Banzai Bowls

Banzai bowls is a great place. Great food, great employees, great hospitality. However, their air conditioner doesn't work at all and due to that, the tables are super sticky. There is no public restroom by the way. Overall kind employees!

Amazing and consistent bowls every time, I snag a bowl before I go home after work and it stays nice and cool all the way there. Amazing ingredients and quality, been having banzai for over a decade and always been the same consistency. Wouldn’t change a thing.

I absolutely love this place. My favorite is the Maui sunrise. Love the coconut and the creamier consistency with the almond milk. Sometimes the wait can be pretty long, especially in summer, a weekend, or a warm day. They always seem understaffed. In the end it is worth the wait. Sometimes parking can be a challenge too.

My wife and I absolutely love this place! The bowls are absolutely amazing. I am a big guy who can eat a ton, and the large fills me up completely. Sometimes I can't finish it! The fruit is always fresh, the staff friendly and the cost for the amount you get is very fair.

They have really good açaí of pita ya bowls here. I love the variety of options they have. Even when they are busy, the service is fast. They are pretty expensive but I think that’s common for healthy places now a days just because quality ingredients are expensive.

I ordered the sharks cove which was very filling and delicious. It’s a HUGE portion so either share it, order a smaller size OR make sure you have a huge appetite. The employees were super friendly and I would definitely return. I would recommend adding extra granola on the side in case you want more for the bottom of the cup with your acai.

Banzai bowls is my favorite place to get açaí! Great price, great quality, and great quantity. Please never change.♥️ I ordered a large Maui sunrise.🌅 P.S Their menu is on online. I recommend calling to place your order. You might be waiting if you don’t.

The best acai bowls! They're huge, too. They use high-quality ingredients. It may not be the fastest service, but it looks and tastes great! A must do when in Newport beach.

I love Bonzai bowls and all their delicious options. Super fresh, fast, very filling without giving you food coma, and a great price. Today I got pataya and açaí with coconut milk, spinach, Banana, blueberry, goji berrys, strawberries, and bee pollen. This place is one of my go to spots that never disappoints.

I've been coming here for years for the Shark's Cove. Service is always fast and it is my favorite acai place ever. However, plan to sit outside because the blenders are LOUD. If you're with anyone it will be hard to chit chat. Additionally, service sizes have gotten smaller in the last 5 years. This is better for me because it was always a bit large (even the small size!) But can be problematic for other folks.

Covid review : Table set in the front door is used for pickups and ordering. Still by far the absolute standard in Acai bowls A+.

K O

I ordered the sharks cove which was very filling and delicious. It’s a HUGE portion so either share it, order a smaller size OR make sure you have a huge appetite. The employees were super friendly and I would definitely return. I would recommend adding extra granola on the side in case you want more for the bottom of the cup with your acai.

Ingrid Cabrera

Banzai bowls is my favorite place to get açaí! Great price, great quality, and great quantity. Please never change.♥️ I ordered a large Maui sunrise.🌅 P.S Their menu is on online. I recommend calling to place your order. You might be waiting if you don’t.

Kristin Bryant

The best acai bowls! They're huge, too. They use high-quality ingredients. It may not be the fastest service, but it looks and tastes great! A must do when in Newport beach.

Rifat Ziadeh

I love Bonzai bowls and all their delicious options. Super fresh, fast, very filling without giving you food coma, and a great price. Today I got pataya and açaí with coconut milk, spinach, Banana, blueberry, goji berrys, strawberries, and bee pollen. This place is one of my go to spots that never disappoints.

Yugina Yun

I've been coming here for years for the Shark's Cove. Service is always fast and it is my favorite acai place ever. However, plan to sit outside because the blenders are LOUD. If you're with anyone it will be hard to chit chat. Additionally, service sizes have gotten smaller in the last 5 years. This is better for me because it was always a bit large (even the small size!) But can be problematic for other folks.

Jivesh Sabnani

Covid review : Table set in the front door is used for pickups and ordering. Still by far the absolute standard in Acai bowls A+.

I went in on a Thursday morning so there weren't any students there and most people had gone for work (I assume). I was the only person in the store and was able to get my order quickly! So yummy! As an out of towner, I look forward to getting breakfast here at least once when I'm in town.

Banzai the best place to go for açai bowls . Consistency is always great, I love all their toppings & the different varieties that they have to offer. I would say they definitely need to upgrade the actual space… as the wear & tear is really showing, especially their bathroom. The ambience would be better if they spent some money upgrading, and updating the venue. That being said, the bowls themselves are always excellent. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer, so I recommend ordering online/phone so that you can just pick up when you arrive. The staff is young but works so hard, and I know they appreciate getting tipped. They do deliver a good product.

