# Cava Menu: Full Prices, Best Bowls & What to Order (2027)
By Daniel Rozin | A Versus B | January 4, 2027
Cava is a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain founded in 2006 in Bethesda, Maryland, with over 350 US locations as of 2027 — one of the fastest-growing fast-casual chains in the country. Cava's model mirrors Chipotle's build-your-own format but uses Mediterranean ingredients: grain bowls, pitas, and salads built on a base of greens or grains, topped with house-made proteins, dips, toppings, and sauces. A grain bowl or pita starts at $10.99, and a salad starts at $10.99. Cava is particularly known for its house-made hummus, crazy feta (whipped feta with jalapeño), harissa (roasted red pepper chili sauce), and rotating seasonal ingredients. Here is the full Cava menu with 2027 prices.
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Cava Menu Prices (2027)#
Build-Your-Own Bowls & Pitas#
Every Cava bowl or pita follows this build sequence:
- Base (greens, grains, or both — included)
- Dip (choose up to 3 — included, extras +$1)
- Protein (choose one — included)
- Toppings (unlimited free toppings from the toppings bar)
- Dressings (choose 1 — included)
- Finishing touches (pita chips, pita bread — included)
| Format | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Grain Bowl | $10.99 |
| Pita | $10.99 |
| Salad | $10.99 |
| Kids Bowl/Pita | $6.99 |
The base price includes one protein, up to three dips, unlimited toppings, one dressing, and finishing bread/chips. This is a complete meal — no sides necessary.
Bases#
| Base | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SuperGreens (salad mix) | 35 cal | Arugula, spinach, chicory blend |
| Saffron Basmati Rice | 210 cal | Aromatic long-grain rice, mild |
| Lentils | 230 cal | French green lentils, peppery |
| Pita Wrap | 290 cal | Pocket pita bread instead of bowl |
| Half & Half (greens + grains) | Varies | Most popular base combination |
The Half Greens + Half Saffron Rice combination is the most popular base at Cava — it balances volume, nutrition, and flavor. The lentils are worth trying for their earthy, protein-dense quality.
Dips (choose up to 3, house-made daily)#
| Dip | Calories | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Hummus | 50 cal | Classic chickpea, tahini, lemon — the foundational dip |
| Crazy Feta | 90 cal | Whipped feta + jalapeño — spicy, creamy, addictive |
| Roasted Red Pepper Hummus | 60 cal | Smoky, slightly sweet hummus variant |
| Eggplant & Red Pepper Htipiti | 45 cal | Greek-style roasted eggplant dip, smoky and mild |
| Tzatziki | 30 cal | Greek yogurt + cucumber + dill — cooling and fresh |
| Harissa | 25 cal | Roasted red pepper chili paste — the spicy option |
| Lemon Herb Tahini | 70 cal | Sesame tahini + lemon, bright and nutty |
Recommended dip trio: Crazy Feta + Hummus + Harissa. This combination covers creamy, savory, and spicy. The Crazy Feta is Cava's most distinctive item — the jalapeño-whipped feta is a flavor you cannot get anywhere else in fast-casual dining.
Proteins#
| Protein | Calories | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken | 190 cal | Herb-marinated, grilled on flat-top |
| Braised Lamb | 260 cal | Slow-braised shoulder with Middle Eastern spices |
| Spicy Lamb Meatballs | 210 cal | Hand-rolled lamb meatballs in tomato sauce |
| Falafel | 300 cal | Crispy fried chickpea patties (vegan) |
| Harissa Honey Chicken | 240 cal | Chicken in harissa-honey glaze — sweet and spicy |
| Roasted Vegetables | 90 cal | Seasonal vegetables, roasted (vegan) |
| Salmon | +$3.50 | Atlantic salmon, pan-seared — upcharge applies |
Best protein: Braised Lamb ($10.99 inclusive). Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Tender, richly flavored, and significantly more interesting than any fast food protein. The braised lamb is the signature protein that separates Cava from other fast-casual chains.
