The Mediterranean dining scene in South Florida is about to get a newcomer. Cava, the celebrated Mediterranean food chain, is making inroads into the Miami market with a planned new location at the Shoppes at Highland in Hialeah Gardens, marking Cava's ongoing expansion in the region.
Local food enthusiasts first got a hint of the Hialeah development via an Instagram post from Nick Pena. He shared a floorplan that included Cava's footprint, prompting further investigation by Miami New Times. They found that while Cava's opening isn't officially confirmed, a listing on Atlantic Retail's website positioned the chain as an upcoming tenant in the Shoppes at Highland, a space flanked by retailers such as Publix, Ulta Beauty, and various restaurants.
The Shoppes at Highland are becoming a food hotspot, with neighboring establishments including Tropical Smoothie Cafe and First Watch Cafe situated near the proposed Cava location, a testament to Hialeah Gardens' burgeoning food district. The Atlantic Retail listing also illustrated the strategic placement of Cava in the scheme of the mall's layout, nestled between NW 138th St. and NW 97th Ave.
Cava's official LinkedIn page chimed in by listing a job opening for a restaurant general manager in Hialeah on August 31, hinting at their tangible plans for the location. This job posting, and the development plans, segue perfectly into Cava's strategic South Florida rollout. As reported by South Florida Business Journal, the brand is eyeing the region for growth, with the Plantation location set to pioneer their presence in the South Florida market.
The exact timeline for Cava's opening in Hialeah remains veiled as the company navigates the licensing and permitting processes necessary for operation in Miami. The anticipation in the community is palpable, given the popularity of the Mediterranean chain's offerings, which range from customizable grain bowls to salads imbued with global flavors.
