This place perfect for a healthy breakfast. We order some açaí bowls, avocado toast & butternut toast. I had to say my favorite was the avocado toast. The spread was some type of tomato paste and I order egg whites with it. It was amazing. If you are looking for a quick healthy breakfast this is definitely your spot. read more

Backyard Bowls - Avo Egg - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

They're really good, but I saw something that I was like, REALLY? This girl behind the counter had her apron hanging off of her head. I was like eww. The coconut shavings better not be hair!!!! read more

Incredible bowls and smoothies. You will get plenty of food for your money. Great variety of fresh ingredients to include in your bowl or smoothie. I had the Blue Moon and added protein and turmeric. So good and filling. My husband had one of the Açaí bowls, chock full of fruit, nuts, and seeds. The seating isn't great, but fine for a quick stop. Staff were friendly and helpful in navigating their menu options. Would go back again! read more

Backyard Bowls - Blue Moon Smoothie - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Its good! It's fair price for what it is and the service is fast! I am not the biggest fan of mushy oatmeal, but some people like their oatmeal like that, I still ate it though. My father got a DELICIOUS bowl which he finished in a matter of minutes. I cannot quite recall the names of these two. But it's nice. I like the atmosphere and the newspapers they had for customers to read. read more

Backyard Bowls - Oatmeal - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Go-to açaí spot in SB! Bonus: they keep the bowls cold and ready if you don't get your bowl right away. read more

Backyard Bowls - Santa Barbara Bowl (32 oz. Only) & Warrior Bowl, large 32 oz - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came here for a lunch while visiting SB for a wedding and it did not disappoint!! Backyard bowls has been a favorite for over a decade and I knew I had to come here for the berry bowl in my quick trip down south. The location is a bit out of the way from the beach (about 10 min walk from the pier) but well worth it. I got the berry bowl and added PB in a size regular. My bf got the avo + egg toast! The regular size is huge! I probably could have shared this with 2 others but this is a great problem to have. I found the acai to be super fresh and delicious. The avo + egg was a pretty underwhelming: there was a single greasy fried egg atop a small avocado spread toast. the egg slipped all over the place, the toast part lacked flavor, and I must say it was one of the lower end avo toasts I have had. In their defense, avocado toast is not what they are known for and so I don't expect it to be the best thing in the shop to be toast...regardless I wouldn't order it again! Thanks for the overall yummy experience Backyard Bowls!! read more

Backyard Bowls - Regular size Berry Bowl add PB - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Yummy acai bowls and good quick breakfast spot to fuel you for your Santa Barbara adventure. I'm not sure I can give any acai place in the US a 5 star review after having the privilege of tasting the real thing in Brazil. Good value for the price for the amount of acai and fruit you get. They also make smoothies. I ordered a small Island bowl, which was more than enough for a light breakfast. Kept me full until a bigger lunch. Give Backyard Bowls a try if you're looking for an afternoon pick me up or a light breakfast. read more

Backyard Bowls - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Possible the best açai... I've been coming here since 2020 every time my family and I visit SB, and they are consistently delicious. Quality ingredients, does not taste like the scoopable açai from other shops. It's refreshing, filling, and so nice to eat on the patio outside. And, the employees are so nice even when they have a rush of orders with a line out the door. Must come try if you are in SB!! (and the price is not jacked up like other places!!!) read more

Backyard Bowls - Berry Bowl, small 16 oz with peanut butter, cacao nibs, and honey - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Dare I say...the best açaí bowl in Santa Barbara?? It's a bold statement but it honestly might be true. The açaí base is not too sweet but not icy either. It's topped with delicious berries, granola, banana, and the most fabulous honey I have ever had. I personally recommend the berry bowl if you like a good ratio of fruit to granola on your bowl. I always get the regular size and it's a great amount of food and leaves me full. Pro tip: order ahead for pickup! It'll save you some time waiting. read more

Backyard Bowls - Berry Bowl - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Long time fan of Backyard Bowls! The perfect choice for a light meal or snack. It's always super fresh! Their menu is filled with yummy options. I personally love the island bowl. Yesterday I opted for the super green smoothie and love it now too! This location is fun for people watching and hearing the sounds of downtown Santa Barbara. Can't recommend this spot enough! read more

Backyard Bowls - Smoothies - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came in today for a bowl at 12:05pm. The girl with curly hair who just seems to be good at nothing but gossip was suuuuuuuuper rude. Looked at me and then looked away to continue talking to her coworker who was wearing a hat. Thank god the person with blonde hair and glasses was super nice and helpful. I hate how crappy service is nowadays... exactly like this curly haired little girl. Yikes! read more

Stopped in for a protein smoothie and after some recs from the employee (who was very patient with my questions), went with the Dune Day Crusher. It was so good! My bf got the Blueberry Fields smoothie which was tasty and refreshing. While waiting, we sat outside in the cute patio area. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Santa Barbara! read more

