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Cava Mezze DC
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
527 8th St SE(between S E St & S G St)
Washington, DC 20003
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast
(202) 543-9090
- Nearest Transit:
-
Eastern Market Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 9:30 pm
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Fri 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Sat 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Sun 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
407 reviews for Cava Mezze DC
Review Highlights
"I can recommend the spicy lamb sliders."
(in 29 reviews)
"Opa opa shrimp - 3, good but not amazing."
(in 13 reviews)
"The Crazy Feta is another favorite; whipped feta with..."
(in 23 reviews)
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407 reviews in English
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Review from Heather S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Well, hello DC... how nice to see you again. Oh? What's that? You have an awesome tapas spot right in the heart of Eastern Market that you'd just love for me to try?
You got it!
Cava Mezze was straight up incredible. Came here on a Friday night with the ladies and had a wonderful time. The food was absolutely delightful, as were the
mojitos!
We did the tapas thing just right. Ordered up a smorgasbord of items that the five of us dug into eagerly as they arrived. There were so many items that we tried that it's a little tough for me to remember everything but I'll give it a shot:
Haloumi - wow.
Cava Mac 'n' Cheese - Pretty sure I dreamed about it that night.
Spicy Lamb Meatballs - Delicious.
Lollipop Chicken - Yum.
Sous Vide Short Rib - Still dreaming about it.
Really though, everything was absolutely spectacular. On top of that we were seated relatively quickly (although, we did have reservations) and our server was great. We didn't feel rushed even thought the place was jumping and we managed to finish every last bite of what we ordered up.
Cava Mezze was the perfect spot for a low-key, yet fantastic girls night out - especially because it allowed us to try a wide array of items without breaking the bank. Definitely my new favorite restaurant in DC.Listed in: (Not) In A New York State of…
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Review from Todd M.
Washington, DC
2/5/2012
I've had dinner, brunch and drinks at this spot and really like the food. Love the flaming Halloumi cheese, and I have yet to find a dish I have not enjoyed. Small plates restaurants can add up quickly, but it is fun to share and try different flavors with friends.
My only complaint is that this place gets really loud. It would be great if the acoustics could be addressed to tone it down a bit. -
Review from Toya J.
1/9/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Oh my goodness! I don't even know where to begin. It all started with the tantalizing reviews from Sahara R and Lia M. I had an occasion with a special someone coming up and I just knew this would be THE PLACE just by reading repeatedly good reviews. And this place turned out to be excellent! It is dark, cozy, romantic, and the food is comforting, just enough small bites to get your taste buds and tummy aligned.
Zucchini fritters with taziki sauce were so delicious, you wouldn't even know what you were eating, so if you're afraid of this vegetable just order it you won't regret it at all!
Chick pea fritters are a nice safe choice, soft mushy and well seasoned.
The Lamb Sliders in portions of 2 were tender and juicy.
Next time I come back I'm going for the Saganaki cheese, that I constantly saw lit up in a burst of flames as they presented it to various tables. I am currently donning extensions, so I was a little paranoid. No 1984 Michael Jackson Pepsi Generation Debacle over here! I need my scalp! They can light that plate across the room AND THEN bring it over.
And shout out to our server Jaime, who had great enthusiasm and extensive food knowledge. She had me trying cocktails I would typically shy away from like one in particular with gin (synomous with sin) and cucumber along with a blood red orange mimosa I would have normally considered for brunch. Note: They have happy hour specials from 5 to 7 with small plates in the $4 to $5 dollar range, but I could not find the specifics on their website.
Just know, this is a special place. I recommend going with people you want to create special memories with!
Orange Blue Lines: Eastern MarketListed in: Metro Accessible Happy Hour…, Just The Two Of Us....
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Review from Eric O.
Wanted something new to kick off the year
So we checked on Yelp to see what was near
Arrived before seven
No wait, thank heaven
I knew it'd be good -- a cozy place for me and my dear
The sangria so strong, the mojito so sweet
The free pita and dips are hard to beat
Four dishes for dinner
To eat like a winner
We really enjoyed this Mediterranean treat!
Mussels risotto was my personal fave
Lollipop chicken I still really crave
The variety's deep
Though it isn't cheap
Great food, great drinks, what more can I rave?Listed in: Limericks, Review of the Day
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Review from Vani M.
Washington, DC
1/8/2012
Quick tip: come here for lunch or dinner, but not brunch. Nothing wrong with the brunch menu, but it isn't as extensive as the full menu.
