Açaì bowls are everywhere, but I still remember the first time I tried one. I was on USC's campus starving (this is normal for me since I'm always hungry), and my friend suggested I try one. I had no idea what it was, but flash forward a year and some change, I'm now obsessed. As a self-proclaimed açaì bowl expert I took it upon myself (you're welcome) to try and find the best açaì bowls Los Angeles has to offer. Here are a couple of my favorites.
Backyard Bowls
Part of the reason that makes this place so great is the atmosphere it has. Located in between The Grove and The Beverly Center, this place is a perfect lunch spot. They offer two sizes, the larger one costing around $10. You can sit in awe watching them make your bowl for you. Somehow the açaì is so silky and smooth, it never melts.
They top all the bowls with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey, and they don't skimp on the toppings. The granola provides a nice texture change contrasting with the smooth açaì. As soon as you take a bite, you'll forget about all your problems.
Earthbar
If you're trying to get the most bang-for-your-buck and aren't a chef (although this recipe is super easy and delicious to DIY your own bowl), I suggest Earthbar. The large açaì bowl costs $9.95 and is giant. I'm serious; it's in a soup container. The granola is gluten-free and somehow one of the best granola's I've ever eaten. The açaì is creamy and almost has the texture of ice cream. There could be more fresh fruit on top just because they give you SO much açaì, but everything is still delicious. Earthbar deserves to be your summer go-to.
Ubatuba Açai
This large bowl is large and in charge. It also has a good variety of toppings like bee pollen and passion fruit. The granola gives the bowl a crunch that is a nice change from the açaì. The açaì itself had more of a sorbet texture but was amazing.
They offered three sizes with prices ranging from $6.50 to $12. This was the first açaì bowl that had passion fruit on it, and it literally blew my mind, like who knew passion fruit was that good? The honey was not overly sweet, and overall, these people definitely know how to make a good bowl.
Liquid Juice Bar
Located steps away from some of Melrose's famous photo opportunities (i.e. pink wall, made in LA wall), Liquid Juice Bar provides another instagram photo opp. They have a variety of types of bowls and each cost around $12. They have a decent assortment of toppings, and it was here that I discovered that I'm obsessed with gogi berries.
The only thing that could have made this place better was if the açaì was mixed more thoroughly. It was smooth, but there were a couple chunks of açaì in there, which is not always the best thing. You're definitely paying for the location here, but once in a while, it's worth it.
The Harvest Bar
This Sherman Oaks shop is where you can create your own bowl. You can choose the type of granola, type of fruits, or what special toppings you want. The Harvest Bar is very health conscious, so they have granola with real nuts and less sugar unlike other ones I've had previously.
The açaì is pre-made and swirling around in what looks like an ice cream maker. It was creamy and fresh and not overly sweet. These bowls cost around $10.00 with a good amount of açaì for the price you pay, at least in açaì bowl terms. The toppings to açaì ratio was perfect where your last bite was enough açaì and enough fruit.
Amazebowls
A USC staple, how could I not include it? It is quick-and-easy, and they always have a variety of different toppings to choose from. You can add on the superfood toppings too, so you feel like a god of all things healthy. These bowls are perfect for the break you have between classes, or when you just want to enjoy the fact that you're living in SoCal. The açaì has more of the sorbet texture and the fresh fruit you need to truly embrace the laid-back LA life.
Juice Crafters
The açaì bowl at Juice Crafters is smooth and sweet and everything you want. The coconut flakes are giant, so it adds a textural component that other places that use the small coconut flakes lack. They give you so much fresh fruit on top that I'm pretty sure my bowl had a whole banana on it. The amount of toppings was perfect for the amount of açaì. With locations all around LA, you'll never be too far away from an easy go-to lunch spot.
If you're an açaì lover, in search of that perfect Instagram food post, or just want to enjoy the ideal summer meal, any of these places will deliver all that and more. There are tons of açaì places to try in Los Angeles and Southern California as a whole. Go out there and as Amazebowls says, "grab life by the bowls!"