. However... The last experience was not so good. We ordered several different items from the menu, only one item from the lunch special. Some of the food was overly salted, while others needed more salt. The only items that I thought were still good were the lollipop chicken and the chicken gyros. We were shocked by the amount of the food on the plate for some of the items, even by mezze standard. The portion was smaller than an appetizer in other restaurant. When the bill came, it was about $25 per person. Our server never checked on us once while we were eating. And the staff started to clear the table while some of us were still eating. It would have been fine to spend $25 for a meal if the food and service were great. I definitely did not think the lunch was worth the price. 2 stars for this experience.
(3)Lina B.
Tuesday = half priced bottle of wine. If you don't finish it, they will cork it and let you take it home. But who doesn't finish their wine? :) Delicious. I love mezze because I love sharing and I hate ordering the same thing as someone else. Lollipop chicken = outer fried shell around a chicken leg, with honey and yogurt on the plate. mmm mmm. Braised beef is my favorite dish. Served atop french fries and feta. A delightful cinnamon taste to match. Absolutely love it :) Saganaki = flaming cheese. A little too salty for my taste here, but it's still delicious. Be forewarned, its a lot of cheese. Souvlaki is good. Green beans are very tasty. Scallops risotto was yummy too. Grape leaves are good. Braised lamb is very tender. Macaroni and cheese is really good. Used to be better but they changed it up. Don't be scared to order it, it's absolutely delicious. Greek Doughnuts are good too, if you have room for dessert that is. Which normally, you don't. I honestly don't have anything negative to say about this place. It's a little dark and a little crowded on busy nights, but worth the wait. They have a lunch menu during the week with pita sandwiches and also offer the full menu. Don't fill up too much on bread and the dips: I love the spicy eggplant one. I just can't get enough.
(5)Zara K.
its fun. thats why i give it three stars, FOOD..mmmm...is everyone serious? it LOOKS good, its pretttyyy average for the taste, the scallop risotto was pretty bland to the point where it tasted like bad baby food, the humus tasted nothing like original humus it was too thick and creamy almost suffocating. the only thing that i liked were the lamb chops, VERY nice lamb chops! Their happy hour food at other locations is great for the price though, i do recommend their happy hour! (Not this location)
(3)Annie K.
We came here last night and it was PACKED. It was about a 20-30 minute wait, so we grabbed a drink at the bar. We had a table next to the bar, which was inconvenient because everybody kept walking by, but we didn't seem to mind. I enjoy tapas style dining, and I love Greek food. I loved the pita bread with the different dips. We ordered lamb burgers which was succulent and melted in my mouth, beef gyros, scallops with rice, (I forgot the name of it because my boyfriend ordered everything!) as well as asparagus. We had the baklava for dessert, which came with vanilla ice cream on top... it was delicious! The service was great, they even told us that there were open tables in the dining room if we wanted to move -- but we were already 3/4 done with our meal so we opted not to. They had a good wine and liquor selection. The ambiance is nice and dark, it's perfect for a date night.
(5)Sang K.
Very good food. My personal favorites were the lamb chops and the scallops over risotto. The lamb sliders were just fine as well. For me a friend the bill came out to be around $95 including tip. As decent as the food was, I think that $95 is better spent at Ruth's Chris. The price to portion of food is just not worth it for me. Just my opinion. But definitely a nice place if you have already eaten and just want to snack on something while you talk with friends.
(3)Ashley M.
Once you enter Cava, it's like you're not even in Rockville anymore. I'm not sure where you are, but it's probably someplace where the streets are paved with honey donuts and the rivers run with tzatziki. Cava has a solid selection and variety of mezze, plenty of wines to choose from, and some delicious martinis, too. I went with a group of coworkers and everyone was happy with their selections across the board. Tuesdays are 50% off bottles of wines, so try to head over then - but don't think just cause it's Tuesday that it will be dead. This place is busy every night of the week. The highlight of the meal though was the amazing greek donuts. Fluffy fluffy donuts. We were already stuffed but *someone* just had to order 1 of every dessert. Oh my... truffles were good, baklava was average, but my goodness, the donuts.
(5)Ja'Bette L.
Wowzers!!! I'm amazed that this quality cuisine is a hop, skip, and jump from Germantown! The portions are just the right size; Ideal for sharing and slightly festive. What wonderful flavors and aromas! I may have just left this locale, but I'm already missing it and ready to turn the car around for another round of punishment. I totally ate more than I should have. Man oh man!!! If you like Greek, this place is a must!
(5)keola'i g.
So...I was a bit nervous about going to a "Greek" joint. Why? One of my best friends growing (SPIRO) and I got in a wicked fight with orange and feta fight. Making me not the biggest fan; however, Cava is more of a Greek influenced spot. Service is spot on. Food is almost unsharable (yes, sharing is caring; but...). I'd say on all accounts, GO! Should you go and my gimpy self needs to wait for a table, I ask that we dine together! Umm....YUM!
(3)Corinne L.
It takes a lot for me to give a place five stars...but this was a no-brainer. My friend and I hadn't seen each other in a few years and wanted to catch up over some great food and cocktails. After doing independent research (me on Yelp, her on the interwebs), we decided to meet at Cava for dinner. Finding the place on a dark rainy night was challenging, as it's dimly lit and at first I thought it was closed, but not by a long shot - it was bustling inside. I order a cocktail and wait for my friend to show up. While I'm waiting this older guy with thick graying hair seems to keep staring at me. I ignore him but have this feeling he'll show up again soon. My friend shows up, we are seated, and we proceed to review the menu. The food is served mezze style, which apparently means they bring out the food as it's ready and the plates are smaller and are supposed to be shared. Okay, sounds like the Greek version of tapas, I'm cool with that. Everything looks great and we're narrowing down our choices when the man sitting next to me asks "Do you like seafood?" We say yes, and he recommends the scallops risotto. Turns out he's the chef & part owner of Cava, and that gray-haired guy I saw is his father, Chris. Dimitri the chef recommends a few things, says he cooks what he loves to eat, and we make our final decisions. The waiter comes around and asks for a drink order. We demur but are told "your drinks are on the house." Sweet! We put in our order and start yakking it up. When the Greek salad arrives, Chris tells me the ingredients are all very fresh, baby, and "you're gonna love it." My friend was recently in Greece so he chats with her for a few minutes about where she visited, how the clubs in Mykonos don't obey the laws and stay open all night long, and about his house in Athens. This whole conversation is peppered with "baby", which makes it even more entertaining. Oh Chris, you crazy drunken Greek, I love you. The food was amazing: filet mignon souvlaki and chicken souvlaki are well seasoned and moist. The scallops risotto is well prepared and very fresh, baby. The Greek salad had generous chunks of feta and the vinagrette was perfect. Greek fries are okay - the best part is the tzaziki (sp?) dipping sauce. The hummus and pita were some of the best I've ever had. Chris recommended the flaming cheese that everyone seemed to be ordering, based on how often we were seeing fiery pans around us, and also said to have the pita bread twice baked the next time we visit. Greek desserts are one of my favorite things, so we ordered the loukomades (Greek donuts) and the baklava. Chris said it was better than what you'd get at a grocery store, but he didn't need to tell me that because the only time I really want Greek desserts is when I'm at a Greek festival or restaurant. Both desserts were so good, I wanted to do inappropriate things to Dimitri (who is very cute and if he's single he won't be for long). Turns out they comped our desserts too. Cava was a welcome respite from the stress I'd been going through, dealing with a very sick parent in the hospital. I walked out of Cava with a smile on my face and a warm full fuzzy feeling all over. I urge you to go and try the baklava, baby, it's GOOD!
(5)Donis M.
Best Tapas around DMV. Food is great. The Chef does a great job with the menu.
(5)Jacki W.
After several attempts to eat here, I finally got in with a couple of friends and now understand why it was worth the wait! Harissa and Haloumi are my new favorite friends along with a glass of Chenin Blanc! Did I say the flaming Haloumi cheese is out of this world? Seriously, I could have eaten 2 orders of it and walked out a happy woman. However, we also order zucchini puffs, which were delightful tasty balls of fluff -- not heavy or overly fried and the lamb, tasty and rare - not overcooked or tough, but delightful bits of heaven on the palette. I'll be back for sure and I'll wait, oh I'll wait to dine here again. Note, it's loud, very loud, so make great conversation elsewhere! Afterall, your here to eat!
(5)Renee S.
The food was good, but really expensive. I would go back if someone else was paying.
(3)Ilana G.
Decided to go here for an anniversary dinner. The food was excellent on the whole. Their Saganaki is popular and I thought it was notably tasty, a nice lemony essence. The lollipop chicken was also good. Although, I think the heartier meat dishes are probably a better value. I especially appreciated the wine menu, which had a great variety of options under $30 per bottle, which you do not always find at restaurants with such great food. However, I took off a star for ambiance. The place is currently so popular on Yelp that everyone goes there and it is super crowded and I thought cramped. You are inches away from your neighbors and constantly tempted to rudely look over at their food and comment on how good it looks while waiting for yours to arrive. I definitely would not go here with people I actually want to talk to. Maybe if you are forced to go out with people you despise and want to tune them out, this place would be perfect!
(4)Zeina H.
Incredible Greek food! The restaurant itself is a bit cramped but it gives it an intimate feeling. The service is fast and very friendly. It's a little pricey for their mezze style dishes ( small portions like tapas) but the quality of food is totally worth it. Go on a night when they have drink specials such as Half off wine bottles on Tuesday or Martini night!
(4)Maz W.
What can I say? If you have money to spare, keep the kids at home and come enjoy their near-perfect dishes. From their lollipop chicken to really everything else on the menu, the food just screams perfection. Someone paid close attention to this menu, and to every dish on the menu, and you can tell. The service is friendly, though sometimes it feels like there are too many people roaming around you, waiting for you to finish. It's a small (but cozy) setting, and I think some of the servers get nervous when people stay long at the table. But this could be my imagination because, at this place, you just want to stay and eat till you drop. Our second time there, just me and the wife, we ordered too much food and they gladly packed it for us, and gave us some extra bread and spicy dip, which my wife loves. Their meats heat up well, which to me means it's good stuff. Best suited for a date, or a group outing where you want to share your food and try different things. Their servings are slightly more generous than Jaleo's in Bethesda (which I think serves mediocre and bland food). They don't take reservations, but if you're like us and like to dine early, show up at 5 and you can probably get a table.
(5)Eric S.
Went here for a friend's birthday after wanting to try it for a while now. I honestly wish I'd hit them up earlier, because, wow, I love tapas/mezze, and Cava hits it dead on. As a bonus, the prices are a bit lower, and parking way easier to find, than anywhere in DC that I've been. As others have said, the place is a bit crowded, so it helps to go during non-rush hours. We started dinner a bit early for our big group, and that worked nicely. Service still kept up nicely as more people came in, though, so it wasn't a huge issue. Can't remember any specific favorites, because it was too long since I wrote this review, and frankly, everything was good. That said, I do remember the saganake (flaming cheese) specifically, because not only was it crazy awesome[0], but since it is a cramped space, they lit the thing about a foot over my head. Now, I'm already bald, but I never realized how much heat one of those bastards puts off. Def. recommend it, but for the love of everyone in a five food radius, do not order it if the place is hopping or it's the middle of summer. ~EEE~ [0] Cheese + fire = AWESOME!
(5)Dana R.
After a short stint as a food reviewer in college I have decided to share my impromptu (yet constant) reviews of restaurants with the rest of the Yelp community. As a new restaurant in my repertoire Cava seems like the perfect place to start. Cava in Rockville is a small restaurant with seats both indoors and out. However, I would suggest sitting indoors regardless of the weather for both the ambiance as well as avoidance of the scenic parking lot view. Indoors is dark and candlelit, and make sure your eyes have time to adjust before scouring the menu. Despite the intimate seating arrangements, Cava does get loud especially during prime happy hour time. Mezze are small dishes slightly larger than tapas which range in substance. Cava serves salad, soup, vegetarian, and a variety of meat mezze. Our waiter suggested about 2-3 per person. I would recommend ordering two each and maybe one dish to share per every two people. While the plates might be small the prices can add up really fast! Also, the food is very hearty and often high in fat (think lots of olive oil!) and will fill you up quickly. The FOOD: Every table gets a bowl of pita and small dishes of a slightly spicy red spread, olive oil, and olives. The pita is delicious - its very flat, smooth, and even better when fresh out of the oven to the table. Don't be frugal, the waiters will keep bringing it out! Tzatziki - refreshing, crisp, can't get enough of it, great starter! Haloumi - unsure if the pieces of haloumi cheese are grilled or fried, but regardless is out of this world! Very hearty - suggest sharing with at least one other person, comes in order of three Spanikopita - some of the best I've ever had, phyllo dough melts in your mouth, does not taste overly fried Lamb Kapama - extremely hearty dish with large chunks of lamb, orzo, and cheese, meat was so scrumptious it almost melted in your mouth Bottom Line: Delicious Mediterranean food! Unsuspecting location, great date, definitely worth the trip/the price. Not a great place to come STARVING, but definitely will leave more than satisfied!
