Downtown Detroit’s dining scene is getting a flavorful new addition. Cava, a popular Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain, is opening its first Michigan location in the heart of downtown Detroit. Located at 636 Woodward Avenue in a Bedrock-owned building just steps from Campus Martius Park, the new Cava will sit right next to the Shake Shack on Woodward, joining a growing lineup of quick, family-friendly eateries in the area. This move marks a significant Michigan debut for Cava, known nationally for its customizable bowls, pitas, and bold Mediterranean flavors.
Cava’s impending opening—slated for summer 2025—has local foodies buzzing. The chain has built a devoted following in 26 other states (and D.C.) for its build-your-own grain bowls, salads, and pita wraps loaded with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Detroiters will soon be able to mix and match bases like greens or grains, proteins ranging from grilled chicken to lamb meatballs, an array of toppings, and delicious dips or dressings. The addition of Cava at this prominent downtown corner not only satisfies the lunch and dinner crowd with a new option, but also signals continuing momentum in downtown’s culinary revival.
Bedrock, Facebook
Cava’s Debut at Campus Martius Signals Downtown Dining Growth
The choice of downtown Detroit for Cava’s first Michigan outpost speaks volumes about the city’s vibrant resurgence. The new restaurant is positioned just outside Campus Martius, one of Detroit’s most bustling public spaces, ensuring plenty of foot traffic and visibility. It will be next door to Shake Shack and a short walk from other fast-casual staples like Chipotle, fitting right into an area that has become a hub for quick, quality eats. For downtown workers, residents, and families visiting the city, Cava offers another convenient dining option that’s both fast and healthy.
Local stakeholders see Cava’s arrival as a positive sign. “The addition of Cava to downtown Detroit will bring a fresh, modern concept to the city,” said Naumann Idrees, Bedrock’s Senior VP of Leasing, adding that the chain’s “bold, healthy food and vibrant community experiences” align with the energetic spirit of Detroit. In other words, Cava isn’t just filling a retail space—it’s bringing a new flavor and gathering spot that complements downtown’s growth. With its colorful Mediterranean menu, Cava will add variety to an area already known for burgers and burritos, enriching the fast-casual landscape around Campus Martius. This kind of investment from a burgeoning national brand reflects confidence in Detroit’s food-forward future, indicating that the city’s revitalization is appealing to outside businesses looking to plant roots here.
Custom Bowls, Pitas, and Signature Mediterranean Flavors
What can Detroiters expect when Cava opens its doors? In a nutshell: fresh, customizable Mediterranean meals that cater to all tastes. Often likened to a “Mediterranean Chipotle,” Cava invites customers to build their own meals from a variety of bases, proteins, veggies, and sauces. The restaurant is best known for letting diners mix and match ingredients into personalized bowls, salads or pita sandwiches. Everything is prepared with a focus on vibrant, high-quality ingredients – from crisp greens and grains to grilled meats and roasted vegetables – making it easy to craft a healthy meal on the go.
Some of Cava’s signature items are likely to become quick favorites in Detroit. Highlights of the menu include:
- Spicy Lamb & Avocado Bowl: A fan-favorite grain bowl featuring spicy lamb meatballs paired with avocado and a medley of fresh toppings, delivering a satisfying balance of protein and creamy texture. This bowl packs a punch of flavor (and about 795 calories of hearty fuel) for those craving something bold.
- Crazy Feta Dip: Cava’s signature whipped feta spread blended with jalapeño, onion, and olive oil for a perfectly spicy kick. This “crazy” popular dip (often dolloped onto bowls or served with pita chips) has achieved almost cult status among Cava regulars. It’s a must-try for any first-timer who loves cheese with a little heat.
- House-Made Juice Drinks: To wash it all down, Cava offers a lineup of refreshing house-made juices and lemonades. Look for flavors like Pineapple Apple Mint or Blueberry Lavender, unique concoctions made fresh daily with fruit, herbs, and spices. These vibrant beverages provide a sweet, tangy complement to the savory menu and underscore Cava’s emphasis on fresh ingredients.
Of course, the menu doesn’t stop there. Patrons can also choose classics like grilled chicken, falafel, or roasted vegetables as protein options, atop bases like saffron basmati rice or shredded romaine. Dips and spreads ranging from traditional hummus and tzatziki to the spicy Crazy Feta ensure there’s no shortage of flavor. And with pita bread included on the side of every bowl (at no extra charge), you’ll have something to scoop up every last bite. In short, Cava aims to deliver a customizable feast that can please both adventurous eaters and picky kids – a key reason it appeals to families and foodies alike.
Fast-Growing Chain with Greek-American Roots and a Mission
Cava’s journey from a single restaurant to a nationwide brand is a story rooted in family, tradition, and savvy growth. The company was founded in 2006 by three childhood friends – Ike Grigoropoulos, Ted Xenohristos, and Chef Dimitri Moshovitis – who grew up in Greek-American immigrant families and bonded over their love of the Mediterranean way of eating. They opened the first Cava restaurant in the Washington, D.C. area to share the flavors of their heritage, emphasizing that what’s good for you can also taste delicious. From those humble beginnings, Cava has expanded rapidly over the past decade, spreading its fresh-casual concept across the country.
