On April 17, the popular Mediterranean fast-casual chain CAVA (4765 A Hwy. N) opened its first St. Louis metro area location. The restaurant also marks the Washington, D.C.–based chain’s first brick-and-mortar in Missouri. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Concept and Atmosphere
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According to CAVA chief development officer Jeff Gaul, CAVA offers billions of possible combinations, with a fully customizable, build-your-own bowl or pita menu. “We always want to meet guests wherever they want to be,” says Gaul, emphasizing the concept’s customizability.
Courtesy of CAVACourtesy of CAVA
At CAVA’s grand opening in Cottleville
The brand gets its name from the original full-service Greek and Mediterranean restaurant, Cava Mezze, which the founders opened in Rockville, Maryland, prior to CAVA. “Because our roots are in fine dining, we’ve always wanted to elevate the dining experience,” Gaul says. “The kitchen is open, and guests can walk in to see the grill and their items being hand-made every day.”
The 2,900-square-foot Cottleville eatery features a 38-seat dining room and a 20-seat patio. In recent years, CAVA has launched a new design element dubbed Project Soul that highlights its Mediterranean roots. The interior theme features tiles, banquettes, and greenery in a bright, contemporary space.
The Menu
The health-forward menu is “made fresh in house every day,” Gaul says. “There are no freezers.”
Gaul explains the quick-service process. “As you walk up to the line, you’re greeted by team members,” Gaul says. “You can choose a bowl curated by our culinary team or create your own.”
Courtesy of CAVACourtesy of CAVA
Guests can choose from a variety of greens or grains (or build a pita) and pick up to three dips and spreads (such as tzatziki and hummus), as well as a full or two half portions of mains, such as harissa honey chicken, spicy lamb meatballs, or seasonal roasted vegetables. CAVA also recently launched a seafood offering: salmon marinated in a house-made pomegranate glaze, roasted until caramelized.
Courtesy of CAVACourtesy of CAVA
Courtesy of CAVACourtesy of CAVA
From a list of toppings such as fire-roasted corn, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta, guests can have “as much or as little as you want,” Gaul says. Select up to two dressing such as strawberry sesame and lemon herb tahini. Each bowl comes with pita or side add-on options such as Sumac Sour Cream + Onion Pita Chips.
Dessert options include a salted chocolate oat cookie. As for drinks, customers can order Tangerine Aleppo, Blueberry Lavender, or Cucumber Mint Lime.
All of the above is available via online ordering.
The Backstory
Courtesy of CAVACourtesy of CAVA
Ike Grigoropoulos, chef Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ted Xenohristos founded CAVA in 2010 with CEO Brett Schulman. Today, the brand spans more than 400 locations in 29 states, with a goal of reaching 1,000 restaurants by 2032.
The new Cottleville location employs 25–40 local individuals. On the day before its grand opening, the restaurant hosted a charitable Community Day event, offering complimentary meals and accepting donations for St. Louis Area Foodbank.
Courtesy of CAVACourtesy of CAVA
“We love to engage with our local communities,” Gaul says of the brand’s philanthropic tradition during each location’s launch. “It’s a great way to give back.”
According to a press release, the company-wide Community Day program has raised more than $1 million in monetary and food donations for organizations working to combat food insecurity across the country since 2019.
A forthcoming Des Peres location is slated to open in mid-August. “We’re excited to open a lot more stores in the marketplace and to bring healthy, delicious cuisine that’s unique to St. Louis and the Midwest,” Gaul says.
CAVA
📍 4765 A Hwy. N, Cottleville
📞 636-922-6003
⏰ 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon–Sun
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