HALMOUMI SLIDERS.. Oh god.. I dream of you. Perfect balance between the grilled haloumi slides, soft brioche bread, a bit of tomato, served with a little tziki on the side. I will come back just for these sliders alone. But everything else I've ever had here was good. -
Review from jessica a.
Washington, DC
2/6/2012
I had a reservation and had to wait over half an hour. The restaurant barely even acknowledged this ridiculous wait. The food was good, but not worth the unpleasant start.
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Review from Lia M.
12/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Cava Mezze is straight up sexy. Sahar told me. The reviews told me. And when I Googled, Google told me. I actually kind of had an idea, from a brief stop in for a drink with Brian last year. But I have the memory of a goldfish, so I do not always rely on it. It is quite loud inside, but the dark décor and low lighting make it a cool spot.
We had reservations at 8:30 on a Friday night and only had to wait a few minutes for a table, which was nice. Our server, Yanni, was very good.
For a drink, I started with the Cava strawberry, which was delicious. For food, we shared the following:
- Mac and cheese
- Chicken lollipops
- New York Strip
- Zucchini fritters
- Green beans
I loved the mac and cheese and zucchini fritters, which were my choices. Fritters were crisp and flavorful; mac and cheese was very cheesy. Everything else was good, but those were my favorites. The bread with harrissa was delicious - I could not stop eating it. It was plenty for two people, and we definitely had leftovers. I did not try dessert (note to self: stop dating men that don't eat dessert - my new requirement is you have to eat dessert in order to date me), but obviously wanted to.
Cava really is a great date (and all-around) restaurant, and I look forward to returning. -
Review from Kat S.
12/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
On Sunday through Wednesday Cava Mezze is one of my favorite places on Barracks Row. On Monday, with all bottles of wine half price (!) it's my favorite place on the Hill. Thursday through Saturday, Cava Mezze gives me some mixed feelings.
The food here is all Greek and all delicious. Served up tapas styles you'll need 2-4 dishes to feel satisfied but the variety is welcome. It'll cost about $25-40 a person. The menu has a nearly endless diversity of offerings, though Feta cheese appears on maybe 85% of the plates (I'm not complaining). Dip Tasting is a great way to start to the night, as long as you don't fill up on bread. The Spanakopitia is straight up fried goodness, while the Brian is a healthy, fresh treat. Pretty much anything lamb or risotto is delicious.
Early on in the week I'm a big fan of Cava Mezze. The place feels sleek, trendy and romantic. But as the week rolls on and hits peak dining days I become a bit less fond. From Thursday to Saturday this place is busy. Even with reservations you should expect a wait. While the seating up front near the windows is lovely, the two person tables in back feel cramped and crowded. The whole restaurant is quite loud. Service at best can be described as rushed. On these days it seems Cava Mezze has gotten a bit too popular for its own good. -
Review from Samantha E.
Alexandria, VA
Greek tapas? Ballin! I had a group of friends come into town and this was their choice for dinner after looking through my last of restaurants I have been meaning to try. Everything was divine and came out very quickly. Even though tapas portions are small, they always fill you up because you take such care eating them over a long period of time. With a group of five were tried basically everything we wanted to and enjoyed all of it. Great atmosphere, attentive staff, and good location.
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Review from Taryn L.
Updated - 12/10/2011
Maybe just below 5, but darn near close. We visited again today but this time for lunch and were surprised to discover they are now serving brunch ... mezze. We hadn't planned on it nor were we necessarily in the mood but boy. It was good. My standards always jump a little when we're entertaining, and we had a friend in town from NYC. Needless to say he's got plenty of options up where he's from so.... what to pick?
The service was as stellar as it was last time we were in. Our waitress was patient (we were just as interested in visiting with our out-of-towner as we were in eating) and knowledgeable, making excellent suggestions both in terms of taste and portion-size and answering questions in detail.
We each started with one of the benedicts, the boys with the crab and myself with the spicy lamb. I'm partial to my selection, but the hubby to his - which says to me, to each his own, but both were scrumptious. The lamb had a few tough spots but I could look past these two bites due to the overall tenderness of the piece, the perfectly poached egg and the rich Old Bay hollandaise (on both of the dishes) that was a delightful compliment to the meat. Even the the English muffin sticks out in my mind - fresh and perfectly toasted, just the right amount of crispy. (And my husband just piped up to say the best benedict in the city ... and just a very few that are better in New Orleans. You know. Hometown pride.)
