Kitava

Cost with tax: $20 What/When: Poke bowl. I was a walk in order and got it to go today. When you’re as active as I am, when it’s time to fuel it’s time to fuel. We’re scouting the region and this was my first order. We will likely move to the area. My biggest expectation is that food is prepared to expectation and taste. This tuna poke bowl was poorly seasoned and overwhelmed by onion fillers. There was no poke preparation. There was no soy/ponzu marinade on anything, and definitely not on the tuna. It was naked tuna. There were two types of onions in this “poke” bowl which made it super overwhelming and taste bad - green onions (white bulb ends and green ends) and what was obviously a too-quick-pickle on onions. They completely just tasted like raw onion without a pickling and didn’t work at all. The chipotle mayo also didn’t work. I suggest someone with a good pallet go back to the drawing board with the tuna poke bowl and please, for the love of customers, don’t leave out the actual poke marinade.

Food is just okay. Pricing is absurd. Service leaves a lot to be desired. Parking is a little difficult. Wait times were minimal. Ordered a bowl to-go with vegan ingredients. It consisted of rice, eggplant, beans, and a veggie patty. That cost me *$23*, before leaving a tip. The service is that, servicable. When it's time to leave a tip, they'll be friendly, but not before or after. One of those places, you know? For a vegan place, in Berkeley, this spot is average to below average. Ultimately, I would not recommend. At least the butchers son, for example, offers a greater variety of foods, has better service, and complementary coffee. This place is forgettable by comparison. If they wanted to improve, I'd suggest a greater variety of drinks and food, friendlier staff, and cheaper pricing.

Deeply disappointed. Fails the Chipotle test (I can get a better veggie rice bowl there). Basically it's expensive, either bland (without their sauce) or weird (with their sauce) and served cold. They also skimp on everything. I paid extra for wild rice and got even smaller potions than the last time I was there and had the default white rice. I left hungry after clearing my plate. I wasn't even particularly hungry when I went there. Beyond the food, it's just kind of a lame dining experience. It's pretty noisey even with the place 1/3 full.

I got their Spring Noodle Bowl 🥣 with Double Plant Protein Patty and a chocolate chip cookie. The noodle bowl was okay - lots of fiber, but I do recommend getting extra protein with it to feel full. As for the cookie... The sweetness is nowhere to be found, and instead you're left with a funky aftertaste after every bite. I was told they're still working on the recipe though. Besides the food, the staff were super friendly, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

The only positive thing about this place is that it looks nice. It’s overpriced, subpar food. The “charred” broccoli was steamed, the fries were inedible and fried to the point that they were cardboard and hollow. The fried chicken has zero seasoning including salt. I’m shocked that this is even a business.

I had never heard of Kativa until my wife told me about this restaurant after going with a friend. We went back together, and I'm happy we did. I had the burrito bowl, and it was delicious. I sincerely look forward to trying another dish or their BYOB (build your own bowl) option. Kativa has a deceptively simple menu that allows for any number of experimentation for a more complex pallet. It's a nice place, with friendly staff, and delicious food. What's not to love?

Somehow, finding affordable healthy food can prove hard in the Bay Area, so having a place like this is a joy. I had a mushroom, kimchi bowl, which was stacked and tasted amazing. Everything was fresh. Good for dietry requirments, like soya allergies, fir example.

Kitava is such a gem in Albany! The food is incredibly fresh, healthy, and nourishing, every dish feels both comforting and healthful at the same time. You can tell how much care goes into the ingredients and flavors. The staff is genuinely kind and attentive, and the space has an easy, relaxed vibe that makes you want to linger. Whether for a casual lunch or a cozy brunch, Kitava is one of those places you leave feeling good inside and out.

I've ordered delivery from here many times now and also popped by! Food: all around amazing! My faves-- Power bowl Fries with ranch Chicken nuggets with chipotle sauce Green juice All so fresh and delicious!! Atmosphere - so bright and full of light. Nice furnishings, really welcoming!! Definitely a place I can hang out in and feel my mood lifting.

