2026 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards Best Açaí Bowl Winner: Banzai Bowls

Banzai Bowls

Breakfast in a bowl is nothing new, but we’re not talking about your basic cereal. As the winner of the 2026 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards, Banzai Bowls has developed a rep for helping people start the morning off right with its antioxidant-packed bowls and smoothies. 

Started by a husband-and-wife team in Orange County, the açaí bowl cafe concept is named after the surf spot on the North Shore of Hawaii where co-founder Tiana Bard grew up. Since its opening in 2012, the Huntington Beach store has become a mainstay downtown, serving up colorful bowls that will perk up palates of locals and visitors alike. 

Located around the corner from busy Main Street, the Surf City USA Banzai Bowls has a storefront where it’s easy to pop in and place your order at the counter. The space is small but welcoming with a few tables inside and limited seating out front. 

But with a location so close to the beach, why dine in? Take your bowl to go and stroll a couple blocks down Fifth Street to savor your breakfast oceanside.

Healthy, Handcrafted Bowls

Part of the secret sauce at Banzai Bowls is its made-fresh ethos. Each bowl starts with a blend of açaí with naturally sweet fruits including bananas and strawberries, as well as antioxidant-packed ingredients like spinach. Bases range from apple juice to flavor-rich fillers like all-natural peanut butter and chocolate almond milk. Nothing at Banzai Bowls is pre-packaged or pre-made, and there are no fillers (think sherbet, yogurt, and other ingredients to “fill” the bowl). 

Start with an on-the-menu offering like the OG Bowl, made with your choice of apple juice or hemp milk (which adds a touch of creaminess, not to mention a plant-based protein boost). It comes topped with granola, local honey, and more bananas — but the sky’s the limit when it comes to add-ons. Every bowl can be customized with options like cacao nibs or chia seeds for some texture or leafy greens (kale, spinach) if you’re looking for those health benefits. 

Other than the OG (a local favorite), the Maui Sunrise is a popular pick. It brings tropical vibes with coconut milk, pineapple juice, and mango blended with the classic açaí-strawberry-banana mix. It comes generously topped with granola, sliced bananas and strawberries, blueberries, and lots of coconut shreds, then drizzled with honey. 

Açaí Alternatives

Bowls make for a great meal, but if you’re in the mood for a quick snack there’s a lineup of smoothies made with the same pure açaí and organic juices. The El Capitan is pure decadence in a cup made with chocolate almond milk. açaí, bananas, strawberries and peanut butter (the cacao nib-topped banana slices are too tasty to just be a garnish). 

And while Banzai Bowls is known for its açaí, the pitaya bowls and smoothies offer a vibrant alternative. It’s also known as dragon fruit and blends down into a signature hot pink puree that offers a lighter taste than açaí. High in fiber with tons of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it comes packed with health benefits and these bowls are just as satisfying. Kiwi goes great with this flavor profile, so try the Pupukea. It comes loaded with fruit including kiwi, strawberry, raspberries, and banana along with granola, coconut shreds, and bee pollen — another vitamin-packed superfood. 

Know before you go: Because everything is made to order, the wait times can be long if there’s a crowd. Order ahead if you’re in a hurry! There’s an online ordering platform where you can customize your bowl as well as a mobile app that lets you ditch the line.

222 5th St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648; (714) 594-3220