Many customers praised the friendly and attentive service from staff members like Alex, Michelle, and Kiwi, while some reported poor service experiences.
Food Quality
The food received high marks for being delicious, fresh, and flavorful, with specific mentions of popular items like the chicken shawarma bowl and cinnamon pitas.
Staff Attitude
Overall, the staff was described as nice and helpful, although there were instances of unprofessional behavior and complaints about management.
Operational Issues
Several reviews highlighted issues with order accuracy and slow service, indicating a need for better management and organization.
Ambiance and Cleanliness
While many enjoyed the atmosphere, some noted cleanliness issues and a lack of smiles from staff, suggesting room for improvement.
CO
chelsea o
5 days ago
1.0
Considering I come from a hospitality background, this experience was honestly hard to watch.
Our first visit for dinner was already disappointing.
The wrong bowl was made, and when you’re relying on employees to construct the bowl correctly, how exactly is the customer meant to realise it’s wrong? On top of that, the customer service was pretty atrocious, which was surprising given how many positive service reviews I had read. That left me confused.
We decided to give it another chance since it’s a healthy option and assumed it may have been a one-off. Unfortunately, we went twice more in the same week (two days apart), and the issues were consistent.
Staff were clearly reading off cue cards and didn’t seem to know the menu at all. Even when selecting a specific menu bowl, I essentially had to build it myself. That completely defeats the purpose of offering preset menu options. To make matters worse, they ran out of chicken while we were ordering two chicken power bowls, not a great look from an operational standpoint.
Overall, the whole experience felt very scattered and poorly structured. From an operations and training perspective, there’s a lot of room for improvement. Customer service in particular was lacking, I found myself having to take initiative and guide the process, which really shouldn’t be the customer’s job.
Disappointing, especially given the brand reputation.
The guy who worked Monday night around 8:30pm with the blue bandanna on was terrible. Would really think again about who’s representing your brand.
CV
Cassie Vaden
6 days ago
5.0
Always a great experience at this cava! Dustin is super friendly, attentive, and helpful. Of all the fast casual options nearby it is my go to!
JT
Josue Torres
Dec 28, 2025
5.0
Trying cava for the first time, customer service was great the lady helping me with my order was very helpful and helping me with recommendations. The food was great, better than I expected. Michelle at the cashier was very nice and assisted me very well with my order. Thank you I will definitely be back to this location again.
PN
Pedro Nuno
Dec 27, 2025
1.0
The service is terrible. I was skipped in line and Jocelyne wouldn’t even address she got confused and started helping another client before me. I brought this to the attention of another coworker and just dismissed me. Terrible experience
JH
Joseph Hatami
Dec 19, 2025
4.0
Important to consider- this location is a pain for parking. I supose every busness in the area is also. Some paid 15min meter parking spots on the street..or pay the full cost of the paid parking lot near by which isn't cheep. I chose to run out every 15min and add time to the parking meter in my case. But the food is tasy and staff is nice.
CAVA is a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant offering customizable greens + grains bowls, salads, and pitas.
Where is the CAVA restaurant in Santa Monica located?
CAVA is located at 1318 Second Street, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
What are CAVA's hours of operation?
CAVA is open every day from 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM, except on holidays like November 27, December 24, and December 25 when it is closed.
Does CAVA offer delivery and takeout services?
Yes, CAVA offers both delivery and takeout services for customer convenience.
What payment options are accepted at CAVA?
CAVA accepts American Express, Apple Pay, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Samsung Pay, and Visa.
Does CAVA accommodate dietary preferences like vegetarian or organic food?
Yes, CAVA serves vegetarian and organic options as part of their menu.
Is CAVA family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?
Yes, CAVA welcomes families and is wheelchair accessible including entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms.
Are there any app options to order from CAVA?
Yes, CAVA offers apps for both Android and iOS devices for easier ordering and loyalty rewards.
What nearby places can I visit around CAVA in Santa Monica?
Nearby places include Step Up On Second community center, SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa restaurant, and the Laemmle Monica Film Center cinema, which you can visit before or after dining at CAVA.
How can nearby places like Laemmle Monica Film Center enhance my visit to CAVA?
After enjoying a Mediterranean meal at CAVA, you can catch a movie at the nearby Laemmle Monica Film Center cinema, making for a fun outing in Santa Monica.
Are there other dining options near CAVA if I want variety?
Yes, nearby options include UOVO Italian restaurant and HiHo Cheeseburger for American fast food, offering diverse meal choices.