The food is healthy and delicious, and the atmosphere is generally very Feng Shui. The one thing I must mention that is in need of more attention is the issue with flies. Take-out orders, you're probably fine. The issue I have is that i like to study and eat, nibbling on some food and writing - yet this location always has at least one little gnat or fly trying to insert itself into my green goddess dressing. You see a bunch of them at the self bussing station. Generally speaking the Bay Area doesn't seem to have that many bugs... but they've certainly found a home in this location. Its a shame, because I'd probably bring someone here with me to eat on a regular basis if I wasn't afraid of grossing someone out. The staff are really good. I think they just need to do some troubleshooting on the insects. I noticed someone else mentioned this and I'll second it: SWEETGREEN is the spot! You get more food for the money. I still like Kitava, however.

I never made it here when it was Boss Burgers, but it was probably for the best since my occasional carnivorous cravings would've increased my red meat consumption. That's what makes Kitava a welcome presence in this space. I've happily patronized their original Mission location (review: https://yelp.to/fIpNlGxiIC) and their outpost in North Oakland (review: https://yelp.to/sbMKWwWm7M), so I already knew how healthy the food was going to be. I was glad to see a lot of dining space in here, including roomy booths. On my first here, I tried the $14 Kimchi Mushroom Bowl, a hearty delight with chimichurri mushrooms, kimchi, roasted asparagus, arugula, and wild rice mixed in chickpea miso dressing (Photo 10). Made with coconut sugar, the $4.50 Dark Chocolate Brownie (Photo 6) was a guilty pleasure, and the $4 can of Ollipop Classic Root Beer was surprisingly satisfying. It provided a healthy alternative to soda. On a follow-up visit, Jamie W and I came here for lunch. He was conscientious and went with the $14 Guac & Greens Salad, a healthy mix of farmer's greens, roasted zucchini, black beans, red cabbage, pickled onions, and guacamole, topped with cassava tortilla strips and jalapeno lime dressing (Photo 9). He was quite pleased. I had the heartier $16 Sesame Chicken Bowl with crispy, breaded chicken. They sat on jasmine rice with charred broccoli florets, sesame togarashi, and chopped green onion, accompanied by ginger ponzu sauce (Photo 8). Even though mine had a higher calorie count, it was quite delicious. We split the $4.50 Chocolate Chip Cookie which was plainly gluten-free but still satisfied our need for something sweet (Photo 7). Solano Avenue has an impressive variety of worthwhile eateries, and Kitava will definitely be part of our rotation. FOOD - 5 stars...I think they've perfected their healthy recipes over the years AMBIANCE - 5 stars...really spacious, usually not busy SERVICE - 4 stars...pretty cordial TOTAL - 5 stars...this mini-chain is really holding up well RELATED - Exploring Solano Avenue? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/NTHwFpRbbS

I love ordering kitava online in the city, so this was nice to sit and enjoy my bowl. Always fresh, super filling, and quick. Also located near tons of other shops and things around.

Exciting news for Solano Ave. with a Kitava location opening. We've ordered to-go before from this specific location, but finally had the opportunity to taste in-person. Def. have been a fan of Kitava since the Buck Wild Brewing days ~ thankful it's back closer in the East Bay (there's an Oakland location too!) Love the look/feel of the restaurant ~ clean, minimal, all the positive vibes while you're eating clean as well. I love the flavored water and I'm a sucker for a warm bowl. Convenient, mixing in all the food groups, and health forward. This go-around we did the Sesame Chicken Bowl which comes with charred broccoli, crispy chicken in cassava flour breading, jasmine rice, served with a ginger ponzu sauce on the side. With avo added, perfection (although that's extra, but would be a great permanent addition). We did a side of the crispy chicken (a healthier nugget), sweet potatoes, and charred broccoli for the kiddo. A win all-around. Service is quick and efficient ~ this is a fast casual location where you order at the register, grab your number, meal is delivered to you, and you bus your table upon exit. FYI, for those looking for a different dinner approach. Adding this spot to our monthly "where should we go" nights ~ love the mission, love the food philosophy, and company values. I guess I love the bowls so much I wish there were a few extra scoops per serving, but maybe that's the parental hunger in me ;) Metered parking can be tough on Solano, but not impossible. Just noticed they have Brunch now as well ~ Butternut Squash Fritter Tacos are calling our name!