The lamb on the lamb slovaki was of a thicker cut and similarly cooked to perfection, still brimming with flavorful juices, and topped with a thick, fresh tzatziki. Served on the same warm, soft pita I gave props to in my last review. Yet even as good as this dish was the benedicts still took the cake.
Other dishes on the table included the lamb chops (I didn't get a taste but he looked like he enjoyed it!) and the three-way chickpea -- fritters, hummus, chickpeas in a vinegar. Perhaps still not especially given the friedness of the fritter but it was a nice side dish to accompany the meat on the table.
We wrapped it all up with some French toast. Some divine French toast. Super yummy, divinely wonderful, simply sweet and delicious and fruity and crunchy wonderful French toast. As you may have sensed, I liked it. We all liked it. They knew we were splitting it amongst the three of us and even cut it into three bites. I love that!! I'm not one to hesitate to try others' food but when it's split for me it saves me the trouble. Very thoughtful.
Also, I'm not sure whether they've worked toward resolving the noise issue (though after my last post I received a note from the owner/management telling me they were trying to address it) or the place was just a little less crazy on a Saturday morning than during the dinner rush, but we hadn't even a small problem with hearing one another.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/27/2011
Nooooisy! Sounds bounce from wall to floor to wall with wild abandon, making it difficult to hear… Read more »
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Review from R L.
Washington, DC
Updated - 1/20/2012
YUM! I have been here a few times and every time I go I love it more and more. I do want this to become one of my regular spots. Turns out they have a good happy hour too.
My only recommendation is to order a few dishes at at time because they come out quickly and then you feel rushed.
Oh, and the desert...wow. I do not have a sweet tooth, but the french toast was recommended and YUM! I don't have any other words. The greek donuts are also great.1 Previous Review:
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10/19/2011
YUM! I would go back for sure. Everything we ordered was delicious. NO complaints.
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Review from Stewart M.
Amador, CA
1/17/2012
Everything we tasted here was wonderful. All the sauces were incredible. Don't miss the flaming cheese!
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Review from Tasha M.
12/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sweet baby Jesus, this place is delicious! I met up here with some of the people I went on a missions trip with to Greece this past summer, and we all agreed - this was by far the best taste of Hellas any of us had encountered since returning to the States. Let me add a caveat though by saying that there is NOTHING like authentic Greek food at a local taverna in Thessaloniki, Athens, or Crete. Nevertheless, Cava has some damn good plates that got my taste buds reminiscing of those succulent meats, cheeses, and dips I miss so much.
We ordered the Cava Fries with Tzatziki, Saganaki, and Chicken Souvlaki. All traditional Greek staples. And they were pretty scrumptious. Definitely to the liking of my palate. I typically don't like tapas style restaurants because my tummy is too big for the schmedium sized dishes, but the portions here are pretty decent. There were 5 of us at the table nibbling, and it seemed to all go around fairly well. Everyone had his/her fill :) The service was pretty good too, and the environment it kinda sexy casual... if that even makes sense lol. Great spot for a first date. I'll be returning here very soon, and likely very frequently! -
Review from Lina P.
Washington D.C., DC
1/16/2012
wow wow wow. This place was amazing!! my friends reserved a table for my bday dinner and i could not ask for a better food or ambiance. I could not pick on 1 single dish or critique!!(well, I can't eat some sea food like octupus but it looked delicious too). The food came quickly and the servers and everyone who worked there was super friendly and cool. very affordable prices from the quick glance i took at the menu. my friend picked all the dishes and i was satisfied with all- and that's coming from a very very picky eater. Thank you!!!
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Review from Schuyler W.
Suitland, MD
12/2/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Meh. Don't get me wrong- I love Greek any day of the week but this little overpriced joint won't be getting my money anytime soon.
I took three of my Houston buddies here upon reading other Yelp reviews and my roommate's seal of approval. We got a hodgepodge of stuff- lamb this, eggplant that, cheese this and of course dolmas. The flaming cheese appetizer was recommended by our waiter (who wasn't attentive btw) and it was like the Sound and the Fury: lots of noise but no sense. It looked cool and drew attention but at the end of the day... it was just cheese. -
Review from Alex G.
Washington, DC
11/22/2011
I've been to Cava twice now and my experiences were totally bi-polar. The first time I went, it was a random Thursday. The restaurant was crowded, but not overly so, which I think affected the meal in a positive way. I could hear myself think, the food came out on time, it was still warm, and the waiter was attentive. They sat us upstairs, where there's a little more wiggle-room spacing wise. I left super happy and convinced this was the best restaurant ever.
