You don’t need to travel far for a taste of the tropics.
Acai bowls, which originated in the Amazon rainforests of Brazil and became a staple among surfers in Hawaii and California, have made a home for themselves here in Northeast Pennsylvania.
For those who have never tried the smoothie-like treat, acai (aa-sigh-ee) bowls contain a base of blended up frozen acai berries and other fruit. Usually, acai bowls contain plenty of toppings including fruit, granola and spreads such as peanut butter or honey.
Jeff Costanzo, co-owner of Goodness Bowls in downtown Scranton, said the cafe’s most popular item is the Nutty Nutella bowl, which is made with blended acai (an acai base mixed with almond milk, blueberries and bananas) and topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, Nutella and peanut butter.
The Blue Bayou Bowl and the Avalon Bowl sit on a table in the dining area of Goodness Bowls in Scranton Friday, July 10, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Paired together are the Blue Bayou Bowl, a special on the summer menu, and the popular favorite, the Avalon Bowl, in the dining area of Goodness Bowls in Scranton Friday, July 10, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
An outside dining area is available at Goodness Bowls in Scranton Friday, July 10, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Workers Bob Walker and Maeve Haggerty pose for a photograph at Goodness Bowls in Scranton Friday, July 10, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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The Blue Bayou Bowl and the Avalon Bowl sit on a table in the dining area of Goodness Bowls in Scranton Friday, July 10, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Costanzo said he believes the popularity of acai bowls comes from how nutritious — and delicious — they are.
“It’s a nice treat,” Costanzo said. “If you’re looking for something on a hot day, it’s kind of a healthier alternative to ice cream. I also think there’s just an increase in awareness that it’s out there and accessible.”
Goodness Bowls’ menu also includes items such as coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, salads and wraps. Costanzo said Goodness Bowls aims to give customers a consistent supply of healthy food and bring vibrance to the Scranton area.
“The whole premise is providing healthier, lighter food options and positivity,” Costanzo said. “The people who work with us here are energetic and really great to work with, and I really can’t stress enough how much I enjoy being part of life downtown and seeing people walking around.”
Goodness Bowls got its start in 2019 in New Jersey and opened its Scranton franchise in late March. Costanzo said the cafe is already building community.
“During the school year we see a rush of young kids after school lets out, and it’s popular with university kids,” Costanzo said. “We also get people in here with their families, older people who are curious about what we have and then people who are just looking for healthier options.”
At Zummo’s Cafe in Scranton, the homey decor offers customers a cozy space to relax and have a drink or bite to eat. Zummo’s features all sorts of treats from acai bowls, smoothie bowls, salads and sandwiches to coffee and other pastries.
Lindsay Joyce, the general manager, said community is what Zummo’s is all about. Zummo’s started selling its signature acai bowl in 2020, which comes topped with fruit, granola and either nut butter or honey.
Joyce said she believes acai bowls owe their popularity to their health benefits, how pretty they look and how customizable they can be.
She also said that having other businesses like Goodness Bowls that sell acai pop up in the area has helped acai sales at Zummo’s skyrocket and bring attention to acai bowls to the region.
“We’re all helping each other,” Joyce said. “All small businesses thrive when one thrives.”
Although their popularity is generally thought to skew toward young people, Joyce said Zummo’s sees customers of all ages buying their acai bowls.
Over in Moosic, Nearme Yoga and Nearme Cafe provide customers with a one-stop health hub. The cafe will have been open for 10 years in February.
At Nearme, there are healthy food options such as sandwiches, smoothies and salads as well as yoga classes, Pilates classes and holistic services. The cafe serves coffee too.
Of course, Nearme also features a variety of acai bowls from their classic Acai Zen Bowl (topped with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, banana, coconut and granola) to their PB & J Bowl which contains a peanut butter drizzle.
Chelsea Manganaro, owner and founder, said Nearme was one of the pioneers of acai in the area. She said she started Nearme because she wanted to create a space in which people could come together.
“I realized there was a lack of community-style events in the area, and I loved yoga,” Manganaro said. “So I basically combined the two things and we opened up the yoga studio. Then, we had some space that wasn’t being used and thought we would turn it into a grab and go food location, but it turned into something a lot more than that over the years.”
According to Manganaro, Nearme’s acai bowl is its most popular item, and she said there’s just something special about it.
“Being right off of 81, we have a lot of people who come traveling through the area,” Manganaro said. “And they’re always saying it’s the best acai bowl they’ve had even though they’re from Jersey or I’ve had a million acai bowls but there’s something different about this one.”
Manganaro mentioned that Nearme has fresh produce coming in every day.
“We have gluten-free and vegan options, so there’s a lot of different people that can come in and find something on our menu,” Manganaro said. “When people think of Nearme, I think they think of an ecosystem of healthy living. So they can get healthy food but also go and take a yoga class, shop in the store or use the sauna.”