Cambridge Gets an Influx of Mediterranean Food Next Week

Boston’s fast-casual Mediterranean food wave continues to grow, thanks in part to Washington, DC-based Cava, which caps its first year in the Boston area with one final opening in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, debuting on November 27 at 82 Ames St.

Joining existing area locations in Fenway, Back Bay, Dedham, and Hingham, the Kendall Square Cava is the fifth restaurant from the chain to open in Massachusetts this year, bringing the chain’s grand total to 72 around the country. Cava was founded in 2011 and vaulted to fast-casual supremacy after receiving a hearty dose of funding in 2017.

The restaurant’s structure relies on a counter-service, customizable format. Cava rotates its menus each season, offering bases of greens, grains, or pita, plus dips, spreads, proteins, and assorted toppings. Some of the hallmarks of its fall menu include Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and cauliflower, along with Greek minestrone soup, a carrot and currant topping, and red pepper chickpea dressing. Protein choices range from falafel to spicy lamb meatballs, and with all the other choices on the menu, Cava estimates it offers 58 million possible combinations of flavors.

Cava [Official Photo]

Kendall’s restaurant will also serve Cava’s lineup of house-made juices and teas, along with local Spindrift seltzer and assorted extras like pita chips, hummus, dips, and cookies.

Cava will celebrate its opening with a community day, offering free lunches between 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. on November 27, and the restaurant will accept donations for its non-profit partner, Future Chefs. The restaurant will continue operations seven days a week, from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Cava Coverage on Eater [EBOS]