(5)Steven W.
I'll keep this short because I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said...When you are in Cava you feel like you are in a hot D.C. or NYC restaurant. The decor/vibe/Loudness makes you feel cool no matter who you are. For the food I'll just say the Lamb Sliders are worth the price of admission every time! If you live in the burbs but want to be taken to a happening place for a little while without the drive or traveling...hit Cava. It will do the trick!
(5)Ting W.
I was surprised with an adventure to this restaurant. And boy was it a pleasant surprise. We came with relatively full bellies but we STILL kept ordering. We ordered the lollipop chicken, the falafel fritters, lamb chops, and the scallop risotto. I didn't think the falafel fritters stood out but the lollipop chicken and scallop risotto were so mouthwatering. The scallop really brings out the flavor of the risotto. Absolutely among the best things I've tasted in my life. Lollipop chicken was cooked just right and the sauce made it a winning combo. The lamb chops came last and I thought by then, it would be hard for it to live up to the standards of the lollipop chicken and scallop risotto. I was proved wrong. It was so finger licking good. Had it been socially acceptable, I would've eaten every last bit off the bone. Service was prompt and polite. They took away the plates as we finished them and refilled our drinks often. Will definitely return!
(5)Food S.
So dark in here you'll think that it is closed. Food is good pretty close to authentic. I'm Greek so I KNOW Greek food. The taramo salata was not that great -the tarama (fish eggs) were all broken and the potato portion of it was not light and fluffy. It was also served with capers -which was so weird and not a good combo. Drinks were good. Calamari was good. Overall, it was nice. However, be prepared for a very loud restaurant.
(3)Lisa B.
We decided to go here as part of our goal of eating at the top 100 restaurants according to the Washingtonian magazine. It definitely lives up to its place on that list. The Lamb Kapama was our favorite dish. It's creamy and lamby and a perfect comfort food. The kids loved the Cava Mac N Cheese (as did the adults!) and the lollipop chicken. Veggies (green beans and asparagus) were tasty and cooked just right. The only dish we had mixed reviews on was the grilled octopus. The boy child and I liked it a lot, though I think they do it better at Zaytinya. My husband reacted very negatively to the extreme chewiness of the larger sections, but the ends were done quite well. So, we were all fans of the restaurant, and then dessert came. First the Greek doughnuts, dipped in honey and walnuts - delicious. How could that be topped? Oh, simple - order the Challah french toast with berries and whipped cream and honey. Simply amazing. The restaurant is extremely noisy, with tables very close together, and a crowd at the wine bar. You'll need to take care that your hair isn't singed when they light up a saganaki dish, but if it's a cold night, you'll enjoy the sudden burst of warmth. Because of the noise and the close quarters, the restaurant is not really set up for family dining. For most of our dinner, our kids were the only ones there. However, the staff was very accomodating and friendly, and there are a number of dishes that children will enjoy. (As noted above, Cava Mac N Cheese was a huge hit!) Also, although we were lucky and did not have to wait to be seated, by the time we left the crowd waiting for seats was pretty large. If you're bringing children, come early. Since we only tasted about 1/8th of the menu, we'll be going back again, I am sure.
(5)Pavel C.
Best european style restaurant/bar in Rockville area, great atmosphere, great service and great food.
(5)Davis J.
It was good the only bad thing was that the steak was a bit dry
(3)Karena J.
My last meal.... You know that hypothetical question... If you were on death row, what meal would you choose as your last meal? Mine, would undoubtedly be an endless serving of Cava's 72 hour short ribs which is inconspicuously listed as just another offering on their new menu. I am a regular at Cava and always expected the most delicious, flavorful greek food. But that succulent, savory, juicy, soft morsel of meat that's perfectly seared on the outside was a moment of Zen - I felt time stop and nothing else around me mattered. An apology to my husband was immediately in order as he quickly noticed I couldn't focus on our conversation. Cava's plates are tapas style but slightly larger (hence, Mezze). The food focuses on robust flavor and quality. Savoring every bite means 4 dishes can satisfy two people. I love the original Orzo, perfectly seasoned with Greek cheese, tomato, and cinnamon- it's my GO TO along with the lamb shank and New York Strip. The burnt butter orzo has a "comfort food quality" that I'm sure will have me craving it tomorrow. Lolli pop chicken is perfectly crispy batter fried chicken on a bed of yogurt and honey sauce-sweet and savory don't usually tempt me as much as this. The Saganaki: cheese lightly battered and beautifully flamed to golden with 151 right in front of your singed brows, is always a crowd pleaser. Those reviewers who didn't like it must not be cheese lovers. For my fellow turophiles out there, you should also try the Sweet and Savory which includes authentic Greek feta and kefalograviera cheeses with a cherry reduction sauce. I'm not as into baklava, although my Greek friends tell me it's really good at Cava... I love their French Toast dessert. Half price wine nights on Tuesday are a steal. Cava is amazingly popular - you can't beat the amazing food in a restaurant whose chic atmosphere makes you forget you're in suburbia. It's lively and can get loud (I really enjoy the festive atmosphere) - but beware who you bring... my demure mother in law was not pleased with the decibel level when we treated her to dinner here. No beer taps at this location but they do have bottled beer to accompany a grest wine list. Service is always amazing. The staff are not only fast and efficient, they're also some of the most friendly in the business. Steve at the bar is never too busy to offer a glass of wine with a warm welcome despite a busy night. Chef Dimitri often conducts quality checks in person. I need to prepare him for my last request - possibly worth getting arrested!
(5)Nikhil U.
Cava is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. If you are looking for a trendy classy restaurant this is perfect. The decor has dimmed lights, nice music and great atmosphere. The food items are small tapas style dishes, my favorite include the chicken souvlaki dish as well as the Greek salad. One of the best parts of cava is the pita bread and Harissa they give you at the start. Make sure you plan for at least a hour or two wait!
(5)Lizette H.
The best tapas in MD hands down! The lamb chops are to die for, it melts in your mouth. Let's not forget the baby octopus.....delicious. From my experience, the wait staff are polite and attentive. Please ask for Demitri if you can, he is the best waiter. The wait can be a pain in the butt but you do have a bar (if you can find any place to stand). I suggest you get there early rather than late. It's great for an intimate dinner for two or a group setting. It is a little pricey so be prepared to spend a good amount of money (I spent $60 on my own). Or fill up on the free bread before you order..... Since I relocated to DC, I will be sure to drop by the Capital Hill location.
(4)Ashley F.
I went here for my birthday dinner recently with my work BFFs and had a wonderful time. I was really sad to find that they did not take reservations on Friday nights but luckily due to the weather and my persistence to get there early, my friends and I were immediately seated when we walked in. The ambiance was very dark and the entire restaurant was far from spacious, perfect for a romantic date possibly and not groups. However, everyone seemed to make room for the crowded bar and the dining area was filled with mostly groups who seemed thoroughly comfortable and we didn't complain either. Well, the dungeon lighting wasn't favorable but we all managed. We all tried a cocktail which was all oh so delicious. I believe Pomegranate is my martini for 2011 because it is all I seem to order these days but it was delish! A friend of mind also tried the Cava martini which was nice and strong too. I had to sample! Our server was cool. Like literally, he had an app on his Iphone that took our order. I was in awe! Minor, irrelevant perk but it was impressive. He was attentive and our order came out correct and in perfect timing. I would give the food 4 out of 5 stars but very impressive. I have to go back and try more and I will tell you why this also doesn't take away from my final rating. Cava is Mezze style, which is small plates, and promotes sharing which is what we did. We had a little bit of everything. My favs were the Haloumi sliders, the chicken souvlaki and their Hummus was DEEEEEELightful! There were other items on the menu that I was dying to try but we would have never finished. The Lamb chops was good but there was a missing element that was needed to set it off. And unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the calamari. The best part of the night was when manager offered our table FREE Greek donuts for my birthday. (Mine you I thought I could get them free for checking in but I needed 5 to unlock.) They are totally worth it. The were like little sugared knots that were drenched in sweet syrup. It wrapped up the perfect birthday dinner! I cannot wait to go back~
(4)Archie M.
A bit pricey, but great ambiance, fried cheese (!), nice wine selection, and their meat platter is awesome. It's a hidden jewel so to speak, being that it's away from any major thruway, and is next to a supermarket. But don't be deceived, you won't be embarrassed showing off the ambiance and design of this concept to any disconcerting Washington DC foodie. It's the gastronomically cosmopolitan getaway at the heart of the suburbs.
(4)Jodi R.
I do not know where to begin when it comes to Cava. There are not many restaurants who are as amazing in so many different areas: the food, drinks, atmosphere, decor, staff, cleanliness... its just a wonderful experience. Having gone to all 3 locations, Rockville is my favorite only because it is smaller and cozier but all the locations are beautiful but different on the inside which is nice. the food has been amazing at all the locations. i have tried so much of the menu now and there hasn't been a single thing i have be disappointed with. overall, its an amazing place to have a great meal with a great vibe! love love love and i will go back for more!
(5)Alina E.
This restaurant has been in existance within two miles of my house for years and it took us that long to pay our first visit. I am not quite certain why we waited this long, considering we've heard it's amazing, but it was certainly worth the wait. So much so, that we went back a few weeks after our first visit and the second was even better than the first. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The place is small and cozy. It's also NOT quiet due to a prominent, well-used bar and exposed brick walls. But it's not a quiet kinda food... The food here screams flavor, delicious, amazing flavor. Everything I've had in my two visits has been at least good, if not great. In two visits the standout favorites, though, have been the scallop risotto with mushrooms (one of the best scallop and/or risotto dishes I've ever had, period, end of story), the interesting take on perennial Greek favorite, the "inside out" mousaka (savory, meaty, potato-y goodness) and the grilled squid (light, meaty, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked). The rest of the food we tried was also delicious. The cava fries are crisp and perfectly paired with the slightly salty kefalograviera cheese. The zucchini fitters (my man's favorite and he's not even close to a vegetarian!) were just greasy enough and flavorful, paired with the ubiquitous yogurt sauce. They do justice to meat (disco fries and braised beef contain delicious, melt-in-your-mouth protein) but I think the kitchen shines with seafood (see above risotto and squid). The only thing that I thought maybe wasn't worth the hype is the saganaki (flaming cheese); it's just too salty a cheese to have on its own and it was pretty greasy. I am glad we tried it but there is just too much amazingness on the menu to give it another whirl in the future. We have not been able to order dessert here ( and I am very much a dessert person) because the whole meal satisfies as much as a good dessert does and I don't express this type of sentiment often. This place is awesome, well-priced and probably the best Greek/Mediterranean you can get in the DC area (and I LOVE Zaytinya). Run, don't walk - you'll need the calorie burn!
(5)Sarah T.
I'm assuming this place is probably always busy. It was packed when my bf and I went with 2 friends. I LOVED the food! Everything I had was amazing! EVERYTHING! But truly any of the Lamb Mezze's are phenomenal! We tried over 9 things, but I can't get over the lamb dishes. It's pretty dark in the back portion and gets pretty loud because it's so packed in there. However it's not uncomfortable at all. The energy in the place is fun and upbeat, you can tell everyone there is having a good time. The service is attentive and playful. We had a really good time and will definitely be back!
(4)Jeffrey T.
Very good tapes style greek food. Have tried there location in capitol hill and the new location in rockville does not disappoint. Went for brunch today and very reasonably priced. Two mimosa, two coffees, and seven tapes for three people 75 dollars. Lamb hash was delicious so were the homestyle potatoes. Will come back again. Of not though french toast was good but way to dense with egg giving it a very mussy texture.
(5)sylvia c.