The second time we came here though, it was a Saturday and I had reservations. Despite showing up on time for these reservations, we had to wait more than a half hour for our table. That was super annoying. What the hell is the point of making a reservation if we have to wait anyway? When we were finally seated, they put is in the middle of the restaurant at a tiny table crammed next to a bunch of others. The neighboring tables were practically in my lap. It was like I was eating with the strangers around me, and it sucked.
Furthermore, it was SO LOUD in that place that I could NOT hear my husband talking to me. I don't mind boisterous restaurants, but this was noisy to the point of annoyance. Our waiter seemed new, like he didn't know what he was doing, and the mixed drinks we ordered at the bar were gross. The food took a long time to arrive, and when it did, we got like 6 dishes simultaneously. The table was too small to hold everything, and it was awkward.
It sucks to say it, but my second time here kinda soured me on this place. Maybe the key is to go on off nights like a Tuesday or something, and skip the weekend crowd. Order the Spicy Lamb Sliders when you go. And try to get seated upstairs. -
Review from Lauren B.
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I decided to do my 28th birthday in style at Cava after a rave review from a friend. Cava was great about taking and honoring my reservation which was helpful even though two guests didn't show up on time.
The dining room is cozy but not stranger's-butt-hovering-over-your-dinner tight. Let the ordering begin! I was in the mood for something from the blue lagoon that night so I went with the spicy mussels, crab bomb and the calamari (someone posted a picture). As for beverages I started with the whiskey sour and also had two of the white peach something or others. The food: everything was amazing and these are hefty tapas servings, no one leaves hungry. The calamari was firm and tender and really well prepared with just a squeeze of lemon. The spicy mussels weren't actually that spicy but they were delish nonetheless. Because it was my birthday and I was feeling greedy I also downed my friend's last lamb slider, I recommend them.
To cap off the evening we were treated to these honey and powdered sugar covered donut thingies (with a candle on top!). The food was all amazing but I wasn't a fan of the cocktails though they are effective at getting you where you are trying to go. It was just that they all tasted like sugar, straight sugar. I will DEFINITELY go back and will order the wine next time! -
Review from Bettina R.
Washington, DC
Updated - 10/26/2011 3 Check-ins Here
As promised, I did return to Cava Mezze recently, albeit for brunch this time instead of more happy hour fun. I'm happy to say, though, that the experience was still first-rate. I experienced some hoity-toity 'tude from Matchbox down the street, so I came to check if Cava had a wait. They didn't, and happily accommodated our request for an outside table. Our server was gracious enough to let us order from the brunch menu even though there were only a few minutes left, and I'm so glad he did, because both items I sampled were off the chain.
As with the dinner menu, the brunch is served mezze-style (small plates). I had the crab benedict and the french toast. The egg in my crab benedict was perfectly poached, the crab meat was succulent and flavorful, and the french toast (served with whipped cream and berries) was crispy without being overladen with oil. To drink, I had a delightful off-the-menu brunchy cocktail. I usually find fruity drinks to be overly cloying, but the peach and coconut notes in this one were spot-on. I managed to stick to just one, but I could have easily downed another. The drinks here are so well-made; I need to stop by more often to sample them all.
I'm glad I ended up here again, even though it wasn't our original plan. Our brunch was great, and the service was much better this time around. Cava Mezze will definitely be part of my repertoire in Eastern Market from now on.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/12/2011
Cava Mezze holds a special place in my heart as one of the first restaurants in Barracks Row/Eastern… Read more »
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Review from Suzanne M.
Washington, DC
11/27/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Cava Mezze has the best food on Barracks Row. The balance of flavors concocted by the kitchen hits the right tones of freshness, depth and zing. The vegetable dishes especially deserve to be called out for their utter scrumptiousness. My favorites are the white beans, the zucchini and the beet salad. Also highly recommended: the kokkinisto (stewed short ribs over perfectly crisp french fries), the grilled shrimp,the baby octopus salad and the dessert doughnuts in honey. Try the Cava Mac-and-Cheese for comfort food with a twist. But really, almost everything is exceptionally good here, with the exception of the dips, which are just okay.
The wine list also deserves accolades for its adventurousness and reasonable prices. Try a Greek wine (not retsina)--the Asyrtikos from Santorini are especially nice with fish and vegetables. The cocktails are thoughtfully constructed, if a little sweet by my tastes.
