CAVA: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

CAVA is built for vegetarians in a way most fast-casual chains aren’t. It’s a build-your-own Mediterranean spot centered on falafel, hummus, grains, and roasted vegetables, so plant eaters get an actual full meal instead of a compromise. There’s even a pita that’s vegan straight off the menu, no substitutions needed.

What to order at CAVA

Start with a pita, grain bowl, salad, or greens-and-grains base, then load it up. The falafel is vegan and the backbone of the whole menu here. Plain hummus and the roasted red pepper hummus are both vegan, built on chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic, and the harissa and roasted eggplant dip are two more vegan spreads worth piling on. Saffron basmati rice, brown rice, and black lentils round out the bowl. SuperGreens, romaine, and every vegetable topping on the line are vegan too, so building a bowl that’s both filling and fully plant-based takes no extra effort.

What to watch out for

The only things to skip are the meat proteins, chicken, steak, and lamb, and three dairy-based dips: tzatziki, feta, and Crazy Feta. All three are vegetarian but not vegan, since they’re built on yogurt or cheese. The Greek vinaigrette isn’t vegan either, so pick a different dressing if that matters to you. Otherwise, nearly everything else on the line, from the grains to the toppings, is fair game for vegetarians and vegans alike.