From coast to coast, there’s been lots of buzz about the acai bowl. This healthy dish traces its roots back to Brazil and it's making serious inroads into NYC. Made of frozen and mashed acaí palm fruit, it’s often served as a smoothie, in a bowl, or in a glass. To add some flavor and nutritious value, it’s usually topped with some granola and tasty banana. (Traditionally it’s mixed with other fruits and a dash of guaraná syrup.) Renowned as a superfood, the açaí berry is rich in antioxidants and is an easy way to incorporate more berries into your diet. Health experts claim that the berries boost heart health and improve memory, so dig in to the great taste of an acai bowl!
Agavi Organic Juice Bar
This downtown health spot offers a menu of delicious juices, including cold pressed juices, and cold pressed “boosters” such as The Chi (carrot, ginger, and B12). In the acai bowl category, there’s The V.I.P.—a blend of organic acai, banana, almond milk, goji berries, hemp, granola, dragon fruit, hemp seeds, and strawberries. Another option is the Raisin-Aid—a fusion of organic acai, banana, almond milk, raisins, hemp granola, and almond butter. 72 E. 7th St., 212-390-8042, agavijuice.com
Juice Generation
Beyond the menu of delectable smoothies, juices, and other healthy treats, Juice Generation offers tasty and nutritious acai bowls. Among the offerings is Almond Butter Bliss, which is fully loaded with berries in a blend of açaí and almond butter. It is then topped with strawberries and coconut shavings. Those yearning for protein should indulge in the Protein Revolution, which boasts plant-based protein and is packed with seeds, power fruits, and nut milks. Juice Generation has several Manhattan locations, which include Columbus Circle, 979 Eighth Ave., 212-767-0309, juicegeneration.com
Liqueteria
Liqueteria’s health conscious menu is filled with all of the delicious, nutritious meals and snacks a health foodie would expect such as cold pressed juices and smoothies. Also on the menu is the Acai Parfait, which is blended with strawberries, almond butter, peanut butter, vanilla almond milk, and a dash of honey. What’s more—it’s topped off with the great taste of blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and flax seeds. Need more greens? Try the Mean Green Acai, which is finely blended with spirulina, super green food, apple cider, vanilla almond milk, bananas, blueberries, and some granola. There are several locations in Manhattan; Grand Central, Urbanspace Vanderbilt, 230 Park Ave., liquiteria.com
Dimes
Tiny Chinatown newcomer Dimes doesn't let health stand in the way of taste. Breakfast and lunch will give you the chance to try three amazingly flavorful acai bowls. Almond and banana join strawberries and raspberries in the Berry Acai; Carob Acai has a healthy mix of granola, coconut milk, banana, and dates; and the Tropical Acai brings together pineapple and banana with maca root and coconut. 49 Canal St., 212-925-1300, dimesnyc.com
Two Hands NYC
Two Hands Café in Little Italy strives to represent “relaxed living” right here in New York City. Drawing inspiration from Australia's innovative culinary scene and casual beach lifestyle, Two Hands offers a coastal inspired hideaway in downtown Manhattan. While here, you can unwind while dreaming of the surf. Dive into an acai bowl, which offers frozen blueberries, bananas, cacao and acai powder along with almond milk. This tantalizing treat is further topped with gluten-free granola, some coconut, cacao nibs, hemp, chia seeds, blueberries, and raspberries. The Aussie-inspired spot also offers a granola bowl and fruit bowl. 164 Mott St., twohandsnyc.com
