Cava Vegetarian
Menu Guide

CAVA vegetarian options are easy to understand because you can build your meal your own way. You can choose a bowl, salad, greens and grains bowl, or pita without adding meat. The main vegetarian choices include falafel, hummus, lentils, rice, roasted vegetables, fresh toppings, and sauces. If you want something light, choose more greens and vegetables. If you want something filling, add falafel, rice, lentils, and hummus.

Cava Vegetarian
40+Vegetarian Items
30gMax Protein / Bowl
3Plant Protein Mains
6Vegan-Safe Dips

Vegetarian Bases

All 9 bases are 100% vegetarian and vegan. Mix two at no extra cost.

#BaseCaloriesProteinBest Use
01Black LentilsTop Pick~260~13gBest for protein
02RightRice~210~10gLow-carb swap
03Sprouted Pita~250~8gWrap style
04Brown Rice~310~6gClassic base
05Saffron Basmati Rice~300~5gAromatic
06SuperGreens~40~3gBest for cutting
07Baby Spinach~20~2gIron-rich
08Arugula~20~2gPeppery
09Romaine~15~1gLight crunch
Best Combo: Half Black Lentils + Half SuperGreens = ~150 cal with ~8g protein. Ideal for weight management.

Does CAVA Have Vegetarian Options?

Yes, CAVA has plenty of vegetarian options. The easiest choice is a bowl or salad with falafel, hummus, grains, vegetables, and toppings. You can also order a ready-made Falafel Crunch Bowl if you want a simple vegetarian meal. It works well for lunch or dinner because it has protein, grains, vegetables, and bold flavor in one order.

Best CAVA Vegetarian Options

Falafel

Falafel is the main vegetarian protein at CAVA. It adds crunch, flavor, and filling power to a bowl, salad, or pita. It works best with hummus, rice, lentils, cucumber, tomato, pickled onions, and spicy sauces. If you want a meat-free meal that still feels complete, falafel is the best starting point.

Hummus

Hummus is one of the most useful CAVA vegetarian options. It adds creaminess and flavor without needing meat. You can add it to a bowl, spread it in a pita, or enjoy it with pita chips. It pairs well with falafel, roasted vegetables, rice, greens, and fresh toppings.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a good choice when you want more flavor and texture. They make a vegetarian bowl feel warmer and more satisfying. Add them with greens, rice, hummus, and falafel for a balanced order. They are also useful when you want extra vegetables without making the meal too heavy.

Lentils And Grains

Lentils and grains help make CAVA vegetarian options more filling. Rice gives the meal comfort, while lentils add more plant-based substance. These are good choices when a salad alone does not feel enough. Use greens and grains together when you want freshness and fullness in the same bowl.

Best Vegetarian Bowl Idea At CAVA

A good vegetarian CAVA bowl starts with greens and brown rice. Add falafel for protein, hummus for creaminess, and roasted vegetables for flavor. Then add cucumber, tomato, pickled onions, and your favorite sauce. This bowl gives you crunch, spice, freshness, and a filling base without using meat.

For a lighter bowl, use more greens and fewer crispy toppings. For a heavier bowl, keep rice, lentils, falafel, and hummus. This helps your order match your hunger. It also keeps the meal from feeling random or overloaded.

Are CAVA Vegetarian Options Healthy?

CAVA vegetarian options can be healthy, but the final order depends on what you add. Greens, vegetables, lentils, hummus, and falafel can make a balanced meal. Calories can rise when you add extra rice, pita chips, cheese, creamy dips, or too many sauces. A smart order uses one main protein, one filling base, fresh toppings, and a sauce you enjoy.

Tips For Ordering CAVA Vegetarian Options

Choose falafel when you want a meat-free protein. Add hummus, red pepper hummus, or roasted eggplant for flavor. Use fresh toppings like cucumber, tomato, onions, greens, and pickled onions. Keep pita chips and extra sauces lighter if calories matter. If you avoid dairy, skip feta, Crazy Feta, and yogurt-based sauces.

