New to acai? Start here
If you've never tried acai and you're standing in front of our menu wondering where to start, you're in good company. Most first-timers have the same question: what actually is this, and what do I order? There's no wrong way to ask it. Tell us it's your first bowl and we'll happily talk you through it, the same way we're about to here.
What to expect from your first bowl
An acai bowl starts with a thick, cold, blended base made from acai pulp and fruit, more like soft-serve than a drink, eaten with a spoon rather than sipped. On top go the toppings, which is where most of the flavour and texture actually comes from: fresh fruit, granola, seeds, nut butter or a drizzle of something sweet. We won't tell you a bowl is automatically a health food, or automatically a dessert. What you get depends on what goes in it and on it, and that's the part you're in control of.
Most of what's on our menu comes as a bowl, and that's what this guide is mostly about. There are a few smoothies too, the same base blended thinner and served in a cup with a straw, but only one of them, the Acai Power Smoothie, is actually made with acai. Something like the Green Queen is its own thing (matcha, kale and spinach, no acai in it), so if acai is what you're after, a bowl is where nearly all of it lives.
What flavour are you after?
Fruity. If you want the fresh fruit flavour front and centre, the Eye Opener Acai Bowl (GF) is a popular place to start, built on kiwi, strawberries, passionfruit and coconut.
Peanut butter. If peanut butter's your thing, plenty of people order the Energizer Acai Bowl (GF) first, it's built on peanut butter, banana, strawberries and coconut yoghurt.
Chocolate. For something more chocolatey, the Soul Good Acai Bowl (GF) is a popular pick, built on chocolate buckini, cacao sauce and macadamias.
Indulgent. If you're after something richer, the Nutella Bliss Acai Bowl is exactly what it sounds like: a treat rather than an everyday order, and we'd rather say that plainly than dress it up.
Build Your Own, if you'd rather choose everything yourself
If none of the above quite fits, or you already know exactly what you like, the Build Your Own Acai Bowl is our most popular order, and for good reason: you choose everything yourself rather than working around a set combination. Pick granola or buckini (or chocolate buckini) on top and bottom, then build it up with toppings from a wide range on offer, fresh fruit, coconut yoghurt, nut butter, a protein ball or our PranaOn Power Plant Protein, and more. It's also the easiest option if you're avoiding something specific, since you're choosing each part rather than asking us to modify a recipe. Tell us what you're after, or what you're avoiding, and we'll help you build something that works.
Feel like something warm instead?
Our Coconut Apple Warm Bowl blends acai and oats with coconut milk and tops it with coconut yoghurt, fresh apple, walnuts and cinnamon, a good example of a heartier, cooler-weather order. The PB SB Warm Bowl starts from the same warm oat base and tops it with peanut butter, banana, strawberries and honey, and it's the one our regulars keep coming back for. Either is worth trying if a cold bowl doesn't sound like enough today.
A simple way to decide
If you're still not sure, this is roughly how we'd talk you through it at the counter:
- Decide what flavour you're after: fruity, peanut butter, chocolate or indulgent.
- Pick the preset bowl that matches, or go Build Your Own if you'd rather choose everything yourself.
- Feel like something warm? Try the Coconut Apple or PB SB Warm Bowl instead.
- Choose toppings for flavour and crunch.
- Not sure about an ingredient? Ask us. That's what we're there for.
Come and try one
The best way to understand acai is to order one, so have a look through our full menu and see what catches your eye. Curious what acai actually is and where it comes from first? We've covered that separately in What Is acai? From the Amazon to Your Bowl. Either way, if it's your first bowl, tell the team when you order. We'd rather help you pick than have you guess.
This article is general information only and is not personal dietary advice. If you have specific nutritional needs or a health condition, speak with your GP or an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
