Cava Brought Back an Item Fans Have Been Begging For
I tried it (and other new menu items!) and it's even better than I remember.
Image Courtesy of Cava
I've been a Cava fan for years. It's my go-to whenever I fly out of LAX and when I'm looking for a healthy fast-casual meal that isn't Chipotle (which I also love). Earlier this month, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw that Cava had added several new items to its menu for 2026 — and, most exciting, brought back its beloved white sweet potatoes after a five-year hiatus.
If you've never had white sweet potatoes before, then you're missing out big time. Unlike a traditional sweet potato with a sweet interior, these taste more starchy and nutty and give any dish a hearty finish. Two of the Cava’s new menu items come with sweet potatoes, but there's always the option to add them to a build-your-own bowl or pita.
Why is Cava bringing back white sweet potatoes now?
Cava introduced white sweet potatoes in 2021. Fans have been bugging the chain to bring them back ever since.
“Followers have not been shy about their requests,” the brand says in a press release.
It even released a limited-edition T-shirt for superfans to commemorate their victory.
“You survived the roasted white sweet potato absence at Cava,” the description reads. “You never gave up. You persevered. You fought like hell. Your hard work brought ‘em back, and the world should know it. So we made this celebratory tee just for you — the ultimate white sweet potato fanatic.”
What are Cava's new 2026 menu items?
Cava added six new menu items to its 2026 lineup as part of its largest menu launch ever:
- Harissa Chicken Power Bowl: Harissa honey chicken, white sweet potato and power greens, feta, hummus, sumac slaw, tomato and onion, broccoli, cucumber, avocado, skhug and yogurt dill dressing.
- Spicy Lamb + Sweet Potato Bowl: Spicy lamb meatballs, white sweet potatoes, power greens, brown rice, tzatziki, red pepper hummus, sumac slaw, pickled onions, feta, cucumber, tomatoes and tahini Caesar.
- Sumac Sour Cream + Onion Pita Chips: Golden pita chips dusted with sour cream, garlic, onion and tangy-citrusy sumac.
- Tangerine Aleppo: A seasonal drink with tangerine and Aleppo-style pepper.
- Power Greens: Tender butter lettuce, baby kale, spinach and heritage greens.
- Sumac Slaw: Cabbage tossed with sumac, parsley and red wine vinegar
My honest thoughts on Cava’s new menu items:
On my most recent trip to Cava, I ordered the new Harissa Chicken Power Bowl. It was beyond delicious and kept me full — I could barely finish it, that's how much was inside. The honey chicken was both sweet and spicy and packed a punch with each bite. I also loved the feta and hummus mix-ins. Not only did they give the bowl a more creamy consistency, but they also helped neutralize the heat from the chicken.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the Sumac Slaw, as it was a bit too acidic for my taste buds, so I'd probably opt to leave that out next time. However, it wasn't a dealbreaker. On the flipside, I really enjoyed the Power Greens, which had a mix of everything so I didn't have to choose just one.
The white sweet potatoes were my favorite part of the bowl. I loved them back in 2021, and even five years later they taste just like I remember (or honestly, even better.) They added a much-needed texture and complemented the chicken quite well.
I would order the Harissa Chicken Power Bowl again, especially before a workout or a busy day, as it kept me full for more than five hours. It's worth noting that it's priced at $15.45, which is a bit more expensive than the build-your-own options, but it does come with a lot including chicken.
Image Courtesy of Cava
I also tried the Sumac Sour Cream and Onion Pita Chips, and these blew me away. I am usually a sucker for the free pita, however, the seasoning on these was impeccable. They were finger-licking good — seriously.
I didn't try the Tangerine Aleppo or the Spicy Lamb Bowl since I'm not a big fan of tangerine or lamb. However, the employee told me they were his favorite menu additions, so take that information as you will.
When can you order Cava’s new menu items?
The new menu is available now. If you live near a CAVA, then you can head over and order them in person or for delivery.
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