Vegetarian Mains — Your Protein Source

These three items are the protein anchors of any vegetarian bowl. All are vegan-friendly.

Most Popular

Falafel

Crispy on the outside, herb-packed and fluffy on the inside. Made from chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices. The primary vegetarian protein at CAVA — completely vegan and packed with flavor.

~270–350 Cal6–9g ProteinContains Wheat
Lowest Calorie

Roasted Vegetables

A seasonal mix of roasted vegetables. Very low calorie, high volume. Perfect for cutting or as a complement to a lentil base. Pair with hummus for added nutrition.

~60 Cal~1g ProteinVegan + GF
High Fiber

Roasted White Sweet Potato

Naturally sweet, satisfying, and rich in Vitamin A, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Pairs exceptionally well with harissa and tahini-based dressings.

~130 Cal~2g ProteinVegan + GF
Protein Stacking: Order Falafel as your main AND choose Black Lentils as your base to stack protein from two plant sources. Add Hummus as a dip and you are looking at 25+ grams of plant protein in one bowl. Track the exact numbers with our Cava Nutrition Calculator.

Vegetarian Dips & Spreads

You get 3 dips included in your bowl price. All 6 are vegetarian. Two contain dairy.

#Dip / SpreadCaloriesVegan?Flavor Profile
01Hummus~80VeganCreamy, garlicky
02Red Pepper Hummus~80VeganSmoky-sweet
03Roasted Eggplant Dip~80VeganSilky, smoky
04Harissa~30VeganSpicy chili paste
05Tzatziki~60DairyCool cucumber-yogurt
06Crazy Feta~110DairyTangy whipped feta
Best Vegan Combo: Hummus + Harissa + Roasted Eggplant = ~190 calories of creamy, spicy, smoky goodness.

Vegetarian Toppings — Unlimited & Free

Every topping is vegetarian. Add as many as you want at no extra cost.

#ToppingCaloriesVegan?
01Tomato + Cucumber~15Vegan
02Tomato + Onion~15Vegan
03Persian Cucumber~10Vegan
04Pickled Onions~5Vegan
05Salt-Brined Pickles~5Vegan
06Shredded Romaine~5Vegan
07Sumac Slaw~20Vegan
08Fiery Broccoli~25Vegan
09Kalamata Olives~40Vegan
10Fire-Roasted Corn~45Vegan
11Avocado~120Vegan
12Pita Crisps~130Vegan
13Crumbled Feta~70Dairy

Calorie Trap Warning

Avocado (~120 cal) and Pita Crisps (~130 cal) are the two biggest calorie additions on the toppings list. Combined with multiple dips, they can push a "healthy" bowl past 1,000 calories. If you are tracking macros or managing weight, load up on the zero-cost low-calorie toppings — Pickled Onions, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Romaine — and limit the dense ones.

Vegetarian Dressings

All 8 dressings are vegetarian. 6 are vegan. 2 contain dairy.

#DressingCaloriesVegan?Heat
01Lemon Herb Tahini~70VeganMild
02Greek Vinaigrette~80VeganMild
03Hot Harissa Vinaigrette~70VeganMedium
04Skhug~80VeganHot
05Balsamic Date Vinaigrette~90VeganSweet
06Garlic Dressing~100VeganMild
07Yogurt Dill~50DairyCool
08Tahini Caesar~90DairyMild

Non-Vegetarian Items — Avoid These

The following 6 items contain meat or fish. Every other item on the menu is vegetarian-safe.

#ItemReasonStatus
01Grilled ChickenPoultry — not vegetarianNot Vegetarian
02Harissa Honey ChickenPoultry — not vegetarianNot Vegetarian
03Braised LambRed meat — not vegetarianNot Vegetarian
04Spicy Lamb MeatballsRed meat + wheat binderNot Vegetarian
05Grilled SteakBeef — not vegetarianNot Vegetarian
06Glazed SalmonFish — not vegetarianNot Vegetarian

Deep Nutrition: Beyond Calories

If you are tracking specific macros (like a Keto vegetarian diet or low-sodium plan), calories and protein are not enough. Here is the detailed breakdown of the most popular vegetarian staples.

