Smoothie Bowls in Montreal : where to find the best
It’s hard to believe it took us this long to join the band wagon, but here we are… and we’re not complaining about it! Especially with the onset of summer, smoothie bowls are one of the best ways to fuel your body and refresh yourself. That being said, they can still be kind of hard to find in Montreal, so here we are with a brand new list of where to find the best in the city!
If you don’t already know, a smoothie bowl is an adaptation of a classic smoothie, where extra ingredients like frozen fruit, nuts and ice are added to make the smoothie thicker and better suited to be eaten out of a bowl with a spoon. Of course, the element that best characterizes the smoothie bowl is the toppings that decorate it – most commonly shredded coconut, fresh fruits, seeds and granola. Many people also may know smoothie bowls under the name açaï bowls (pronounced ah-sigh-ee), which are smoothie bowls made using the super-food açaï berry as the base ingredient.
It was only 2015 when The Telegraph predicted smoothie bowls would become the next big trend in the food world – and they were right. The trend started in America, and owes almost all of its rampant growth to Instagramers and health food bloggers. Even if you’re someone who typically rolls their eyes every time ‘the next big thing’ comes up on the scene, there is no denying that smoothie bowls are:
Although every individual will have their own preferences for their ideal smoothie bowl, the restaurants on this list serve the ones we like the best. If you know of any other Montreal addresses that make great smoothie bowls, send us an email at [email protected] so we can add your suggestion to the list!
If you are searching for more suggestions of summer-friendly gourmet treats, check out our list of the best ice cream in town or the best iced coffee in town.
© photo Aloha Espresso Bar Instagram
The best way to sum up Venice MTL is a ray of California sunshine in the heart of Old Montreal, and now also downtown and in Saint-Henri. The Venice theme was inspired by the owner’s love of Cali-culture, which of course, includes smoothie bowls! The menu offers four different bowls, all with unique flavours and good quality ingredients – and there is no where better than the colourful backdrop of Venice MTL to enjoy one.
© photo Venice MTL Instagram
Their slogan is ‘Aloha in the Village’, and we couldn’t think of better words to describe this restaurant! Kamehameha Snack Bar is a Hawaiian gourmet counter in Montreal’s Gay Village, and one of their menu highlight is none other than the smoothie bowl. This address is offering three unique versions, all of which carry the classic tropical flavours that you would expect to find at a Hawaiian restaurant. This place is great, especially for the summertime!
© photo Kamehameha Instagram
We love going to Aloha Espresso Bar for their delicious poke bowls (some of the best in Montreal!), but they also serve really good smoothie bowls. The bowls here are specifically açaï bowls, which are smoothie bowls made using the super-food açaï berry as the base ingredient. As a Hawaiian themed restaurant, Aloha Espresso Bar is a super festive and vibrant address!
© photo Aloha Espresso Bar Instagram
Don’t let the name intimidate you – you don’t need to be a professional yogi to enjoy a smoothie bowl from this Café! Located right on boulevard Saint-Laurent, this humble café/yoga studio hybrid is a great place to grab a healthy and filling smoothie bowl when you’re in the area. They serve their smoothies in charming coconut shell bowls, and use lots of superfoods as toppings! An A+ smoothie bowl.
© photo Belém Café and Yoga Instagram
Tommy Café has become somewhat of an icon of Montreal, especially on instagram (where smoothie bowls reign supreme). There are now two Tommy locations in Old Montreal, both of which are extremely charming thanks to the white accents, vintage aesthetic, and abundance of greenery. Stop by either of them for a refreshing and beautifully presented smoothie bowl – also of the açaï variety!
© photo Tommy Instagram
Barley, comfortably nestled in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood on rue Notre-Dame, is a self-described cereal bar! The unique concept has expended to include all things breakfast oriented, which obviously includes smoothies bowls. They serve four different smoothie creations, two of which are vegan, and all delicious. We especially recommend the New Castle smoothie bowl, which includes mango, banana, ginger, almond butter, turmeric and other spices.
© photo Barley Instagram
If you’re a health nut, you’ve probably heard of Crux Comptoir. However, even for those of us that are still working on those New Years goals to eat a little better, Crux Comptoir makes getting your 5 a day easy! They serve everything from fresh juices and chia pudding parfaits to pizzas and … wait for it … smoothie bowls! They have over 7 different smoothie bowls, which all use açaï as the base. Flavours range from matcha to PB&J, and of course they have the classics.
© photo Crux Comptoir Instagram
Café Saint-Henri is one of our favourite cafés in the city, thanks to its impressive and stylized setting, and good food! Of course, they serve a really delicious smoothie bowl, but they also have other great breakfast and lunchtime dishes. Along with your smoothie bowl, have some of their coffee, which is made from their very own Saint-Henri micro torréfacteur company.
Banc Public is one of Tastet’s favourite addresses. This café is not just any regular café, but a gourmet address in the truest sense of the word. Everything here is good – brunch, salads, sandwiches, pastries. At Banc Public, the menu follows the seasons, so it is constantly changing according to what is fresh. The smoothie bowl is no exception – it changes according to the seasons and inspirations of the team! We have seen a pineapple and coconut smoothie bowl, as well as an avocado, banana, and spinach smoothie bowl! We love the variety and the high quality of the food at Banc Public. We come back here all the time!
