CAVA

Mediterranean restaurant · The Drag

CAVA

Mediterranean restaurant · The Drag

2

2426 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

Photos

CAVA by null
CAVA by Cava [Official]
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null
CAVA by null

Highlights

Mediterranean build-your-own bowls, pitas, & salads  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

2426 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 Get directions

cava.com
@cava

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

2426 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 Get directions

+1 512 215 4003
cava.com
@cava
𝕏
@cava

$10–20 · Menu

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
wifi

Last updated

Aug 13, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Where to Eat Lunch Near the University of Texas at Austin

"This fast-casual Mediterranean chain on the Drag offers up quick, easy, and delicious customizable pitas or grain and/or green bowls. Pickup and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in areas." - Darcie Duttweiler

https://austin.eater.com/maps/university-of-texas-austin-best-lunches-ut-campus-restaurants
View Postcard for CAVA
@eater

27 Healthy Austin Restaurants That Won't Make You Hate Life

"Of the newer fast-casual Mediterranean restaurants that opened up in Austin, it’s Cava that delivers with great build-your-own bowls of salads, grains, and pitas with all sorts of hummus spreads and more. Plus there are locations in downtown and Westlake." - Sommer Brugal

https://austin.eater.com/maps/best-healthy-food-restaurants-austin
View Postcard for CAVA

Zheng Xie

Google
Food is great. But the price is really high. 16$ for such a bowl! And I think it’s quite less than chipotle although they are alike. And the service is … Maybe they’re busy with other stuff.

Levi Vasquez

Google
The employees are so nice, particularly these 3 employees I met Harvey, Tito, and Lina were their names. Overall outstanding service, they helped me with every question I had, and the food was amazing on top of everything they already do. 10/10 service and food

LAMBS KOUASSI

Google
With my wife and 2 kids, we enjoyed the food and the premise. From Dallas, the restaurant was recommended by a friend. It was a great choice. We will definitely come back next time we stop by Austin.

Harley Sulak

Google
stopped at this location instead of the one closest to me (kyle) and everything about this location is 10x better oh my goodnesss. there’s a difference in the quality of the food and the customer service was great. i accidentally ordered the wrong dip ($4.15😫) and asked to trade it as soon as i got to my table and they let me keep the other one! 10/10 service

Crystal Creek

Google
Shaylee was so helpful and I enjoyed my bowl very much. She helped me understand all the options since this was my first time eating here. Although she’s injured she was still working very hard. Definitely a great place I will be coming back for sure!

Isaac Jimenez

Google
I recently tried CAVA a few weeks ago and I love it so much! Not only is the food good but the staff is always so welcoming. I've honestly become a regular at this point and have to shoutout Shaylee for always being super sweet and fast at getting me served.

Stephen K

Google
Food is good but they definitely skimp on the toppings. I asked for double tomato/onion and double broccoli. I barely got any tomato/onion and no broccoli. Desserts are also good but very tiny for the price. Overall the price is quite high and I expected more food for my money.

Tolani Feyisetan

Google
Cava is hands down one of my favorite spots. The food is always so flavorful and filling, with fresh ingredients that make every bite satisfying. I love how customizable the bowls are, so I can always make something to fit my taste. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even better. Whether I’m in the mood for something quick or a full meal, Cava never lets me down!
google avatar

Alexis r G.

Yelp
Honestly, the food is great and staff are amazing. I come back because of the people. Jay and the other staff like David really serve with a smile and create a nice environment and overalll experience. A great place with staff who care.
google avatar

Masaru O.

Yelp
Fast casual Chipotle style place but think grain bowl. The amount of base with greens and grains is less than I was thinking but still sufficient. All grains would be a hearty meal. Ok selection of free proteins and toppings (?) but a good chunk have an additional cost. All in all, a pretty good choice with some nice sauce options to make your mouth happy.
google avatar

Panda F.

