What Oil Does Cava Use? Canola for Falafel, Olive Oil for One Dip

Does Cava use seed oils?

It's mixed, and depends on the item. Cava's falafel, along with its pita chips and pita crisps, is fried in canola oil, per Cava's own statement to the Vegetarian Resource Group in 2017. Separately, Cava's published ingredients page names olive oil for one specific item: the Crazy Feta dip. Most of the rest of the menu, including hummus, harissa, tzatziki, and the grilled proteins, isn't broken out by oil type in Cava's public documentation, so we can't confirm what those are cooked with.

What oil does Cava cook with?

Two different answers depending on the item. Falafel, pita chips, and pita crisps are fried in canola oil, per Cava's own 2017 statement to the Vegetarian Resource Group. The Crazy Feta dip is made with olive oil, per Cava's current ingredients page. Cava hasn't published the oil type for hummus, harissa, tzatziki, or its grilled chicken and steak.

Is Cava's falafel cooked in olive oil?

No. Per Cava's own statement to the Vegetarian Resource Group in December 2017, "the falafel is fried in canola oil, which is changed on a regular basis and only used to fry our falafel, pita chips, and pita crisps toppings." This directly contradicts the idea that Cava's falafel is an olive-oil preparation.

Is there anything at Cava confirmed to use olive oil?

Yes: the Crazy Feta dip. Cava's published ingredients page names olive oil specifically for that item (whipped feta with jalapeño, onion, and olive oil). It's the only menu item where Cava's own documentation names olive oil by name.

Is Cava a good choice for avoiding seed oils?

Only for specific items, not the whole menu. The Crazy Feta dip is documented as olive oil. The falafel, pita chips, and pita crisps are fried in canola oil, per Cava's own statement. Everything else on the menu doesn't have a published oil type, so treat any broader claim about Cava's cooking oil, including ones on this site previously, with caution until Cava documents it directly.