A big turning point for the company came in 2018, when Cava Group acquired the Zoës Kitchen chain, instantly making it the largest Mediterranean restaurant operator in the U.S. Many Zoës locations were converted into Cavas, accelerating the brand’s footprint. As of early 2025, Cava operates nearly 400 restaurants nationwide, serving guests in 26 states plus Washington, D.C.. The growth has been fueled by strong sales – the company logged $964 million in revenue in 2024, up over 33% from the previous year – and by increasing demand for healthier fast-casual options. Cava’s leadership envisions even more expansion ahead; in fact, the chain aims to reach 1,000 locations by 2032 at its current growth rate.
Throughout this rapid rise, Cava has remained guided by its core mission “to bring heart, health, and humanity to food.” That mission statement isn’t just corporate fluff – it reflects a commitment to nourishing people and community. “We believe in serving delicious food that helps more people eat well and live well,” the company proclaims, emphasizing sustainability (supporting local farmers and the earth) and inclusivity (using food as a unifier across cultures). This ethos of hospitality and care is something the founders credit to their Mediterranean upbringing, and they’ve woven it into Cava’s brand DNA. It also shows in practices like opening each new restaurant with a Community Day (offering free meals to neighbors before the grand opening) and treating employees as extended family.
Today, Cava is not just a restaurant chain but part of a larger publicly traded company. Cava Group, Inc. (NYSE: CAVA) oversees the restaurants as well as a line of packaged dips and spreads (yes, you can find that Crazy Feta and other Cava dips in grocery stores like Whole Foods). Going public in 2023 provided the company with capital to keep expanding into new markets – like Detroit. Co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman has noted that Cava is positioning itself as a leader in bringing Mediterranean cuisine into the mainstream of American dining, much as chains like Chipotle did for Mexican food. With consistent quarter-over-quarter growth and an average unit volume approaching $3 million per restaurant, Cava’s fast-casual formula appears to be resonating with modern consumers seeking flavor, convenience, and wellness in one package.
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CAVA, Facebook
Confidence in Detroit’s Food-Forward Future (and More Cava on the Way)
For Detroiters, Cava’s arrival is another sign that the city’s culinary scene is on the upswing. In recent years, downtown Detroit has attracted everything from trendy food halls to national chains and homegrown eateries, reflecting the area’s economic revival and the diverse tastes of its residents. The fact that Cava chose Detroit’s downtown core for its first Michigan location over other booming suburbs underscores a belief in the city’s momentum. It brings a new cuisine into the mix downtown – expanding the range of quick lunch and dinner choices beyond the usual suspects – and does so in a way that’s accessible to health-conscious office workers and wandering families alike. Cava’s presence at Campus Martius will likely draw a mix of curious first-timers and already-loyal transplants who know the brand from elsewhere. That blend of customers bodes well for a lively, communal atmosphere, the kind of vibe that adds to Detroit’s urban energy.
Cava’s expansion into Detroit also symbolizes a broader confidence in the region’s future. The company’s leaders highlighted how Detroit’s spirit of community and innovation aligns with Cava’s own values. In many ways, the move can be seen as a vote of confidence: a fast-growing restaurant company investing in downtown Detroit is saying that it sees strong potential here – in the workforce, in the tourism draw, and in the appetites of metro Detroit diners. As the city continues to evolve into a foodie destination (with new concepts opening and legacy establishments thriving), Cava is planting its flag to be part of that narrative for the long term.
Detroit won’t be the only Michigan community savoring Cava for long. Another Cava location is already in the works in Canton, a western suburb of Detroit. In fact, construction crews have been busy converting a former Boston Market on Ford Road into what will soon become Metro Detroit’s second Cava. The Canton restaurant is expected to open not far behind the Detroit spot, bringing Cava’s signature bowls and pitas to the suburbs. For those keeping score, the Canton site was initially billed as Cava’s first Michigan store, but the downtown Detroit location has leaped ahead in the timeline to open sooner. Either way, both locations demonstrate the chain’s eagerness to serve the Michigan market, from the city center to the metro area’s family-filled neighborhoods.
In the coming months, as the “Mediterranean Chipotle” finally opens its doors downtown, Detroiters can look forward to customizing their own Cava creations and experiencing what the hype is about. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of a spicy lamb and avocado bowl, craving a dollop of that famous Crazy Feta, or just excited to have a new lunch spot with healthy options, Cava aims to deliver with its blend of modern convenience and Old World flavor. The opening at 636 Woodward Avenue isn’t just about one new restaurant – it’s a small celebration of how far Detroit has come and where it’s headed. With Cava betting on Detroit’s future, the city’s food scene only gets more exciting from here. Opa! (or perhaps we should say cheers with an ice-cold cucumber mint lemonade in hand) to that.
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