For spice seekers: The Spicy Lamb Meatballs are a compelling second choice — hand-rolled with chili and served in a spiced tomato sauce.
For vegetarians: Falafel at Cava is excellent — crispy exterior, soft and herby interior, properly seasoned. Among the best falafel available in a fast-casual format.
Free Toppings#
Unlimited, included in the base price:
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Vegetables (pickled) | Pickled onions, banana peppers, pickled cucumbers |
| Vegetables (fresh) | Tomato + cucumber salad, arugula, cherry tomatoes |
| Grains/Legumes | Farro, lentils (as a topping), cabbage slaw |
| Cheese | Feta crumbles |
| Crunch | Pita chips, pita crisps |
Dressings#
| Dressing | Calories |
|---|---|
| Lemon Herb Tahini | 100 cal |
| Silan & Amba (date + mango pickle) | 80 cal |
| Greek Vinaigrette | 90 cal |
| Lemon Vinaigrette | 60 cal |
| Harissa Vinaigrette | 70 cal |
Lemon Herb Tahini is the most popular dressing and pairs with every protein. The Silan & Amba is the most distinctive — a sweet-sour combination of date syrup and pickled mango that is unlike anything at other chains.
Sides & Extras#
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Side of Pita Bread | $1.99 |
| Side of Hummus | $2.99 |
| Side of Chips (pita chips) | $2.99 |
| Kids Juice Box | $1.99 |
| Sparkling Water | $2.49 |
Pita Chips & Dips (Snack)#
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pita Chips + Hummus | $5.99 |
| Pita Chips + Crazy Feta | $6.99 |
| Pita Chips + Tzatziki | $5.99 |
| Trio Dip (3 dips + chips) | $8.99 |
The Trio Dip + Pita Chips ($8.99) is an excellent shareable snack — three house-made dips with a full bag of baked pita chips. Works as a light meal or a starter for two.
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The Best Cava Bowl Build#
Based on toppings popularity and flavor balance, the optimal Cava grain bowl:
Base: Half SuperGreens + Half Saffron Basmati Rice
Dips: Crazy Feta + Hummus + Harissa
Protein: Braised Lamb (or Harissa Honey Chicken)
Toppings: Pickled onions + tomato-cucumber salad + feta crumbles + pita chips
Dressing: Lemon Herb Tahini
This build delivers: creamy (hummus, crazy feta), spicy (harissa), savory-rich (braised lamb), fresh-acidic (pickled onions, tomatoes), and crunchy (pita chips, feta). All flavor components are present.
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Cava vs. Chipotle vs. Sweetgreen#
| Category | Cava | Chipotle | Sweetgreen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99 | $9.75 | $12.95 |
| Protein quality | ✅ Braised lamb | ✅ Barbacoa | ✅ Blackened chicken |
| Unique items | ✅ Crazy feta, harissa | Rice bowls | ✅ Seasonal produce |
| Vegetarian | ✅ Excellent falafel | ✅ Sofritas | ✅ Many options |
| Customization | ✅ 3 dips + unlimited toppings | Standard | Limited |
| Speed | Fast | Fast | Moderate |
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Is Cava Worth It in 2027?#
At $10.99 for a complete grain bowl with protein, Cava is priced slightly above Chipotle ($9.75) but below Sweetgreen ($12.95+). The value is strong: the bowl includes a protein, three house-made dips, unlimited toppings, and a dressing in a single price. The Crazy Feta alone justifies a Cava visit — it is not available at any comparable chain. Cava has expanded aggressively because its food genuinely earns its following: Mediterranean flavors, real slow-cooked proteins, and a variety of toppings that make every visit customizable. For health-conscious fast-casual eating with genuinely bold flavors, Cava is the best option in its category.
A Versus B covers menus, prices, and comparisons across the most popular restaurant chains. All prices reflect 2027 US national averages and may vary by location.
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