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Brendon Burke
Jul 26, 2026
For the longest time, I kept hearing about CAVA from a girl I dated in Cumming, GA. She was always stopping there for lunch, but somehow we never ended up going together. Fast forward a while, someone suggested the CAVA on Haywood Road, and now I finally get what all the hype was about.
The setup reminds me of Chipotle, but with Mediterranean food. You build your own bowl or pita with your choice of rice, protein, hummus, sauces, and a huge selection of fresh toppings. I've had the grilled chicken, harissa chicken, and steak so far, and every one has been excellent. The harissa chicken actually has some real heat to it, which I appreciate. It's not "pretend spicy."
The house-made drinks deserve a shout-out too. I've tried several of them, and every one has been fresh, unique, and worth ordering. The Blueberry Lavender is one of my favorites, and the Cucumber Mint Lime is incredibly refreshing.
The portions are generous. I'm a big guy, and even with a fully loaded bowl, a side of tzatziki and pita, and a drink, I usually don't finish everything. Is it around $20 by the time you walk out the door? Yeah. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
What keeps bringing me back is how fresh everything tastes. It doesn't leave you feeling heavy like a lot of fast-casual places. The restaurant has been clean every time I've visited, the staff has been friendly, and after four visits I still haven't had anything that disappointed me. Even ingredients I normally wouldn't choose have been surprisingly good because the quality is just that high.
My only complaint? I wish they'd open one closer to Taylors so I didn't have to drive all the way to Haywood Road. Sitting here writing this review has me wanting another bowl already. If you're on the fence about trying CAVA, do yourself a favor and go. I think you'll understand why people keep coming back.
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Pamela Brown
Jul 4, 2026
My husband and I dined inside for the first time on Friday, July 3, 2026 around 6:30 pm. What a beautiful and incredible experience! The set-up reminded me of Chipotle but the results were far better. We ordered 2 separate bowls, one with lamb meatballs and the other bowl with grilled salmon. There was a nice spread of toppings and a variety of dressings. The whole line of servers and the cashier demonstrated excellent customer service. I completely enjoyed my meal, along with the crispy pita chips, and refreshing cucumber, lime, and mint drink. Lord willing, we hope to return soon and recommend your business to others. Thanks again, for the wonderful service.