Beach vibes and açaí bowls served with a smile! (For HSP’s and others sensitive to noise the blenders are very loud and so is the music, but once you order you can sit outside where it is quieter.) Update: 5 months later and not a bad experience yet!

Wow, I’ve never met such a kind, hardworking young woman until I met Lesley at this location! From the moment I arrived, her warm smile and positive energy stood out. Lesley went above and beyond to make sure I had an amazing experience! You can tell she takes real pride in her work and truly cares about the people she helps. She’s a rare gem, and this place is lucky to have her! If every business had a Lesley, the world would be a much better place.

Shana McGinnis

Beach vibes and açaí bowls served with a smile! (For HSP’s and others sensitive to noise the blenders are very loud and so is the music, but once you order you can sit outside where it is quieter.) Update: 5 months later and not a bad experience yet!

Sophie Carrera

Wow, I’ve never met such a kind, hardworking young woman until I met Lesley at this location! From the moment I arrived, her warm smile and positive energy stood out. Lesley went above and beyond to make sure I had an amazing experience! You can tell she takes real pride in her work and truly cares about the people she helps. She’s a rare gem, and this place is lucky to have her! If every business had a Lesley, the world would be a much better place.

Alicia McConnell

I went in on a Thursday morning so there weren't any students there and most people had gone for work (I assume). I was the only person in the store and was able to get my order quickly! So yummy! As an out of towner, I look forward to getting breakfast here at least once when I'm in town.

Monica Otero

Banzai the best place to go for açai bowls . Consistency is always great, I love all their toppings & the different varieties that they have to offer. I would say they definitely need to upgrade the actual space… as the wear & tear is really showing, especially their bathroom. The ambience would be better if they spent some money upgrading, and updating the venue. That being said, the bowls themselves are always excellent. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer, so I recommend ordering online/phone so that you can just pick up when you arrive. The staff is young but works so hard, and I know they appreciate getting tipped. They do deliver a good product.

Different varieties of Acai and Dragon fruit bowls and smoothies. Just what we need after an intense workout

Banzai bowls are the best in my opinion, better than the competition. The natural flavors are unique. My favorite is Maui Sunrise and Banzai Bowl my kids love off the wall and sharks cove. I tried all their locations, however I stopped getting my açaí and pitaya bowls at this location a couple of years ago, the reason is that once I found hair on my bowl and it was long hair got it out of my mouth and well you can imagine. I came back and the place looks like it needs to be updated, when I went there was a very strong smell of manure or something else, and couldn’t eat our bowls there.

Love banzai bowls. For the price you pay you get a lot more product than its competitors. Everybody knows this and it’s evident by just how busy it gets here. Like most Acai locations, the service is pretty slow since it takes some time to make. Luckily there is a phone order system so you can call ahead and beat the rest of the line! I wish they could sync up with grubhub so you could just order online but who knows, maybe the owner will see this and consider it. The shop is very small but definitely gives you some beach vibes with the music playing in the store and the breeze that blows in. The bowls are delicious and always hits the spot!

The price is very good for what you get. Ordered the large Banzai Bowl for two and even then it was hard to finish as it was a lot. The ingredients were fresh and it tasted delicious. Would definitely go here again to try their other bowls.

Has good bowls. Kinda grimy tho. Can get pretty packed some time with water polo dudes. But it's yummy and they are dog friendly.

Food was 10/10… service could use some work but by no means was anyone rude! Will definitely return.

Yummy, healthy, fresh. Good way to end a bike ride or have a healthy lunch. Awesome

juan v

Banzai bowls are the best in my opinion, better than the competition. The natural flavors are unique. My favorite is Maui Sunrise and Banzai Bowl my kids love off the wall and sharks cove. I tried all their locations, however I stopped getting my açaí and pitaya bowls at this location a couple of years ago, the reason is that once I found hair on my bowl and it was long hair got it out of my mouth and well you can imagine. I came back and the place looks like it needs to be updated, when I went there was a very strong smell of manure or something else, and couldn’t eat our bowls there.

Alizen

Love banzai bowls. For the price you pay you get a lot more product than its competitors. Everybody knows this and it’s evident by just how busy it gets here. Like most Acai locations, the service is pretty slow since it takes some time to make. Luckily there is a phone order system so you can call ahead and beat the rest of the line! I wish they could sync up with grubhub so you could just order online but who knows, maybe the owner will see this and consider it. The shop is very small but definitely gives you some beach vibes with the music playing in the store and the breeze that blows in. The bowls are delicious and always hits the spot!

