Courtesy of Sweetberry Bowls
Move over, rolled ice cream! Acai bowls are our new summer fave. And though they aren’t new, the trendy meals in a bowl are growing in popularity. Açaí berries (pronounced "ah-sigh-ee") are deep purple fruits that are high in antioxidants, healthy omegas and fiber. These berries are also the star ingredient of the bowl craze taking over Instagram, where cute containers are piled high with thick, colorful smoothies and topped with fresh fruit and other fixin’s. These unbowlievable spots that will keep you eating healthy all summer long.
210 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield
856-427-9070
Ánimo, a spanish word that means “energy, spirit and vitality,” is a restaurant that specializes in high-quality, delicious and nutritious food, perfect for families on the go. Some of our faves include a Papayay! Bowl, a smoothie bowl with papaya, raspberries and dates, topped with granola, coconut, kiwi, pineapple and banana.
355 Essex St., Hackensack
201-487-8787
Blend Cups is unique in its dedication to super clean ingredients—the shop uses organic, GMO-free, vegan and vegetarian products. Whether you’re craving crepes, sharing an organic chia seed parfait or grabbing an organic açaí bowl for the road, this is the destination for you. Sneak some protein in before the gym with their protein açaí bowl, a smoothie blended with protein powder, topped with banana, granola and peanut butter.
Creations Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies
170 Main St., Lodi
973-777-0077
Aside from their açaí bowls, this Bergen County destination has a whole slew of treats on display from bubble tea to gelato. If your kiddo isn’t in the mood for açaí bowls, grab a cup and head to the self-serve frozen yogurt bar featuring boba and fresh fruit. Splurge on their Nutella bowl, which is your typical açaí creation loaded with Nutella and hazelnut goodness.
15C Division St., Somerville
908-307-6002
Come here for straight-up smoothie bowls, acaií or pitaya bowls and superfoods galore. If the kids aren't in the mood for a signature bowl (like the Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love with banana, peanut butter, pineapple, dragonfruit and granola), they won't be able to turn down the unique, fresh-squeezed lemonade options: the La La with a shot of blue tea and Gill's made with Swedish Fish.
Aberdeen, Bridgewater, Cinnaminson, Colts Neck, Ewing (coming soon), Flemington (coming soon), Freehold, Hamilton, Howell, Jersey City (coming soon), Livingston, Long Beach Island (coming soon), Madison (coming soon), Marlboro, Marlton, Metuchen, Middletown, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Princeton, Somerset, Toms River, Wall (coming soon), Warren
Since 2016, Frutta Bowls has brought the flavors of the beach to you, like the PB&J açaí bowl, topped with granola, blueberries and peanut butter.
Beach Haven, Garwood, New Providence
Charcoal isn’t just for fire pits anymore. The Juice House specializes in a few unique smoothie bowls, including the Black Pearl, a coconut base blended with dark charcoal powder. If you’re feelin’ extra healthy, try their three day juice cleanse which helps to reboot your body, give you antioxidants and boost your metabolism.
257 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge
201-728-4994
You’ll definitely be Lovin’ Today at this cute and trendy smoothie destination. Smoothie bowls aren’t just made of summer produce and açaí berries. If you want a taste of fall, try Lovin’ Today’s Autumn bowl, a mixture of pumpkin, cinnamon, maple syrup, almonds, cashews, oats and chia seeds.
Courtesy of Lovin' Today
521 Washington St., Hoboken
201-683-5830
Makai Poke Company makes sushi burritos, poke bowls, island-style hot dogs, poke pizza and açaí bowls. Order a signature açaí and pitaya, (the fruit of a cactus, sometimes called a dragon fruit), or build your own.
107 Quimby St., Westfield
908-588-2087
You can’t get more tropical than bowls “blended with aloha.” Ono, which means “delicious” in Hawaiian, is Ono’s unique blend of flavors and ingredients to bring you smoothie bowls unlike anywhere else. Try their Ginger Wilde: a bowl loaded with real ginger, almond slices, goji berries with gluten-free granola, honey or agave.
Asbury Park, Bay Head, Beach Haven, Belmar, Brick, Cranford, Denville, Franklin Lakes, Freehold, Glassboro, Hoboken, Island Heights, Jackson, Long Branch, Marlboro, Manasquan, Millburn, Montclair, Morristown, Newark, New Brunswick, Red Bank, Oakhurst, Ocean Grove, Pompton Plains, Rutherford, Seaside Heights, Sparta, Toms River
Perhaps the most well known açaí bowl spot, Playa Bowls has more than 20 locations in NJ. The menu includes a variety of bowls and smoothies including açaí, pitaya, banana, coconut, chia pudding and green bowls. Our fave is the Electric Mermaid bowl, a pitaya smoothie topped with granola, kiwi, pineapple, mango, coconut flakes and honey. Playa Bowls also sells poke bowls in select locations.
200 Campus Town Cir., Suite 200A, Ewing
609-883-0043
Plainsboro Twp., Morrisville, PA
Hit the books before hitting this frozen yogurt, smoothie and açaí bowl destination. Situated in Campus Town right outside of The College of New Jersey’s campus, RedBerry’s brightly colored walls, community t-shirt collection and a giant lion stuffed animal welcome college students and families from the surrounding area. If you’re feelin’ a smoothie instead of a smoothie bowl, try the Berry Mangolo, the perfect combo of mango and berries poured out in your smoothie cup.
657 E Bay Ave., Manahawkin
609-713-1788
Who says açaí bowls have to come in a bowl? The Schwee Tea makes smoothie bowls fun and portable, with tall cups piled high with granola and fresh fruit. Make your own smoothie or pick from one of their homemade concoctions, like the funky monkey, a smoothie loaded with blueberries, bananas, peanut butter and soy milk.
2678 Plainfield Ave., Scotch Plains
908-358-7973
Soul Bowl is definitely a restaurant with personality, from its colorful smoothie bowls to its teal colored truck that brings healthy eating options all over Scotch Plains. The kids will love smoothie bowls topped with oreos or mixed with whipped banana custard. The best part? The bowls and lids are biodegradable!
Glen Rock, Jersey City, Montclair, Pompton Lakes, Princeton, Woodbridge
Aloha from this slice of paradise. Satisfy your inner princess with a pink rainbow bowl, a pitaya bowl covered in granola, pineapple, mango, kiwi, coconut flakes and honey. We recommend the Hermosa bowl, a classic acai smoothie topped with strawberries, blueberries and honey.
33 Witherspoon St, Princeton
609-252-0300
Tico’s brings all the flavors of Costa Rica right into this New Jersey eatery. Nestled in the heart of Princeton, Tico’s offers health-nuts only the freshest ingredients for cold pressed juices, smoothies, açaí bowls and even quesadillas. Try smoothie bowls with a sweet guava, mango and apple base, or a tart organic passion fruit base.
206 Franklin Ave., Nutley
973-542-8384
This beach-themed açaí bowl spot is sure to remind you of day trips down the shore. If açaí isn’t your thing, try one of five smoothie bowls made with a coconut base instead. And don’t worry, you’ll still get your vitamin and fiber fix from these creamy, nutty treats.