Cava is my favorite restaurant of all time. Anyone who knows me thinks I work for them because I recommend it to everyone and anyone i know. My boyfriend and I have been going there pretty much since it opened years ago. Every Tuesday night is half price wine bottle so it gets hectic in there. Every Monday is $5 margarita. The only down side is that you can't make reservations except on Sundays. And you won't be seated until your party is all present. The way cava works is that the plates are small so you order a lot of food to share with the table. Each place is anywhere from $7-$16 (most of them are about $10 a plate). Okay now here is the important part. If you have never been here before, let me tell you exactly what to order and I promise you will be going there weekly like I do. Every table is served pita bread, olive oil, and olives and with harissa which is a spicy dip- be careful not to get full off this. Start off with tzatziki its the best you'll ever have. (for those who don't know what it is its basically a dip made of Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill and other seasonings) eat it with the pita bread they give you. SO GOOD! and soo healthy! Then order the zucchini fritters Spicy lamb sliders The opa opa shrimp Order the lamb or chicken kapama (make sure to tell them instead of the cheese on top you want to replace it with Greek yogurt- this is how they used to sell it when it first opened if you don't request this you will not have an enjoyable kapama) This dish is orzo based and my FAVORITE! and to end the night order the french toast, but instead of the whip cream tell them to replace it with ice cream. Honestly everything on their menu is heavenly and yes in the last 3-4 years of business I have tried everything. The items listed above are my favorite and its what I get for people who has never had it before and they fall in love instantly. Everything is so much healthier there too. Their chicken orzo soup is good too I forgot what the Greeks call it. My last advice- this is a Greek restaurant. Don't try to be American and get mac and cheese, chicken drumstick or mussels. Those are American food and doesn't taste so good at a Greek restaurant. ENJOY!
(5)PierAngeli M.
I had the pleasure of eating lunch here today. I had the cava gyro with fries. The meat was tender, juicy and flavorful. Lunch was delicious and just the right portion size. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I can't wait to come back.
(4)Ryan F.
Best restaurant in the area. We eat at the bar, unless we bring a group. Lamb chops, ny strip (potatoes on this are so delicious), baby octopus salad, village salad, and chicken lollipops. Try the crazy feta and then slather it on the grilled meatballs. Great bar staff (Steve, Christie, Jose, Alex -- awesome, attentive). Chef tried sous-vide last week when we were there. Short ribs were so delicious. Always ask if they have a special b/c the wait staff doesn't always announce it.
(5)Trevor M.
Mezze for the Soul. Atmosphere: Small, quaint, romantic, and crowded. Ok, bear in mind that it's crowded because it is fantastic. Rule 1: Get there early. Rule 2: Go to the bar. Rule 3: Have a bloody good time!!! Food: Wow!! What can I say? It is amazing! It is modern Greek food that is to literally die for. Wonderful Mezze portions that allows you the opportunity to eat several dishes without getting too full. Lamb, chicken, cheese, oh my. Some of the best Tzatziki that you're going to get. The grilled octopus is delicate and firm without being tough. The Scallops Mushrrom Risotto is a gift brought down from Olympus and given to this restaurant just for you. Lamb Shank....you haven't lived until you tried this dish. Drinks: Wine and Martini lists that are amazing. Try the Pamatini and the Cava martinis. They are not girlie drinks, they're nectar once again brought down from Olympus...just for your liver. Price: A little pricey, but for this kind of quality....it's definitely worth it. Return rate: incredibly high. Bottom line: Gaithersburg/Rockville....you have a place to go to for that three martini lunch and some of the best Greek food. This is Ambrosia at it's best.
(4)Jueli L.
Wow, you guys totally under sold the roasted red peppers dipping sauce/harissa. That tapenade is more like the gold standard of crack to a couple of addicts. Yes, that was me and my Eating Partner last night at Cava. We downed a whole basket of the complimentary pita and harissa before ordering for dinner. And of course with their amazing service, it was promptly replenished just a few short minutes afterward, when the server deemed it safe to approach us. I usually wait a long while to review so as to let my experience(s) marinade in my brain, however, I could not wait to rave about this place. The food is phenomenal. The best of the night was definitely the lollipop chicken. I appreciated how the fried chicken was crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and was seasoned just right without the oily mess. Not only that but the balance of the sweetness of the sauce was just short of heavenly. The lamb sliders were pretty good, as well, with just a kick from the sauce and not a gamey bite in the least. I do not like seafood, not for lack of trying. It just has that weird texture and fishy smell/taste. My EP ordered the baby octopus, and it was wonderful. I had two tentacles all by myself, even if the suction cups kinda weirded me out. That earns HUGE points in my book. The spanakopita was amazing! It's even good reheated the next day (trust me - I just had some for breakfast). The zucchini fritters weren't bad either, albeit a little heavy with both the frying and the heaviness of the cheese sauce. The food alone is worthy of the 5 stars, but add in the great service, the dark, cozy atmosphere, and the half-off wine Tuesdays, the place is a DEFINITE 5 stars. Even though we finally scored a table for 2 at 7:30 on a Tuesday, the noise level didn't bother me like previous Yelpers had expressed. I could carry on a conversation (more like OMGWOWTHISTASTESSOGOOD!) with my EP comfortably. One thing I would mention is that it may be hard finding the actual restaurant. It's in the shopping center on Traville Gateway between the Giant and the Magnolia salon. The place looks closed from the outside because all the shades are drawn and it looks completely dark, but trust me, it's hoppin on the inside. I'm still amazed at the whole experience. Can't wait to find another excuse to stop by soon.
(5)Carolyn L.
I went there awhile ago, but was writing a review on my phone while I ate, and I was just always too lazy to upload it....but here it is. The ambiance was great. It's a fairly small place, so if you're going in a big group like I did, make sure you have a reservation. We waited for an hour to be seated on that Saturday night - and there's really no waiting area. Here's the food we got and what we thought about it: Yummy: Green beans, spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, lamb chops, new york strip, grilled scallops. The two desserts we got were also delicious - Baklava (a little on the sweet side) and french toast (frickin' awesome). Cava fries were alright, and the orzo was funky tasting. Total cost was $200, but we did order two of some of the dishes. Keep in mind dishes are tapas sized. Highly recommended. :)
(5)Freebz A.
My new favorite Greek restaurant. Inside has a dark intimate setting. The dishes are tapa style, so make sure you go all out. Definitely order the lamb...very flavorful!
(5)Steven D.
Are you kidding me? This place is amazing! I was in town from San Francisco for business last week and needed to take a colleague to dinner. I was staying in Rockville and decided to look thru Yelp! for suggestions. Cava showed up as a highly recommended place. (It didn't hurt that I love just love Mediterranean food.) Next thing you know, we're seated inside this super swanky little place. Its crowded but has a great vibe & buzz. Their menu- as you can read from others- is tapas style plates that cover the spectrum. Let me tell you that the squid and the spicy lamb meatballs were da bomb!! We shared probably 4-6 plates and they all tasted great. We ended up staying until the place closed (mind you it closes at 10:00pm Mon-Thurs) and had the chance to meet Gus (the owner) and the bartender, Stephen. Both really cool guys. If I'm back in the Rockville area again, I wouldn't hesitate going back!
(5)Toni P.
Been here three times now. Consistently good. Try the lamb chops. Wine selection excellent too. This restaurant is a little noisy so if you have elderly guests consider coming early or late when the crowds die down.
(4)Isabella B.
Love the food selection and service. Delish
(5)Angel W.
This food here is delicious! The downside? 1) Loud, 2) pricey compared to similar places, at least for the vegetarian options. The tsatsiki with bread is delicious as is the village salad - Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Capers / Olives / Red Onions / Feta / EVOO. Their lunch menu is somewhat limited. I have heard they have nice happy hours but I have never been. I mainly skip this option for lunch because of the price tag that usually follows. Service is also a bit slow for the lunch time crowd.
(4)Buket K.
Like it!! Try Van Gogh Mango! Delicious!
(4)Vanessa S.
What a fabulous place!! During our first visit the restaurant manager heard my boyfriend and I talking about how we haven't had Greek since we moved from NYC. He brought us two dishes to try on the house. The food,service and ambience were all excellent. We returned last night for our second visit and it was even more fabulous than the first time. We can't wait to go back!
(5)Linda P.
I'd give this place a 5 star rating but they only take reservations for Sun & Mon nights so that's -1. My only other complaint is that it's so dark inside (I get it--trying to convey hip vibe) that I find myself squinting at the menu. Other then those minor details, this is one of my favorite restaurants. Dishes that are outstanding are the lamb chops, spicy lamb sliders, and scallop mushroom risotto, which is an absolute must here. It's so good that whenever there's more then 3 ppl to my grp, I usually order one for myself just cuz I know one will NOT be enough...well for me at least. *insert sheepish grin* When I first tried out this place, I ordered the flaming cheese dish (can't recall the name) which is basically flamed up for you table side but taste wise, it sucked. It was oily and way too salty but they do a good job presenting it...this is what got me suckered into ordering it. That was my only time ordering it and very well my last. Another dish that I was not impressed with was the spanakopita--very dry with too much flakiness. This is a mezze place so you should come here expecting the dishes to be small with the the purpose of sharing.
(4)Mariella B.
So far so good I've been at least five times. Each time I must get the cava fries (feta topping all over) w/ tzaziki (sp?) on the side to dip. We also got the shrimp souvlaki which came out cooked well but wasn't amazed by it but glad the shrimp wasn't over cooked. We had the chicken souvlaki at one point and thought it was delicious and loved that it was still juicy. As the main course I got the spicy lamb meat balls which def did have a kick but not over powering. I ate these with the pita bread that came with the table, def a must have perfectly cooked. They are small so it's easy to over cook these bad boys. My boyfriend got the mini lamb gyros, perfect everytime and something about having the cava fries in them just adds that small touch. For dessert we got the challah french toast...OMG heaven in your mouth with the cream and berries it was perfect. Thanks to our server we were going to get the doughnuts but glad we got this instead. I thought it would have been to sweet or thick but it was just right and satisfying. I'm not sure what it was maybe that it had a nice crunch on the inside and melted as you bit into it but I've never had french toast like this! Kudos Cava Mezze!
(5)Anthony L.
Cava Lots of places around the Metro area that do Greek Mezze. Some do it well, some well, not so much. Cava does it right! Most other Greek places I've eaten at (been many) were mostly the same. Cava sets itself apart with what matters the most, the food. All meats cooked and seasoned perfectly. Lamb is a tricky meat to get right and Cava nails it. There was a wait on a Tuesday evening at 8:30pm, that's with the outdoor seating. Nuff said. " I'll be back".
(4)Kelsy S.
Still one of my FAVORITE places in Rockville. This is one of the few places where I can try different dishes every single time I go and enjoy all of it! Our favorites are the grilled meatballs, lamb souvlaki, lollipop chicken, crazy feta, sweet & salty feta...but most of all I have a SERIOUS obsession with the Harissa that comes out as a free appetizer (with pita). It's unlimited and I can't stop eating it...they also sell it at Whole Foods, hook it up! :)
(5)William L.
Came here on a Sunday night to meet up with two friends to discuss travel plans. I was surprised to discover that this place is quite the date spot. The lighting is dim, and the ambience is dark but in a romantic way, if you get my drift. I guess perhaps the upcoming Valentine's Day may have played a part in the atmosphere that night. The food was good, but don't be surprised by the bill at the end in spite of the small plates menu. Numerous small plates can add up to a pricey bill. I highly recommend the scallops risotto, very delicious; I only wish there were more than 3 scallops in an order. Desserts were kind of expensive though. $8 a piece, so I was tempted to order baklava with vanilla ice cream but skipped it. It seemed overpriced.
(4)Allison L.
Great food and dessert. My favorite dish was lamb shank and smoked salmon. Make sure you try their baklava. It's real sweet so if you don't like sweet dessert don't get it.
(4)Zack G.
For the price you pay... Feed the customer!!! I won't deny the food is good but they need to work on getting more food!
(3)Gigi C.
wtf! No baby octopus the other night? No problem. We'll just have to come back this weekend!!! As always, food was great. We brought the kids with us this time. The waiter was especially accommodating towards them. My daughter wanted strawberry ice cream for dessert. They only have vanilla, so he had the kitchen cut up some strawberries for her and had them mixed into her ice cream. Bonus points for you, Mr Waiter Man.
(4)Aria W.
This is a fantastic spot to come by for date night or catching up with friends! Cava has a great selection of drinks, making it a great place to swing by for happy hour. Grab a drink and split one or two selections from the menu and you're set! They serve everything Mezze style (Mediterranean version of Tapas) so come expecting to share. They have all of your classic Greek appetizers done really well and a vast selection of meats, seafoods, and vegetables to choose from. I was introduced to this spot by Greek friends of mine, telling me that this place serves delicious and close enough to authentic food to come here. My suggestion to you, try something out of your comfort zone, I can almost guarantee you won't be disappointed! Just as a warning, late nights and weekends you should be prepared to wait... but it is worth the wait.
(5)tammy M.
