📍 Pret a Manger
Location: 26-27 Cornmarket St, Oxford OX1 3EY
Base price: £3.99
Extra toppings: N/A
| Value | Flavour | Texture | Customisability | Atmosphere |
| 4th | 5th | 5th | 5th | 4th |
Final Verdict:
Pret a Manger’s açaí bowl finishes in last place. The main issue is the quality of the açaí base, which is blended with a cherry puree. This completely overpowers the açaí flavour and results in a thin, soupy consistency.
Despite being the cheapest on the list, this bowl also scores poorly on value due to its very small size. It’s pre-made, resulting in no options for customisation either. While Pret is convenient, the cafe itself is chronically busy, making it one of the less comfortable places to sit.
📍 Black Sheep Coffee
Location: 141 High St, Oxford OX1 4DS
Base price: £8.99
Extra toppings: 69p – 89p
| Value | Flavour | Texture | Customisability | Atmosphere |
| 3rd | 4th | 4th | 2nd | 3rd |
Final Verdict:
The first time I went to Black Sheep, I was thoroughly impressed by the açaí. However, a recent visit led me to reevaluate. The bowl itself has gotten smaller, as demonstrated by the difference between the first and second photos. This drops it to 3rd place for value. The flavour has also deteriorated, with a very mild base and less fresh toppings. The açaí itself was quite icy, suggesting the bowl was made in a rush.
Where Black Sheep still excels is in customisability. You can choose between two pre-made bowls (Maple & Pecan and Original) or build your own, with three toppings included. Options include strawberries, blueberries, peanut butter, dates, coconut, and more.
The cafe is spacious, spanning two floors, but it’s always full, so don’t expect to find a seat.
Overall Score: 4th place
📍 Boost
Location: 203, The Westgate, Queen St, Oxford OX1 1TR
Base price: £9.45
Extra toppings: 75p – £1.25
| Value | Flavour | Texture | Customisability | Atmosphere |
| 5th | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 5th |
Final Verdict:
If you’re on a budget, this is not the bowl for you. Boost’s açaí bowl is minuscule, placing it firmly in last place for value. With extra toppings added, I paid £13 for a portion barely big enough to be considered a snack. With a small storefront in Westgate, Boost also offers no seating.
That said, the bowls are reasonably customisable. The base price includes banana, strawberries, kiwi, raspberries, granola, and peanut butter, with the option to add extra fruits. Boost also offers two smoothie bowl alternatives alongside its açaí bowl.
Where Boost truly shines is flavour. It ranks first overall, with each fruit tasting fresh and ripe. This is particularly impressive for January in England. The açaí itself was smooth and well-blended; there just wasn’t enough of it.
Overall Score: 3rd place
📍 Joe and the Juice
Location: L29, Westgate, Queen St, Oxford OX1 1TR
Base price: £9.65
Extra toppings: 95p – £1.35
| Value | Flavour | Texture | Customisability | Atmosphere |
| 2nd | 3rd | 3rd | 4th | 1st |
Final Verdict:
I am a long-time fan of Joe and the Juice. The açaí is delicious, the portions are generous, and the Oxford location is cozy despite its placement in the mall.
I made the mistake of ordering to-go, leading to suboptimal presentation, but also very generous portions. The standard bowl includes açaí, granola, banana, and almond butter, with extras of these available, as well as pineapple, kiwi, and blueberries.
This time around, underripe pineapple dropped the bowl to third place for flavour despite otherwise delicious ingredients. The açaí itself was also a bit icy. However, overall, Joe and the Juice remains a fantastic option and my 2nd favourite spot in Oxford.
Overall Score: 2nd place
📍 Greens
Location: 5 New Inn Hall St, Oxford OX1 2DH
Base price: £9.90
Extra toppings: £1.00
| Value | Flavour | Texture | Customisability | Atmosphere |
| 1st | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 2nd |
Final Verdict:
Greens is absolutely a hidden gem, placing either 1st or 2nd across every single category. It’s so good that I went twice just while writing this article.
Portion sizes are great, as can be seen in the photos. The açaí base is smooth and rich, and the toppings are notably fresh and delicious. Each bowl comes with four toppings of choice, with extras available for purchase. These include a variety of fruits, granolas, nuts, seeds, and more.
The atmosphere in the cafe is welcoming and relaxed; the music is unique, with picks such as “FE!N” by Travis Scott playing in the background, and the staff are lovely.
Overall Score: 1st place