Yelp
Yall got the dream team in here rn!! Only 5 employees with a building rush, beyond impressed with the speed and service!! Thanks y'all!
google avatar

Desiree A.

Yelp
Nothing to complain about here! It's a fast, fresh, healthy option close to UT campus. I went to meet my mentee at CAVA and was worried because there was a 26 person line. I'm not lying. They're that popular! 10-15 minutes later the line was gone! They are efficient and friendly. The line reminded me of chipotle - you pick all of the options and keep moving down the assembly line. My mentee ordered for me so I can't say what I had but it was delicious. There was spinach, onions, rice, grilled chicken, tzatziki, hummus, feta, tomato, and more. He picked out everything. The portions were generous and fresh! Most folks took their food to go so there was plenty of seating. Pretty easy going vibe. Highly recommend!
google avatar

Saahir J.

Yelp
In the last year CAVA has become my favorite place to eat at. I've had it many times at different locations but my favorite one is this one right on UT campus. They let you build your own grain bowl with a big selection of unique toppings. They have many different pickled vegetables that all taste amazing. I usually just load my bowl up with most toppings. They also have great meat options including juicy braised lamb that's halal and falafel for vegetarians. They also have a really good selection of sauces to put on top that add a lot of extra flavor. I will definitely continue to go to this CAVA location, I have yet to be disappointed! Tips: - The braised lamb is halal - They usually run out of random toppings and sauce so it's always better to go earlier - The garlic sauce is awesome and I would also recommend one of their spicy sauces (hot harissa and skhug)
google avatar

Valerie H.

Yelp
I love this location in particular because of how fresh the food always tastes. This location has lots of seating, pretty good service, and I always get a good serving. The only reason I'm taking away a star is because sometimes they're out of a few of their ingredients on the line but otherwise a very good spot to eat!
google avatar

Brianna Z.

Yelp
Cava as a whole is a great chain. I appreciate how many vegetable options they have. The location specifically on Guad is hit or miss depending on who takes your order. Can be pretty stingy, especially with meat. In terms of meat, both chicken options taste great. Of course, the harissa chicken is a little more flavorful, but it does also cost extra. I've heard good things about the falafel as well (but keep in mind they only give around 3). Also, be sure to ask for a free pita!
google avatar

Haley Z.

Yelp
Makes for a quick and easy lunch. We went in and there was about 8 people in front of us at about 1:30pm on a Sunday, but the line moves pretty quickly and we were easily helped within 15 minutes of getting in line. All staff was friendly and seemed to enjoy what they were doing and knew exactly what to do. The price point seems a little high. It easily could be a few dollars less, especially around campus. But it was convenient to not have to make myself. They have many options for you to mix and match items or even create your own bowl. All the options on the food bar looked amazingly fresh and delicious. Nothing really interesting or out of the ordinary on the menu though. The quality of the items they have and the seasoning of them are A+ . They didn't have regular hummus for this bowl this day but we subbed for red pepper hummus and I think it worked really well and gave it an extra flavor. Their outside seating area is a little sad in comparison next to the open area by KO and Lucky Lab and the women's movement clothing store so we sat in that area instead of their designated back patio area. I think the bowls are pretty shareable sizes unless you're really hungry. My husband and I easily shared one yummy Harissa Bowl and felt like we had enough for a brief lunch. The real star of the show was definitely the Cucumber Mint drink! So good! They had a few other options of fresh drinks like a lemonade and a berry mix as well to choose from.
google avatar

Elizabeth M.

Yelp
Oh man! I haven't had anything here that I don't like. I typically get a bowl of half green and half grain, typically black lentils, pita, hummus, eggplant and a random 3rd dip, chicken and as many little veggies as I can get away with! Always filling, always cheap. The staff are also fast and super nice. The only thing I don't care much for is the overall physical ambiance of the place so I never eat there and always order to-go or for delivery. I do love it there and highly recommend their food.
google avatar

Christopher C.