Backyard Bowls - dune day crusher smoothie - delicious!! - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I usually don't write reviews (which is why I lagged on making this one), but Backyard Bowls downtown definitely deserves it. Every time I come into town to visit family, it's always a must for me - the food is consistently fresh, delicious, and exactly what I look forward to. On my most recent visit, I was helped by someone I believe was named Clarissa, and she went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience. Excellent service and amazing food. I'll keep coming back whenever I'm in town! read more

Delicious, large acai bowls! This place serves refreshing and large acai bowls. I got the Santa Barbara bowl, and I enjoyed the toppings and mixture that were in it. The fruits tasted fresh, and there were a fair amount of toppings. The only comment I have to say about the place is that I wish the bowl itself had a bigger diameter, which would allow more room for toppings or make it easier to eat the toppings with the acai (hopefully that made sense). The price of my bowl was about $12, which is very reasonable. Most acai bowls tend to be more expensive than this, but this was a reasonable price, and the bowl was worth it. The employees were super friendly and patient with me (while I took quite a few minutes to decide). They all wore masks, and provided the bowls in a timely manner. This place is located in a small plaza, but the plaza isn't overly busy so parking should not be an issue. There are a few small tables outside for people to eat the bowls. Overall, I highly recommend going to this place. It's delicious and worth it! read more

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We love Backyard Bowls and have been customers since they originally opened! They've gotten MUCH more popular since then (yay) so it takes a bit longer to get your food, but the quality is still the same! Pros: The bowls are LARGE and will be a filling meal for 1-2 people based on the size. Generous portions of açaí, fruit, granola, and honey. They have some delicious combos and haven't met a bowl we didn't like. They have a reward system now which is always a great incentive for more visits (newer than the old school punch cards). They have some seating that is "outdoors" in a room with a garage style roll up door that feels airy and like you're outdoors. Shared picnic table, bar stools, and a few smaller tables. Can also get your bowls to go and hop down to the beach a block down to enjoy! There is some street parking nearby and a public lot that is free for 75 minutes. You can also order online (when the system is open) for pickup to save you some wait time. Cons: Wait time can be lengthy (but worth it!) and online ordering isn't always turned on. This is a very specific and weird con but I hate their to-go spoons they cut up my mouth with their sharp edges. So I just bring my own spoon. read more

Backyard Bowls - Regular sized Green Bowl and Power Bowl - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My first time going here but it was a good experience! Staff was really nice and they were helpful with questions. I got the tropical bowl which was really fresh and delicious. The only topping I wish they had was Nutella! read more

Stopped by here while visiting the area. Service was quick and attentive when answering my questions. I ended up getting a cup of coffee with coconut milk and a warrior açaí bowl. Lots of veggies and fruit packed into this dish. 10/10 would get this again! read more

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My cashier was the (white) girl with the black curly hair, she was very short with me and incredibly unfriendly when I was trying to order. It seemed like she was annoyed that she had to take my order. She was so much friendlier with her coworkers asking them questions like "what's your favorite holiday" and joking around. When I got my bowl she just handed it to me and didn't smile or say anything. The bowl I got was delicious, I just will not be returning because of the poor customer service. read more

Backyard Bowls is always something I look forward to on a warm Summer morning right before a day at the beach. It's definitely more of a treat rather than a healthy meal, but very filling nonetheless and gives you energy for hours. They are very generous with their fresh fruit, peanut butter, coconut and granola toppings. Some toppings are limited to their seasonal availability. I've been coming here for years but generally as a special occasion treat as they are so pricey and full of sugar. I've had everything from the Acai Oatmeal to the Green Bowl. The Hercules is my go-to smoothie here, but again very sugary and not the healthiest protein shake. It's made with hemp milk which gives it the perfect texture and thickness but is often very heavy. My go-to is generally the Dragon Bowl because I love the pitaya kiwi mix. If you want the cheapest, least filling option I'd recommend the Berry Kid's Bowl. That is the only bowl they small in that size. This Backyard Bowls is located on lower State St next to Santa Barbara Roasting Company. It has its own 75 min free parking lot and street parking nearby, though i've never seen the lot full. You can park here and walk State St up and down after enjoying a bowl or even head down to the pier. It's a really nice central location, limited seating indoors and out, though. It's generally pretty busy so expect to wait a few minutes for your order to be done. They also have a drink fridge inside with kombuchas, waters and teas to go. Great morning spot to stop at before exploring the main touristy areas of SB. read more

Backyard Bowls - Dragon bowl + Kid's - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

What is better than fresh fruit? The answer, an açaí bowl jam packed with a medley of fresh fruits and topped off with a soirée of toppings. Even better is the availability of customization to allow you to create the perfect arrangement of your choosing. Personally, I love adding an extra bed of yogurt for the fruit to cozy up on adding an enjoyable balance of sweetness and tart with every scoop. A must try on a hot day or as a healthy meal alternative. read more

