Best low-carb Cava Order
The most protein with 20 grams of carbohydrate or fewer, counting total carbs as the restaurant publishes them, under 750 calories.
The order
Order Baby Spinach, 2 × Grilled Chicken, Crazy Feta, Red Pepper Hummus, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Yogurt Dill. That comes to 725 calories and 72g protein, with 40% of the calories coming from protein.
| Item | Amount | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Spinach | 1 serving | 20 | 3g | 3g | 0g | |
| 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 | |
| Yogurt Dill | 1 serving | 30 | 2g | 1g | 2g | |
| Total | Total | 725 | 72g | 17g | 41g | |
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), Sumac Slaw (30).
2 other options
Each one is the best order built around a different main choice, so you can pick by taste.
Baby Spinach, Grilled Chicken, Harissa Honey Chicken, Crazy Feta, Hummus, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Yogurt Dill
745 calories, 70g protein, 20g carbs, 43g fat. Compared with the order above: −2g protein, +20 calories.
Swaps 2 × Grilled Chicken for Grilled Chicken, Harissa Honey Chicken; adds Hummus; drops Red Pepper Hummus.
Baby Spinach, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Steak, Crazy Feta, Red Pepper Hummus, Tzatziki, Crumbled Feta, Fiery Broccoli, Sumac Slaw, Yogurt Dill
710 calories, 69g protein, 20g carbs, 41g fat. Compared with the order above: −3g protein, −15 calories.
Swaps 2 × Grilled Chicken for Grilled Chicken, Grilled Steak; adds Fiery Broccoli, Sumac Slaw.
What would break it
These add the most carbohydrate for the least protein. Adding one to the order above takes it to:
- Sumac Sour Cream + Onion Pita Chips: 60g carbs (10g protein added)
- Pita Chips: 58g carbs (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 750 calories or fewer and 20g of carbohydrate or fewer. 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 50 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.