Smoothies used to be consumed in a cup with a straw.
Today, people are using spoons—and bowls.
Smoothie bowls are icy treats made with frozen fruit, such as açaí, coconut, mango or pitaya (dragon fruit), and topped with fruits, granola and butters, often consumed as an alternative to ice cream or fast food.
Açaí, a grape-like berry native to the Amazon rainforest known for its antioxidants, fiber and Omega-3 fats, has become one of the most popular smoothie bowl bases.
Here’s a list of five shops in South Florida where you can satisfy your cold craving.
Açai Express
6855 Main St.
Miami Lakes
(786) 431-1792
Monday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
If you’re looking for a chill spot to study or a post-workout pick-me-up, Açai Express is the place for you. Located across from Sweat440 gym, the shop is known for its icy açai. The Valentine bowl, which features an açai base topped with granola, banana, Nutella, strawberries, coconut flakes and coconut oil, is their best seller. They also offer protein poppers—balls of protein powder made with peanut butter or almond butter that are dunked in chia or hemp seeds—ginger shots, natural juices and smoked salmon toast. Bowl sizes are available in small and large; prices range from $9.99 to $17.95.
While the shop gets foot traffic around noon, it peaks from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Yet, Victoria Saumat, who’s been an employee since June, says the shop always maintains its peace.
“The energy here is just really calm, never really hectic, even if we have a rush,” Saumat said. “That’s what I really like about working here and I think a lot of people would agree.”
Zen Bar
5151 SW 64th Ave.
Davie
(954) 952-3000
Monday – Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nestled inside the serenity of Marando Farms and Ranch in Davie, the Zen Bar offers a sweet respite from the daily grind. Customers can choose from four smoothie bowls crafted with organic, locally sourced ingredients and no added sugars for $13. Each treat is served in a ceramic bowl and has more than 10 toppings, including goji berries, kiwi, strawberries, banana, granola and pumpkin seeds. The shop also sells artisanal avocado toast, coffee, juices, smoothies and wellness shots.
After fueling up, customers can swing by the ranch’s family-friendly petting zoo to get acquainted with their chickens and horses, as well as their nursery, which features plants like soursop trees and succulents. Folks can also peruse the farm’s organic farmer’s market, located adjacent to the Zen Bar, which offers locally sourced goods such as eggs, bread and jam.
The shop’s manager, Electra Adams, said Zen Bar’s açaí bowls are richer and more flavorful than other bowls she’s tried. Her favorite is the Love bowl, which blends açaí with almond butter to create a thick and creamy base.
“I love them,” Adams said. “I have one almost every day for lunch.”
SoBol
7094 SW 117th Ave.
Miami
(645) 400-6161
Monday – Saturday: 8:30 a.m.– 9 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m.– 8 p.m.
SoBol is a shop in Snapper Creek buzzing with creativity. Some of their unique creations include chocolate bowls with a cacao base; green bowls blended with spinach, banana, mango, kale and almond milk; blue spirulina bowls featuring pineapple, banana and spirulina powder—a supplement derived from blue-green algae that’s rich in protein and antioxidants; and purple bowls featuring ube, a yam from the Philippines with a nutty, subtle vanilla flavor. Sofia Uriza, who has been working at SoBol since May, said the ube bowls taste like a Christmas cookie.
Bowl sizes include kids (8 ounces), classic (16 ounces) and super (32 ounces), with prices ranging roughly around $9 to $18.
“Many customers have told us that we’re one of the places with the most variety of size and flavors,” Uriza said.
The shop also sells Belgian waffles, which can be topped with smoothie purée and fruit, and egg bites made with cheese, meat and potatoes.
Ernie’s Acai
15468 NW 77th Court
Miami Lakes
(305) 200-3979
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m.– 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Ernie’s Acai puts a unique twist on traditional smoothie bowls. Rather than offering a variety of flavors, the shop specializes in a single base—a soft serve purée made with organic açaí and beet juice, apple juice and lemon juice, making it flavorfully distinct from competing brands. The absence of water from their ingredients allows the açaí to maintain a thick, frozen consistency longer, while the minimal added sugar makes it less sweet. A seasonal favorite is the “Mango Mamacita,” featuring soft serve açaí with lime-marinated mango chunks, pineapple, Alphonso mango sorbet, Tajín—a popular Mexican seasoning made from red chiles—and lime zest.
Bowls sell for $13 for a small, $14 for a regular and $16 for a large.
Elyssa Saldana, a weekly customer who now works at the shop, says many people prefer Ernie’s açaí because their purée is served in the center of the bowl surrounded by toppings, as opposed to typical smoothie bowls, which have layers of toppings over their base.
“Everything is easier to eat,” Saldana said. “Every bite is different.”
3Natives
14812 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines
(561) 376-9144
Monday – Sunday: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
If you’re cruising around Broward County in the South Florida heat, you might want to hit up 3Natives to refresh and refuel with some açaí. The shop offers several neatly layered smoothie bowls, their most popular one being the “Chronic,” featuring açaí topped with granola, strawberry, kiwi, pineapple, banana, coconut shavings and honey. They also sell wraps, burritos, sandwiches, toasts, bagels, salads, smoothies and ginger shots.
Smoothie bowls are available in 8-ounce and 16-ounce sizes, with prices ranging between $9 to $12.
Customers like Darlene Solis and her 6-year-old daughter Sofia enjoy making the most of the shop’s outdoor seating.
“It’s small, it’s cozy,” Solis said. “You get to sit outside, get some fresh air.”
