Cava Mezze Olney

Moving reviews over from Yelp. Originally published 2/16/19: I was in the area for a couple of days and craving a good middle eastern meal to cleanse my food karma after a relatively meh experience earlier in the week in Chicago. I chose this place for one reason and one reason only: charcoal grilled octopus. I'm a huge fan of charcoal grilled octopus. It is an uncommon menu item and I won't order it at dive-y places. In fact, there's a pretty short list of areas where I will even consider ordering the dish. The DC area is big enough that I trust that I can safely order a niche seafood item here. They started me off with some warm pita triangles and a duo of dipping sauces. The seasoned olive oil was pedestrian but the spicy harissa spread was wonderful. It was more than just hot - it had a real depth of flavor. The octopus showed up shortly after and it was a bit strange in a few ways. First of all, it had been spread liberally with a paste-like seasoning that really interfered with my enjoyment of the underlying flavor and texture that had drawn me in initially. Second, the portion was incredibly small. I counted exactly 6 little pieces of octopus in the $16 order. It was cooked pretty well but the small portion and over-saucing really interfered with my enjoyment of the meal. Maybe I should have ordered differently? I left a $20 on the table and went looking for the rest of my lunch elsewhere.

I celebrated my 35th birthday brunch at this restaurant, and it was an incredible experience. The brunch mania at $38 is an unbeatable deal, and the mimosas are only $0.25, another fantastic addition to the brunch menu. The staff was incredibly accommodating, patient, and friendly, making sure our party of 10 felt welcome and valued. They were attentive, helpful, and provided detailed information about the menu. The food was absolutely delicious, and everyone in my party thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The ambiance of the restaurant was also great, adding to the overall enjoyment of the celebration. Overall, I would rate this restaurant a solid 10/10!

First time here. I'd call this a place that's good for skinny people that enjoy eating healthy. The food had a nice flavor but it was very clean and low fat. We got the grilled shrimp (good flavor, a little over cooked) cauliflower with feta and harrissa (the flavor was excellent) and the sampler with hummus and crazy feta. I much prefer a cayenne pepper instead of the jalapeno in the crazy feta but it was good, the hummus was better and the pita bread was amazing.

The best place for Sunday brunch, they have AMAZING food, mimosas and service. Definitely recommend for family gatherings or romantic dates.

Came here with a friend for the first time, it was amazing!!! Andrew was a wonderful and cheerful server. The food was delicious too! We ordered and shared the mini gyros, mushroom orzo, and spanakopita. Definitely coming back

It was my first visit here and I celebrated my birthday with a group. We arrived for the brunch option and had a great time! Our server Jake was amazing, attentive, and kept our drinks filled!

Absolutely loved these tapas and will definitely be back here soon to try more. The fried cheese(Saganaki) is to die for..

Camille was a great our waitress. She was helpful and attentive. The down grade was only because we were close to the door which kept staying and it was freaking cold. We were near the bar and it was loud. All in all though meal was fantastic.

Cava Mezze in Olney - Cozy Vibes and Amazing Food! I wanted to introduce Jasmine to Cava Mezze, and it totally lived up to the hype. We got there around 3 PM on a Saturday, just missing the brunch crowd, but the cozy vibes and beautiful drink displays still set the mood. You could tell people were enjoying themselves -- lots of laughs and good energy. Our server, Kasey, was awesome! She recommended a few dishes, and everything she suggested hit the spot. We ordered the Crispy Potato Terrine, Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Lamb Chops, Crazy Feta Hush Puppies, and ended the meal with some Hot Tea. The hush puppies were crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside -- easily my favorite! The lamb chops were perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful. Jasmine was all about the potatoes and shrimp, saying they were seasoned just right. The hot tea came with a bunch of flavor options, and I decided to mix peppermint and chai -- super refreshing and a great way to wrap up the meal. Our total was $64.66, and honestly, I thought it was a great value for the quality of food and experience. If you're looking for a spot with delicious food, chill vibes, and excellent service, Cava Mezze is a must-try. I can't wait to go back!

