CAVA Is Coming to Columbus! Here's What We Know

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PHOTO: Food cover on Fast Casual Restaurants- 8/15 — Source: The Washington Post / Getty

Mediterranean food fans, get ready: CAVA is officially on its way to Columbus!

The fast-casual chain known for its bold bowls, build-your-own pitas, and dips has filed a permit to open at 1370 Polaris Parkway, the former Shake Shack spot near Polaris Fashion Place. The company confirmed it plans to expand into the Columbus market. Exact opening dates haven’t been announced yet.

Founded in Maryland in 2010, CAVA has quickly grown to more than 450 locations across 28 states. This Polaris restaurant will mark its first in Ohio.

Menu favorites include the Spicy Lamb + Avocado Bowl, which comes stacked with lamb meatballs, feta, pickled onions, and red pepper hummus, along with lemon herb tahini. Guests can customize bowls and pitas with a mix of greens, grains, proteins, and toppings.

CAVA has been on a hot streak: Yelp named it the fastest-growing restaurant brand in the U.S. earlier this year, and Datassential ranked it the nation’s favorite healthy chain. The new Columbus location will bring more competition to a market already home to local favorites like Brassica, which recently received a boost from Chipotle to help expand outside Ohio.

CAVA says it’s excited to welcome the Columbus community and encouraged fans to watch cava.com for updates.