Kevin Chau

The price is very good for what you get. Ordered the large Banzai Bowl for two and even then it was hard to finish as it was a lot. The ingredients were fresh and it tasted delicious. Would definitely go here again to try their other bowls.

Omead Pooladzandi

Has good bowls. Kinda grimy tho. Can get pretty packed some time with water polo dudes. But it's yummy and they are dog friendly.

Hannah Bickley

Food was 10/10… service could use some work but by no means was anyone rude! Will definitely return.

Eric Bylsma

Yummy, healthy, fresh. Good way to end a bike ride or have a healthy lunch. Awesome

Our memories are far better than it is now, sadly. We have always loved Banzai Bowl 🥣 & it's been our go too! Earth Bowl is far better & far more offerings, toppings, base flavors & much friendlier & attentive staff too. Not sure if we'll return to the loud blender noise & inconsistent portions.

Being in a hurry I picked up a Maui Sunrise at the Costa Mesa spot rather than my usual HB location. I guessed they ran out of bananas bc they only put 4 measly slices. Also not the friendliest staff. Won’t be stopping here again.

Jose Aleman

Being in a hurry I picked up a Maui Sunrise at the Costa Mesa spot rather than my usual HB location. I guessed they ran out of bananas bc they only put 4 measly slices. Also not the friendliest staff. Won’t be stopping here again.

I used to really RAVE about this place but I just had a horrible experience!! My son wanted to get a Bonzai Bowl for the 1st time, so I was super excited to take him!! We were kind of limited on time, and I was worried it would be busy, but when we went in, it didn't seem to be, so we went ahead and ordered. We sat inside and waited for about 40 mins for two simple OG bowls!!! They would make call ahead orders for those not even there before our order. Two young girls who came in after us even got there's before us, and I asked them if they ordered ahead but they said they didn't, and the only girl working (who was pretty young) actually belted out, "pretty sure they were before you!!" They definitely were not! There were three other young guys working who were literally moving as slow as possible. It was so frustrating and completely rude, no apologies whatsoever from them either. I don't mean to sound like a "Karen", but honestly, I was totally shocked how I watched a once thriving, busy place had turned almost opposite, probably because of the kids they have working there and their horrible, lack of, Customer Service!! I will continue to get Acai Bowls from Juice It Up next to the new Target on 17th street where the girls working there (who are also young) have respect, work swiftly to get your order done, and give excellent, friendly service!!! This is the last time we will ever return to this Bonzai Bowl location, that's for sure!!

The bowls are delicious. Unfortunately, it takes at least 30 minutes to get a bowl. You might as well make a bowl yourself at home. I went early in the morning when there weren't many people around. There needs to be more employees and more blenders to get through orders faster.

Not accomadating to allergies at all, I have a strawberry allergy so I asked to order a bowl with a different fruit instead of strawberries, the cashier said fine but we'll need to charge you a surcharge for the substitution. I just wanted a different berry since I couldn't get strawberries and shouldn't have to pay an extra few $$ for that but he did not care and insisted on the surcharge fee. Also the last time I ate there my bowl was really gritty and had a terrible texture, I had to throw it out.

I went to Banzai Bowls today, expecting a quick in and out. I had to be at work and I went an hour before my shift. I put in my order, and was waiting for 45 minutes! I occasionally asked if my order was ready, only to receive something like "it's almost ready" or that they were finishing up. Then, I saw one of the workers completely stop making my bowl, and make a whole new one for her friend who came in right that moment. Since I already paid I didn't want to leave, and finally they finished. I was late for work and would not go back again. Very poor service.

This place is a complete mess with three employees, and you stand in front of the cashier and they don't care , they are taking to each other and you say HELLO HELLO but it doesn't matter. They take care of you when they want, and the food is overrated, so don't go there is a bad bad service

Simplesmente o pior. Simply the worst. If you’ve had açaí in Brazil, this place is a huge disappointment. On top of slow service (nearly 15min but I was the only customer) it was the worst açaí bowl of ever had. Won’t be back.

