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Bowls & Blenders – I love Bowls & Blenders! It's been that way almost since they opened in December 2016, and hardly a week goes by that I'm not there treating myself to a bowl. Sometimes it's for myself, sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the evening, and sometimes because after Wiener Schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn, and Döner, I feel a pang of guilt and want to do something good for myself and my body, culinary-wise. The name of this rather small shop says it all: they offer Bowls & Blenders. Blender means mixer, so you have a variety of bowls and different "mixed shakes," or blenders, to choose from. Let's check it out, shall we?

Credits: studiosaint | M. Ostermeier

What's behind Bowls & Blenders?

First, let's take a look at the large chalkboard hanging above the counter, which presents all the bowls – both cold and hot – as well as blenders, some even including their calorie count. The bowls are designed to satisfy guests without being heavy; there's something for everyone, and the menu is meant to be varied yet healthy – for breakfast as well as dinner. Bowls & Blenders describes it this way on their website: "It's quite simple: you take fresh ingredients from regional suppliers and combine them with superfoods from around the world. The result is our Bowls & Blenders, which not only get you fit for the day but are also simply delicious." Let's see if that's true…

The bowls – cold and warm

Bowls & Blenders offers both cold and hot bowls. This means bowls that are more suitable for warmer days and breakfast, as well as warmer, more substantial bowls for lunch, afternoon snacks, or dinner. I've already tried several bowls from both categories. They use ingredients of the best origin and quality. Everything is fresh and, whenever possible, locally sourced. And they certainly don't skimp on the portions, at least that's my impression after every order at the counter.

One of my favorites: The Açai bowl

What all 13 "standard bowls" have in common is that they are filling but not heavy on the stomach. For example, the „Açai Bowl“ I've ordered the one with açai, bananas, mango, avocado, granola, berries, dates and coconut (for €7.80) quite often – either on-site or to go (for example, at my Regional tour through Bavaria (it served as breakfast on the train). Cold bowls do indeed become that because the base is frozen (e.g.) fruit, everything is mixed together and topped with fresh fruit, coconut flakes, granola, and all sorts of other things. Also the „Green Clean Morning Bowl“ The one with spinach, orange juice, apple, mango, avocado, dates, granola, and berries (for €6.80) tastes really good and gives you a good energy boost. Recently, I also tried the "cold bowl" for the first time – also from the "cold bowl" category – the „Mocha Banana Protein Bowl“ With milk, bananas, chocolate whey protein, spinach, chia seeds, peanut butter, granola, berries, and tonka bean (for €8.80). This is a somewhat more substantial bowl that tastes slightly sweet and keeps you full for a long time. The other cold bowls share this same characteristic. „Berry Yogi Breakfast Bowl“ with Greek yogurt, chia seeds, milk, granola, bananas and berries (for €6.80), „Overnight Breakfast Bowl“ with oats, granola, milk, bananas, apples, Greek yogurt and tonka bean (for €6.80) and „"Banana Choco Bowl"“ With banana, milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder, chia seeds, nuts, berries, and coconut (for €6.80). You can also add various toppings to any bowl for an additional 80 cents each.

Credits: studiosaint | M. Ostermeier

Both warm bowls There are seven different versions, all priced between €7.80 (for the „Summer Light Buddha Bowl“ with watermelon, mint & chickpeas, baby leaves, salad, hummus, mango and lime sauce) and €12.80 (for the „"Blossom Bowl"“ with tuna, mint edamame, Asian cucumbers, wasabi sesame crumble, wasabi and avocado cream. Again, there's the option to further customize your bowl with add-ons (from €1 for burrata to €2.50 for, e.g., more tuna). I've already tried the bowls mentioned above, as well as the... „"Mangkok Bowl"“ with grilled lemon chicken, papaya and mango salad, salsa latina, avocado, baby leaf salad and mango chili sauce (for €9.80) and the „"Achilles Bowl"“ with grilled herb-cured ham, hummus, grilled zucchini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and feta, herbs de Provence, and red sauce (for €9.80). And just last week I was there and ate it with my companion. „"Pablo Esco Bowl"“ With pulled pork, sweet potato, black beans, turmeric corn, salsa laita, and taco sauce (for €8). Delicious and, besides the aforementioned Mangkok Bowl, my favorite warm bowl. If all of this sounds too complicated, you should try the... „"Dolce Vita Salad Bowl"“ With burratina, cherry tomatoes, baby leaf salad, watermelon, avocado cream, and lime juice (for €8.40). Oh...actually, they're all good. What I love is that each bowl is different, so there's a lot of variety to try.