Yelp
Summary: the food is great, the portion is good enough, the quality is great, the line is a bit of a problem, but it's guad street so it's expected. FOOD: pretty good; chipotle type atmosphere. I'd recommend a greens and grains bowl and ask the server for any recommendations from there PRICE: definitely on the pricier side of guad restaurants, but with chipotle being always a bit too crowded this is a good bet LOCATION: guad can get crowded. The wait is around ~20 minutes on average. Max I've seen it go was ~30ish.
google avatar

Karson S.

Yelp
Literally cannot stop thinking about this food from Cava!! Imagine a counter serve with healthy options that taste AMAZING! Took my mom here while she was visiting & it was the highlight of the (eating portion) of her trip. Fresh ingredients do not disappoint each and every time I come here & the lemonades are always fun to try (I liked the blueberry and lavender best this last time). The staff was so helpful especially when you tell them you have a weak stomach and need to avoid spicy foods. Great bowls, slightly more expensive that your average chipotle run but SO much better tasting food! Who would know a place would have fresh brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and fire roasted corn PLUS hummus for your lunch bowl. Yum!

G m.

Yelp
Super tasty food very great service! Jacob Layla Ellla were super friendly and helpful!!

Marin C.

Yelp
Sydney was amazing and so helpful. She took the time to answer all of my questions and was incredibly kind.
google avatar

Ly N.

Yelp
This was my very first Cava experience. I enjoyed it. It really is like a Mediterranean build your own bowl situation, which I really enjoyed. The instructions and prices are very clear and straight forward. There are a lot of different options at each step of building you bowl, unless you're getting a prebuilt option. My takeaways from my first trip - get the sauces on the side so your bowl doesn't get soggy, you can ask for extra of a topping, and get the spicy hummus! This location is pretty nice and convenient, especially if you are a UT student. The store has a cute area in the back for outdoor seating and even a game room. Not sure if this was specific to my visit, but there were a few toppings that were missing and not getting refilled, so I couldn't try all the toppings I wanted.
google avatar

Dawn H.

Yelp
Great service for a group of 14ppl. Julianna our cashier, was patient and thorough making sure we all had a drink, dressing, etc. Also, she provided suggestions. The food was fresh and everyone enjoyed it. The restuatant was bright, lots of windows with many tables for groups or individuals. They even have an area to sit in the back. My only negative was the dog in the restuarant.
google avatar

Fernanda G.

Yelp
I'm a little late on writing this review- but I have been meaning to for a while! My boyfriend and I came here around ACL time, and we had a fantastic meal before the big weekend. Our food was fresh, delicious, and very filling! We loved our food and it was the perfect meal for the long day. What impressed me the most was the super friendly and helpful staff. I cannot remember the name of the young men working there, but I do remember they both had tattoo's. Super friendly, outgoing, and helpful. Not to mention, but they gave us a little discount which truly made our day! Thank you guys so much Not only are you in for some great food here at Cava, but also an amazing, friendly staff. I really do recommend this location.
google avatar

Tracey Z.

Yelp
The healthier mediterranean build your own bowl that every college campus needs! This place is a great refresher from the typical restaurants around campus. I really love how customizable each bowl and how every ingredient tastes so fresh! I would highly recommend the falafels! The portion for the price though is just not worth it in my opinion. The sauces too were pretty bland, the harissa was the only one that had any zing to it.
google avatar

Austin G.

Yelp
4.54 stars If you like Chipotle or Qdoba and love Mediterranean food this is your place! It's an awesome healthy (for the most part) hearty delicious meal. The restaurant is clean and the staff was pretty friendly. I got a bowl with a slice of pita on the side and loaded it up with good food (rice, hummus, taziki, chicken, lamb, lentils, lettuce, feta and garlic herb sauce) it was delicious. The price was about $10 for the meal unless you want premium meat (like the lamb). If I'm in the neighborhood again I'll probably come back because I really did enjoy this meal!
google avatar

W W.