Came here for dinner. And we each had a sesame chicken bowl. Very tasty and satisfying, I only wish the serving size was bigger! We had the brownie and chocolate chip cookie too, neither were my favorite. Service is easy. Order at kiosk or at register. Take a number, find a seat and they'll bring the food to you. Service was friendly. Clean and bright spot. I know my GF-free friends would appreciate this place. Looking forward to coming back.

100% gluten free restaurant with delicious food. I ordered the sesame chicken bowl and my husband got the paprika chicken protein plate with an additional side of brussel sprouts. The person at the counter was very nice and helpful about answering our questions. I will be back even though I live an hour away.

I was going pleasantly surprised today by Kitava Kitchen! I opted for the plantain bowl with an added beef protein and fried brussel sprouts. Just so you know I'm a bonafide plantain and brussel sprouts snob and the offerings from Kitava did not disappoint! On the contrary they were extremely tasty and well done-the brussel sprouts especially! The service is great and the dining room is sunny and airy with a large scale wallpaper on the main room wall accented with warm wood tones of in the furnishings. My bowl was enough for two meals! Can't wait to come back!

Kitava opened in Boss Burger's space. Similar infrastructure. Change of seatings, decor on walls. Menu similar to Oakland. No table service. Order at counter or kiosk. Food/drinks brought to table 10ish minutes. Bus own trays. Pricing up $1 + 5% health surcharge. Business robust. Business model working. Offerings: signature bowls & salads, drinks, beers, wines, desserts, snacks, kombucha, hard cider. Bites: kimchi mushroom bowl(14) -wild rice blend, argula, kimchi, & soy-free chicken pea miso dressing were evidently fresh & 'Liz, they were outclassed by the main ingredients: -braised thinly sliced chimichurri mushrooms exuding much Unami & juiciness. -roasted thinly diagonally sliced young asparagus juicy & crunchy. *Fwiw decided not to mix ingredients in one clumb. Ate each ingredient individually and dipping each into miso dressing. Singular best. **tastes better than power bowl previously are. 5 stars worthy quality/guantity

Located on Solano ave, this place opened up and it's definitely worth giving a try! It reminds me of SweetGreen, but much better service and food! They offer a lot of indoor seating and inside it was very much a chill atmosphere. Everything you order here is very fresh! I will say that it is a bit on the pricy side, but worth it. You can customize your bowl or even just order a premade bowl that is also super delicious.

Ok, after coming to both locations several times, and not *loving* anything I ordered except the soft serve cashew ice cream (amazing!) I finally found my dish! Most satisfying yet - make your own bowl: paprika chicken, charred broccoli, miso eggplant, and wild rice with romesco sauce. It is the most flavorful and saucy thing I've gotten. Service is always sweet, and ambience is always a tad loud. I can't give 5 stars because I think a lot of the food lacks flavor.

One of the best additions to Solano Ave. Fresh, light, customizable, great variety. Loved the Citrus salad and can't wait to try everything else. Interior is airy yet cozy.

A very pleasant surprise! If you are someone (like me) who does not typically go for these type of health food/salad places, I would say to give this one a try. Twice I've orders the herb ranch salad with crispy chicken, and twice I have devoured it. The dressing is creamy but tangy, and there's enough to fully coat the whole salad. There's also enough textural intrigue from the radish and croutons so the dish feels very balanced. The egg is overcooked but not very noticeable in the context of a salad. The crispy chicken is surprisingly moist on the inside, and the outside is crispy enough. But the crispy brussel sprouts truly live up to their promise, they are almost like brussel sprout chips and come with what I think is a cumin aioli. The salads are reasonably priced before adding a protein, but a protein really is needed for most of them to feel like a true meal. So yes, it ends up being a fairly pricey salad, but that is to be expected of this sort of place. Also, if you are not a dressing person, make sure to tell the cashier you want your salad completely plain, as they automatically add a little lemon juice & oil otherwise. Order at the counter and food is brought to the table. Water and silverware is serve yourself. The large windows bring a lot of light into the space and it's quite a pleasant spot to hang out and enjoy your meal.

Amazing delicious fresh generous unique combinations of excellent food....... I have only ordered takeout several times but it is a welcoming place with wonderful waitstaff and plan to eat inside and try every single item on the menu..... I prefer vegetarian but my husband likes meat so it fits the bill perfectly!

