Acai Bros on Rodney Street is a relatively new (months) addition to a vibrant and competitive foodie corner of Edinburgh. Tucked away near Broughton Street and Canonmills, it’s a small shop with a compact bar for sitting in, but its main trade is takeaway.
It has become a firm favourite with local workers (like me) who pop in for a treat that masquerades as a healthy snack, or perhaps a healthy snack that masquerades as a treat. Either way, it hits the spot.
The Acai Bowls
For the uninitiated, acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a small, purple Brazilian fruit famed for its high antioxidant content. At Acai Bros, this superfood is served frozen, almost like an ice cream or sorbet, forming the base of a bowl which is then layered with a host of toppings.
I’m torn between two favourites. The Vitamin Boost includes the acai base with maple cinnamon granola, coconut flakes, kiwi, and a sprinkle of bee pollen. The Raspberry Twist, meanwhile, features cacao granola, frozen raspberries, chia seeds, raspberry jam, banana, and a generous dollop of peanut butter.
You can see the dilemma. With jam and peanut butter, the bowl leans heavily into “treat” territory and becomes quite calorific. But it’s packed with good stuff. The chia seeds, for example, are a fantastic source of plant-based calcium.
The Experience and The Extras
The process is simple. You walk in, order at the counter from the menu board, and watch as your bowl is assembled fresh from rows of tubs containing the ingredients. You can choose a 12-ounce bowl (around £8) or a 16-ounce (around £10). I find the 12-ounce a bit small, so I always opt for the 16.
This freshness is fantastic, but it comes at a cost. On a busy lunch break, a queue of three or four people can mean a bit of a wait. It’s popular, and good things take time. If you get it to go, be warned: the bowl is properly frozen, so your fingers might be cold by the time you get back to the office.
It’s not just about the bowls. Acai Bros also offers a range of Superfood Smoothies. I can recommend the Amazonian, which blends acai, mango, strawberries, and coconut milk. There is also the curiously named Golden Dawn (mango, pineapple, passion fruit, cacao, bee pollen, and coconut milk), though I can’t confirm if it’s associated with any hermetic mysteries.
Things to do in the City Centre
Acai Bros is conveniently located on the edge of the New Town and City Centre. It’s easy to reach via the tram stop at York Place or by bus, and it’s a short walk from Waverley Station. If you’re exploring further afield, picking up a vehicle from Rentalcars.com is an option from the city centre.
You are a stone’s throw from the independent shops, delis, and pubs of Broughton Street. For entertainment, you can catch a West End show at the nearby Edinburgh Playhouse (check ATG for listings) or take a 10-minute walk up Calton Hill for one of the city’s best views.
Overall
Acai Bros isn’t a glamorous, sit-down restaurant. It is a functional, fresh-food spot that delivers precisely what it promises: a delicious, superfood-packed bowl of goodness.
They open early on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and a little later on the weekends (though they are closed on Mondays), making it a great option for a healthy breakfast on the way to work. For me, it’s a place I go when I need an emotional pick-me-up, and I recommend it.
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Review: Acai Bros
Acai Bros on Rodney Street offers freshly made acai bowls, superfood smoothies, and healthy treats in a popular takeaway spot near Edinburgh’s city centre.
Summary
Acai Bros on Rodney Street offers freshly made acai bowls, superfood smoothies, and healthy treats in a popular takeaway spot near Edinburgh’s city centre.
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