Ordered a Gyro Sandwich to-go. It comes with either Fries or a Salad. I opted for Fries. It does not come with ketchup, so you have to remember to order that as well. Picked up order at the host stand. Once received, the sandwich was the right temperature, and I love that the fries were not soggy. My meal was perfect - each item portioned right including enough meat in the gyro wrap. Nothing was left after I finished. Enjoyed it. Visited October 2024.

The waitress was very nice and attentive and answered questions about the menu. Definitely should have gotten the $39 brunch menu a pretty good deal. The pork belly was okay not too special. Loved the Brussels sprouts especially with the egg. The fried donuts weren't anything special would definitely try the waffle next time. The chicken schnitzel was AMAZING I loved the flavors and the Greek yogurt. Went for a causal brunch with my friend great vibes there

I'd been wanting to try out Cava Mezze for a while since I discovered it one day when searching for CAVA. I was in the area at the One Life Fitness gym and decided to order takeout from here for dinner. The estimated pickup time was 30-35 minutes from the time I placed the order, but it was ready when I arrived only 15-20 minutes after my order. The employees that greeted me were very friendly. I loved the indoor vibe and the outdoor seating looked nice as well. I saw one of the employees outside seemingly having a good conversation with two patrons. This was nice to see. Lastly, the food was good! I had the gyro platter with rice. The meat was nicely charred and paired well with the rice and tzatziki. The salad dressing was simple and healthy. And I finished with the flatbread, very well satisfied. I'll be back undoubtedly.

Love this place. Modern atmosphere, friendly service, full bar, healthy ingredients, and ample parking out front, convenient walking distance to CVS, Safeway, Starbucks & many other shops. One of our favorite dishes is the lamb chops, and as the matter of fact, we haven't had a distasteful dish there yet. Highly recommended by @winedinenvacay

Been coming here for years. Decided to get carry out for a quick bite. Bought the Saganáki- which is like the breaded Greek flaming cheese. Only to be told- it doesn't come with bread anymore- like what? What are you suppose to eat it on? Bear in mind, it always came with a clear oyster container of Pita. So, for about $17 you get 2 triangles of cheese, and nothing to eat it on? C'mon! You can buy a bag of pita , for like $1.69 Is this really where you want to cut corners? Do you even consider what you're offering and how customers are supposed to enjoy it ? This is not going in a good direction.

Went for brunch, got the brunch mania...LOTS of food. When it came to our 3rd courses, we could only take a bite and had to box up the rest! Most dishes have eggs, and there's a few interesting ones in there like baklava waffle and strapatsada. Some dishes we didn't care for too much like the downsides and the Nutella banana fritters. But the chorizo fries, French toast, and lamb Benedict really shined. Not to mention the 25 cent mimosas!

I've driven past this Cava a few times and finally decided to stop for brunch with a friend. The French toast was delicious, fed my sweet tooth. Maybe a little too much whip cream though. The Greek yogurt was refreshing, I would eat it everyday if I could! My friend got the eggs on toast, she said they were alright.. nothing special. Cava Mezze is a great spot to stop for families or friends, simple and intimate interior design.

For a good time, go here. Girls night out or date night: a guaranteed good decision. Big hits: zucchini fritters, Santorini Sunset passion fruit cocktail, scallops, meatballs, DIY donut-holes dessert (called something else officially). These had great flavor and cooked really well. Could improve on: flaming cheese: awesome presentation but flavor felt flat. Old fashion: doesn't sound like it was done in a traditional way... Food, overall, was a tad salty... Always love their cocktail menu and chill vibe. Am undecided if it would have been better for all of our dishes to come at the same time or staggered as they did ... hmm.

Nick was a great server!! He was friendly and thoughtful. He helped with excellent menu selections and was prompt. Most importantly, he is an excellent hand washer. If you have the chance to have Nick as your server, make sure you stop by the bathroom and have him give your hands a quick scrub. It's an experience you won't soon forget! 5/5 on food, service, ambience, and handwashing services.

We went on a double date here with some friends and were so surprised at how amazing this place was. We are from out of town (ish - about an hour away) and had never been. The style is tapas to share at the table. We ordered several rounds of small dishes and each one was so delicious. We tried the mini chicken gyros, crispy potato terrine, calamari, mini meatballs, hushpuppies, the scallop risotto and more. I honestly wish I could have ordered one of everything. Our server, Joey, was awesome, such a bro and was so helpful. We can't wait to come back here!!

