Before heading back to campus to start the spring semester, my mom and I took advantage of my final weekend of winter break to stay in Tysons Corner, VA and explore around Washington D.C. 


Tysons Corner is retail-dense suburb that’s roughly half an hour away from D.C., and is home to several gluten-free friendly restaurants- both chain and independent. With so many options, it’s a great place to stay when visiting the areal.


After deliberating where to eat, high recommendations of Cava Mezze Grill on Find Me Gluten Free persuaded me to check out this restaurant, which is the fast casual cousin of Cava Mezze, a sit-down restaurant also with locations around the area.


Cava follows in a common trend in restaurants these days with a DIY approach to building Mediterranean-inspired bowls. It’s up to you to pick the toppings, proteins, and dressings according to your tastes. With fresh flavors, and mostly gluten-free fare, I found Cava both easy to navigate and chock-full of safe options that ensure anyone with food restrictions is not missing out when dining here.

Cava Grill’s allergen info is presented in a simple, easy-to-read pamphlet that made ordering super easy and not intimidating. It’s worth it to note too, that Cava is 100% nut-free, which means they do not use peanuts or tree nuts in their restaurant. Gluten is mainly found in the form of pita (both raw and baked), and dairy is mostly found in the cheeses and yogurt-based dressings. 


When ordering, I asked if they staffer making my bowl could use a fresh utensil and change their gloves, and they happily obliged. He scooped the ingredients from the far side of the containers to also minimize cross contamination.

I loaded my grain bowl up with deliciousness, and was extremely impressed by the abundance of food in my bowl. Here’s the construction of my bowl:

• Base: “SuperGreens” and brown rice
• Protein: Chicken
• Dips/Spreads: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Toppings: Tomato + cucumber, cabbage slaw, diced cucumbers, cauliflower quinoa tabbouleh, fresh mint, and lemon wedges
• Dressing: Green harissa

After dining at Cava, I stumbled upon their dips and sauces on the shelves of my local Mom’s Organic Market. Since there’s no Cava Grill near me, I will definitely be using these products to recreate my magical bowl at home. Click here to find out where they are stocked in stores in near you (like Whole Foods Market).

By this point, it’s no secret that I absolutely adore Cava Mezze Grill. It easily earned a spot in my favorite fast casual joints in the D.C. area, and I eagerly hope they come to Baltimore so I can visit more often. With tons of gluten-free and health-conscious options, eating at Cava is not only an adventure, but a true foodie experience without the price and pretension of a more expensive, formal restaurant.