Yelp
Two staff members decided to take a meal break at the same time causing service to practically stop. They need to keep service going. Either hire more people or don't have two people take a meal break at once Update: at one point only one staff member was visible. Going to eat somewhere else
google avatar

Deborah L.

Yelp
Easy ordering, fast service, and fresh deliciousness! There are multiple locations, but this one is located on the Drag, where many longhorn students can access it. The portions are just as generous and the bowls are customizable. I love getting a mix of greens and grains bowl. I add hummus, eggplant dip, and tatziki. The grilled chicken and grilled meatballs are my fav proteins. I usually ask for half of both meats and all the toppings. Top it with yogurt dill sauce or any of the sauces. It's a great post-workout, pre-workout, or NO-workout meal option because of all that protein and yumminess!
google avatar

Carrie M.

Yelp
The food at Cava is sooooo good, but it's very expensive, and they have gotten kind of stingy with the portion size. The line is usually really long. If it's hot outside, it's freezing cold inside, and if it's cold outside, it's sweltering inside. They should use that money they spend on the unnecessarily extreme AC for bigger portion sizes. I usually sit outside in the back to escape the awful temperature inside, but the tables in the back are pretty gross and don't look like they are ever cleaned.

Hannah G.

Yelp
Maya is the shit!!!! She loaded my bowl up with everything that I wanted Yaayyyyy Maya

Ayo K.

Yelp
Excellent service, extremely well trained and personable staff. Lina, Brandon and T were great !
google avatar

Mary S.

Yelp
We picked CAVA as our regular go-to, healthy and delicious lunch place. In other words, this is where you go to help yourself take a break and eat the good stuff. This location is conveniently next to campus, has some outdoor seating in the back, and has easy takeout ordering through their app. Parking is limited, but there is a parking garage nearby (San Antonio St. garage) if everything is full. You can order to build a bowl, gyro, or other options. Their portion size was usually large enough for two meals, but lately, it does seem to have come down to large enough for one meal. Our favorite proteins are the meatballs, spicy lamb or beef, added to a bed of black lentils, and whichever greens. Yes, CAVA also has rice, falafel, and veggies. There are so many choices that it is awesome to try them all. Do not forget to try their juices!
google avatar

Suriya S.

Yelp
I used to love the food from here but my more recent visit was disappointing. The portion sizes are considerably smaller than previously and they drenched my bowl in the sauces/dressings to the point where that was all I could taste. I will definitely come back at some point and ask for them to go light on the sauces as the taste is still good apart from that!
google avatar

Christine H.

Yelp
They were becoming stingy with their portion size. The free pita bread was now half a pita rather than a full pita bread. They also ran out of pita crisps, and there was also a long line. I ordered a build your own bowl. It was yummy and nutritious. The original hummus and red pepper hummus were smooth and full of flavor. The basmati rice was cooked well and seasoned nicely. There is no parking lot, so you need to pay for street parking.
google avatar

Jenna Z.

Yelp
I tried this for the first time and I love it! It's a really fresh take for me on Mediterranean food. I would describe it as a Mediterranean Chipotle. I like how many veggies I got in my bowl, it tasted super healthy. The only complaint I have is that it is a little bit pricier than other options nearby. Everything is still so good but my friend got a pita and it was suuuuper hard and he couldn't even cut it with his knife.
google avatar

Natalie O.

Yelp
Cava is good but this location is ALWAYS out of stuff, so the bowls aren't gonna be that great and you're still paying the same price. they need better management or something because every time i'm there they don't have an ingredient or two or three that I want which is frustrating.
google avatar

Victoria H.

Yelp
a really good quick healthy lunch option, especially if you're tired of chipotle or sweet green lol. came with a free pita, love.
google avatar

Marc S.

Yelp
A great find close to the concert hall - great food - most of the empty tables were not clean which lost them a star - but that is the only reason this wasn't a 5* review.
google avatar

Marcy C.

