Best bulking Cava Order

A big meal of 1,000 to 1,400 calories built to carry as much protein as possible, so a surplus is not just extra fries.

The order

Order Black Lentils, 2 × Grilled Chicken, Crazy Feta, Red Pepper Hummus, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Fiery Broccoli, Fire-Roasted Corn, Sumac Slaw, Yogurt Dill, Pita Chips. That comes to 1,365 calories and 100g protein, with 29% of the calories coming from protein.

Item	Amount	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
Black Lentils	1 serving	270	18g	37g	7g
2 × Grilled Chicken	2 × 1 serving	500	56g	6g	26g
Crazy Feta	1 serving	70	4g	1g	6g
Red Pepper Hummus	1 serving	40	2g	5g	2g
Tzatziki	1 serving	30	2g	1g	3g
Crumbled Feta	1 serving	35	3g	0g	3g
Fiery Broccoli	1 serving	35	1g	2g	3g
Fire-Roasted Corn	1 serving	45	1g	5g	3g
Sumac Slaw	1 serving	30	1g	3g	2g
Yogurt Dill	1 serving	30	2g	1g	2g
Pita Chips	1 serving	280	10g	41g	8g
Total	Total		1365	100g	102g	62g

Change it in the Cava calculator

Add these freely

None of these adds more than 30 calories, so they barely move the total: Salt-Brined Pickles (5), Shredded Romaine (5), Tomato + Cucumber (5), Persian Cucumber (15), Pickled Onions (20), Tomato + Onion (20).

2 other options

Each one is the best order built around a different main choice, so you can pick by taste.

Black Lentils, Grilled Chicken, Harissa Honey Chicken, Crazy Feta, Red Pepper Hummus, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Fiery Broccoli, Fire-Roasted Corn, Sumac Slaw, Yogurt Dill, Pita Chips

1,375 calories, 98g protein, 106g carbs, 63g fat. Compared with the order above: −2g protein, +10 calories.

Swaps 2 × Grilled Chicken for Grilled Chicken, Harissa Honey Chicken.

Black Lentils, Braised Lamb, Grilled Chicken, Crazy Feta, Red Pepper Hummus, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Fiery Broccoli, Fire-Roasted Corn, Sumac Slaw, Yogurt Dill, Pita Chips

1,325 calories, 96g protein, 101g carbs, 61g fat. Compared with the order above: −4g protein, −40 calories.

Swaps 2 × Grilled Chicken for Braised Lamb, Grilled Chicken.

What would break it

These add the most calories for the least protein. Adding one to the order above takes it to:

Garlic Dressing: 1,545 calories (0g protein added)
Sumac Sour Cream + Onion Pita Chips: 1,655 calories (10g protein added)

How this order was chosen

We tried every Cava bowl a person would realistically order from the published menu (greens or grains, main, dips and spreads, toppings, dressing, side) and kept the ones with between 1,000 and 1,400 calories. Among those, the order with the most protein wins, but an item only earns its place if it adds at least 1g of protein for every 100 calories. Without that rule the winner fills up with sides that add a gram or two of protein and a lot of calories. Drinks are left out; pair the meal with a zero-calorie one.

Extra protein costs more at CAVA.
Dressings are listed per serving. Garlic Dressing is 180 calories, so the one you choose can move a bowl more than any topping.

Nutrition from Zolt's Cava menu data, last reviewed 2026-08-19 against CAVA. Portions in the restaurant vary, so log what you were actually served.