This place is truly loud but our waiter was fantastic,explaining the mezze system .i didn't have the heart to tell him it is totally common in Australia :). He recommended a Greek red wine which was good. We had dip sampler,tyropita,lamb sliders,mini pork pita,and opaopa shrimp Phyllo on tyro pita was really good.sliders and pork tasty and the sauce on shrimp was wonderful- lots of dill . Presentation on all was first class's and the amounts were good for the 3 of us to share . We were totally full and didn't look at dessert . Would thoroughly reccomend to anyone in the area.
(4)Katherine R.
The food is right on, every time I've been there. The restarurant itself, however, is way too loud to usually have an enjoyable dinner. Sitting outside is definitely preferred. Lately I've been ordering take out since I live in the neighborhood (Cap Hill location). Tonight, I asked if they would include their starter dips (complimentary for dine-in) with my take out order, and they were unable to... Really? Seems like a simple request. I was disappointed. The service is just OK... Servers usually seem overworked and ultimately, annoyed with customers. I would probably just give them 3.5 stars, but the food stands on its own and is definitely worth trying... even if you have endure the loud, really dark restaurant with average service...
(4)Arthur K.
I've been looking to go to Cava based on word of mouth for a long time. I finally had the chance to go and it was good. Wait times were a bit long especially for a weekday night, but I guess it's a testimony to the good eats within. And that's something to be said especially north of Bethesda. The food was tasty and every little mezze we got was well prepared. Even the free bread was tasty. Definitely recommend it. The seafood was just ok.. but maybe that's more personal preference than anything. The lamb chops were tasty. By the way the restaurant is really dark. Like Houston's dark.
(4)Micah P.
All right, I should really give this place 3 stars based on the day that I went, but I know my group situation wasn't a good way to base the customer service (we had people that came to eat, some that stayed for 20 minutes, or some that just went to hang out). However, the food is actually very delicious! I didn't get much, but their little baskets of bread with spread were quite a treat and my meal of scallops was probably the best batch of scallops I have ever had. If I go again, I plan on updating this review and hopefully they get more stars.
(4)Kara H.
Yum and a half. I was in Rockville on business with 2 other people, and we went here one night. Absolutely loved it, and the next night, when we were trying to decide where to eat, realized that nothing would live up to Cava. So we went back. Yep, ate there 2 nights in a row, and was happy I did. The first night was half price wine night. Hello?? Genius. Two bottles of good wine for $24, can't go wrong there! Several other people thought so too, it was packed, but we still only had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. They brought up bread and dips right away, and we got to ordering. Everything was great, we had meatballs, chicken, and the best one was the Inside Out Mousaka, made with baby eggplant. It was king of the night. Next night, not as jam packed, but still crowded, got a table right away. Again, great service from the start, they're really good about keeping your water filled and clearing away empty dishes and plates. This night, king of the night was the Braised Lamb Shank. It was served over risotto, and was just so-o-o-o-o delicioius. Yum squared. Lots of other great things eaten too. Literally, on the 2 nights I was there, I didn't eat one thing that I disliked or thought "eh....". When you're trying a bunch of dishes like that, that's pretty rare. If you're in the DC area, go. You must. Get the truffles for dessert. You're welcome.
(5)Jessica J.
Absolutely LOVE the food here! I decided to give them 4 stars instead of 5 only because I always have to wait here (usually a lengthy wait) and this food is so good that you really don't want to wait! With that said, it is totally worth the wait. :-) Some of my favorites are tzatziki...mix it with the red spicy sause that they serve with the pita, ugh yum; the saganaki...this is the best cheese EVER...I really love cheese but I could eat this daily, also good with the red spicy sauce...ok, what's not good with that red spicy sauce?!?; the scallops risotto is delicious; and the grilled meatballs are really good also. Seriously, I haven't had anything here that I don't like. The Greek wine is a perfect after dinner wine. Believe me, you will love this place after your first visit!
(4)Ché H.
Usually when people suggest Greek, I conjure visions of some old tired olives, some feta and any other stereotypical old style fare you can think of. Cava..... I am truly sorry. Literally got dragged here on a Tuesday with the promise of half price wine and low expectations. I left with a full on mouthgasm and making my host promise that we would be back soon. Sat at the bar (Thats where you will find me most places) bartenders were attentive, knowledgeable and good salesmen without me feeling pressured. Hands down stand out for me was the grilled octopus. And don't forget the grilled octopus. Scallops ok, flaming cheese yum, chicken lollipops yes please. Couldn't do any beef options because of lent promise, but can't wait to go back to try those. This place will go on the regular rotation.
(4)S C.
Went here for dinner this past Saturday with a girl friend of mine. Cava never lets me down. We started off with a martini. I ordered the "Van Gough Mango". It was strong and tasty. For the small plates, we ordered SPARRAGGIA, SCALLOPS MUSHROOM RISSOTTO, KOKKINISTO/Braised Beef and Fried Oysters. For dessert we ordered Greek Doughnuts. I highly recommend the doughnuts. They're warm doughnut holes mixed with cinnamon/sugar/walnuts and drizzled with honey. MmMmM!!!! Our server was really good! Always checking up on us to see how we're doing. I will definitely go back!
(4)Puja L.
So, I know that 2 stars is supposed to mean "I've experienced better" and, although I can't say that I have been to a better Greek/martini bar - I would not return here. I came here not too long after they opened and was underwhelmed by the food and the clientele. I suppose the latter isn't really the fault of the restaurant itself - but there seemed to be a bit of a Real Housewives of North Potomac scene in the place. We got the dip platter - and the hummus was terrible. I've had better hummus from Costco. I didn't enjoy the food and didn't particularly care for the vibe in the place either. A little too uppity for me.
(2)Nicole L.
I get the usual standards here but this time I tried few more different stuff - started with this fish roe dip it was very interesting slight fishy but spreading it on the pita with some of that spicy tomato paste was great. I also ordered the cypriot cheese grilled haloumi, so I started stacking that with the roe and tomato paste - bam! it was the most awesome sandwich ever! You can taste every single item in the stack. The scallop risotto was delish! Nicely charred outside and tender juicy inside. Rice could be a bit more tender. The lollipop - shrimp ontop on fillet mignon with a feta cheese tomato mix (not saucy) the shrimp was great but the steak they dont cook to oder so it was a bit over cooked. I had lots of wine perhaps way too much - the Campus Oak was not opening up enough for me, the angelina Malbec was my fav of the night.
(4)Tina L.
I'm probably in the minority when I say... Cava Mezze was just okay. Overall, it wasn't a spectacular mind blowing experience and in fact, for the price I feel like I probably won't be going again any time soon. So my date and I got the pork belly, lamb chops, scallop risotto, and short ribs. I think our first mistake was getting so much red meat, but either way, it was wayyy heavy. Worst dish was probably the pork belly... Surprising because I feel like with the amount of fat on pork belly it would be hard to dry out... but somehow that is exactly what we got. Dry. Fatty meat. It was also advertised as "crispy" which it is definitely not. Best dish was between the scallop risotto and lamb chops. I love the risotto! Flavors were nice and it was definitely refreshing next to all of the heavy dishes. Scallops were cooked pretty well although mine was kind of gritty. Lamb chops was also deliciously cooked, charred (although my partner didn't like that) and well seasoned. The fries underneath were nice and crispy although nothing special (and also sitting in a puddle of oil...). Short ribs were pretty okay. Cooked very tender sitting on top of mashed potatoes. Maybe its because it came last that I did not enjoy it as much. Also got the lemon drop martini which I did not really like very much. It lacked flavor and kind of just tasted like a watery lemon juice. Skip this one! Anyway, overall, I would say that the meal was pretty "meh" on a scale of "nay" to "yay." We spent 73 and with tax and tip around 90!! Not worth it in my opinion and just did not live up to the hype. P.S. Bring a flashlight because its dark as crap in there!
(3)Marc H.
Tuesday = Half Priced Wine Night What I learned about Cava on Tuesdays: Not even a snow storm will stop people from coming here. You know you have a successful business when there's a wait even when it's snowing outside. On to the food. 1. Hummus - I've had better... a little bland for my liking 2. Eggplant dip - AWESOME. A must order 3. Feta with Honey - AWESOME. A must order 4. Zucchini and Squash - Loved it. So healthy, so good, great dish on a cold night. Simple and delicious 5. Octopus - Very tender, very good 6. Lamb Shank Special - Huge portion, so tender, if you like lamb, you can't go wrong with this. The cheesy mushroom risotto hit the spot as well 7. Seghisio Zinfandel for 50% off - Homerun So happy to have this place in our backyard, and the service is top notch as well.
(4)Pete D.
After reading tons of great reviews from other Yelpers and local magazines, we finally made it out here and actually got a table. It was an early 5:30 PM dinner and the place was pretty much empty. About 45 minutes later, the bar was leaking with people and the small area by the hostess stand was jammed. The restaurant had a handful of tables just outside, which can sit about 15 people if that's what you desire. As we approach the hostess stand, there were two young ladies there. One which greeted us with a friendly smile and the other "looking" busy and couldn't even glance up, but she did give us a cold "enjoy your dinner." We sat down at the middle table right behind the bar stools. This place gets pretty loud, so if you want a more intimate, quiet spot, ask for another table towards the back because lots of foot traffic comes through here. As I mentioned, the bar is leaking with pre-gaming people waiting for their table. Service was great and we couldn't ask for better. All the servers are very casually dressed, jeans and Cava tees. Our server recommended dishes and gave us a tour of their menu, mezze style or in other words, small plate dishes. It was just the two of us, our first time here, we obviously over order because we wanted to try many things. Our water glasses were kept full, plates taken away as we finish with each dish, no complaints. Now for the awesome food we had. All tables start with pita bread slices and three dips. Olive oil with olives (which I didn't dip into), regular olive po;, and the best one in my opinion, was the red paste. It consisted of grilled chilis, garlic, and oil. These awesome items are pureed. which brings out a nice paste. Here's the breakdown: 1. Fried Calamari - Nothing too special here, however, their aioli sauce was pretty good. The calamari had a nice light, flaky batter, but no tentacles were served! Not a big deal, I'm just a fan of that piece. 2. Saffron Risotto - Top-notch folks and recommended! The creaminess and smoothness of the risotto and cheese was delicious. Small pieces of mushrooms gave it some texture, but this dish was done very well. I want more as I type this ... 3. Grilled Octopus - Simply awesome, but lacks seasoning, let me explain. The octopus was grilled perfectly, I mean it was so tender and not over cooked. The server said he usually doesn't see that size tentacles and when I first got it, I was thinking this might be a little tough because it was big, but not at all. It was lacking some taste though, but that chili/garlic paste served with the pita bread was lathered on here. 4. Lamb Kapama - This dish was decent and new for my palette. Tomato sauce and a touch of cinnamon? But I had to try it. The tender lamb was good and no overtime chewing required. The sauce was different, but it caught up to me in a good way. 5. Braised Beef - This is similar to the lamb, but not as potent in spices and flavor as the Lamb Kapama, Still pretty good and the soggy fries (which was expected) complemented it well. 6. A long name - Our dessert, which I have no idea what the name is, was decent. It was simply too sweet for us. It was basically a sweet custard, in phyllo, topped with honey and cinnamon. I think it had a too much honey poured on top, which overflowed to the side of the plate. The sweetness caught up and I couldn't finish the dessert. Overall, great place to dine at and we will definitely be back to try the other many items on their menu. Right now, a solid 3.5 star restaurant, but I'll re-evaluate when we visit this place another time. Again, service is good, at least for us and our server, so we weren't disappointed here. They don't take reservations and this place gets packed! I highly recommend going early and enjoy a variety of unique dishes they offer.
(3)Kat L.
Wow. I hate greek food. I love Cava. Who would've thought? Maybe I've just never had Greek done right?! My girlfriend is apparently a regular there, and begged me to come. My GPS took me way out of the way, and low and behold its right behind my nursing school campus in Shady Grove. :) Damn you Rockville Pike. I could have taken 270! We started with a Mediterranean salad, and left the cucumbers lol. Savory without being too salty. I gave in and ate pita with this amazing SPICY red pepper something spread. I couldn't get enough! I'm paying for the gluten now... She got the salmon, and the portion was large enough to split it and take half home. I got a steak over roasted potatoes. The steak was more done than I would have liked. I like it bloody and rare, and cold. It was more medium rare- but with such a small steak I'm sure its hard to get that internal temperature perfect. No harm. The potatoes were boring, and I almost asked for ketchup. We split the cheesy risotto with mushroom. I say mushroom, cause I think there was only one lonely cremini in there cut up. *sad face*. This was the only disappointing dish. A little bland. We didn't take the rest to go. ACTUALLY- we didnt take anything to go. Our waiter said he'd keep our food in the kitchen until we were ready to go. We had a few drinks, then got the check, and went home. Pups did not have a snack when I got home, but I dont really care. Left overs for the dog can be overlooked. The place is a little loud, and from what I could gather there are definitely 'regulars'. I liked it a lot and cannot wait to bring the boy here. Close to home too... score!
