Best High-Protein CAVA Bowl — Full Macro Guide

Build the perfect high-protein CAVA bowl — complete nutrition tables for every ingredient, 5 high-protein builds, and tips for hitting 50g+ protein.

CAVA is one of the best fast-casual chains for high-protein eating. With a build-your-own Mediterranean bowl model, you can easily hit 50g+ protein in a single bowl, if you know which ingredients to pick. This guide covers every CAVA ingredient’s nutrition data, 5 optimized high-protein builds, and a checklist for maximizing protein at CAVA.

CAVA Bases & Greens

Black Lentils are the best protein base at CAVA, 17g protein vs. just 6g from basmati rice, with fewer calories.

Grilled Steak has the best protein-to-calorie ratio on the entire CAVA menu: 23g protein for only 160 calories. Grilled Chicken delivers the most total protein per serving (28g).

CAVA Dips & Spreads

5 Best High-Protein CAVA Bowl Builds

1. The Lean Gains Bowl, 690 cal | 51g protein

  • Base: Black Lentils (260 cal / 17g protein)
  • Protein: Grilled Chicken (250 cal / 28g protein)
  • Dip: Hummus (45 cal / 1g protein)
  • Toppings: Tomato + Cucumber (10 cal), Pickled Onions (20 cal), Crumbled Feta (35 cal / 3g)
  • Dressing: Lemon-Herb Tahini (70 cal / 2g protein)

Total: 690 cal | 51g protein | 51g carbs | 33g fat

2. Max Protein Bowl, 965 cal | 67g protein

  • Base: Brown Rice (310 cal / 8g protein)
  • Protein: Double Grilled Chicken (500 cal / 56g protein)
  • Toppings: Pickled Onions (20 cal), Tomato + Onion (20 cal)

Total: 965 cal | 67g protein | 69g carbs | 44.5g fat

3. Steak & Lentil High-Protein, 545 cal | 47g protein

  • Protein: Grilled Steak (160 cal / 23g protein)
  • Dip: Tzatziki (35 cal / 2g protein)
  • Toppings: Tomato + Cucumber (10 cal), Persian Cucumber (15 cal), Feta (35 cal / 3g)
  • Dressing: Yogurt Dill (30 cal / 2g protein)

Total: 545 cal | 47g protein | 41g carbs | 24g fat

4. 50g Protein Under 700 Cal, 675 cal | 63g protein

  • Base: SuperGreens (40 cal / 3g protein)
  • Toppings: Tomato + Cucumber (10 cal), Pickled Onions (20 cal)

Total: 675 cal | 63g protein | 26g carbs | 35g fat

5. Keto-Friendly High Protein, 500 cal | 32g protein

  • Protein: Braised Lamb (210 cal / 24g protein)
  • Toppings: Crumbled Feta (35 cal / 3g), Kalamata Olives (50 cal)
  • Dressing: Greek Vinaigrette (130 cal)

Total: 500 cal | 32g protein | 10g carbs | 39g fat

How to Hit 50g+ Protein at CAVA

  • Start with Black Lentils. 17g protein vs. rice’s 6-8g, with the same or fewer calories.
  • Double your protein. CAVA allows double portions, double grilled chicken = 56g protein.
  • Grilled Steak is the most efficient protein. 23g protein for only 160 calories.
  • Add Lentil Tabbouleh. 60 cal for 3g extra protein.
  • Add Crumbled Feta. Easy 3g protein at just 35 calories.
  • Skip Falafel. Only 6g protein but 350 calories, the worst protein-to-calorie ratio on the menu.
  • Dressings don’t help protein. Most add 0-2g protein. Skip heavy dressings if cutting calories.

Best Protein-to-Calorie Ratios at CAVA

Explore More CAVA Nutrition Data

Want to hit your protein goals without the guesswork? Factor delivers chef-prepared, macro-tracked meals weekly. HelloFresh also offers high-protein meal kit options if you prefer cooking.