IngredientCaloriesTotal FatTotal CarbsSodium
Falafel (3 pieces)27012g31g690mg
Roasted Vegetables604g6g200mg
Roasted Sweet Potato1305g20g320mg
Hummus (1 scoop)805g6g130mg
Harissa302g3g190mg
Black Lentils (Half)1300g21g110mg
Avocado (topping)12011g6g0mg

Sodium Alert

Mediterranean food is highly seasoned. A standard Falafel bowl with feta and multiple dressings can easily exceed 2,000mg of sodium. To keep sodium low, skip the feta, ask for dressing on the side, and choose fresh vegetable toppings over pickled ones.

Pricing & Value Hacks

How much does a vegetarian bowl actually cost? And how do you maximize your value without paying extra?

Standard Bowl Costs

Prices vary by region, but here is what you can generally expect when ordering directly at a CAVA store in 2026.

  • Vegetarian Bowl (Roasted Veg) ~$12.50
  • Falafel Bowl ~$13.20
  • Extra Falafel (3 pcs) +$2.85
  • Avocado +$2.50

Value Hacks

Don't leave free food on the table. Use these strategies to get the most volume for your dollar.

  • Half & Half Bases Free
  • 3 Dips Instead of 1 Free
  • Unlimited Toppings Free
  • Side of Pita Usually Free (Ask!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CAVA good for vegetarians?
Yes, CAVA is one of the best fast-casual restaurants for vegetarians. Over 80% of the menu is naturally plant-based, and you can build a high-protein bowl easily using falafel, black lentils, hummus, and fresh toppings.
How much protein can a vegetarian get at CAVA?
A well-built vegetarian bowl can reach 20–30g of protein. Black lentils provide about 13g per serving, falafel adds 6–9g, and hummus contributes an additional 3–4g. Combining all three gets you close to 25g from plant sources alone.
Is CAVA falafel vegan?
Yes, CAVA falafel is 100% vegan. It is made from chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices. However, it does contain wheat and gluten, so it is not suitable for those on a gluten-free diet. Each serving contains approximately 270–350 calories and 6–9g protein.
What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan at CAVA?
The only difference is dairy. Vegetarians can enjoy all vegan items plus dairy-based options like Crazy Feta, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Yogurt Dill dressing, and Tahini Caesar. Vegans should avoid those 5 items. Everything else on the menu is vegan-safe.
What items should vegetarians avoid at CAVA?
Vegetarians must avoid the 6 meat and fish items: Grilled Chicken, Harissa Honey Chicken, Braised Lamb, Spicy Lamb Meatballs, Grilled Steak, and Glazed Salmon. All other items — bases, dips, toppings, and dressings — are vegetarian-safe.
Can I build a low-calorie vegetarian bowl at CAVA?
Absolutely. Start with SuperGreens (~40 cal) as your base, choose Roasted Vegetables as your main (~60 cal), pick Harissa as your dip (~30 cal), add fresh toppings like Pickled Onions and Cucumbers (~15 cal), and finish with Yogurt Dill dressing (~50 cal). Total: approximately 195 calories for a surprisingly filling bowl.

Explore More CAVA Guides

Nutrition Calculator

Build your bowl, see exact macros

Gluten Free Menu

Every GF-safe item at CAVA

Allergen Menu

Dairy, soy, nut allergen guide

Menu With Prices

All items with 2026 pricing

The Bottom Line

CAVA vegetarian options are useful because the menu gives you control. You can build a light salad, a filling bowl, or a simple pita without meat. Falafel, hummus, lentils, grains, vegetables, and sauces make the order satisfying. Choose more greens for a lighter meal, or add rice, falafel, and hummus when you want something more filling.

Build Your Bowl Now