It’s the superfood Brazilians have championed since the dawn of time, and it’s fast becoming part of the lexicon of fit foodies in Abu Dhabi

01. Acai detox juice

Visit Acai Xpress and you’ll notice a list at the counter of all the health benefits of the fruit – it’s a long one, and while we imagine it’s open to debate if it really is that good for you, What’s On certainly recommends trying the food here, especially their detox menu – try the acai juice with kale, hibiscus tea and honey.
Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10am to 11pm, Thur and Fri 10am to midnight, Dhs21 to Dhs25. Tel: (02) 6423855. Taxi: Yas Mall. yasmall.ae

02. Honey acai porridge

Berri’s is popular with celebrities in Hollywood, and the Abu Dhabi branch has launched a new breakfast menu (see the October edition of What’s On Abu Dhabi magazine for more details). One dish on it will lure in fans of the acai – its honey acai berry baked oatmeal combines the low-GI energy boost you’ll get from the porridge with the antioxidants found in the Brazilian fruit along with almond milk.
Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 11pm, Dhs45. Tel: (02) 6439555. Taxi: Al Muneera. facebook.com/berriscafeuae

03. Acai freakshake

Abu Dhabi has gone mad for freakshakes, but there’s not many available for those of you watching your calories. Step forward Café 302 on Hamdan Street, which has combined the berry with bananas, soy milk, cacoa powder, chia seeds and blueberries for a treat that is also vegan – it’s one of a new range of freakshakes the café released last month.
Al Maha Arjaan By Rotana, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, daily 6am to 11pm, Dhs43. Tel: (02) 6106666. Taxi: Hamdan Street. rotana.com

04. The Antioxidant Bomb

Detox Delight, the online delivery company, is big on juice cleanses and healthy snacks, and also sells a selection of superfood bowls – one of them is stuffed full of acai. The Antioxidant Bomb lives up to its name – as well as the berry, it comes with raspberries and beetroot.
detoxdelight.ae

05. Acai berry bowl 

Jamba Juice have been selling smoothies and kale drinks to health-obsessed Californians since 1990 and acai makes several appearances on the menu in Abu Dhabi, most notably in the acai berry bowl, which has mixed berries, acai, strawberries, blueberries, frozen yoghurt, soya milk, plus banana slices and granola on top. Jamba include all the calorie counts for their dishes on their menu – and while the berry bowl certainly is tasty and packed full of vits from all that fruit, it’s also a sugar overload. This one comes in at 850 calories for 12oz.
Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 7am to midnight, Dhs20. Tel: (02) 6749606. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Mall. jambajuiceme.com

06. Acai superfood salad

Healthy Juicery is a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ kind of place on Reem Island, but the menu is worth a visit if you’re a fitness freak in need of a protein shake, a juice full of greens or, most importantly, some acai. It serves a selection of bowls (think acai with strawberries, blueberries, bananas, honey, gojis, almonds and cashews), but it also sells an acai salad – but don’t expect a limp bit of lettuce and some celery, this colourful bowl comes with apple, orange, banana, mango acai berries, goji berries, chia seeds and a wheatgrass shot.
Boutik Mall, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 11pm, Dhs30. Tel: (02) 3048265. Taxi: Boutik Mall. facebook.com/healthyjuiceryuae

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