My main complaints with the restaurant would be with the front of the house: the noise level (about which they can't do much at this point), and the atrocious hostesses. If you want/need to have a conversation, try to get seated on the patio, as long as the weather's nice, or upstairs. The main dining room is loud, cramped and dark.
As far as my experience goes, the hostesses have never greeted my party with anything more than apathy. They avoid eye contact and mumble at a barely audible level. I dunno--maybe I'm too hideous to look at, but this doesn't seem to be a problem at other restaurants I go to. They also don't know how to interface between their OpenTable reservations and their normal bookings and seatings. I don't think they have ever found any of our OpenTable reservations. They are disorganized to the point that it always takes at least two of them at least 5 minutes to get you seated, even if no one else is there. I am rather perplexed about this because Cava's waiters have been fine.
Overall, Cava is a great place to go for an indulgent meal, but bring your patience as well as your appetite. -
Review from Laura G.
My recent visit to Cava Mezze was excellent.
I was there after experiencing some ridic customer service at Matchbox, so I was expecting Cava to be more of the same. But their staff was the complete opposite: friendly, accommodating, and focused on giving us a positive dining experience. Our server took the time to explain the ins and outs of the menu, and he checked in with us when another server was taking over his service at our table. The service was quick too, and that was awesome because I was starving and about ready to chew on my arm after wasting time waiting down the street at Matchbox.
My food was delicious. I ordered a breakfast sandwich (egg, Canadian bacon, and cheese) from the brunch menu, which was delicious and satisfying. I also stole a few bites of french toast from my friend, and that was amazing with its walnut syrup and fresh fruit.
I'd definitely go back next time I'm in DC.Listed in: Travel 2011
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Review from Lizbie H.
Washington, DC
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
The first time I came here was after I had eaten at another restaurant in Eastern Market. My friend and I decided to return for a drink since we had heard they can be quite tasty. We sat at the bar, and after being teased by the bartender for bringing in my leftovers from another restaurant, we ordered two cucumber gin martinis. The lighting and atmosphere is great-- it was Friday night so the crowd was to be expected.
My second appearance was on a Sunday for dinner with my mom. I made a reservation this time, just in case... but it didn't seem necessary for 7:30 on a Sunday evening. We ordered the dip tasting (hummus, tipiti, roasted eggplant spread, along with three others), a lamb dish, the scallop risotto, and zucchini fritters. We probably could have done without the fritters, but everything else was wonderful! They have a great cocktail and wine list, too. My mom ordered the raspberry lime non-alcoholic drink, which tasted like a raspberry lime rickey and I decided to stick with what I know and ordered the cucumber gin martini once again. Next time I'll have to branch out and try some of their wines! -
Review from Megs T.
Updated - 12/21/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Cava is still as good as I remember, I'm happy to report. This go round I did some sauteed octopus, which was lovely and ventured into a dessert of a house made beignet-like doughnut with pistachios which was nice. Also, the Pear martini is still perfectly executed and one of my favorite cocktails in the city.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/1/2011
Sexy;)
Swanky:)
DO:
pear martini (you will LOVE this even if you are not the fruity/girly-drink type)
… Read more »
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Review from Jill L.
Washington, DC
11/8/2011
There are a lot of things to love about Cava. The location (Barracks Row has quickly become a lively and wonderful place to spend an evening), the atmosphere (very chic, not too loud, great tables), the deals (a couple of nights a week there are amazing deals on drinks), and the food (everything I've had has been great).
This review would easily be 4-5 stars except that I recently went for an evening meeting with a group I volunteer with, and all we wanted were drinks and a few plates. I'm not sure what constitutes dinner -- probably 2-3 plates per person -- but we were seated at a table when the bar was full, and the table was right next to the bar, so we thought nothing of it. After having 3 bottles of wine (it was half price wine night) and only ordering one small plate, our waiter chastised us for sitting at a table, which are apparently meant for people who are dining. We explained that we hadn't been informed that this table wasn't just a bar table, and he proceeded to lambaste the hostesses. Meanwhile, we agreed to order more food.
We grabbed him a few minutes later saying that we were ready to order more, and instead of being grateful or excited or even polite, he jumped up on his soapbox once again about how the whole point of half priced wine night is to get the customer to buy full priced items. I think all of us were floored that he would continue to be rude after we had decided to get on board with ordering more. So we only ordered 3 more things (for a group of 7).
