Cava gluten free Mediterranean bowl with grilled chicken and fresh toppings

Cava Gluten Free Menu 2026

Wondering what is gluten free at Cava? Most of the Cava menu is naturally wheat-free. You can safely eat all grains, greens, proteins (except falafel and meatballs), all six dips, all eight dressings, and nearly every topping. Below is the full breakdown of safe and unsafe items, updated for 2026.

Gluten-Free Bases

#Item NameGluten Free?
1Brown Riceβœ“ Yes
2Saffron Basmati Riceβœ“ Yes
3Black Lentilsβœ“ Yes
4RightRiceβœ“ Yes
5SuperGreensβœ“ Yes
6Arugulaβœ“ Yes
7Baby Spinachβœ“ Yes
8Romaineβœ“ Yes

Gluten-Free Proteins

#Item NameGluten Free?
1Grilled Chickenβœ“ Yes
2Harissa Honey Chickenβœ“ Yes
3Braised Lambβœ“ Yes
4Grilled Steakβœ“ Yes
5Roasted Vegetablesβœ“ Yes
6Roasted White Sweet Potatoβœ“ Yes
7Glazed Salmonβœ“ Yes

Gluten-Free Dips & Spreads

#Item NameGluten Free?
1Hummusβœ“ Yes
2Red Pepper Hummusβœ“ Yes
3Harissaβœ“ Yes
4Roasted Eggplant Dipβœ“ Yes
5Tzatzikiβœ“ Yes
6Crazy Fetaβœ“ Yes

Want to track calories and macros for your gluten-free bowl? Use our Cava Nutrition Calculator to build your meal and see the full nutritional breakdown. You can also check the Cava Allergen Menu for dairy-free, vegan, and soy-free filters.

Gluten-Free Toppings

#Item NameGluten Free?
1Shredded Romaineβœ“ Yes
2Sumac Slawβœ“ Yes
3Tomato + Onionβœ“ Yes
4Persian Cucumberβœ“ Yes
5Tomato + Cucumberβœ“ Yes
6Kalamata Olivesβœ“ Yes
7Fiery Broccoliβœ“ Yes
8Pickled Onionsβœ“ Yes
9Salt-Brined Picklesβœ“ Yes
10Crumbled Fetaβœ“ Yes
11Fire-Roasted Cornβœ“ Yes
12Avocadoβœ“ Yes

Gluten-Free Dressings

#Item NameGluten Free?
1Garlic Dressingβœ“ Yes
2Greek Vinaigretteβœ“ Yes
3Lemon Herb Tahiniβœ“ Yes
4Hot Harissa Vinaigretteβœ“ Yes
5Skhugβœ“ Yes
6Balsamic Date Vinaigretteβœ“ Yes
7Yogurt Dillβœ“ Yes
8Tahini Caesarβœ“ Yes

Items That Contain Gluten (Avoid These)

#ItemWhy It Contains Gluten
1Pita Bread (Sprouted Pita)Contains wheat flour
2FalafelContains wheat as a binder
3Spicy Lamb MeatballsContains wheat-based breadcrumbs
4Pita ChipsMade from wheat pita
5Pita CrispsMade from wheat pita
6Greyston Blondie & BrownieContains wheat flour

⚠️ Cross-Contamination Warning

Cava is not a certified gluten-free kitchen. All food is prepared in a shared space using shared equipment. If you have celiac disease or a severe wheat allergy, there is a risk of cross-contact.

  • β€’ Tell the staff about your allergy before ordering
  • β€’ Ask them to change gloves and use clean utensils
  • β€’ Avoid items near the pita station
  • β€’ Confirm ingredients with your local Cava location

Cava Gluten Free Menu PDF 2026

Download the full gluten-free list for offline reference.

Download Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cava gluten free?

Cava is not a certified gluten-free restaurant. However, most of their menu items are naturally free of wheat. Cross-contact is possible since they use shared equipment.

Is Cava falafel gluten free?

No. Cava falafel contains wheat flour and is not safe for a gluten-free diet. Choose grilled chicken, braised lamb, steak, or roasted vegetables instead.

What should I avoid at Cava if I am gluten free?

Avoid pita bread, pita chips, pita crisps, falafel, spicy lamb meatballs, and pre-packaged desserts like the Greyston Blondie and Brownie.

Are Cava dressings gluten free?

Yes. All eight Cava dressings are gluten free, including Garlic Dressing, Greek Vinaigrette, Lemon Herb Tahini, Skhug, and Balsamic Date Vinaigrette.

Conclusion

Eating gluten free at Cava is easy and delicious, thanks to their wide variety of safe bases, proteins, and fresh toppings. While cross-contact is always a possibility in a shared kitchen, avoiding items like pita and falafelβ€”and communicating clearly with staffβ€”will help you enjoy a safe Mediterranean meal. Don't forget to use our Nutrition Calculator to build your perfect bowl!