I wish this place wasn't so far from me, otherwise I would be in here every weekend. My new fav brunch spot. I love their brunch because for a fixed price you can order multiple items from the menu. A nice way to try new foods and see what you end up looking or what you typically wouldn't get. My fav was the baklava waffles which was perfectly crispy & the lamb Benedict which is full of so much flavor. Ambiance is cool, nothing too fancy & service was great. I can't wait to come back

Hands-down, the best Greek restaurant in Montgomery County! The owners are from Greece, so the food is authentic. Some interesting dishes. The vibe of the restaurant is next level, lots of Quality details. Service is always spectacular. One of my favorite restaurants in Onley. Great for date night or a family outing.

I love tapas style! You get to choose more dishes and try more delicious foods with the small portions! The brussel sprouts and chicken schnitzel were some of my favorites, but you can't go wrong!

We usually feel that we get value here but this week's calamari was raw and lamb pita unpalatable with spiciness. Service comped the the raw food but ignored that we couldn't eat our two orders of lamb. Regret this visit and will have great hesitation to return.

Great Greek food in the heart of Olney. My mom loves to come for their roasted beet salad. Acoustically, it's loud and hard in the ears. Definitely have dessert!!

Wow were we surprised. A lunch stop as an afterthought became one of the finest meals we've had in quite a while. The sleek, sophisticated decor was no deception - the cuisine fit the atmosphere. Service was solid, the kitchen was quick but come for the food. Ample portions for the price, but what was special were rhe flavors and seasonings. We look forward to trying the dinner and drinks menu soon. Already quite happy and content with this planned five star review, right before we left we were visited by one of the owners who told us about the restaurant's history and specialization. He also gave us a dinner appetizer to take home gratis. How about that?!

The restaurant is in a strip mall near Safeway. The wooden door makes it seem like the place is closed. Just pull it open. Sunday brunch has a $35 special that includes three dishes. There are lots of choices. If you are planning on getting two dishes anyway, it makes sense to order the special. I had Brussels sprouts. They were decent on the outside but not crispy enough. The kitchen staff remade them. My friends had an open faced pita and waffles. We also got hush puppies and a few other vegetarian items. The staff did a fairly decent job at keeping up with the table. Our server was nice. Everything was delicious.

Came here for brunch on a Saturday afternoon around 1:30pm. We made a reservation for 2 online earlier in the day, but they seem to also accept walk-in. My bitch date and I both did the Brunch Mania for $38 which come with hush puppies to start and 3 dishes from their brunch menu. Mimosas are .25 each, which makes for a great deal if you plan on being here a while. For food we ordered: Risotto balls- very crispy and flavorful Nutella banana fritters- the banana tasted more like plantain, so I'm not sure if they were ripe. Also I love Nutella and the sauce tasted more like plain chocolate sauce than Nutella, no not my favorite dish of the afternoon. Steak and eggs- solid portion size and overall flavor. Grilled shrimp- the shrimp were very large and seasoned will. Salmon toast- the citrus vinaigrette and whipped feta Spicy lamb Benedict- my first time having a lamb Benedict, but very enjoyable. Service: Though we were doing the brunch special, we had to specifically request the hush puppies, which I thought was a little strange since it's an automatic appetizer. We also had to get her a attention when asking for drink refills, which took some time, but it wasn't like she was rude or avoidant. Beyond those two hiccups, our server was very sweet. If I'm ever in Olney again, I'll definitely come back. The price was reasonable in my option for the quantity of food you receive.

The food was okay. The chicken skewers didn't seem like they were cooked properly since it was chewy. They were featuring a dish which had a very long name. We thought it was 3 individual dishes but were disappointed to find out it was just one dish. The waiter would check up on us frequently. It felt as if she wanted us to leave? However, I would say their saganaki was delicious that I forgot to take a photo!

BRUNCH $35 for brunch is in the burbs is a bit much, but when you consider all the food and the quality... worth it. We ordered: Biscuits (Duh!) Lamb Benedict Chicken and Waffles Mykonian Potatoes (if you get nothing else, get this) The only downside was everyone having to order from the menu in the party, it's a ton of food! Make sure you go hungry and take advantage of the 25cent mimosas

Food was great, service was friendly and helpful food came to the table on time. Great vives good drinks

Food is great, service is great. Prices have gone through the roof since the pandemic started (understandable at the time) but they didn't lower them after the pandemic ended. They should bring their prices back down again because they are way too high for the amount of food they give you.