This is how the Blenders will be served to you with the bowl.

Blenders, salads and sweets

Now let's talk about the blenders. There are six different types, and here too there are add-ons (almond milk, protein, matcha, avocado) for 80 cents each, which can be added to the actual recipe. „"Wake up call"“ Nobody in this world really needs that, but in the form of a blender with milk, espresso beans, almond butter, macchiato whey, protein, vanilla, salt and cinnamon, that sounds much better, doesn't it? „"Beeries Bomb"“ It's not an exploding berry bomb, but rather milk with strawberries, Greek yogurt, vanilla whey protein, and tonka bean. My favorite. „"Golden Girl"“ (…I wonder why that is…? ;-)) with milk, mango, turmeric, coconut cream, vanilla whey, protein, and dates. Then there's the one I haven't tried yet. „"Barber baSH"“ with milk, peanut butter, cocoa, chocolate whey protein, dates and bananas, the „"Green Thunder"“ with coconut water, orange juice, mango, spinach, mint, matcha, lime and dates, as well as the „"Bedazzling"“ with coconut water, blueberries, bananas, chia seeds, aloe vera, and dates. All blenders, except the last one listed, are priced at €5.80, while the "Bedazzling" costs €6.80 – presumably due to the chia and aloe vera.

Right next to the counter, which is divided into "Order" and "Pay" sections, there's a small refrigerated display case. This case contains boxes and cups of freshly cut fruit, various salads and desserts, such as different flavors of chia pudding, a variety of chilled drinks, homemade lemonades, and more. By the way, one of my absolute favorite drinks will soon be available there – stay tuned, you'll hear about it as soon as it's ready.

I simply enjoy it every time.

Evaluation

I really like all the bowls, and they're all very fairly priced. Even with a drink, you can easily get a full meal for under €10, depending on the bowl. Because the small shop is quite busy during peak hours – from noon onwards and again in the afternoon – there are always several different staff members behind the counter to ensure you don't have to wait long. This means the bowls don't always look exactly the same, but it doesn't affect the taste at all, as the portion size is always the same. There are only a few tables with high bar stools and a bench, which is almost always occupied – at least during the aforementioned times (by me ;-)). So, don't expect a bit of a wait, especially at lunchtime. But once the friendly staff at Bowls & Blenders behind the counter smile at you and ask for your desired bowl, the wait won't be a problem. In summer it gets quite warm in the shop, but the bowls are also perfect for "to go".

Conclusion and information

As I began, so I end: Bowls & Blenders is great, and I keep coming back. Partly because they regularly have specials, meaning bowls "out of the ordinary." The team isn't resting on its laurels but is constantly coming up with new ideas. You can pay by card, and parking on Augustenstraße can be a bit of a challenge depending on the time of day. Recently, I even called the shop to say I wanted to pick up my bowls in 30 minutes, and it was just a quick dash in and out. Reservations aren't possible. The atmosphere is simple, functional, yet cozy. Don't be surprised if you stop by and see me sitting there with a bowl and blender.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with Bowls & Blenders. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Bowls & Blenders | Augustenstraße 31, 80333 Munich
Website
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Sunday closed
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Contact via telephone: 089 159 033 82

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