Eating out can often feel like a game of ingredient detective work. While Cava is not a fully vegan restaurant, it offers various plant-based options that can be combined into a satisfying meal. With the proper selections, you can enjoy a delicious Cava bowl, salad bowl, or even a falafel pita while keeping your meal free of animal products.
In this guide, we’ll break down all the vegan menu items available at Cava, how to build your own bowls, and what to avoid to ensure your meal aligns with an entirely plant-based diet.
A-Z List of Vegan Ingredients at Cava
- Arugula
- Avocado
- Balsamic Date Vinaigrette
- Black Lentils
- Brown Rice
- Cabbage Slaw
- Crispy Chickpeas
- Falafel
- Fiery Broccoli
- Fire-Roasted Corn
- Greek Vinaigrette
- Harissa
- Hot Harissa Vinaigrette
- Hummus
- Kalamata Olives
- Lemon Herb Tahini
- Pickled Onions
- Pita
- Pita Chips
- Pita Crisps
- Red Pepper Hummus
- Red Peppers
- Roasted Eggplant
- Roasted Vegetables
- Romaine
- Saffron Basmati Rice
- Salt-Brined Pickles
- Side Pita
- Spicy Skhug
- SplendidGreens®
- SuperGreens
- Tomato + Cucumber
- Tomato + Onion
Understanding Cava’s Vegan Offerings
Cava is a fast-casual restaurant that focuses on Mediterranean flavors. It offers a mix of greens, grains, dips, and proteins for customization. While its menu does feature animal products like grilled chicken, beef meatballs, and crazy feta, it also provides a variety of plant-based favorites. However, it’s essential to be aware of cross-contact in cooking areas if you have strict dietary preferences or food allergies.
Cava’s commitment to high-quality ingredients and working with local farmers ensures that the fresh ingredients used in its plant-based meals meet a high standard. While they could expand their vegan menu items, what they offer allows for a well-rounded meal if you know how to navigate the options.
Building the Best Vegan Cava Bowl
A well-balanced Cava bowl should contain a mix of grains, greens, plant protein, and flavorful toppings. Here’s how to put together an entirely plant-based meal:
1. Start with a Base
Your base sets the foundation for a nutrient-dense meal. Cava offers several vegan-friendly bases, including:
- Brown rice (a great option for whole grains and plant protein)
- Saffron basmati rice (adds mild Mediterranean flavors)
- Black lentils (high in plant protein and fiber)
- SuperGreens, Arugula, Baby Spinach, Romaine, and SplendidGreens® (fresh greens packed with essential nutrients)
Combining grains and greens can help create a balanced Cava bowl with whole grains and essential nutrients.
2. Add a Protein Source
While Cava does not have many dedicated plant-based proteins, they do offer a few satisfying options:
- Falafel (crispy falafel provides plant protein and great texture)
- Black lentils (rich in plant protein and fiber)
- Crispy chickpeas (adds a crunchy, protein-packed topping)
3. Pick Your Dips & Spreads
Cava’s dips add rich, flavorful ingredients to your meal. The vegan-friendly choices include:
- Red pepper hummus (a flavorful alternative with a vibrant tomato flavor)
- Harissa (African spicy chili pepper paste for a spicy kick)
- Roasted eggplant (adds depth and smoky notes to your bowl)
- Hummus (a creamy, classic Mediterranean spread)
4. Load Up on Toppings
Adding a variety of toppings enhances both taste and texture. The following are vegan options at Cava:
- Cabbage slaw (a refreshing and crunchy addition)
- Kalamata olives (a guest favorite with Mediterranean flavors)
- Red peppers (adds sweetness and vibrant color)
- Fiery broccoli (for a little bit of spice and crunch)
- Pickled onions (tangy and flavorful)
- Salt-brined pickles (adds a briny, sharp taste)
- Fire-roasted corn (a popular choice for added sweetness and texture)
- Avocado (for creamy, healthy fats)
5. Choose a Vegan-Friendly Dressing
To tie your Cava bowl together, choose from the following plant-based dressings:
- Lemon herb tahini (one of the best dressings, adding a creamy, nutty flavor)
- Greek vinaigrette (a simple, fresh dressing with olive oil and herbs)
- Hot harissa vinaigrette (spicy and packed with bold flavor)
- Spicy skhug (adds a unique, peppery heat)
- Balsamic date vinaigrette (a mildly sweet dressing option)
Other Vegan Options at Cava
If you’re not in the mood for a bowl, Cava offers additional plant-based options:
Pitas:
- Falafel pita (a pita wrap filled with falafel and fresh toppings)
- Pita crisps (a crunchy snack that pairs well with dips)
- Side of pita chips (perfect for dipping into hummus)
Salads & Small Plates:
- Own bowls (create a personalized bowl with vegan ingredients)
- Salad bowls (combine fresh greens with plant-based toppings)
- Vegan sides (roasted vegetables, lentils, and pita options)
Secret Menu & Customization Tips
Some TikTok users have shared ways to tweak the Cava menu to maximize plant-based options. You can always ask for extra portions of falafel, black lentils, or hummus to make your meal more filling. Swapping out dairy-based dressings for lemon juice or extra lemon herb tahini can help keep your meal fully vegan.
Final Thoughts: Is Cava a Good Option for Vegans?
Cava may not be a fully vegan establishment, but it does provide a decent range of plant-based meals. If you’re looking for a quick, customizable, Mediterranean-inspired meal in the United States, Cava offers a mix of nutritious ingredients that can fit into a vegan diet.
While seeing more dedicated plant-based meals and fewer shared cooking areas would be great, vegans can still find delicious alternatives by selecting the right ingredients. With its focus on fresh flavors, high-quality ingredients, and Mediterranean bowls, Cava is a fast-casual restaurant that, with some adjustments, can work for a plant-based lifestyle.
