If you're interested in learning more about the nutritional breakdown of the food items that Playa Bowls offers or about the company itself, make sure to check out www.playabowls.com.
I had the pleasure of dining at Playa Bowls which is essentially a smoothie bowl eatery that caters to all your cravings, all day long, be it lunch, snack, dinner, or even for a nightcap. Honestly, coming out of the surf to munch on pizza and hotdogs was so yesterday!
Originating from humble beginnings back in 2015, Playa Bowls is now a well-renowned chain of smoothie bowl restaurants with over 150 branches across the country and Puerto Rico. These branches are a testament to the passion of founders Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor—hardcore surfers who fancied the idea of selling smoothie bowls on Jersey Shore. Having been globetrotting surfer-dudes, they used to fuel up on acai smoothie bowls before and after their surfing escapades. The locales ranged from Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua to California—seriously—these guys have tales to tell when it comes to their journey and their infamous smoothie bowls! But back home, Jersey Shore was sadly lagging on offering a similar healthy alternative.
I remember laughing when they told me they lived on the second floor of a pizza shop—talk about stark contrasts right? They asked the pizza joint owner to let them set shop selling acai bowls in front of the restaurant. And the rest, as they say, is history! Armed only with an umbrella, a blender, and a basket full of fruit, they started their smoothie bowl journey. The whirl of the blender, the vibrant colors of the fruits, and the flyer properganda about the heaps of health benefits was a sight to behold and soon drew in curious crowds. By 2015, they had established their first storefront and franchised more locations in 2017. Today, they proudly hold the title of being the number 1 smoothie bowl restaurant on Jersey Shore. Take that, pizza!
So, How does Playa Bowls Stand Out?
Playa Bowls sets itself apart from other smoothie bowl joints with its commitment to using acai and pitaya as the two main bases for its bowls. Now if you're not too familiar with these superfoods, here’s a crash course: Acai is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, which makes it one of the healthiest fruits in the world, while pitaya, or commonly known as dragon fruit, supports digestion and metabolic health. And folks, that's why Playa Bowls is hailed as a healthy joint for folks conscious of their weight and overall health.
One thing I particularly loved about Playa Bowls was its option for customization. Their extensive menu features over 30 different bowls, but if you're feeling creative, you can mix and match your choice of fruits, bases, toppings, and the final yummy drizzle.
So, What Awaits You At Playa Bowls?
Playa Bowls doesn't just start and end with smoothie bowls – their menu is vast. Apart from smoothie bowls which, mind you, are over 30 in number, they also serve up coffee, cold-pressed coffee, poke bowls, juices, salads, and smoothie shakes. Each menu category features an array of items with different base and fruit combinations.
Depending on the time of your visit, they have options for every occasion. The acai smoothie bowl makes for a great lunch option, while the varied poke bowls with different seafood are perfect for dinner. Their unique pre and post-workout smoothies and bowls are ideal for an energy hike, as well as aiding in recovery.
At Playa Bowls, every item on the menu is made with non-dairy milk—even in the smoothie beverages. They serve Silk Almond Milk, So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage, and other non-dairy alternatives like cashew milk, oat milk, and soy milk. The sweet tooths would be delighted to know they use Splenda and Agave for sweetening purposes.
Your mind can be at ease knowing that all of the bowls served at Playa Bowls are plant-based, made with the freshest and highest quality ingredients. However, the only non-vegan options on their menu are the poke bowls and their Nutella offerings.
First-timers might be a little overwhelmed with the extensive offering, but fret not, here's a list of the best-selling items on the Playa Bowls menu worth a try:
A fantastic acai bowl topped with granola, strawberries, blueberries, and honey.
This acai bowl comes topped with granola, banana, strawberries, coconut flakes, and a drizzle of Nutella. Yes, this is as tempting as it sounds!
A pitaya bowl featuring granola, kiwi, pineapple, mango, coconut flakes, and honey.
A blend of kale with vanilla protein, topped with banana and granola, and finished off with a almond butter topping.
Who wouldn’t love a banana blend with granola, banana, cacao nibs, walnuts, strawberries, and peanut butter?
This is a delicious combination with 19 grams of protein, granola, banana, strawberries, coconut flakes, and Nutella drizzle.
If you're calorie-conscious, Dragonberry is a pitaya blend with granola, blueberries, strawberries, and honey drizzle which is the lowest-calorie bowl on the menu.
Ordering at Playa Bowls—How Does it Work?
Ordering at Playa Bowls is a walk in the park. Just stroll over to the service counter and pick your order from the menu. And if you're in a mood to whip up a customized smoothie bowl, here's how you can:
Step 1: Pick a base for your smoothie bowl. They have acai, pitaya, coconut, green, chia pudding, banana, and oatmeal. This forms the core ingredient of your smoothie bowl.
Step 2: Now, it's time for fruits and toppings! Playa Bowls boasts a wide selection of fruits ranging from bananas to blueberries and toppings from flax seeds to cocoa bits. This will make up the second layer of your smoothie bowl.
Step 3: Finally, choose your drizzle. You have options like Nutella, honey, and peanut butter to give the final touch to your smoothie bowl.
Wait, Does Playa Bowls Offer Online Ordering and Delivery?
Absolutely! The convenience of ordering your favorite bowls is just a few taps away. Playa Bowls offers online ordering and delivery via delivery apps like DoorDash, UberEats, Seamless, and Postmates. Get the app, select Playa Bowls, put together your order, and enjoy their offerings delivered right to your doorstep.
When Can You Visit Playa Bowls?
Playa Bowls is open from 11 am to 7 pm but take note, operating hours may vary depending on the branch location.
Pros:
- Wide range of menu items
- Vegan friendly
- Option for customization
- Available online ordering and delivery services
Cons:
- Limited non-vegan options
- Operating hours may vary across locations