I'm surprised I had never come here before. A few of us decided to come for a friend's birthday. We sat at the bar and took advantage of their happy hour specials, which had some good options. First off, Tig was our bartender and he was AMAZING! He was attentive, great at making our drinks, and had such a fun personality. I ordered the passionfruit margarita which was delicious. I personally love anything passionfruit and it was just the right about of sweetness. We ordered a variety of things to share- hush puppies, crazy feta, falafel, mini gyros, and chicken sliders. Everything tasted delicious. I came back with my husband a few weeks afterwards and also had a pretty great experience. Most of the staff that work there are very pleasant and I enjoy the bar vibe. We plan to try out their brunch soon.

We've been there quite a few times in the past year. The food is always good, but the very annoying part is the main courses are served at different times. Last night, my daughter's came out first, then mine came about 5 minutes later and then my wife's after that. It's very annoying to wait for the last plate to be served, before we eat. What gives?

This spot is an honest family favorite. We have dined at their DC location, Virginia & here as well. This establishment makes some of the best lamb chops I know of. I have yet to have a plate at locations I didn't enjoy. I hope this place doesn't close like the other two.

Excellent food and service in intimate atmosphere. Pricing appropriate and reliable quality and service.

The feta dip is to die for. We had our book club meet here and the drinks and food kept our conversation flowing. It's so much bigger and nicer than I thought it would be; being in a strip mall.

Fairly good vegan offerings. A bit limited. Food was fresh tasting - service OK. Probably won't return when in the area; will look for other vegan offerings.

Very delicious. Really fun ambiance. Casual but great for a date night. A neighborhood favorite.

Love Cava Mezze in Olney. The food is always amazing. The weekend brunch is so good. Service is good and a great atmosphere. Can't wait to return

Great Food and excellent service. One of my favorite restaurants. Wish it was a little closer but I don't mind the drive

Excellent and friendly service! Great spot for lunch and I look forward to evenings at the bar. Food is tasty!

Cute decor, great food. Love the mint cocktail. The brussel sprouts and calamari are super good. The shrimp and scallops are tasty also, as well as the falafel. It's clean and reservations are easy on open table. This restaurant brand has phenomenal service. I have been to other establishments under the same umbrella and have noticed that they always have outstanding service. I will be back to try more!

I've been here twice in the last two months and both times were a solidly good experience. We chose to sit at the bar on both visits and the service was fast and friendly. Things to write home about: -Happy Hour specials are great -Tig is an amazing bartender and conversationalist -the gyro meat it super tasty -the cocktails are rock solid -ample parking I enjoy this place thoroughly. My only area of improvement would be that my fries came out cold. We didn't complain or send them back as we had a few items and probably wouldn't have eaten them anyway. Otherwise, all the food was good.

Constantinople is the most friendly manager I've ever seen... very accommodating and pleased to have you as his guest.. the food is top notch

Good food, good service, would go again. Brunch choices were delicious. Terrific space and decor!

Consistently good. Food is delicious, service is top notch. Brunch there is always good.

Great food and service! We go for a quick drink and for special events! Highly recommend.

It was delicious the next day. I did not get any pictures, but the food was awesome even the next day microwaved. I love that they partnered with the Olney Theater and had my order waiting upon my arrival. Unfortunately, I was not hungry and decided to save for later. I microwaved the rice gyro meat, and pita. I did not expect to enjoy the rice, but was AMAZING!! Nothing special but the taste left me waiting more. The meat was perfect and portion and texture. The pita which is typically my favorite was outshined by the rice and the meat. I did not eat the salad, but it looked great too! I didn't get any pictures, but they would not have done the food justice.