I honestly don't think I've ever been treated so poorly in a restaurant. We weren't being rude or talking back to him, we weren't obnoxious and drunk, we were just a group of professionals who had been given a table when we (apparently) shouldn't have been. I'm hesitant to say that we shouldn't have been, because several of the girls I was with said that they had never had a problem like this before when they had only come for drinks and apps and sat at one of the tables close to the bar. It's a pretty good sized restaurant, and we never saw anyone waiting around for our table, so I don't understand why the waiter was so awful to us. -
Review from Mrs T.
Capitol Heights, MD
1/30/2012
This was my 2nd visit and I enjoyed it even more than the first. The cava fries are just amazing. The haloumi with sweet and sour cherry reduction? Sinful. The lamb sliders were surprisingly good - we were unsure about a ground lamb burger. I'm normally not a fan of calamari but it's prepared perfectly here. Lightly fried, salted just enough and not at all rubbery. Kudos to Cava! We can't wait to return.
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Review from MelLid G.
Washington, DC
11/2/2011 2 photos
I usually don't write reviews on places that have hundreds of them but I had such a great experience!
Cava has been on my "bookmarks" for months, mainly because of the octopus. I was excited yet nervous but felt compelled to try it. I DO NOT regret it! It was a little chewy but very well seasoned! Don't know if I can eat a large amount of it but it was definitely cool to try.
I also had the "meatballs" which looked like little sliders. Absolutely delicious! Love the lemon twist they add to the food! The portions are on the small side but they aren't expensive. I love the atmosphere and the service was excellent! My girlfirend works right across the street from it so I will definitely be returning soon! Keep up the good work Cava! -
Review from Ayon J. R.
Baltimore, MD
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Some of the best Mediterranean food I have had outside of the Mediterranean region. Hands down one of my favorite places in DC area. The service was very good and prices are in line with quality and ambience.
I wish the cocktails were a bit better though. -
Review from Dennis R.
Washington, DC
Cava Mezze has been one of my favorite spots ever since its opening. I've been here so many times, I have lost count.
The staff here is just the epitome of food & beverage greatness. From the friendly bartenders who remember your name, to the waiters & waitresses that know which wines you've had.
The food is always fresh, simple and amazing. The Eggplant Dip is so good, people who don't like eggplant eat this up! The Crazy Feta is another favorite; whipped feta with jalapenos! So good.
Other must try items are the Pork Belly; melts in your mouth. Lollipop Chicken; frenched chicken legs, deep fried, covered in a fabulous honey-walnut-yogurt sauce. Simply delicious!
My only complaint is that sometimes, whether intentional or not, we have felt rushed during weekend dinner service. The cure? Simply order 1 or 2 dishes, keep a menu handy, then order more and repeat. The food comes out super-fast and the staff will gladly oblige.
Happy Hour is a great deal here! $4 glasses of wine and $3/$4 Mezzes! It's one of the best secrets in the city!
I love this place. Excellent food, relaxing & hip atmosphere with first-rate service! -
Review from Ben S.
Washington, DC
1/7/2012
I'm going to be the outlier here. First off, I used to really like the original cava in Gaithersburg, though I haven't been there in years, so when I moved to the Hill I was pretty sure this would be one of my go to restaurants. We went last night for the first time and I don't think I'll be going back.
I ordered the beet tartare, white bean rague, pork belly, lamb shank, and the Zucchini balls. The pork belly was incredibly tough, and just kind of dry and hard to eat. I love pork belly and this was just not decadent. The lamb shank was kind of meh as well. Our other dishes were all solid, but nothing was jaw dropping and the total bill with no drinks was over 60 bucks after tip. That's a pretty good chunk of change for what was nothing more then an ok meal. Mostly, the food just kind of feels factory. It's totally fine, but not great. In the future, if I want tapas I'll be heading to Zatinyas or estadio, and not to cava. -
Review from M S.
Santa Ana, CA
1/5/2012
What can I say, we came here after a day of sightseeing and were not disappointed. We had such a tasty and well attended meal and were so impressed by the service as well as the food. The Lentil soup and baby octopus were delicious. The flaming cheese and feta so fresh with the just bake pita bread! The tyropitas, crab cake, lamb chops and Cava Grill (so tender and juicy, especially the kibbe patties) ended our meal perfectly, until our waiter brought the baklava and then it had ended perfectly! We had a Malbec with our meal that the waiter suggested and it enhanced our meal just right!
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Review from Rachel L.