Everything about this place is dirty from walls to floors, sticky floors and more the wait is like 45 plus minutes nobody greets you when you first come in you get this unwelcome vibe the açaí bowls are great no complaints about the bowls Or smoothies but the manager really needs to step it up and get better workers!

natalie esqueda

Everything about this place is dirty from walls to floors, sticky floors and more the wait is like 45 plus minutes nobody greets you when you first come in you get this unwelcome vibe the açaí bowls are great no complaints about the bowls Or smoothies but the manager really needs to step it up and get better workers!

Unfortunately the quality here has gone wayyy down… I got a bowl and there’s honey smothered on the whole outside of the container, the lid and the spoon that’s inside the container (so weird that they put it inside). The kiwi and strawberries look & taste so old and the granola is stale. You’re better off making your own açaí bowl at home for a fraction of the cost.

Nicole G

Unfortunately the quality here has gone wayyy down… I got a bowl and there’s honey smothered on the whole outside of the container, the lid and the spoon that’s inside the container (so weird that they put it inside). The kiwi and strawberries look & taste so old and the granola is stale. You’re better off making your own açaí bowl at home for a fraction of the cost.

Poor ingredients. My kid ordered a OG bowl it includes banana and strawberry but they gave little banana and no strawberry. We won't be there again.

The service here is the worst. I’ve given them 3 chances and every time the service is horrible. The location on Balboa is much better so from now on I’ll go out of my way to go to that one, because I will still get my bowl and eat it in the time it takes to get mine at this location. Not to mention the kids working here always have an attitude. The bowls are good, just don’t go to this location unless you want to wait all day.

I use to live nearby so I would literally come here daily for their ala moana bowl. I would always substitute the almond butter out for peanut butter because I love love love peanut butter. Last time I was here was 2 years ago and I randomly craved it today but sadly its not as good as it use to be :( the place wasn’t busy at all and yet my online order wasn’t ready when it was suppose to be, in fact they hadn’t even started it. They put honey on my bowl even though I told them not to and to top it off the peanut butter tasted gross and old like it’s expired. Sadly won’t ever be coming back.

Went to the store today 09.29.2024 to pick up an online order. I go to the cash register, stands a guy and does not say hello brazenly. Next to stands the same girl blonde and the same does not say hello. Showed my order, they silently put 3 glasses and said everything is ready. I wonder if when they buy an order they carry the food in their hands without a bag. I asked for a bag, they gave me a box 😹🙈 God what a horror. Why do you have such terrible service and people working there? Are they taught to say hello at the entrance? Or did I walk into their house without permission?

My bowl took a very long time to make. The workers just chatted and weren’t really doing their job. There were over 5 bowls to add fruits on and nobody did it for a while. When my bowls were finally done, they were overfilled and they didn’t even ask if I wanted it covered or not. My white shorts are now stained because of their unsatisfactory service. The bowls are great, but the service was horrible.

Luckily the food is good, because the service is ABYSMAL, actually it’s pretty much nonexistent. I’ve never waited 40 minutes for a smoothie to be made in my entire life. It might help to have someone older than 17 working to actually manage the business and the employees. 4 people working while I waited but 3 were cleaning and only one was working on the long queue of orders waiting. Stood at the counter for 10 minutes before even being acknowledged. Could be a great place but the service ruined it.

TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. We went in the store to order and nobody said anything to us for 5min while we stood by the register. We then waited for 30 MINUTES while the staff continued to ignore us after we ordered (sitting on their phones, everyone seemed like they hated their job, etc.). First off, I’ve never had to wait that long at the other banzai bowl location on balboa peninsula even when they were busy and if the wait will be that long, let the customer know! The staff were even rude to another customer when she couldn’t hear them calling her name by saying under their breath something about her being “deaf”. Elijah M. was particularly bad. Recommend avoiding this location or be sure to order ahead because the customer service here is terrible.

I had an awful experience here. The menu text was so tiny I couldn’t read it, so I asked Kiara (the girl taking orders) what was in my order. She said everything except coconut. I hate coconut, and if she had told me, I never would have ordered it. Alas, the kiwi that was supposed to be in my order wasn’t there. When I noticed the issue, Kiara was extremely rude, rolled her eyes, and acted like I was the problem. Totally unprofessional. Worst customer service I’ve had in a long time.

Laleh Abbasi

I had an awful experience here. The menu text was so tiny I couldn’t read it, so I asked Kiara (the girl taking orders) what was in my order. She said everything except coconut. I hate coconut, and if she had told me, I never would have ordered it. Alas, the kiwi that was supposed to be in my order wasn’t there. When I noticed the issue, Kiara was extremely rude, rolled her eyes, and acted like I was the problem. Totally unprofessional. Worst customer service I’ve had in a long time.