Absolutely delicious. Menu has tremendous variety. Cooked well with lots of flavor. Great ambience

If tapas is your thing, then Cava Mezze is the place for you. I guess it should be noted that this place is NOT to be confused with Cava Grill which is totally different (good...but different). Cava Mezze is a small plate, sit down, table service restaurant. The bottom line on Cava Mezze is that there is not (to my knowledge) a single thing on this menu that isn't excellent. Great flavor profiles with intricate balanced seasoning. Definite go-tos are the Saganaki, spicy lamb sliders (they *are* spicy), and chicken souvlaki. A good option is to go with the "Chef D Platter;" it's a great combination of dishes. Be aware though, that this place is not cheap and it is very easy for the bill to creep up on you. So sock away some cash and surprise that someone special in your life with a great meal at Cava Mezze. You won't be disappointed.

Food and service are always on point. Bar is great place to meet friends. Sit down and enjoy a date. Nothing else in Olney compares.

Cava is our "go to" place. We can always count on great food, drinks and service. You can't go wrong with cheese flambe, roasted cauliflower, risotto scallops and Moscow Mule.

My husband and I came out on a Saturday night. It was our first time here and we were underwhelmed. The seating is extremely casual for such pricey food. Everything is ala carte. We sat down and it was 5 minutes before our waitress came. Another 10 before the drinks came. The food is brought out as it is ready. We shared everything we ordered, but if you order your own meals, your food would be cold while waiting for your company to get theirs. We got the beet salad, which is really 3 large, cold beets. It comes with micro greens. We were expecting baby spinach and such but it was truly centimeter length leaves stuck to the beets. It surely wasn't a salad. The falafel and the calamari were good. We also got lamb chops, rare, and they were tasty. The baklava was terrible. It was burnt and not warm. We get better baklava at a Saudi kabab carry-out near the house.

Stopped in for a quick work lunch and saw the Daily Lunch Mezze Mania: choice of 2, choose 1 from each category for $12. Zucchini Fritters *really basic fritters, the yogurt accompaniment was really sour Calamari *undercooked rubbery calamari and overcooked batter which makes me think the fryer was too hot for their frozen calamari Eggplant Dip for $3 *rich and full, great for dipping the pita bread in Service was consistent but I thought the food was very low quality so I wouldn't come back.

I have been coming to this Cava location for a while pre-pandemic and the first time yesterday after. Still the same quality and service. Love how it hasn't changed! Pro's -Food is amazing! Always on point, served hot, with flavor, and me begging for larger portions. I don't like to share when I am here -Drinks are freshly made with various choices -Great ambiance for a brunch (weekends only) date with the girls, lunch with a co-worker, or date night. -Large bar area and seating -Reservations are recommended during the evening or the wait will be a tad bit long -Offers outdoor seating in front of the restaurant/parking lot -Clean bathrooms -Staff is well trained and friendly. Our server could tell us everything and anything on that menu -Complimentary pita bread is served warm and soft with olive oil and a spicy red paste.. that dip is no joke on spice! It's so good. The tzatziki dip is my favorite, not too creamy, and light -First time I've ever had grilled octopus. OMG.. the octopus was not chewy and cooked perfectly. The flavor of the split pea puree (which I didn't think I would like) paired nicely with it. The peas didn't have a strong taste and almost tasted like a creamy mashed potato. -Spicy lamb slides were cooked medium and so juicy. The size of each slider was well enough to share with hubby and I. The depth of that slider man.. drool -Regular menu is offered all day but now they have a lunch menu. Entrée with sides! Con's -Wish it was closer to my house.. although that maybe dangerous. -Kids menu please :-) Can't wait to return!

Great place for dinner and cocktails.. Tigg is an amazing bartender. Establishment is very family friendly.

Best brunch I've had in awhile! For $35 you can get an assortment of small plates and the option to order either 25 cent or $2 mimosas. Can't beat those prices - and they also serve brunch til 4 pm! Perfect timing for all of us late risers. The wait staff were super attentive! We got to put orders in quite a few times within the hour we were there. Everything tasted pretty good. I personally really enjoyed the breakfast salmon, chicken and waffles (bomb crispy chicken texture and fluffy waffles- mmm), steak and eggs and the chick pea hash, which came with a slightly sweet but zesty sauce that truly made the dish. The Nutella waffle was also pretty delicious but quite decadent. I wish the shrimp and grits had a little more flavor. The brussel sprout Benedict dish also had some bitter notes. The food and drinks came out pretty quick though and overall it was a good experience!