Love this place! The foods are flavorful, healthy, and just straight up YUMMY! It's spacious and I love the natural lighting inside. Also, the manager, Mia (hope the spelling is right), is super cool! They also have a rewards program so don't forget to look into it.

It was okay. I didn't think the food was great. The staff was very nice and the place was clean.

We're so happy to have Kitava in Albany! The food is fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. We had a great experience dining in. The space feels welcoming and relaxed, perfect for a casual meal with family or friends. A special thank you to Maya, who took our order, she was incredibly kind, patient, and helpful with the menu. Her warm attitude really made the visit even better. We'll definitely be coming back again soon!

Best soup and best soft serve (go for the roasted cashew) I've ever had. Love this place!

Love this place Clean, bright Nordic look Delicious, healthy food Great people Fast service

As huge fans of the Kitava Mission location, we weren't at all surprised to find we loved the new Albany location. The food was predictably wonderful in keeping with its predecessors. If anything, it's a step up since it is designed to feel more like a full restaurant albeit with the ease of counter service. It's brighter and more spacious and you don't have to ask for water or a bathroom code! As a minor side note to the chefs, the ratio of kale to cabbage in the kale slaw is a little disappointing. Given the name, I'd like to see more green and less purple. Additionally the amount of char on the broccoli is inconsistent. When adequately cooked, it's my favorite broccoli out there, but sometimes it's all crunchy stalks. That said, the lemon vinaigrette is reliably great and carries the dish. But I'd appreciate greater attention to detail across the various restaurants. Also not a big deal, but the woman at the front confirmed we were eating in, but our food was brought to us for takeout. Even so, when Kitava is at its best, it is tough to beat.

So nice to have a clean, well run, health food alternative in the neighborhood. You order and they bring the food to you, then you bus your plates. The remodel is clean and modern. They even put acoustic tiles on the ceiling so it's pretty peaceful inside.

I really wanted to like this place. Great ambience and design, and a very friendly staff. But the food was underwhelming. Rice was mushy, chicken a bit greasy and overcooked. Not much variety in the bowl itself (the ingredients list is impressive until you realize a lot of it is spices). Expensive for what I got but I understand there are high costs when serving fresh foods. I'll try again at some point.

So glad to have a spot for fresh, healthy, and flavorful food at reasonable prices. The sesame chicken bowl is my favorite. It's tasty and filling without leaving me feeling weighed down. It's like enjoying a comfort food classic in a lighter, better for you way. Im marking down a star because the jasmine rice is always sticky/gluey. Still, this place fills a much-needed gap in the local restaurant scene and Im grateful it's an option.

Power bowl: Flavorful and fulfilling. Love the option to grab a quick bite for a great price. Restaurant was clean, smelled good, and had lots of natural sunlight. Staff was friendly and service was quick.

Healthy and delicious. I like the choice of vegetables and dressings. I also like that one can add a fish protein as an option. The place is clean and staff are friendly. I can't wait to go back.

Really tasty and unique bowls. Love the vegetarian friendly food and vibe. I enjoyed the Spring Special with noodles. And all the mushrooms! Like that it was open on Monday! Parking in the area can be challenging. But worth it.

Seriously my favorite fast casual restaurant in the east bay! I am gluten intolerant and this place is a DREAM. The herb ranch should be given an award it is sooo tasty, I always order extra sides of it so I can put on everything else I eat. Pricey but that's expected with gluten free options. And the crispy chicken is such a treat when I otherwise can never eat crispy chicken from any restaurant. 10/10 highly recommend!!!

I ordered a couple of bowls and a salad. ( The sweet plantain and a poke bowl and watermelon salad. Everything was great! I added a vegan protein patty and it was freshly made and really tasty. They do not skimp on the portions and the food is delicious! I liked knowing I could get a healthy option and it was different from what's normally out there.

The crispy chicken with ginger ponzu sauce is so good! I usually get the build your own bowl and like to vary the various veggies and other toppings. The people working there are always very pleasant and helpful. The seating area is a nice and I enjoy eating there.

LOVE this place! The staff was amazing! Authentic smiles and very helpful in making meal suggestions. The food was sooooo good! Tasty and satisfying and (dare I say) HEALTHY! Even the colors, space and lighting feel healthy. They have a real community feel -- like you and your hot food matters to them! It's not about trying to make money. We are definitely coming back!

