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If you’re in Madison, Alabama, there’s a good chance you’ve driven past Nautical Bowls without ever realizing what they sell.
Forget the word açai for a minute. The easiest way to understand one is to think of it as a smoothie you eat with a spoon.
The fruit is blended until it’s thick (almost like sorbet or soft-serve ice cream), and then it’s piled high with toppings like fresh fruit, granola, peanut butter, almond butter, coconut, honey, seeds, and whatever else sounds good to you.
This is usually everyone’s next question. Açai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a small purple berry that grows in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. People usually compare the flavor to blueberries, although it’s a little earthier. It’s also naturally rich in antioxidants, which is one reason it became so popular in smoothie bowls.
Because they’re much thicker than smoothies, they keep you full longer. You eat them slowly with a spoon instead of drinking them in five minutes. The toppings also add texture, making every bite a little different.
A friend told me she’d never stopped because she couldn’t figure out what meal they belonged to. Breakfast? Lunch? Dessert? After a workout? The answer is all of the above. Whenever you’d normally eat fruit, an açai bowl makes sense! That’s why you’ll see people grabbing them before work, during lunch, after the gym, or even as a healthier dessert.
For sure! One thing I loved learning is that you aren’t locked into a menu.
At Nautical Bowls in Madison, you can either choose one of their signature bowls or build your own from scratch.
There are six fruit-based options (you can mix and match if you’d like) plus two different chia puddings.
If you’ve never had one before, they’ll even let you sample the bases first, almost like tasting ice cream flavors before ordering.
I ordered a 12-ounce bowl loaded with toppings, and it lasted me three different sittings. My mom got the smallest size available, and even hers took two sittings to finish! They’re surprisingly hearty because you’re getting thick blended fruit topped with ingredients like granola, nut butters and fresh fruit.
One thing that stands out is that the entire menu is:
If bowls aren’t your thing, they also make superfood smoothies, and you can even add protein.
If you’ve driven through the Target shopping center on Highway 72, you’ve probably passed Nautical Bowls dozens of times. They’ve been quietly serving Madison since late summer 2024. Even cooler, the shop is locally owned by a brother-and-sister team who grew up right here in Madison.
They’ll cater schools, teacher breakfasts, offices, business meetings, sports teams, churches and special events.
Because smoothie bowls work just as well for breakfast as they do for lunch or an afternoon snack, they’re one of those rare catering options that fit almost any event. Orders placed directly with the Madison location are delivered free.
8141 Highway 72 W, Unit E, Madison, AL 35758
Hours
Monday–Saturday: 7:00 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Catering Email:
FOLLOW NAUTICAL BOWLS MADISON ON INSTAGRAM
Most people compare açai to blueberries, although it’s a little richer and earthier. The toppings add sweetness, crunch and texture, so every bowl tastes a little different.
They’re primarily made from fruit and can include toppings like fresh fruit, nut butters, seeds and granola. The nutritional profile depends on the ingredients and portion size you choose.
Not quite. Smoothies are drinkable, while açai bowls are blended much thicker and eaten with a spoon.
Many people enjoy them after exercising because they combine fruit with customizable toppings, and protein can often be added depending on where you order.
Nautical Bowls is located in the Target shopping center on Highway 72 in Madison.
Yes! If you prefer to drink your fruit rather than eat it with a spoon, they also make superfood smoothies.
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