Playa Bowls has recently opened a new location that has gained a lot of attention. Groves students flock there every day at lunch, withstanding the long lines to enjoy a smoothie, acai bowl, oatmeal bowl, or juice for lunch. Playa Bowls first opened in May of 2014 but Michigan’s first location opened in 2022, and continues to expand, including one in Bloomfield Township. If you’re looking for a new summer restaurant with fresh energy-boosting and protein-filled foods for affordable prices, this could be the place for you!
Playa Bowls first started when it was founded by Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, who grew up surfing in Jersey Shores. While they were taking many surf trips to places like Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, they were inspired by the variety of acai bowls in each place and decided to open a restaurant of their own.

Along with the food being refreshing and delicious, it also has many health benefits. The oatmeal bowls contain fiber and protein, the acai bowl is cell-healing and energy-boosting, and the Pitaya helps with your metabolism and digestion, the coconut has a lot of fiber, and the greens have protein, fiber, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K, the banana has a lot of potassium, and the chia pudding contains nutrients that can prevent heart diseases and strokes. So while you’re having a delicious meal you can also gain health benefits.
With so many options, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but my personal favorite is the Nutella acai bowl, with granola, banana, strawberry, coconut flakes, and Nutella. It’s the perfect summer snack, as it’s both refreshing and healthy. The combination of fruits provides a sweet taste, and the granola and Nutella add a good contrast. The fruit is fresh and the acai is cold, making it the perfect snack for a hot summer day after the pool or beach. My sister and dad both love the Aloha smoothie, with banana, mango, pineapple, and coconut milk. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and tart and it lives up to its name by tasting like a sunny day by the ocean in Hawaii. My brother’s favorite is the Olas banana bowl, with granola, banana, blueberry, coconut flakes, chia seeds, and almond butter. This combination of ingredients makes for the perfect bowl, and the blueberry adds a nice tarty flavor to the mix.

The large variety of foods and flavors at Playa Bowls makes it the perfect summer restaurant for you and your friends.