CAVA — Restaurant in Tampa

I cannot say enough good things about this particular Cava. I really enjoy their food. It is a Mediterranean take to me on chipotle. It is finitely better. The portions are better, the food is better, the flavors are better. They do not charge you for extra scoops of things. I came in there late night after moving as I live in the building next-door. They were about to close, but they still happily welcome me in even though they were close to being closed they got us food. I think they could see I was exhausted. The chef (possibly manager) was able to accommodate my friend who is a vegetarian, even though they were out of stuff (being a he end of the night). I continually come in there because the food is always made extremely flavorful and the staff of all things that, is actually consistent and they are always very kind and very cool at this particular cava. If Corporate ever sees this you’ve got great people that work at this site, they work hard they are personable, which is something you don’t expect at a fast food restaurant and I greatly enjoy the staff here they all deserve a raise and to give them more days off as I saw they were working on the Fourth of July late, which is something they shouldn’t have to do because they’re awesome and we will survive down a water Street for one day without them, though I cannot survive without a Cava now! Thank you guys! -Nick the dude with...

Cava on Water Street in downtown Tampa is officially my new go-to spot for fresh food, friendly vibes, and first-class people watching—with my dog as my dining companion and co-critic. We grabbed a table outside, where the breeze was just right, the street was buzzing, and my dog had the time of his life pretending to be a sophisticated foodie.

Let’s talk about the bowl: absolutely delicious. Every bite was like a Mediterranean vacation without the jet lag. Fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and the kind of balance that makes you feel healthy enough to justify dessert later. My dog stared at me like he, too, deserved a falafel endorsement deal.

The place is spotless. Seriously, I’ve seen operating rooms with less sparkle. The staff is beyond friendly—like, “are-you-sure-we-haven’t-met-before” friendly. They greeted us with genuine smiles, brought out a water bowl for the pup, and treated everyone around us like regulars, even if it was their first time.

And then there’s the people watching. Between the business-casual crowd power-walking with quinoa bowls and the out-of-town tourists trying to figure out where the riverwalk actually starts, it’s a full-on show with a side of tzatziki.

Cava nails it across the board. Great food, great energy, and a perfect patio to sit, snack, and silently judge humanity with your dog. Five stars—ten if my dog was...

I’d give the food a solid 4.the atmosphere a 5. But the service tonight 10/02/23 by this young African American girl whom was very rude and seem racist because she may have heard an accent and seen European light skin but I kept my cool. She was so rude to me and my wife saying you have to go back in line after I was done putting in my order and then starting with my wife’s and she said “oh you said it was only that’s it for the bowl” “yes that’s what I said, that’s it for the bowl, now I want a pita with a bowl for my wife with chicken” very simple… she started arguing about you said that was it just the bowl…the guy that was flipping food or whatever comes up and tells us we will do it today but you were supposed to go back to the back of the line… ridiculous.. I was so furious and left I couldn’t even note down their names.but you can see who was working tonight at around 8:30pm. I’d tell the owner check on your employees don’t let such a beautiful place go to waste by low class and terrible service associate. I’ll never return to this...