(4)Tenni W.
Lollipop Chicken. Get it.
(4)Ryan R.
There are some dishes here that are exquisite. There are some dishes that just are not that great. The reason why this place is 4 stars and not 5 is that there just are too many dishes that lack originality albeit flavor. Each dish is presented well, at the least, and the service is fairly quick. The dishes I will recommend: The Lamb chops, the Opa Opa shrimp, the Scallop Risotto, the Lollipop chicken, the Donuts and the French toast desert. I would not complain about the sizes of each of the dishes I mentioned since they are so rich in flavor. The place can get pretty loud and crowded, and the lights are incredibly dim sometimes hahah. Cava Mezze is a very nice dining experience.
(4)Laura T.
I only purchase Cava hummus from Whole Foods, as I've found it to be some of the best. Imagine my delight to find that the restaurant is a mere few miles from home. This is one of my tops spots to grab a bunch of small dishes and share. Hot pita smeared with spicy hummus, Greek yogurt, or eggplant is almost a meal in itself. Excellent service, and fast efficient turn around during your limited time frame for lunch. A new favorite of mine!
(5)Eva D.
Great food and the service is good. I love the place.
(5)Anne-Sophie M.
Haha finally went yesterday for the first time after all the crowd working at SUGO told me how much I would love CAVA and had to give it a try... Indeed... I was sure I was gonna be happy... Waitress and hostess were nice. Arrived at the table, OK it's noisy but what can they really do about it... the room is not so big, and the place was packed... good for them, and good indication that the food is good :) Then arrive the pita, olive oil, olives and harissa... how can I say one more time, with my mediterranean origins it once again felt like home... these could basically have been my hole dinner, and seeing the olives disappearing so fast the waitress brought us back a bowl with extra and extra harissa. Then we ordered... good news, the fish of the day was the Bronzino... (the only thing that could have surpassed my joy for Bronzino would have been their fried red mullets which I have seen pictures of, but I'm sure it's pretty rare to find it here in america). The Bronzino was just perfection... the chef accomodated my request to add some fresh fennel (which is according to me the happiest marriage a grilled Bronzino can ever have lol ) and it was amazing... and seriously, the fish was huge. Usually when you're lucky enough to find bronzino in a restaurant here it's either filet or a small one (and most of the time not cooked the right way...) ... this one was a freaking real big mediterranean bronzino, served whole, seasoned ideally it just made my evening. And Yes I took a picture of it and I called my mom in France to tell her I had found THE PLACE for a bronzino :p:p:p (next time she and my dad come visit I'll take them there) Cauliflower, zucchini fritters, shrimps, lollipop chicken, moussaka, saganaki and apparently what the others ordered was also delicious... at some point I had no room for trying anything anymore... not even dessert, which I would have loved to try, but hey... next time I'll know to not eat all my plate so I can have fun with desserts. So happy to have had such a nice experience there :) And Gus thanks for being so nice and helpful all the time ! :)
(5)Kimberly J.
1. Mark is a great waiter. 2. The cheese dish that they light on fire was unreal. 3. This place turned me into a Greek food lover. 4. Positively eat here.
(5)Tu-van L.
A smaller, more suburbanite version of the recently-publicized Cava that was opened before the Eastern Market/Capitol Hill location. Location might be different but the food is still just as spectacular. The lamb sliders and lamb chops made for excellent dessert after a romantic dinner at Sushi Oishii across the street. The Vino Santo greek wine was also delicious - was like drinking a raisin :-p
(5)Dirk P.
Lollipop chicken and fresh made pasta dishes are the highlights, tho to be fair, the whole menu is good and the service friendly. The venue is small so I recommend afternoon meals there as it fill up at night!
(4)Jae S.
What can I say, I had an awesome time there. It feels little "Cramped" but the atmosphere is just right. Not a first date restaurant, little too open. Food, excellent. Service, excellent. Variety of drinks and mixes were on the money. I definitely highly recommend this place. time flies when you are having a good time and in this place, time flies!
(4)Simon C.
Went with a friend for dinner, but because he's a bit haphazard with timings, we couldn't book. When we got there it was packed, with an anticipated wait of 30-45 minute (neither of us are usually that patient when hungry), but they pointed us in the direction of the bar (which was also busy). A very, very dry Martini (thank you Steve) and very nice plate of taramosalata later, we had our table. Actually, all credit to the front of house staff who kept us up to date with progress on this every few minutes. Short wine list, but OK for this style of food. With 4 plates between the two of us (beef, chicken lamb cutlets and octopus) and a shared baklava, we were very satisfied. I can see why this place is popular!
(4)Jennifer E.
Yum! My work crew and I frequent this spot often. Speedy service. Great crab sliders and prices aren't outrageous!
(5)Melinda Z.
Great food, a little dim, but that's what they're going for so it's fine. Been to Cava several time and it is always exceptional. It's not cheap, but I would pay more for such delicious food. (better than wasting money at a lower priced restaurant for bland food) They have very good drinks as well. Recommendations: lollipop filet, the flaming cheese is delish & a great production, the asparagus we had was HUGE, really haven't tried anything I haven't enjoyed here.
(5)Nirav P.
Food was good but they are getting one star because they charged me twice. If i did not check my credit card statement, I would have been screwed!
(1)Magda B.
Recently made a visit to try the new menu items. Some were great others not so much. My table had the lamb sliders and two other lamb dishes, they were all amazing. I tried the grilled baby octopus, to be daring. It was definitely over done and was far too crispy and had no flavor. My favorite dish was the sauteed zucchini. It had the perfect light tomato sauce with a hint of olive oil, yum! Cheese sliders were also delicious. For dessert we had the baklava and the chocolate truffles. I thought they had far too much sugar, and the chocolate could have been richer. Everyone else was a huge fan of the baklava. However, the thing that turns me away from this place is the service. We put our names down for a large party, and at least 3 different people needed to make it clear that we could not sit down unless our entire party was present. OK.... I get it, you are a busy place.... When it was time to pay, we were practically kicked out. Our tables were literally taken away from us while were sitting and the server stated "we need these tables for people who have been waiting" Yikes... you are busy! I get it! The food is great and visit if you don't mind the hustle and scolding from the staff.
(3)Muge A.
FOOD IS AMAZING!!! The portions are not your typical entree so be ready to order a FEW plates if your starving but it's a great place to go for some drinks and appetizers.
(5)Elen C.
Very friendly place with great food. Our bartender Steve was great. We had octopus, scallops with rissotto, greek salad. Food was fresh, and delicious.
(5)Mickey L.
The food was seriously... meh, while the service and ambiance were equally cold. My dining companion and I have not yet find a Greek restaurant that we enjoy. I would have to say my best experience with Greek food was sharing lunch with one of my friends from middle/high school made by his Greek mom. It was quite delightful as I loved having EVOO and lemon as prominent ingredients. Though my dining companion was a bit reserved about Cava, I had some high hopes reading about the chefs' background (one of them is a Kinkead's alum) and considerable written hype. When deciding on what to order, we were set on the Grilled Octopus (an ingredient we adore) but had some difficulty with the second dish trying our best to avoid anything with feta cheese. Neither of us are fans of the acquired taste of it (particularly my dining companion)--though we are pretty good in developing tastes for foods that may require it. We ultimately chose the Chicken Kapama because it supposedly did not have feta cheese and sounded somewhat substantial. We decided to start with these two dishes then add more later on. We were a bit puzzled when our Octopus arrived. We thought that there would be some kind of Pita or bread. Oh well. As soon as we ate it, we noticed its soft texture. However, it was a bit unpleasantly soft--as in, spongy, rather than tender. It was tart--which we normally like--but made it seem like it overly disintegrated the precious mollusk meat. Also, not having pita made it feel unbalanced. Next came the chicken. To our (not so pleasant) surprise, the PIta arrived one course late. The Chicken Kapama was hot and fresh with the yogurt dollop on top to cool it. As for the taste, it was okay but the feta cheese-like taste permeated and was a major turn-off. They should have stated the dish had it (or whatever else it was that had such a pronounced flavor) as an ingredient as they had written for many of their other dishes containing feta cheese. The food was so mediocre that we decided against ordering any more dishes. Better not to endure any further disappointment and damage to the wallet (it is not a value, and as Sang K. said, you are better off spending your money at one of the many other great establishments in our area). Unless you absolutely love feta cheese in practically all your dishes, I just do not see what the all hype is about.
(2)Carol C.
The first time I went to CAVA, after years of driving past its consistently crowded and bustling doorway, I was decidedly unimpressed. However, I held off on reviewing it since my subpar experience didn't seem to jive with the raving reviews by fellow yelpers. After going last night, though, I can safely say this place has some excellent food, and to stick with the stuff they're known for, namely the seafood and risotto. Their hummus and pita is nothing to write home about (something that contributed to my mediocre first experience), but oh my god, the scallops and octopus were phenomenal!!! The feta with honey was ridiculously addictive as well - I never knew I could eat cheese by the spoonful (well, that's a lie), but this was just taking it to a new level. And did I mention the smooth rich creaminess that is their risotto or the hot gooey encased by flaky perfection deliciousness that is their spanokopita???!? Even their complimentary spicy red pepper dip is out of this world. I'm so glad this place is so close to my house; definitely will be coming back!
(4)Angela C.
Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Ambiance is great and reminds me a restaurant I would find in downtown DC (not a deserted shopping center in Rockville). Parking is never a problem but I can't say the same for the wait. Expect at least an hour Thurs-Saturday. Food: Entrees are tapas style so order and share. I'm going to say maybe 2-3 per person depending on what you get. Complimentary pita bread that comes out are hot and so good with the sweet/spicy suace. My regulars are: Spanakopita (Spinach/Cheese Pie) & Tyropita (Cheese Pie) - YUM! Phyllo dough comes out flaky and crispy. Be careful though, cheese is VERY hot. NY Strip - Super tender and comes out perfectly medium red on a bed of fried potato medallions. Crab Cakes - Order comes with 3 smaller crab cakes but is soo good. Hot and slightly creamy without the bready stuff..ranks very high on my crab cake list. Mussel or Scallop Risotto - Risotto is creamy and not overcooked. I prefer the scallops (only because the risotto gets into the mussels shell and becomes harder to fully enjoy). BUT, the scallops are somtimes overcooked and rubbery. Tomato Braised Meatballs - Not personally crazy about this but many of my friends are. I think it's because the meatballs are packed with flavor. Salmon - Just tried this for the first time and loved it. The sauce is cream based..kind of reminds me of the risotto sauce. Salmon doesn't taste dense the way salmon usually does but instead, is very moist. Individual dish prices are okay but can get pricey if you order more than 2. I think I would dine here more but the wait times are just too long. If you need to buy grocceries, put your name down then go to Giant. Otherwise, grab a drink from the bar and be prepared to wait.
(4)Han E.
We went there for lunch with some co-workers. Lunch specials were all heavy sandwiches, with fries, and they dont allow substitutions. Side salad was $4 extra, making it quite an expensive lunch. I opted for mezze instead, and the crispy brussel sprouts were sparse (maybe 6 brussel sprouts?), just deep fried, which seemed a little bit of a let down. The falafel were also deep fried without much flavor. Overall not an interesting culinary experience. Could have gotten a more tasty and healthier lunch elsewhere.
(2)Haley S.
I came here two weeks ago with the boyfriend and a friend of ours. When we got there, they had an hour wait and it was really busy so we walked over to a bar and had some drinks while we waited for our table. OK, this is when you all realize that I'm a huge nerd... the servers have pdas to take your order! How awesome is that? I'm one of those people that is always amazed when people take my order without writing it down, and usually something goes wrong. This way, it only takes a second to input your order, and it's really cool looking. It's a tapas restaurant which I'm always uneasy about because the boyfriend likes to eat a lot. It worked out well, though, since I don't eat red meat or pork (the other two did), so they were able to share some dishes that they wouldn't be able to enjoy if they were with just me. Lets see, we ended up ordering the hummus, grape leaves, opa opa shrimp, chicken slouvlaki and lamb kapama. All of it was delicious. The hummus was some of the best I've ever had. The grape leaves were wrapped perfectly and stayed intact while eating. My only complaint would be that the shrimp was a tad on the salty side. The Rockville location is a bit of a hike, but it's so worth it. If you don't have a car, I believe they have a location in Capitol Hill. So go!
(4)Maggie F.
