As I stepped inside, I was immediately transported to a beachside oasis. Surfboards lined the walls, accompanied by vibrant palm tree murals and playful mermaid artwork, creating a coastal atmosphere that felt like a tropical escape.
My first visit here was two weeks ago when Playa Bowls invited me to their exclusive VIP event. At the event, I tried a Nutella bowl and while the toppings were delicious, I remember the acai base being a bit too icy.
This time, after browsing the extensive menu on the wall, I decided to order the Nutella bowl again, along with an Electric Mermaid bowl, adding strawberries to the latter. The Nutella bowl was priced at $12, while the Electric Mermaid bowl was $12 plus $1 for the extra strawberries, bringing my total to $27.11. The customer service was warm and friendly.
To the right of the cash register, there’s a cooler stocked with an impressive selection of cold-pressed juices and grab-and-go items. The Blue Mermaid Wave juice immediately caught my attention with its vibrant hue. Made from filtered water, organic lemon, simple syrup and blue spirulina, the juice boasts antioxidant-rich ingredients that promote healthy skin.
As I watched the staff prepare my order, I noticed they blended the base fresh. This was new to me, as I’m used to seeing premade acai bases stored in large containers, much like ice cream, at other acai bowl spots.
The Nutella bowl features a Playa Acai base topped with blueberry flax granola, strawberries, bananas, coconut flakes and a generous drizzle of Nutella. To my delight, the base had a smooth, creamy texture—a definite improvement from my previous experience. The combination of flavors was a perfect balance of crunchy, sweet and tart, with each bite delivering a burst of deliciousness.
The Electric Mermaid bowl is made with a pitaya (dragon fruit) base and topped with blueberry flax granola, pineapple, mango, kiwi, coconut flakes, honey and the strawberries I added. The pitaya base had a refreshing sweetness, but the fruit on top added a tart contrast. The base itself reminded me of watermelon though its consistency was a bit too liquid for my liking—I think a bit more ice could’ve made it smoother.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, I would recommend the Nutella bowl, but if you prefer a balance of sweet and tart, the Electric Mermaid bowl is a great option. My favorite bowl out of the two is the Nutella bowl.
Since I couldn’t finish the Electric Mermaid bowl, I brought it home and froze it. When I tried eating it later, the fruit and granola had become mushy, and the texture made it difficult to enjoy as is. So, I blended it in my Vitamix, and while it didn’t work as a day-old frozen bowl, it made for an absolutely delicious smoothie.
The menu is extensive, offering a diverse selection of acai bowls, smoothies, cold brews, cold-pressed juices and fresh juices. The base options include acai, pitaya, coconut, banana and mango. Acai bowls are blended with organic Playa Acai, while pitaya bowls feature organic Playa Pitaya. Coconut bowls are a creamy mix of raw coconut, banana and coconut milk. Banana bowls combine banana, honey and almond milk for a naturally sweet and smooth base.
Mango bowls are blended using natural Playa Mango, creating a tropical, fruity foundation.
The smoothie selection is equally impressive, featuring options like the Coconut New Orleans Smoothie, Dolce Latte Smoothie, Pink Pitaya, Strawberry Banana, Matcha, Orange Power, Green Smoothie, Kowabunga, Dang, Dolce, Aloha, Booster and Acai Energy. Smoothies come in two sizes, 16 oz or 20 oz, giving you flexibility depending on your craving.
Juices are available in 12 oz, 16 oz or 20 oz, with refreshing choices like Mermaid Fuel, Green Room, Ground Swell, Ding Repair, Endless Summer, Beach Break and Dawn Patrol. Among them, the Ding Repair stands out as the most refreshing, packed with cucumber, carrot, apple, beet and spinach—a true nutrient boost.
The menu also highlights two special bowls: the Booster Bowl and Stupid Cupid. The Booster Bowl has a nourishing base of banana, vanilla protein, spirulina, flax oil, peanut butter, and cashew milk, topped with granola, banana, chia seeds and peanut butter, priced at $12. The Stupid Cupid Bowl, priced at $11, features a base of strawberry, banana and coconut milk, topped with granola, strawberry, coconut flakes, raw cacao nibs, Nutella and white chocolate.
For those who want to explore the menu more fully, I recommend bringing a friend. It’s the perfect place to indulge in a sweet, guilt-free treat while trying a variety of healthy offerings.