Yelp
First time I had Cava was in DC and loved it. Second time visiting the drag location and both times I've notice that they usually give me less on my salad bowl than the guys. I'm paying the same price as a guy so give us all the same amount. If I'm getting a $10 salad give me enough lettuce. Other than this "small" issue it's really good food. Fresh & full of flavor. So please Give me more!
google avatar

Rhiannon T.

Yelp
We visited CAVA yesterday for lunch and it was so fresh and flavorful that we truly considered going back for dinner! Not only were all the ingredients and toppings fresh, they were also packed with flavor. To be honest, I wasn't expecting this level of deliciousness from a "build-you-own-bowl" spot. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who wants a healthy, delicious, and filling lunch.

Lauren W.

Yelp
I go to cava all the time however this location absolutely sucks. They up charge you for everything. They barely gave me any rice and I asked for a little bit more and I was charged for what I should have already received. I usually spend around $23 for the near by locations. I ordered the exact same thing and it was $30 with no drinks, double meat, or any extra priced topics like avocado. I don't recommend this location go to the other ones near by they aren't as stingy with toppings and it will save you money.
google avatar

Kevin R.

Yelp
Absolutely incredible food, very healthy and great selection of options. Great service and recommendations, Allyssa is the bomb! The cucumber mint juice is a must...
google avatar

Erin P.

Yelp
This place is my new favorite. Like Chipotle is now my #2. It's the same concept but with SO many options and so fresh. I had no idea what to get when I first got there but scarfed the entire thing down in 8 minutes it was SO good. It's healthy without sacrificing substance or flavor. Beware that close to campus it will take a good amount of time to get through the line because it's typically packed with UT students. I recommend going to a different location or ordering ahead of you are short on time!
google avatar

Matthew F.

Yelp
Unfortunately they are super short staffed right now, and sadly the proportions I got for my food was disappointing. The new person being trained today pretty much put small scoops for everything, so what was supposed to be a big meal for 25 was sadly not. Food was still good but I was left hungry and had to go somewhere else. Before today, I would always have enough in my bowl to eat for later and still be full! Need more workers to function back to normal!!
google avatar

Albert F.

Yelp
This was a horrible experience. I have never been so patient to give a business my money, only to end up walking out. I waited 23 minutes in the FRONT of the line. The line chefs were SLOWLY taking online order after online order after online order. Zero sense of urgency. There was a cashier there the whole time, apparently she didn't know how to scoop food into a bowl. Then to cap it off, they stop making orders all together to focus on warming up massive amounts of flatbread. I walked out as the line chef was standing by the oven, looking me straight in the eye. Not one word was spoken to me this entire time. Absolutely no respect for my time. I'm abhorred. CAVA, do better. Train your employees to recognize that the people in front of them are also a priority. More so than those who aren't even in the store.

Joel C.

Yelp
Cava is so good but of all the countless times I've ordered at this location I have always had item(s) missing. It never fails. Ever... like... EVER.
google avatar

Celena S.

Yelp
Some people may think this is blasphemy, but I hate places like Chiplote and Qdoba because the meat in their bowls is never good...it's typically fatty and cheap meat. Well not at Cava! I got a half chicken/half falafel bowl and the chicken was perfect! No fat, cut into nice sized pieces and had great texture and taste. I could eat here every single day and be happy. The house made pickeld banana peppers were the friggin bomb, the siracha yogurt dressing is delish, the humans is seasoned perfectly. Starting off with multiple choices of lettuce and/or rice was a perfect way to start my bowl. Loved having more than just beans or rice. I will definitely be back, multiple times!!
google avatar

Braden J.

Yelp
Words cannot express "hummus" you should try this place if you're a fan of Mediterranean food and healthy build your own style cuisines. Cava promises fresh, locally sourced, and healthy options for affordable prices. It certainly delivers on all of this. You start with a base, then move on to a sauce, protein, and then any toppings. The infamous "chipotle" style which is great because you get to see everything being made right in front of you. I came on opening night and ended up getting the greens and grains base, which is as it a veggie choice of 3 different greens, and then a grain base, I remember getting the white rice, and then a spicy lamb as my protein. Tasty and filling. I would have to return to try something more bread based like their pitas. I "pita" the fool who doesn't.
google avatar

Janice B.