Cava Mezze was definitely not what I had expected. You walk in and its like a black hole, with random candle lights everywhere. But I survived my entrance and found my table. Free pita bread with 3 sets of dip aka Harissa. The first was olive oil, second (i didn't try much) seemed to be olive oil with these peppers(?) no idea. But the third dip was my favorite: slightly spicy, with hints of garlic, and oil. Wonderful. Finished that basket of pita in a blink of an eye. Ordered the scallops, per the recommendations of many. Slightly crispy exterior with a burnt glaze over the top, but when you bite in, boy was it tender as anything. Tender, chewy, and def capturered the natural taste of scallops--which is DELISH! Wish there were more though. 3 scallops?! *sigh. Oh well. It was good while it lasted. The lollipop chicken was just as good as everyone reviewed it to be. CRISPY, CRUNCHY, FLAVORFUL! and then when you get inside, past the skin?! THAT'S LIKE DISCOVERING A TREASURE CHEST AND PULLIN THEM JEWELS RIGHT OUT! The meat was WELL saturated with flavor, and was as tender as a baby's arm (i have no idea what that tastes like....... but i would imagine it to be tender). And when combined with the exterior (the skin), by golly, i was in fried chicken heaven. And the sauce! the honey was a perfect glaze and the white cream provided such a rich kick! KICKED ME, IT DID! Later, got some lamb dish.. which had a gamey taste. Natural. I thought it was ok. It was mixed with a rice/pasta (looked like a combo between the two). Great experience, can't wait to try the other stuff!
(5)Lady Phade 1.
YUM! a lil pricey for me at times but still I say YUM!
(4)E H.
Never again
(1)Jackie D.
It was just....ok. I would probably come back here with my husband for drinks or with a few friends. The staff do seem really chill. I got their gyro sandwich for lunch and it was just....meh. Granted, it was my first time coming so I can't say that I'll never come back, but I would maybe come back to try some more of their stuff, perhaps. I definitely would have found a better gyro though at a better price during lunch hours than this place.
(2)Mary L.
Thank you fellow yelpers! So I found this place on yelp when looking for a good restaurant to eat at in the area. Cava had good reviews and they didn't not disappoint. Great dishes I ordered: Feta with Honey; omg, sooo yummy! They make their feta fresh and you can definitely taste it when you take that first yummy bite. And paired with the honey...amazing! Saffron Risotto; absolutely delicious! It is nice and rich risotto without being overpowering. Creamy and infused with flavor. Spanakopita; I've had this dish at other places and was left wanting but here, it was pretty good. Nice flaky crust and good flavor or spinach. Braised beef; good tender beef with lots of flavor. Overall, great service. It was very busy when I went so you might want to get there early to avoid a long wait.
(5)Mikey B.
Excellent food! Martinis are perfectly made. Highly Recommend. Lamb Chops are a must!
(5)David G.
Move over Jose Andres (Jaleo, Zatinya, Cafe Atlantico) because there's a new mezze place in town that tastes better, is less expensive and serves larger portions. Cava is an excellent restaurant that serves some of the best tapas and Greek food in the DC area. Our party of six tried several things on the menu, including: The Dip Platter- excellent takes on Mediterranean classics, we especially liked the salmon and eggplant dips. Apparently other people like them too because you can now buy them at Whole Foods. Greek Grilled Cheese- small grilled cheese sandwiches drizzled with honey- an amazing contrast of sweet and salty Squash and Zucchini- not overcooked, an excellent accompaniment to a meal of almost all proteins Spanakopita- good, creamier than most I've had, didn't have too much filo dough crust which often makes this too greasy Chicken Souvlaki- not a high point of the meal, bland and boring, stick with the red meats Crabcakes- enjoyable but not special, also didn't taste Greek at all Scallops Risotto- the risotto was well-cooked but the scallops lacked a slight crispness, could have been cooked a little longer Lamb Sliders- very good, just the right amount of spiciness, you could easily get these and one other mezze and make it a meal Lamb Kapama (stewed with orzo)- this was amazing, tender and not fatty at all, served with melted cheese on top Kastoria Beef (braised)- also very tender, definitely cooked for hours, I liked this, get the one over Greek fries Grilled Meatballs (ground beef with dill, mint, lemon, garlic oregano)- these were essentially kafka kabobs made into patties, but they were seasoned perfectly and weren't too dry, i would order these again in an instant Octopus- the better of the two octopus dishes, grilled lightly with lemon Fried Calamari- tasty but not special, get the other octopus Baklava- one of the best I've had, a huge serving, made with walnuts, not too buttery but still decadent Try coming at an off time because this place gets packed. It has a nice bar which would be an ideal spot to wait for a table.
(5)John H.
service is great here, food is alright, ambiance is the main attraction though...great for a casual date night
(4)J M.
I had read a lot of reviews about Cava so I was excited to give it a try. We went on a Saturday night right after opening and it was already packed. There's not a lot of room to wait so everyone was packed near the door and the bar which is the first thing you see when you walk in. We were seated after about 45 minutes which is exactly what we were told by the hostess. After being seated and getting our drinks the complimentary pita and dipping sauce was brought to the table. I enjoyed the the red pepper paste but it was too hot for some people at the table. We ordered two dishes per person and overall the food was good but all of our orders were overly salted. Maybe it was just that night or maybe we aren't fans of a lot of salt. The first round: The Village Salad was good but kinda of small for the price. The baby octopus was also good but again a little small for the price. We all enjoyed the zucchini fritters and hummus. Round two: Spanakopita was good but a little greasy. The lamp sliders were very good as was the mini gyro. The mac and cheese was good but like the other dishes, over salted. Lollipop chicken was good. Overall it was a good experience and we would return to try some other dishes.
(4)Donna Y.
This was my second time dining here and it was much better this time around. We ate outside since it was a B-E-A-utiful day, plus it's a lot less noisy than dining inside. Diner beware...if you decide to eat outside you will also be joined by swarms of house flies. Service was great, but the food took a little while to come out. We ordered the Greek Fries, which were hot, crispy and delicious. The Scallop Risotto was probably one of the best risottos I've ever tasted, although the scallops were a little undercooked for my preference. The Mini Chicken Pitas were moist and seasoned well, much better than the dry Chicken Souvlaki I had last time.
(4)Emily C.
This is my new favorite neighborhood restaurant! I came here after I saw all the positive yelp reviews and was not disappoint. Everything I had here was delicious. My favorite was the Scallop Risotto, but the Lollipop Chicken, Lamb Chops and Crab Cakes were also super yummy! When I went in the door, the hostess said it would be a 1 hour wait, because of this my family and I decided to go next door to Giant. Ten minutes later, our table was ready. As soon as we got seated, we got hot yummy pita bread and drinks. Since, Cava is a tapas style restaurant, individual dishes came out as soon as they were ready. The first dish came out super fast and the rest followed shortly. The dishes are small so make sure to get at least 2 per person. Overall, Cava is GREAT! I am definitely coming back again. This may not be a ideal for someone looking for a quiet atmosphere, but if you're looking for an interesting dining experience and are willing to put up with a little more noise than usual, it is definitely worth it!
(5)h g.
Excellent lamb sliders, chicken sandwich and awesome red chilli dip. No wonder it was packed during lunch time
(4)Sunshine W.
I went here awhile ago with my boyfriend. The food was good but the place is small and it was pretty loud in there. A good place for happy hour, but not the relaxing atmosphere i was looking for. Portions are pretty small too.
(4)Jennifer M.
This is truly a neat little restaurant. We came for dinner on a Monday. It's dimly lit with candles and PACKED. The tables are close, but the staff manages to serve everyone quickly. It's tapas style dining, and the food is great. There's something on the menu for everyone, and I could go back 20 more times and not get through half of the menu items that I would love to try.
(5)David Y.
First of all, I had no idea this area existed so it was a pleasant surprise to go to a new restaurant. I'll have to try the other ones soon, but I digress. Cava definitely seemed like the place to go. Had to wait about 45 minutes for a table (which wasn't too bad because we ate fries from potomac pizza next door). As for the food, it is relatively inexpensive, but for a tapas place the portions were much larger than expected. I had the scallop risotto. The risotto was quite tasty but the scallops were a bit over salted. I'll probably get the mussels risotto next time. And to top the dinner off, tuesday's 1/2 off wine. Count it!
(4)Toby K.
I came in with a group of friends for Sunday brunch as I had always heard good things about Cava. The restaurant is near a giant shopping center and the inside is pretty small (outside seating is also very limited). When I walked in, the first thing I noticed was how close the tables were to each other, but the restaurant was relatively empty when we were there so the proximity of the tables didn't bother me. I had the spicy lamb benedict and french toast, while my other friend ordered a gyro omelet and french toast. Service was very slow even though the restaurant wasn't busy and the waiter even misheard my order and gave our table Greek french fries instead of french toast. We assumed that the fries were complimentary, but were later surprised to see that the fries had been added to our bill. 20 minutes in, I received my spicy lamb benedict, which was great! The lamb was not dry and the benedict as a whole had just enough of a spicy kick to it, making the dish not too spicy nor too bland. The french toast on the other hand did not come in until I waited 45 minutes and was a bit too sweet, as the cream was heavy and overpowering. My friend told me that his omelet was good and the portion size for it seemed decent (especially for mezze). Overall, although the food was pretty good, the slow service and staff's mistakes made the experience less enjoyable than I had hoped for.
(3)Johnny P.
Went here for anniversary dinner. Made reservation for a Monday. This was our second time here. We had the haloumi, lollipop chicken, lamb chops, and scallop risotto. All but the lamb chops were excellent, the lamb chops were good. Service was a bit slow in the beginning, but picked up afterwards. It was pretty cold in here, temperature set at 73 degrees.
(4)David K.
I will make this very simple for you: GO THERE, IT'S GOOD. Small, usually crowded, noisy, and a little pricey. Excellent, luscious wines, good Greek-style food. For some reason, chycs dig this place. Crazy feta app will blow your mind (and waistline). Good waitstaff. There. Done.
(5)Laura H.
Great non-chain option in Rockville that caters to the non-kid crowd.
(5)Andrew D.
The restaurant is a little cramped and you may find yourself waiting a while, but it is well worth the wait and the lack of elbow room. The pita bread and dips are fantastic and bottomless. The plates are quite large for a tapas style menu. My girlfiend and I ordered 4 items between those and the bread were positively stuffed when we left. A lot of reviews say go early. To clarify, 6:15 on a Saturday night is not early. You will probably find yourself waiting about 30 minutes. Regardless of this fact, find a time and a way to go to this restaurant.
(5)Christine C.
"Toula, there's two kinds of people, Greeks, and everybody else who wish they was Greeks." ... Eating at Cava made us wish we were... Having read all of the reviews about the long wait we knew we'd have to take some drastic measures to get in to this joint. So we showed up in our best greek, hipster disguises, and were ushered in to a table right away with no wait. HA - Our plan was working! ... The fact that it was a Wednesday night and there were several open tables was merely coincidental... Here is why we are giving it 5 stars: 1. The food was out of this world! We had: the village salad, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), scallops and risotto, the lamb chops. EXTRA STAR FOR: Serving breakfast for dessert. The challah french toast with honey, berries, and cream dessert was stellar. 2. Our waiter was great. Kyle (I think that was his name) was quite the rock-star tonight. Chef - if you are reading this - give that man a raise! He made our first time there really easy by being helpful and attentive AND our table stayed clean, glasses stayed full, and no one was in the way. 3. Comfy, casual atmosphere. (Don't get me wrong - definitely a good adult, date night place. Tables are cozy (read: small). Our table worked fine for the two of us, but we definitely maxed out the real estate on our tabletop.) 4. The chef's name is Demetri Moshovitis. Perfect amount of Greekness. Extra things to know: Monday nights = half price Martinis. Tuesday nights = half price wine. Dress code = must wear clothes. Get your Greek self (or, your wishing you were Greek self) to Cava asap! Opa!
(5)Esther O.
Wow. I have to echo the excellent reviews here. My brother took me here on a whim, and it was so amazing that I had to return a little over a week later. Yes it's loud, yes it's dark, yes there's nowhere to wait... just expect those things and none of them will matter. The noise really just makes for a pleasant environment of being surrounded by happy conversation and contented patrons. A very happy feeling. :) And the food... the food is exquisite. Every dish has an absolute perfect combination of flavors. After having been twice I still haven't managed to try everything I want to - and I'm not sure I ever will since I just want to keep getting the wonderful things I've already had because they were so good! I particularly love the feta & honey and the baked orzo ... and really anything with the cinnamon tomato sauce, which is unbelievably good. How wonderful to have such an exceptionally nice restaurant that doesn't require going into the city.
(5)Grace T.
The lollipop chicken was incredible, the stuffed grape leaves were also great.