Backyard Bowls - Island Bowl customized to the way I like it! - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara Bowl (Acai, Banana, Strawberry, Hemp Mylk, Granola, Banana, Strawberry, Blueberry, Goji Berry, Bee Pollen, Honey) - Overall, good. I actually did not like how tall the cup was, making the mixing and digging for acai really difficult. Goji berry was a nice, unique touch. Portions are large and need two people to finish. read more

Backyard Bowls - Santa Barbara Bowl (Acai, Banana, Strawberry, Hemp Mylk, Granola, Banana, Strawberry, Blueberry, Goji Berry, Bee Pollen, Honey) - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Always amazing! Berry bowl with peanut butter on top is my fave! The smoothies are also very good if you're looking for something lighter

Blenders in the Grass may be the best along the Central Coast, but the amount of ice cream they put in their drinks is crazy. I was pretty familiar with Backyard Bowls since they have some locations in LA, but I didn't know they made smoothies as well. So before I got onto the freeway and headed down the 101, I decided to make a stop here instead for something a little "healthier". The store is a short walk from State Street, next to a city parking lot. On the menu you will find acai bowls, oatmeals, coffee, avocado toasts, and other small food items and beverages. They have about eight smoothie flavors to choose from, with a couple fruity options and some really green ones like kale/spinach. From what I remember, there's only one 20 oz size and it's somewhere around $9. It wasn't crowded when I came on a weekend afternoon, but I was told that my order will be ready in 15 minutes. I spent that time at Maya Chocolate next door, picking up a few gift boxes. I got the Blueberry Fields smoothie. The ingredients are listed on the menu: the base is strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, which is blended with coconut/cashew mylk, along with a touch of vanilla, honey, lavender, and a pinch of pollen and chia seeds sprinkled on top. The consistency is much thicker compared to your average smoothie, which did not go well with the narrow paper straws they provided; I was actually given two straws, which seems more wasteful looking back. All in all, it was refreshing and flavorful. The blueberries are definitely more pronounced with just a few hints of banana. The pollen had a very interesting taste, giving the smoothie an earthy and nutty feel. My first straw gave way when I was halfway through, and I used the second one to finish it up. I would come back to try their acai bowls. read more

Backyard Bowls - Blueberry Fields Smoothie ⋅ Motor Way - Santa Barbara, California - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great place for a quick breakfast in Santa Barbara. Go here if you love açaí bowls because they have so many options!! Bowls are huge (24oz is standard size) but very filling. Got the power bowl which was filled with bananas, blueberries, granola, and peanut butter. No indoor seating, but they do have a tiny outside patio or you can get to go. read more

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Came here for the first time last week. I ordered the blue moon smoothie and it was a really subtle and wonderful flavor. You can slightly taste the ginger in the drink but it worked well with the rest of the flavors. Definitely recommend the blue moon. read more

Backyard Bowls - Blue Moon Smoothie - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We tried looking for some brunch places that weren't too packed and didn't have a long waitlist, but decided on Backyard Bowls instead. Can't go wrong with a healthy acai bowl to start off your morning! My boyfriend ordered a large Green Bowl and I ordered an Avocado + Egg Toast. I'm not a smoothie/sweets-for-breakfast-type, so I wanted to eat something savory. They had a promo going on for a free Dune coffee if you got a Green Bowl, so my boyfriend took advantage of that. Also, the toast does take a little longer to make, but we just grabbed some coffee next door. The Green Bowl was really tasty! Because there's ginger in it, I was a little worried that it could overpower the rest of the ingredients, but everything complemented each other nicely. It wasn't too sweet and I loved the crunch and honey drizzled on top. The large size is HUGE btw, so you get your bang for your buck. My toast was pretty solid - lots of avocado spread and I love the little spice from the harissa. The sunny-side egg was runny on top, which made it so much creamier. So delicious and didn't feel like a heavy breakfast at all, so I felt energized for the rest of the morning. If you're a fan of natural and fresh acai bowls, come to Backyard Bowls! There's a few outdoor tables to sit around and enjoy your breakfast with some good company. :) read more

Backyard Bowls - Avocado + Egg Toast - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My favorite acai bowl. Been coming here for 5 years and it has never failed me. A part of a cute small plaza with parking right next to it. The açaí is also smooth and never icy read more

Backyard Bowls - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Staying in Santa Barbara and we were craving an Açaí bowl. We found Backyard Bowls and glad we tried it. The wait was about 20 minutes but well worth it. Outside/inside seating is nice and clean, parking looked tough but we walked so it wasn't a problem. The bowls are large and delicious,two sizes to choose from and we ordered the regular and it was plenty. We both ordered the power bowl and really enjoyed them. We will definitely come here again when vacationing in Santa Barbara or passing through to Wine Country. Enjoy! read more