Yelp
I COULD EAT HERE EVERY DAY! This place is spectacular in food that tastes delicious. You walk away feeling energized by this nutritional dense and beautifully tasteful food. We got here shortly after it opened and the line out the door soon followed. So, plan ahead if you're hungry. The line moves pretty quickly. This is a make-your-own-bowl kinda' place. You choose grain, protein, veggies, and dressing. Lots of wonderful veggie choices. You clean your own table. No frills and well worth it! Nice, airy, clean vibe conveniently located right across from the UA campus. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
google avatar

Casey T.

Yelp
Goodbye Noon, hello CAVA! This new addition to the Drag is a great place to grab lunch on the go. There are already lots of fast-casual Mediterranean spots to go to near campus, but CAVA sets themselves apart with their fresh and modern aesthetic, friendly staff, and free pita bread with each entree. I ordered a grain bowl and found the portion size to be perfectly filling (and I eat a lot). If I remember correctly, they also offer Maine Root sodas here which is a plus for soft drink lovers. What I really liked about this place was how helpful the staff was for it being my first time there. Everyone who worked there was super enthusiastic and even stopped by my table to make sure I was doing okay. Final verdict: Better than Noon, but can be on the pricier side
google avatar

Victoria K.

Yelp
Extremely disappointed about my visit here the other day. I typically stray away from writing bad reviews, but this was honestly one of the worst visits I've experienced with a food service. Came in, the same time as another couple - who were helped immediately. After they were taken care of, the employee on the line started to do strictly online orders and did not communicate anything to my boyfriend or I. We stood there over 20 minutes patiently waiting. After waiting for a long period of time, the employee decided to help me. Immediately after he helped me, he started doing online orders again without helping my boyfriend. I waited another ten minutes with my food just sitting there to-go and my boyfriend still waiting to be helped. There was no communication, and clearly no value for our time. In addition, there was another employee at the register who just stood there, as the other employee did online orders, and we remained neglected. We then went to our regular location (on Congress, highly recommended to ALL) where we were greeted, helped right away, and taken care of. Management, training is evidently lacking here. Please train/retrain your employees to value customers and effectively communicate if there's going to be a delay.

Daryosh G.

Yelp
Very clean store, service was efficient and Camryn made sure that my bowl was full, no half scoops like chipotle. The food was delicious as always too. Will be returning here!

Lauren C.

Yelp
Super good food and really nice people! Great portions and it's always very consistent

Mack P.

Yelp
The cava on campus is so fresh, and they have really good service. There's a worker named Liz that makes my day and makes customer experience really enjoyable. The Greek salad with pickles is so good. Really clean location too, highly recommended.

Ellie N.

Yelp
Great food, always lovely service everyone is very nice! Never had an issue. Love that they serve maine root soda, been a costumer for years!
google avatar

Vennela P.

Yelp
I love Cava!! I love all the options to customize the bowl and it's a lot of food for $10. I appreciated that they put a sizable amount of meat compared to other bowl places like Chipotle. There are a lot of flavors and you can also make it spicy based on what sauces you get. I also love the pita on the side and that they serve sparkling water! Overall, my go-to bowl place near campus.
google avatar

Lauren M.

Yelp
This place is Mediterranean Chipotle but BETTER! It's honestly amazing. You can choose a grain bowl or salad bowl, and then add all sorts of toppings, like lamb meatballs, chicken, etc and veggies, cous cous, feta cheese, sauces. The price is so reasonable and you end up pleasantly full at the end. This place I'll probably become a regular stop for me.

Saphire R.

Yelp
I usually enjoy CAVA but I just ate my chicken bowl and the lentils were under cooked! I didn't think much of it until I got a stomach ache.