(4)Nicole B.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! AMAZING FOOD! But I do NOT recommend this place if you have children. Too small and they are always lighting the saganaki on fire which always freaks kids out!
(5)Dave W.
I take a group of chefs to Cava once a month, and each time, we're impressed. Go there knowing the place is boisterous, no matter what night of the week, and you're going to be up close and personal with the people sitting next to you--it's part of the fun, if you're in the right frame of mind. And, food's going to come out as it's done--clearly a tiny kitchen for as many covers as they serve, and it's mezes, anyways, so it's hard to get hung up on a sequence of service. Hard to know what to recommend, because we've been impressed with every dish (a definite rarity). Cava goes down as one of my hands-down favorites in the Rockville/Gaithersburg/Germantown corridor.
(5)Chris C.
Really enjoy the tapas and the service is quite good. BUT really wish they would accept reservations. I understand that with their popularity they don't have to.
(4)Grace O.
we relied on yelp to figure out what to eat for dinner and once again, yelpers did not disappoint. it even inspired me to start yelping again. this place was extremely tasty. we went on a monday night, so it wasn't as busy as the reviews made it out to be - we went around 845 and the restaurant was half empty. the server recommended two orders per person as a guideline, so we ordered the lollipop chicken, mac n cheese, sous bide short rib, and scallop risotto. the scallop risotto was AMAAAAAZING. the scallops were perfectly cooked and the risotto was amazing. the lollipop chicken was very good as well.. the drumstick is cut so that the meat just falls off the bone, no need to fight to get the last pieces of meat. but i did have to fight anyway since there were three pieces and only two of us. i'm selfish, what can i say? i also go the third scallop as well. so maybe i'm just a pig, instead of just selfish? the mac and cheese was good but it wasn't what i was expecting. i liked the noodles they used, it was definitely a change of pace from the traditional macaroni or penne i've seen. the short rib was pretty good as well but the end pieces were a little overcooked for my taste - also, there was no bone, so what is the short rib about? the pita and dip they provide before your meal was really delicious - spicy, flavorful, hard to put down and easy to spoil your appetite for the rest of the meal. despite the portions being a little smaller than i expected, i managed to fill up from our order (must've been the third lollipop chicken). i wish i had room for the dessert but i guess i will just have to try it some other time..
(4)Kevin L.
Monday special for their martini (half off if I remember correctly). Limited space, always crowded. Have been there couple times for lunch and happy hour. Cannot comment on their food as I don't eat this kind of cuisine often.
(4)Diana G.
I came here for the first time on a late Sunday evening with a girlfriend of mine and my husband. As we approached the door, for a moment we thought the place was closed because it really was dimly lit. After a few minutes, our eyes adjusted to the lighting so we were fine and able to enjoy our food. Since it was just the 3 of us, we each ordered 2 plates which was more than enough to share. Our faves definitely were the lollipop chicken, grilled meatballs and lamb chops (the menu said its accompanied by "crisped potatoes," it was just fries so I was not too impressed about getting fries with lamb chops). We also ordered zucchini fritters, fried calamari and lamb kapama. Our waitress was very attentive, the food was tasty and we had an enjoyable dining experience! We did not try the Haloumi which several tables around us ordered, so we will be returning to try that as well as several other delicious dishes. Overall, a great little find!
(5)Ken R.
This review is specifically for the Braised Beef dish. Its one of my favorite meals in DC. It keeps me coming back to Cava Mezze. Love it!
(5)Melanie K.
The food is DELICIOUS. Amazing lollipop chicken, hanger steak, and seasonal food they come up with, The service ranges! The first time I was here for date night, our service was exceptional. The second time around, I came with a party of 11 for my boyfriends birthday and our server who seemed a bit older, seemed like she was hungover or just didnt have much interest in our table. Little did I know that tip was already included on the check so...she seemed to just take that to her advantage and just come check up on the table once in a while. On a positive note, she did do me the favor of bringing out the candle on the dessert for my boyfriends birthday. I would highly reccomend this place. Perfect for any occasion! Better to come in the evening!
(3)Chris N.
Trendy scene, good food, and decent prices. It's the see and be seen place for this part of town. Just be prepared to wait for a table.
(4)Paola G.
cava is just out of this world. opa opa shrimp is my favorite. the calamari is good, the fish is awesome, the red dip they serve with pita is addicting, the spanakopita, the greek village salad is just soo good. i love this place, nothing i've ever had has been bad. drinks are good and they have quite the selection aswell as wines. i know a lot of the people who go here so its always fun times.
(5)Keith R.
Have again: Fantastic Halibut and steak/potatoes and green beans. The lamb shanks were very good. The dark chocolate truffles were also very good but three are too much for one person. This is a really great place! Don't be surprised if it looks like it is closed because of all the dark windows - it is not a brightly lit place. But it is noisy.
(5)Amber G.
The food has never been anything short of spectacular! Authentic Greek dishes ordered in small plates (Mezze) offer a great opportunity to sample a lot of different tastes. The lamb chops and Saganaki are always ordered when we are here. The harissa is also really something to mention and can be purchased at DMV area Whole Foods' stores. It's a regularly purchased condiment at our house. The atmosphere is dark and dimly lit, the tables are close together but its casual and energetic. While this location doesn't take reservations (the Capital Hill loc does) the wait for a table isn't long and made enjoyable with an Espresso or Chocolate Martini at the bar. Great for a date, girls night out or even entertaining out-of-town guests. The only caveat, entrees are not served and mezzes are usually best shared by three (3-shrimps, 3-lamb chops etc.) Or in my daughter's case, she orders a plate of the lamb chops for herself.
(5)Amber M.
Delicious! Chicken pitas are great..and you can't help but order a bunch of items off of the menu! Mac and cheese is also a favorite of mine, everything I have had from there is awesome. It is a bit of a dark ambiance, but that's great if you're on a date!
(4)Jeffrey P.
love this place!
(5)Nancy P.
The food was quite flavorful, it was basically a Greek tapas bar. Well worth the price. But beware: it is very noisy, even when not full. The service was attentive also.
(4)Andie B.
We were really impressed with Cava. Even though it's very small with virtually no waiting area (the bar was full, which means people are lurking in front of the kitchen door, which I'm sure the servers love), I would go back in a heartbeat. The portions here are much larger than anything I've seen at any other mezze or tapas place. We ended up with a lot of leftovers, not that I'm complaining. Instead of bread and butter, you get warm pita and a spicy tapenade, olive oil and some kalamata olives. Very good and fresh. We started with the tzatziki, which was very rich and had lots of fresh dill. But they didn't bring any extra pita with it, and we had to flag our server down for it. Did they think we were just going to eat it like pudding? I was pretty hungry, so after a few minutes without pita, I might have tried that. The meatballs were good, served with a nice chunky tomato sauce and some Parmesan, but the flavors were distinctly different from an Italian style meatball. Two braised beef dishes with feta were similar but good. The meat was very tender. I think I tasted hints of clove/cinnamon/nutmeg. Opa Opa shrimp are served with cream, dill and tomatoes. Good but the shrimp were ever-so-slightly overdone. The disco fries would be such a good drunk snack -- fries smothered in veal ragu and topped with feta. Although we were stuffed, I of course insisted on dessert. We ordered the Greek doughnuts, which were served warm and topped with honey and a bit of sugar. I would definitely be back. I wish they took reservations.
(4)Reggie N.
Best restaurant in MoCo for under $30 a person...well used to be at least. $40 or so now. Only real Greek food around--not that crap they serve at other "Greek" places. There's nothing in Greece like that. From the complimentary harissa to the flaming cheese to the lolipop steaks. I don't know what the heck I was eating before--but THIS IS REAL GREEK!!! Cava has gotten really popular and their portions have gotten smaller. So what used to be a packed, hotspot with exceptional food and moderate prices--has now become a packed, hotspot with exceptional food and high prices. The smaller portions make my friends and I a little less crazy about the place. Can't blame them though, they still have a line out the door--literally. Crazy wait. No reservations. Rude, obnoxious, amateur young staff. Loud as hell--you can't hear the person across the table. Still better than anything else around. I hear the one in DC is nice--will have to check that out.
(4)Kristin D.
So yummy, great atmosphere, and some of the best tzatziki sauce that I have had in years. short ribs are great, and gyros are my standby!!! I don't know if it was the night or not, but I was not impressed with the fritters they were quite dry, and heavy. but that is not enough to stop me from going back, I think I can eat buckets of tzatziki!!
(4)A D.
I love their food! My husband and i went to Greece for our honeymoon and come here to relive the experience. Not only is the food great, the ambiance is nice, although it is pretty noisy and small. Make reservations because it is often crowded for dinner. I love the lollipop chicken and mussels or scallops risotto! Most of the dishes we've tried have been good. I like that it is tapas style allowing us to try a variety of dishes.
(5)B Z.
food is amazing, except when they dont salt the meat ; and then deny that they didnt salt it and not give our table a discount for complaining (we ordered about 10 orders of meatballs none of them had salt!) *sigh* that was a real turn off--especially when the bill was over $300. anyway, i still frequent this place because well, i love good food--the food is outstanding here. the service? ok. my tip to you is, get there early if you are with a party. the place is tiny.
(4)Hannah C.
i rarely give 5 stars to an establishment because i always find something wrong with the place , but cava has to be one of the best restaurants in maryland. whenever i go to maryland, i always make time to eat at cava. it's actually right down the street from where my parents live too! the prices are reasonable, the food is oh-so-delicious (my all time favorite mussels risotto), and talk about hot servers. oh and can't forget about the sun garden riesling where you can't find anywhere else, which is only $15 a bottle. i almost forgot, their desserts. yummmm. if you're ever in the area, i suggest you check this place out.
(5)Judy C.
After listening to my friend rave about this place countless times, we were finally able to set a dinner date here for a group of 5. All I can say is that the hour commute in rush hour traffic is worth it! The food is amazing and prices aren't bad, what more can you ask for? Mondays are $5 martinis all night and Tuesdays are half price bottles of wine. For a group of 5 girls we shared 7 plates of deliciousness! Everything was cooked and made to perfection. Although they recommend two for every person, the portions are larger than spanish tapas places. They also serve you a basket of warm pita with tapenade/olive oil/olives (I think I may have gobbled up the tapenade itself). We were definitely full after everything, bill came to less than $15/person on food. This place is tiny so definitely come early if you can. We arrived at 7:30pm and were able to get a table right away. However before we were able to eat, the place started getting packed. Though my friend told me the Rockville location is better, I can't wait to try the Capitol Hill location as well since its closer to me.
(5)Dan G.
Son of a #$%&! we had a great experience at Cava Friday evening! My Wife and I went around 5:30 and while there were people already seated, it wasn't too busy yet. I'm told that after 7:00 on Fridays there can be a pretty long wait (or possibly any night for that matter). Even if we had to wait, it would be worth it! Everything we ordered was just that good. We started with toasted pita triangles that come with three dipping options. For dinner, I ordered the cinammon beef and grilled scallops. My Wife ordered the meatballs and chicken souvlaki. My favorite dish out of the four would be the cinnamon beef. They take what is essentially very tender pulled beef, and smother it with this heavenly sauce atop a bed of these incredibly fanstical french fries and in between is this wonderful cheese that I don't know the name of but it was really good and I couldn't stop eating it and, and...HOLD ME MOMMY! For dessert, we got the truffles and baklava. The baklava is HUGE and delicious. The truffles, while small, pack a rich chocolate punch...and you get four of them, FOUR! Four freakin' truffles! Our whole bill, for all this goodness, AND a nice glass of wine, was $69. Even the amount on the bill was a good number. Whoo Lawd, we'll be back. Oh yes, we'll be back.
(5)Barry S.
Cava is most excellent ... not sure if I like this joint or Isabella's in Frederick better ... but they both are great. Unfortunately, I have to drop the rating to a 4 since they dropped my favorite --- the sausage. And, I guess the fact that it's always crowded, loud, etc. makes it a 4 too :( Overall though the braised meatballs, spaghetti and saganaki (flombayed cheese) are "go out of your way" cravings. The staff is also very, very helpful when picking out new tastes. I also like their specials when they have them. Finally, I must add that Cava spelled backwards is avaC. Think about it.
(4)Jonah B.
My girlfriend and I discovered this place about a year or two ago, and it immediately became our favorite restaurant in the area. Usually with restaurants that we really like, there are things on the menu that we always enjoy, and things that fall short. At Cava, we've tried just about everything on the menu, and have yet to be disappointed. There is no downside here. We've taken many of our friends and family, and so far everybody has loved it. I really can't say enough good about Cava.
(5)Kim M.