10/28/2011
Four ladies made a reservation for here for 9:00 on a Friday night. We walked in and immediately loved the intimate, dark restaurant that was lively and crowded (but not overly so).
Our waiter was nice and went entirely through the menu to offer recommendations on drinks and food. We decided to go with 9 things for the 4 of us.
1) Dip Sampler: we got to try every dip on the menu with bottomless warm pita. Basically, if you look at the menu, everything under "Cold Mezze" was in this sampler and it was all delicious, so you really can't go wrong with any of the dip mezze.
2) Cava Fries: portion was big and everything seasoned well.
3) Saganaki: this is the cheese they light on fire in front of you! One of the most popular mezze, it definitely did not disappoint. Super rich and they give you two pretty big blocks of it.
4) Zucchinni Fritters: 4 little fritters, fried perfectly.
5)Lamb Meatballs: our waiter said we have to try something lamb, so we went with these and they were amazing. None of us usually order lamb, but they were really tasty and something "different".
6) Chicken Souvlaki: although not bad, definitely the least favorite of the night. Thought the chicken was a little chewy and underseasoned. Comes on skewers and was one of the few things that were left over.
7)Sous Vide Short Rib: best mezze of the night, hands down. Meat fell off the bone and the sauce it came in was delicious.
8) Cava Mac and Cheese: interesting because it came with papardelle and didn't look like typical mac and cheese. The long strands were a nice change as was the greek cheeses just layered between them.
9) Grilled Baby Octopus: although I'm not a seafood eater, I decided to try a bite and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't horrible, but everyone else loved it!
Overall, this is a great restaurant with lots of new flavors to discover. Perfect for date night or a girls night out. Our bill was $35 each plus tip for all of that, so not too expensive either. -
Review from Jax J.
Los Angeles, CA
2/4/2012
The hostesses were very rude and not accommodating. Had reservations for a friend's birthday for 10 people at 8:30p on a Friday. Arrived on time. Was told the table was not ready and had to wait 20 minutes. After waiting for 40 minutes with no help from the hostesses, was told the restaurant in fact does not take reservations and the online reservation was not valid. Finally had a nice manager George apologize and say they were getting a table ready. After waiting for an ENTIRE HOUR was finally seated at our table. The manager George and waiter Dave were very nice and definitely made up for the wait and also to apologize we were given 2 bottles of champagne on the house. The decor, ambiance, and vibe was pleasant. Plating was creative and food was tapas like. We ate gyros - delicious! Chicken souflake was well cooked, but a bit too salty. Disco fries were tasty. Overall the food was good. Had the seating/waiting experience not been so horrible, I would have rated the restaurant a 4. But the wait and the hostesses rude and dismissive nature will definitely account for a lower rating.
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Review from s s.
Upper Marlboro, MD
11/7/2011
Overall the food was good; some things were terrifically delicious, some things were mediocre. I wish we had been seated at a larger table. We were a party of two (reservations were made) and seated at a table that accommodated two people but we spent all night switching plates and glasses around so that we could place and comfortably share and eat the food. Then we'd have to spend time hunting down our waiter to take plates away so that we'd have more room for the next item. That was a pain.
The complimentary Harissa was out of this world delicious! I want more. Even after dinner was done, I went back for more Harissa. I dipped pita, I dipped crazy fries, I dipped my fingers...LOL. My mouth was on fire but I could not stop eating that stuff.
What we had for dinner:
Cava Fries: Delicious!! I wish I had some now.
Spanakopita: Very good. I will go back to have more of this. I like the turnover style, which I guess is how they have to do it for small plate service.
Roasted Mussels: Were just okay. I wouldn't order it again.
A dip sampler: This had six dips on a plate and was served with pita for dipping. Four were excellent, one was okay but nothing special, one was really flavorless. I wished the person who deposited the plate on our table had introduced which dip was which OR the waiter would have come over to the table and said what was what. Two of the dips we could figure on our own, but we no longer had the menus before us to even guess at what we were eating.
We dine at other small plate/tapas restaurants where they are much more attentive to clearing the table AND announcing what food has been placed before you.
There are some food gems at Cava Mezze. I will go back to try other things.
Negatives: The place is too dark. Sexy, dim, mood-lighting is okay but this place is dark. -
Review from Nicole W.
10/11/2011
A- (3.5 stars).
The interior is "romantic", with dark areas where you are almost unable to read your menu. Fortunately, last night we got a table under one of the scarce lights. The waiter was incredibly helpful with ordering, and explaining the menu. We were there on a Monday night (half off a bottle of wine). Tuesday night is half off martinis.