Staff is amazing! Even though they were busy when my wife & I went this week, we were treated with competence, smiles & respect (as always)! My favorite meal right now is the Barbacoa beef & plantains!! Kitava for the win!!!

The food here is just ok compared to the Kitava in the Mission IMO. However it is worth the stars just because it's a safe place for celiacs like me to eat. Hopefully after a little more time they will get off the ground a bit more and taste/quality will follow.

Wow what an outrageous rip off! $34 and I'm still hungry. Holy smokes! I didn't know they make portions that small!

Clean and spacious! Absolutely LOVE the plantains, so sweet! Got the sesame chicken bowl and substituted jasmine rice for the wild rice (+$2) food came out fast and staff are very kind.

Food was hot, fresh, high quality and super friendly service! Will definitely be back for another bowl, crispy Brussels sprouts (divine!) and cauliflower wings. Ambiance is casual, clean, modern and fresh--overall great vibes all around!

The food was amazing. Wonderful customer service. Ms.Ashley came by check make sure that our food was to ours liking. Amazing Ambiance will come back again.

the food here is amazing there. Ashley came over to our table and made the entire experience a vibe. We will be back for our next gathering.

So glad they opened their 2nd restaurant on Solano Ave! I love thei restaurant in Oakland, but I'm rarely over in that part of the city. For Berkeley folks, this is so convenient, and always love their healthy tasty food. A great addition to Solano Ave. :-)

One of the few places to get a quality meal without any nasty seed oils at a decent price. My go-to for a good meal! The fish has been taken off the menu and hope they bring it back. The environ is modern, clean and not too noisy to have a conversation. The staff is always cheerful and pleasant.

Came to check out the new location. Great food and friendly staff, per usual. Please open up another location in downtown Walnut Creek!

As someone who cannot afford health insurance, this charge added to cover employee health insurance is ridiculous. I'm paying for food, not your employees insurance. You should ask people if they want to add that, not add it, not mention it, and then expect them to ask you to remove. That's crazy. Very bourgeois establishment.

Friendly staff, I got the Caesar salad, which was pretty tasty but very small portion! My friend got the chicken thing that everyone likes.....again pretty tasty but small portions

This place is fabulous! I have celiac disease and love deep fried food. It is SO hard to find fried food that is legitimately gluten free but they have it here. Fantastic nuggets, fries, and fried Brussels sprouts! I hope they have fish and chips some day. Also, if you have kids, it seems kids get free/discounted dinner on Tuesdays, which is awesome. If you don't care about gluten but are trying to avoid polyunsaturated fats in cooking oils, they seem to only use oils that are mostly monounsaturated fats. All in all a great restaurant!

I have had the pleasure of grabbing lunch here quite a few times as I work near by. I have enjoyed every bit! I think the portions are perfect, the food always tastes fresh & made to order. I look forward to trying more items on the menu. I've enjoyed the greens with crispy chicken, cucumbers & almond slices. The sweet potatoes & plantains are amazing. My favorite dressing is the herb ranch. I definitely recommend stopping here for lunch or dinner if you're interested in feel good, taste good options that are worth the cost.

The best place! They even avoid corn products and cane sugar which I am also allergic to. The ice cream was a definite treat since I only get dessert if I make it. Great food and a friendly atmosphere

Went with friends to see what this was all about. I had the sesame chicken bowl, and we all shared brussels sprouts small plate. The service was fast and friendly. My food tasted great, and I love the vibes and open statements about the quality of food they carry. Super impressed.

This was my second attempt to eat here today, and it was just as frustrating as the first. I ordered directly from the menu in plain English, yet the cashier seemed completely confused about every single item. I had to repeat myself at least seven times for each thing I ordered, and she still couldn't get it right. After multiple failed attempts, I gave up and walked out.

Fabulous food, amazing ambiance, and stupendous service! Everyone working here is kind and considerate, especially Cynthia. Cynthia's charisma and attentiveness makes her stand out--I know I'm guaranteed a great dining experience whenever I see her!

Great place with great customer service! Me and my kids love it here. My kiddos especially love the french fries and nuggets