Find it on James Street.
Find it on James Street.
Bring on balmy summer days, sand between the toes, salty hair and frosty treats on the beach with the crew. So close we can almost taste it.
You know what else goes perfectly with summer and all things oceany? Acai bowls. Those little frozen bowls of goodness that popped up out of nowhere and took over the world. Or something like that.
Luckily for us Gold Coasters, who experience at least nine months of summer every year, Acai bowls are abundant and have most recently appeared at Burleigh Heads’ newbie Oakberry Acai.
Found on James Street, next to the little alleyway where Oi Izakaya lives, Oakberry Acai opened up recently bringing many a frozen treat to the local ocean goers. It’s a corner space with big windows opening onto the street, murals covering the walls and plenty of good vibes you’ll want to get involved in.
It’s part of a worldwide group of venues whose mission is to deliver a tasty, natural and nutritious experience, in no time. Which we’re all for, particularly when the beach is calling.
Oakberry’s Acai offerings are all natural and free of food colourings, artificial preservatives and syrup, making them extra good for you and extra delicious.
They offer both Acai bowls and smoothies and of course, you can top yours up with an array of goodies to make them even better.
Think peanut butter, coconut, strawberries, banana, chai seeds, honey, chopped nuts, cacao nibs, collagen and Maca powder to name a few.
Smoothie-wise you can choose up to three toppings of your choice in a whipped drink and there are similar offerings in place.
As you’d no doubt know, being the frothy little Gold Coaster that you are, there’s nothing better than something cold and delicious in your belly at the end of a warm day and what could be better than an absolutely stacked Acai bowl? Not much friends.
Get on down to Oakberry Acai and give them (and yourself) some love.
LOCATION: 1/30 James Street. Burleigh Heads
HOURS: TBC
After a long day in the surf, there is nothing we want more than an ice-cold acai bowl to cool down and refuel. I guess you could say it’s an acai for sore eyes – see what we did there?
Okay, but does anyone really remember life before acai? That delicious little berry from the Amazon has been a breakfast, lunch and snack staple for Gold Coasters for years and because we take our jobs very seriously, we’ve done the heavy lifting (see: eating) so that you can kick back and chow down. Don’t mind us while we add acai aficionado to our resumé.
Okay, so you know it’s going to be good when they literally only make acai. Popping up all over the Coast, Oakberry has locations in all your favourite spots, so a bowl is never far away. What do we love most about the Oakberry acai bowl, you ask? No two are the same. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure vibe with bulk flavours, textures and toppings to create your custom flavour. We’re also low-key big fans of the fact that they come in cup-size containers too. No more praying your acai bowl won’t spill in the car on the drive home.
Where: Pretty much everywhere – Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, BSKT at Nobby Beach, Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Coolangatta, The Pines, Robina and Paradise Point
They’ve served 4,117,946 bowls and counting (literally, you can watch it on their website). So it’s clear, they know how to make a good acai. Their acai bowls feel like a nauti treat, but they’re more like a serving of superfoods, made plant-based, with organic, soy-free and gluten-free ingredients! We recommend the Blue Bay Bowl made with Blue Majik, açaí, coconut, spirulina and chia, and topped with granola, banana, strawberries, and coconut butter crumbles– yummmmmmmm.
Where: Paradise Centre, Surfers Paradise, Q Super Centre, Mermaid Waters and Harbour Town, Biggera Waters
Maybe some of the most instagrammable bowls on the GC, Cardamom Pod’s bowls are truly a work of art. Loaded with colourful toppings and flavours like mango mousse, blue spirulina crème and a protein ball, the colourful mermaid tail finisher makes it feel almost too pretty to eat… Almost.