I took my father to Cava for dinner after reading the reviews on Yelp. I was very impressed. The atmosphere is nice, albeit a bit dark (but manageable). The servers were all very friendly and attentive without being overbearing or annoying. They brought out fresh pita wedges and a tray with olives, olive oil, and a 'paste' of tomatoes, peppers, and 27+ other spices. It was great! We could have pigged out on that stuff and been happy. (BTW, they sell it there and also in Whole Foods and a few other stores in the area.) We then had the lollipop chicken, which was awesome - and our favorite of all the dishes. Also had the mac n' cheese, which was good but I found the cheese a bit overwhelming. It was good, but I'm not sure I'd get it again for myself. The grilled meatballs were great - the flavor was really good. The mini gyros were just right, too. I'm a big fan of tsatsiki and really liked their gyros. We'd definitely go back and we will recommend it to others.
(5)Carolyn C.
I came with my cousin and my sister to this restaurant and absolutely loved it - I got the baby lamb chops and shared a Greek omelette with my sister and both were absolutely divine. Sadly, we are all poor college kids and even though the prices weren't too bad at all, it was only because the portion sizes were absolutely TINY. The omelette could have barely fed a small child, but the 3 bites of it that I had were absolutely heavenly. If you're rich and have a job, come here all you want! The food is definitely worth it. Not to mention the waiters are PRETTYYYYYYYYY studly if I might say so myself.
(4)D C.
I read a lot of reviews before trying this place with my wife this past weekend. We got there really early (to avoid the rush) and sat at the bar. The bartenders were *extremely* helpful in explaining different dishes, portions, wine suggestions, etc. They brought out some olive oil and harissa to put on hot pita bread first (free). Unbelievably good on bread. We had 2 cheese dishes (grilled and one that came out flaming). Both were extremely good. Then we got the lamb chops w/ potato fries. Lamb was extremely good but the fries were sort of oil logged and soggy. Then the scallops with mushroom risotto. Wow! The risotto was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. These were nice jumbo scallops with one of the most perfect sears I have seen. They were not over (or under) cooked. Perfection. My only complaint is that it was all so good I could have eaten double. I would absolutely go back. This place delivers on good food, good service and pretty fair pricing.
(5)elaine l.
I've been here twice on business trips and would highly recommend it. The baby lamb chops are great, salads are very good, they have this fried cheese that shoots flames up to the ceiling. Lots of fun. Monday night Martinis are a plus
(4)myra f.
Today had lunch here. Besides the extremely poor service. Meals brought at totally different times. To the point we almost left as the first lunch of four was brought out an hour before the second lunch of four. Over charged us on our bill. Did take off the over charge when asked. Server never came back to check on us after food was ordered. One dish a Gyro sandwich came out without sauce, tomatoes but with fries inside the sandwich. It was awful. As for all the other meals they were ok . It was not a great experience would not go back. This is my third time eating here.
(1)Donna C.
This place is really good! The only reason I gave it 4/5 is because of the space. It's pretty small and pretty dark. The couple at the next table kept listening to our conversation! Besides that though, there's plenty of cocktails to choose from and the ny strip is Y-U-M-M-Y. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Leah S.
Love this place! Flaming cheese and the donuts are the BEST. Check out the one on Capital Hill location as well. Same vibe, little bit bigger and it's a more diverse crowd.
(5)jennifer j.
Awesome food! I love eating here especially because they used feta in so many of their dishes and I LOVE FETA! My favorites include Feta w/Honey, Calamari, Halumi, and the Gyros! I have cravings for this food constantly! The service is excellent and the interior of the restaurants are very romantic for a date. All in all this place is excellent and I highly recommended it
(5)Nicole J.
Cava is my favorite restaurant! I have brought many of my family and friends here and they all love it. The food, drinks,and ambiance are all excellent not to mention that it is extremely affordable. I have eaten here at least 20 times and I have never been disappointed. My only issue with it is that due to the fact that it is an extremely small restaurant the waiting time can get long on Friday and Saturday nights. It is also very loud and the tables are so close together that you can sometimes hear the conversations of the people in the surrounding tables. This doesn't bother me though because I know that if I ever want to have a private and quiet dinner then I will go elsewhere. The restaurant is very trendy and fun. Once you are inside it feels like you have just traveled from the suburbs to the city. The crowd is mixed between all ages but very sophisticated. They have martini specials every Monday and wine specials every Tuesday. The food is Greek mezze which means that the portions are smaller. I have literally tried almost everything on the menu. Some of my favorite dishes are the Spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie), scallops risotto, hummus, shrimp souvlaki, crab cakes, grilled whole fish, greek village salad, disco fries, and greek donuts just to name a few. I would recommend anyone to go whether you are with family, on a date, or with friends you will have a good time!
(5)Adie S.
Went to Cava for the first time on Thursday evening based on the reviews on Yelp. Food and service were excellent! The only downfall is that the restaurant is tiny and it was extremely loud. At times, my date and I literally had to yell across the table just to be able to hear eachother. Very excited for their new location to open up on Capital Hill!
(4)Kim N.
Cava is my favorite restaurant in the Rockville area. Beyond the great ambiance is the even better food selection. I was never a fan of greek food but Cava changed my mind. I always get the calamari, mussels risotta, the braised beef and fries, the crabcakes and don't forget to eat the endless pita bread with their roasted red pepper dip that is complimentary. Definitely go there Mondays for $5 martinis, my personal fav is the sparkling rita and Tuesdays is 1/2 price bottle wine night! One downfall is it gets packed fast so get there early!
(5)Y S.
My sister and I love this place. They offer half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays...needless to say we try to go every Tuesday. The lamb souvlaki is my favorite thing on the menu. The ambiance is dark and intimate. This is a great place to take a date. They have outdoor seating but I would still recommend sitting inside in order to get the full experience.
(5)C C.
This place is AMAZING. The service is always excellent, the crowd is always happy, and the food...the food... The shrimp & filet mignon lollipops are a must. Tender meat with a light fresh chopped tomato "sauce" (for lack of a better word) which pairs equally well with the JUMBO shrimp. The flamed cheese is a delicious show as they flambe it table side. It is a bit on the salty side, but you can easily balance it with the complimentary pita. The scallops risotto is perfect; rich, comforting and slightly al dente. The arugula & feta salad comes with raw red onions, which I was weary of, but it balanced so well with the pomegranate dressing. Zucchini fritters were delicious, and enhanced with the yogurt sauce. Lamb chops, grilled octopus, filet slouvaki...all AMAZING. They also have a twist on the classic cosmo, which gets its interesting flavor from their "cava fruit juice" There's no room for improvement here. No wait, I lied. Their hostesses should be brought down a couple notches. Their "I am holier than thou" demeanor would be quite fitting at a lounge in the city, not a heart-warming spot like Cava. Fix that, and it would perfect an already amazing experience.
(5)Sarina M.
I love Cava. The only downside is the size so waiting for a table can take a long time but this place still deserves the 5 stars. I recommend this place to anyone in a heartbeat. The food is excellent. I heart the baby lamb chops, crab cakes, scallops and their martinis. The dishes are mezze platters but the portions are actually pretty generous. This place won't break the bank either. From the outside where it sits on a mall strip, you'd never guess that the atmosphere inside is hip, and buzzing with energy. Always crowded but worth the wait. Great place for either a date or a girl's night out dinner.
(5)Lindsey M.
if you haven't been to this restaurant yet... where have you been the last few years!!?? its all i hear any one talk about. the food is AMAZING. go here as soon as you can. no matter what you get its going to be good. be sure to go on tuesday (half price wine night ;)
(5)Varun R.
great food.
(5)Ginny H.
Okay, I know this is against the flow, but my experience was not so good. I had arranged to meet a friend but she had not yet arrived when I stepped into this tiny restaurant and tried to get the attention of the hostess. Let me say up front that my friend and I are both middle aged women; we're used to being ignored, especially in places that cater to a younger crowd. But, I wasn't prepared for Cava. I said my friend was 10 minutes away but the hostess wouldn't seat me. I actually would have been happy to sit at the bar but I didn't know it was there (first and last timer). The conversation took quite a long time because a man who may have been the owner or manager interrupted the hostess in mid-sentence to discuss the general state of the wait-staff schedule. They chatted while I stood there, invisible. I finally walked out to see if I could find a bench or something in the neighborhood. When we finally did get seated -- I really wanted to try this well reviewed place -- the food was very tasty. But there was hair in at least one dish and the service was less than average. Maybe Cava needs to catch up to its reputation.
(2)Carrie L.
Liars! Used to go there for their lunch menu and get the crab cake sliders (two crab cakes on toasted buns with a side of fries) for $12. Just got back from lunch there and they said they no longer have the crab cake sliders (even though it is still on their menu) because of the amount of time it takes to cook the plate. They said I could get the crab cake off the dinner menu (two crab cakes, no toasted buns and no side of fries) for $13. If I wanted a side of fries I'd have to pay another $7. I agreed to the $13 crab cakes (cause that's what I came there for) and my friend agreed to share her side of fries with me. The waiter came back to our table to tell me that the $13 dinner crab cake was only one crab cake and not two. Clearly, this place was under charging on the crab cake sliders but refuses to admit it or give an honest explanation. Not impressed. Also, they aren't open on Saturday afternoons...
(1)Ashley C.
great sliders - both the lamb and meatball. nice atmosphere and service, too.
(4)Noble S.
We used to go to Cava for dinner all the time when we lived across the street. Now that we've moved, we go less often. Our favorites are the braised beef, crab cakes, zucchini fritters, and saganaki. Most everything else we've tried is great too. The only downside is that it tends to fill up quickly and can be loud if you're not sitting outside. Still, this is my favorite restaurant in Montgomery County, hands down.
(5)Jean L.
This place opened up about 2 years ago and already I've made it a part of one of my favorite regular places to go. Just be prepared to wait as it's always crowded, even on Mondays. So far, everything I've had there is great, but I always get the lamb chops, the village salad, the tzatziki dip, and the bronzino(sea bass) is excellent. A definite must if you're in the area!
(5)Sumi N.
This place is like Rockville's only and trendiest spot to be at! It is always packed which is the only downfall because if your whole party isn't there you have to wait and even if your whole party is there you still may have to wait. Can't blame them because it is a great restaurant and once you get seated you don't want to leave after a good hour or two. They have great Happy Hour specials like half wine bottle and $3 Martinis on certain days. To be honest I could live off the free appetizer they give...this hot bread with oils and this crushed pepper thing which is AMAZING! I usually stuff myself with that forgetting they have good food on the menu too. Def order: Zuchinni fritters, lamb chops, LAMB SLIDERS (love these, probably bc they incorparated the red crushed peppers into it), and and shrimp or chicken dish you really cant go wrong with. Also the meatballs the regular ones and the braised are very yummy! Any special occassion we usually go to Cava its just a great experience every time I go. The waiters and waitresses are hot and attentive so can't go wrong =)
(5)Vanessa H.
Cava is hands down amazing! I have been to both the Rockville and Capitol Hill locations each providing a warm, cozy atmosphere. I am a frequent Cava diner because I just can not get enough of the innovative menu offerings, friendly staff, and trendy ambiance - really what more could you ask for? Cava offers environment perfect for date night, or a perfect place where you would come with your closest friends to grab drinks and eat tasty Greek small plates full of flavor, creativity, and variety. Cava's food is not only fabulous it is affordable and quality is present in every dish. Not only is the food decadent, but the wine selection is impressive. Come for half price bottle wine night its a steal! It is very refreshing to have a local restaurant that provides such an extraordinary dining experience. I have been to Greece and eating at Cava brings me back every time. I would recommend Cava to anyone, its awesome and makes going out to eat worth every penny!
(5)Grace L.
Wow a cool place in Gaithersburg! I come here in the evening and grab drinks with a work buddy often. They make a fierce dirty martini. The waitstaff and bartenders here are excellent. They are attentive and knowledgable even though this place is always packed out. The girlie martini list makes me laugh especially when I see the No. Po. men chuggiing down a bikinitini or a gummy bear. But last night I caved and had a sip of my friends mango van gough and it was pretty tasty. The olive oil, crushed red pepper paste, and olives with pita are a nice start. I love the orzo (it is cooked in a cinnamon tomato sauce), the eggplant red pepper spread (it is babba ganoush with red peppers in it), and the cheese pie. My friends gushed about the filet lollipops The hummus is lack luster (c'mon you're a greek place, you should have good hummus), and their grape leaves taste like they come from a can. And their spanikopita is a bit dull. Their fries with cheese were wan and soggy. The food that is good is really tasty but sometimes their dishes fall flat. The trick is know the menu and drink some of their well-mixed drinks. You'll leave with a smile and having been well taken care of by their staff.
(4)