I’m obsessed with smoothie bowls. They’re so tasty & pretty! Remember the whole acai craze that started a couple years ago? Yeah, I jumped on board that train hardcore. I bought the frozen packs of acai from Publix ($7 for 4 packs at the time! Now they’ve decreased in price and you can even find them at Costco or Trader Joe’s). I used to make a ton of my own bowls, with lots of fruit toppings. Over time, however, I got lazy and just started buying them out. They’re a pretty penny… usually $12-14 for the ones I like. I used to prioritize fruit toppings as the most important, but now I’m more about the CRUNCH! So with that in mind, let’s go through some of my favorite smoothie bowl places in Tampa!
- Soho Juice Co. – They were always a favorite of mine because of the smooth smoothie base they had, which was not too sweet, and not too watery. However, they flew to the top of my list more recently when they started the “make your own” bowls with LAYERS of diff smoothie colors and UNLIMITED toppings. I’m obsessed!! I get the 5-layer bowl with (almost) every topping, because I am ALL about the topping mix. I love a crunch in every bite I take, which is why when I make my own bowls at home, I serve it with granola at the bottom and my other toppings on top. It also helps fill up your tummy faster. Some of my favorite toppings I discovered are cashew and almond bits – they really add a nice crunch. Locations in Orlando, St Pete, and downtown Tampa (Armature and on Soho).
- SweetSoul – I don’t actually like their “smoothie” bowls, because they’re not smooth. It’s frozen acai puree or whatever that they don’t bother re-grinding up, so it’s just a huge chunk of difficult-to-eat base. SO why is it on my list? BECAUSE I LOVE THE TOPPINGS! and I get their oatmeal or chia pudding base with added vegan ice cream swirl (+2) and two scoops of the mix toppings, and 2 fruits, and almond butter, and you have an amazingly pretty & filling bowl! Talk about getting your fiber on! (next to Ciccio Waters)
- Raw Smoothie Co – I really wish this location was easier to remember for me, because I keep forgetting it exists and it’s slightly inconvenient for me to get here, but it always tastes SO FRESH and i love that they add microgreens in the smoothie bowl! Makes them look beautiful and fresh.
- Clean Juice Tampa – the newest place to come to Hyde Park! They specialize in juices (which I’m iffy on…) but I’ve tried a couple of their smoothie bowls and find them to be yummy and filling!
- Grain and Berry – the closest smoothie bowl to me! Love their smoothie bowls BUT the only gripe I have is that it’s sooo hard to eat in their bowls without having it spill everywhere :'( Faves include the Oh Kale No! bowl (haven’t actually ever had their acai bowl but had all the other smoothie bowl types here)
- Whatever Pops (Sparkman Wharf, Seminole Heights) – I remember being so impressed when I first tried them at Sparkman’s! Large bowl with tasty base similar to Fit Bowl Co, and good granola topping. Enjoyable but sweeter than my preference. More of an indulgent dessert.
- Rico’s Acai Bowl (downtown food truck) – love the rainbow bowl with all the fruit toppings! Honestly p good but so inconvenient for me bc it’s downtown 🙁 Great if you work downtown!
- Fit Bowl Co. – right next to DI coffee bar, this little stall has some of the tastiest bases. Sweeter and more liquid-y than the other places mentioned above as it’s mixed with coconut water, and more of a dessert than a filling brekkie for me.
- Karma Juice & Eatery (St. Pete) – p tasty bowl with pears which was new for me! Only been once so can’t speak too much on all their smoothie bowls, but I enjoyed my bowl. Wasn’t too filling tho.
- Escape Root Juicery (Dunedin) – omg loved this place! My bowl was filling and layered with toppings which I LOVED!! Def recommend if you’re in Dunedin.