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The best açai! High quality stuff, truly love all the hard work they have put into each bowl. The only downside is I can never talk to a person on the phone, it's all automated. Also I wish they were open a tad later than 5pm. read more

We got acai here during our visit to SB. Incredible taste, value, service, etc. We were so pleased that we were able to split a bowl and they were still both filled to the top with acai and toppings. All fruit toppings were perfectly ripe and their granola was my favorite. We enjoyed it on their patio in the sun. Will be returning when in town again. read more

Backyard Bowls - Berry Bowl split in 2 - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It was great to find this place next to roasting company, they serve a generous Acai Ball, perfectly made avocado toast with reddish and pickles on the top, The crew is super nice and you can grab best coffee in town near by! Worth coming! read more

Backyard Bowls - Avocado Toast Açaí bal - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great options for açaí and smoothie bowls. You're able to make any of the smoothies into the base of a bowl which I loved because almost all the bowls were açaí based. They have plenty of topping options and you can add extra items if you'd like. They also are some of the largest bowls I've ever seen, the large in insane, definitely couldn't finish a whole one! I got the rose glow smoothie and it had a pretty strong banana taste which I don't like so would probably try another flavor next time, but love the toppings it came with. read more

Backyard Bowls - Large bowl - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Disclaimer- I am hangry as I'm writing this. On a Tuesday morning at 9am I ordered 1 açaí bowl - the backyard bowl. After processing my credit card and being asked about including a tip for the team (which I did) they then told me it would be a 20-25 minute wait. WHAT?! That seemed excessive as there were 2 people who ordered ahead of me. So I'm patiently waiting and more and more orders come in from other people and the orders of others are being filled BEFORE me and I see they also got açaí bowls so it's not like it was a simple drink! It's now been about 40 minutes and we are STILL waiting for 1 açaí bowl. And it's a basic one too! No additions or customizations! POST EATING- here's the thing, their açaí bowls are delicious so would I come here again? Yes- with the caveat of not coming hungry and preparing to wait. Parking - we got free street parking for 75 min. There is also a parking lot (not sure if it's free). Ample seating outside. read more

Awesome smoothie bowls! We arrived right as they opened at 8AM, and soon after, there was a line. Perfect way to start the morning without being weighed down. We were happy we started our day filled with biking this way. Almost all the options are nondairy! My husband was so full, he couldn't eat the whole bowl-- which never happens read more

Backyard Bowls - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Yummy place! No option for small, regular size is large. A lot for one person to eat. Good to share! read more

Backyard Bowls - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I got a regular dragon bowl from here and it was good pretty filling but there wasn't much taste (it was lowkey bland). The wait was kinda long too but it makes sense because it was a weekend and a hot day. They gave my friends bowl to someone else so we had to wait longer which was a little annoying especially given the pandemic. We were probably there for at least 30 mins, just waiting. Would recommend ordering before heading there for sure! read more

Backyard Bowls - Dragon Bowl - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Found a hair in my bowl. Very long hair. It was wrapped completely around my bowl. I usually really love this place but during Covid times everyone is kind of on edge and that includes me. Not a great look finding a huge piece of hair inside my food. Pretty upsetting. read more

Backyard Bowls - Power bowl Power (Gainz) Bowl - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Hard to place Backyard Bowls between a 3 and 4 star review. I REALLY like their smoothie bowls, and overall l enjoy frequenting this location when I'm in the area. Their fruit is fresh, and their granola is as well; they also have an excellent variety of smoothie bowls and smoothies. I wouldn't necessarily call them true açaí bowls, as the base is a blend of fruits, fruit juice, and açaí, but regardless they are filling and rejuvenating yum yum meals. Some of the bases for the bowls are quite tasty, with strong tartness and sweetness; others are a bit more subtle and mild. But, the wait for your bowl is INSANE. We are talking 30-40 minutes from ordering to finally getting your bowl. And this is during a quiet hour in the morning. I have never waited that long at any other smoothie bowl/açaí bowl/Jamba Juice-like place. Further, there were multiple other individuals waiting who were waiting just as long, if not longer for their bowls. Unfortunately, the last time we were here (at this location specifically), the wait was also strangely long. I know they are making my bowl from scratch, but it's also starting to feel like they are going out and picking the fruit that day as well. Meanwhile, a bunch of people are picking up their online orders with seemingly no wait at all. We couldn't figure out what the issue is, because there were a gazillion people working in the back. read more

the acai bowls are so delicious and eating it feels so healthy yet so filling. the actual store is really cute for pics and aesthetically pleasing. the portions are HUGE for an acai bowl place. worth it will be back! read more

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Never come to this location unless you like waiting 35 minutes for a mediocre açaí bowl