Food was "mezze" or tapas style. Portions are small for the price (1 stuffed grape leaf cut into 4 sections for over $7). All the food was delicious (crazy feta, chicken souvlaki, shrimp, baby octopus). Even if you are not into octopus, you should try this dish. It is seared to "perfection" as advertised on the menu-- and tis true.
If I was in the area, I'd dine here again- however, not a super unique Mediterranean restaurant.Comment from Ted X. of Cava Mezze DC 11/18/2011
Nicole, Thank you for the review. We have added a grape… More » -
Review from W Z.
Washington, DC
12/17/2011
Delicious brunch mezze! I went with friends and we each had two mezze and tried a bite of each others. We all enjoyed the food and would definitely go back if I am in the neighborhood. The french toast was amazing, the saganaki could be a bit more melty, but still good, and the crab benedict was delicious! I also loved the setup of the restaurant.
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Review from Steve P.
Arlington, VA
Updated - 10/30/2011
Ok., this time it was not a surprise - but a pleasure to see that they had prepared the table I wanted with the flowers I had delivered - the meal was superb as expected! The atmosphere was energetic but non-intrusive.
Again, Cafe Mezze did not disappoint! And Again, I will be back!
I really can't rave enough about the place!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/21/2011
Wow! What a surprise! Knew nothing about the restaurant just stumbled in randomly off the street.… Read more »
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Review from Jillian O.
Arlington, VA
12/26/2011
If I could marry a restaurant it would be cava. I've been dining with them since they just had the one location in Rockville and have been thrilled to watch them expand into D.C. And Arlington. I work in hospitality and although the service occasionally is lacking the food is always amazing.
There really isn't a item I can't recommend on their menu (although the mini gyros, cava Mac and cheese, lollipop chicken, spanakopita, saganaki, kokkinisto, tzaziki, are some of my faves).
I recommend this restaurant often and have always had great feedback from the people that have gone their on my recommendation.
Depending on your budget and number of people though sometimes cava can get a bit pricey but it's way more than worth it.
If you haven't tried cava yet you should, at least once. -
Review from Alice B.
Washington, DC
1/24/2012
LOVE the brunch here. The waffles and French toast are the best I've had in DC. The crabmeat omelet is also delicious. There's not usually a wait for brunch, it's great!
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Review from LaToya P.
8/23/2011
What a GOOD introduction to Greek dining/Mediterranean.
Cava Mezze is a GOOD place for cocktails and small plates/tapas. Great for date night, girls' night or a solo move.
Making a meal out of appetizers is always a sure-bet. This place helps you do just that. The portions were huge, so we very well could have ordered just two items and been a-OK. We had TONS of food leftover. You can actually get full from the complimentary HELL SPICY (I forget the name) spread-olive-hummus with warm pita bread combo.
The presentation was very nice. Romantic, without being spooky dark. The outdoor seating appears to be roomy, so you're not elbow-to-elbow with the party at the next table.
I'm sure we're gonna try the saganaki (flaming cheese) during our next visit.Listed in: People-Watching, Best Happy Hour
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Review from Emily S.
8/15/2011
Cava makes me a happy girl.
The grilled haloumi is so good it is really difficult to share, even with people you like. The saganaki comes in as my second favorite cheese option and you also get the novelty bonus of being served flaming cheese.
Other dishes that make me happy: calamari, grilled meatballs, asparagus, spare ribs, mac and cheese, tzatziki. Really the list goes on and I need to stop thinking about it because it is just making me hungry.
Two dishes tend to be enough food, though it is really hard to pick just two items off their menu. I typically want everything. They bring out warm pita with harissa, olives, and olive oil for free and it always hits the spot. Typically it hits the spot twice because I always ask for seconds, they never seem to mind.
A lot of people think this is a good place for a date, but I disagree. It is really loud and the tables are super close together. Besides the noise, I have no complaints.
Now I just need to figure out when I can go there again, which will have to be in the very near future. -
Review from Geoffrey K.
Washington, DC
10/7/2011
Always a great DC dining experience. Can eat outside day or night, spring, summer and fall (outdoor heaters). It's no secret that people have beef with mezze and tapas because they never think there is going to be enough food available but when you sit down you are greeted with several pitas and dipping sauces prior to ordering.
The mini gyros are fantastic and it's great to have terrific Greek food on the Hill since Taverna closed several years ago.
Enjoy