Where: 3/3 Brolga Ave, Southport
Get ready for a towering swirl of creamy acai- the ultimate soft-serve dream. Each bowl is loaded with fresh strawberries, bananas, and crunchy granola. You can then drizzle on your favourite sauce or get adventurous with something new. Fan favourites? Biscoff, Bueno and Pistachio. Drool! Their acai feels like a dessert, but there’s deep-fried ice cream if you want to send that sweet tooth on a home run. We drool again**
Where: Shop 2/ 32 Davenport Street, Southport
If you’re searching for acai perfection, look no further than Blendlove in Southport. The team behind this plant-based haven has been mastering the art of the perfect bowl for years, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of our faves on the Coast. Top yours with seasonal fruit and flaked coconut buckinis, and it’s like summer in a bowl.
Where: 1/253 Ferry Road, Southport
You probably already know them for their frozen yoghurt and if you don’t, then where have you been, honestly? Now they’re swirling up acai at both their Gold Coast locations and want to know what the best part is? You can swirl as little or as much as your tum desires AND build your perfect bowl with all of the iconic Yo-Chi toppings you know and love.
Where: 11/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise and 89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach, Shop 1009/19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and 27 Connor St, Burleigh Heads
Taking the classic acai bowl to a whole new level, Goji Granola Bar is where locals flock, and celebrities are spotted when visiting our beachside haven. Anything but your average acai bowl, Goji’s signature Coco Fluff vegan ice cream is the hero topper, of course, with flavours changing weekly. Add fruit for something fresh or a churro if you want to indulge.
Where: 7/60 Santa Cruz Boulevard, Clear Island Waters
We’re feeling #blessed (sorry, we had to) that we have our very own Blessed Bowls on the Gold Coast. Hello, they do Dessert Night Hours?! You know the Brownie Acai is our go-to, with an acai base topped with organic granola, coco soft-serve, strawberries, brownie bites, cacao sauce and cacao nibs. They also have an OG, Peanut Bliss, Caramel Crunch, Choccy Blessed, Berry Blessed, Biscoff Acai and the Naked Acai. #heaven (again, we had to).
Where: Pacific Fair, 32 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters
This corner-side hangout spot has long been the locals’ favourite place to grab a coffee and a bite post-swim/surf – and it’s easy to see why. Dreamy décor and fantastic breakfast and lunchtime menus mean this is the kind of place you want to visit on the regular with salty hair and sand between your toes.
Our pick: Get the Beach Lover Acai Bowl and don’t look back! All of the bright and zesty additions you’d expect but with a healthy dollop of peanut butter as its crown of glory.
Where: 2557 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
As classic as they come, Nobbys Shack has the traditional acai combo you know and love or another with a cheeky twist. Try the Buzzing Espresso for an unexpected flavour sensation with acai, coffee, banana, protein powder and coconut milk topped with muesli, coffee beans, cacao nibs, banana and fresh fruit– energy for days!
Where: 2241 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
If you like big bowls and you cannot lie or you’re a southern Gold Coaster looking for your acai fix then you really don’t need to look further than The Salt Mill. Located in the perfect spot in Currumbin for you to pop in post swim and cool down with a bowl of icy goodness, all while soaking in epic beach front views – yes please! Trust us when we say the bowls are BIG, they’re loaded with crunchy goodness, fresh berries and passionfruit , plus a scoop of peanut butter if that tickles your fancy.
Where: 784 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
Your one-stop-shop for all the significant essentials you need, and of course, some pretty darn good acai bowls! Whilst you wait for the bowl of your dreams, you can grab yourself some super fresh fruit, a candle or two, or even an epic-looking dried flower arrangement to spruce up a space at home.
Our pick: The Choc Acai Bowl for us – this overflowing bowl is blended with raw cacao and almond milk and is topped with ALL of the seasonal fruit imaginable.
Where: 4/467 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
You could say this superfood café have found their niche, think healthy food, good vibes and acai bowls that are anything but average. Our flavour of choice? The Snickers Acai Bowl for the perfect blend of fresh and full of flavour, it’s served with vegan granola, coyo salted caramel mousse, cacao nibs, house peanut butter, activated choc buckinis and salted caramel – it’s almost too good to believe it’s good for you!
Where: 4/449 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
